May 2023

 Deborah S. Sanderson of 17 Depot Street, Rixford, PA went to be with the Lord on Saturday (May 20, 2023) in the Bradford Pavilion, following a long, courageous battle with cancer. 

Deborah was born on Feb. 3, 1958, in New Britain, Conn., and was the daughter of Rev. Leland and Colleen Payton Boring. On Nov. 25, 1995, at the Coryville Church of Faith, she married her loving husband Frederick L. Sanderson, who survives. 

Deborah was a 1976 graduate of Harmony High School and continued her education at Mission Alliance University in New York City and then Clarion University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. She grew up as a pastor’s daughter living in many places. She was an avid worker and supporter of the AEC, Association of the Evangelical Churches. Deborah started a preschool at the Coryville Church of Faith. She was a member of the Rixford Evangelical Church where she was a deaconess and led the lady’s bible study. 

Deborah is survived by her loving husband Frederick Sanderson, one brother, Daniel (Peg) Boring of Unionville, and several nieces and nephews. 

Deborah was predeceased by her parents. 

There will be no services held at this time but will be held at a future date and time to be announced.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Frame Funeral Home, 230 North Main Street, Eldred, PA 16731. Online condolences can be made at https://www.framefuneralhome.com

Leon J. Harding, age 80, of Knoxville, PA passed away on Monday, May 22,2023 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on July 22, 1942, the son of Robert T. and Catherine (Everitt) Harding of Osceola. He was a 1961 graduate of Cowanesque Valley HS and was a dairy farmer for many years, growing crops and selling gravel after he sold his dairy herd.

He was known for making maple syrup and cream and was a founding member of the Potter Tioga Maple Producers Association. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and driving his vintage vehicles, especially his 1955 Ford Fairlane “Leon’s Lady”, driving his various vehicles or an old peddlers wagon in the parades with his grandchildren.

He loved taking his grandchildren (and greats) fishing in the pond and riding his four wheeler or side by side. He attended the El Bethel Fellowship church in Osceola and was a director of the Austinburg Woodlawn cemetery.  

He is survived by his ex-wife, Joan Parker Harding; daughters, Matilda Drake of Knoxville and Malinda (William) Harper of St. Johns, FL; Grandchildren, Matthew (Latisha) Drake of Knoxville, Miranda (Jeremy) Tomb of Dayton, OH, Mary (Philip) Caffo of Knoxville, MD, Mylena (Stewart) Poulton of Henrietta, OK, Katherine Harper of St. Johns, FL and Jacqueline Harper of Orlando, FL.  He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Kimberly Tomb of Dayton, OH, Timothy and Leon Caffo of Knoxville, MD, Caleb and Jayden Cone of Knoxville, PA and Jack, Blake and Greyson Drake of Knoxville, PA and a great-great granddaughter, Roselyn Mullen-Tomb.

Leon is also survived by his siblings, Philip Harding of Knoxville, Annette (Robert) Scholl of Dillsburg, PA, Lyle Harding of Wysox, PA , Jane (Denny) Loucks of Elkland and Robert Harding Jr. of Osceola; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends, Kevin (Darlene) Avery and Dennis Mosher. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gene Harding (1947).  

There will be a celebration of life held on Sunday, May 28th at Brookfield United Methodist Church. Calling hours are from 1-2 with the celebration of life at 2pm. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Austinburg, PA at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society by clicking here, the Cowanesque Valley HS chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) or the Tioga County 4H program by clicking here. Arrangements are in the care of Kenyon Funeral Home, www.kenyonfuneralhome.com

Leigh F. Bledsoe, age 78, formerly of the Elkland, PA area passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Bradford County Manor.

Born February 7, 1945 in Hornell, NY, he was the loving son of the late Linford and Audrey (Glover) Bledsoe. Leigh graduated from Elkland High School in 1963 and proudly served in the US Army. He had a calling to go into ministry and was faithful to his calling until the end.

He was very talented in drawing and painting. Leigh is survived by his loving siblings; Linford (Carol) Bledsoe, Gary Bledsoe, Marilyn (Frank) Purcell, James Bledsoe and John (Joann Clark) Bledsoe and he was a caring uncle to many nieces and nephews.

A private ceremony for family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Elkland. www.kenyonfuneralhome.com.

Anthony G. “Tony” Keller, 80, of Ridgway, PA died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at his residence.

He was born on August 30, 1942, in St. Marys, a son of the late Anthony G. and Rita Dixon Keller.

On June 15, 1967, he married Violet Adkison, who survives.

Tony was a lifelong resident of the area and retired from Motion Control after more than 30 years of service. He served in the U.S Army and retired from the Army National Guards in June of 1989. Tony enjoyed going for walks, spending time at camp, and his dogs. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of nearly 56 years, he is survived by a daughter, Serena Schatz of Ridgway, a son, Anthony M. Keller and his wife Trisha of Ridgway, 5 grandchildren; Ryan Keller, Sierra Corbett, Frankie Rae Gardner, Vanessa Keller, and Bryce Schatz, 2 step-grandchildren; Rachelle and Michael Vasbinder, and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Michael Keller of Toby.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Toni Ann Keller, 2 sisters, Marie Dilley and Linda Bobenrieth.

Funeral Service for Anthony G. Keller will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Krise Funeral Home, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853, with Deacon Larry Caggeso officiating.

Visitation will be held at Krise Funeral Home from 10:00AM until the time of Service.

Burial will be at Parklawn Memorial Gardens.

Military honors will be accorded by the Ridgway – Johnsonburg- Wilcox Burial Detail.

Memorial Contributions maybe made to the Veterans Dinner c/o Ridgway American Legion.

 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

Doris R. (Doremus) Wilson, age 90, of Wellsboro, PA died on December 23, 2022. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 to 11 am at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Bradley Prouty officiating.

Anita L. Fields, 74, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Penn Highlands DuBois following a brief illness.

Anita was born on October 21, 1948 in Ridgway, daughter of the late Barney “Bennie” and Cornelia “Corky” Giordano Fabiano.

She graduated from Ridgway High School, class of 1967. Following graduation, she worked at the Market Basket in Ridgway where she met the love of her life. On May 16, 1970 she married Robert “Bob” Fields at Saint Leo’s Church in Ridgway.

Together with her husband, Anita worked at the family store, Bob and Paul’s Market, in Kersey from 1972 until they sold in 2000. She loved spending time with her husband and family, especially her beloved granddaughters, Jaidyn and Jenna. They were her pride and joy, and she always looked forward to going to the school and sports events. She lived each day for them.

In addition to her soulmate and husband of more than 53 years, Bob Fields, she is survived by their only daughter, Amy Goodman and her husband Chad of Smethport, and by her two beloved granddaughters; Jaidyn and Jenna.

She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Paul Fields and his wife, Sue of DuBois, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Funeral Services for Anita L. Fields will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Otto-Eldred FFA, C/O Brandon Witmer, 143 143 RL Sweitzer Dr., Duke Center, PA 16729 or to the McKean County 4-H, c/o Morgan Cady, 17129 Route 6, Smethport, PA 16749.

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

Mary Beth “Betsy” DiFonzo, 92, of 1448 South Avenue, Lewis Run, PA passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at her residence. She remained there only through the loving care of her daughter Laurie, her two grandsons, Nick and Mat, and Stephanie Rimer.

Born January 13, 1931, in Smethport, she was a daughter of the late Edwin and Mary (Nord) Lindholm, who died when Betsy was seven. She was raised by her aunt and uncle Pete and Carrie Peterson.

Betsy was a 1948 graduate of Smethport High School and a 1951 graduate of the Bradford Hospital School of Nursing.

On June 3, 1953, in Dubuque, IA, she married the late Paul J. “Gice” DiFonzo, who preceded her in death on April 18, 2013.

Betsy was a maternity nurse at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Betsy was a former member of Our Mother Perpetual Help Church and the Smethport Country Club; she was a current member of St. Bernard Church.

She enjoyed cooking, reading, playing cards, golfing with her husband and friends, and going to breakfast and lunch, but most of all spending time with her family.

Surviving is one daughter, Laurie Boser, of Lewis Run, four sons Ed (Janet) DiFonzo, of Smethport, Marty DiFonzo, of Gifford, Jim DiFonzo, of Kennedy NY, and Paul (Terri) DiFonzo, of Gifford, seven grandchildren, Susan (Jared) Zimbardi, Tony (fiancé Kylie Battin) DiFonzo, Mathew Boser, Nick Boser, Delanie DiFonzo, Zach DiFonzo, Ben DiFonzo, two great grandchildren, Audrey Zimbardi, and Vincent Zimbardi, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gice of 60 years, two sisters, Connie Raszman, Jane Raymond, and one brother John Lindholm.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at St. Bernard Church from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm with Fr. Jim Gutting, as celebrant. Entombment will follow in St. Bernard Mausoleum.

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

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to St. Bernard Church, American Cancer Society, or the charity of donors’ choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Alcuin C. “Al” Dornisch, 91, of Ridgway, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Penn Highlands Elk.

Al was born October 27, 1931 in St. Marys, son of the late Alcuin “Doc” and Charlotte Myers Dornisch. A graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1951, Al continued his education, earning a degree in English from Gannon College in 1958.

On August 6, 1955, Alcuin married his beautiful bride, Carol Klatman, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and together they shared 67 years of marriage.

Along with his wife, Al is survived by five daughters: Susan, Paula, Sara, Julie, and Patricia; three sons: Jude, Timothy, and Peter (Joanie); eleven grandchildren: Ashley (Ahmed), Cameron (Allison), Brennan, Charlotte (Cedric), Kyrie (Harrison), Vance, Quinton, Ally Jo, Zane, Keegan, and Deeanna; five great-grandchildren: Sami, Madeline, Lucca, Aziz, and Quincy; one sister: Alice Wiesner of St. Marys; two brothers: Thomas Dornisch (Sue) of St. Marys and Bernard Dornisch (Irene) of Lock Haven; a sister-in-law, Eileen “Dolly” Dornisch of St. Marys; two brothers-in-law: Gelindo “Boots” Bonfardine of St. Marys and Robert Fehrenbach of Wauwatosa, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by a very special granddaughter, Madeline Paguyo; two sisters: Margaret Bonfardine and Mary Therese “Teeta” Dornisch; two brothers: Paul Dornisch and Richard “Dick” Dornisch; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Fehrenbach.

Al and Carol raised their eight children (and countless foster children) in Minnesota, where Al founded the Hennepin Technical Center, focused specifically toward the powder metal industry. While Al was most proud of his family, second to that was his pride for his “Hennepin Kids” who went on to be leaders in the powder metal industry globally.

Al was a self-taught artist with an expertise for capturing wildlife in its natural habitat in such detail that his paintings were often mistaken for photography. Painting up until the day he died, Al took great joy both in creating and sharing his artistic talent with customers-turned-friends who visited Al and Carol at the many art shows they participated in throughout Al’s life.

Al’s commitment to building a fair and just world for all is surpassed only by his love for his family, especially his beloved and devoted Carol. His incredible legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless extended family and friends who will have to work hard to match his enormous heart.

Services for Al will be announced at a future date.

Per Al’s request, memorial donations, if desired, may be made to a favorite charity of one’s choosing.

The Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com