October 2023

Michael C. Burgett, 48, passed away at his home in Derrick City, PA on September 30, 2023, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.  

He is survived by his parents Amy and Leo, his brother Charles, his sister Nancy, his niece Allison, and his brother-in-law Sunny. Additionally, Michael has aunts, uncles and cousins in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and several other states.

Michael’s life journey started in Minnesota and took him to New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Colorado, Florida, and finally to Pennsylvania where he moved to be closer to his family. 

Raymond W. Burgess, 91, of Patterson Lane, formerly of Langmaid Lane, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023, at his son’s residence.

Born on November 19, 1931, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Rodney F. and Nettie LaBella (Melzer) Sr.

He was a 1949 Bradford Area High School graduate.  He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 1, 1951 and served on the USS Daly until his honorable discharge on February 21, 1955. He was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal (European Clasp), Korean Service Medal (one star) United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He began his career for Boviard & Seafang, Clark Brothers, which later became Dresser-Rand.  There he was the supervisor of the drafting department until his retirement after 40 years.

John H. Kroah, 69, of 27 Euclid Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away Monday, October 2, 2023, at UPMC Hamot Medical Center, peacefully with his family by his side.

Born November 20, 1953, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Robert H. Kroah and Mary Knight (Starkey).

On January 12, 1980, in Eldred, he married Marjorie A. (Lechiara) Kroah, who survives..

John was employed at Dresser Manufacturing for over forty years. He was also an active member of the Marche Club, the American Legion, and the Eagles club. John loved to do Suduko puzzles, watching the Buffalo Bills and going to the races.

Linda C. TUBBS, 74, of Ulysses, PA, died Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

Born May 29, 1949, in Blossburg, she was the daughter of Edwin Cole and Florence P. West Cole.  On June 24, 1978, in Harrison Valley, she married Charles M. “Spood” Tubbs, who predeceased her on November 27, 2022.  

She was employed by Electri-Cord in Westfield, Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, K&W Medical Supplies in Westfield for 17 years, and was also a licensed cosmetologist.  

Mildred R. HANNIGAN, 90, of Wellsville, NY, died peacefully on Friday, September 8, 2023 in her home.

Friends may call at OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY on Saturday, October  7, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 AM.  Rev. Robin George will officiate.  Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery.  Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.  

Memorials may be made to SPCA serving Allegany County. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.

Arlene Saulter, 90, a longtime resident of Coudersport, PA passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 2, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary..

Joan M. O’Hare, 88, of Sheffield, PA, died peacefully Wednesday, October 4, 2023. 

Friends will be received at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Saybrook, PA., on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. 

A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.

Jack R. Mason, 88, formerly of Limestone, NY passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Bradford Manor with his family by his side.

Jack was born January 2, 1935 in Bradford, PA and was the son of John L. and Hattie Yehl Mason.  Jack and his twin Jerry were the first set of twins born in Bradford.  On August 24, 1957 in the Free Methodist Church in Allegany he married the love of his life Shirley M. Munday who survives.

Albert Benjamin WATKINS, 88, of La Grange, TX, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 in Hallettsville, TX.  

Born March 5, 1935 in Little Marsh, PA, he was the son of George Newell and Viola Minnie Wentzell Watkins.  A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, he served honorably from 1954 – 1957.  

Raised in Pennsylvania and upstate New York, Albert moved to Texas in 1975 for work.  He had a long career as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed traveling throughout the states for work and pleasure and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle as often as he could.  

Kelley A. Hritz, 40, of 138 Bennett Road, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Allegheny General Hospital. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

Christopher M. Becker, 47, of 81 W. Main St., Cuba, NY passed away unexpectedly Saturday (Sept. 30, 2023) at home.

Born Oct. 13, 1975, in Wellsville, he was a son of Gerald Clark and Mary Strong Kron. He was later adopted and raised by Theordore J. “Ted” Becker and Patricia Main Becker.

He attended Cuba Central School and later obtained his GED.

He had worked for Fibercell Packaging in Portville, the Belfast American Legion, Friendship Dairies and the Cuba American Legion.

Lawrence O. Causer, I., age 57, of Westfield, PA passed away after a six-month battle with cancer on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at his home. 

Born October 17, 1965 in Blossburg, he was the son of the late James G. and Frances L. (Rudy) Causer, Sr. 

Larry served in the National Guard and was a member of the Westfield Masonic Lodge.  He was an avid outdoorsman; loved hunting, fishing and mowing his lawn. 

Bruce M. Peterson, 64, of Oak St. Ext. in Kane, PA, passed away Friday (Sept. 29) at his residence.  

Born Nov. 27, 1958 in Kane, he is the son of the late Marvin and Jean (Gafner) Peterson.  On Dec. 12, 1987, in Kane, he married Deborah Berlin, who survives.

Bruce had worked at the MDF plant in Mt. Jewett for a while, and also Airgood Busing,  but was much more well-known for his auto body repair work.  He had been employed by Barretts Auto Body in Bradford, Gelsicks Collision and Dangelo’s Auto Body and Custom Built in Kane.  

H. Kevin Olewinski, 66, of Park Ave. in Kane, PA passed away Saturday (Sept. 30) at UPMC-Hamot.  Born Nov. 26, 1956 in Johnsonburg, he is the son of the late Henry and Frances (Piurkoski) Olewinski.

Kevin worked at C.W. Hardware for many years where he helped countless people find the necessary materials for their projects.  He was an avid hunter and he also had been a member of the horseshoe league for several years and had raced mini stock cars.  Kevin was also a past member of the Wilcox Fire Dept.  He was a loving father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by those he left behind.

Port Allegany – Joan M. Hardenstine, 82, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (October 2, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

She was born November 7, 1940 in Mount Pocono, PA, the daughter of David and Louise (Drey) Dunlap. On November 19, 1960 in Swiftwater, PA, she married Harold R. Hardenstine, who survives.