March 2023

Philip J. Bartoletti, 71, of Emporium, PA passed away at UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA on Tuesday afternoon (March 14, 2023). He was born June 22, 1951 in Colver, PA a son of the late Illo  Louis and Margaret L. (Phillips) Bartoletti. On September 9, 1972 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Nanty Glo, PA, he married Bess Tripp, who survives.

Philip graduated from Blacklick Valley High School in Nanty Glo, PA, and then from Penn Tech College in Pittsburgh, where he received an associate degree in electronics. He was a quality engineer at various companies in the area, most recently at AST/Embassy Powdered Metal. Playing with his grandchildren is what he loved the most, but it usually ended with everyone, including himself, in trouble. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Steelers, working on cars and telling “dad jokes”.

In addition to his wife he is survived by four daughters, Wendy Luckenbill (Steve); Amy Crowell (Karl); Erin Bartoletti; Melissa Bartoletti, and a son, Philip Bartoletti, Jr.; five grandchildren: Alex, Tyler, Evan, Gabriel and Iris; sister, Elaine Irving (Herb); brother, Geno Bartoletti (Terri); brother, Rick Bartoletti (Joyce); sister, Teresa Casella (Barry); brother, Gary Bartoletti (Aggie).

He was preceded in death by his parents.

There will be No Visitation. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 235 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Msgr. Charles A. Kaza, as Celebrant.

Burial will be in the St. Mark’s Catholic Cemetery, Emporium, PA, at a later date.

Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net 

BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.

Alice D. Eckert, 96, formerly of Rosely Rd., St. Marys, PA died on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Pinecrest Manor.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Mary Joan (Hoden) Metzger, 96, of Warren, PA, formerly of Inverness, FL, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Warren General Hospital.

Born on October 5, 1926, in Ludlow, PA, she was the daughter of George and Mary Steffan Bires. On June 28, 1947, she married Steve Hoden, who passed away on November 25, 1982. On May 1, 1993, she married Edward Metzger, who passed away on April 4, 2019.

Mary was a former employee of New Process Company from where she retired. She was a member of St. Michael’s Byzantine Church of Sheffield, PA. She enjoyed her many trips to various NASCAR races and RVing.

Mary is survived by her children; Steven G. and Darielle Hoden of Warren, PA, John M. Hoden of Titusville, PA, Kristine A. and G. Richard Myers of Warren, PA and Renee M. and Brian Carlson of Georgia; Six Grandchildren; 12 Great Grandchildren; her sister, Margaret Hammerbeck of Warren, PA; brother Robert and Karen Bires of Youngsville, PA and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her two brothers, George and Bernard Bires; daughter-in-law Patricia Cotton Hoden; and brother-in-law Robert Hammerbeck.

Friends may call on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Michael’s Byzantine Church, 407 School St., Sheffield, PA form 10:00 to 11:00 am. A Memorial Divine Liturgy will be held at 11:00 am in the church with the Rev. David A. Bosnich, officiating. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Sheffield, PA.

Those wishing to place memorials may do so to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 75, C/O John Hoden, Treasurer, 301 Mount Hope Rd, Titusville, PA 16354.

The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East St. Warren, PA, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Gifford Murry Quiggle, 79, of Warren, PA, recently of Wexford, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2023. 

Murry was born on April 29, 1943 in Warren, PA to the late Gifford and Maude Murry Quiggle.  Murry grew up in Kinzua enjoying the many advantages of living in a beautiful small village.  He attended Kinzua Elementary, Beaty Junior High School and graduated from Warren Area High School in 1961.  He and his family moved to Warren in 1962 due to the building of the Kinzua Dam.  Murry attended Bryant and Stratton Business School in Buffalo, NY and later graduated from Edinboro College in 1967 with a degree in Elementary Education.  He also attended The University of Pittsburgh graduating with a Masters Degree in Education specializing in remedial reading.

He married the beautiful Sharon Mae Gates on August 17, 1968 at the Pleasureville United Methodist Church in Pleasureville, PA.  Sharon was deeply loved and sadly missed by Murry and his three children after she passed away suddenly on April 26, 1989 from an automobile accident.  She will be forever loved by her family and friends.

Shirley A. (VanDusen) Weller, 75, of Wellsboro, PA passed away Sunday March 12, 2023 at The Green Home. 

She was born June 23, 1947 in Corning, NY, to LaVern Delose and Myrtle Sephronia (Cole) VanDusen.  Shirley was raised by her foster parents:  Lee Harry and Mary Herrick Bulkley. 

Shirley graduated from Corning Painted Post West High School in 1966, and Practical Bible Training School in 1970.  She worked for several local businesses including the coffee shop in Dunham’s Department Store, but the jobs she enjoyed most were when she was able to do some baking.  On May 31, 2013 she married Thomas Harry Weller with whom she shared nearly five years of marriage. 

Shirley was a strong Christian and attended Daybreak Ministries and Charleston Baptist Church locally.  She was an accomplished and avid baker, having made wedding cakes for friends and family, Shirley also enjoyed making crafts.

Shirley is survived by her son:  Lee Bump of Wellsboro; two grandchildren:  Brad Bump of Mansfield and Chloe Barrett of Troy; two great-grandchildren:  Carson Bump and Ava Barrett; six brothers:  Walter Ronald VanDusen (Mary Esther), LaVern Delose VanDusen (Susan), Charles Ernest VanDusen (Anne Louise), David Gerald VanDusen (Linda Jean), Leland Amos VanDusen (Margery), and Leslie Earl VanDusen (Missy); three sisters:  Donna Marie Conkright, Vanda Jean Covell (Terry Lee), and Violet Patricia Meredith (Joseph); two sisters-in-law:  Ginger VanDusen and Nancy A. VanDusen, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, foster parents, two brothers:  LaVern Robert VanDusen and Daniel Joseph VanDusen, and a brother-in-law:  Hugh Francis Conkright.

Shirley’s family has entrusted the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA with her arrangements.  There will be a memorial service at a future date, and she will be interred in the Wellsboro Cemetery.  To share a memory or condolence with her family visit:  www.tusseymosher.com.

Smethport – Peggy J. Cunningham, 94, longtime resident of Betula and Smethport, PA passed away Tuesday (March 14, 2023) at her home.

At Peggy’s request, there will be no visitation or services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

 “beloved family man and proud veteran”

Gerald D. “Jerry” Lanphere, 73, a longtime resident of Roulette, passed away in his home on Monday, March 13, 2023, after a long illness.

Born on Saturday, April 2, 1949 in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Leslie C. and Shirley J. Freelove Lanphere.  On July 21, 1988 in Reno, Nevada, he married Pamela J. Varney, who survives.

Jerry was a graduate of Cameron County High School, Class of 1967.  After graduating from high school, Jerry enlisted in the US Navy serving in the Viet Nam War.  He was a career serviceman, his home base being the Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer after more than 21 years of honorable service to his country.

After his military service, Jerry was employed by Emporium Specialties in Austin, the former Ball Encon in Port Allegany, Pittsburgh Corning in Port Allegany, and lastly by Smith’s Fire Service in Eldred from where he retired.  He also, along with his wife, owned and operated P.J.’s Family Restaurant in Roulette for 10 years.  Sadly his health deteriorated after his retirement.

He was a former member of the Port Allegany American Legion and a former member of the Port Allegany Moose Club.  He enjoyed hunting.  He loved his dog, Bridgey who survives, and his dogs, Izzy and Daisey who predeceased him. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife; four children, Helen I. (Bobby) McGuire of Youngstown, Ohio, Bernard Hammond, Jr. of Port Allegany, Leslie E. (Erin) Lanphere of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Jeremy O. Lanphere of Roulette; eleven grandchildren; a grandchild to be born in the Fall; three great-grandchildren; a great-grandchild to be born in the Fall; a sister, Dawn M. (Dennis McKeirman) Lanphere-Spencer of Port Allegany; a brother, Claude L. (Sherry) Lanphere of Sizerville; and several loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.

In keeping with Jerry’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral services.  Jerry will be laid to rest with his parents in the Bell Run Cemetery in Shinglehouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Roulette Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Association, PO Box 172, Roulette, PA 16746; to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Jerry’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil. L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Jerry, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L.  Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.