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Obituaries

DURLAND D. DRAKE

Durland D. Drake, 95, of Oakland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at the Barnes Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, PA.

Durland was born on June 4, 1915 in Oakland, PA, the son of the late Oliver and Irene Drake. He was predeceased by his 4 brother and 2 sisters.

On June 29, 1940, in Great Bend, PA, he married Julia Brant, who survives as his wife of seventy years. He is survived by his children Richard and Patsy Drake, Marathon, NY, Bonnie and Tom Stratton, Savona, NY, and Bradley Drake, Shippensburg, PA; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of friends.

Durland was a dedicated 85 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Susquehanna, a 70 year member of the East Great Bend Grange, and was auditor of Oakland Borough for several years.

He was an appliance service man in the Triple Cities for 30 years as well as in local Susquehanna, where he was owner and operator of Drake’s Appliance Service.

Durland enjoyed making crafts for his grandchildren and was a dedicated family man who was gentle and caring.

The funeral service was held on Friday, October 22, 2010, at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, and at the First United Methodist Church, East Main Street, Susquehanna, with Rev. James Rouse officiating. Burial was in Newman’s Cemetery, Great Bend, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, East Main St., Susquehanna, PA.

The family would like to thank the staff at Barnes Kasson Hospital and Dr. Warren DeWitt.

CAROL J. CLEMENS

Carol J. Clemens passed away October 19, 2010. She was born, Carol Versa Jennings, in Syracuse, NY on February 24, 1931, the only child of Merton and Versa Jennings.

In 1953, she was graduated as valedictorian from Middlebury College in Vermont where she majored in economics. That same year she married David Clemens, her devoted husband of 57 years with whom she raised three daughters, Sarah, Paula and Karen. With her family, she enjoyed nature, walking, identifying wildflowers, gardening, cooking and skiing. She had a life-long love of music. At work, she was a positive influence for young people by teaching business and computer skills to high school students.

In retirement, Carol and David became avid birders. Carol was a member of the Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder. She loved singing with the church choir. She was active in the Susquehanna County League of Women Voters, where she was treasurer for 13 years. She was a founding member of a women’s book group and served on the stewardship committee of the Florence Shelley Nature Preserve.

She was loved and will be missed by her husband David; her three daughters Sarah Smith (and Michael Smith), Paula Clemens (and Jonathan Sewall) and Karen Dennis; and six grand-children, Arthur and Laura Smith, David and Mary Versa Clemens-Sewall and Melanie and Alex Dennis. Her son-in-law Michael Dennis pre-deceased her.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church. Friends may call Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday morning at the church, prior to the service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Foundation of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, 270 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801 or the Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church 760 SR 1018 Franklin Hill Road, Hallstead, PA 18822.

S. VINCENT “VINCE” LONG

S. Vincent “Vince” Long, 66, Hallstead, PA, passed away October 18, 2010 at home. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Gladys Long.

Vince is survived by two sons, Daniel Long and Dale Long; two siblings, Drucilla and Michael Pisarak and Warren Long; former wife, Betty Calvert; step-children, Tina Marie and Ray Compton, Julie and James Ballard, John Willard Lycke, and Kenny Whitaker; four step-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Gerald and Kenneth Long.

Vince was a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp. with 28 years of service. Following his retirement from the Marines in 1990, he was employed with Magnetic Laboratories, Inc. until it closed.

A funeral service was held October 23, 2010 at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Hallstead, PA. Interment was made in the Clinton Center Cemetery.

GRACE E. BROWN

Grace E. Brown, 94, of Susquehanna passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at the Barnes Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna.

She was predeceased by her parents Harry and Laura Benson; her brother Harry Ward and sister Emily Holleran; husband Laurence Brown.

Grace is survived by her four children, Carol and Roger Robinson, Elkton, MD, Sharon and Frank Kavetski, Gibson, PA, Larry and Pat Brown, Harford, PA, Pamela Herbert, Susquehanna, PA; sister Helen Cummings, Oregon; many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, and also her life long best friend Erla Shaw, Milton, PA.

She was a member of the Lanesboro Community Church and long time organist at the Lanesboro Church and the Harford First Congregational Church of Harford, PA.

The funeral service was held at the Lanesboro Community Church, on Sunday, October 24, 2010, with the Rev. Carl Batzel officiating.

Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Susquehanna, PA.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be given to the Charity of your choice or to the Lanesboro Community Church, Lanesboro, PA.

DORIS E. ALBERTSON

Doris E. Albertson, 91, of Susquehanna, PA, passed away on October 21, 2010, at the Barnes Kasson SNF after an illness.

Doris was predeceased in 1996 by her loving husband Albert A. Albertson.

She is survived by her eight children, Danny D. and Barbara Albertson of Springville, PA, Thomas and Mary Albertson of New Milford, PA, Linda and Rodney Decker of Tunkhannock, PA, Lillian and Robert Buck of Starrucca, PA, Christine and Nick Bock, of Forest City, PA, Emerson Albertson of Carson City, NV, Roxann and Charlie Snigar of Pleasant Mount, PA, and Lesa and Kurt Smith of Susquehanna, PA; two brothers Howard and Clifford Arthur; two sister-in-laws Bernice and Joseph Plestis of Binghamton, NY, and Ruth Albertson of Binghamton, NY; twenty one grandchildren, and twenty seven great grandchildren.

A Funeral service was held on Monday, October 25, 2010, at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave. Susquehanna, PA, with Rev. Rodney J. Decker officiating.

Burial was held in the Savage Hill Cemetery in Orangeville, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson Hose Co., Thompson. PA.

SANDRA GRIFFIS

Sandra Griffis, 72, of Lansdale, PA, and formerly of Montrose, PA, passed away Friday, October 22, 2010, at Manor Care, in Lansdale, PA, after a long illness. She was born in Susquehanna, PA, to the late Phil and Georgia (Spoonhower) Price. Her husband of 46 years, Sonny Griffis, predeceased her in 2004.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, John Michael and Anna Griffis, Chalfont, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Gary Morrison, Montrose, PA; four grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Griffis and fiancé, Drew DiMino, Chelsea Maria Griffis, Katlyn and Kory Morrison; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Carol Price, Mt. Holly, NC; extended family, Bruce and Eudonna Legg, Dennis and Mary Carey; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sandy attended Holy Name of Mary Church, loved to read and spend time with family and friends, and was a loving mother and grandmother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at the Holy Name of Mary Church, with Rev. Gerard F. Safko officiating. Interment will be in the Holy Name of Mary Cemetery. Visitations will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home. Prayer Vigil will be held at 8:30 p.m.

Donations in Sandy’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., Greater PA Chapter, 3544 North Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

RAYMOND M. WOLF

Raymond M. Wolf, 49, of Susquehanna, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2010, at the Barnes Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, after a long illness.

He was predeceased by his brother Robert Wolf, Sr.

Ray is survived by his wife, September Wolf; mother Josephine Wolf; sons, Adam and Becky Wolf, Matthew and Tiffany Wolf; step-daughters, Tammy Grausgruber, Beth Ann Grennell, Cassie and Joe Rivenburg and Tracy Grennell; brothers Gary and Sharon Wolf, Lee and Barb Wolf; 7 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray drove school bus #9 for 15 years and coached Little League. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed bowling, outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.

A memorial service was held on Monday, October 25, 2010, at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, with Brian Lewis officiating.

GRACE LOUISE SCHELL

Grace Louise Schell, 93, of West Main Street Susquehanna went to be with the Lord Saturday, October 23, 2010.

She was predeceased by her parents Salvatore and Martha Ficarro; six brothers Samuel (Camilla), Charles (Susan), Carmello (Blanche), Andrew (Beatrice), Joseph and Benjamin Ficarro; and two sisters Frances (Andrew) Yanicelli and Mary (Frank) Cuccio.

Grace is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Arthur W. (Buster) Schell; children John & Shirley Schell, Joseph & Linda Schell, Janet Fabrizi all of Susquehanna, Judy & Rick Truskolaski, Sharpsburg, Georgia; one brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law Leslie & Sandra Schell, Viola Ficarro, Mary Ficarro and Loretta Schell; twelve grandchildren, John Schell and Marcia Karhnak, Rick & Jen Fabrizi, Joseph & Erin Schell, Eric & June Schell, RJ & Kelly Truskolaski, Scott & Carmella Schell, Todd Fabrizi, Sean & Diane Schell, Buffy Fabrizi, Matthew & Michele Schell, Allen & Sarah Schell, Stephen Schell; seventeen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Grace lived for her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life. She was and will always be a hero to her husband and children. She was truly a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She was especially well known for her generosity, sense of humor, her great love of the Yankees and her practice of cheating while playing any game of cards. To every child she met in her life she was always known as “Gramma Grace.” Grace will be remembered for filling the hearts and stomachs of everyone she met and for the wonderful smiles and friendship she bestowed on all.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, and 10 a.m. at the St. John’s Church of Susquehanna, where a mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. David Cramer.

Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery in Susquehanna.

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

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Men’s Club c/o St. John’s Church, Church St. Susquehanna, Pa. 18847.

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