Court Opinion

ID: 4377092
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-03-14 16:35:42.573939+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:22:08.623460
License: Public Domain

J-A24010-18

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 DALE R. FOLLMER                          :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                          :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                          :
              v.                          :
                                          :
                                          :
 CONNIE L. LEESE, DERRIL R. SMITH         :
 JR., TERRY SMITH, ALBERT F.              :
 SMITH, ALLEN W. SMITH                    :   No. 811 MDA 2018
                                          :
                    Appellants            :

               Appeal from the Judgment Entered May 7, 2018
               In the Court of Common Pleas of Union County
                       Civil Division at No(s): 15-0766

BEFORE: OTT, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E.

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                               FILED MARCH 14, 2019

      Connie L. Leese, Derril R. Smith, Jr., Terry Smith, Albert F. Smith and

Allen W. Smith (Leese/Smith) appeal from the judgment entered on May 7,

2018, in the Court of Common Pleas of Union County, removing Leese/Smith

from possession of a .2-acre portion of a parcel of land. In this timely appeal,

Leese/Smith argues the trial court erred “by ignoring the obvious intent of the

parties and relying solely on the Doctrine of Superior Title.” See Appellants’

Brief at 4. After a thorough review of the submissions by the parties, relevant

law, and the certified record, we affirm based on the trial court opinion.

      Our standard of review for an action in ejectment is as follows:

      [Appellate review is] limited to a determination of whether the
      findings of the trial court are supported by competent evidence
      and whether the trial court committed error in the application of
      law. Findings of the trial judge in a non-jury case must be given
J-A24010-18

       the same weight and effect on appeal as a verdict of a jury and
       will not be disturbed on appeal absent error of law or abuse of
       discretion. When this Court reviews the findings of the trial judge,
       the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the victorious
       party below and all evidence and proper inferences favorable to
       that party must be taken as true and all unfavorable inferences
       rejected.

Anderson v. Litke Family Ltd. Partnership, 748 A.2d 738, 739 (Pa. Super.

2000).

       Additionally, the following principles apply:

       The plaintiffs’ burden in an action in ejectment at law is clear: they
       must establish the right to immediate exclusive possession.
       Recovery can be had only on the strength of their own title, not
       the weakness of defendant’s title. The crux of an ejectment action,
       therefore, rests with the plaintiffs’ ability to identify, by a
       preponderance of the evidence, the boundaries of a parcel of land
       to which they are out of possession but for which they maintain
       paramount title.

Doman v. Brogan, 592 A.2d 104, 108 (Pa. Super. 1981).

       The genesis of this dispute is two handwritten deeds. Foster J. Smith1

is the common grantor of both deeds at issue in this matter. In 1964, Foster

J. Smith conveyed, by handwritten deed, an approximately three-acre tract of

land to the Cotners. In 1972, the Cotners conveyed approximately one acre

of that land to the Liebs.        In 1993, that one-acre tract was subsequently

conveyed to Gene L. and Helen L. Smith, who, in 2005, conveyed the property

to Dale R. and Sandra S. Follmer (now deceased). Dale R. Follmer is the

plaintiff in the underlying ejectment action.

____________________________________________

1 There are many “Smiths” named in the deeds. It is of no particular relevance
if any of the Smiths in the chain of title are related to the Defendant Smiths.

                                           -2-
J-A24010-18

       In 1985, some 21 years after the initial conveyance by Foster J. Smith

to Cotners, Foster J. Smith transferred another parcel of his land to Derril R.

and Arlene J. Smith. This parcel of land is approximately four acres. In 2009,

this parcel of land was conveyed to Leese/Smith.

       The Follmer deed and the Leese/Smith deed have a small overlap of

approximately .2 of one acre.          There are two structures impacted by this

overlap, namely a trailer pad and a shed. The Follmer deed transects the shed

in a generally north/south direction, but leaves the trailer pad intact. The

Leese/Smith deed transects the shed in a generally east/west direction and

runs slightly through a corner of the trailer pad. However, the trial court noted

that testimony regarding the timing of when a trailer was located on the pad

was inconsistent. Therefore, it is not clear if there was a trailer on the property

at the time of the 1964 conveyance to Cotners. Additionally, the trial court

heard and considered the trial testimony from surveyors hired by each party,

as well as Foster J. Smith’s brother, Elwood Smith.

       Leese/Smith now argues, in part, that “It would have been ‘illogical and

unreasonable’ for Foster Smith to have conveyed the portion of property

where the cabin is located.” in 1964,2 and asserts the trial judge erred in

ignoring this “fact” in granting ejectment in favor of Follmer.

____________________________________________

2 See Appellant’s Brief at 10. Leese/Smith provides no citation to the record
to support this statement. It appears what Leese/Smith refers to as the
“cabin” is the trailer pad on which a trailer may have existed in 1964.

                                           -3-
J-A24010-18

       In rendering his decision, contrary to Leese/Smith’s assertions, the trial

judge clearly considered all the testimony in determining the intent of the

conveyances.      The trial judge took careful note of the description of the

property on the Leese/Smith deed and determined the recitation of adjoining

properties demonstrated Foster Smith did not intend to convey the disputed

land in the Leese/Smith deed. Ultimately, the trial judge noted the Follmer

deed, drafted 20 years prior to the Leese/Smith deed, was the superior deed.

See Merlino v. Eannotti, 110 A.2d 307, 316 (Pa. Super. 1955) (where there

is a clash of boundaries in two conveyances from the grantor, the title of the

grantee in the conveyance first executed is, to the extent of the conflict,

superior).

       After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the

applicable law and standard of review, the trial court’s decision is both

supported by competent evidence and is free from legal error. The trial court’s

decision of August 28, 2017, provides a thorough analysis and properly

disposes of the issue presented.3 Accordingly, we rely upon that decision and

direct the parties to attach a copy in the event of further proceedings.

____________________________________________

3 Despite our reliance on the trial court’s opinion, we note that paragraph 19
of the findings of fact is an incomplete sentence. The subject of that
paragraph is found on page 26 of the June 28, 2017, Notes of Testimony
recounting how expert witness Nathaniel Gearhart believed that, regarding
the survey for the Smith/Cotner conveyance, the measurement from the
northwest corner began in an “erroneous place.” Id. at 26. The trial judge
did not rely on either expert surveyor to render her decision. See Conclusion
of Law 8. Accordingly, this incomplete sentence in the findings of fact does
not alter the ultimate legal conclusion not our ability to rely thereon.

                                           -4-
J-A24010-18

     Judgment affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 3/14/2019

                          -5-
                                                                        COPY
                                                                         Circulated 01/30/2019 02:43 PM

      DALE R. FOLLMER1                                :   IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
           Plaintiff                                  :   OF THE l 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
                                                     :    UNION COUNTY BRANCH
              vs.                                    :    PENNSYLVANIA
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                                              ORDER

              AND NOW August 281 20171 for the reasons set forth in the Decision of

     the Court filed this same date, it is hereby ORDERED as follows:

              1. Judgment is entered in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendants.

             2. Defendants are hereby ejected from that portion of Plaintiff's property

  identified as approximately .2 acre, a parcel shown on Plaintiff's Exhibit 8 as

  "the deed overlap," a yellow box with dimensions of 91.57 feet x 88.93 feet x

  97.13 feet x 70.5 feet.

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                                                    BY THE COURT:

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 Hon. Michael T. Hudock, P. .
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     DALE R. FOLLMERI                                      :   IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
          Plaintiff                                        :   OF THE l 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
                                                           :   UNION COUNTY BRANCH
            vs.                                            :   PENNSYLVANIA

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                                   DECISION - NONJURY TRIAL

    Knight, S.J.    M   August 28, 2017

    I. Procedural History.

           Plaintiff commenced this case on December 31, 2015 as an action in

    ejectment seeking to remove the Defendants from possession of a portion of

    parcel of land, approximately .2 acre, which Plaintiff contends is part of a

· larger tract of approximately . 97 acres ( 165 feet x 258 fee) titled to Plaintiff.

    The case was assigned for trial to the undersigned judge, which trial took place

    on June 281 2017. After trial the Court permitted the parties to file

    supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law along with supporting

briefs. l The Court has considered the trial testimony, the parties proposed

findings of fact and conclusions of law, and their respective briefs, and is now

submitting its decision as required by Pa.R.C.P. 1038.

1   The Plaintiff was granted the right to file a Reply Brief but did not do so.

                                                                            Coded 71'/-;,1./11
                                                                            JenFal�
 II. Findings of Fact.

          1. Plaintiff is the owner of a tract of land of 165 feet x 258 feet,

 comprising approximately . 97 aci:es. Plaintiff's Exhibits 8 and 9.

          2. Defendants are the owners of a parcel or tract of land of comprising

 approximately 4.017 acres, a portion of which- approximately 91.57 x 88.9 x

 97.13 x. 70.5 feet or .2 acres - has been shown by a survey to overlap Plaintiff's

 property at its southwest corner. Plaintiff's Exhibits 7 and 8.

         3. Defendants have excluded Plaintiff from the use and exclusive

 possession of the disputed parcel of land.

         4. Plaintiff acquired title to his parcel by the following chain of title:

         • May 25, 1964 William H. Siegal conveyed 50 acres and 155 perches to

Foster J. Smith. See recital in Plaintiff's Exhibit 6.

         • August 10, 1964 Foster Smith by handwritten deed conveyed

approximately 3 acres to Marlin R. and Anna M. Cotner, which was the western

portion of the original Siegal conveyance to Cotner. Plaintiff's Exhibit 1.

         • April 15, 1972 Marlin R. and Anna M. Cotner conveyed the northern

portion of this same 3 acres, a parcel approximately 165 feet x 258 feet

(approximately .97 acres) to Vincent J. and Irene K. Lieb.        Plaintiff's Exhibits 2

and 8.

         • February 19, 1993 Irene Lieb conveyed the same parcel to Gene L.

Smith and Helen L. Smith. Plaintiffs Exhibit 3.

                                           2
        • September 20, 2005 Gene L. Smith and Helen L. Smith conveyed the

 same 165 feet x 258 foot parcel to Dale R. Follmer and Sandra S. Follmer (now

 deceased}. Plaintiff's Exhibit 4.

       5. Defendants acquired their tract of land by the following chain of title:

       • May 25, 1964 William H. Siegal conveyed 50 acres and 155 perches to

 Foster J. Smith.

       • March 1, 1985 Foster J. Smith conveyed 4.017 acres of the same

 parcel to Derril R. and Arlene J. Smith. Plaintiff's Exhibit 6.

       • April 28, 2009 Derril R. Smith conveyed the same 4.017 acres to Albert

 F. Smith, Derril R. Smith, Jr. , Connie L. Leese, and Allen W. Smith, the

Defendants herein. Plaintiff's Exhibit 7.

       6. Foster J. Smith is the common grantor of both the Plaintiff's and the

Defendants' tracts of land.

       7. The Foster J. Smith conveyance to the Cotners, which created the

chain of title into Plaintiff of the 165 foot x 258 foot parcel, was in 1964. The

Foster J. Smith conveyance to Derril R. and Arlene J. Smith, which created the

chain of title into Defendants of the 4.017 acres, was in 1985.

      8. The 1964 Foster J. Smith deed into the Cotners was a vaguely

described, handwritten deed, referencing only distances and not direction.

Plaintiff's Exhibit 1; Gearhart Testimony at 13 -14. The deed description was

not the result of a survey, but only of boundaries measured off by the seller

and buyers. It references two iron stakes, and also references the land of

                                         3
Smith himself and land of adjoining property owners. The deed contains the

following bearings (emphases added in bold):

         · 8 .1. Beginning at a point on center of public road opposite the upper

part of Spruce Run Water Dam."

          8.2. " ... thence westerly along said road center two hundred fifty-eight

  (258) feet to a point;

          8.3. ". .. then northerly along lands of W. J. Raymond Rein, "five

  hundred twenty-eight (528) feet to an iron stake."

          8.4. '' ... thence easterly along lands of Rein two hundred fifty-eight

  (258) to an iron stake."

          8.5. " ... thence southerly along lands of grantor five hundred twenty

eight (528) feet to the point of beginning." (Bold for emphasis)

The deed further states, "It being the western part of a larger tract

conveyed to Foster Smith by John Rein and Clara A. Rein." (Emphases in

bold).

     9. The 1985 Foster J. Smith deed into Derril R. and Arlene J. Smith

(Plaintiff's Exhibit 6) contains the following bearings, and significantly

identifies it boundaries by reference to the names of adjoining property owners

( emphases added in bold):

         9. 1. "Beginning at a point in the centerline of Township Route 403 at

 the southwest corner of a lot presently owned by Jacqueline K. Smith ... "

                                        4
            9.2. "Thence North ... thirty-eight and ten hundredths feet ... to a

   point in the center of Township Route 403 at the southeast corner of lot

   presently owed by David W. Gair."

            9.3. "Thence along lands of David W. Gair and Vincent J. Leib ...

   North to an iron pin situate at the corner of lands of Vincent C. Lieb and

   Carl Kuhns."

            9.4. "Thence along lands of Carl Kuhns ... to an iron pin at the

 north west corner of lands of Margaret Feudale."

            9.5. "Thence along lands of Margaret Feudale ... South to an iron

 pipe situate at the southwest corner of the Feudale tract."

           9.6. "Thence along lands of the same [Margaret Feudale] ... South

 to an iron pipe situate at the corner of lands of Margaret Feudale and

 David L. Zeager."

           9.7. "Thence along lands of David L. Zeager ... South to an iron pin

situate on the west property line of lands of David L. Zeager;"

           9.8. "Thence along the same [land of David L. Zeager] ... South to

an iron pin situate at corner of lands of David L. Zeager and Randy S.

Person."

           9.9. "Thence along lands of Randy S. Persun and Jacqueline K.

Smith ... North to an iron pin situate at the northwest corner of the

Jacqueline K. Smith lot;"

        9.10. "Thence along lands of Jacqueline K. Smith ... South to the

point of place of beginning;"

                                        5
        10.    The Lieb adjoining property owner appears to be the same party

  identified as the Grantee in the chain of title from Foster Smith into Follmer,

  the Plaintiff herein. Thus, the reference to "Lieb" appears to be a reference to

  the prior owner of the 165 foot by 258 foot parcel involved in this case.

        11. It was clearly the intent of Foster J. Smith in naming the adjoining

  property owners for both the Plaintiff's and Defendants' predecessors in title,

 that the boundaries of the 1985 conveyance into Derril R. Smith would be

 framed by the named adjoining property owners, and that there would be no

 overlap between the 165 foot by 258 foot parcel owned by the Plaintiff and the

 4.017 acre parcel owned by Defendants. Gearhart Testimony at 22-23.

       12. The boundaries describingthe adjoining land owners is shown on

 Plaintiff's Exhibit 9 (also Defendants' Exhibit 1), the survey of Larry J.

 Gearhart.

       13. The deed from Derril R. Smith into the Defendants (Plaintiffs Exhibit

  7) continues to report the corner of David W. Gair and also continues to

  identify the adjoining lands of Lieb and Kuhns:

              13.1. "   along lands now or formerly of David W. Gair and

  Vincent J. Leib        to an iron pipe situate at corner of lands now or

  formerly of Vincent C. Lieb and Karl Kuhns."

              13.2. " ... along lands now or formerly of Carl Kuhrrs."

      14. On December 1, 2005, Matthew W. Laidacker, a Registered

Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, conducted a survey for Dale R.

Follmer, the Plaintiff herein, and �andra S. Follmer (now deceased), which

                                         6
  Follmer, the Plaintiff herein, and Sandra S. Follmer (now deceased), which

  revealed that part of the Defendants' 4.017. acre parcel overlapped the

  Plaintiff's property. See Plaintiff's Exhibit 8.

        15. The dimensions and location of the Defendant's 4.017 acre parcel as

 shown on the Laidacker survey was based on a June 1984 survey prepared for

 Derril R. and Arlene J. Smith, by Larry J. Gearhart, Registered Professional

 Engineer and Land Surveyor.

        16. In 2004 Nathaniel J. Gearhart, son of Larry J. Gearhart, and also a

 Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, prepared a survey for the

 Kuhns Brothers, who owned a tract of land bordering the original Cotner tract

 to the North and the West. See Plaintiffs Exhibit 8, wherein the referenced

 former Kuhns Brothers property is shown as the Kenneth E. Hassinger and

 Neil A. Courtney property, currently bordering· the Plaintiff's property and

property of Jeffrey J. Firman.

       17. As part of his survey for the Kuhnses, Mr. Gearhart set the

northwest corner of the Follmer property as one of the corners for the survey of

the Kuhns property. Gearhart Testimony at 11.

       18. Thus, both the Gearhart survey for the Kuhnses and the Laidacker

survey for the Follmers identified the same northwest corner of the Follomer

property. Gearhart Testimony at 10 -11, 28.

      19. In Nathaniel Gearhart's opinion, the northwest corner of the original

conveyance from Smith to Cotner was in all likelihood considered from a point

                                          7
       20. The surveys of the land in question are in conflict, and both

 surveyors acknowledged the lack of consistent location for pins and

 monuments utilized in the various deeds, and concluded that the precise

 location of the boundaries is unclear from a survey standpoint.

       21. The property in dispute contains a single family dwelling and part of

 a shed. Plaintiff's Exhibit 8.

       22. The testimony was confused as to the length of time the dwelling

and the shed had been in the disputed area. Testimony of Dale Follmer,

Elwood Smith, Terry Smith, Albert Smith, Allen Smith.

       23. The testimony indicated that the single family dwelling was a trailer,

as compared to a permanent residence. Testimony of Terry Smith.

       24. In the opinion of both surveyors, dwellings located on a property are

not important factors in locating boundaries for purposes of a survey, and are

the last thing to be utilized. Laidacker Testimony; Gearhart Testimony at 14.

      25. In the opinion of both surveyors, the deed earlier in time reflects

senior title and carries great weight in a boundary dispute. Laidacker

Testimony; Gearhart Testimony at 11, 12, 30.

                                       8
     III. Conclusions of Law.

            1. "The purpose of an ejectment action, as opposed to quiet title, is not to

     determine the relative and respective rights of all potential title holders, but rather the

    immediate rights between plaintiff and defendant involved in [the] particular

    litigation.t'e Siskos v. Britz, 790 A.2d 1000, 1006 (Pa. 2002).

           2. "The crux of an ejectment action, therefore, rests with the plaintiffs'

    ability to identify, by a preponderance of the evidence, [citations omitted), the

    boundaries of a parcel of land to which they are out of possession but for which

    they maintain paramount title." Doman v. Brogan, 592 A.2d 104, 108 (Pa.

    Super. 1991).

           3. When determining the rights of parties with conflicting legal

    descriptions or discrepancies in legal descriptions to two adjacent land owners,

    the most important factor is the intent of the parties at the time of the original

    subdivision. Pencil v. Buchart, 551 A.2d 302, 305-306 (Pa. Super.1998).

          4. When faced with a boundary dispute, the function of the court is to

ascertain and effectuate the intention of the parties. Doman cited above, 592

A.2d at 109.

2The Court's obligation is to decide the dispute between the parties, and it cannot
concern itself with any resulting boundary problems that its decision might create for
non parties.
                                                9
        5. The plain meaning of a deed is the best indication of the intent of the

  common grantor to the parties' predecessor in title. Pencil cited above, 551

 A.2d 302, 306 (Pa. Super. 1998).

        6. Where the calls for the location of boundaries to land are

 inconsistent, resort is first had to natural objects of landmarks, next to

 artificial monuments, then to adjacent boundaries - which are considered a

 sort of monument - and thereafter to courses and distances. Baker v. Rosyln

 Swim Club, 213 A.2d 145, 148 (Pa:_ Super. 1964).

       7. Reference to natural objects as landmarks is of no value to resolve

 the boundary dispute in this case because the original 1964 Foster Smith

 conveyance calls for "a white oak" at the northwest corner as a starting point,

 the existence for which there is no longer any evidence.   Gearhart Testimony

at 24-25.

       8. The surveys of the disputed lands are in conflict, and neither carries

controlling weight.

      9.    The testimony of certain witnesses to the existence of buildings

located on the property of Plaintiff and of Defendants carries no weight since a

reference to buildings within a deed description plays no role in determining a

boundary unless it is utilized as a monument locating a boundary. Pencil v.

Buchart, cited above, 551 A.2d at 306) citing Post et al v. Wilkes-Ban-e

Connecting R.R. Co., 133 A.2d 377, 378 (Pa. 1926).

                                        10
        10. The references in both deeds, from the common grantor Foster J.

 Smith in the chain of title to the parties, to adjoining property owners

 evidences an intent by Foster J. Smith to deed to the Smiths the western

 portion of his tract from William H. Siegal, with boundaries between the

 subdivided tract which do not overlap.

        11. Where land is described in a deed of conveyance by courses and

 distances and also by calls for adjoiners, the latter where there is no

 discrepancy, must govern.     Merlino v. Eannoiii, 110 A.2d 783, 787-788 (Pa.

 Super. 1955), citing Koch v. Dunkel, 90 Pa. 264 (1879).

       12.   Additionally, " ... where there is a conflict between boundaries

described in deeds from the same grantor, the deed first executed has priority,

and the grantee named therein has superior title, even though the conveyance

is made with reference to a map or plot." Id.

       13. Since the Plaintiff's deed was derived from a tract created by Foster

J. Smith in 1964, and the deed to Defendants was derived from a tract created

by Foster J. Smith in 1985, Plaintiff's title is superior to that of Defendants.

      14. Plaintiff has established by a preponderance of the evidence his legal

title to the land, the boundaries to his land, and his right to possession of that

portion thereof claimed by Defendants.

                                        11
 IV. Conclusion.

       For the reasons stated, the Court will by separate Order enter judgment

in favor of the Plaintiff and against Defendants and direct ejectment of the

Defendants from the ,97 acre parcel at issue.

                                                           'It
                                                 BY THE COURT:

                                                     Loe!rr,
                                                 Knight,�

                                       �!36f 7
Copies to.)tonnie C. Hill, J.D, ""
                                  J
         4,-Joseph F. Orso III, J.D.
                                       <3        I
Ecopies to:
Hon. Michael T. Hudock, P.J.
Hon. Michael H. Sholley, J.
Jenna Neidig, J.D., Law Clerk

                                            12
                        IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Dale R Follmer
Plaintiff(s)

vs
Connie L. Leese
Derril R. Smith
Terry Smith
Albert F. Smith
Allen W. Smith
Defendant(s)

                                                           Case #15-0766

                         NOTICE OF ENTRY OF JUDGMENT

To the Defendant(s) above-named:

Notice is hereby given that the Plaintiff(s) above-named has caused a judgment to be
entered against you in the above-named Court to the number and term set forth on
May 7, 2018.

                                                            ...f.! __ �
                                                                     l j·,'/J.��:
                                            Prothonotary