All Obituaries

Joann M. (Kocher) Balschi, age 84, of 729 Hookies Grove Road, Northumberland, died early Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she was a patient. Born in Danville on June 23, 1936 a daughter of the late Ross A. and Dorothy E. (Everett) Kocher. She was a 1954 graduate of Danville High School. Her early life was spent in Danville and she then resided in Riverside for many years. In 2003 she moved to her present home in Point Township, Northumberland...

Robert H. Cochran, age 65, of 1325 Orange Street, Berwick, passed away peacefully at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on Thursday, January 14, 2021 where he had been a patient since December 16, 2020. Born in Sewickley on May 10, 1955, he was a son of the late Robert Leslie, Jr. and Lois (Barker) Cochran. He moved to the Bloomsburg area when he was 11 years old. Robert attended the Central Columbia Schools before graduating from the Columbia-Montour Vocational Technical School in...

Edward H. Polk, age 97, 119 Pepper Hills Drive, Danville, died early Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center where he was a patient. Born in Greenwood Township on September 14, 1923, he was a son of the late Reamer D. and Viola (Corneilson) Polk.  He resided in Danville since 2001 and previously lived on River Hill Drive, Bloomsburg for 13 years and in Hemlock Township prior to that. Ed began working at the former Columbia Silk Mill in Bloomsburg...

Carl M. Swartzlander, Jr., age 79, of 280 Church Road, Northumberland entered into rest at his home on Wednesday morning, January 13, 2021. He was born on June 14, 1941 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville a son of the late Carl M. and Nora G. (Straub) Swartzlander. He was a 1960 graduate of Danville High School where he resided before moving to Point Township 20 years ago. He also was a graduate of Penn State University and finished tech school in Racine, Wisconsin, Minneapolis,...

Anthony J. “Tony” Sylvester, Ph. D, age 90, of Bloomsburg, died peacefully with his wife at his side on Monday, January 11, 2021. Born in Newark, New Jersey on August 1, 1930, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Angelina (Grasso) Silvestri. He resided in Bloomsburg since 1965. Tony was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Catholic High School in Newark. He earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Rutgers University and his Ph. D. in History from the University of Chicago. Tony...

Shirr (Couden) Keithan, age 71, of 1240 Numidia Drive, Catawissa (Numidia) died at 1:17 p. m. Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born in Reading on January 2, 1950, she was the daughter of the late John R. and Alberdina (Stagg) Couden, Sr. Shirr was a 1968 graduate of Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington and also attended Mansfield University. She resided in Numidia since 1988. She was last employed as a baker by Rohrbach Farm Market in...

Kevin B. Breisch, age 57, of 183 Mountain Road, Berwick, died at his home at 11:45 a. m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 after an illlness. Born at the Bloomsburg Hospital on December 30, 1963, he was the son of Lonnie E. Breisch of Orangeville and the late Darla Lou (Hess) Breisch. He was a 1983 graduate of Central Columbia High School. Kevin was employed as a fabricator by the former Custom Fab Co., Bloomsburg for many years and was last employed at Commercial Stainless Steel in...

Ross Helwig, age 93, of English Hill Road, Bloomsburg died Tuesday afternoon, January 5, 2021, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he had been a patient. Born in Ringtown on May 2, 1927, he was a son of the late Edward Wallace and Florence Ava (Fuhrman) Helwig. He resided in Mount Pleasant Township since 1951. He was a 1945 graduate of the former Locust Township High School. Ross was a lifelong farmer and also was employed by the former Emenee Shirt Factory in Catawissa for 32...

Dinh Vinh, age 81, of Bloomsburg, passed away at 5:45 p.m. Monday, January 4, 2021 at the Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center, where he had been a resident for four years. Born on January 25, 1939 in Vietnam, he was the son of the late Tran Thi Ngoc Lan and Nguyen Phuoc Buu Dong. He resided in Bloomsburg since 1975. Dinh was the founder and former owner of China Queen on Route 11. He was a Major in the South Vietnam Navy. Dinh is survived by his friend, Xuan Ly, Bloomsburg, and...

Barbara Jean Underkoffler, age 53, of Danville, died at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 2:26 PM where she was  a patient. Born in Philadelphia on August 26, 1967, she was the daughter of Dorothy Jean Riffert and the late Robert J. Underkoffler. Barbara had a giving heart and was always very kind with sharing her money, helping others whenever there was a need. Barbara is survived by  her mother,  a daughter, Dorothy U....

Anna Mae (Reichert) Anderson, age 91, 1707 Montour Boulevard, Danville, and formerly of Bloomsburg, died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Sunday, January 3, 2021 after an illness. Born in Pottsville on March 29, 1929, she was a daughter and only child of the late James and Alma (Fenker) Reichert. Her foster parents were Jacob and Minnie Horne and she lived on a farm near Quakertown for 13 years. Her step father was the late William Ellis Beyer Anna Mae moved to Bloomsburg in...

Barbara Ann (Young) Pfleegor, age 86, formerly of Stony Brook Circle, Orangeville, died at 12:15 p. m. Friday, January 1, 2021, at Emmanuel Center For Nursing in Danville where she resided for one and a half years. Born in Bloomsburg on January 8, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Ernest J. and Mary (Peterman) Young. She spent her life in the Bloomsburg area. Barbara was employed at Bloomsburg State Teachers College in the laundry until it closed and she then transferred to the...

William Lee Amon, age 84, of 918 E. Eighth St., Bloomsburg, died at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Friday, January 1, 2021 after an illness. Born in Cranberry Township, Venango County on April 16, 1936, he was a son of the late Ralph and Mary Ellen (Shull) Amon. He was a 1954 graduate of Cranberry High School.  A longtime resident of Franklin, he resided in Bloomsburg since 2015. Bill enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps following high school and served his country with honor in...

Christopher Lee Taylor, 33, of Port Allegany, PA, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. Born December 14, 1987 in Coudersport, PA, he was the son of Lalloyd “Pete” and the late Roxanne Erway Taylor. Christopher attended school in Port Allegany and then went on to attend BOCES in Olean, NY for culinary arts. He worked at several restaurants in the area as a cook before stopping due to ill health. He is survived by his father Pete Taylor,...

Frank P. Baggetta, age 83, of 7 Crooked Stick, Bloomsburg, died at 3:35 a. m. Friday, December 31, 2020 at the Grandview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Danville He was born in Paterson, New Jersey on October 3, 1937 a son of the late Natale and Rosa (Fischer) Baggetta. He was a 1955 graduate of Paterson High School and resided in the Bloomsburg area since 1993. Frank was employed by the U. S. Postal Service working in Paterson and Totowa, New Jersey until retiring in 1993. He...

Ruth Anne Bond passed over on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 10:35pm at the Emmanuel Center in Danville, PA.  She had been rehabilitating there after suffering a stroke in October and contracted COVID-19, which ultimately took her life.  She was born to Carroll and Katherine (Beard) Bond on July 15, 1935 in Pana, Illinois.  She was a graduate of Pana High School, she earned her BA in Health and Physical Education from Wheaton...

Wayne Mohr, age 69, passed away at his Bloomsburg home on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Born on November 18, 1951 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late Frederick, Jr. and Lois (Clough) Mohr, Wayne grew up in Connecticut and New York before settling in Keene, New Hampshire, where he met his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner, Kathleen. He served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War before returning home to pursue his education. Wayne received an undergraduate degree from Keene...

Susanne L. (Duy) Radice, age 98, passed away on December 30, 2020. A lifelong resident of Bloomsburg, she was born on January 21, 1923, a daughter of the late Albert W., Jr. and Virginia (Ely) Duy. Susanne was a graduate of Bloomsburg High School and the former Bloomsburg Hospital School of Nursing, and became a Registered Nurse. She also had a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Bloomsburg University. She worked at both the Bloomsburg Hospital and Geisinger Medical Center in...

Robert N. Johnston, age 96, of Rushtown Road, Danville, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020, at Vintage Knolls Senior Living in Danville. He was born on June 24, 1924 in Tarentum, a son of the late Howard and Alice (Shuster) Johnston. He was a graduate of Tarentum High School. After high school, Bob enlisted in the Navy in October, 1942. After attending corpsman training, he was transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, N. C.  From there he became part of a new...

Carol Ann (Packard)  Roy, age 47, of 810 Judson Hill Road, Gillett, Bradford County, died at 4:00 a. m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville after a prolonged illness. Born in Elmira, New York on April 7, 1973, she was the daughter of Richard and JoAnn (Little) Packard. She was a 1991 graduate of Troy High School and received a B. S. degree from Mansfield University in 1996. Carol was last employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Apple Ridge Nursing Home...

Valerie Ann (Mills) Moyer, age 61, of 551 E. Third St., Bloomsburg, passed away at 2:50 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center. Born on July 15, 1959 in Bloomsburg, she was the daughter of the late Gerald R. and Wanda Ruth (Eyer) Mills. She was a 1977 graduate of Millville High School and received a B.S. degree from Bloomsburg University. Valerie worked for Bloomsburg University in Kehr Union, where she was the manger when she retired. She was...

Richard J. Barth, age 94, formerly of Chambersburg, died unexpectedly early Sunday Morning, December 27, 2020 at Nottingham Village in Northumberland where had resided since July, 2020. Born in Buffalo, New York on December 24, 1926, he was a son of the late John W. and Ruth (Kalbfleisch) Barth. He graduated from high school in Buffalo and received his B.S. degree from the University of Buffalo. Richard resided in Chambersburg for 15 years before moving to Northumberland and earlier he...

Paul C. “Hap” Schatz, age 76, of Bloomsburg died at 10:10 p. m. Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Brookdale Senior Living in Bloomsburg where he resided since July, 2019. Born in Norristown on August 10, 1944, he was a son of the late John E., Sr. and Thelma (Michener) Schatz. He resided in Mt. Pleasant Township since 1976. Hap was a 1966 graduate of Lock Haven State Teachers College with a B. S. degree in Education. He received his M. S. degree in Education from Bucknell...

David S. Conrad, age 71, of 31 Sunset lane, Danville, died at 9:25 p. m. Thursday, December 24, 2020 at The Gardens At Millville where he was a patient. Born in Sunbury on October 11, 1949, he was a son of the late Jesse W. and Alice S. (Hess) Conrad.   He resided in Montour County since 1981. David was a 1968 graduate of Sunbury High School and received a B. S. degree from Bloomsburg University in 1976 in biology and chemistry. He was employed by Merck & Co. at...

Michael P. Yacko, age 63, OF Houston, Texas died at the Cypress Pointe Health & Wellness Center in Houston on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 after an illness. Born in Williamsport on Feb. 26, 1957, he was a son of the late Walter and Addie Mae Bogart of Catawissa. He attended Southern Area High School. Mike resided in Texas for 40 years and was employed as a painter and handyman prior to becoming disabled. He enjoyed listening to music and playing his guitar. In addition to his...

Diana M. (Kroll) Keller, age 82, of Bloomsburg died at her home on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, after an illness. Born on April 12, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, she was a daughter of the late Francis and Gertrude (Jurkiewicz) Kroll. She resided in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before moving to Oregon in 1986 and to Bloomsburg in 2009. Diana was a 1956 graduate of Mackenzie High School in Michigan and attended Michigan State University on a scholastic scholarship. She received her B.S. degree from...

Brian E. Keller, age 73, formerly of Buckhorn died Saturday morning, December 19, 2020, at the Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center where he resided for seven years. Born in Bloomsburg on April 14, 1947 he was a son of the late Glenn and Maxine (Shank) Keller. He was a 1965 graduate of Southern Area High School and a resident of Buckhorn from 1978 until entering the nursing home. Brian was employed by Milco Industries, Inc. for 42 ½ years where he worked in the office,...

Kenneth E. Reibsome, age 73, of 153 Cross Road, Bloomsburg died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday afternoon, December 16, 2020. Born in Danville on December 10, 1947, he was a son of the late John and Catherine (Bennett) Reibsome. He attended the Danville schools. Ken was employed by the former Magee Carpet Co. and its successor Autoneum for 38 years until retiring in 2012. He was currently working parttime at the Fresh and Quick convenience store on Route 11 in Montour Township. He...

Keith E. Blades, age 60, of 88 Walnut Drive, Berwick (Beach Haven) died at his home at 7:15 a. m. Monday, December 14, 2020 after an illness. Born in Easton, Maryland on May 31, 1960, he was the son of Charlotte (Collins) Blades of Cordova, Maryland and the late Jackie Blades. He resided in Beach Haven for two years and formerly lived in Wilkes-Barre. He was a 1978 graduate of Easton High School. Keith was employed by Wise Snack Foods, Berwick for the past five years and previously was...

Kenneth J. Brown, age 79, of 3631 Second Street, Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully at his home at 5:56 a. m. Sunday, December 13, 2020 after an illness. Born in Hemlock Township on August 25, 1941, he was one of 14 children born to the late Harry H. and Cora L. (Gower) Brown. He resided in the Bloomsburg area his entire life. Kenny was a self- employed contractor for many years, retiring in 2003. He enjoyed wood working, hunting and following his retirement traveling. In addition to his...

Beverly J. (Wood) Fasciano, age 81 of 150 E. 10th Street, Bloomsburg died peacefully at her home at 12:35 a. m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Born in Englewood, New Jersey on Feb. 24, 1939, she was the only child of the late Robert and Maria (Jungert) Wood. She resided in Bloomsburg for the past two years and previously lived inn Elysburg for several years. Prior to that she lived in East Brunswick, N.J. and Monroe Township, N.J. Beverly was a Registered Nurse for many years and was employed by...

Robert J. “RJ” Savage, age 77, of 11 Evans Lane, Orangeville died on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at The Gardens At Orangeville where he had resided for six years. Born in Catawissa on August 8, 1943, he was a son of the late Wellington F. and Lois N. (Trainer) Savage. His early years were spent in Catawissa and he attended Southern Area High School. He resided in Bloomsburg most of his life. RJ was last employed at Mellick’s Aqua Feed in Catawissa and earlier he was...

Patricia Anne Webster Gensemer, Bloomsburg, died Thursday, December 10th, 2020, just days before her 93rd birthday. She was born December 14, 1927, in Syracuse, New York, to Rev. Bradford Gray Webster and Irene Anderson Stryker Webster.  Pat graduated from Gowanda, NY High School in 1945 and from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, in 1949.  As a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir, Pat sang in Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, NYC, and the Academy of Music in...

Marjorie D. (Diltz) Mensinger, age 88, of 314 Bissett’s Lane, Bloomsburg went to be with her Lord and Saviour at 10:40 p. m. Friday, December 4, 2020 while a patient at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born in Lime Ridge on November 28, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Alvin F. and Myrtle (Benjamin) Diltz. She spent her entire life in South Centre Township. Marjorie was employed at the former R & G Silk Mill early in her life. Most of her life was spent as a loving wife...

Edward "Duddley" Evans, age 56, of Scranton, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born in Philadelphia on June 3, 1964, he was the son of the late Robert and Rose Marie (Robinson) Evans. He was loved by his family and will be deeply missed, especially by his favorite cousin, Frank Sykes. Duddley's wife, Monique Evans, who was in the hospital, also passed away the same day.  Interment will be made at the...

Norma M. Bruenecke, age 86, of Bloomsburg, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at The Gardens at Orangeville, where she resided for the past 7 years. Born in Blakeslee on May 1, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Archie Boyd, Sr. and Frances (Miller) Silfies. Norma is survived by her daughter, Kathleen, wife of Douglas Reider, Bloomsburg, and two grandchildren. There will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home &...

Cephas A. Stair, age 81, of Market Street, Mifflinville, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday evening, November 27, 2020. Born in Nanticoke on February 19, 1939, he was the son of the late Cephas and Dominica C. (Meskonis) Stair. He resided in Mifflinville since 1967. Cephas attended the Millville Schools and went on to graduate from Bloomsburg High School in 1957. He was a truck driver, last working for Consolidated Freightways, retiring in 2002. He previously was employed by Ferguson...

Catherine M. (Ozelek) Maxwell, age 85, of Shamokin and formerly of Danville died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born in Berwick on June 19, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Dawett) Ozelek.  She attended the former Locust Township High School in Numidia. She resided in Danville for over 40 years before moving to Shamokin to live with her daughter, Katie. Catherine was employed at the Danville Senior Center for many years...

Ricky L. “Rick” Steward, age 65, of Mill Street, Orangeville, died at 5:35 p. m. Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born at Geisinger on November 4, 1955, he was a son of Carolyn F. (Albertson) Steward of Orangeville and the late Gerald L. “Mick” Steward. He was a lifelong resident of Orangeville and a 1974 graduate of Central Columbia High School. Rick was employed by O’Neil Excavating, Orangeville for the past 20 years and...

Richard S. Welliver, age  55, 0f 10 Baker Lane, Bloomsburg, died at his home on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. He was born in Bloomsburg on January 12, 1965 a son of the late Charles R., Jr. and Minnie A. (Kyttle) Welliver. He spent his life in the Bloomsburg area and was a 1984 graduate of Bloomsburg High School. Richard was employed as a plumber by various companies during his life. He was an avid fisherman, a NASCAR fan and also a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Richard served his...

Joan A. (Hower) Hummer, age 87, of 69 Hummer Road, Danville, died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 3:30 p. m. after an illness. Born in Riverside on August 24, 1933, she was a daughter of the late James R. and Beatrice M. (Roadarmel) Hower. She lived in the Riverside/Rush Township area her entire life and attended the Danville High School. Joan was a homemaker for much of life and later was employed by Geisinger Medical Center in the cafeteria...

Michael G. Pratt, 70, of 200 Berwick Road, Orangeville, Died at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Born in Troy, New York, he was the son of the late Edwin G. and Carolyn (Daudelin) Pratt. Michael was an artist and Entrepreneur. Surviving is his niece Shannon Bensalah of Watervliet, New York. Services are private

Heather E. DeLeon, age 28, of 464 Hollow Road, Catawissa,  passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was born in Kelly Township, Union County, Pennsylvania on September 3, 1992. She attended Central Columbia High School. Heather loved scary movies including Scream and Child’s Play, vacations to Disney, swimming, and beating her mother at cards. She was preceded in death by her sister, Leah, and two dogs: Skip (pictured above) and...

Eddie Lee Wingate, age 78, of Woodbine Lane, Danville, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, the former Evelyn Thomas, who passed away in 2015. Born in Wichita Falls, Texas on June 26, 1942, he was the son of the late Julius and Mattie (Nichols) Wingate. He moved to Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Danville, after residing with his daughter in Windham, Conn. He previously lived on Fair Street in...

John Joseph Symanski, 74, of 139 Pine Cone Drive West,  Mifflinburg, PA, died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Monday, November 16, 2020. Born in Pearl River, New York on December 25, 1945, he was the son of the late, John Charles and Margaret (Brower) Symanski. John served in the U.S. Army and worked in maintenance. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Minnie Joyce (Boedecker) Symanski; son, John W. Symanski and his wife Julie M., Muncy; daughter, Kathy,...

Evelyn C. Rankin, age 70, of 517 West Street, Bloomsburg died at her home at 11:55 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2020. Born in Philadelphia on December 25, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Doris (Woerner) DiVirgilio. She was a 1968 graduate of Central Bucks High School, Doylestown. Evie worked at Geisinger Medical Center in food service, catering from 1990 until 2015. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church since 1978. Evie was an avid reader, enjoyed doing crafts...

George Dewey Barry, 86, of 248 Kashner Road, Danville, PA, died at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Sunday, November 15, 2020. Born in Chester, PA on October 16, 1934, he was the son of the late Stephen and Anna (Maminka) Barry. He was a farmer by trade. Survived by: wife, Joan (smith) Barry; Son, George D. Barry, Jr.; 2 granddaughters, Gessica Jones Barry and Carrie Anne Barry; 2 brothers, Alex Barry and his wife Shirley of Kennett Square, and Frank Barry of Marshalltown. Services...

Gloria A. (Carvino) Burke, age 68, of Cherry Hill Road, Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter and family by her side at 9:11 a. m. Saturday, November 14, 2020 after a long fight against cancer. She constantly pushed herself forward so that she had more time with her family. Born in Berwick on September 4, 1952, she was a daughter of the late Dominick and Eness (Basta) Carvino. She was a 1970 graduate of Berwick High School. She resided in Scott Township for a year...

Violet A. “Vi” (Eckard) Pellman, age 89, formerly of Bloomsburg died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Wednesday evening, November 11, 2020 after an illness. Born in Mifflin, Juniata County, on June 23, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Shelburn W., Sr. and Rose A. (Kauffman) Eckard. She was a 1949 graduate of Juniata Joint High School in Mifflintown. Vi resided in Bloomsburg from 1986 till moving To Nottingham Village, Northumberland in 2016. She was employed as...

Karrson Lane Neal, age 3 months, son of Emily Sutherland and Corbin B. Neal, of 109 E. Pebble Lane, Orangeville (Stony Brook Circle) died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on Sunday, November 8, 2020. He was born at Geisinger on July 21, 2020. Surviving in addition to his parents is a twin brother, Tyson Bayne Neal, his maternal grandparents, George and Susanne Sutherland of Bloomsburg, his paternal grandmother, Debra Lane Neal, of Bloomsburg, his paternal grandfather, Leslie Mark...