Obituary Notice:JoAnn Witherite Thurston

JoAnn Witherite Thurston, 77, of Olanta, passed away on March 4 at her residence, after a lengthy illness.

Born Sept. 27, 1932 in Clymer, PA, she was the daughter of Thomas and Lyda (Gaston) McGary.  She had retired as the Tax Collector for Knox Township, had also worked for Kent Sportswear and Clearfield Cheese.  She was affiliated with the Glen Richey Primitive Methodist Church.

Surviving are 3 children Glenn James Witherite Jr. and his wife of Sharon of New Millport, Colleen Shives and her husband Dan of Drifting, and Lyda Dixon and her husband Jerry of Olanta, 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Also surviving are 9 brothers and sisters.  Clifford McGary and his wife Jean of Niagara Falls, NY, Jerry McGarry and his wife Jackie of Great Falls, MT, Albert McGary and his wife Bertie, Gary McGary and his wife Linda, and Terry McGary and his wife Carol all of Bloomington – Curwensville RD, Patrick McGary and his wife Gloria of Kerrmoor – Curwensville RD, Jean Bloom and Sharon Bloom and her husband Denny both of Curwensville, and Joan Shaw and her husband Gary of Waynesboro, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Thurston was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Glenn Witherite whom she wed on July 8, 1949 and who preceded her in death on June 22, 1997, her second husband Donald Thurston whom she wed on May 1, 1999 and who preceded her in death on August 14, 2000.  She was also preceded in death by a grandson Glenn James Witherite III, 3 brothers Samuel, Donald, and Russell McGary, and a sister Mary McGary.

Services for Mrs. Thurston will be held at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville on March 6 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Roger McGary officiating.  Interment will be in the Watts Cemetery, Redden Hill – Curwensville RD.

Friends will be received at the funeral home on March 5 from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services. 

The family suggests contributions be made to either the American Heart Association or the American Respiratory Alliance.

Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.chidboyfuneralhome.com/.                          

The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.