May 2023

John Tyrone Goerlich, 63, passed away at home, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, surrounded by family following an extended illness.

John was the son of Pauline Steinmeyer and stepson of Charles Steinmeyer.  He attended Warren Area High School.  John graduated with an associate degree from Jamestown Community College and a bachelors degree from Penn State University.

After high school, John enjoyed working at Pellegrino Foods during their early years.  John considered his most challenging accomplishment to be learning the Krebr Cycle during his bio- chemistry class at Penn State.  John worked briefly as a caseworker for the. PA Dept. of Welfare in Philadelphia, PA., and as a substitute teacher for Warren Area School District before starting his career as a land surveyor with American Bridge and later Allen and Company in Orlando, Fl.

John was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and especially enjoyed camping in Allegheny National Forest and Ocala National Forest, when he was in Florida.  He spent a summer traveling across the United States, visiting the National Parks while camping along the way.  Some of John’s surveying jobs took him to the Bahamas and the American Virgin Islands, where he very much enjoyed the island life.

John was preceded in death by his step-father, Charles Steinmeyer in 2019, and his brother-in-law, Robert Cole in 2018. 

He is survived by his mother, Pauline Steinmeyer, his brother, Timothy of. Pensacola, FL, his sisters, Jeannie Cole of Home, PA., Jo Ross of Warren, PA., step-brother, Randall Steinmeyer of San Diego, CA., Step-sister, Freya Steinmeyer Wilkes of Mission Viejo, CA.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Warren County Memorial Park.  A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date and time to be announced.  E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com  The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

M. Jane Shaw, 99, of Bradford, formerly of Mercer, PA passed away on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3 at the First Presbyterian Church with a celebration of Jane’s life to immediately follow at 11 a.m. in the church with the Rev. Robert Klouw officiating.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.  

Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.

Elizabeth J. “Betty” WALKER, 85, of Stannards, NY, died Tuesday, May 30, 2023 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. 

Born August 19, 1937, in Scio, she was the daughter of Richard and Virginia Barhight Jacobs.  On November 16, 1957, in Scio, she married Donald S. Walker, who predeceased her on May 15, 2019. 

A graduate of Scio High School, she was employed as an operator by Bell Telephone Company before and after her marriage.  Betty was a school bus driver in Whitesville for three years and in Scio for 19 years.  She was a member of the Willing Fire Department Auxiliary and Bible Union Church in West Bingham, PA. 

Betty loved to hunt and fish.  She enjoyed fishing with the kids, especially her nephew, Rick.  In retirement, Betty enjoyed her luncheons with her special friends throughout the years. 

Surviving are:  four daughters, Gale (Jerry) Varney of Dansville, Victoria Walker of Wellsville, Lynn Walker of Scio, and Ellen (Lance) Cornelius of Wellsville;  eight grandchildren;  20 great-grandchildren;  four great-great-grandchildren;  a sister, Ilene Nickerson McDowell of Scio;  nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a grandson, Kyle N. Walker, on August 8, 1999;  and a brother, Robert Jacobs. 

Friends may call Friday, June 2, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY, where Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM.  Pastor Marty Reisman will officiate.  Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Scio. 

Memorials may be made to Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the Willing Volunteer Fire Department.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.

Virginia G. Zeedar, 98, of Ludlow, PA, died peacefully Wednesday morning, May 31, 2023.  She was born April 7, 1924, in Miola, Clarion Co., PA.  Virginia was the daughter of Charles Walters and Mae Swartzfager Walters Lundin. 

She has resided in Ludlow, PA., for the past 63 years.  Virginia was employed with the former Kane Shirt Factory.  She was a member of Moriah Lutheran Church, the church Rebekah Circle, Ludlow American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary, Ludlow Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.  Virginia was an avid gardener and enjoyed reading.

She is survived by her daughter, Betsy Zeedar of Ludlow, PA., her sister, Patricia Lucia and husband, Gene of Kane, PA., 2 Stepsisters – Lauren Okruch of Ludlow, PA., Marian McClintock of Waterford, PA., 1 Stepbrother – Robert Lundin of Cambridge Springs, PA., several nieces, and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Zeedar, 6 Siblings – Dean, Jerry, Dick and Merle Walters, Beulah Kirsch and June Walters.

Private funeral services will be conducted at the convenience of the family.  Interment will be in Gibbs Hill Cemetery, Ludlow, PA. 

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Morah Lutheran Church, 20 Church Street, Ludlow, PA., 16333 or McKean County Humane Society, 80 Glenwood Avenue, Bradford, PA., 16701. 

E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com  The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA., has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Robert B. Peterson, 71, of Butler, formerly of Bradford, PA passed away Sunday May 28, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Butler.

Born March 8, 1952, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Forest “Pete” and Kathryn (Ruth) Peterson. He was a 1970 graduate of Bradford High School.

In 1971 he enlisted in United States Marine Corp where he attained the rank of Sergeant, he was honorable discharged in 1975.

After the service had been employed at Haliburton as a Forman, retiring after 30 years.

Bob was a member of American Legion Post 108 of Bradford, where he served as President, and Post Commander.

Surviving is one sister, Denise M. Reed, of Butler, one brother, Duane (Janet) Peterson, of TN, and several nieces and nephews, including, Jenniffer Grafton and Laurie Reed and Cassandra Powell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Thomas F. Peterson, and his longtime companion Faye Anderson.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. 33 South Avenue, at 1:00 pm funeral services will be held with Pastor­­­­­­ Terri Niver, of the First Wesleyan Church, officiating. Burial will be in Willow Dale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions if desired may be made to the American Cancer Society or 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

Mary L. Heatherdale, 83, of 271 Benzinger Road, St. Marys, PA passed away following a lengthy illness, Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at her residence. 

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home.

Winifred E. Canaan, 97, of North Branch, Eldred, PA passed away on Sunday (May 28, 2023) at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, and again on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frame Funeral Home, Eldred, at which time funeral services will be held.

Arrangements are incomplete and a complete obituary will follow. 

Carlos F. Castillo, 77, of Ridgway, PA died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at his residence.

He was born on May 22, 1946, in the Dominican Republic, a son of the late Candido and Pilar Ramona Castillo.

On May 19, 1976, he married the late Geraldine L. Galante, who preceded in death on February 20, 2017.

Carlos was a resident of Ridgway for many years. He worked at the Ridgway Color Company from 1976 until 1997, Kestone, and Bluewater Thermal, retiring in 2019. He was a kind, generous man and loved his dogs. Carlos liked wood working and was self-employed making cabinetry.

He is survived by a daughter, Tina M. Monteforte and her fiancé Steve Woodel of Bradford, 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and a sister Carmen Fink of Evergreen Colorado. He is also survived by his companion, Sherrie Falck, and her children: Emilia Swanson, Megan Lehman, and Donovan Lehman.

Funeral Services for Carlos F. Castillo will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s choice.

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

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Nancy A. (Pekarski) Kratzer of 1980 Route 204 Selinsgrove, PA announces her passing on May 28, 2023, at the age of 71.

Nancy was born Nov. 19, 1951, in Coudersport Pa., to the late John T. and Vera (McIssac) Pekarski.
Nancy was a graduate of Coudersport Area High School in 1969. She married Kim R. Kratzer on May 22, 1971. Nancy worked various jobs in her lifetime, but the role of motherhood was the most cherished and rewarding for her.

Nancy’s love and dedication to family and friends was like no other. The times she spent with family, whether cheering them at sporting events or getting together for holidays was something she looked forward to. She loved her four kids and her three grandchildren. Her family was her world, and she loved them with her whole heart.

Nancy was an avid reader and enjoyed going to auctions every Friday night with Kim. She was always looking for things that caught her eye or whatever “Kim needed.” Nancy was a collector of books and other knickknacks, that she proudly displayed throughout her home.

Nancy is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Heidi (Kratzer) and Paul John, two sons Seth Kratzer (Autumn Geiswite), and Zachery Kratzer. Three grandchildren: Tyler Kratzer Gemberling, Gaven Kratzer, and Makenna Kratzer. One brother John Pekarski (Marion Spigelmeyer), and two sisters Sandra Pekarski, and Julie Pekarski (Don Skinner). A brother and sister-in-law Larry and Shirley Weaver, her nieces and nephews Tana (Weaver) Heffner, Chris Weaver, Jennifer Beaver, Heather (Beaver) Fogarty, Christopher Beaver, Corey Pekarski, and Casey Pekarski.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Kim R. Kratzer; daughter Angela M. (Kratzer) Herman; granddaughter Raylee Lou Herman; niece Stacie L. Connelly, and nephew Michael Beaver.

The viewing and services will be held on June 3, 2023, at the V. L. Seebold Funeral Home in Selinsgrove. The viewing will be from 10-11 a.m. with the service to follow. The burial will be at the Shreiner’s Cemetery in Selinsgrove.