Zane J. Taney, P.M.
My Masonic Journey
1st Decade
My first 10 Masonic Years 1979 to 1988
1979 Initiated
conferred (2) degrees
I received my Entered Apprentice degree Feb.19, 1979 the degree was conferred by my Father Eugene Taney PM ( he was Master in 1974), I received my Fellowcraft degree March 19, 1979 the degree was conferred by Albert B. Fink PM and I received the Master Mason degree April 23, 1979 the degree was conferred by Robert Yeager PM Knapp Lodge 462 Berwick PA. I was so inspired by my experience that I went right to work in becoming proficient in the ritualistic work. While the lodge was dark during July and August of the same year, I became qualified in the first degree, second degree and the Junior Warden duties. Once the lodge was back to work on Sept. 17, 1979 at our extra meeting I conferred (my first degree) the 1st degree on Harry Hamersley. October 1, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden, October 15, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden, November 5, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden, November 19, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden and conferred 1st degree on Ralph Brosious. December 3, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden and was elected to the Junior Warden position, December 17, 1979 I sat in as Junior Warden, what a fascinating year. 1980 Junior Warden
Conferred (3) degrees
May 19, 1980 extra meeting I conferred 2nd degree on Carl D. Harrison
June 16, 1080 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on Richard Glen Sorber
Sept. 15, 1980 extra meeting I conferred 2nd degree on Richard Glen Sorber
Joseph M. Federicii was Master; during the year the Shickshinny Mocanaqua bridge was closed to traffic for repairs but you were able to walk across the bridge. We would park on the Mocanaqua side and walk across the bridge where Bro. Federicii would pick us up and take us out to the lodge.
1981 Senior Warden
I went right to work to become qualified on the third degree and by the end of July with the exceptional help of Bro. Heaster Bittenbender the Principal of Instruction for the 35th district, I was qualified. Heaster was a widower and enjoyed our meetings at his home 2 or more times as week.
Conferred (2) degrees
October 19, 1981 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Daniel Leroy Gensel
Nov. 16, 1981 I conferred 3rd degree on Loren Eugene Roth
1982 Master
conferred (6) degrees
January 18, 1982 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on Richard Shales
March 15, 1982 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Joseph F. Butz
April 19, 1982 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Donald Gordon Meade
May 17, 1982 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Gary Bell
June 21, 1982 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Robert H. Royer
My first time to confer a degree outside my home lodge, Oriental Lodge #460 date unknown I conferred 3rd degree on Paul C. Hack (My Father in Law)
My Senior Warden was Leland C. Blackburn and Junior Warden was Raymond J. Gusher.
1983
Conferred (3) degrees
March 21, 1983 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Roy E. Andrews
April 18, 1983 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on Edward D. Yoder
December 12, 1983 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on Ronald Hoch
1984 Secretary
conferred (1) degree
January 23, 1984 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Fred R. Whitemire
1984 was a very busy year; being secretary while being a young father of two daughters and heavily busy in starting my own business I had to give up the secretaries position at the end of the Masonic year.
1985
conferred (4) degrees
February 18, 1985 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Wayne Eugene Cragle
April 15, 1985 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on John William Conrad
June 17, 1985 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Charles C. Eroh
November 18, 1985 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Johnny Hasay
1986
conferred (1) degree
September 15, 1986 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Robert L. Switzer
1987
conferred (4) degrees
March 16, 1987 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Warren F. Elms
June 15, 1987 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Walter D. Hargraves
December 29, 1987 extra meeting I conferred (2) 3rd degrees on Walter D. Hargraves, Sr. and Gary T. May
1988
Conferred (6) degrees
January 18, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Randy Huffman
February 15, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Alton Culver
February 16, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Robert Crockett
March 21, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on Darrell R. Evans
April 18, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 2nd degree on Darrell R. Evans
November 21, 1988 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Theodore G. Hargraves
1989 Junior Warden
Conferred (8) degrees
January 16, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Henry E. Petry
January 17, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on Bernard M. Hargraves
February 20, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 1st degree on James C. Davies
March 20, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 2nd degree on James Calvin Davies
April 17, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on James C. Davies
June 19, 1989 extra meeting I conferred (2) 3rd degrees on Mark W. Hargraves and Gene A. Huffman
November 20, 1989 extra meeting I conferred 3rd degree on David L. Buffone
40 degrees for this decade
