June 2023

Ruth E. BUTTON, 99, of Tioga, PA, died Sunday, June 25, 2023 in the Green Home, Wellsboro.  

Born January 18, 1924, in Ulysses, she was the daughter of Arthur and Bertha Button Blackman.  On January 18, 1967, in Tioga, she married Eugene M. Button, who survives.  

She was employed by Corning Glass Co. and later as a cook by Amory Houghton, retiring in 1991.  

Surviving besides her husband, Eugene, are:  four sons, Wayne (Mary) Osterhoudt of Westfield, Curtis Osterhoudt of Tioga, David Osterhoudt of Nashville, TN, and Robert (Laurie) Whipple of Lawrenceville;  two daughters, Nancy Malinak of Lock Haven and Martha Warren of Austin;  two step-daughters, Deborah (Donald) Warriner of Tioga and Inza Campbell of Sligo;  a step-son, Rodney (Alice Fay) Button of Mount Dora, FL;  many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  

She was predeceased by a son, Thomas Osterhoudt; and two brothers, Frederick Blackman and Robert Blackman.  

Services will be private.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Tioga.  

Memorials may be made to Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, 725 Gee Road, Tioga, PA 16946.  Arrangements are entrusted to Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Anne L. Beers, 80, of Middlebury Center, PA passed away early Saturday, June 24, 2023, in her home. 

She was born January 9, 1943, in Elmira, NY to Floyd W. and Alice (Flanders) Ripley. 

She graduated from Southside High School in Elmira.  She trained to be a beautician at Del Kader Beauty School in Elmira, Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, and the State Beauty School in Williamsport, PA.  Anne owned and operated Family Hair Styling in Wellsboro. 

On April 7, 1978, she married Charles E. Beers, with whom she shared 45 years of marriage.  Anne was a member of the Wellsboro Bible Church for more than 40 years, active in the Gideons Auxiliary of Tioga County since 2008, and the Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS) for 11 years.

Anne is survived by her husband:  Charlie Beers; two sons:  Gordon Manchester (Sandra) of Pine City, NY, and Martin Manchester (Melanie) of Lebanon, PA; two step-sons:  Charles “Chuck” Beers of Burlington, NC, and Michael S. Beers (Tobin) of Philadelphia; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and a step-son:  James R. Beers.

In accordance with her wishes there will be a private service at the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA, burial will be in the Wellsboro Cemetery. 

Donations in her memory may be made to:  Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service, 1800 SE 4th Street, Smithville, TX 78957, Gideons of Tioga County, PO Box 45, Wellsboro, PA 16901, or Wellsboro Bible Church, 12880 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901. 

To share a memory or condolence with Anne’s family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

Bernice A. Superko, 82 of Wellsboro, PA passed away Friday, June 23, 2023, at Broad Acres.

Bernice was born on January 3, 1941, in Blossburg, the daughter of the late Robert M. and Dorcas B. (Lawton) Kemp. She was the wife of the late Charles S. Superko who preceded her in death on April 10, 1996. 

Bernice graduated from Wellsboro High School, Class of 1958.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mansfield State College. 

Bernice was a member of the Eastern Star, Twilight Chapter, Mansfield, the Mansfield V.F.W. Auxiliary, former member of the Girl Scouts and a former Girl Scout Leader.  She was also a member of the HAVEN of Tioga County Board of Directors.

Bernice is survived by a son, Martin Bartlett of Nashville, TN; a daughter, Marcia Bartlett of Mansfield; an aunt, Linda Lawton of Mansfield; three grandchildren, Zachary (Marissa), MegAnn, and Rebecca, and a great granddaughter, Scarlett. 

There will be no visitation and a graveside service will be announced for late November. 

Family suggests memorial contributions to be made to a food pantry of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, Wellsboro.  To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

H. Elizabeth “Beth” Karschner, age 84, of Elkland, PA passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Behm’s Personal Care Home in Elkland. 

Born March 22, 1939 in Camden, SC, she was the daughter of the late Wade Frank Oliver and Stanley Arthur and Neta (Kirkland) Miller. 

Beth was a member and attended the First Baptist Church of Galeton for many years. 

She was very crafty, enjoyed taking walks, and loved visiting with people.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and was devoted to her Lord and the Bible. 

Beth is survived by her children, Kris and wife, Susie Karschner and Julie and husband, Bradley Heck; grandchildren, Kadin Karschner, MacKenzie Karschner, Alexandra Heck, Kabrie Karschner and Joel Heck and her sisters, Michele Barton and Cimme Jo Miller.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Galeton, 234 W. Main St. on Saturday, July 1st at 11:00 AM with Pastor Richard Tintle officiating. 

Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Elkland.  www.kenyonfuneralhome.com.  

Antoinette G. “Toni” “Ommie” Black, 67, of Galeton, PA, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at home.

Funeral Services will be announced by the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton.

Ruth E. BUTTON, 99, of Tioga, PA, died Sunday, June 25, 2023 in the Green Home, Wellsboro.  

A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Smethport – Doyle E. Billyard, 73, of Olean, NY, died Saturday (June 17, 2023) at Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo.

He was born November 29, 1949 in Port Allegany, the son of Emery and Cleva (Sheldon) Billyard. On April 16, 1988, in Duke Center, PA, he married Pamela M. Ethridge, who died August 9, 2006.

Doyle graduated from Hamburg Jr./Sr. High School.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970.

Mr. Billyard worked as a self employed carpenter for many years in the area.

Doyle was a former Cub Scout Pack Leader for Pack #617 and was involved with the Boy Scouts, following his son in advancements.  He was a member of the VFW and the NRA.  He loved to fish and hunt in his spare time.

He is survived by:

One son:  James (Tia) Billyard of Olean, NY

Two daughters locally:  Patricia (Zack) Billyard of Olean, NY and Amy Connors of PA, along with four other daughters located in Texas.

Several grandchildren, including his six closest:  Zandon, Zaeleigh, Eligh, Evaeh, Adilyn and Elliott

And several nieces and nephews

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Duane Billyard, and one sister, Jessie Connors.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 11AM to Noon at the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, where a memorial service will be conducted at noon, following visitation.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.  Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Evelyn Nettie Stewart Allen, 105, a lifelong resident of Coudersport, passed away with her loving family by her side, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.

Born on Monday, December 24, 1917, in Oswayo Township, she was a daughter of Ernest Washington Stewart and Christina Ryland Stewart.

Evelyn attended school in Oswayo and Shinglehouse.  She married Clarence Kelligan and together they had four children; Dorla, Marlene, Keith, and Shirlee.  She later married Merle Allen on July 8th, 1944. They had one daughter, Sheila Allen.

During World War II, Evelyn worked at the Eldred Munitions Plant.  She later was employed at Galeton Production, Smith’s Drug Store, Buchanan’s Pharmacy, and along with her husband, Merle,  owned and operated the Blarney Stone Tavern in Coudersport for several years.

She was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport, a former member of the Catholic Daughters, and a lifetime member of the Coudersport American Legion Post 192 Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered for the Red Cross Bloodmobile and the Charles Cole Hospital Gift Shop for more than 25 years—well into her 90s.

Left to cherish her memory are fifteen grandchildren: Terry (Karen) Tucker, Colleen (Walter) Ramsey, Steven (Judy) Tucker, Patricia (Thomas) Russell, Anne (Alan) Acker, Edgar (Pam) Tucker, Nancy (Doug) Pautz, Tim Davenport, Sherri Davenport Rank, David Kelligan, Lorrie (Randy) Riale, Patrick (Shelia) Kelligan, Tim Kelligan, Michael Kelligan, and Kevin Kohn;thirty great-grandchildren: Katie (Keith) Milks, Christopher (Jess) Howard, Molly (Isaac) Cary, Maggie Acker, Lee (Heather) Tucker, Seth Tucker, Chelsea (Ben) Clarkson, Kristina Tucker, Emily (Rachael) Blankenship Tucker, Edgar Brandon Tucker, Bradley (Amber) Tucker, Alizé Kelligan, Gabriel Kelligan, Christopher Blackwell, Bryan Blackwell, Jenny Davenport, Lauren Miller, Emily Kreisley, Adrienne (Jerrod) Bean, Kenneth Johnson, Michael Johnson, Elizabeth (Michael Wight) Smith, Kathie Kelligan, Dan (Tessa Fair) Kelligan, Kelly (Jay) Gooch, Jennifer (Gary) Merriman, Harley (Kristen) Ramsey, Amy (Cory) Shaw, Jim (Emily) Tucker, and Steven (Erika) Tucker;forty-six great-great-grandchildren: Alexis Annis, Sophia Annis, Aiden Bean, Raylee Bean, Abby Bean, Nicholas Johnson, Braxton Weiler, Brooke Gustafson, Jayson Butler, Ethan Wight, Elizabeth Wight, Madison Myers, Alisha Roberdy, Dan Jr. Kelligan, Alex Kelligan, Nora Evelyn Clarkson, Silas Henry Blankenship Tucker, Emma Tucker, Mia Tucker, Madison Blackwell, Michael Blackwell, Dylan Howard, Daniel Duke Howard, Avery Eskesen, Cooper Eskesen, Charlie Eskesen, Anna Eskesen, Lincoln Cary, Maggie Jane Cary, Morgan Ramsey Gooch, Nicholas Merriman, Gregory Merriman, Jonathan Merriman, Chancelor Ramsey, Cormac Ramsey, Raine (Brandyn) DeLong, Killian Ramsey, Aurora Ramsey, Ellie Shaw, Evan Shaw, Brock Shaw, Jenna Shaw, Jovie Tucker, Mila Tucker, Theo Tucker, Annabelle Tucker, and Dawson Tucker; and several nieces and nephews. 

Evelyn took care of just about every grandchild and great-grandchild at one time or another and always had the neighborhood kids milling about as well. She never had a cross word to say about anyone. She did a great job keeping everything in perspective. She was known as ‘Nanny’ to most everyone, including the people she worked and volunteered with through the years. She will be sadly missed.

In addition to her parents, Evelyn was predeceased by her first husband, Clarence Kelligan; her second husband, Merle Allen; four daughters, Dorla Tucker, Marlene Kromar, Shirlee Leete, and Shelia Allen; her son, Keith Kelligan; grandson, Tom Leete; a great-grandson, Luke Russell; a granddaughter, Anne Leete Seager; and a sister, Velma Miller.

Family and friends may call from 9am to 10am on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the gathering space of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport.  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in St. Eulalia Catholic Church, with the Rev. Christopher Wheeler, as celebrant.  Burial will be in Eulalia Cemetery, Coudersport.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Volunteers That Care, PO Box 750, Coudersport, PA 16915; to American Legion Post 192 Ladies Auxiliary, 2 Buffalo Street, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to the Coudersport Public Library, 502 Park Avenue, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Evelyn entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Evelyn, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.