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JEANETTE MARY WHEELER

Jeanette Mary Wheeler, 82, New York, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at Barnes-Kasson Hospital SNF, Susquehanna, PA, after an illness.

She was born in Ararat, PA, the daughter of the late Leroy and Florence (LaPlace) Stone.

She was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Wheeler, on January 5, 1988; three brothers, Albert Stone, Louis Stone, Benny Stone.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary E. and James Sweeney, Monroe Twp., NJ; five brothers and four sisters-in-law, Fred and Helen Stone, North Jackson, PA, Joe and Ella Mae Stone, Ararat, Leroy, Jr. and Nancy Stone, Binghamton, NY, Raymond and Carol Stone, Chenango Forks, NY, David Stone, Binghamton; one sister, Elfrieda Lee, Susquehanna; three grandchildren, Kathleen Sweeney, Patricia Sweeney, Michael Sweeney; many nieces and nephews.

She was a member of St. Ambrose Church and her one enjoyment in life was gardening.

Funeral services were held from Hennessey’s Funeral Home, Susquehanna, and St. John’s Church, Susquehanna, where a Mass of Christian Burial was offered by the Rev. Charles Connor. Burial, Ararat Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson Hose Company, Thompson, PA 18465.

JANE F. HAWLEY

Jane F. Hawley, 74, Forest Lake, died Thursday, December 19, 2002, at Robert Packer Memorial Hospital, Sayre, PA. Born March 9, 1928 in Forest Lake Twp., Susquehanna County, she was the daughter of the late Leslie and Ruth (Gardner) Fraser. Her husband of 55 years, James B. Hawley, Sr., survives her.

She was a member of Fairdale United Methodist Church and also spent many years at Forest Lake Baptist Church. She enjoyed crocheting and singing, and especially singing in the Community Choir at the Harford Fair.

In addition to her husband, survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Janie and David O’Brien, Sally and Alan McCarthy, Mary Jane and Richard Foote, all of Forest Lake; sons and daughters-in-law, Leslie J. and Mary Alice, Robert L. and Corrine, Philip B., Carlton R. and Nadene, James B. Jr. and Penny, all of Forest Lake, Theodore W. and Nancy, MI; 22 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Irene Fancher, Stevensville, PA, Beverly Chapel, Forest Lake; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Beverly Fraser, Montrose; brother-in-law, William and Edna Hawley, Montrose; sister-in-law, Nina Hawley, Hop Bottom; nieces, nephews.

A grandson, Mark Hawley, predeceased her.

Services were held from the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., a Selected Independent Funeral Home, Montrose.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Fairdale United Methodist Church, RR 5 Box 36, Montrose, PA 18801; Forest Lake Baptist Church, RR 2 Box 79, Montrose, PA 18801; or WPEL Radio, P.O. Box 248, Montrose, PA 18801.

SMSGT GARY ROBERT WILLIAMS

SMSGT Gary Robert Williams, USAF Retired, 60, Starrucca, PA, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2002, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his cherished family: his wife and best friend of forty years, Gale Medlar Williams; three sons, Scott Gary Williams and his special friend Wendy Richards, Stephen Craig Williams and his wife Virginia, Greg Allen Williams and his special friend Kim Farr; one daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Donald Potter; his beloved grandchildren, Nathan, Shannon, Danielle, Cindy and Michael Williams, Rhiannon Potter.

He was blessed to have many wonderful friends and relatives, including Roger and Naomi Getter, Kathy Woodmansee, Carl and Patricia Pflanzer, Wilson Baldwin and Betty Kochmer. He was sustained during his illness by the loving kindness of the extended Medlar family and drew great comfort from their constant support.

Gary was born January 23, 1942 in Starrucca. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Williams, November 15, 2002.

His mother, Shirley Tarbox Williams, three sisters and brother-in-law survive him; Gail Cook, Gay and Robert Keyes, Gwen Stewart; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was a lifelong member of the Starrucca Baptist Church and received his spiritual care from Pastor John Grove. He retired from the Air Force in 1982 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant after twenty years of service. He distinguished himself throughout his career and received numerous citations, awards and medals. During those years, he was named Airman of the Year and later NCO of the Year. On March 4, 1977, he was awarded the Airman’s Medal for Heroism, presented to him by the Air Force Chief of Staff.

As a boy he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He was an active volunteer in the Boy Scout program throughout his Air Force career while stationed in Ohio, New York, Guam and North Dakota. He received the District Award of Merit several times, and in 1978 was awarded the Silver Beaver. He served in various capacities including Webelo Leader, Cub Scout Chairman, Scout Master Troop 17, Rome, NY, District Chairman, Member of the Executive Board, Camp Director and was a Three-Bead Woodbadger. He coached Little League Baseball for several years and was Chief White Eagle in the Y-Indian Guides. He was an EMT and fireman with the Thompson Hose Company for several years, and served as Emergency Management Coordinator and Constable for Starrucca Borough. For the last twenty years, he was employed by Pennsylvania DHIA and was presented the Dean Amick Award of Excellence. He loved to hunt, play golf, listen to country music and entertain his grandchildren with his homespun folk tales.

When diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiform, he chose to enter a clinical trial at Duke University Brain Tumor Center in Durham, North Carolina stating, "Even if these treatments don’t help me, the research might help someone else." The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to Dr. Joseph Readling and Dr. Hemangini Shah at UHS; Sr. Henry Friedman and his staff at Duke for their expert care; Kelly, Mary and Molly at Preferred Choice Hospice for their tender mercies; and in particular Dr. Peter Patel at Barnes-Kasson Hospital for his extraordinary kindness and compassion during this last year.

Gary was a brave and honorable man, respected and loved by all those who knew him well. He bore his illness with dignity and courage and suffers no longer, for he rests in the arms of God. We shall miss him always.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, December 28, 2002 at the Methodist Church in Starrucca at 11:00. The family requests no flowers.

Card of Thanks

The family of Louise Kane would like to express sincerest thanks to family and friends for all of the sympathy cards, mass cards, food and flowers sent to us following the death of our loving mother and grandmother. We would also like to extend our utmost gratitude to Father Connor and Father Kaminsky who officiated at the funeral mass, as well as Dennis Chapdelaine who provided the music, and all others who participated in the mass. We also appreciate the professionalism of Funeral Director Richard Hennessey.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Warren DeWitt and the nursing staff of the Skilled Nursing Facility of Barnes-Kasson Hospital.

Though our loved one will be sincerely missed, your kindness and compassion has helped ease the pain at this difficult time.

In Loving Kindness,

from the family of Louise Kane

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