Mildred M. Belles1,2 
F, (28 October 1902 - 17 February 2003)
- Relationship
- 2nd great-granddaughter of David Stolz
Mildred M. Belles was born on 28 October 1902 at Halls Station, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.1,2 She was the daughter of Ezra G. Belles and Melinda A. Rentz.2 Mildred M. Belles married, at age 22, Harold E. Benning on Wednesday, 14 October 1925 at Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.2 Mildred M. Belles married, at age 64, Archibald H. Troxell, age 68 on Wednesday, 21 December 1966.2 Mildred M. Belles died on 17 February 2003 at Williamsport Home, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, at age 100 years, 3 months and 20 days.1,2 She was buried on 22 February 2003 in the Montoursville Cemetery, located in Montoursville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The funeral service was officiated by Reverend J. Jeffrey Zetto.2
Mildred M. Belles was graduated in 1922 from Williamsport Area High School, located in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.2 Her obituary was published on 20 February 2003 in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, printed in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Her obituary stated:
Mildred M. Troxell, 100, a resident of the Williamsport Home, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003. She was a lifelong resident of Lycoming County and a descendant of several of the county's pioneer settlers. She was the daughter of Ezra G. and Melinda A. (Rentz) Belles and the granddaughter of Peter and Susan (Arnold) Belles and Solomon and Catharine (Stoltz) Rentz. Her ancestors include early county settlers Abraham Aderhold, David Stolz, Jacob Rentz and Leonard Staiger. David Stolz was an early farmer and entrepreneur in Muncy and Leonard Staiger was one of the signees of the original deed that created the Dunkard Colony at Blooming Grove in 1804.
Born on her father's 100-acre dairy farm at Hall s Station on Oct. 28, 1902, Mildred received her primary education at the Hall's Station one-room schoolhouse. Her father retired from farming when she was 12 years old and moved his family to 1854 E. Third St. in Loyalsock Township. There she attended the Sheridan School through the eighth grade, sometimes driving her pony cart to the school. She graduated with the Class of 1922 from Williamsport High School, where she was a member of the girls basketball team.
On Oct. 14, 1925, Mildred married Harold E. Benning in a simple ceremony in her parents home. They built a home at 1852 E. Third St., next door to her parents, where they lived until 1952, when they moved to 1300 Northway Road. They had one son, William A. Benning, who is retired from management positions with the former Anchor/Darling Industries and now lives in Malvern, Pa. He is married to the former Jean E. Nardi of this city. They are the parents of Mildred's three grandsons, all born in Williamsport: Gregory William Benning of Weston, Mass., Mark Alan Benning of Paoli and David James Benning of Washington, D.C. Gregory is married to the former Anne Louise Waskiewicz of Suffield, Conn; they are the parents of Mildred Troxell s great-grandchildren, Edward "Ned" Corey Benning, age 10, and Claire Louise Benning, age 5. Harold Benning was the purchasing agent for J. K. Rishel s Furniture Co. of Williamsport until his death in 1959.
From the opening of Britts Department Store in Loyalsock Township until she reached retirement age, Mildred Benning worked as head of that store's flower-arranging department. She learned some of her talent with flowers as a member for many years of "The Williamsport Garden Club," where she made many displays for their flower shows and won several ribbons. Interested also in art, she took several courses with Dr. June Baskin and others.
On Dec. 21, 1966, Mildred remarried Archibald H. Troxell, a widower who was a retiree of Bethlehem Steel. The Troxells lived on Loyalsock Drive, Montoursville RD, until Mr. Troxell's death in 1981. In 1985 Mildred Troxell entered an apartment at the Williamsport Home Complex, where she lived until April of last year. Until she was 98 years old, she remained an active member of The Women's Club, where she played bridge every week.
She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Montoursville. Earlier in her life she enjoyed memberships also in the Music Club, the Clio Club, the Eastern Star, and the United Lutheran Church Women.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Spitler Funeral Home, Montoursville, with her pastor, the Rev. J. Jeffrey Zetto, officiating. She will be interred in the Montoursville Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorials be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 359 Broad St., Montoursville.2 According to the Social Security Administrations Death Index Mildred's last known residence was Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania.1
Mildred M. Belles was graduated in 1922 from Williamsport Area High School, located in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.2 Her obituary was published on 20 February 2003 in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, printed in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Her obituary stated:
Mildred M. Troxell, 100, a resident of the Williamsport Home, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003. She was a lifelong resident of Lycoming County and a descendant of several of the county's pioneer settlers. She was the daughter of Ezra G. and Melinda A. (Rentz) Belles and the granddaughter of Peter and Susan (Arnold) Belles and Solomon and Catharine (Stoltz) Rentz. Her ancestors include early county settlers Abraham Aderhold, David Stolz, Jacob Rentz and Leonard Staiger. David Stolz was an early farmer and entrepreneur in Muncy and Leonard Staiger was one of the signees of the original deed that created the Dunkard Colony at Blooming Grove in 1804.
Born on her father's 100-acre dairy farm at Hall s Station on Oct. 28, 1902, Mildred received her primary education at the Hall's Station one-room schoolhouse. Her father retired from farming when she was 12 years old and moved his family to 1854 E. Third St. in Loyalsock Township. There she attended the Sheridan School through the eighth grade, sometimes driving her pony cart to the school. She graduated with the Class of 1922 from Williamsport High School, where she was a member of the girls basketball team.
On Oct. 14, 1925, Mildred married Harold E. Benning in a simple ceremony in her parents home. They built a home at 1852 E. Third St., next door to her parents, where they lived until 1952, when they moved to 1300 Northway Road. They had one son, William A. Benning, who is retired from management positions with the former Anchor/Darling Industries and now lives in Malvern, Pa. He is married to the former Jean E. Nardi of this city. They are the parents of Mildred's three grandsons, all born in Williamsport: Gregory William Benning of Weston, Mass., Mark Alan Benning of Paoli and David James Benning of Washington, D.C. Gregory is married to the former Anne Louise Waskiewicz of Suffield, Conn; they are the parents of Mildred Troxell s great-grandchildren, Edward "Ned" Corey Benning, age 10, and Claire Louise Benning, age 5. Harold Benning was the purchasing agent for J. K. Rishel s Furniture Co. of Williamsport until his death in 1959.
From the opening of Britts Department Store in Loyalsock Township until she reached retirement age, Mildred Benning worked as head of that store's flower-arranging department. She learned some of her talent with flowers as a member for many years of "The Williamsport Garden Club," where she made many displays for their flower shows and won several ribbons. Interested also in art, she took several courses with Dr. June Baskin and others.
On Dec. 21, 1966, Mildred remarried Archibald H. Troxell, a widower who was a retiree of Bethlehem Steel. The Troxells lived on Loyalsock Drive, Montoursville RD, until Mr. Troxell's death in 1981. In 1985 Mildred Troxell entered an apartment at the Williamsport Home Complex, where she lived until April of last year. Until she was 98 years old, she remained an active member of The Women's Club, where she played bridge every week.
She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Montoursville. Earlier in her life she enjoyed memberships also in the Music Club, the Clio Club, the Eastern Star, and the United Lutheran Church Women.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Spitler Funeral Home, Montoursville, with her pastor, the Rev. J. Jeffrey Zetto, officiating. She will be interred in the Montoursville Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorials be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 359 Broad St., Montoursville.2 According to the Social Security Administrations Death Index Mildred's last known residence was Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania.1
Child of Mildred M. Belles and Harold E. Benning
Last Edited=26 Sep 2007
Citations
- [S466] Social Security Death Index, RootsWeb online, at <http://ssdi.rootsweb.com> (Baltimore, Maryland: U.S. Social Security Administration, July 2004 update). The SSDI component of RootsWeb online is drawn from the Social Security Death Benefits Index of the U.S. Social Security Administration. MILDRED M TROXELL, birth listed as 28 Oct 1902, died listed as 17 Feb 2003 (V), issued in the State of Pennsylvania. Last residence Malvern, Chester, PA, last benefit Montoursville, Lycoming, PA. Accessed 8 Jan 2005.
- [S551] Mildred M. Troxell obituary, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 20 February 2003. Original obituary available in print and available online for 30 days from publication at: http://www.sungazette.com/obituary/obituaryArchive.asp. Kevin Leonard Sholder, Dayton, Ohio, USA.