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.

 Algha F. (Bill) Etier, 68, of Roaring Branch RD 2, died Friday, April 20, 1973, in Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, following an extended illness. He was born April 27, 1904, in Gordonville, Tex., a son of John and Lydia Landon Etier. Mr. Etier was a retired sawyer. He was also a member of the Red Run Rod and Gun Club. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Morris McNett, with whom he resided. The funeral was held on Monday, at Canton, with burial in the Newelltown Cemetery. The Rev. Melvin L. Kauffman, pastor of the Morris Run Mennonite Church, officiated.

ETIER - Roaring Branch - Algha F. (Bill) ETIER, 68, of Roaring Branch RD 2, died Friday, April 20, 1973, in Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, following an extended illness. He was born April 27, 1904, in Gordonville, Tex., a son of John and Lydia LANDON ETIER. Mr. ETIER was a retired sawyer. He was also a member of the Red Run Rod and Gun Club. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Morris McNETT, with whom he resided. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, at Kleese's, 40 North Center Street, Canton, with burial in the Newelltown Cemetery. The Rev. Melvin L. KAUFFMAN, pastor of the Morris Run Mennonite Church, will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Submitted by Patricia Warren

ETIER –LAURA E. MCNETT, 91, a resident of Broad Acres Nursing Home in Wellsboro, died there Saturday, Nov. 16, 1990.  Formerly of Roaring Branch RD 1, Mrs. McNett was born May 8, 1899 in Gordonville, TX, a daughter of John and Lydia Landon Etier.  Mrs. McNett was a member of the Grover United Methodist Church and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and gardening.  She is survived by a step-son, Marvin (Ed) McNett, Roaring Branch RD 1; two step-daughters, Mrs. Vivien Matthews, Canton RD 2, and Mrs. Mary Wells, Horseheads, NY; several step=grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband, Morris McNett, on Jan. 2, 1977, and her step-daughter, Sylvina Spencer.  Funeral and committal services were held Nov. 13, from the Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton.  The Rev. Richard Leonard, her pastor officiated.  Interment was in the Newelltown Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Mrs. McNett’s memory may be directed to the Grover United Methodist Church or the Canton Ambulance Association.  –Canton Independent Sentinel.

FREEMAN Martha
Martha Stone, 91, of Canton, Pa., died
on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010 at Manor Care North Nursing Home in Williamsport.  Born on Feb. 2, 1919, in Roaring Branch, Pa., Martha was the youngest of three children of the late Jim and Tacy (Reynolds) Freeman. On Dec. 25, 1935, she married Leroy Stone in Roaring Branch. She and Leroy were blessed with four children. Martha will be fondly remembered as a devoted, wife, mother and grandmother. Mrs. Stone was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. She especially loved Bible study at the Manor home and in earlier years, enjoyed crocheting. Surviving are: her children, Shirley Batchelder of Westerly, R.I., Virginia McDonald of Grover, Roy A. Stone of Canton and Paul Stone of Rochester, Wash.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a nephew, Ted Spencer of Crawford, Tenn.; also her special friend and roommate at the Manor, Bonnie Easton. She was predeceased by her husband Leroy in 1981 and a sister and brother, Esther Spencer and Gwynn Freeman.  Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Pepper Funeral Home in Canton. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with Pastor Will Strunk officiating. The committal service and burial will follow in Newelltown Cemetery with, her son, Roy A Stone, presiding. Towanda Daily Review - August 13, 2010

GRISWOLD –MRS. SYLVINA MCNETT, 84, ONE OF THE PIONEER RESIDENTS OF NORTHER Lycoming County died at her home in Leolyn. She for may years had been the Newelltown correspondent for the Canton Centinel and was writing for the paper up to the time of her death. –Canton Independent-Sentinel 70 years Ago – 1943. (Born 21 April 1859, died 18 November 1943 buried in Newelltown Cemetery.)

FRANCIS W. ‘BILL’ McNETT – On the evening of Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, well-known and well-loved Roaring Branch, Pa. resident Francis William McNett diedquietly at Williamsport Hospital surrounded by his beloved family.  He was 87 years of age.  Known to the family and friends as “Bill”, Mr. McNett he was born Aug. 4, 1918, on English Hill, Union Township, Tioga County.  He was the son of Frank W. and Helen (Cole) McNett.  At the age of 4 he began playing the fiddle, eventually mastering the mandolin, banjo, harmonica, guitar, bass guitar and piano as well.  By the time he reached his teens, young Bill was performing professionally at various local venues.  Music became one of the great passions of his life, blossoming into a career that spanned seven decades.  For many years, Bill toured the Eastern seaboard extensively, performing with his brothers Bob and Dean, to whom he had personally taught the skills of a master musician.  Long after the touring stopped he continued to enrich lives with his humor and music, playing many local events along with his family as the McNett Family Band. He was still booking engagements up until about three years ago.  In the midst of his busy career, Bill courted Alice Rinebold, and they were united in marriage on March 1, 1947.  Together they raised two son's two daughters, and this past March celebrated their 58th anniversary.  When not performing professionally, Mr. McNett could be found at Landon's Cedar Ledge Store, where he helped out officially as a clerk and unofficially as an entertainer. For 40 years he brought joy and laughter to all who stopped by.  Bill was a very caring and giving man who gave lessons to aspiring musicians, and in his spare time offered a free taxi service to senior citizens in the community.  He was a man who loved his country, volunteering for the United States Army during World War II, where he served in the China-Burma-India Theater.  Over the years he had been a member of the former Carpenter Grange, the Ogdensburg Grange, Canton VFW Post No. 714, Canton American Legion Post No. 303 and the American Federation of Musicians.  Of paramount importance was Bill's unshakeable faith in the Lord. He was a lifetime member of the Newelltown United Methodist Church.  Mr. McNett was the embodiment of a true country gentleman who touched innumerable lives throughout the land.  He is survived by his wife, Alice, at home; sons, Francis L. (and Beverly) McNett and Dennis (and June) McNett, and daughters, Carol (and Gene) Kelly and Karen Jackson, all of roaring Branch; brother Kenneth (and Dorothy) McNett of Williamsport, Pa.; sister-in-law, Dorothy McNett of Montgomery; grandchildren, Michelle McNett, Richard (and Jill) McNett, Becky (and Brandon) Williams, Melissa (and Kevin) Lohss, Alicia Mott, and Jason Jackson; great-grandchildren, Brittany Breese, Brady McNett, Brian and Brandon McNett, Tyler and Kaley Williams, and Adam Frank Lohss; three nephews; two nieces and many beloved cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen McNett; brothers, Robert C. McNett and Dean McNett; and son-in-law Frank D. Mott Jr.  There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Church of Christ (Disciples) in Canton, with the Rev. Duane Taylor officiating.  There will be a time for visitation one hour before the service.   The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the Newelltown United Methodist Church in care of Eleanor Wooster, 203 Wooster Road, Roaring Branch, Pa. or the Newelltown Cemetery Association, 3681 Route 14 Highway, Roaring Branch.  Professional services have been entrusted to Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton.  –Towanda Daily Review

MORRIS E. McNETT, 92, Roaring Branch RD 1, died at his home early Sunday morning, Jan. 2, 1977.  He was born June 2, 1884, a son of Perry and Sylvia Griswold McNett.  He was a retired farmer and self-employed laborer.  Mr. McNett was an avid outdoor sportsman, until just a very few years ago enjoying hiking and camping in the mountains.  He was a member of Carpenter Grange No. 454 of Newelltown.  He is survived by his wife, the former Laura Etier; three daughters, Mrs. Vivien Matthews of Canton, Mrs. Edward (Sylvina) Bender of Roaring Branch RD 1 and Mrs. Margaret Wells of Horseheads, N.Y.; a son, Ed McNett of Roaring Branch, 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Sylvia Bohn of Elmira, N.Y., several nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral and committal services will be held from the Ralph T. Kleese Funeral Home Tuesday at 2 p.m., Bishop Melvin L. Kauffman, area director of the Mennonite Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Newelltown Cemetery.  –Canton Independent Sentinel.

 

NEWELL Erastus G.

Roaring Branch, Nov. 27 - The body of Erastus G. Newell was brought from Elmira and taken to the Newelltown M.E. church on Saturday, where services were held; burial in the cemetery close by. Mr. Newell was born and lived for about 70 years in sight of his last resting place. On account of failing health about four years ago, he went to Elmira to live with his son, Ralph. Mr. Newell's parents were among the pioneers of Union, settling at the head waters of Lycoming creek and rearing a large family, Erastus being the last. He lacked a few days of being 74 years of age. The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased. The passing of E.G. Newell removes from Union a man who was well and favorably known. Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Newell and family, Mr. Clarence Ellis, Mr. Rosell Ellis, Mrs. Emma Carl, M. E.L. McNett, Wm. Phelps of Elmira; J.W. Bradock and wife and G.T. Ward, of Williamsport; Frank Newell and wife, of Troy, PA; Ray Newell, of Alba; Harry McNett, of Canton. Wellsboro Agitator, November 29, 1916

 

NEWELL FREDERICKA - MRS. FREDERICKA McILWAIN
Mrs. Fredericka Newell McIlwain, 79, of Roaring Branch RD 1, died early Sunday morning, Jan. 4, 1981, in Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon.  She had been a resident of Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, for a year.  Her husband, Bert L. McIlwain, died February 23, 1967. Born in Spencertown, Tioga County, on May 29, 1901, she was the daughter of Fred and Lydia Crowfutt Newell. A schoolteacher for 41 years, Mrs. McIlwain retired in 1963 from teaching at the Roaring Branch School.  She also had taught at Quiggleville and Linden schools.  A member of the Retired Teachers Assn., Mrs. McIlwain also was a graduate of the former Mansfield Normal School. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution.  She also was a member of Carpenter Grange No. 454, and a past master and member of Pomona State and National Grange. Mrs. McIlwain was a member of Newelltown United Methodist Church. Surviving are three stepdaughters, Mrs. McKean Williams of Canton RD 2, Mrs. Carlton Wooster of Roaring Branch RD 1, and Mrs. Hugh Wevavau of Harrisburg; a stepson, Theron of Roaring Branch RD 1, 11 step-grandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren. She was the aunt of Donald Newell of Lancaster with whom she had lived. The funeral was held Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Richard Barner, her pastor, officiating.  Burial was in Newelltown Cemetery. (Wellsboro Gazette, Wellsboro, PA, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1981)

NEWELL - Mr. Josiah Newell, one of the pioneers of Union township, died a few days ago [Aug. 14, 1889]. - Wellsboro Agitator, August 27, 1889

PARKER –BERTHA M. SPENCER, age 87, a former resident of Roaring Branch RD passed away at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro Saturday morning April 11, 1981. Mrs. Spencer had been a guest of the Witt Nursing Home in Nauvoo, Tioga County since 1972. She was born in Auburn, NY on May 19, 1893, a daughter of Frank and Addie Halbert Parker. She was a widow of Thaddeus S. Spencer who preceded her in death in 1962. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canton for many years. Survivors include two nephews whom she raised: Dr. John Spencer of Laurel, MD and Lawrence Spencer of Shelbyville, TN; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Malvina Spencer of Rock Stream RD 1, NY, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services were held at the Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, 40 N. Center St., Canton on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Hubert Morgan, pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canton officiating. Burial was in Newelltown Cemetery in Tioga County. –Canton Independent Sentinel 4/16/1981

REPARD –ELIZABETH P. LEONARD, 88, a resident of the Green Home, Wellsboro, died Oct. 9, 1987.  Mrs. Leonard was born April 27, 1899, at Liberty, Tioga County.  She was a housekeeper in Elmira for over 29 years.  Mrs. Leonard was a member of the Blossburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Liberty Ladies Aid and the Trout Run Senior Citizens.  She was a former resident of Leolyn Blossburg and Elmira.  She is survived by a son, Chester, Kernersville, NC; a son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Beverly Leonard, Erin, NY; daughter Elnora Haller, Buffalo; daughters and sons-in-law, Ileen and John Zeigler, Pine City, NY, Lucille and Leon LaFrance, Jacksonville, FL; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Clinton Repard, Liberty, Theron Repard Blossburg and Manford Repard, Lemon Grove, CA; also several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was predeceased by a son Elwin in 1973; a grandson, William Haller in 1984; and a sister, Thelma Miller.  The funeral and committal service were held Tuesday from the Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton, with the Rev. Marc J. Beaven, her pastor, officiating.  Interment was in the Newelltown Cemetery.  –Canton Independent Sentinel.

THAD S. SPENCER, 85, of Roaring Branch RD 2, Thursday, Oct. 18, 1962.  He was a stone mason; a member of Roaring Branch Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  Survived by wife, Mrs. Bertha Parker Spencer; sisters, Mrs. Anna Jackson of Roaring Branch RD 2, Mrs. Mary Hatherill of Canton; brothers, Ben P. of Beaver Falls, Pa., Addison of Roaring Branch RD 2, Raymond of Canton RD 2, Paul of Fall Brook, Pa.  Body at Kleese Funeral home, Canton.  Calling hours today 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.  Funeral there Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Elder Albert E. Neil.  Newelltown Cemetery.  –Elmira Star-Gazette 10/29/1962
 

 

STONE - Loren Leroy Stone, age 66, of Roaring Branch, died on Friday, July 17, 1981. He had been an automobile mechanic in Canton before his retirement. He was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Salem, W. Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Martha; daughters, Mrs. Shirley Batchelder of Westerley, RI; Mrs. Virginia Avery of RD1, Canton; sons, Roy Stone of Silver Springs, MD; Paul Stone of Ft. Lewis, Wash.; brother, David Stone of Stoneham, Mass.; 7 grandchildren; one great granddaughter. Funeral services were held on Sunday with the Rev. Will Strunk officiating. Burial in Newelltown Cemetery.  Donations may be directed to the American Heart Association. - Wellsboro Gazette, July 22, 1981

LEWIS AUSTIN ‘AUSSIE’ WILLIAMS JR., 60, Roaring Branch RD 2, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday morning.  He was born in Leolyn, Pa., July 5, 1913, a son of Lewis A. Sr., and Elsie H. Leonard Williams.  He was an employee of the Arrow Shirt Co., a division of Cluett Peabody and Company, Inc., Williamsport, Pa., where he had worked for the past nine years.  Prior to this employment he was employed at the Belmar Manufacturing Company in Canton.  He was also a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Air Force.  He is survived by his wife, the former Gladys Freeman; one daughter, Alice Jane Williams, at home; two sons, William L. Williams of Roaring Branch RD 2 and SP4 Corp. Andrew Austin Williams, U.S. Army stationed in Germany; two grandchildren, Tammy Ann and Timothy Andrew Williams; one brother, Harry I. Williams of Canton RD 1; two sisters, Mrs. Albert (Clara) Hurlburt of Elmira and Mrs. Eugene (Laura) Saunders of Canton RD 1; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Funeral services will be held at the Ralph T. Kleese Funeral Home, 40 N. Center St., Canton, Wednesday at 2 p.m.  Officiating will be Pastor Donald W. Baer of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Canton.  Burial will be in the Newelltown Cemetery.  –Canton Independent Sentinel.

WORTH ELIZABETH P. LEONARD
Mrs. Elizabeth P. Leonard, 88, a resident of the Green Home, Wellsboro, and a former Lycoming County resident, died Friday, Oct. 9, in the nursing home. Born April 27, 1899 in Liberty, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ayles Worth. She was a resident of the Green Home for three-and-a-half years and formerly lived in Leolyn in McNett Township.  She also had lived in Blossburg and Elmira, NY, where she worked as a housekeeper for 20 years. Mrs. Leonard was a member of Blossburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, Liberty Ladies Aid and Trout Run Senior Citizens. Surviving are two sons, and a daughter-in-law, Chester of Kernersville, NC and Dale and Beverly of Erin, NY; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Elnora Haller of Buffalo, NY, Ileen and John Zeigler of Pine City, NY, and Lucille and Leon LaFrance of Jacksonville, Fla; three brothers, Clinton Repard of Liberty, Theron Repard of Blossburg, and Manford Repard of Lemon Grove, Ca.; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a son, Elwin, in 1973; a grandson, William Haller, in 1984; and a sister, Velma Miller. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, 40 North Center Street, Canton. Interment was made in Newelltown Cemetery in Union Township, Tioga County.