Shirley F. Dively, Major, US Army Retired, age 98, of Wellsboro, PA died December 28, 2023, at Broadacres Nursing Home.

He was born April 7, 1925, the son of W. Bruce and Bessie Irene (Mock) Dively of Bedford County, PA., and was the great-grandson of three Civil War veterans: Gabriel Burket, Emmanuel Mock and Gabriel Dively, all of Bedford County.

He spent over 20 years serving his country in nine branches of the US Army before retiring in September 1963. Served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre during World War II and saw combat in the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, and the Philippines. Subsequent service included duty in Europe, Korea, Japan, and The United States. Received the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Good Conduct Medal, with three Loops, and eight other service awards and decorations with three battle stars and a bronze arrowhead.

He was married to Elinor Ruth Claycomb for over forty-nine years, Elinor preceded him in death in 1997. He married Pauline (Stevens) Bowen on May 2, 1998 and they have celebrated 25 years of marriage.

A long-time resident of both Wellsboro, PA., and Belen, NM. In Wellsboro he served as Secretary of The United Way Board, was Secretary of The United Methodist Church, Chaired the Tioga County Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, was an active member of The Green Home Advisory Board, and managed The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital Federal Credit Union. He also served as Chairman of the Endless Mountains chapter of the Pennsylvania Credit Union League.

He was awarded the prestigious Benjamin Rush Award from The Tioga County Medical Society, which recognizes a lay person for their outstanding contributions to the general health and welfare of this community. Through his adoption of new and innovative procedures and techniques, improvements of three vital areas affecting health standards and the improvement of medical services in Tioga County were accomplished.

In Belen, New Mexico he served on The Rio Communities Sheriff’s Patrol and was later appointed Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Valencia County, New Mexico. He was a volunteer at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from 1991 through 1997. He returned, in April 2003, to become a permanent resident of Wellsboro, PA.

He is survived by his wife Pauline S. (Bowen) Dively; sisters: A. Jane Holland, Betty L. Roudabush; son: Bruce L. Dively; daughters: Sara I. Rininger and Lynn J. McDaniel; stepson: David S. Bowen; stepdaughters: Karen M. Miller and Julie Orris; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Wellsboro, Military Officers Association of America, Arlington, VA; Disabled American Veterans, Past member Heroes of 76, and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory.

Family and friends are invited to pay tribute to Shirley’s Life at the United Methodist Church, 36 Main St., Wellsboro, January 6, 2024, from 3pm to 4pm. A funeral service to follow at 4pm with Pastor Liz Jackson officiating. Full Military Honors will be held in The Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a later date.  

Memorials in his memory may be made to The Wellsboro United Methodist Church. To share a memory or condolence with the family visit www.tusseymosher.com