Donald C. Monroe “beloved grandfather”
CERES, PA—Donald C. Monroe, 96, a longtime resident of Ceres, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Born on Thursday, August 8, 1929 in Rixford, he was a son of Royal Clifford and Mary Harmon Monroe. On August 20, 1950 in the Ceres United Methodist Church, he married Dolores D. Mix, who passed away on March 27, 2014.
George E. HILLIARD, 88, of Genesee, PA, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in his daughter’s home in Genesee. Born January 21, 1937, in Confluence, he was the son of Harry D. and Margaret E. Warrick Hilliard.
He served with the U.S. National Guard from 1953 – 1962. George moved to Potter County while working for Penn Lines, installing the first phone lines in the area. He was employed as a mechanic by the Ford garage in Wellsville, NY for 26 years and owned and operated Hilliard’s Garage in Genesee since 1993. George was honored as Genesee Citizen of the Year in 2023.
ERIE, Pa. — Students and faculty from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford attended and presented their research this week at the Regional Science Consortium at Presque Isle held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
Students presenting were Kenneth Alford, a mechanical engineering major from Braddock; Thomas Burk, a physical sciences major from Greencastle; Dylan Crawford, a pre-dental student from Olean, N.Y.; Kaua Dos Santos Da Silva, a biology major from Williamsville, N.Y.; Madhav Ellini, a pre-medicine student from Bradford; Cassidy Elton, a chemistry major from Landenberg; Madison Foote, a biology major from Titusville; Ridge Gray, a biology major from Phoenixville; Peyton Haight, a pre-pharmacy student from Bradford; and Isaias Sanchez, a biology major from Brodheadsville.
Hinsdale- Stephen C. Bennett
Stephen C. Bennett, of Hinsdale, N.Y., passed away in his home suddenly from unforeseen circumstance on November 4th, 2025.
Stephen was born December 29, 1970, in Olean, New York, to Stephen L. and Bonnie A. Bennett. He graduated from Olean High School in 1989. He was employed by Great Lakes Cheese for 36 years. He often made jokes of his employment yet loved the job and the people he had the pleasure of working with.
William H. Grandin
ROULETTE, PA—William H. “Bill” Grandin, 87, a lifelong resident of Roulette, passed away peacefully in his home with his loving family by his side on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.
June E. Hullihen, 88, of 128 Comet Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Friday, November 7, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her family. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
Dona M. Brown, 89, of Crookerhouse Lane, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Bradford Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving grandchildren, and great grandchildren, by her side.
Dona was born in Bradford, on April 30, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Duane and Alice E. (Feely) Vaughn. She was a 1954 graduate of Bradford High School.
On April 26,1952, she married George E. Brown, who preceded her in death on April 5, 2009.
Richard E. “Rick” Grasser, 64, a resident of Elk Towers and formerly of Kersey, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
He was born on October 9, 1961 in St. Marys, a son of the late Richard Grasser and Laura Beldin Fragale.
Rick was a free spirit who enjoyed living a simple life. With a great love for the outdoors, Rick could often be found hunting or camping. He also enjoyed the quiet solace of a fishing trip, and delighted in sharing his catches with his family and friends.
Rick is survived by three sisters; Pam Franklin of Richburg, NY, Pat (David) See of Thornton, CO, and Joanne (Joe) Pearson of Emporium, as well as by some dear friends who were a great help to Rick; Wade (Denise) Wilson and Debby Penfield.
Marvin N. Waggoner, 95, of Warren, PA, died on Thursday November 6 th , 2025, in his home. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc.
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA. Mr. Erich Zaun, Principal, has announced that the following students, grades six through twelve, have been named to the Honor Roll for the first nine-week grading period at the Oswayo Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Students named to the High Honor Roll have maintained an average of 93% or above, while those on the Honor Roll have averaged 87% or above.
HIGH HONOR ROLL
GRADE 12: Jude Colbey, Lucas Dickerson, KayLynn George, Luke Karr, Trevor Miller, Soi Sang Nguyen, Kole Parrish, Rachel Rathbun, Mia Shaffer, Wynter Turek
GRADE 11: Ella Bee, Travis Coriaty, Payton Danforth, Sage McCleaft, Aubrey Resig, Dana Williams, Jenna Wylie
GRADE 10: Evalyn Abdo, Amberdale Burks, Olivia Fetzer, Makiah Jandrew, Jessica Pitts, Ella Resig, Bowen Taylor, Reese Thompson
GRADE 9: Olivia Metcalf, Camdyn Shaffer, Lane West
GRADE 8: Jonathan Aumiller, Mackenna Evingham, Sharlotte Tucker
GRADE 7: Ayce Geiger, Lela Thompson
GRADE 6: Troy Allen, Willow Vincent
HONOR ROLL
GRADE 12: Braiden Bachand, Isaiah Goode, Ridge Mesler, Zachary Pitts, Lachlan Tabacheck, Cherie Wallace
GRADE 11: Elizabeth Freeman
GRADE 10: Callie Bachand, Colden Bryant, Kaitlynn Costello, Pheniox Klein, Michael Oharold, Rhylie Stannard, Ainsley Tabacheck, Leelynn Welch, Layla Willow
GRADE 9: Simon Dickerson, Joshua Hoffman, Noah Robison, Loghyn Willow
GRADE 8: Landon Austin, Mason Babcock, Eric Barnhart, Conor Clarke, Mason Dailey, Jolene Fisher, Miriam Hoffman, Maddeline Kiendl, Dawson Perrin, Malachi Shaffer, Savanah Shreckengost
GRADE 7: Amethyst Allen, Emma Bryant, Evelynne Knowlton, Hailey Payne, Riley Rea-Marshall, Bentley Sisson, Alexis Taylor, Joseph Welch
GRADE 6: Brackson Bachand, Eva Colbey, Charlie Costello, Ariyanna Knowlton, Sara Taylor, Raegan Thompson
Visitors spend record-breaking $2.1 billion in PA Wilds in 2024
Every county in region sees growth in visitor spending, taxes collected from tourism categories
Visitors spent a record-breaking $2.1 billion while visiting Pennsylvania Wilds in 2024, while the total economic impact of the visitor economy hit $3.29 billion for the region, according to the recently released Tourism Economics report.
The travel sector is an important piece of Pennsylvania’s economy. Each year, Tourism Economics releases a report in conjunction with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to highlight key economic data for the Commonwealth and its eleven official Tourism Regions. According to the most recent report, 201.6 million visitors generated $83.9 billion in total economic impact in Pennsylvania in 2024.
Bessie I. Buckingham “beloved and loving wife, mother, and grandmother”
AUSTIN, PA—Bessie I. Buckingham, 90, a longtime resident of Austin, passed away with her loving family by her side in her home on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, after a brief illness.
Born on Sunday, April 28, 1935 in Laceyville, PA, she was a daughter of Claude F. and Anna Price Decker. On February 21, 1953 in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, she married Robert G. “Bob” Buckingham, who survives.
We’d love to share some of your photos this Thanksgiving and Christmas season on our Blog. 
Do you have a picture you’d like to share, maybe your home’s outdoor decorations or last year’s Thanksgiving dinner table? If so please send your photos (JPEG files preferred) to us through our email address. You’ll find our address on the left sidebar. We can’t wait to see your festive photos and share some community cheer!
Please note: By submitting a photo, you grant Solomon’s Words for the Wise permission to publish it on our website or social media. Submission does not guarantee publication, and no compensation will be provided.
CERES, PA—Donald C. Monroe, 96, a longtime resident of Ceres, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Friends are invited to attend Donald’s funeral at 2pm on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials in Donald’s name may be made to the Ceres United Methodist Church, 9287 School Street, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
A complete obituary will follow.
Donald’s grandson entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Donald, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a flood damage repair project will begin tomorrow on Route 220 in Davidson Township, Sullivan County.
Between Friday, November 7, 2025 and mid-December 2025, the contractor, Mitchell Knorr Contracting, Inc., will begin repair work between Fairman Road (Route 3003) and approximately a half mile south of Gavitt Road (T-320). Work includes removing trees, clearing debris, and repairing rock line ditches throughout the project area. Additional work includes replacing damaged pipes on Main Street (Route 2002) in Sonestown. Motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging during daylight hours where work is being performed.
BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 November Star Awards. This month’s BRMC and OGH recipients were Danielle Wilcox and Alyssa Richardson, RN, respectively.
Danielle Wilcox, a patient service representative in the Bradford primary care office, joined BRMC in 2024 and was recognized as the November Star Award recipient.
Joseph P. “Butchy” Cherry, 84, of 455 West Mill Street, St. Marys, and formerly of Third Avenue, Johnsonburg, passed away Wednesday afternoon, November 5, 2025, at Penn Highlands-Elk, St. Marys, following a lengthy illness. He was born July 4, 1941, in Johnsonburg, a son to the late Anthony J. “Toe” and Emily Papa Cherry.
Media are invited to join leadership from UPMC Cole as they share wins, provide a recap of 2024, offer updates, and discuss UPMC Cole’s plans for 2025.
Tentative Agenda:
When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 4 to 5 p.m.
Where: Microsoft Teams
Media can attend by calling 412-447-5295 and using this phone conference ID: 908 949 691#, or by using this link for Microsoft Teams. For more information, contact Tyler Wagner at wagnert4@upmc.edu.
Lorene P. STINSON, 81, of Wellsboro, PA, formerly of Westfield and Philadelphia, died Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. Born June 25, 1944, Clarksburg, WV, she was the daughter of Patrick and Betty Robinson Perris. She was married to Edward F. Stinson, who predeceased her.
This year’s fall musical, No Strings Attached, is a modern retelling of the classic fairytale, Pinocchio. The story begins with Carl, who runs away from home and joins a traveling circus. Their puppeteer tells Carl the story of Pinocchio, and for the rest of the performance, we get to see the story as Carl imagines it.
Performances will be Friday, November 14 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, November 15 at 2:00pm. Admission is $7 adults and $5 students.
Susan K. MARBLE, 50, of Cross Fork, PA, formerly of Galeton and Ulysses, died Thursday, October 16, 2025. A gathering to celebrate Susan’s life will be held at the Harrison Township Community Building on Saturday, November 8, 2025 beginning at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Lewis Township, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), along with local officials and industry partners celebrated the reopening of the Route 14 replacement bridge over Trout Run in Lewis Township, Lycoming County
In August 2024, the bridge that carried Route 14 over Trout Run was destroyed by flash flooding during Hurricane Debby. Less than a month later, a temporary roadway connecting Route 14 with Lycoming Creek Road was designed, constructed, and opened to traffic. By April, construction on the permanent bridge was underway. The bridge was open to traffic on October 28, 2025: just over a year after the flooding.
