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Ira M. Halfpenny was born on Aug. 1, 1876, likely in Fayette County, PA, the son of Calvin and Caroline (Minerd) Halfpenny. He grew up on his parents' farm in Rohrsburg, Columbia County, PA.

As an adult, he was tall and slender, with brown eyes and brown hair.

At the age of 21, on April 25, 1898, Ira married 16-year-old Myrtle Redline (1882-1973), daughter of Benjamin Franklin Redline. The wedding, led by Rev. W.R. Mather, was held at Rohrsburg. On her marriage license, she fibbed that her age was "18," but her father provided his consent as she was still legally underage.

Together, the couple bore at least 11 known children -- Benjamin F. Halfpenny, Anna M. Cox Alt, Laura I. McHugh, Lena A. Halfpenny, Hazel Stephenson, Bernice Jennings, Audrey Madeline Majka, Margaret E. Wolford, Guy Roland Halfpenny, Ruth Catherine Pasavage and Glenn I. Halfpenny. 

 Sadly, daughter Lena died at the age of 15 months on Dec. 28, 1909, caused by "bowel congestion." She is buried in Rohrsburg Cemetery, with an obituary printed in the Democratic Sentinel (issues of Dec. 31, 1909 and Jan. 4, 1910).

For many years, the Halfpennys resided on a farm in Greenwood Township, Columbia County. For the sum of $1,200, they purchased land in the township in March 1905 from Myrtle's father. The father was a prominent business man in Rohrsburg, and is said to have owned four corners of the town. He also owned a sawmill that tragically exploded in 1904, killing four men, including his own son (and Myrtle's brother) William Redline.

In addition, Ira was paid $59.35 in fees in 1908 for producing wood planks and attaching them to an iron bridge in Orange Township. 

During World War I, Ira was required to register for the military draft. He noted that he was self-employed as a farmer and huckster (selling his own produce) and that his farm was in Benton, Columbia County.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Ira held employment in "street work," and he continued working in state highway capacities for the rest of his life. 

A local newspaper said Ira was "well known."

Ira suffered for some time with cancer of the kidneys, which spread to his entire lumbar region. He was admitted to Bloomsburg Hospital "in a desperate condition," said the Bloomsburg Morning Press. Complicating the matter was that his wife Myrtle had just given birth to a baby boy, Glenn. "He became homesick and returned home on July 5, returning to the hospital on July 10.

He died a month later, at the age of 48, on Aug. 10, 1924. His obituary was printed in the Morning Press and in the Aug. 14, 1924 edition of the Benton Argus. His remains were laid to rest in the Rohrsburg Cemetery. His grave marker is fading badly, as evidenced in this photograph taken during an April 2013 visit.

Myrtle was left with a six-week-old baby and nine other children, one as old as age 22. She outlived her husband by a remarkable 49 years. 

She died on Sept. 15, 1973, at the age of 91, and is buried beside Ira and their baby daughter Lena in Rohrsburg Cemetery. Efforts by the founder of this website, to locate an obituary for her in the Bloomsburg Press, on microfilm at Bloomsburg University, were unsuccessful.

~ Son Benjamin Franklin Halfpenny ~

Son Benjamin Franklin Halfpenny (1902-1963) was born on July 25, 1902 in Rohrsburg, and was named for his grandfather B.F. Redline.

On June 6, 1928, he wedded Ella J. Skipsey (May 14, 1892-1952), a native of Plymouth. She was the daughter of Harry and Frances M. (Jenkins) Skipsey and stepdaughter of Thomas D. Reese of Wilkes-Barre. Rev. S.W. Paterson led the ceremony, with no attendants present. A story announcing the wedding, in the Wilkes-Barre Record, said that the couple would live with her mother. Ella's father was well known as a steamboat captain on the Susquehanna River in his day.

They became the parents of one daughter, Marion Banta.

At the birth of their daughter in 1929, the Halfpennys dwelled at 240 East Main Street in Plymouth, PA. He "resided most of his life in Plymouth," PA, said the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader. Their address in Plymouth in the early 1950s was 247 East Railroad Street. They belonged to the Elm Congregational Church.

Sadness enveloped the family when Ella was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 1952. Her health declined quickly, and, after contracting congestive heart failure, she died in Wyoming Valley Hospital, on May 11, 1952, just three days shy of her 50th birthday. Burial was in Fern Knoll Burial Park in Dallas, PA.

Later the widowed Benjamin moved to West Nanticoke, PA and was there in 1963. His address was 137 West Poplar Street.

As his health plummeted, he was admitted to Retreat State Hospital. Death swept him away at the age of 60 on May 23, 1963. His remains were interred in Fern Knoll Burial Park in Dallas, PA, following services led by Rev. Alan Brady of Plymouth Christian Church. Benjamin's brother Guy and his wife are known to have traveled from Wellsboro, PA to attend the funeral. An obituary was published in the Times-Leader.

Daughter Marion/Marianne Halfpenny (1929- ? ) was born in 1929 in Plymouth, PA. She was a graduate of Plymouth High School. She was joined in wedlock with Elmer E. Banta Jr. ( ? -1979), son of Elmer Banta Sr. of Harveys Lake, PA. The couple's two offspring were Charles D. Banta Sr. and Jeannette Barsh. Elmer was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. In his young manhood, Elmer worked at the Loree Colliery of Hudson Coal Company in Larksville, PA. He then went to work for the Wilkes-Barre office of the Veterans Administration Medical Center, remaining there for 26 years. Their residence for decades was in West Nanticoke, PA. At one time Elmer served as police chief for Plymouth Township. She generated income with employment as a seamstress at LBJ's Garment Compahny of Larksville, PA and retired from her work in 1979. They belonged to the Plymouth Christian Church. Grief descended upon the family when Elmer died in Nanticoke State General Hospital at the age of 57 on Oct. 7, 1979. His obituary was printed in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Marion outlived him by nine years. At the age of 69, she was a resident of Hampton House Nursing Center in Hanover Township. She died in Mercy Hospital of Wilkes-Barre on July 20, 1998.

• Grandson Charles D. Banta Sr. (1957-2007) was born in about 1957 in Wilkes-Barre. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He wedded Betty ( ? - ? ). Together, they bore two sons -- Charles Banta Jr. and Harold Banta. Charles earned a living working for Wise Foods in Berwick, PA, followed by employment as a forklift operator for A.E.P. in Mountain Top, PA. The family moved from Mountain Top to White Haven in about 1994 and remained for good. Their final years together were spent in East Side Borough near White Haven, PA. He succumbed to death at the age of 50, on Nov. 10, 2007, as a resident of Hampton House in Hanover Township. An obituary appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

• Granddaughter Jeannette Banta lived in Edwardsville, PA in 1979. She married (?) Barsh. Circa 1998, they lived in Lake Silkworth, Luzerne County, PA.

~ Daughter Anna M. (Halfpenny) Cox Alt ~

Daughter Anna M. Halfpenny (1904-1992) was born on July 10, 1904 in Rohrsburg, Greenwood Township, Columbia County.

She was a graduate of Rohrsburg High School.

Anna was twice married. Her first husband's name was Howard L. Cox ( ? -1970), son of Lorenzo and Awilda (Fenstermaker) Cox of Pine Summit, Lycoming County.

Together, the pair produced a daughter, Phyllis "Jean" (Cox/Halfpenny) Hayman Harrison, born in 1926..

The first union ended in divorce on Aug. 5, 1936. Single again, she took back her maiden name and resided in Kaska, Schuylkill County, PA. The daughter Jean is believed to have been taken in by her great-uncle and aunt, Thomas "Warren" and Marion (Thomas) Halfpenny.

At the age of 35, on Dec. 23, 1939, she married her second spouse, 35-year-old Grant R. Alt (1904-1981). Their marriage ceremony took place in Schuylkill County. Grant was the son of David and Virginia (Kimber) Alt, and was a native of Petersburg, Grant County, WV.

At the time of their wedding, Grant worked as a mechanic and lived at 50 Stirdevamt Street in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County. The couple settled in 1939 in Dallas, Luzerne County, PA.

The Alts bore a daughter of their own, Ruth Ann Crawford.

Grant earned a living as a diesel mechanic employed by Standard Equipment Company and L.B. Smith. They belonged to the Glenview Primitive Methodist Church. 

Circa 1941, Anna was a member of the Woman's Republican Club of Dallas, near Wilkes-Barre, and was mentioned in a related news article. She also belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and Daughters of America. Grant held membrships in the George M. Dallas lodge of the Masons, the Caldwell Consistory of Bloomsburg and Order of the Moose in Williamsport. Their address in 1981 was Lower Main Street in the Fernbrook section of Dallas.

Grant passed away in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital at the age of 76 on June 23, 1981. His obituary was printed in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader and named their daughter but not Anna's daughter Jean. Funeral rites were conducted by Rev. Arthur Keiser with burial in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park.

Anna survived him by 11 years, remaining in Dallas at the address of Split Rail Lane. She died Nov. 30, 1992 at the age of 88. Her obituary was published in the Times Leader. Her survivors included four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Rev. Thomas J. Morris, of the Lehman United Methodist Church, led the funeral service. Interment of the remains was in Chapel Lawn, Dallas.

Former husband Howard Cox earned a living as a truck driver in Shickshinny in 1944. His employers over the years included Glen Alden Coal Corporation and Marta Trailways, from which he retired. His final residence for 43 years was in Plymouth, PA at 139 South Main Street. He died in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital at the age of 71 on May 4, 1970. His obituary in the Berwick Enteprise named his only daughter as "Mrs. Phyllis J. Hayman, Southdale, Shickshinny." 

Daughter Phyllis "Jean" Cox (1926- ? ) was born on May 30, 1926 in Bloomsburg, PA. See the Thomas "Warren" Halfpenny bio for more.

Daughter Ruth Alt wedded (?) Crawford. Circa 1992, she dwelled in Lehman, PA.

~ Daughter Laura I. (Halfpenny) McHugh ~

Daughter Laura I. Halfpenny (1906-1993) was born on March 13, 1906 in Rohrsburg. She attended Millville-area schools in her youth.

As a 23-year-old, Laura lived at home with her parents.

On Feb. 27, 1930, at age 23, she married 25-year-old Joseph J. McHugh ( ? -1979), son of Manus and Anna (Sherlock) McHugh. Joseph was a native of Plymouth, Luzerne County, and at the time of married worked as a laborer and lived at 50 Fiddlers Green in Plymouth.

The McHughs were the parents of a daughter, Mary McHugh.

Laura generated income through her work for the Bloomsburg Silk Mill. She held a membership in the St. Aloysius Church of Wilkes-Barre.

Sadly, Joseph passed away on March 23, 1979.

Her final address was on East St. Mary's Road in Wilkes-Barre. As her health declined, she was admitted to the city's Mercy Hospital. There, she succumbed to death on Feb. 1, 1993, at the age of 86. A mass of Christian burial was sung in the family church, with interment in the Hanover section of the church cemetery in Wilkes-Barre. An obituary was published in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

Daughter Mary McHugh ( ? - ? ) resided with her mother in 1993 on East St. Mary's Road in Wilkes-Barre.

~ Daughter Hazel I. (Halfpenny) Stephenson ~

Daughter Hazel I. Halfpenny (1907-1977) was born on April 5, 1907. 

She married William Benson Stephenson (July 1, 1904-1969) of Dagus Mines, PA, said to have been the son of William D. and Sarah (Benson) Stephenson.

William stood 6 feet tall, weighed 220 lbs. and sported brown eyes and brown hair.

Together, the couple produced two known sons -- James Stephenson and a baby son born prematurely. The infant died on Oct. 7, 1931 and was buried in Old Rosemont Cemetery.

The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows the Stephensons in Bloomsburg, Columbia County. There, William earned a living as a weaver in a local silk mill, and Hazel as a reeder at the mill. As both were working outside the home, they brought in Hazel's teenage sister to help care for their son and help around the house.

The Stephensons' address in 1941 was 347 West 6th Street, Bloomsburg. At that time, William was required to register for the military draft. His employer was American Car and Foundry Company, a manufacturer of railcars.

The couple seems to have separated, with William relocating to the West Coast. He is believed to have died in Alameda County, CA on Oct. 18, 1969.

Hazel resided for many years in Berwick, Columbia County. Her address in the 1970s was 1419 Brittain Street.

On a tragic day in late March 1977, the 70-year-old Hazel went missing from her home. Ten days went by without word. But on April 10, 1977, a youth searching for bottles along the Susquehanna River discovered Hazel's body. A story in the Shamokin (PA) News-Item said that the Columbia County Coroner said there was "no evidence of foul play." A Pennsylvania Fish Commission official noted that the "body was found fully clothed and wearing earrings, a ring and glasses. He said her clothes were dry but it was apparent that she had been in the water at some point." An Associated Press story said that she had been despondent about the time she disappeared and that her body had been found floating in the river.

Her remains were laid to rest beside her parents and siblings in the Rohrsburg Cemetery. 

Son James Stphenson (1930- ? ) was born in about 1930.

~ Daughter Bernice A. (Halfpenny) Jennings ~

Daughter Bernice Halfpenny (1910-2004) was born on March 11, 1910.

She wed John A. Jennings (1904-1953), a native of Virginia. 

They resided in Mt. Carmel, Northumberland County and Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, PA, and had five children -- Robert John Jennings, Donald Jennings, Doris Jennings, Marjorie Gorenty and Charlotte Simanavage.

Sadly, daughter Doris died in infancy.

By 1949, they had relocated to Kaska, Schuylkill County, PA, where John found employment as a shovel operator. 

John died in 1953, at the age of 49. He was interred in Rohrsburg Cemetery. 

Bernice survived him by more than half of a century and remained in Kaska. She earned a living through employment as a seamstress for Kaska Manufacturing Company.

The family belonged to the New Philadelphia United Methodist Church.

She passed away in Kaska on Dec. 18, 2004, at the age of 96. An obituary in the Pottsville (PA) Republican and Herald said that she was the "oldest resident of Kaska... [and] oldest member of New Philadelphia United Methodist Church." She was survived by a dozen grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were officiated by Pastor Margaret "Peggy" Reed. She rests beside her husband in Rohrsburg Cemetery, under a red Barre granite grave marker near her parents and siblings.

Son Donald Jennings ( ? - ? ) made his home in 2004 in Charleston, WV.

Son Robert John Jennings (1935-2012) was born on May 1, 1935 in Mt. Carmel, Northumberland County County. During his lifetime, he resided in Kaska and Middleport, Schuylkill County, PA, and worked for Bazley Manufacturing as an operator of heavy equipment. He also was employed with Reading Anthracite Company, from which position he retired. He was a lifetime member of the Kaska Fire Company, and belonged to the United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. He died at the age of 77 on Aug. 2, 2012, followed by burial in Rohrsburg Cemetery. His obituary was published in the Pottsville Republican & Herald newspaper.

Daughter Marjorie Jennings (1931-2016) was born on Oct. 15, 1931 in Wilkes-Barre. On Aug. 27, 1949, when she was 17 years of age, Marjorie married 18-year-old Earl Louis Gorenty Sr. (Sept. 10, 1930-2001), a native of Middleport, Schuylkill County, PA. The couple put down roots in the Middleport community and bore several known sons, among them Earl Louis Gorenty Jr. Earl was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He owned and operated Gorenty Tunneling Company, located five miles northeast of Pottsville. The company conducted deep mining of anthracite coal and circa 1986 had a major contract to construct a 110-foot-long tunnel to carry a water main under Lehigh Street in Allentown. Earl was quoted in a Feb. 27, 1986 article about the tunneling project in the Allentown Morning Call, which said he had been a coal miner for 45 years. In the 1990s, Gorenty Tunneling produced coal at the No. 2 Slope in Schuylkill. Sadly, Earl died at the age of 70 on Jan. 19, 2001. As her health plummeted, she was admitted as a patient  the Schuylkill Medical Center-East on Norwegian Street. There, she died on April 23, 2016. Burial was in Lewistown Union Cemetery in Schuylkill County.

• Grandson Earl Louis Gorenty Jr. ( ? - ? ) was active in the family's Gorenty Tunneling Company in the 1990s.

Daughter Charlotte Jennings (1940-2015) was born in about 1940 in Kaska, PA. She wedded Thomas J. Simanavage (Nov. 5, 1932-2020), a native of Pottsville, PA, and the son of John and Anna (Stusalitis) Simanavage. Four children born in this family were Charlotte Evanko, Susan Goncalves, Ellen MacDonald and John Simanavage. They relocated to Ansonia, CT, and remained there for more than half a century. Charlotte was trained in nursing and spent more than 50 years working as a registered nurse at Griffin Hospital and United Methodist Homes of Connecticut. Sadly, Charlotte died at the age of 75, at home, on Oct. 23, 2015. She was survived by seven grandchildren. Her mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph Church in Ansonia, with interment in Mt. St. Peter's Cemetery in Derby, CT. The year after she died, the Charlotte Simanavage Nurse Caring Memorial Award was established to support a student enrolled in Sacred Heart University's Davis and Henley College of Nursing. Thomas survived as a widower for another four-and-a-half years. He passed away, at age 87, on April 4, 2020.

• Granddaughter Charlotte Simanavage ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Evanko ( ? - ? ).

• Granddaughter Susan Simanavage ( ? - ? ) wedded Daniel Goncalves ( ? - ? ).

• Granddaughter Ellen Simanavage ( ? - ? ) married Donald MacDonald ( ? - ? ).

• Grandson John Simanavage ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Maria ( ? - ? ).

~ Daughter Audrey Madeline (Halfpenny) Majka/Michaels ~

Daughter Audrey Madeline Halfpenny (1912-1991) was born on Jan. 27, 1912 in Rohrsburg.

She migrated to Plymouth, Luzerne County, PA, where she lived at 65½ Mechanics Lane.

At the age of 28, on May 6, 1940, she married Edward Majka (1915- ? ), a company hand living in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County. He was the son of Joseph and Stella (Koschinski) Majka, the father born in Poland and the mother in Nanticoke, PA.

The family name was Americanized over the years from "Majka" to "Michaels."

The only child born to this union was Margaret Sutton.

Edward's father made news in 1961 when his vision was restored after pioneering surgery to transplant eye tissue.

By 1981, Audrey was living in Hatboro, PA, on Walton Drive Road.

Audrey passed away in Philadelphia Hospital on Dec. 18, 1991. Her obituary was published in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

Daughter Margaret Michaels ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She wedded (?) Sutton ( ? - ? ). She resided in Hatboro, PA in 1991.

~ Daughter Margaret E. (Halfpenny) Wolford ~

Daughter Margaret E. Halfpenny (1916-1995) was born on Nov. 23, 1916.

In young womanhood, she worked at the Berwick Shirt factory.

On Christmas Day 1939, she was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Lloyd Clyde Wolford (Aug. 15, 1908-1978), son of Edward and Mary (Campbell) Wolford and a native of Milton, PA. Rev. W.A. Shipe, of the Berwick Lutheran Church, led the ceremony. Their attendants were Margaret's sister and future brother-in-law, Audrey Halfpenny and Edward Michael. News of the marriage was announced in the Danville (PA) Morning News. Their union endured for 38 years until the separation of death.

At the time of marriage, Lloyd earned a living with the A.C. & F. He remained with the company as a painter for decades.

Four children born into this family were Edward I. Wolford, Lloyd H. Wolford, William J. Wolford and Kay Ambruch.

The Wolfords were members of the Grace Lutheran Church of Berwick. Lloyd belonged to the West Berwick Hose Company and the Berwick post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Their address in 197 was at 1419 Brittain Street.

Sadness cascaded over the family when the 69-year-old Lloyd died at home on July 27, 1978. An obituary in the Sunbury (PA) Daily Item reported that he was survived by eight grandchildren.

The widowed Margaret made her home in 1981-1993 in Berwick. She passed into the arms of eternity on March 8, 1995.

Son Edward I. Wolford lived in Berwick in 1978.

Son Lloyd H. Wolford made his home in Berwick.

Son William J. Wolford put down roots in Berwick.

Daughter Kay Wolford married Edward S. Ambruch (Oct. 24, 1941-2006), son of Edgar and Elizabeth Gernhardt of Fern Glen, Luzerne County, PA. The couple bore two known children, Donna K. Fetterman and Thomas Ambruch. Edward made a living as a laborer with Berwick Offray. He belonged to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Nuremberg, PA. Circa 1978, Kay was in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The couple divorced. Kay wedded again to Frank Grindstaff and made a home in Mifflinville, PA. Former husband Edward Ambruch passed away in Fren Glen on June 28, 2006, as a patient in Geisinger Medical Center.

• Granddaughter Donna K. Ambruch (1966-2013) was born on April 17, 1966 in Berwick, PA. She was twice-wed. Her first husband was Bret Lane Kishbaugh (Dec. 25, 1963-2016), a native of Berwick, Columbia County, PA and the son of Gary L. and Barbara O. (Brown) Kishbaugh. The couple's three children were Shawn Andrew Kishbaugh, Stephanie Kishbaugh and Shaina Kishbaugh. An alumnus of Columbia Montour Vo-Tech School, Bret worked for the Press Enterprise and then in the printing business in Kentucky and Ohio. After a divorce, Donna entered into marriage with Walter Fetterman ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Samantha Fetterman. Donna was employed as a certified nursing assistant. She attended Emmanuel Bible Chapel in Berwick. Sadly, at the age of 47, she died at home on May 18, 2013. She was survived by two granddaughters and a grandson. The family grieved again at the death of son Shawn -- whose girlfriend Jennifer Bower had obtained a protection from abuse court order -- in a murder-suicide on June 3, 2015 in Nesopeck, Luzerne County, PA. Former husband Bret Kishbaugh surrendered to death on at the age of 52, in Mifflinville, Columbia County, on May 20, 2016. His funeral mass was held in the family church, with the remains interred in the parish cemetery.

• Grandson Thomas Ambruch ( ? - ? ) married Lynette. Their home in 2006-2013 was in Canton, PA.

~ Son Guy Roland Halfpenny ~

Son Guy Roland Halfpenny (1919-1983) was born on March 12, 1919 in Rohrsburg, Columbia County.

Circa 1940, at the age of 21, he lived in Plymouth, Luzerne County, PA and was employed by Michael Good.

On Jan. 21, 1943, he was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Barbara Mary Tarszowicz (Sept. 12, 1916-2006), daughter of Joseph and Mary (Zaydell) Tarszowicz of Antrim, Tioga County, PA.

The two daughters born into this family were Priscilla Riesbeck and Barbara Hewitt.

They resided in Antrim, PA in 1950 and in Williamsport, Lycoming County, PA in 1963. By 1973, they migrated to Wellsboro, Tioga County, PA.

He is believed to be the same "Guy Halfpenny" who in October 1973 took part in a turkey shoot in Liberty near Wellsboro. He also known to have traveled with friends to the state of Wyoming where they shot an antelope.

Barbara held a membership in St. Peter's/Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Wellsboro. Said the Elmira (NY) Star-Gazette, she liked to dance to polka music, travel, read, follow current events, listen to music, shop and watch baseball.

Guy died in Wellsboro on April 10, 1983, at the age of 64.

Barbara outlived her husband by 23 years. Death spirited her away in Wellsboro on March 26, 2006. Her mass of Christian burial was held at her church, led by Rev. Joseph Manarchuck. Burial was in Antrim Cemetery.

Daughter Priscilla Halfpenny ( ? - ? ) - In the early 1960s, she earned a living at First National Bank and Trust Company of Corning, NY. On Dec. 29, 1962, she wedded John Paul Riesbeck ( ? - ? ). The wedding was held in St. Peter's Church in Wellsboro, with Rev. Edward Barrett presiding. Reported the Wellsboro Gazette, she "wore a gown of peau de soie taffeta with bell sleeves, and lace appliques with pearls adorned the fitted bodice. The chapel train terminated from a bell skirt. A princess crown of pearls and crystals was attached to a bouffant illusion veil." John was an alumnus of Corning Free Academy and St. Bonaventure University. The couple's home in 2006 was in Binghamton, NY.

Daughter Barbara Halfpenny married Timothy Hewitt. They established a residence in Stafford, VA.

~ Daughter Ruth Catherine ( Halfpenny) Pasavage ~

Daughter Ruth Catherine Halfpenny (1921-2011) was born on May 17, 1921 in or near Greenwood, Columbia County. 

As a young woman, she was brought into the home of her married sister Hazel Stephenson in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, to help around the house and watch the Stephensons' son James as both Hazel and her husband worked. She was there in 1940.

In time, Ruth migrated to Plymouth, Luzerne County, PA, where she found employment as a machine operator. 

At the age of 28, on Nov. 26, 1949, Ruth wed 29-year-old Roy J. Pasavage (1921-1993), a native of Newark, NJ and the son of Frank and Anna (Jasdonch) Pasavage. At the time, Roy lived in Exeter, Luzerne County, and worked as a laborer. 

The couple lived in Pittston and Exeter, Luzerne County, PA.

Together they produced three children -- Ruth M. Pasavage, Raymond J. Pasavage and Richard J. Pasavage. 

Ruth "was employed in the garment industry," said the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, and "was a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union." She also belonged to the American Legion Women's Auxiliary organization of Plains Township, Luzerne County. 

Roy died on Dec. 14, 1993 at the age of 72. Ruth outlived him by 17 years. 

She passed away at the age of 89, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, on March 9, 2011. Following a funeral led by Rev. Paul Metzloff of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Kingston, she was laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Calverton, Luzerne County, with an obituary in the Times Leader.

Daughter Ruth M. Pasavage lived in Exeter, PA in 2011.

Son Raymond J. Pasavage dwelled in 2011 in Plains Township, near Wilkes-Barre.

Son Richard J. Pasavage migrated to Wyoming and was there in 2011.

~ Son Glenn I. Halfpenny ~

Son Glenn I. Halfpenny (1924-1981) was born on June 29, 1924 in Rohrsburg/Greenwood, Columbia County, PA. He was but 42 days old when his father died of cancer.

He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He was wounded in France in Nov. 9, 1944 and received a Purple Heart medal 20 days later. The pieces of shranpel removed from his legs were included when he received the medal. News of his wound was published in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

Purple Heart

Upon the completion of his military service, he returned home and obtained employment as a welder, helping to fabricate steel for Hull Corporation.

On July 16, 1949, at age 25, he married 30-year-old Helen Steminski (1918-2000), born Aug. 19, 1918. She was the daughter of Frank and Eva (Zeedock) Steminski, her father having emigrated from Austria-Poland. At the time the wedding took place, Glenn was an auto body and fender repair expert, and made his residence at 65½ Mechanics Lane in Plymouth, Luzerne County. She was a factory worker, and a native of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA. 

The couple had two daughters -- Paula Jean Petrochko and Gayle Marie Check.

After they married, they first lived in Nanticoke, Luzerne County circa 1950. Eventually they relocated to Horseheads, Chemung County, NY, where Glenn was employed as a welder with American Bridge Works, a division of United States Steel Corporation.

In about 1960, Glenn and Helen separated, with him moving to Philadelphia, and she taking the young daughters to her home town in Pennsylvania. 

On Sept. 27, 1966, he married a second time to Carole Houser (July 28, 1933-1988), daughter of Carl and Margaret Houser of Reading, Berks County, PA. Their wedding was held in Pennsylvania, with the pair soonafter relocating to Montana.

Glenn and Carole produced a son, Carl Edgar Halfpenny, born in Montana in 1967.

The Halfpennys relocated in about 1975 to Lolo, Missoula County, MT. Glenn was employed in welding by Selway Corporation in Stevensville. Glenn held a membershiop in the Sentinel Lodge of the Masons, holding the position of marshall.

He retired when he became seriously ill in January 1980.

Glenn died in a hospital in Missoula, MT at the age of 57 on July 2, 1981. His obituary was published in the Missoula Missoulian. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Gardens Crematory.

Carol remained in Missoula during her years as a widow. At the end, she became a resident of Hillside Manor. Death swept her away at the age of 55 on Aug. 10, 1988. Her remains were cremated.

Helen lived in Nanticoke for another almost two decades. She died on Aug. 2, 2000.

Daughter Paula Jean Halfpenny (1952-living) was born in 1952 in Horseheads, NY. She grew up in the Hanover section of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA. In 1973, she was united in wedlock with Michael Petrochko (1951-living), son of John and Marion Petrochko, also of the Hanover community. Their offspring include twins Keith Petrochko and Laura Rigez and Adrienne Addae. In recent years they have relocated to Florida.

• Grandson Keith Petrochko (1985-living) was born in 1985, a twin with his sister Laura. He and his siblings grew up in Nanticoke. He entered into marriage with Callie Biehl, also a Nanticoke resident.

• Granddaughter Laura Petrochko (1985-living) was born in 1985, a twin with her brother Keith. She spent her growing-up years in Nanticoke. She wedded Brian Rigez of Dallas, PA. In 2021, Brian was in active duty with the U.S. Navy.

• Granddaughter Adrienne Petrochko (1981-living) was born in 1981. Her childhood was spent in Nanticoke, PA. She married Kwame Addae, a native of Accra Ghana, West Africa. Their family of children include Vivienne Addae (born 2011) and Alexander Addae (2020).

Daughter Gayle Marie Halfpenny (1955-living) was born in 1955 in Horseheads, NY. In 1991, she was joined in the bonds of matrimony with David J. Check (May 7, 1952-2015), who grew up in Swoyersville PA and was the son of Andrew and Violet (Romanoski) Check. Their union endured for 24 years until cleaved apart by death. The pair did not reproduce. David was a 1970 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He went on to study at Luzerne County Community College and in 1974 obtained his bachelor's degree in commerce and finance from Wilkes University. For 36 years, he was employed by Nabisco/Kraft Foods in both Wilkes-Barre and, after a transfer in about 2002, in San Antonio, TX. In his free time, he followed the Dallas Cowboys football team and liked to golf. Sadly, at the age of 63, David passed away in San Antonio on Dec. 7, 2015. An obituary was published in the Times-Leader. The widowed Gayle has relocated to Florida.

Son Carl Edgar Halfpenny (1967-2021) was born on Jan. 19, 1967 in Montana. He wedded Effie Marie Nunnelley ( ? - ? ). They did not reproduce. The couple's residence in 1988 was in Three Forks, MN. In about 1997, they relocated to Kentucky, settling in Richmond, Madison County, KY. Carl earned a living through his work for Alumitech. Sadly, at the age of 54, Carl passed away on July 16, 2021 as a patient in Compassionate Care Center.