George W. Snavely Obituary

From the December 8th edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"SNAVELY GEORGE W.Age 96, of Plum Boro, peacefully on Monday, December 7, 2009. Husband of the late Betty J.; beloved mother of Norman (Jil) DeShong, Carol (David) Zangrilli and George E. (Laura) Snavely; grandfather of 11; great grandfather of 10; brother of Isabelle, Ada and Frances. Worked at Westinghouse for 38 years. Friends received Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 at SOXMAN FUNERAL HOMES, LTD. 7450 Saltsburg Road (at Universal Road) Penn Hills, PA 15235 where a service will be held Thursday at 11am. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb"

George Washington Snavely

The blows fall thick and fast these days. Too soon after Aunt Babe's death comes word that over the weekend, Uncle George Snavely passed away at the age of 96. The information currently available to me indicates that the cause of death was a heart attack suffered in the hospital, where he was recovering from a previous attack. I do not yet know the exact date and time of his death.

The family is making arrangements through the Soxman Funeral Home, 7450 Saltsburg Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 (telephone 413-793-3000). Viewing hours will be 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8 and 9. The funeral will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, December 10, at the Funeral Home's Roth Chapel.

Sometime in the next few days I hope to publish Uncle George's full obituary. In the meantime, let me note that he was born on February 22, 1913, and that he was a member of the Altoona High School Class of 1930. He is survived by his daughter Carol Zangrilli and his son George and their spouses and children, and also by his sisters Isabelle Stiffler, Ada Munchak and Frances Woomer.

In closing this short, sad note, let me add a passage from Uncle George's High School Yearbook. It was contributed by Principal George D. Robb, and dedicated by him to the Class of 1930. It is a sentiment from a far-away time and place that seems fitting today.

"At the close of life the question is not, how much have you got, but how much have you given; not how much have you won, but how much have you done; not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed; how much have you loved and served, not how much you were honored."

Uncle George, we thank you for everything you have done for our family. We will always remember - and honor - you.

Florence I. "Babe" Stacey

It is with great sadness that I record the passing of my Great Aunt Florence Irene "Babe" Stacey, after a massive stroke and brief illness. Here is her obituary, published on October 20 in the Daily Item of Sunbury, Pennsylvania:

BEAVER SPRINGS - Florence I. "Babe" Stacey, 82, of Dearfield Street, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville at 8:46 p.m. She was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Altoona, a daughter of the late Albert and Emily (Osterman) Snavely. She was a 1944 graduate of Altoona High School. Florence was employed by Beavertown Weaving Mill where she retired. She attended First United Church of Christ, Middleburg. The main love of her life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and cooking meals for her family. She is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Jr. and Judy Stacey, of Mifflinburg, Gary and Connie Stacey, of Maryland, Richard and Linda Stacey, of Altoona, Robert and Ginney Stacey, of Beech Creek, and John and Donna Stacey, of Middlecreek; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lucinda (Arbogast) and Dan Goss, and Emily and Jerry Bishop, all of McClure, Melissa and Steve Zechman, of Middleburg; 22 grandchildren, Ruth Markley, Jodi Bare, Lynn Brown, Becky Kennedy, Krissy Barsoum, Michael Stacey, Brian Stacey, Lisa Stroup, Kim Packer, Tammy Prentiss, Bobbi Jo Hummel, Jennifer Glossner, Jamie Stacey, Jeff Stacey, Brandon Stacey, David Arbogast, Bobbi Landis, Christa Dressler, J. J. Bishop, Jaylene Shawver, Stacey Zechman, and Nick Zechman; 50 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; she came from a family of 11 brothers and sisters, surviving are one brother, George Snavely, and three sisters, Frances Woomer, Ada Munchak, and Izzy Stiffler. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Tommy Stacey. Friends and family may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Aurand Funeral Home, 316 W. Market St., Beavertown, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at First United Church of Christ, Middleburg, followed by a funeral service at 10, with the Rev. Julia A. Beall officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona. Contributions may be made in Florence's memory to Geisinger Hospice, 100 N. Academy Ave., Danville, PA 17822.

The heartfelt condolences of all the Snavely family go out to the Staceys in their time of painful loss. Aunt Babe's triumphant life is echoed in the role call of her descendants, and she will live on in all our memories.

News about Aunt Izzy

Carol Zangrilli forwarded this information from a note written by Aunt Izzy's daughter, Bonnie Snyder.

Bonnie writes:

"I just wanted to let everyone at the reunion know how Mom is doing. It is so hard to miss seeing everyone. Mom fell and broke her leg in September of 2008, she also had a dreadful gash in the same leg. The gash was mostly healed but just this last week the nurse called to say it had broken open again because her skin is so fragile. The bone has started to heal since they have been using a Nerve Stimulator machine, but the doctor says it is like molasses - it is healing so slow.

As you know Mom's memory is not good. There are days when she doesn't know if I am her sister or her daughter. At least she knows us, when Tom and I go in to visit. She doesn't always remember Dad, but she knows all her sisters and brother and the order in which they were born. I have lots of pictures on her bulletin board to remind her of everyone in the family. She still thinks Poppy is alive and sometimes Grandma Snavely, too. She remembers turning somersaults in the mulberry tree, so sometimes I think she sees herself as a little girl. She forgets where she lives after about 30 minutes and starts to get frightened, but as soon as she sees her name by her door and the pictures she is okay.

Hopefully she will be able to put weight on that leg someday, so that she can help get herself from the wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. Until she can, she cannot go anywhere unless she takes the Wheelchair transit.

She is usually happy and easy to get along with everyone. She likes to get cards or notes in the mail...if anyone wants to write."

Aunt Izzy's address is:

Isabelle L. Stiffler D-365
Saint Mary's Home of Erie-East
607 E. 26th Street
Erie, PA 16504

Please commit to sending Aunt Izzy a few lines.

Secretary Betty Davic's Reunion Minutes

The 80th Snavely Reunion
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Morrison’s Cove Memorial Park
Martinsburg, PA
Attendance: 60

President George Snavely called the gathering to lunch at 12:30 p.m. in the banquet hall and Rod Templon led the invocation. Games for the children were held after lunch.

Business Meeting

President George Snavely called the business meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Betty Davic, Secretary, read a summary of the 2008 minutes with addition from Sonia Baus-Fromage. Minutes were previously distributed by email and posted to the Snavely Blog maintained by Rod Templon.

Carol Snavely Zangrilli, Treasurer, reported income of $346 from last year’s auction for beginning total of $950. To be deducted are expenses of $175 for hall rental, $52 for gifts and $25 for games leaving a total of $772 in the treasury plus what is raised in the auction today. Note: auction income was $302, ending balance 2009 of $1000.

George Snavely presented the Recognitions:
Most Senior Woman: “Kitty” Catherine Chesney, 86
Most Senior Man: George Snavely, 96
Youngest Child: Nicholas James Brown, 15 months old
Born April 9, 2008 to Lana Lolos Brown, husband James, and big sister Angelina.
Largest Family: Joyce Anderson and Donna Higginbotham families had 15 in attendance.
Traveled Longest Distance: Donna and Troy Higginbotham, Palmetto, Florida. Sonia Munchak and daughter Krista attended from
Sebastian, Florida but left early for return flight.
Candy Jar Guess: Winner is Shirley Lytle with guess of 44.
Actual count is 41.

Announcements/Good of the Order:

· Frances Woomer introduced cousin “Kitty” Catherine Chesney attending with daughter Kathryn Edith Chesney Hawn and son-in-law William Hawn of Peterburg, PA.
· Babe Stacey is now a great-great-grandmother. Bob and Ginny’s son Justin is father of newborn Wyatt Matthew Packer.
· Today is Dick Stacey’s 61st birthday.
· Rodney Templon announced son Andrew graduated from high school this year and will be attending Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Oldest son John earned M.S. in Journalism this year at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
· Shirley Lytle announced grandson Patrick graduated from high school this year and Tracy Lytle, daughter of Al and Diane, graduated cum laude from James Madison University in Harrisonburg Virginia.
· Tracy Lytle has accepted a fully paid 2 year assistantship and stipend to pursue a Master’s degree in Physical Fitness and Nutrition, JMU.
· Leroy Demaree announced that grandson Derrick (Donald’s son) graduated from West Virginia University and is interviewing for position in secret service.
· Dick Stacey announced granddaughter Amber……(help here please!)
· Bob and Ginny’s grandson Justin Packer (father of Wyatt) graduated from Central Mountain H.S.
· Stacey’s announced birth of Krista’s grandson Trey Dressler.
· Dick announced there were 105 of Babe and Joe Stacey’s children & family members attending the Stacey Family Reunion at Bald Eagle State Park this year.
· Burnace Tharp announced she has been free of breast cancer 12 years now and encouraged everyone, male and female, to have a check-up and mammogram.
· Bonnie advises Aunt Izzy enjoys receiving cards:
Isabelle L. Stiffler D-365
Saint Mary’s Home of Erie – East
607 E. 26th St
Erie PA 16504

· NEXT YEAR, THE 81st SNAVELY REUNION WILL BE HELD HERE SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2010.

The meeting closed with the singing of BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS and was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Kidston Davic, Secretary
Granddaughter of Edith Snavely Thomas

The End of an Era

For those of you who may not know it, the little log cabin at the foot of the Alleghenies is no longer in the family. After several years of costly repairs and almost constant worry, my mother Joyce Smith Templon Anderson sold her lovely 3-bedroom Colorado blue spruce homestead to a young local couple.

This past weekend yours truly took the 5-1/2 hour train ride on Amtrak's Pennsylvanian from Trenton, New Jersey to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Along the way, I recalled many similar trips over the years. The weather during the afternoon ride was very pleasant and almost summery.

We stopped at Philadelphia, Paoli, Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg, Lewistown, Huntingdon and Tyrone...

Passin' trains that have no names,
Freight yards full of old black men,
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles...

(Thanks, Arlo. You're my hero.)

It wasn't all brown thoughts. I also saw sturdy Amish men mowing hay; mules bunched together in the sun; goats baaing, ready to be milked; gorgeous wrought iron stairway tracery in half abandoned stations with brick pavements worn like the waves of the sea; and intent fishermen wading the torrents of Central Pennsylvania cold water trout streams.

In the end, we rolled into Altoona, past the empty freight yard and the shops gone to seed, and below the hospital on the hill where my father died that April day 10 years ago.

Once in town, it was a quick trip with my mom and sister to the homestead, and a wonderful home cooked meal. Then a morning drive down to the Budget truck rental place, where the sales staff were amazingly thoughtful, accommodating and courteous. Then back up the hill and several hours of loading, accompanied by much heaving, grunting and groaning. My thanks to my sister Cindy and my brother-in-law Steve Thurston for their packing skills and sense of humor (nice job on the rear view mirror, Steve!), to my cousin Kevin for ending his spring gobbler hunt early to lend us a hand, and to my niece Lana and her husband James (and to Angelina and Nicholas, of course!) for helping us out.

Also I want to give a special thank-you to my mother's dear friends Rusty and Alice Kensinger for their innumerable kindnesses and assistance through the years. Without their help, my mother would have had to give up her cherished home long before she was ready to do it.

Saturday night was a family dinner at Hoss's hosted by my Mom and John, where we all ate too much

On Sunday, it was a quick, tearful departure and an uneventful drive down the Pennsylvania Turnpike, listening to country tunes on Froggy 98.

And just like that, two trucks and three cars carried 46 years of memories from Foot-of-Ten, Pennsylvania to Pennington, New Jersey and Flushing, Michigan and Alexandria, Virginia and DuBois, Pennsylvania. Almost the four points of the compass.

Mom and John will remain at the house for the next few weeks to oversee the movers packing some furniture for shipment to Florida, to sell the leftovers at a couple of yard sales and donate the proceeds to a local church's summer youth program. Then finally, they will turn over the keys to a new couple, for whom...

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty,
Before the last revolving year is through...

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game...

(Thanks Joni. I love your songs...and your voice.)