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Joyce's Search Tip - January 2008  Do You Know that you can search just the 584 pages of Clippings and Scrapbooks on the site by using the Clippings button in the Partitioned search engine at the bottom of the Current What's New Page?  You'll also find obituary and other newspaper clippings using the three county-level Obits by Cemetery buttons. Additional clippings can be found in the Birth, Marriage, and some other partitions.

HOW TO SUBMIT OBITUARIES TO THIS SITE - Typed obituaries may be submitted by email to Joyce M. Tice either in the text of the email of by an attached file. PLEASE put OBITUARY SUBMISSION in the subject line of your email to help me sort the several hundred emails I receive weekly. Give your file an eight character name - do NOT call it OBITS or it will overwrite someone else's file. Make sure your full name is included so I know whom to credit. Submissions will be arranged alphabetically by SURNAME AT BIRTH, so make sure I know the correct birth name if you know it. If surname at birth is not known, married name or other alias will be indexed in parentheses. Also include the death date and newspaper if you know it. 

Irene E. Pierce, 73, of Big Pond, died Saturday at Troy Community Hospital.
She was a member of the Big Pond Grange, Big Pond W. S.C. S., Helping-Hand of Big Pond, and she formerly owned the E. Troy Diner. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Bernice Burns of Columbia Cross Roads, RD 2. Funeral services will be today at 11 o’clock from the Vickery Funeral Home in Troy. The Rev. Frank Monroe will officiate. Burial will be in Big Pond Cemetery. 

Tioga—Sylvia D. Fuller, 37, of Tioga RD 1 died Wednesday morning of head injuries sustained in a one vehicle accident on Township Rt. 596 Sunday. A spokesman at the Arnot-Ogden Hospital in Elmira said Mrs. Fuller was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition shortly after the 8 p.m. accident Sunday. Mansfield State Police said Mrs. Fuller was driving south on Rt. 596 when her Jeep went out of control and rammed a fence along the right side of the road. Police said Mrs. Fuller was apparently struck on the head by a fencepost. Police said Mrs. Fuller died of a fractured skull and a blood clot. 

Troy—The death of Pfc. C. Richard Soper, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Soper of Leona (RD 4), in an accident in Korea was received this week by his parents. According to word received from the Army, Private Soper was accidentally shot in the chest in a tent. Soper was in the 24^th Division when it was among the first U. S. units to be sent into action in the Korean War last June. He received the Bronze Star for heroism in action. The Leona man enlisted in December, 1948, and received basic training at Camp Pickett, Va. He was transferred to Camp Stoneman, Calif., and Kyushu, Japan, in April, 1949. A brother, Cpl. Leland Soper, Jr., is also in Korea with the Army. Before his enlistment Richard was employed at the Eclipse plant in Elmira.
WAR HERO’S BODY RETURNED TO LEONA
Troy—The body of Pfc. Richard Soper, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Soper, Leona, arrived in Troy Wednesday morning from Korea where he was killed Feb. 4, 1951. He joined the armed forces in December, 1948, in Towanda and took his basic training at Camp Pickett. In 1949 he was sent to Camp Stoneman, Calif, and on to Kokura, Japan, where he attended school. In July, 1950, he went into Korea where he served until his death. He was awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding bravery. Soper and two companions went into enemy territory to rescue several comrades—with a 10-ton truck. He was also awarded the Japanese occupation ribbon, Korean campaign ribbon with five battle stars, the Presidential Citation, United Nations ribbon and Purple Heart. A military service will be held at the Troy VFW and American Legion. Richard was in the 24^th Division, the first to go into Korea. Before his enlistment, he was employed by the Eclipse plant, Elmira Heights. 

Mansfield, Aug. 28—Services were held today for Stephen H. Borg, 40, of Mansfield, R.D.2, who was shot to death Sunday, Aug. 22, 1971, while vacationing in New York City. A physics teacher at Booth School in Elmira, N.Y., Borg and his wife, Winnie were visiting relatives in New York City when the shooting occurred. Mrs. Borg, also 40, told police she and her husband had been to a play in Greenwich Village and were sitting in their parked car about 11 p.m. on Broadway at 37^th Street, trying to decide what to do next in their night on the town. Police said a man approached the Borg car and ordered Borg into the back seat. Instead Borg stepped on his accelerator, and the unknown assailant fired twice, striking the school teacher in the face and back.

WIFE INJURED

Borg slumped over the steering wheel , and his car jumped the curb and struck a building. Mrs. Borg was thrown to the sidewalk and suffered cuts and bruises. Borg was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he died about 45 minutes after the incident. Mrs. Borg was treated at the same hospital and released. The gunman, who fled after firing the two shots, was described as black, about 25, with an Afro haircut, and 5 feet 10 inches tall. Police were seeking a parolee, wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting, who failed to appear for a scheduled visit with his parole officer in New York City. Angered by the incident, New York City’s Mayor John V. Lindsay said. "This senseless and vicious crime must not go unpunished." He said he instructed Police Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy to "make every possible effort with special emphasis on the midtown police task force to apprehend the perpetrator."

MESSAGE READ

A message from Mr. Lindsay read at a church service in Brooklyn last week said:

"His shooting was a tragedy that stunned our city. We all mourn his death and the fact.

(continuance of this article not here) 

Harry T. B. Gustin, for more than a quarter of a century a Horseheads business man, died at his home, 803 S. Main St., Horseheads, yesterday morning at 8 a.m. He had been ill since last July. Mr. Gustin conducted a furniture store and funeral home at 108 N. Main St., Horseheads, nearly 25 years, disposing of the furniture business in 1943. He continued his undertaking business next door to his home on S. Main St., and also operated an ambulance. Several years ago he was a member of the Village Board. He served in the U. S. Army during World War I. He was a past president of the Horseheads Rotary Club and a member of the Horseheads Presbyterian Church. 

ENTER THOU INTO THE PRESENCE OF THY LORD

Upon entering my office on Friday morning, just one hour after having been notified of the death of Miss Edna Nash, I experienced a peculiar emotion and felt as though I was walking where a Saint has trod. Edna was a splendid neighbor, a dedicated servant to her community and church, devoted to God and without question her great stamina was drawn from deep faith and trust. I wept for those relatives and close friends who had cared for her—for those who had been associated for many years on the Pennysaver staff. I, too, felt a keen loss and a responsibility to do my little bit in filling a great gap. The sorrow was relieved as I remembered having walked into Edna’s kitchen on several occasions to find her reading her Bible. The words of the Apostle Paul seemed to come alive and take on new meaning as I thought "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Without her ever once saying, it seems as though Edna’s philosophy may have been "For me to live is Christ but to die is gain." As I think of Edna’s triumphant entry into heaven I also think of the comforting statement of Paul the Apostle to the people at Corinth, a victorious declaration which has been a source of strength to Christian people through the centuries, "Oh death where is thy sting, Oh grace where is thy victory." By the Editor 

Troy—William R. Croman of Troy, a long-time area educator, died Tuesday at Troy Community Hospital. He was 91.

Mr. Croman served as supervising principal of Troy High School for 40 years, until 1955. He was principal of Meshoppen High School from 1908 to 1914, and superintendent of schools in Denton, Md., from 1914 to 1915. He came to Troy and was principal of Troy schools in 1915. Mr. Croman was a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and the Muncy Masonic Lodge No. 299 F&AM. He also was a 50-year charter member and past president of the Troy Rotary Club. The Coman Elementary School in Troy was dedicated in his honor in 1955 when Mr. Croman retired. Mr. Croman was honorary chairman of the fund drive for Troy Community Hospital in 1974.

(Rest of article is blacked out when copied- cannot be read) 

By Andrea Lynn Perry

Mansfield—Although the nights are cool and some trees are shedding their leaves, it’s still good weather for softball.

Although there were no formal dedication ceremonies Monday, a young woman and her two brothers tried out the newly-named Thomas Burleigh Memorial Softball Field here in Smythe Park. The young woman, Cindee Burleigh, 20, and her brothers, Mark, 21, and Kipper, 18, are children of Thomas Burleigh, who died in January, 1984 as the result of a wood-chopping accident. Watching her children was Daisy Burleigh, who said she was pleased about the efforts to renew the field and name it after Thomas. "He was a great one for having fun, and wherever he was, people had fun. He had a knack for making people laugh," she said.

A member of the Super Duper softball team, part of the Men’s Softball League, John Nittinger, said memorial funds were collected for a new ballfield, but the project was too much for the small league. The Southern Tioga School District then gave the league permission to adopt the Smythe Park field. "He (Burleigh) played on the Super Duper team, came to every game, was real enthusiastic, and was just a heck of a nice guy. That’s why we did this," said Nittinger. Obviously good at wielding a bat and glove, Burleigh’s children commented that the field was in good shape, and said the new black and white sign at the field looked good. Memorial funds provided for six loads of topsoil on the diamond, new bleachers, and a new backstop, which as yet has not been delivered.

CPL. CONGDON OF GILLETT LOSES LIFE IN ACTION

Word has been received of the death of Cpl. Edgar Porter Congdon, 28, of Co. C, 31^st Infantry, killed in action in January in the Battle of the Philippines. He was the son of Bert Congdon of Gillett, Pa. Cpl. Congdon is one of the first vicinity men to have lost his life with the brave defenders of the Bataan Peninsula. Although no details of his death are known as yet, it is believed that Cpl. Congdon was killed in the first big "all out" Japanese push against the U. S. Forces, during the last of January when the Japs were said to outnumber the American-Philippine forces almost 10 to one. The 31^st took the brunt of that push, and temporarily stopped the enemy. Cpl. Congdon was enlisted in the U. W. Army nine years ago and spent his first enlistment period in Manila with Co. C, 31^st Infantry. He served two subsequent enlistments in the Canal Zone, after which he received his honorable discharge, having attained the rank of sergeant. Two years ago Congdon was re-enlisted as a private for foreign service and was returned to his old company in the Philippines. Soon he was promoted to corporal. In his last letter to his family, received a few days before the U. S. declaration of war, he wrote that he expected promotion to sergeant. 

Written by a friend in memory of Mrs. Florence Crippen who died Sept. 8, 1919, at Austinville.

The house seems so silent and dreary

And all are so sad and lone;

Since the death angel came and took Florence

Away to her Heavenly home.

But a brief time she suffered,

Still the angels gave her rest

Sadly she’s missed by her loved ones;

And yet God knoweth best.
 
 

Their hearts are torn and bleeding

With a would that never heals.

Life will seem only a burden

Until the sweet rest o’er them steals,

And yet this thought is consoling;

Florence is waiting there;

Listening for the sound of their footsteps

Ascending the golden stairs.
 
 

The home circle now is broken,

No one can fill her place,

There’s only left in their memory,

The picture of that dear face.

When they gather ‘round the table,

There’s now a vacant chair,

At the sight their hearts grow heavy;

For Florence is not there.
 
 

Her relatives and friends will miss her,

As she met them day by day,

She’d always a smile of welcome

And always a kind word to say.

On earth no more they will meet her

She’s gone to a better land,

There she is free from all sorrow;

There with the angel band.

C.B.H. 

Mrs. William Strong, of Columbia Cross Roads, died Saturday of influenza. Her husband is very ill and does not know of his wife’s death. His parents Mr. and Mrs. James Strong, had just gone south for the winter and were called back. 

Samuel Soper, of Austinville, Pa., died at Lewisburg, Pa. of pneumonia, Monday morning, December 16, aged 32 years. He had gone on a hunting trip with a party and contracted the influenza. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Soper; his wife and two small children, Winifred and Baker; also three sisters, Mrs. George Benson, Mrs. Bert Wilson and Mrs. Fritz Shayler of Austinville, Pa., and Mrs. James Gardner of this city; also one brother, Leland at home. The funeral and burial will be held in Lewisburg, Pa. (handwritten on article 1918) 

Frank Besley died Monday morning at Columbia Cross Roads, Pa. of influenza. He was the son of the late W. W. Besley. He is survived by his mother, and his wife, who was Grace Leggett; also one brother, Roy of Columbia Cross Roads. The funeral and burial will be at Columbia Cross Roads. (handwritten on article 1918) 

Canoecamp, May 11—Earl Welch, son of Elmer Welch of Chambersburg, died suddenly Saturday afternoon, May 9. He with some other men were working on the road when he became suddenly ill. He was taken home in a car; but died before he reached there. He was about 42 years of age. He had recently purchased the Byron Smith farm at Chambersburg where he resided. (handwritten on article 1925) (Note from JMT: I suspect that this is Chandlersburg which is an older name for Elk Run (Now too frequently called Bungy) in Sullivan Township. I have a photo of Earl) 

Clarence Coneely died Saturday afternoon at 4:45 o’clock at his home, 168 Boardman Street. Besides his widow, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. P. B. Coneely; one sister, Florence; four brothers, Earl, Lawrence, Charles and Ralph, all of this city. Mr. Coneely was a member of the L.O.O.M. and the Maccabees. The funeral services will be held at the home Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock, the Rev. C. G. McConnell will officiate. Burial in Woodlawn cemetery. (handwritten on article March 13, 1926). 

Norton Wood, long prominent Elmira manufacturer and twice mayor in the middle 20s, died Sunday morning at his home, 511 Chemung St., Horseheads. He was 74. Death came at 5:15 a.m., following an illness of two months. Mr. Wood had been a hospital patient for a month but had returned to his home four weeks ago. His death leaves Daniel Sheehan Sr., who has been confined to his home for some time, as the only surviving ex-mayor of Elmira.

A Republican, J. Norton Wood was known as a progressive mayor. He was interested in developing Elmira and was alert to conditions in other communities that could be adapted to this city. During his four-year administration he promoted bonding the city for construction of pavements covering a wide area, sewers including extension of the sewage system to the east side of Newton creek, and the Southside High School. The latter was built by the Board of Education but was part of Wood’s program. This program was carried on successfully throughout his tenure in office although he had a predominantly-Democratic Common Council during his second term. When he took office in 1922 the Council was mostly Republican but in his second term the Democrats held 7 of the 12 aldermanic seats.

Wood was elected in November 1921, defeating George W. peck, his Democratic opponent, and took office in 1922. He was reelected two years later when he was endorsed by the Democrats. Wood declined to seek reelection at the close of his second term and David N. Heller, Democrat, was named his successor. In Wood’s second term the city bought the Hall farm at the base of East Hill where the incinerating plant, instigated by Wood who sent committees of city officials to investigate sewage plants in other cities, was erected in Heller’s administration, and where the former Mark Twain Golf Course was constructed in the late 20s. Wood also was responsible for construction of the traffic tower at Lake and E. Water Sts., once a fixture of the business section.

J. Norton Wood was born in 1873 in Sullivan Township, Tioga County, Pa., the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Wood. Until he was 11, he lived with his family on a farm. Then his father operated a country store for a time. He came to Elmira at the age of 15 to work at the George W. Neily Co. carpentry shop. At a dollar per 11-hour day, he fired the boiler, looked after the power and did odd jobs around the plant. While he was working at that job he attended the Nelson A. Miller Night School where he took a business course. After working on a machine at the Neily plant for a while, he left and was employed for a year each at the American Bridge Works and the Kertscher plant. When he returned to his first employer, he was made foreman.

In 1907 Mr. Neily died and Wood bought the business, beginning without capital. Known as J. N. Wood & Co., the Partridge St. plant did a thriving business manufacturing door frames and window sash. In 1931 Mr. Wood took up other interests and sold the plant to Harris, McHenry & Baker Co., Inc. In 1918 Mr. Wood entered the political life of this community, when he was elected to the Board of Education. He resigned from the school board upon his election as mayor. Wood remained active in politics after leaving the mayor’s office and in 1932 entered a five-way race for the Republican nomination for sheriff. The successful nominee was the late Joseph F. Kienzle, who was defeated in the general election by Charles J. Strouse, Democrat. After quitting the carpentry business, Mr. Wood became active in real estate. For some time he was in charge of the real property holdings of the Chemung Valley Savings & Loan Association, of which he was a director. For a few years he and Mrs. Wood, the former Miss Alice Hill whom he married in 1892, conducted a tea room at their former home at Pine City and later they had charge of the Cold Brook Club.

Throughout his life Mr. Wood retained his interest in farming, operating a small dairy and angora rabbit farm at his Pine City residence, and raising a few chickens on his property of several acres since moving to Horseheads. Mr. Wood was identified with many of the city’s prominent activities. He served as president of the Arctic League and of the City Club, and was a leader in the community baseball organization which in the late 20s operated the Elmira Colonels. His fraternal affiliations included Ivy Lodge, F&AM, Elmira Lodge of Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Chemung County Rod and Gun Club. 

Sayre—The condition of Mrs. Inez Perry, 34, French and English teacher at Troy Junior High School, shot down by a rifle in her home on Kingsbury Ave., Towanda, early Sunday morning, remained in critical condition at Robert Packer Hospital today.

Mrs. Perry has a shattered right arm at the shoulder; a severed spinal column and a lung injury. One bullet from the 30-30 rifle used in the shooting lodged in rear of the left breast and has not yet been removed.

Her husband, Paul "Pete" Perry, 37, is being held at the Bradford County jail at Towanda. Monday he sent for Atty. J. Roy Lilley and after a conference. It was announced the law firm of Lilley & Wilson, Towanda, would represent Perry’s interests. Since conferring with the attorney, Perry has declined to answer official interrogation questions, saying he had been "advised not to talk." According to Police Chief Dean Meredith of Towanda, Perry has not yet inquired about his wife’s condition, or whether she is alive or not. Mrs. Perry was shot at 3:30 a.m. Sunday after her return from a party at a friend’s home. Perry is said by police to have waited an hour and a half for her return. 

Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 27 FEB 1997 By Joyce M. Tice Email Joyce M. Tice You are the visitor to this page of obituaries since the counter was installed on 27 FEB 1997