Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice Obituaries By Cemetery Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA Home Guide Disclaimer Copyright Wyalusing Page More Obituaries Joyce New & Search Homet Cemetery, Wyalusing, Bradford County, PA Obituaries

Joyce's Search Tip - January 2008  Do You Know that you can search just the Obituaries on the site by using the three County Specific Obituary selections in the Partitioned search engine at the bottom of the Current What's New Page? You can narrow your search by including a key word in the cemetery name or a township name in addition to the surname you search. Then select the Find All Words option.  You'll also find obituary and other newspaper clippings using Clippings partition. Additional clippings can be found in the Birth, Marriage, and some other partitions.

Reading a series of obituaries from a single cemetery, as they are presented here, is like reading the multi-generational history of a community. These people were the local populace at a particular time. The people buried here knew each other, were neighbors, relatives and school mates. They attended church together and engaged in "trade" or business.  All people are listed in alphabetic order by surname at BIRTH. Women identified by a married alias only and  for whom a birth surname can not be identified, are listed on the last page for the cemetery's obituaries. Please send in typed obituaries for people buried in our local cemeteries. If possible include name of newspaper and date. Send typed in your email or in attached Word files. Send to Joyce M. Tice (JoyceTice@aol.com)

Homet Cemetery Listing

DONALD J. HEATH, 71.  Memorial services will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, 1994, at 2 p.m. in the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church for Donald J. Heath, 71, who died on Aug. 14, 1994.  Burial will be in the Homet Family Cemetery in Homet’s Ferry.  Friends may call at the family home following the services.  Donald James Heath was born on Dec. 24, 1922, in Hammonton, N.J., the son of the late William Hath and the late Lida Homet Heath Bart.  He was a descendant of French émigré Charles Homet, who, with a group of his countrymen, established French Asylum during the French Revolution as a refuge for the ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette.  Heath lived his entire life in the homestead begun in 1853 by his great-grandfather Charles Stevens Homet, in the part of Wyalusing Township now known as Homet Heights.  Donald Heath attended school in Wyalusing, graduating from the Wyalusing High School with the class of 1940.  During his high school years he played stringed bass in the orchestra, sang in student musical productions, appeared in plays with the drama club, and took part in debates and public speaking competitions, all interests that he would pursue throughout his life.  He attended what was then the Mansfield State Teachers College, where he was one of only four freshmen chosen for the Dramatics’ Club.  He appeared in the club’s fall play, presented at Mansfield in November 1940.  During the 1940s and most of the 1950s. Mr. Heath worked with his grandfather, the late Frank B. Homet, on the family farm, which in 1957 was honored as a Pennsylvania Century Farm, after 105 years of continuous operation by the same family.  He had his own herd of registered Holsteins, and in the course of a decade of sweeping changes in farming methods, he helped implement modernizations ranging from tractors and baled hay to erosion-preventing contour plowing.  Heath later supplemented his farm income with other employment, gradually giving up farming altogether.  In the late 1950s, he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Electric Co., retiring 27 years later in 1984 as senior, electrical equipment maintenance and construction.  Mr. Heath was a lifelong member of the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church.  He served as a trustee and elder and on numerous committees.  For several years in the late 1950s and early 1960s he taught a boys’ Sunday school class.  He was presently a ruling elder.  Heath was a director emeritus of the Peoples State Bank of Wyalusing.  In 1983, he joined the board of directors of the former National Bank of Wyalusing, which his grandfather, Frank B. Homet, had helped establish in 1914.  He was instrumental in the 1985 merger of that bank with the former Peoples State Bank, thus assuring that Wyalusing would retain a locally run bank.  He then served on the board of the new bank, retiring in 1992.  Mr. Heath was a 49-year member and past master of the Wyalusing Lodge No. 618 Free & Accepted Masons.  He was presently acting as secretary, an office he had filled a number of times in the past.  He was a member of the Valley of Towanda, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory, and Williamsport Consistory Chapter.  Heath was a member and past grand of the former White Lily Lodge No. 808 Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Wyalusing.  In the 1950s he served a term as district deputy.  More recently he belonged to the Loyal Order of Moose, Waverly Lodge.  Mr. Heath sat on the board of the Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1965 until 1979, serving as chapter chairman at least twice during that time.  He spent long hours during the Vietnam years helping to arrange phone calls and emergency leaves for area members of the Armed Forces.  He was also a faithful blood donor.  Heath was a charter member in 1953 of the reorganized Wyalusing Valley Volunteer Fire Department.  He remained an active member until his work took him increasingly out of the community.  He worked with various committees helping to organize the Wyalusing Bicentennial in 1953 and the Jubilee Days the following year.  The badly needed new fire truck purchased with the proceeds from the first celebration was displayed during the 1954 event and more equipment and eventually a new fire hall followed.  In 1956 the fire department and the American Legion joined forces to present a minstrel show with Don Heath as master of ceremonies.  He acted in that capacity in other such programs in the next several years, most recently in 1976, when he appeared as the host.  Uncle Sam, in Wyalusing’s American Bicentennial pageant.  In 1977, Mr. Heath took the job of secretary for Wyalusing Township, serving for the next 10 years as right-hand man to the township supervisors.  They were years of expansion and change, as both revenue and expenditures increased dramatically and the township was called upon to offer more diverse and more complex services.  His attention to detail enable the township to meet the new demands while remaining solvent.  Heath was a loyal fan and strong supporter of the Wyalusing Valley High School athletic programs, especially football and wrestling.  During the decade in the 1960s when his three sons played on the various teams, he rarely missed a game or meet, traveling long distances and sometimes driving team members.  Wyalusing athletes addressed him affectionately as “Mr. Don,” a nickname that stuck and one that he liked.  In 1943, Donald Heath was married to the former Helen Kinsley of Wyalusing, a union that ended with her death only five years later.  On April 9, 1950, he was united in marriage with the former Jessie Mills of Towanda.  This year they celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.  In recent years, they had enjoyed traveling together, counting among their favorite trips several by train and a cruise on the Delta Queen.  The cultivated a large garden and shared a love of reading.  Mr. Heath often read poetry aloud in the style that had earned him a place on debating teams and dramatic productions.  After his retirement, he became adept at woodworking, creating new projects and restoring antiques.  Most of all, Don Heath loved to entertain people, in large groups or small, in public or at home, where he never tired of showing off his pride and joy, the family homestead.  He is survived by his wife, Jessie Mills Heath, at home; a daughter, Mrs. Tana Porter of Orlando, Fla.; three sons; Steven E. Heath of Bradley Beach, N.J., Joseph F. Heath of Columbus, Ohio, and Lin C. Heath of Milton, Pa.; two sisters; Mrs. Emilie Kerrick and Mrs. Dorothy Titchen, both of Monroeton; an uncle, C. Emerson Homet of Pittsburgh; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and two very special friends, Cheryl McGuire and Mary Ann Mosier.  Arrangements are being made through the Kerr-McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church Street, Wyalusing, Pa.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donald Heath’s name to Wyalusing Lodge No. 618 F&AM, c/o Peoples State Bank, Wyalusing, Pa.  –Towanda Daily Review.

Steven Edward Heath Sr., age 58, of Blackwood, NJ, died on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at the Stratford Nursing Center, Stratford, NJ. Steven was born in Wyalusing on April 25, 1945, a son of the late Donald and Helen Kinsley Heath. He graduated from Wyalusing Valley High School, a member of the Class of 1963. He graduated in 1967 from Mansfield State University with a degree in English, and in 1972 earned his L.L.B. from Rutgers University. While in Law School he worked for U.S. Pipe Corp., and following law school he went to work for Inductotherm Corp., where he was Corporate Council. He also worked for Union Valley Corp., where he was Corporate Council, and he had a private law practice as well. He had many interests and pursuits: he was mayor and councilman of Willingboro, NJ, a member of Rotary International and many other church and civic organizations. He loved playing golf and also enjoyed debate as a hobby Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law, Steven E. And Elizabeth Heath, Woodbridge, VA, Michael K. and Crystal Heath, Philadelphia, Matthew D. and Jampa Heath, Oakland, CA; two brothers, Joseph F. Heath, Orlando, FL, Lin C. Heath, Milton; two sisters, Tana Porter, Orlando, FL and Rosemary Grebeck, Wilkes-Barre. He also leaves three grandchildren, three nieces, six nephews and a host of friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, March 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 751 Kaighns Ave., Camden, NJ with the Rev. Gerard Marable, his pastor, presiding. Interment was in Homet Family Cemetery, Homets Ferry, PA at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Friends called on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Murray-Paradee Funeral Home, Route 70, Cherry Hill, NJ and on Wednesday morning at St. Bartholomew’s from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass. The family will provide the flowers and memorials may be directed to St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 751 Kaighns Ave., Camden, NJ 08103. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, PA 18853.

HOMET - Wolcott, Mrs. Walter  (Fannie Homet)  -aged 75, of Germantown, Pa. died Saturday, March 23 (1946) after a long illness. The ashes will be brought to Wyalusing on Wednesday, March 27 and committal services will be held in the Homet Cemetery at Homets Ferry with Rev. John A Sedsenig, Jr. Pastor of the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mrs. Wolcott was born in French Asylum Oct 2, 1870, the daughter of Joseph A and Adelia Gordon Homet. Her parents moved to Towanda in 1887 and two years later she was graduated from the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute there, later attending Elmira College. Since her marriage to Walter Wolcott in July of 1906, she has lived in Germantown. Besides her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Lydia, at home.

MILLS –JESSIE MILLS HEATH.  Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 1997, at 2 p.m. in the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church for Jessie Mills Heath, who died on Feb. 13, 1997.  Jessie Mills Heath was born on April 20, 1910 in Towanda, Pa., the daughter of the late Charles Mills and the late Rose Secor Mills.  Jessie attended school in Towanda, graduating from the Towanda High School in 1928.  During her high school years, she played the violin in the school orchestra, and sang in student musical productions.  She ran hurdles in the girls track team and often received recognition as a star of the girl’s basketball team.  She attended the Robert Packer School of Nursing, graduating with a registered nurse diploma in 1932.  During the late 1930/s and 1940’s, she practiced her nursing career at the Mills Hospital in Towanda, specializing in labor and delivery nursing, she worked at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, where she was a supervisor of a medical surgical floor.  She later worked at the Tioga General Hospital in Waverly, N.Y., as a general duty nurse.  In later years Mrs. Heath provided private duty nursing in many patients.  She retired from nursing in the late 1960’s due to ill health.  Mrs. Heath was a long-standing member of the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church, an active member of the church choir.  She was a member of the Wyalusing Musical Society, and frequently provided violin and vocal entertainment at the meetings.  She also performed in the chorus of several Wyalusing Valley musical productions.  In 1950, Jessie Mills married Donald James Heath of Wyalusing, with whom she spent 44 happy ears until his death in 1994.  Mr. and Mrs. Heath enjoyed traveling together, including trips to Europe, several cross country train trips and a cruise on the Mississippi river boat, “Delta Queen.”  Mrs. Heath was accomplished at knitting and crocheting, and enjoyed making and giving examples of her craft.  She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Tana Porter of Orlando, Fla.; three sons, Steven Heath of Bradley Beach, N.Y.; Joseph Heath of Columbus, Ohio; and Lin Heath of Milton, Pa.; a sister, Mrs. Stanley Gekoski of Towanda; nine grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and two very special friends, Cheryl McGuire and Mary Ann Mosier.  Mrs. Heat was preceded in death by; her husband, Donald in 1994; and two sisters, Charlotte, who died during infancy, and Mrs. Shirley Patton who died on April 30, 1997.  Burial will be in the Homet Family Cemetery in Homets Ferry.  Friends may call at the family home following the services.  Arrangements are being made under the direction of the Kerr-McHenry Funeral Home of Wyalusing.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jessie Heath’s name to the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church “Stained Glass Fund,” P.O. Box 25, Wyalusing, Pa.  –Towanda Daily Review.

Francis Homet Vaughn, 85
11/27/2001 Towanda Daily Review & Wyalusing Rocket Courier
Dr. Francis Homet Vaughn, 85, of Riverside Pa., died early Saturday morning, Nov. 24, 2001, at the Vintage Knolls, Danville, where he had resided since September. He formerly resided at 16 W. Market St., Danville. He was born July 9, 1916, in Homets Ferry, the son of the late Frank and Geraldine Homet Vaughn. He graduated from Camptown High School and Hasting College in Nebraska. He also graduated from Temple University, where he received his DDS. Dr. Vaughn also served two years as a major in the United States Army Dental Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was self-employed as a dentist at 111 Mill St., Danville, from 1940 until his retirement in 1984. Dr. Vaughn was a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, Danville, where he served as an elder. He was a member of Danville Lodge No. 224, F&AM, for over 50 years and the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg, Pa. He was a lifetime member of the Danville Elks for over 60 years. Dr. Vaughn was also a member of the Tri-County Dental Society. He was an original member of the Montour County Historical Society and the Frosty Valley Country Club, and served 12 years on the Danville School Board. He volunteered at the Maria Joseph Manor as an escort. He was a supporter and a descendant of the French Asylum. Dr. Vaughn was raised on a farm and always enjoyed farming and gardening. Dr. Vaughn was married March 24, 1940, to the late Roberta Shaw Vaughn for 59 years. She died Sept. 12, 1999. He is survived by three daughters, Janice Eldridge Bye of Wenonah, N.J., Gerre E. Vecchiola of Greensburg, Pa., and Roberta S. Maggs of Danville, Pa.; nine grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Nancy Magill, on Feb. 2, 1999. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, East Mahoning and Ferry streets, Danville, with his pastor, the Rev. Judson S. Bennett, officiating. Burial will be private in Homets Ferry Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6-9 p.m. today at the Miller-Visneski Funeral Home, 10 W. Mahoning St., Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Mahoning Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Mahoning St., Danville, or the Montour County Historical Society, P.O. Box 8, Danville, Pa. 17821.

Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

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