Watch This space for information on upcoming events in Susquehanna County.

Please visit our kind sponsors

GERALDINE J. MARSHALL

Geraldine J. Marshall, Susquehanna, PA passed away peacefully Thursday, September 4, 2003 in Chapel Hill, NC, surrounded by her family. She was born in the Town of Sanford, NY, on September 15, 1931.

She was predeceased by her loving husbands, John J. Sullivan and Joseph F. Marshall; sons, Thomas R. Sullivan and Micheal G. Marshall; grandson, Brian Sherman; great-granddaughter, Amber Bolster.

She is survived by daughters, Joan and James Curry, Mebane, NC, Connie Troup, Vicky Barnes, Marion and Richard Sherman, all of Susquehanna, Susan Kovitch, Hallstead, PA; sons, John Sullivan, Danny and Teresa Sullivan, also of Susquehanna; stepdaughter, Geraldine and Stanley Davidson, Windsor, NY. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Geraldine was a very loving and caring person and touched so many hearts in so many ways. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday, September 9, at the Lanesboro Cemetery, Lanesboro, PA. The Rev. Carl Batzel conducted the services.

WLADYSLAWA KOPCINSKI

Wladyslawa Kopcinski, a kind and gentle lady, family matriarch, devoted friend, and one cherished by all who knew her, passed away in the arms of her loving daughters on September 8, 2003. Her passing was peaceful, as in the manner in which she lived her life.

Born in Poland on August 4, 1909, she emigrated to America with her family in 1926. She married Stanislaw Kopcinski, also from Poland. They lived in New York City before moving to their farm in Thompson, PA. They worked side-by-side with their children until the untimely death of their son, Stanley, and her husband, Stanislaw. Although their passing brought much sorrow, she continued to be an example of strength and dignity, always looking to a better tomorrow.

Her love of nature was evident in the beautiful flower gardens she faithfully tended, and the many songbirds that visited feeders at her home. She was constantly reading in order to satisfy her passion for greater knowledge. She loved to reminisce about her travels such as riding a camel to the Pyramids in Egypt; visiting the Grecian ruins; seeing the Pope at the Vatican; enjoying the colors of Mexico; and especially her trips across the United States, where she panned for gold in the Black Hills, soaked in the country’s beauty from the east to the west coast, marveled at the prairies, plains, deserts, and majestic mountains; as well as enjoyed the tropical splendors of Hawaii, just to name a few of her adventures.

She filled each day with meaning by her thoughts, words, and commitment to family and others. Her warm smile, sparkling blue eyes, and gentleness made everyone feel happy to be in her presence. She was neither judgmental nor critical, always willing to listen. Her love for everyone was unconditional.

Although the "babushka" she always wore was characteristic of her Polish homeland, she was extremely proud to be an American and instilled this love of country in her family.

She will be deeply missed by her beloved daughters, Laura Bender and Jeanette Saulo; sons-in-law, Donald Bender and Stephen Saulo; grandsons, Craig Bender, Christopher Bender and wife, Beth; two sisters, Feliksa Opalka and Teofila Kolenski; and special nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Stanislaw; her son, Stanley; her father and mother, William and Rosalja Miernicki; her sister and brother-in-law, Jadwiga and Antoni Kopcinski; and brothers-in-law, Andrew Opalka and Louis Kolenski.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Those wishing to do so, may make a contribution in her memory to the Susquehanna Branch Library, Susquehanna, PA; the Thompson Cemetery Association, Thompson, PA; or the Thompson Ambulance Association, Thompson, PA.

NINA DREW VANRIPER

Nina Drew VanRiper, 84, Susquehanna, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, after an illness.

She was born in Vernon, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Harvey and Pearl (Mott) Drew.

She was predeceased by her husband, Albert VanRiper in 2001; a brother, Donald Drew, in 1961.

Nina graduated from Hamburg High in Hamburg, New Jersey, then went to work at the County Clerk’s Department in the County of Sussex, New Jersey until her retirement. She and her husband, Albert moved to the Susquehanna area in 1971, after their retirement. Nina’s favorite pastime was gardening in her vegetable garden.

Funeral services were held from Hennessey’s Funeral Home, Susquehanna, with the Rev. Kenneth Bitler officiating.

KENNETH E. GALL, SR.

Kenneth E. Gall, Sr., 69, Oakland, PA, a loving devoted husband and father, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2003, at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was predeceased by his parents, George, Sr. and Nellie Gall; and a very special granddaughter, Brooke Ellen Gall.

He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 48 years, Shirley (Towner) Gall; two daughters and one son-in-law, Teena Gall, Oakland, PA, Rita and John Palmer, Conklin, NY; five sons and three daughters-in-law, Kenneth, Jr. (Butch) and Trudy Gall, Forest Lake, PA, Michael Gall, Susquehanna, Stephen and Julie Gall, RR #2, Susquehanna, Patrick Gall, Oakland, PA, Thomas and Amy Gall, RR #2, Susquehanna; four grandchildren, Rebecca Palmer and fiancé Darin Lewis, Daniel, Timothy, and Thomas Gall, Jr.; one brother and sister-in-law, George, Jr. and Esther Gall, Susquehanna; two sisters, Lois Murch and Rosemary Gall, Oakland; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many good friends.

Ken was a graduate of the Oakland-Susquehanna Consolidated High School. He was employed by the Erie Railroad, Roofing Contractor for Sears Roebuck, Coremaker for Phillips Foundry and a Welder for the frame shop of Sun building systems from which he retired in 1999.

Ken, along with the many residents of Oakland, started a Little League Organization and built the Oakland Little League Park. He devoted many years to Little League through coaching, managing and umpiring. He also enjoyed hunting, playing pinochle and was an avid sports fan.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 208 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, with the Rev. Robert Simon officiating.

Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Great Bend, PA.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth Gall, Sr. Little League Memorial Fund at Peoples National Bank, Susquehanna, to be used to purchase something in his memory for the Little League.

Back to Top

©