Irma Green
Irma Lee (Schnure) Green died on June 12, 2024, in the LeRaysville area home of her son, James, and wife, Carolyn, completing her earthly journey with quiet grace under the loving care of family and, during her final days and hours, the comforting visitations of the many people who loved her.
The long-time Wyalusing area resident was an employee of the Wyalusing Area School District for more than three decades. Among her duties were secretary to District Superintendent Max P. Gannon, Sr., Assistant to the Administrator of Federal Programs Mildred Dodge, and a cheerful presence for years to visitors, students and employees in the high school business office.
Irma, who died just days before her 88th birthday, was born on June 25, 1936 (her father’s birthday) near Monroeton, to her parents, Martha Eva Wells and Theodore W. Lee, but she resided in the Wyalusing area most of her life, graduating from Wyalusing High School in 1954. She moved from Monroeton with her mother as a child after her parents’ divorce and her mother’s second marriage to H. Adelbert Otis.
Whether in PA or her home for the past 11 years in Florida, Irma was a lover of the flora and fauna that surrounded her— tending flowers, doing yardwork and catering to animals that may venture into her realm of greenery, including birds. Bluebirds were her favorite.
She was an avid reader and was especially fond of jigsaw puzzles. She loved music and was a regular in the choir of the Wyalusing United Methodist Church for several decades. She was also an original member of the Wyalusing Swing Choir, still an active performing group, as was her husband, David Green, until they moved to Florida. Both were active in the Wyalusing Community Theatre for a number of years. She was a dedicated fan of Wyalusing scholastic sports, especially wrestling.
Traveling has been a big part of her life, and she had plenty of stories to tell over the years, including an adventure in Yellowstone National Park with close friends Ronnie and the late Donna Cole—a 10-day pack trip that almost got them lost when their guide had to leave them on their own. Traveling became an even bigger part of her life after marrying David, who worked for years as a driver for Sharaton Bus Services, with Irma doubling as tour aide on excursions all around the country, including California, the New England states and Alaska.
Her years with the Wyalusing Area School District led to lifelong friendships, and she was especially close to her former bosses for years thereafter: “The Gannon family and the Dodge family were very special to her,” said husband, David, who is also dealing with serious health issues.
Among those surviving Irma is her husband of 35 years, David A. Green, taking up residence in a home in the Wyalusing area until they moved to Wesley Chapel, FL, in 2013. Other survivors from their two families, including a previous marriage for each, are her children: Ronald (Brenda) Schnure of Spring Hill; James (Carolyn) Schnure of LeRaysville; Amy Lin (Thomas) McElrath of Wellsboro; Matthew P. Green and Michael Coleman of Wichita Falls, TX, and Katherine (Brian) Fischer of Wyalusing. She is also survived by the following siblings, Shirley Woodruff of Laceyville, Dianna
Cresho of Taylorville, Janet Chaffee of Laceyville and JoAnne Treadwell of Melbourne, FL.
Surviving grandchildren are Amber Yoder of Overton, Bobbi (Justin) Goodwin of Porter, TX, Logan (Victoria) McElrath, Kaleb McElrath, Derek McElrath, Jackson Fischer, Lia Fischer, Everett Fischer, Lucas Fischer, Reid Fischer and Jennifer (Cody) Chapman. She is also survived by the following great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Delilah Yoder, Bentley and Cooper Goodwin and Regan Chapman. Sisters- and brothers-in-law she gained from her marriage to David were Shirley (Ronald) Cherry, Wendy (Philip) Ashcraft, Lorraine (Peter) Vardy, Janet (Dan) Jacoby and Gary (Eileen) Green.
She is predeceased by her parents; her stepfather, H. Adelbert Otis; a brother, Stephen Otis; her parents-in-law, Everett and Dorothy Green, as well as Bruce and Myrtle Schnure, parents of her first husband, Karl W. Schnure, who died in October 2022; a great-grandson, John Thomas Yoder, III, sister-in-law, Lois Neuber, and brothers-in-law, Paul Cresho, Clifford Woodruff, Charles Neuber and C. Eugene Schnure.
Following her retirement after more than 30 years with the school district in 1993, Irma was employed by Kevin T. Downs Financial Services and the business office of the Rocket-Courier newspaper. She also clerked the sales at the Wyalusing Livestock Market for several years.
Irma’s other affiliations included the Wyalusing Musical Society, the PA Association of Federal Program Coordinators, and the Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.), where she served as Star Point, Worthy Matron, District Deputy Grand Matron and Grand Page at the Grand Chapter in Pittsburgh.
A memorial service will be held for Irma Lee Green at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, at the Wyalusing United Methodist Church and officiated by longtime family friend, Wes Skillings.
Family and friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The memorial service for Irma will be followed by a catered luncheon in the church social room.
Donations in her name may be directed to the Wyalusing United Methodist Church at her request.
Arrangements are entrusted with the Sheldon Funeral Home, 155 Church Street, Wyalusing.
Condolences may be made online at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.
