Mary Ficarro, 91 of Susquehanna went to be with her Lord on Sunday, October 29, 2017 after a brief illness.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Benjamin; a grandson, Shawn; 5 sisters, Marie (age 3), Alice and Fred Shay, Esther and Howard Cobb; Luella and Ken O’Dell and Vincent Branning, Lucille (Zeke) and Steve Klym; 1 brother, Walter, and Joan and Debbie Fisk; 8 brothers and sisters-in-law, Sammy and Carmella Ficarro, Carmello (Firp) and Blanche Ficarro, Andy and Beatrice (Bea) Ficarro, Joe an Viola (Vie) Ficarro, Charles (Charlie) and Susan Ficarro, Frank and Mary Cuccio, Arthur (Buster) and Grace Shell, Andy and Fran Yanicelli.

She is survived by 4 sons, Benjamin and Beverly Ficarro (Kentucky), Charles and Rita Ficarro (Susquehanna), Robert and Ann Ficarro (Florida), Michael Ficarro and Joni Zwirble (Lenoxville); two brothers, Floyd and Shirely Fisk (Susquehanna), Robert (Bob) and Doty Fisk; 8 granddaughters, Lisa Ficarro (Florida), Nicole and Chuck Rogers, (New York) Misty Covert (Kentucky), Arika Ficarro and Michael Holliday (Maryland), Jessica Ficarro (Virginia), Meghan Ficarro (Virginia), Stephanie and Kevin MacDonald (Susquehanna), Sophia Ficarro (Lenoxville); 6 grandsons, Scott Ficarro and Katie Weatherford (Massachusetts), Andrew and Lauren Ficarro (Lenox), Alex Ficarro (Florida), Tristan Ficarro (Florida), Keegan Ficarro (Lenoxville), Israel Ficarro (Lenoxville); 6 great-granddaughters, Julianna Rogers (New York), Melissa Ficarro (New Jersey), Adelyn Ficarro (Lenox), Aaray Ficarro (Virginia), Molly and Emma MacDonald (Susquehanna); 3 great-grandsons, Brady Rogers (New York), Jacob Ficarro (Lenox), Roland Ficarro-Holliday (Maryland); countless nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Mary was a seamstress at Matis Manufacturing in Susquehanna for several decades. She genuinely enjoyed fixing and designing clothing, as well as any useful item made from cloth. Prior to her health failing, she could be seen throughout the Susquehanna area walking 5-6 miles daily for years.

She was driven to volunteer her time to assist local organizations who raised money for area Veterans and those in need.

Mary was a 5 star chef when it came to preparing and cooking any type of game or fish meat her husband and four sons were fortunate enough to catch.

The Ficarro’s would like to express sincere gratitude and thanks to the staffs at Barnes Kasson Hospital and Geisinger CMC, family members and friends for all the kindness and sympathy shown during Mom’s passing.

Viewing will be held Friday, November 10, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Hennessy’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave, Susquehanna, PA.

Service will be held Saturday, November 11, at St. John’s Church, Susquehanna, PA. (time to be announced).

John Michael Bixby, 65, of Clifford, PA and formerly of Susquehanna, PA passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Geisinger  Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA after an illness.

John was predeceased by his father, Robert C. Bixby; son, Eric Bixby and brother, Robert J. Bixby.

He was survived by his loving wife, Sharon (Hallstead) Bixby;  mother, Ellen G. Bixby; children, Jason and Diana Bixby,  Alisha Bixby, Jill and Chris DeHaven, John Bixby Jr., Tyler and Shannon Bixby; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Bixby; step children, Justin and Melissa Silfee, Lynn Silfee, Jackie Silfee, Bonnie and Joseph Bryant, Paul Thomson; brothers, Dale R. Bixby, Joseph and Rosemary Bixby, Stephen and Jennifer Bixby; sisters, Ann Marie Lee, Mary and Chris Norris, Kathy and Rick Gaworecki; 14 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John Michael Bixby was his birth name, but through his long life he gained many more. Wally, Big John, Big Boss Wally, B.B.W. , the sexy bitch and Uncle Joe even called him Wally baby a few times. But behind those many names he was a son, a brother, a friend, a husband, a father, and the nickname he liked the most was Grandpa Grump or just Grumpa. All these things made up the man we all know and love today.

More importantly he was a good man, and a laugh to be around. Even on his bad days he made people laugh. He kept people smiling and telling jokes. His love of sports: football in particular was legendary. He never missed a game and always welcomed a fellow fan to join him, even if they rooted for the other team. He just loved the company. Another large part of his life was music; throughout the years he played in several bands. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017, 10am at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave. Susquehanna, PA. with Rev. David Cramer officiating.

Interment will be held in the St. John’s Cemetery, Susquehanna, PA.

The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 from 5 to 8pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the American Cancer Society; or the Geisinger Community Medical Center, 1800 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510.

Kathleen T. Osterhout, 73, of Hallstead, PA was called home to be with the Lord on October 27, 2017. She was the daughter of the late John and Bernice Foley.

Kathy is survived by three sons, Randy Osterhout, Richard Osterhout, and Raymond and Holly Osterhout; six grandchildren, Randi-Katelyn, Kalani, Jacob, Lynnsey, Torrin, and Tommy; several cousins; and numerous claimed grandchildren.

Kathy was a life time member of the Blue Ridge Sportsman’s Club. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Community Church, where she served in many positions, her favorite was being a Sunday School teacher, and she participated in choir, UMW, and bible studies. She was fondly known as “Grandma Kathy” to many area children from volunteering at Blue Ridge School District. Kathy possessed a tender heart and caring spirit both with the elderly and with children.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the United Methodist Community Church, Great Bend, PA.

Interment will be made in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-7pm Wednesday, at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc., Hallstead, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Broome Oncology, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905.

Ruth Allard, 74, of Hallstead, PA entered into rest on October 27, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Farris and Grace Allard and she was the last surviving of 13 children.

Ruth is survived by her extended family members; friends; her caring support system in the Emerson Apartments where she was a long time resident; and her beloved dog, Reggie.

Ruth possessed a unique sense of humor and she will be dearly missed by all who met her.

A funeral service was held, Monday, October 30, 2017 at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc., Hallstead, PA.

Private inurnment will take place in Lawsville Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Caring Community Food Pantry, located at the United Methodist Community Church, P.O. Box 586, 406 Main Street, Great Bend, PA 18821.