The following three obits were in this weeks Elmira Star Gazette and I thought they might
interest some of you.
Our condolences to all, in each of these families.
Rieta P Boyden
MATTISON, Ralph Earl
Age 91, of 4325 Locey Creek Road, Osceola, PA, passed away Monday, April 27, 2009, at the
Green Home, Inc., Wellsboro, PA. He was born August 21, 1917 in Dewittville, NY, the son
of Earl Ralph and Rachael Stern Mattison. He retired after working for 31 years for
Ingersoll-Rand. Ralph was a member of the Osceola Methodist Church and a veteran of the
U.S. Army who served in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Survived by his wife of 71
years, Blanche Van Dusen Mattison; son, Ralph Van (Mary Patricia Lennox) Mattison,
Osceola, PA; daughter, Lois Piecuch, Osceola, PA; four grandchildren, five
great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a
son, Len Ja Mattison in 1969. Funeral Services will be conducted at the convenience of the
family. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Osceola, PA. Memorial donations may be made to Laurel
Home Health Hospice, Valley Community Ambulance Assn. and the Osceola United Methodist
Church. Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Inc., 214 West Main Street,
Elkland, PA 16920.
CHURCH, Dora S.
Age 104, of 204 Holden St., Osceola, PA, where she resided for over 80 yrs., passed away
at her home April 29, 2009 after a brief illness. She was born Sept. 24, 1904 in Osceola,
PA, the daughter of Samuel A. and Betsy P. Tubbs Seely. She was born and lived her
childhood on the Seely farm on Norway Ridge Road. She graduated from Elkland High School
in 1923 and Mansfield Normal School in 1925. She taught school for over 17 years until
taking over her father's feed business which she operated until the late 80's. She
was an active member of the Osceola United Methodist Church and played the piano for many
events and family gatherings. She was a very unselfish, independent, hardworking person
and a devoted mother, wife, homemaker and caregiver. She is survived by grandnieces,
Dianna Green and Bonnitta Seely; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews,
great-grandnieces and nephews and great-great-grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Louis A. Church in 1991, whom she married June 4, 1928; brothers,
Rexford (Bud) Seely, Allen (Jud) Seely; sister, Beryl Cummings. Friends are invited to
call at the Kenyon Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Elkland, PA, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m., where funeral services will be held following calling hours at 12:00 p.m.,
Pastor Sharon Kent offc. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Osceola, PA.
GRAHAM, Ryan R.
Age 25, of 601 E. Church St., Lock Haven, PA, passed away April 27, 2009. He was born
March 28, 1984 in Wellsboro, PA, the son of Jeffrey and Susan Johnson Graham. He was an
Iraq War Army veteran, student at Lock Haven Univ., member of the American Legion and VFW
Post #131, and at one time was active in scouting and enjoyed playing basketball and
football. He is survived by his parents, Jeffrey and Susan Graham, Elkland, PA; brothers,
Scott Graham, Elkland, PA, Thomas Graham, Elkland, PA; paternal grandparents, Henry and
Anita Graham, Tioga, PA; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends are invited to call at
the Kenyon Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Elkland, PA, Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Visitation will be conducted Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary United
Methodist Church, Lawrenceville, PA, where funeral services will be held following
visitation at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Robert W. Strozyk, offc. Burial will be in Farmington Hill
Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorial donations may be made to: "Gift from
Within," 16 Cobb Hill Rd., Camden, Maine 04843 or Calvary United Methodist Church
Building Fund, P.O. Box 57, Lawrenceville, PA 16929