Carleton Funeral Home, Inc.

09/09/2026

Ronald Harry Heise, 88, died at his summer home in Wellsboro, PA on September 6, 2026.
Mr. Heise was born on June 25, 1938 in Wellsboro, PA to Harry William Heise and Eugertha Alta Morris Heise. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Julia Raye Hackney Heise, his daughter, Christiana Raye Heise Mills, her husband Evan Mills, and granddaughters Riley Raye Mills and Audrey Kate Mills. His son, Michael Wesley Heise died in 2023.
Mr. Heise’s undergraduate studies were at Lycoming College, Villanova University and Eastern University where he graduated with a BA degree with a major in philosophy.
His graduate studies were at Villanova University, the Catholic University of America, the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee.
Mr. Heise’s teaching career spanned four decades and included Valley Forge Military Academy, Georgetown College, and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise where Mr. Heise taught for 35 years and introduced a program of communication studies.
Mr. Heise was proud that at all the institutions he taught, he received institutional acknowledgement of classroom excellence. As well, he is honored to have been appointed a National Defense Educational Scholar at the University of Kentucky in 1968 and selected as a Bickel Scholar at the University of Tennessee in 1978.
In retirement Mr. Heise divided his time between Florida and Pennsylvania to enthusiastically pursue his interests in golf, fishing and travel.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal church on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11:00 am with Father Millard Cook officiating. Mr. Heise requested that all commemorative gifts be made to the Ronald Heise Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, One College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

08/28/2026

Dale Earl Drake of Middlebury Center, PA passed away surrounded by his family at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA on August 26, 2026. Dale was born on October 28, 1948 in Middlebury Center at his family home. His wife of 51 years 1 month, Kimberly Webster Drake, survives. He is also survived by his sons Eric (Jennifer) Drake of Cortland, NY, Joel (Amy) Drake of Binghamton, NY and his daughter, Valerie (Christopher) Baltzley of Mansfield, PA. He is predeceased by a grandson, Kyle Matthew Drake, and his parents, Glenn and Mazie Drake of Middlebury Center, PA.
Dale grew up in Middlebury Center with 2 sisters and 2 brothers, who all survive. As a pre-teen, he had a weekend paper delivery route of “The Grit,” riding 20 miles a day through the back roads of Middlebury and Farmington Townships. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971 at rank of Spec 5. His work ethic, drive, and determination was apparent in his approximate 45 year career as a ribbon machine operator at Corning Glassworks which became GTE which ended as Osram Sylvania in Wellsboro, PA. He held positions as an officer of the union while there and visited Las Vegas, NV with his wife for conventions.
Dale enjoyed his 25-acre beef cow hobby-farm which included caring for the cows, baling hay, and occasionally taking in a pony or horse for his wife and daughter. He enjoyed gardening an extra large garden with plenty of weeds which eventually his son, Joel, helped to tame the weeds and harvest the most abundant crops. He enjoyed having fruit trees, grapes, and blueberry bushes on the land. He spent hours canning vegetables and freezing fruit or making grape juice. He spent a lot time in the woods cutting, loading, and moving firewood for the wood burning stove inside and eventually outside. Maple syrup season was another time to enjoy the woods. He and Joel would make trips around the woods to collect the sap buckets into a tank to take down the road to Mike Deats for boiling and finishing of the syrup.
Dale was a man of many words and few words as time went on. If you knew Dale, you knew of his wife and children. He bragged often about their graduations from high school and college, their new jobs and better jobs, and their houses and apartments, and their weddings and then their children. He was just as proud of his grandchildren, Kelsey (great-grandchildren - Aria and Everleigh) and Logan Drake, Gage and Garrett Baltzley, and Clara and Lucille Drake. He enjoyed watching Gage and Garrett play soccer and especially baseball. From t-ball to varsity, he made it to every local game that he could. He traveled to Corning and to Cortland and to Binghamton to celebrate birthdays and graduations and everything in between.
A private graveside service will take place at a later date. Condolences by mail are encouraged and appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

08/25/2026

John A. Carden, 92, passed away on Sunday, August 23 2026, at his home. He was born on November 24, 1933, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the son of John and Elna (Haselhurst) Carden. John was a United States Air Force veteran during the Korean conflict. He married fellow airman Jean (Coolidge) Carden at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado. They recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. John traveled and worked in several states and occupations after serving in the military. He worked as a brakeman on the Missouri Pacific railroad in Memphis, TN. He settled in Wellsboro and worked for Westinghouse and Borden Foods. His hobbies were fishing, and woodworking. He also enjoyed researching and reading his family's history. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Karen, and son Douglas. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rhonda. Also surviving are his sisters, Christine Kurz, Orlando, Florida; Deane Carden, Savannah, Georgia; brother-in-law, Gary (Janet) Coolidge, Wellsboro and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements are entrusted to Carleton Funeral Home, www.carletonfh.com. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Shumway Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Kristi A. Webster officiating. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN.

08/19/2026

Laura Lee Tubbs, 65, of Wellsboro PA passed away both peacefully and unexpectedly on August 18th 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville PA.
Laura was born on November 17th 1960 in Blossburg PA to Edward and Katherine Banker. She was a former nurse serving both The Green Home and The Country Terrace in Wellsboro PA as well as private duty nursing before going back to school to earn her associate’s degree to become a Veterinary Technician. Laura was a devout animal lover and it certainly shows in her spoiled puppy, Mira whom she leaves behind.
Laura enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, great-granddaughters and grand-dogs as she called them. She always had a very special bond with her granddaughter Mackenzie. She enjoyed teaching Mackenzie new recipes, taking Sofia & Lilianna to the movies, or simply just chatting on the front porch while watching her great-grandkids play outside.
Laura is survived by her life partner, Joseph Rogers of Wellsboro PA, Her granddaughter who was more like a daughter, Mackenzie Fuhrer (Christian Bellinger) of Wellsboro PA, Her great-grandchildren, Sofia and Lilianna Bellinger of Wellsboro PA, son: Damein Tubbs of Wellsboro, PA, daughter: Damara Fuhrer of Lexington, SC, as well as two step-sons Charles (Ashley) Rogers and their daughters Kenley and Karsyn Rogers of Leechburg PA, Paul (Ericka) Rogers and their son Ryker Rogers of Mansfield PA. Along with nieces, nephews, and a few close friends who became more like family. She was preceded in death by her father Edward Banker, her sister Karen Lundy, and quite a few beloved family pets including two more spoiled puppies, Bane and Knobby.
With Laura’s love of animals in mind, memorial contributions can be made to The Second Chance Animal Care Sanctuary at 725 Gee Rd, Tioga, PA 16946.
With keeping Laura’s wishes in mind there will be no funeral services, a celebration of life picnic instead will take place at Colton Point State Park in Wellsboro PA on September 5th 2026 at 2:00 pm. This will be a dish to pass style picnic to celebrate Laura’s life with all who knew and loved her. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Mackenzie Fuhrer. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

07/02/2026

Robert W. “Bob” Trowbridge, age 89, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. He was born on February 3, 1937 in Mansfield, PA, a son of the late Harrison and Myrtle (Smith) Trowbridge. Bob served in the US Navy and was the husband of the late Mary Lee (McClure) Trowbridge for 65 years. He was the owner of Wellsboro A/C and Refrigeration, a member of the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro, PA and enjoyed traveling. Bob is survived by three daughters: Connie Brant of Mansfield, PA, Bonnie Coxford of Wellsboro, PA, Lynnete (Randy) Burton of Mansfield, PA, sister-in-law: Brenda Trowbridge of Blossburg, PA, brother-in-law: Carl Matteson of Tioga, PA, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother: Donald Trowbridge and a sister: Cheryl Matteson. A viewing will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 10 to 11 am at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Miller officiating. Interment will be in the Tioga County Memorial Gardens, Mansfield, PA.

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06/29/2026

John “Pete” A. Kline, age 75, of Wellsboro, PA, formerly of Ringtown, PA, passed away surrounded by his loving family and friends on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He was born on September 26, 1950 in Danville, PA a son of the late John and Edna (Rumble) Kline and was the husband of the late Sandra (Johnston) Kline. He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the US Marine Corps. John was a lifelong welder and enjoyed hunting, guns, reloading, and was a Marine till the end. He is survived by a son: Kelly Kline of Arnot, PA, daughters: Sandy (Todd) Plumley of Galeton, PA, Bobbi Knier of Wellsboro, PA, Joey Kline of Butler, PA, Anne Davis of Wellsboro, PA, daughter-in-law: Kathy Davis of Wellsboro, PA, brother: James (Linda) Kline of Wellsboro, PA, “adopted daughter”: Leanne McIntyre of Wellsboro, PA, 21 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two sons: Steve Davis and Mark Davis. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026 from 1 to 3 pm at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 pm with Pastor Kristi A. Webster officiating.

05/27/2026

Joyce M. (Hilfiger) Garrison, age 95, of Wellsboro, PA, passed on peacefully at the Laurels Personal Care Home, Wellsboro, PA, on May 25, 2026. She was born on January 3, 1931 in Covington, PA, a daughter of the late Carlton and Gertrude (Soper) Hilfiger and was married to her beloved husband Lewis M. Garrison who passed away in 1989. She graduated from the Del Kader French School of Beauty Culture and Mansfield University with a masters degree in elementary education. Joy taught for 25 years at the Wellsboro Area School District. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro, Hospital Auxiliary, Shared Home Board, PSEA, and the Wednesday Morning Musicals. She enjoyed spending time at her Seneca Lake Cottage, collecting antiques, her gardens, cooking, cleaning her house, family gatherings and doing things for others. She is survived by son: Alan (Jenny) Garrison of Wellsboro, PA, daughter: Brenda (Don) Abplanalp of Wellsboro, PA, brother: George (Betty) Hilfiger of Covington, PA, sisters-in-law: Meda Hilfiger of Covington, PA, Anne Garrison Calkins of Mansfield, PA, beloved grandchildren: Carrie (Tim) Bradley, Jason (Whitney) Abplanalp, Alyssa (Bryce) Anderson, Marina (Zach Herzog) Garrison, four great granddaughters and two great grandsons. She was predeceased by two brothers: Lewis Hilfiger and John Hilfiger. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 11 to 12 at the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 pm with Pastor Chris Osterbrock officiating. Interment will be in the Tioga County Memorial Gardens, Mansfield, PA. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

05/11/2026

Linda Cady Metarko, 85, of Wellsboro, passed away at The Green Home on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Linda, daughter of the late Kenneth and Esther (Stiger) Cady, was born in Blossburg and grew up in Mansfield. She graduated from Mansfield High School and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse from Geisinger School of Nursing in Danville, Pennsylvania in 1961. She was a well-respected surgical charge nurse at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro. She was recently honored with the Florence Nightingale Award for 27 years as a nurse, and remained a nurse in spirit her entire life.
Linda had a lifelong passion for sunshine, flowers, gardening, birds, cats, and a clean house. She was frequently chosen as a safe haven by any random stray cat having kittens. Linda loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, and enjoyed family game nights. She had faith in God and loved singing hymns in the choir. She also enjoyed country music. Linda was known at the nursing home for her appetite for ice cream and bacon, as well as her sweet smile, easy disposition, and surprising humorous quips.
Linda is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years and the love of her life, Frederick, her children Lisa (David) Hutchinson of Bedford, Massachusetts and Michael (Beth) Metarko of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and four grandsons who brought such joy to her heart: Alexander and Andrew Hutchinson and Samuel and Theodore Metarko. She is also survived by her brother William (Bonnie) Cady of Sayre, Pennsylvania.
The family would like to thank the many people who cared for Linda with full hearts, offering her smiles, support, love and hair braiding through her final years, including her favorite doctor at Guthrie, caregiver Natalie Sweeney, and the excellent staffs of The Green Home and Carleton Senior Care. We would also like to thank Advocates for Alzheimer’s for the support and information they provided Fred and family during Linda’s final years, and our ever-supportive neighborhood friends who are a constant blessing.
Linda was a long-time participant in the original cohort of the Nurses’ Health Study and wished her body be donated to scientific research. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 to 11 am at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Ed Siddle officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Susquehanna Health Foundation at Susquehannahealthfoundation.org or mail to 1001 Grampian Boulevard, Williamsport, PA 17701 (please designate Wellsboro Hospice in the comments), or to Penn College at Wellsboro, c/o The Penn College Foundation, 1 College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701 or online at pct.edu/give/donate (please add her name or Penn College at Wellsboro).

05/02/2026

Denise L (Peet) Heck, age 56, of Middlebury Center, PA, died on Friday, May 1, 2026. She was born on August 15, 1969 in Blossburg, PA a daughter of the late Paul D. Peet, Sr. and the late Ellen (Swan) Peet and was married to Edward “Ed” Heck. Denise worked for Viant Medical, Westfield, PA and CRI and enjoyed camping, being out doors, doing crafts, flower gardens and spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband: Ed Heck of Middlebury Center, PA, step-son: Zach (Courtney) Heck of Wellsboro, PA, brothers: Larry (Nora) Peet of FL, Marty (Carl) Peet of Wellsboro, PA, David (Sharon) Peet of Middlebury Center, PA, sister: Tina Dibble of Middlebury Center, PA, step-brother: Steve (Cindy) McFall of Osceola, PA, best friend: Teresa Rainey of FL and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother: Paul Peet, Jr. Services will be private and are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

04/28/2026

Mary L. Cranmer, age 87, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Sunday, April 26, 2026. She was born on November 26, 1938 in New Brunswick, NJ, a daughter of the late George and Eleanor (Grumm) Vogle and was the wife of the late Rev. Darwin “Tink” Cranmer. Mary worked for many years at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital Dietary Department and was a member of the Church of Christ, Wellsboro, PA and the Mary Wells Chapter # 452 OES. She is survived by her sisters-in-law: Paula Kress of Rochester, NY, Claire Hair of NV, Anne Cranmer of FL, several nieces, nephews and a community of friends and is best remembered for her generous and loving heart, her infectious laugh and beautiful smile. A private family graveside service will be held at the Wellsboro Cemetery, Wellsboro, PA, with Steve Weeks officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.