Durland Mattocks

Durland Mattocks, 84, Nichols, N.Y., passed away at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pa. on Oct. 27, 2008 after an illness. Durland and his wife were currently living with his step-daughter in Meshoppen, Pa.
He was born in Leona, Pa. on Feb. 28,1924, the son of the late Ray and Elora Ward Mattocks. Durland spent all of his early years in Leona, near Troy, where he graduated from the Troy High School.
Durland owned and operated a dairy farm in Leona, for many years. After the dairy, he was widely known throughout New York State and Pennsylvania, for his training and raising harness racing horses.
For many years, Durland, trained and boarded his horses at the Troy Fair Grounds. In his later years, his knowledge of the sport was also spent announcing horse racing, on the local racing circuit, in New York State and Pennsylvania. The greatest passion in his life was the sport of harness racing, where he just loved being around the track, and he was also knowledgeable on the horse's pedigrees.
Durland was a past member of the Columbia Cross Roads United Methodist Church.
Surviving is his wife, Geraldine O. Lake Mattocks, Nichols, N.Y., now of Meshoppen, Pa., a step-daughter and her husband, Cindy and Terry Holdridge, Meshoppen, Pa., two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis Mattocks in 2007.
It was the wishes of Mr. Mattocks, there be no calling hours or funeral services. Interment will be at a later date in the Strickland Hill Cemetery, Springville, Pa.
Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, PA.