MAJOR SHIRLEY F. DIVELY RETIRED

1925 - 2023

Shirley F. Dively, Major, U.S. Army Retired, 98, of Wellsboro, died December 28, 2023, at Broad Acres Nursing Home. He was born April 7, 1925, the son of W. Bruce and Bessie Irene (Mock) Dively of Bedford County, Pa., and was the great-grandson of three Civil War veterans: Gabriel Burket, Emmanuel Mock and Gabriel Dively, all of Bedford County.
He spent over 20 years serving his country in nine branches of the U.S. Army before retiring in September 1963. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre during World War II and saw combat in the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, and the Philippines. Subsequent service included duty in Europe, Korea, Japan, and the United States. He received the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Good Conduct Medal with three Loops, and eight other service awards and decorations with three battle stars and a bronze arrowhead.
He was married to Elinor Ruth Claycomb for over forty-nine years. Elinor preceded him in death in 1997. He married Pauline (Stevens) Bowen on May 2, 1998, and they have celebrated 25 years of marriage.
He was a long-time resident of both Wellsboro and Belen, N.M. In Wellsboro he served as Secretary of The United Way Board, was Secretary of The United Methodist Church, chaired the Tioga County Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, was an active member of The Green Home Advisory Board and managed The Soldiers and Sailers Memorial Hospital Federal Credit Union. He also served as Chairman of the Endless Mountains chapter of the Pennsylvania Credit Union League.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline S. (Bowen) Dively; sisters: A. Jane Holland, Betty L. Roudabush; son: Bruce L. Dively; daughters: Sara I. Rininger and Lynn J. McDaniel; stepson: David S. Bowen; stepdaughters: Karen M. Miller and Julie Orris; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Wellsboro, Military Officers Association of America, Arlington, Va.; Disabled American Veterans, past member Heroes of 76, and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory.
Family and friends are invited to pay tribute to Shirley's Life at the United Methodist Church, 36 Main St., Wellsboro, January 6, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with Pastor Liz Jackson officiating. Full Military Honors will be held in The Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. at a later date.
Memorials in his memory may be made to The Wellsboro United Methodist Church. To share a memory or condolence with the family visit www.tusseymosher.com