The Progress
March 19, 1955Mrs. Eva May Hills, wife of former Burgess J. S. Hills, died at her home at 524 South Second Street at 2:15 yesterday after an illness of a year and a half. Born in Mill Hall, Pa., June 3, 1870, the daughter of William and Mary Barrett Kreidler, she was married to Jewett S. Hills on Feb. 5, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Hills celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary the February, recieving congratulations from President Eisenhower on the occasion.
Mrs. Hills is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs, Gretchen K. Flegal and Mrs. Hazel McKee of Clearfield, and Lee Hills of Indiana, Pa., also surviving are seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. The children, Mrs. Verna Briner and Burton Hills preceded her in death.
A resident of Clearfield since 1902, when Mr. Hills was named freight and ticket agent for the New York Central Railroad. Mrs. Hills was a member of the Trinity Methodist Church. She was a member of the W.S.C.S. and the Sunday School of the church and for many years an active member of the Clearfield Women's Christian Temperence Union.
The Progress
December 4, 1957Former Clearfield Burgess J. S. Hills of 524 South Second street died at his home at 9:05 o'clock last night following an extended illness. He was 90 years of age. Born near Salona, Pa., he was the son of the late M. G. and Ellen (Shaffer) Hills. Mr. Hills married the former Eva Mae Kriedler of Mill Hill February 5, 1888. Mrs. Hills preceded him in death March 18, 1955, shortly after they celebrated their 67th anniversary.
Mr Hills was employed as freight and ticket agent by the New York Central Railroad in Mill Hall until 1902 when he came to Clearfield to serve in the same capacity here. He continued as ticket agent in Clearfield until he became traveling freight represantative for the New York Central company. Mr. Hills retired in 1937 at the age of 70 after 49 years and seven months of service.
Elected Burgess of Clearfield Borough in 1945, Mr. Hills assumed office January 1, 1946. He served as Burgess for four years. A member of Trinity Methodist church, he served also on the board of governors of the Clearfield Community Chest.
Mr. Hills is survived by two children, Mrs. Gretchen Flegal of Clearfield and Lee Hills, of Indiana. Seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one brother O. B. Hills also survive.Mr. Hills was preceded in death by his wife and three children, Mrs. Verna Briner, Mrs. Ralph McKee and Burton Hills.
Clearfield Progress
November 26, 1918Mrs. Verna Hills Briner died at the home of her parents yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock following an attack of the grippe aged about 29 years. The deceased was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Hills and was well and most favorably known in Clearfield where she spent most of her life. She was a graduate of thr Clearwater High School and also engaged quite successfully as a teacher in our schools a couple of terms.
She was married to Harry Briner of Akron, Ohio, in June, 1917 and lived for a time in Akron. Recently the husband secured employment at Kurtz Bros. factory and they took up residence in Clearfoeld. Mrs. Briner was stricken with influenza about ten days ago.
The Progress
July 5, 1967Funeral services were held today at 2 p. m. in the Bennett Funeral Home at Clearfield for Harry C. Briner, 71, of 502 S. Fourth St. Clearfield, who died Monday, July 3, at 5:10 a.m.
He was born at Bloomville, Ohio [sic], September 12, 1895, the son of the late Jacob and Anna (Roth) Briner.
The Progress
September 10, 1956Mrs. Hazel E. McKee, wife of Ralph A. McKee of 400 Nichols street, Clearfield, died in a Philipsburg State Hospital Saturday at 11:45 a. m. She was 64 years old, Mrs. McKee was born in Mill Hall April 25, 1892, a daughter of J. S. Hills and the late Mrs. Eva Mae Hills.
She was a member of Trinity Methodist church and the Maude Powell Sunday School class of the church, the Susquehanna Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Order of Eastern Star and the Clearfield Historical Society.
She is survived by her husband and three children, J. William McKee, East Harvard, Conn.; and Mrs. Betty Peters and Mrs. Edith Shaw, both of Clearfield. She also leaves eight grandchildren; her father, J. S. Hills; a brother Lee G. Hills, Indiana, and a sister, Mrs. Gretchen Flegal, Clearfield.
Clearfield Progress
October 13, 1927Barton, 15 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Hills, of South Second street, passed away at the Clearfield hospital at 5:30 o'clock this morning. The young man was operated on for appendicitis on Tuesday afternoon last. Pneumonia set in following the operation and death was the result. The deceased was an exceptionally fine young man. He was a student at Junior High School and an earnest member of Trinity M. E. Sunday school. His sudden passing is indeed a sad blow to his schoolmates, while his family is overwhelmed with grief at their loss.
He is survived by his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Ralph McKee and Mrs, John A. L. Flegal of Clearfield and one brother, Lee Mills, of South Norwalk, Conn.
The Kansas City Star
July 23, 2003Howard Lomax Porter, 90, former owner and President of the Porter Funeral Home in Kansas City, KS, died Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at the home.
Howard was born in Kansas City, KS on February 25, 1913 and was a lifetime resident of the area. He attended Central Grade School in Kansas City, KS and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1931. Working with his father in the Geo. F. Porter & Sons Funeral Home at 10th & Minnesota, he attended Kansas City, Kansas Junior College and graduated from the Williams Institute of Mortuary Science. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Kansas & Missouri until the time of his death. In 1937 he married Geraldine Ramsey of Kansas City, KS. During World War II he served in the National Guard. In 1947 the funeral home at 18th St. Terrace & Minnesota was built, a realization of Howard's dream.
He was a long time member of and an ordained elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Kansas City, KS and fifteen years ago became a member of Old Mission United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board. He and his wife, Gerry, were active members of the Yankie/First Raitters Sunday School Class.
Howard was prominent in many civic activities and organizations. He was an elected school board member of Unified District 500, Kansas City, KS and a director of the former Commercial National Bank. He was proud of the fact he had worked in the transit department of Commercial while in high school and had ridden the street car, delivering checks to the clearing house in Kansas City, MO. He was a past president and honorary director of the YMCA, and was elected Man of the Year in 1970. He served as president of the K.C.K. Downtown Kiwanis Club and was a member of the KCK Area Chamber of Commerce and had been named a Hometown Hero. He was also a member of the Congressional Forum. He was a Charter member of Midwest Investors, past president of the Terrace Club, and a member of the Monkey Club. He was an Honorary Director of the Heart of America Council of Boy Scouts of America.
A past director and Impresario of Court 93, Royal Order of Jesters, Howard received a life membership in August at a ceremony at Broken Wheel Ranch. He was a member of Abdallah Shrine and a Past Master of Kaw Lodge 272/Wyandotte Lodge No. 3. He was a Past Patron of Mendias Chapter No.1/Hyacinth Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and Past Advisor of Miriam Conclave, 10, OTK. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, York Rite Bodies, the Summunduwot Lodge IOOF and past president of High Twelve International. Howard enjoyed golf and was a member of Milburn Country Club for 49 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George F. and Alice Reed Porter; two brothers, George Reed Porter and James F. Porter and his wife, Frances; and a son-in-law, Lyman G. Hughes.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine R. (Gerry); two daughters, George Anne Daly and her husband, John E. Daly, Rochester, IL and Marcia Lynn Hughes, Ennis, MT; a son, Howard R. Porter and his wife, Gay, Burke, VA; two granddaughters, Christina Hughes Kenyon and her husband, Michael, Dallas, TX and Alicia Hughes Lingle and husband, Ross, Ennis, MT; two grandsons, Steven Lomax Porter and Mark Ramsey Porter, Burke, VA; three greatgrandsons, Woodrow Lyman Kenyon, Samuel Michael Kenyon and Emmett Lyman Lingle. Other survivors are four nephews and their wives, James H. and Molly Porter, Prairie Village, KS, John Reed Porter, Harper's Ferry, WV, David R. and Cindy Porter, Kansas City, MO and William F. and Marty Porter, Kansas City, KS.
Until March of this year, Howard maintained a busy, and productive lifestyle. He accepted his illnesses the same way he lived - he simply made the best of it, appreciating the love and support of his family, his co-workers, friends, church family and the wonderful care given by Kansas City Hospice and the devoted Sister Fabiola and the Sisters Servants of Mary.
Obituary
Geraldine R. "Gerry" Porter, Secretary- Treasurer Emeritus of the Porter Funeral Homes, died peacefully Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the age of 89 surrounded by her family and close friends.
Gerry was born in Kansas City, Kan., on April 5, 1918, and was a lifelong area resident. She was the only child of Dora E. and Gerald H. Ramse
In 1937, she married Howard L. Porter. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage.
She was a graduate of Wyandotte High School, and the Brown Business College. She and her husband worked alongside one another at the Geo. F. Porter and Sons, Inc. Funeral home for over 60 years. They were the inspiration for the current Porter Funeral Homes in Kansas City, and Lenexa. She and Howard were both involved in the operations of the funeral homes for many years even after their retirement. She was a member of the Old Mission Methodist Church and had served on the Administrative Board as well as the Board of Trustees; a member of UMW, Bookmarks, and a member of Yankie/First Raitters Sunday School Class. Before joining Old Mission she had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Kan., for fifty years. Gerry was a past president of the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas and had been a member of the Service League of Kansas City Kansas and on the Executive Board when they were admitted to the Association of Junior Leagues of America. She was chairman of the Arts and Interest Committee of the Service League when the Children's Theatre was organized and became a separate entity. She was proud of her association with that group and enjoyed the roles she had played in those beginning years. She was a past president and Golden Girl of Chapter FE, PEO Sisterhood; and past president and oldest living member of the Monday Club; past president and former member of the MacDowell Music Club. She was a former member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City, Kan., the YWCA Board of the Directors and the Camp Fire Board of Directors. She was a 50-year member of Mendias/Hyacinth Chapter, OES, and also of Miriam Conclave, Order of True Kindred. She was also a former member of the Rockhurst High School Mother's Club, the Chi Omega Mother's Club and Delta Tau Delta Mother's Club at Kansas University and the Westminster Grandparent's Club in Annandale, Va.
Gerry was an avid reader, aspiring writer, and enjoyed presenting programs for church and civic groups. She blessed her family with a beautiful gift entitled, "Seven Cousins and How They Grew" finishing it this past Christmas. Her greatest enjoyment was in her family and their activities, especially the "adventures" planned by her children. She treasured the travel to see them, and being kept informed by very frequent phone calls and e-mails.
Preceded in death by her parents, Gerald H. and Dora E. Ramsey; her husband, Howard L. Porter; and her son-in- law, Lyman G. Hughes.
She is survived by her loving family son, Howard R. Porter and his wife Gay of Burke, Va.; two daughters, George Anne Daly and her husband John E. Daly of Rochester, Ill., and Marcia L. Hughes of Ennis, Mont. Also surviving are beloved grandchildren, Steven Lomax Porter and Mark Ramsey Porter of Burke, Christina Krause and husband Kurt of Dallas, Texas, and Alicia Lingle and husband Ross of Ennis; three great-grandsons, Woodrow and Sam Kenyon of Dallas, and Emmett Lingle of Ennis. Also surviving are four nephews and their wives, James H. and Molly Porter, John Reed and Bronwyn Porter, David R. and Cynthia Porter, and William F. and Marty H. Porter; and a surrogate nephew and niece, Rick and Ruth Wiseman; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
The Kansas City Star
June 9, 1998James Francis Porter, 82, Merriam, KS, died June 7, 1998, at his home.
During high school, he worked as an usher at the Granada Theater and had a newspaper route for the Kansas City Kansan. His first job after college was as a news reporter for the Kansan, where he authored a column entitled he operated the long established George F. Porter & Sons Funeral Home, until he retired in 1983. However, he continued to greet families at the funeral home until one month ago.
Jim was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church dating back to its Washington Avenue Methodist origins. He was a member and former president of the Keystone Sunday School class and had been an active member of the church's administrative board several times. He was also a past president of the Kansas City (KS) Rotary Club, a member of Wyandotte Lodge 3, and a former member of Scottish Rite Bodies, Abdallah Shrine (Clown Unit). He was also an Army Air Corps veteran of WWII.
Jim is survived by his wife, Louise Zimmerman Porter, of the home, whom he married in 1995; four sons and their wives, James H. Porter and Molly, John R. Porter and Bronwen, David R. Porter and Cindy, and William F. Porter and Marty; a stepdaughter, Janet L. Bosanko and husband, David; and stepson, Larry A. Zimmerman; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; a brother, Howard L. Porter and his wife, Gerry; two nieces and one nephew. His first wife, Frances Hammond Porter, preceded him in death in 1989.
Jim was a kind and considerate person, a friend to everyone and much loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File
Name: Ralph Still
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 9 Jun 1891
Death Date: 8 Oct 1972
SSN: 185079457
Branch 1: ARMY
Enlistment Date 1:3 Nov 1917
Release Date 1: 5 Jun 1919
Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport)
October 21, 1953Mrs. Vesta Kneibler Neale, 83, wife of Dr. Joseph Neale, 429 Center Street, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20, following a long illness. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter Josephine, at home; a sister, Mrs. Nellie M. Doster, Hollywood, Calif., and a brother Arthur Kneibler, Wisconsin.