Virgil L Howard Funeral Home

11/09/2025

🐾 November is Adopt a Senior Dog Month! 🐾

There’s something extra special about our senior pups — wise eyes, gentle hearts, and endless love to give. ❤️ We have several amazing senior dogs here just waiting for their forever homes.

If you’ve ever thought about adding a calm, grateful companion to your family, now’s the perfect time! Come meet our wonderful seniors and see why they make the best friends. 🐶💕

11/09/2025

11/08/2025

Esther Ruth Ray
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Esther Ruth Ray, 87 yrs old, passed away on 11/4/2025 in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport PA, after a long illness.

Esther was born on August 22, 1938 to Mabel and Melford Donaldson, in Meadville PA. She was the youngest of 4 children. She spent her early years on a dairy farm until the family moved into Linesville Boro, and attended Linesville First Baptist Church. She graduated from Linesville/Conneaut /Summit High School. She worked as a counselor at Camp Judson during summers as a teenager. She really enjoyed Home-Economics Class, as she hoped to someday be a homemaker and mother, and she loved going to the Farm Show in Harrisburg with her classmates every year.

She attended Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, for 2 years, intending to major in early childhood education, but did not complete a degree.

In 1962 she married Richard Ray, a graduate of Edinboro State teacher’s college, who had also graduated from Linesville High School. They spent one year in Duke Center PA, where Richard taught art in Otto Eldred School district. They then moved back to Linesville where they lived until 1977, then spent two years in Lake City PA, and then moved to Florida in 1979, where they lived until 2021. Richard passed away in 2021 after a long illness. IN 2023, Esther moved to Pennsylvania to live with daughter and son-in-law.

She worked a number of different jobs, picking corn in the summers, in a fiberglass plant that made trays, and for a short time Mercer Hospital Lab. While in Florida, she provided child care in her home and in a day care. She later went back to school to become a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, and then worked in a nursing facility and also as a Home Health Aide. When she retired, she was her husband’s caregiver for a number of years after he had 2 strokes.

Esther was active in churches in each of the different communities she lived in. She taught Sunday school and Junior Church for many years, sang alto in the choir, and helped with fellowship dinners and church picnics. When in Okeechobee, she attended many activities of the Seniors classes. She continued to receive the prayer list weekly from her Sunday school class, and lifted them all up in prayer, even during her time at the nursing home.

She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, playing cards, writing letters, family gatherings, and especially spending time with grandchildren.

She loved watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night, especially trying to guess the right answers in Jeopardy. She also enjoyed watching Blue Bloods because they ended every show with a family dinner which always included a prayer.

Surviving are two daughters - Ann Bell, (Chris) in Shinglehouse PA, and Sharon Vegren, (Lance) in Winter Park, Florida. Grandchildren – David, (Jenny) in Utah, Karen, (Olean NY) Brian Bell, (Boston NY)and Gemma Vegren. She also has 2 great-grandchildren - Hazel Bell and Lydia Bell, and numerous nieces, nephews and great – nieces and nephews.

She leaves a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration Esther’s life at 11am on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, with Pastor Clint Pearsall, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Esther’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Shinglehouse, PA 16748, or to the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee, FL - https://www.fbcokee.org/

Esther’s family entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Esther, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home page.

11/08/2025

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.

He attended Bolivar Central School. Don was employed for many years at the former Ethan Allen Furniture Company in Eldred until his retirement.

He was a member of the Ceres United Methodist Church. Don enjoyed hunting in his younger years. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan and also was a fan of all professional sports.

Left to cherish his memory are two grandchildren, Joshua (Tracy) Monroe and Jennifer Carlson; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Donald was predeceased by a son, Dwight A. Monroe; and six siblings, Adelia Nichols, Richard Monroe, Llewlyn “Sam” Monroe, Evelyn Montalbo, Joyce Lemmer, and Robert Monroe.

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 with Pastor Len Findley, of the Ceres United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, 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.

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 page.

11/08/2025

I would like to THANK all of you that voted for me on Tuesday re-electing me as Potter County Coroner. Your overwhelming support throughout the years is deeply appreciated! THANK YOU, Kevin J. Dusenbury, Potter County Coroner

11/07/2025

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.

11/07/2025

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.

Bessie attended school in Laceyville. She was a Jehovah Witness by faith. She loved to cook and also loved going to yard sales and Goodwill to find bargains. In her early years, she enjoyed bowling and going ice fishing with her husband. Her greatest purpose in life was being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest love was spending time with her husband and her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 72 years, Bob; three children, Steve (Cindy) Buckingham of Wharton, Betsy (Jeff) Fowler of Costello, and Brenda (John) Jordan of Emporium; twelve grandchildren, Avery Buckingham, Megan Fry, Mandi Buckingham, Fran (Crystal Zuchowski) Buckingham, Michelle (Derrick) Johnson, Jessicalyn (Jen) Rogers, Jeffrey (Crystal) Fowler, Lisa (John Schmidt) Fowler, Sarah (Michael) Reynolds, Elizabeth (Andy) Larsen, John Jordan, and Joseph Jordan;
seventeen great-grandchildren, Landyn, Liam F., Luna, Dominic, Savannah, Kaitlyn, Neassa, Tessa, Kyle, Isabella, Liam J., Wyatt, Marah, Lucas, Leah, Lily, and Jase; several great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia Crane of Mesa, Arizona; a brother, Frederick Decker of Candon, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Bessie was predeceased by a son, Glen Buckingham; a granddaughter, Jenelle Jordan; and eight brothers and sisters.

At the present time, there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bessie’s name may be made to the Austin Ambulance Association, PO Box 328, Austin, PA 16720.

Bessie’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Bessie, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home page.

11/07/2025

Donald C. Monroe

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 page.

11/06/2025

Source: https://bit.ly/473ieID

11/06/2025

Esther R. Ray

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Esther R. Ray, 87, of Shinglehouse, formerly of Okeechobee, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.

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.