Joan E. Cranmer, 82, of Kirkwood, NY was called home to be with the Lord on January 1, 2016. She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years Leslie “Stub” Cranmer.

Joan is also survived by two daughter, Kimberley and William Tingley and Debbie and Jerry Wheelock; four grandchildren, Leah Tingley, Austin Tingley, Joshua Wheelock, and Zachary Wheelock; several nieces and nephews; and a lifelong friend, Shirley Beavan. She was predeceased by her sisters, Mildred Parker and Maxine Heath, and brothers, Russell and Donald Garis.

Joan is a lifetime member of the United Methodist Community Church. She loved shopping on Thursday and coffee at Burger King on Tuesday. Her hobbies were cooking and couponing. Joan was on the Five J’s bowling team. She was an avid fan of country music, square, and round dancing. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Dr. Leslie Bank, Holly, and the staff of the Infusion Center in Wilson Hospital.

A funeral service was held Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the United Methodist Community Church, Great Bend, PA. A private interment will be made in Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc. Should friends so desire, expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation to the United Methodist Community Church, P.O. Box 586, Great Bend, PA 18821 or please consider offering life by donating blood in her memory.

James B. McCreary, 98, of Great Bend, PA went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2015. He was predeceased by his wife of 75 years Kathleen Wheaton McCreary and a daughter, Joanne Wheaton Thomas.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Sandra K. and Bill Llewellyn, Great Bend, PA and Tina McCreary, Montrose, PA; six grandchildren, W. James Llewellyn, Kathleen T. and Craig Purdum, Garth T. and Jennifer Llewellyn, Lisa Thomas and Pete Wofford, T.R. and Leslee Thomas, and Lloyd Thomas; great grandchildren, Casey Purdum, Jessie Purdum, Hunter Thomas, Morgan Thomas, Avery Rose Thomas, and Emma Wofford; a son-in-law, Haydn Thomas; and several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Bill and Lee Merrell.

Jim was the owner of McCreary Insurance Agency. In 1973 he was awarded Merchants Insurance Group’s Milton L. Baier Mark of Excellence Award for the entire state of Pennsylvania. He was on the board of directors of both Davies Nitrate and County National Bank. Jim was a member of the Hallstead Presbyterian Church. He was a past Master and member of Bluestone Lodge for over 70 years. Jim was a member of Irem Temple Shrine, a 32nd degree. He was a charter member of Hallstead/Great Bend Rod and Gun Club.

Jim enjoyed gardening. Nature and land conservation was very important to him. Jim was awarded a Citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as the winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Award in the flower garden category for his 600 rose bushes for the exceptional quality of the plants. He was known as “The Rose Man.” Jim was also a golfer and hunter.

Jim loved his family dearly and has had a lasting impact on all of them in a variety of ways.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and personal care givers, Cher Buchta, Jonyca McKinney, Shannon Mess, Doreen Moat, and Betty Whitney for their compassionate care.

A funeral service was held Monday, January 4, 2016 at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc., Hallstead, PA. Interment will be made in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 370, Hallstead, PA 18822.

Doris Elizabeth “Harrison” Deakin of West Main Street, Susquehanna, PA passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 31, 2015 at the age of 99 years.

She was predeceased by her parents:  Zilpa Jane “Benedict” and Guy Leslie Harrison: one sister, Erma Stein and one brother, James Harrison: one daughter, Linda Helen and one son, William Guy.  She is survived by her sister, Ellen Bixby, one son , John Thomas and one daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Deakin;  3 daughters and spouses, Joyce  and Royce Neidlinger  of Rotonda West, FL;  Diane and David  Medlar of Wentzville, MO;  and Beatrice and Terry Eichenberg of Susquehanna PA:  14 Grandchildren and spouses: Dianne and David St Amant, VaBeach, VA;  Kirstie and Cameron Hubly, Smyrna , TN;  and Heidi and Jose Ramos, Stafford, VA;  William and Christina Deakin, Susquehanna, PA;  Rebecca and Andrew Jordan, Frederick MD;  Brett and Brandon Deakin, Susquehanna, PA;   David and Rebecca Medlar, Wentzville, MO;  Jeffery and Denise Medlar,  North East, MD; Michael and Erin Medlar, Churchville, NY;  Paul Stuart, Michigan; Jeremy and Michelle Stuart, Santa Monica, CA; Linda Eichenberg, Los Angeles, CA;  John Deakin, Susquehanna, PA and 17 Great Grandchildren:  Kayla, Nathan and Natalie Hackmann, Nicholas St. Amant, of VaBeach, VA;  Samantha St Amant,  Broken Arrow, OK;  Brianna and Brock Hubly, Symrna, TN; Logan and Mason Ramos, Stafford, VA;  Aubree Deakin of Susquehanna, PA;  Lauren,  Adam  and Luke Medlar of Wentzville, MO;  Zachary  and  Nicholas Medlar of Churchville, NY;  Mason Deakin and Wyatt Payne of Susquehanna, PA as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Doris was born in Great Bend, PA and then moved to the Dowd Farm in Turkey Woods.  She attended Washington St. Elementary school for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades where she met Wm C. Deakin.  She then moved to Johnson City, NY where her father worked for Vail Blou Printing Press.  She came back to Susquehanna, PA after her marriage when William C. returned from WWII in 1945.  She was married 54 years to Wm C. Deakin.   She attended Cortland Normal College graduating in 1937 with her teacher’s certificate and a minor in art.  She taught in Endicott NY for 9 years.  In 1958 she began teaching at Laurel St Elementary School, Susquehanna, PA.;  attended Marywood College, Scranton, PA in 1967 and later graduated after attending college evenings and summers.  She retired from Teaching in 1979.  She was a member and past President of the Nellie Jane DeWitt Monday Club, as well as past member of the Friends of the Library, Book Club and volunteer at Barnes Kasson Hospital Gift Shop and a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Susquehanna, PA. 

Her life spanned most of the 20th century and was affected by world events like the Great Depression, and World War II;  the cold war:  The Kennedy era, the scandals of the 70’s, the boom of the 80’s and 90’s to the reshaping of the world post 9/11.   She had a quick wit, a wry smile, a keen memory and a wonderful attitude and a strong will.  Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  Doris Deakin’s life was a full one and embodied the spirit of giving, of herself, her time and her resources.  She was a befitting example of the “Greatest Generation”.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William St., Dunmore, PA 18510.