Julia I. Mayes

Julia I. Mayes, 97, of Keller St. Lock Haven passed away peacefully at home on December 31, 2022 surrounded by family and her beloved caregivers.  She was born in Castanea December 3, 1925, to the late Samuel R. and Lulabelle M. Koch Bechtol. Julia was united in marriage January 27, 1944 to Roy H. “Whitey” Mayes, who preceded her in death July 26, 1995. He was the love of her life and they were truly soul mates. Partners in everything they did.  Julia was the oldest and longest living resident of Castanea.

Prior to starting a family, she worked at The Wire Mill and Sylvania.  She and Roy helped raise many of her nieces and nephews. Julia was a graduate of the Williamsport State Beauty School and had been a self-employed beautician from 1962 until her retirement in 2014. She loved working in her beauty shop at home which afforded her the opportunity to be available for her family and community at any time. All you had to do was call Julia and she was there to help even strangers.

She had been a very active member of the Castanea United Methodist Church and a member of the church Alter. She was chairperson for the Memorial Fund, and was a greeter on Sunday mornings. She helped with every event and loved helping with the holiday cantatas. Her church, along with her family, was her life and it was apparent by the many lives she touched and dedication to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her joy was apparent when she could help others and loved welcoming the new neighbors to the community as well as new members of the church.

Julia loved cooking and baking and was known for her famous apple sauce, pumpkin pie, baked rice pudding, coconut cake, and angel food cake. She enjoyed watching cooking shows like “In The Kitchen with David” and” The Worst Cooks In America”. Her evenings included Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Mountain Men. Hours were spent watching and feeding the birds along with feeding the squirrels and chipmunks. Many would come up and take peanuts out of her hand. She could even pet them. It made her very happy when she could enjoy her grand dogs. Every opportunity was taken to travel with the LEO Only and Pennsylvania State Police hockey teams, she was loved by all of the team and was their “mascot”. That love carried over to watching her great grandchildren play hockey on The  Penn State  Icers, she took extra pride because her grandson coaches the teams.  She enjoyed putting puzzles together and many were framed and hung in the church. She was known as the little lady in the red truck. Much of her quiet time was spent listening to Christian or gospel CD’s and she especially loved The Gaithers and Daniel O’Donnell.

Survivors include her daughter: Linda M. (Paul) Polen of Lock Haven, a sister: Rosie Jane Conner of Endicott, NY, two grandchildren Craig E. (Birgitta) Polen, Mariah S. (Brandy) Polen, and three great grandchildren Byrke Polen, Brecken Polen, and Hunter Polen.   She was preceded in death by two brothers: Samuel R. Bechtol Jr., Daniel Bechtol, two sisters, Vera Dravsdick, and Margaret Bechtol.

Services will be Saturday January 7, 2023 at 11 AM with a final viewing time at 10AM in the Flemington United Methodist Church, 225 High Street, Lock Haven, PA.  Officiating will be Pastor Rick L. Conklin and Jerry Sieg.  Family and friends will be received in the Gedon Funeral Home, 320 Main Street, Mill Hall, PA Friday, January 6th, 2023 from 6 to 8 PM.

Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven, PA. All friends and family are invited to a luncheon at The Lock Haven Loyal Order of The Moose on South Hanna Street to continue sharing stories and celebrating her life.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Julia’s name can be made to: LEO Only, Peace Love and Poms Rescue, or UPMC Family Hospice of Williamsport (North Central Pennsylvania). Donations can be dropped off at the funeral home or church.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Gedon Funeral Homes and Cremations Services, LLC.  320 Main Street, Mill Hall, PA. Online thoughts and memories can be made at www.gedonfuneralhomes.com or Gedon Funeral Homes Facebook Page.