December 2023

David “Dave” Mancuso, Jr., 43, of Ridgway, PA died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at his home.

Born in St. Marys on February 9, 1980, he was the son of David Mancuso, Sr. and the late Sally Hanes.
He was a 1998 graduate of St. Marys Area High School and was employed as a chef by The Royal Inn in Ridgway.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Marys and enjoyed playing basketball and cooking.

Those surviving are his father and stepmother, David and Vonda Mancuso, Sr., his son, Xaiver Ellis; his daughters, Deziree Mancuso, Allisyn Mancuso and Madilyn Mancuso; his brother, Shawn Mancuso; his sisters, Melissa and Jennifer Mancuso; his grandchild, Lucas Taylor; his nieces and nephews, Tiana, Chloe, Trevor, Landon, and Carmine; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother and paternal grandparents, Sam and Dixie Mancuso.

Furlong Funeral Home, 50 Broad St., Summerville, Pa. has been entrusted with the final arrangements for Mr. Mancuso.

Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Kersey, PA, 15846.

Memorial donations may be made to his daughters to help defray the cost of funeral expenses.

Friends and family may order flowers, light a memorial candle, share a memory and obtain additional information by visiting http://www.furlongfuneralhome.com.

Dolores I. Hatch, 92, of 5872 Church Street, Limestone, NY, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023, surrounded by her family, at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Born October 5, 1931, in Scio, OH, she was a daughter of the late Frederick F. and Iris M. (Mull) Speedy Sr. Dolores was a 1949 graduate at Limestone Union Free School.

On March 21, 1953, in Limestone United Methodist Church, she married Richard G. Hatch Sr., who preceded her in death on April 3, 1980.

Dolores worked at Case Cutlery before she joined the United States Army Women’s Army Corp., on April 5, 1951. During her time in the service, she worked as a clerk in the Pentagon until being honorably discharged on April 5, 1953. After her discharge she returned to work at Case Cutlery for over 40 years. During retirement, she worked part-time at K-Mart and as a clerk at the Zippo-Case Museum.

Elsie M. Klaiber, 96, a resident of Pinecrest Manor and formerly of 122 Locust Road, St. Marys, PA, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Pinecrest Manor following a lengthy illness.

She was born December 15, 1926, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Edward and Mary Mohr Schneider.

On November 18, 1950, she married the late Raymond W. Klaiber Jr., who preceded her in death on March 19. 2019. Together they shared 69 years of love and marriage.

Elsie grew up in St. Marys and was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1944. She worked at Pure Carbon for several years as a switchboard operator until the birth of her daughter, Carol, and then became a full-time homemaker, often volunteering at the St. Mary’s Catholic school cafeteria and then Queen of the World cafeteria.

Verna W. WILLIAMS, 89, of Harrison Valley, PA, formerly of Hudson, FL and Lenox, MA, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 10, 2023 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

Born November 6, 1934, in Great Barrington, MA, she was the daughter of E. Frank and Ethel Stevens West.  On July 9, 1955, in Sheffield, MA, she married Theodore Ryder Williams, Jr., who survives.  

A graduate of Sheffield High School, she earned a degree in nursing from Hartford (CT) Hospital School of Nursing.  After graduating from nursing school, she was employed by Sharon Hospital, Sharon, CT, as a registered nurse in the ICU for 22 years and then by Hillcrest Hospital in Pittsfield, MA in the ER department for a short time.  

Verna loved the Lord and serving Him, spending time with family, gardening, sewing, and traveling.  

In their retirement, Ted and Verna became adventurous.  They ditched the kids and set off sailing the ocean blue for two years.  When they returned to land, their love for the Lord led them to join Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS) for nine years, volunteering their time and talents for Christ.  

Mary Virginia Devling, 101, of Galeton, PA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church in Galeton. The Rev. Sherry Elliott will officiate.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Galeton.

James J. “Jim” Schutz, Sr., 75, of Grant Road, Ridgway, PA died on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Jefferson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born on March 1, 1948, in St. Marys, a son of the late James G. and Marie Donachy Schutz.

Jim was a lifelong member of the area and graduate of St. Marys High School class of 1967. He served in the U.S Marines during the Vietnam War. Jim enjoyed his time gardening, hunting, and fishing.

Thomas T. Siegel, 66, of St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, December 9, 2023 following a lengthy illness.

He was born on May 9, 1957 in St. Marys, a son of the late Albert and Vera Dippold Siegel.

Tom was a lifelong resident of the area and had worked at Exotic Metals for many years and then at Cameron Diversified for nearly 15 years as a Class A Diesetter.

Tom had a passion for the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting and raising deer. He never turned down the chance to take his motorcycle for a ride, especially his trike. Tom will be remembered as a “Cool Papa” to his four granddaughters, whom he loved spending time with. He also looked forward to turning wrenches and sharing his mechanical inclinations with his son.

Alan M Dillenbeck, 69, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 10, 2023 at the Lakeview Skilled Nursing Home, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Alan was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and Papa, who cared deeply for all of his family.  He was so kind and always willing to help those in need.  He was born Oct. 29, 1954 in Kane and was the son of the late Ralph and Ruth (Larson) Dillenbeck.

On June 30, 2001, in the Nebo Chapel in Mt. Jewett, he married Kristin (Edinger) Elliott, who survives.  Alan was a 1972 graduate from Smethport High School and a 1974 graduate from Faith School of Theology in Maine.  He worked at Kane Hardwood for 34 years, retiring in 2020.  He had also worked at Ethan Allen , Pennzoil and he had pastored at two churches.  He loved to share his love for Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

Debra L. Sherk, 70, of 23 Chamberlain Hollow, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born May 20, 1953, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late William B. and Eva Lucille (Selner) Burkett. She attended Limestone Union Free School.

On April 11, 1970, at the East End Presbyterian Church, she married Gordon A. Sherk who survives.

Debbie formerly worked at Floyd C. Fretz in the cafeteria.

Robert J. Pesce, Sr., 85, formerly of 237 Madison Street, St. Marys, PA passed away peacefully Friday, December 8, 2023, at Elk Haven Nursing Home.

He was born March 13, 1938, in St. Marys, son of the late Louis and Angeline Pirazzi Pesce.

On May 2, 1959 in Queen of the World Church, he married Janet L. Leithner, who survives.  They were blessed to share 64 years of marriage together.

Bob was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1957.  He was employed at Keystone, where he retired.