March 2023

Marcella M. Rickard, 90, of 511 Kearsarge Avenue, Ridgway, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Snyder Memorial Health Care Center following a lengthy illness, with her son and granddaughter by her side.

She was born on June 24, 1932, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Edythe Anderson. 

Anyone that knew Marcella knew that she was a caring and loving person. Her smile would always light up a room. Along with the love for her immediate family, her passion was cheering her great-grandson on in basketball. Marcella had a true love for dogs. She ran a dog kennel for many years, which she truly loved, until it was removed from her heart.

Marcella is survived by 1 son; Michael Olay and his wife Cynthia (Caggeso), by her 2 grandchildren; Jennifer and Craig, and by 1 great-grandson; Mykey Incorminias.

In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her biological father, and by 3 husbands; Adam Shutika, Richard Olay, and James Rickard Sr. 

Services for Marcella M. Rickard are being held privately by the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Snyder Memorial Health Care Center, 156 Snyder Memorial Road, Marienville, PA 16239 or the Elk County Humane Society. 

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com

Louis A. Bonini, 84, formerly of Willard Street, Ridgway, passed away on March 19, 2023, at Highland View Healthcare Center, following a brief illness. 

He was born on February 25, 1939 in Ridgway, a son of the late Louis and Margaret Murphy Bonini. 

Louis married Roberta Carlson, who preceded him in death in 1996.

He owned and operated Bonini tobacco Company for many years before retiring in 2000, and he was a life member of the Ridgway Elks Club. In his free time, Louis loved being with his grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a very kind and caring person.

He is survived by 2 children; Gordon Bonini and his wife Susan of Ridgway, and Nicole Cristini of Ridgway; and by his 5 beloved grandchildren; Elizabeth, Louis, Aidan, Celeste, and Nicholas. He is also survived by 1 brother; Charles Bonini.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Louis was preceded in death by 1 son; Louis J. Bonini, and by 1 brother; James Bonini. 

Funeral services for Louis A. Bonini are being held privately.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ridgway Public Library.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com

Tony “Slammer” Sorg, 68, passed away unexpectedly at Penn Highlands DuBois on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

He was born on May 25, 1954, in St. Marys, PA, a son of the late Gilbert and Mary Bon Sorg. On July 21, 1978, at Queen of the World Church, he married Joyce Herzing, who survives. When they met, Tony asked her to dance, and they have been dancing together for over 44 years.

Tony was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, class of 1972.  He retired from Eastern Sintered Alloys after many years of service. He faithfully attended the Halton Church of Christ, was very active in his faith, and a man of God.

Tony was a member of the Camp Owners and was also a founding member of Elkland Search and Rescue. Tony also coached Pigtail Softball for many years. He enjoyed following the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Phillies, Penn State Nittany Lions, and in Tony’s eyes, the only real sport, WWE Wrestling.  He was the founding father of the SSRC (Slammer’s Squatch Research Corp.) and loved to hunt for Sasquatch. Tony enjoyed hunting, farming, making maple syrup, and playing his guitar. He was a “jack of all trades” and an avid history buff.

Tony was full of joy and always lit up the room with his contagious laughter. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was the happiest when surrounded by and interacting with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His family was his greatest joy.

In addition to his wife, Joyce Herzing Sorg, he is survived by 4 children; Jonathan (Renee) Sorg of St. Marys, Amanda (Travis) Uhl of West Virginia, Jenny (Kenny Jr.) Dippold of St. Marys, and Jackie (Keith) Holjencin of North Carolina, 9 grandchildren; Erica Hulings, Nolan Sorg, Jonna Sorg, Alexis Lowe, Dannilyn Geitner, Elizabeth Uhl, Noah Uhl, Finn Holjencin and Maeve Holjencin, 6 great grandsons, 1 sister; Marilyn (Blaze) Bauer, his mother-in-law; Esther Herzing, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his father-in law; Jerry Herzing.

A Memorial Service for Anthony G. Sorg will be celebrated on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Faith Baptist Church, 288 West Creek Road, St. Marys, PA  15857 with Rev. Scott Wiest officiating.

Visitation will be at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Michael E. Crappio, 70, of East Main Street, Bradford, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023, at ECMC, in Buffalo, NY.

Born November 5, 1952, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Michael N. and Alva E. (Helander) Crappio.

Mike was a 1970 graduate of Bradford Area High School and in 2005 he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

On November 18,1971, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served as a Weatherman at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. He was honorably discharged on November 17, 1975.

On August 12, 1978, in St. Bernard Church, he married Sis (Coder) Crappio, who survives.
 
Mike was employed as Store Manager for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania liquor store in Port Allegany until the time of his death.

Mike enjoyed fishing with Sis, gardening, and reading. His greatest joy was watching his grandsons play sports.
 
Surviving, in addition to his wife, is one daughter, Melissa Crappio, of Raleigh, NC, one son, Buddy (Lindsay) Crappio, of Bradford, two grandchildren, Brock and Bryce, one sister, Cheri (Bud) Bailey, of Clarendon, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Mary E. Getchel.

Family will receive friends from 4pm to 7pm on, Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 372 East Main St., where funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 24, with Rev. John Jaquel, Pastor of St. Bernard Church, officiating. 

Military Honors by members of the United States Air Force and members of the Honor Guard, of the American Legion Post 108 of Bradford, will follow to St. Bernard Mausoleum. 

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Joseph A. “Pizza” Scutella, 72, of Hemlock Road, St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly at Penn Highlands Elk on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
He was born on April 27, 1950 in Kane, PA, a son of the late Anthony and Mary Palumbo Scutella.

On June 14, 1991 at Sacred Heart Church, he married Diane Herzing, who survives. Together they shared more than 31 years of marriage.

Joe was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, class of 1968, and received his
bachelor degree from State University of New York,​ Brockport, NY.​ He also earned a Master’s Degree from Clarion University and a Master’s Degree from Gannon University.

Joe retired in 2005 from the St. Marys Area School District after 31 years of service. He was known as a tough and ​intense teacher, which former students appreciated later in life. In his younger years, Joe was a coach, and spent a lot of his summers at Memorial Park​ and also the Boys Club.​ He enjoyed following the Pitt Panthers​, and​ New York Yankees. He was an avid golfer, he enjoyed working out and boxing in his home gym. Joe took pride in keeping his yard looking pristine. One of his greatest joys in life was spending time with his “little rascal”, Vinny Krise.

In addition to his wife, Diane Herzing Scutella, he is survived by 1 sister; Frances Zimmerman​n​ of St. Marys, 2 special nieces; Melissa (Roy) Newcom​e, and Ashley Herzing, 1 special nephew; Travis Herzing, 1 great niece; Maddie Newcom​e and 1 great nephew; Tony Newcome, 1 uncle; Patsy Scutella. He is also survived by 1 brother-in-law; Thomas (Colette) Herzing, and numerous special cousins.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law; Thomas and Helen Herzing​, and also 1 brother -in-law; Mark Zimmermann.​

Funeral Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Marys Boys & Girls Club.

Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael St, St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences my be offered to the family at www. lynchgreenfuneralhome.com

Clayton W. Kennedy, 91, of Wellsboro, PA passed away Monday March 20, 2023 at UPMC Soldiers and Sailors in Wellsboro. 

He was born April 20, 1931 in Shippen Township to Walter and Anna Elizabeth (Fenstenmacher) Kennedy.  Clayton went to school in Ansonia and worked at Corning Glass in Corning, NY.  On April 4, 1992 he married Mary Kugla, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. 

He was a member of Tyoga Country Club and was an avid golfer, and he especially enjoyed biking and walking along Pine Creek particularly when his daughter walked with him.

Clayton is survived by his wife Mary; two sons:  Rick (Donna) Kennedy of Mansfield and David Kennedy of Lancaster; a daughter:  Tammi (John) Mosso of Wellsboro; ten grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a brother:  Fred (Dianne) Kennedy of Wellsboro; and a sister:  Eleanor Neal of Mansfield. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter:  Cheryl Soileau; two sisters:  Lillian Gastrock, and Alethea Copley; and a brother:  Mahlon Kennedy.

Friends and family are invited to pay tribute to Clayton’s life from 1:00pm-2:00pm on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA. A funeral will follow in the funeral home with Brett Kennedy officiating.  Interment will be in the West Branch Cemetery. 

To share a memory or condolence with his family, visit:  www.tusseymosher.com.