July 2023

Smethport – John J. Berne, 78, of Crosby, PA passed away Saturday (July 8, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

He was born October 31, 1944 in Port Allegany, a son of Anthony and Hattie (Lathrop) Berne, Jr.

John graduated from Smethport Area High School in 1962.  He attended Clarion University where he received his B.S. and Master’s Degrees.  He also attended St. Bonaventure University for additional education in administration.  He also studied at Penn State University and Indiana University of PA.

John was a teacher for thirty-three years at Cameron County School District in Emporium.  He received the “Teacher of the Year Award” at Cameron County in 1987-1988.  Mr. Berne was a PMR for the U.S. Postal System for many years at the Crosby Post Office.  Each year he awarded The John Berne Scholarship to a deserving young person to further their education.

John was a well known entertainer.  He was an outstanding accordion player.  He had played with several bands and was a Kravos recording artist.  He played in both United States and Canadian venues.  He entertained many Senior Centers and Nursing Homes over the years with his talent.  He was aired on the radio with “The Hound”, 97.5 FM, with his “John Berne Polka Review”.

John held “Bernefest” at his camp, The Maples Inn, in Crosby, where many artists had performed.  This includes “America’s Polka King”, Frank Yankovic, and “Canada’s Polka King”, Walter Ostenik.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, the Port Allegany Moose Lodge #460, the North Central Pennsylvania Polk Boosters, the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame, and the McKean County Fair Association, where he served as Treasurer, Vice president and President over the years. 

He was also the Zone #1 director for the PA State Association of County Fairs, and the State Chairman for the PA Fair Queen Board.  He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby, the Norwich Volunteer Fire Department, had served as a director for the Smethport Area School District and was a member of Mountain Music Productions.  He also owned Twin Hearts Drive Inn of Crosby, PA.

He is survived by one son, Jason (Christy) Tessena of Crosby; one granddaughter, Chelsey Parris; one sister, Judy Abbey of Crosby; one brother, Robert (Audrey) Berne of Smethport; one Aunt, Elvida Stapulis and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, where funeral services will be held on Wed., July 12, at 10 AM, with the Rev. Joseph Daugherty, pastor of St. Elizabeth Church, officiating. Burial will be in Norwich Cemetery, Norwich Twp.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Sons of the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby or the Norwich Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept. Truck Fund.  Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

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

Chad M. Willoughby, 40, of 206 Bolivar Drive, Bradford, PA passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at his residence.

Chad was born in Bradford, on March 24, 1983, he was one of two sons to Ronald R. and Diane E. (Montuori) Willoughby.

He was a 2001 graduate of Bradford High School. After high school he began his employment at Futures where he worked for 15 years.

Chad had attended Open Arms Church.

Surviving in addition to his parents is one brother, Justin (Kristen) Willoughby, of Burleson TX, one nephew, Jake, three aunts, Karen Montuori, Barb Montuori, and Terri Lynn, and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Anthony and Eleanor Montuori, paternal grandparents, Jim and Nancy Willoughby and one uncle, Fred Montuori.

Family will receive friends on Saturday July 15, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Open Arms Church, funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM with Pastor Zoey Hatcher, officiating.

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

Memorials if desired may be made to the SPCA.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Donald J. HAMILTON, Sr., 78, of Genesee, PA, died Saturday, July 8, 2023 in his home.  

Born February 27, 1945, in Coudersport, he was the son D. Blair and Vivian Lewis Hamilton.  On October 25, 1969, in Genesee, he married the former Barbara J. Williams, who predeceased him on January 16, 2001.  

He was a 1964 graduate of Northern Potter High School.  A Vietnam Veteran, he served honorably with the U.S. Army from 1965-1967.  He was employed by Air Preheater in Wellsville, retiring in 2009.  

Don was a member of Genesee Volunteer Fire Dept.  

Surviving are:  two sons, Donald Hamilton, Jr. of Genesee and Craig Loren (Loretta) Hamilton of Hornell, NY;  a daughter, Miranda Dee “Mandi” Hamilton of Genesee;  two grandchildren, Caleb and Briahna;  a sister, Debra (John) McLaughlin of Coudersport;  nieces and nephews.  

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Jodi L. Hamilton;  and a sister, Barbara J. Burrous.  

A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, July 14, 2023 in Ulysses Cemetery.  Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Potter County Honor Guard.  

Memorials may be made to Genesee Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 9, Genesee, PA 16923. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Barbara L. Freed, 86, of Genesee, PA passed away with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, after a prolonged illness.

Barbara was born on Friday, September 11, 1936 in Abington, Pennsylvania, to Donald and Marguerite Anzonetta Acker Myers.  On September 19, 1953 in Elkton, Maryland, she married Thomas “Tom” Freed, who passed away August 3, 2016.

Barbara was a graduate of Pennridge High School, Class of 1954.  She was first employed as an operator by Bell Telephone Company in Doylestown, PA and later worked as a nursing assistant in Pennsburg.

She was a member of TOPS and a member of the Ellisburg Community Club.  Barbara cherished her times reading, being a homemaker and cooking up family meals. She played the banjo-mandolin and piano, particularly enjoying performing with other musicians.

She was fascinated by new technology and phenomenal at word games. Babs loved to share colorful memories about playing cards with other couples and she enjoyed bird watching (hummingbirds were her favorites!). She was talented at crocheting, loom knitting, and sewing, her specialties being clothes for preemies and hats for children and newborns.

Barbara loved to travel, but her absolute favorite times were when family camped out in her backyard.

Barbara is survived by five children: Lynne B. Blackman of Emmaus, Andrew T. Freed of Genesee, Glenn A. (Susie) Freed of Chico, California, Mark J. (Kelly) Freed of Zion Grove, and JoAnne M. Chernowetz of Nazareth; thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, a brother, Homer Lee (Claudette) Myers of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be no public visitation.  Private burial services will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sartwell.  Pastor Roy K. Ward of Ellisburg Union Church, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor her by donating to: The Library of Congress, Attention Development Office, 101 Independence Ave. SE, LM-613, Washington, DC 20540-9130; to The Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, 105 N. Front Street, Suite 106 Rear, Harrisburg, PA 17101; or to The Northern Tier Children’s Home, 358 Main Street, Genesee, PA 16923.

Barbara entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

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

Smethport – John J. Berne, 78, of Crosby, PA passed away Saturday (July 8, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.  Funeral services will be held on Wed., in the funeral home at 10 AM.  Burial will be in the Norwich Cemetery, Colegrove.

A full obituary will be announced by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.