February 2024

Thomas A. Hammond, 57, of Keating Summit St., passed away unexpectedly Tuesday (Feb. 27, 2024) from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

     Born March 13, 1966, in Port Allegany, he was a son of Frederick O. and Dorothy I. Trimm Hammond.

     He was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of the Port Allegany High School, class of 1985.

     Thomas was a machine operator with American Axel Corp. of Ridgway, PA.

     He was a former member of the United Methodist Church, Port Allegany.

     Thomas was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting & fishing.  He also enjoyed  darts, shooting pool and being the life of the party.

     He was an avid Cowboys, Sabre, and Cubs Fan for many years.

Dolores K. Eastman, 99, of Chestnut St., passed away Tuesday (Feb. 27, 2024) in Penn Highlands Dubois, surrounded by family.

     Born February 15, 1925, in Port Allegany, she was a daughter of George F. and Daisy H. Stone Botera.  On June 8, 1947, in Montoursville, PA, she married Lloyd E. Eastman, who died Jan. 12, 2018. They were married 70 years.

    Dolores was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of the Port Allegany High School, class of 1942.

    She had been employed with Sylvania Co. formerly of Emporium, Pittsburgh Corning Co. and North Penn Gas Co. both formerly of Port Allegany, Liberty School, Port Allegany; but most enjoyably, a homemaker for her family.

     She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Port Allegany, where she taught Sunday school for 17 years, nursery worship volunteer, and was fundamental in forming, Adopt a Family Program, UM Church.

William J. “Billy Bob” Thompson Sr., 74, of Ridgway, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at his residence after a lengthy illness.

He was born on July 21, 1949, in Ridgway, a son of the late Wilbur J. and Lois M. Doull Thompson.

On May 10, 1986, he married Judith Miller, who survives.

William attended Ridgway Area High School and served in the U.S Marine Corps. He worked at GKN, retiring after more than 25 years of service.  William loved to be with his family and traveling. He was a Ridgway Fire Department Volunteer and later became Fire Police Captain for many years. 

William J. “Billy Bob” Thompson Sr., 74, of Ridgway, PA died on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at his residence following a lengthy illness.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Krise Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.

Shirley J. Milchuck, 83, formerly of Ridgway, PA died on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Pinecrest Nursing Home.

She was born on July 3, 1940, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Cecil A. and Virginia B. (Hall) Berfield.

She had previously been employed at Carson Finance in Coudersport, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgway, and retired after many years at Alltel. She was an avid gardener, reader, shopper, and loved to travel.

David F. Bleem, Sr., 82, of Bradford, PA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Olean General Hospital.

Born on September 12, 1941, in Bradford, he was a son of the late John W. Bleem and Mary Rose (Chicketti) Bleem-Fabian.

On September 9, 1961, in Bradford, he married Carol Ann (Anderson) Bleem, who passed away February 21, 2004.

He enlisted in the United States Army on June 29, 1961, and served until his honorable discharge on June 22, 1964.

David was a laborer in the Brick Union #9. He was a former member of the Moose Club.  He loved hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, sitting on the patio, and taking rides.

John Patrick Malone:  Husband, Father, Grandfather

John Patrick Malone, 88, of 9400 Laidlaw Rd, Franklinville, and formerly of Hinsdale, NY passed away Monday, February 26, 2024 at Cuba Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

Born on December 13, 1935, in Olean, he was a son of William and Pauline Moore Malone.  In 1958, he married the former Marilyn M. Brown who survives.

John was a graduate of Allegany Central School.  He then served in the United State Army from 1958-60.

He had worked at Acme Electric Corp. and owned his own construction business.  Last he was a self-employed plumber installing water pumps and plumbing on area farms in the Hinsdale area until his retirement.

He was a member of the Hinsdale American Legion Post 250 and the Cuba American Legion Post 655.  John enjoyed gardening, reading Western Novels and had read all the Louis L’Amour books.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by

Gene Vandusen

Gene M. Vandusen, 60, of Pleasant Twp., Warren, PA, died Tuesday morning, February 28, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, Youngstown, Ohio, after an extended illness. 

He was born March 3, 1963, in Arlington, Delaware.  He was the son of George and Jean Wast Vandusen.  Gene has resided in Warren, PA., since 2000.  He was a graduate of Kingsford High School, Kingsford, Michigan and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Skidmore College. 

He served for 22 years with the U.S. Navy, as a Chief Petty Officer, retiring in April of 2000.  He was employed with the former G.T.E. Sylvania and was an operator of the Seneca Power Plant, retiring from there after 18 years employment. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, ice fishing, bowling, and traveling.

BRADENTON, FL- Patricia L. “Patty” Sweet “Loving mother, grandmother, and sister”

Patty L. Sweet passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at her home in Florida, surrounded by her friends, family, and dog after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Patty was born December 7, 1941, in Olean, NY, the daughter of Pascal and Lucy Aurino.  She was a lifelong resident of Olean, in later years, splitting her time between her home on York Street and winters in Florida.  

Patty graduated from Olean High School in 1959, where she lettered four years in varsity basketball and cheerleading.  She enjoyed athletics throughout her life as an avid skier and golfer.  Patty was the Bartlett Country Club Women’s Champion ten times.  Even after her diagnosis, she continued to stay as active as she could and through sheer willpower, lived on her own terms until the end.

Patty spent most of her life as a homemaker and wonderful mother.  She took great pride in her home, her sons, and her grandchildren.  She enjoyed the simple pleasures of planting flowers, the natural beauty surrounding her home, watching the sunset on Anna Maria Island and her beloved dogs. 

Heather Lynn Youndt                     “beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister”

COUDERSPORT, PA—Heather Lynn Youndt, 48, of Coudersport, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in UPMC Cole Place, Coudersport, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on Tuesday, September 30, 1975 in Olean, NY, she was a daughter of John K. and Melanie L. “Mel” Lunn Volz.  On July 20, 2013 in Shinglehouse, she married Kevin William Youndt, who survives.

Heather was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse and also graduated from the former Olean Business Institute in Olean, NY.  Heather was employed for several years at the former Olean Tile Plant, then was employed as a CNA at the St. Elizabeth Mother House in Allegany, NY.   She then was employed as manager at the former Blockbuster Video Store in both Olean, NY and Wellsville, NY.  She then relocated to Georgia where she was employed for Holiday Inn.  After moving back to Potter County, Heather worked for Adelphia in Coudersport and later for the former K-Mart in Olean.  Prior to becoming ill, she was employed as a CNA for UPMC Cole in Coudersport.

Heather was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse.  She enjoyed crocheting and crafts of all kinds.  Her greatest love was her family.

Margaret M. Visseau                      “beloved mother, grandmother, and GG”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Margaret M. “Margie” Visseau, 97, of Shinglehouse, a former longtime resident of Little Genesee, NY, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a short illness.

Born on Tuesday, October 5, 1926 in Shinglehouse, she was a daughter of William G. and Clara A Garneret Sutherland.  On February 18, 1950 in Bolivar, NY, she married Robert G. “Bob” Visseau, who passed away on March 31, 2006.

She was a graduate of Bolivar High School, Bolivar, NY.  Margie was employed at the former Dexter-Hysol Company in Olean, NY for 20 years, retiring on October 1, 1987.

She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Shinglehouse and was a member of the 4Cs Senior Citizens Club in Bolivar.  Margie enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening, and horseback riding.

Her greatest love was spending time with her family.