December 2023

Husband, Father, Grandfather

Steven L. “Cookie” Cook, 70, of 7557 Emerson Road, Wirt, NY passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Olean General Hospital.

Born on December 29, 1952, in Olean, he was a son of Lawrence C. and Donna J. Peck Cook, Sr.  On October 13, 2001, in Richburg, he married the former Marie A. Dunmire who survives.

He was a graduate of Richburg Central School Class of 1970.  He then enlisted in the United States Army from August 8, 1972 until being honorably discharged on August 8, 1975.  He received the National Defense Service Medal and Marksman Medal for both hand grenades and rifles.

Cookie worked at Dresser Rand with his father for a short period of time, but was a well-known in the logging industry, owning his own business Cooks Logging until his passing.

He was an excellent athlete and was extremely competitive.  He still held several high school records.  He was an avid golfer and played on the town softball league for many years.  He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, but most of all his family was the most important to him. 

Steve was inducted in the Allegany County Sports Hall of Fame and bowled the first 300 game and first 800 series at Good Times in Olean.  He also had 10/300 games in his bowling career. 

Port Allegany – Patricia A. Harrier, 64, of Austin, PA passed away Wednesday (December 27, 2023) at her home in Austin with family by her side.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Home, Port Allegany, PA

Pamela Johnson Hankison, 73, of 1587 Spreading Oak Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, and formerly of Toby Valley, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 following a brief illness. 

Arrangements for a private funeral are under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

Joanne E. Garbic, 77, formerly of Green Valley, AZ and Hickory Road, St. Marys, PA, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Casey House in Rockville, MD. 

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

Joseph E. Geci, 72, of St. Marys, and formerly of Homestead, FL, passed away peacefully at the home of his cousin on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Bernice R. Welker Ralph, 85, formerly of Port Allegany, PA passed away unexpectedly at her home in Challis, Idaho, on Dec. 18, 2023.

Born May 12, 1938, in Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of Marcellus and Rose Mueller Welker. On Dec. 26, 1959, in Distant, she married Ralph R. Ralph, who died Jan. 6, 2017. They were married for 57 years.

Bernice was a graduate of Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in elementary education and library science from Clarion State Teachers College, and later returned to Clarion University where she earned a master’s degree.

Mrs. Ralph taught at Port Allegany Elementary School at various grade levels from 1964 until her retirement. The following year she returned to the school as a volunteer in the Accelerated Reading program, a position she held until 2014. She had a lifelong passion for books and for helping children develop a love of reading, which led her to also support programs such as Story Hour at the Port Allegany public library.

During her teaching career, Mrs. Ralph was active in PSEA and served for many years as a union representative. After retirement, she continued working on behalf of public educators as an active member of PSEA-Retired and PASR.

Adeline A. Donahue, 99, formerly of Rasselas Road, Wilcox, PA, passed away at The Canopy at Warner Robins on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, following a brief illness.

She was born on March 8, 1924 in St. Marys PA, a daughter of the late John and Genevieve Benninger Smith

On May 4, 1946, she married the late James T. Donahue, who preceded her in death in 1995.  Together they shared more than 49 years of marriage.

Adeline was a graduate of Johnsonburg High School and Warren business college. She was employed at Stackpole Carbon Company until her retirement in 1986. She moved to Warner Robins, GA in 2013 where she enjoyed the sun, swimming and gardening.

Andrew Finch Bacon, age 87, of Westfield, PA passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at his home. 

Born November 22, 1936 in Delmar Township, he was the son of the late Otto and Myrtle (Finch) Bacon.  Andy retired from the Dresser Rand in Painted Post. 

He married Marlene (Staight) on October 5, 1963 and shared 60 years together.  Andy was a member of the CV Anglers Association for 32 years and a member of the Ulysses American Legion.  He enjoyed cutting and selling firewood, hunting, fishing and was devoted to his great-granddaughter. 

Connie M. Osmond-Butler, age 79, of Elkland, PA passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Athens Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born May 4, 1944 in Elkland, she is the daughter of the late Raymond and Gracann (Tracy) Kent, Sr.

Connie enjoyed reading and was active in the Elkland United Methodist Church.

Lillian A. Panew, of Bradford, formerly of Bordenton, NJ, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

James McLaughlin, 84, of Marshburg, PA passed away Monday, December 25, 2023, at his residence.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Doris Lenox, 87, of 115 Benzinger Road, St. Marys, PA passed away peacefully at her home on December 26, 2023, with her family by her side.

She was born on November 27, 1936 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Glatt Williamson.  She was a lifelong resident of the area, attended St. Marys Parochial Schools, and managed Hour Glass Cleaners for 36 years.

On September 29, 1956 in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she married the late Robert D. Lenox, who preceded her in death on May 15, 2002.