Eldona McDonald went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

She is predeceased by her son Charles Lazier, mother Madeline Hallstead and father Durwood Tarbox, Sr.

Eldona is survived by her loving husband of many years, Wade McDonald, two brothers Robert and Vicky Tarbox, Deposit, NY, Durwood and Judy Tarbox, Jr., Deposit, NY, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eldona was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew her. The family would like to give a special thanks to all who were with her during her time of need.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Byron Charles Keenan, 82, of Morganton, NC was called home to heaven on Monday, October 7, 2013.  Born in Susquehanna, PA on April 5, 1931, he was the son of the late Gordon F. Keenan and Ida May Arthur Keenan.  Byron served in the U.S. Navy from 1949 – 1953 as a BT3 and worked in the electronic industry most of his life.  He retired from Escod Industries in Hiddenite, NC.  After his retirement he worked at the Hiddenite Convenience Center until the age of 80.

Byron was a charter and lifetime member of the Iredell-Statesville Coin Club and a charter member of the Morganton Coin Club.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post #1981.  Mr. Keenan was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Morganton and served as a volunteer for the Heartlife Ministry of the church.

In addition to his parents, Byron was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Maylan Keenan.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Keenan of the home; children, Patricia K. Davis (Al) of Alma, AL, John A.C. Keenan (Kari) of Binghamton, NY, Robert E. Keenan (Chris) of Cheektowaga, NY, Francesca W. Crane (the Rev. Dr. Stephen Crane) of Coatesville, PA, the Rev. Dr. Burton Wilbur (Linda) of Morganton; sixteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Boyd “Dutch” Keenan (Anne) of Hubbard, OH; a sister-in-law, Audrey Keenan of Bainbridge, NY; one niece; and four nephews.

A graveside service was held Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Evergreen Cemetery in Susquehanna, PA with the Rev. Dr. Burton Wilbur and the Rev. Dr. Stephen Crane officiating.  A Celebration of Life Reception followed at the American Legion on Main Street in Susquehanna.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartlife Ministries at Pleasant View Baptist Church, 1834 US 70 East, Morganton, NC 28655 to feed and clothe the needy of Burke County.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.

Mary Donna Ulma (nee Charles), 71, of Hallstead, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 after an illness.

Mary Donna was born in Carbondale, PA, and moved to Cohoes, NY as a child, where she later met her husband. They moved to Susquehanna, PA as a young family and later to Hallstead, PA where they have resided for the last 27 years. She is predeceased by her parents, Teresa and Donald Charles, and brother, James.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, John F. Ulma, Jr.; by two loving children, John F. Ulma, III and wife Maureen of Binghamton, NY, and Donna Lynn Savarese and husband Daniel of Milltown, NJ; and by her cherished grandchildren, her darlings Emily, Alexandria, Connor, Gair, Daniel, Abigail, and Madeline, Matthew, and Emma, as well as countless loving family members and friends. Though she held several positions in her lifetime – office manager for her husband’s business, activity aide at a nursing home, there is no position she enjoyed more than that of wife, mother, and grandmother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday October 17th at 10am at the St. John’s the Evangelist Church, 15 East Church Street in Susquehanna, Pa with Rev. David Cramer officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 17th at 9:00 am at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave, Susquehanna, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Diabetes Association.