April 2024

Thomas (Tom) Arthur Maynard, 86, passed away on April 15, 2024 in Huntersville NC. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan (Oviatt) Maynard, who passed away on March 4, 2024.

Tom was born and raised in Coudersport PA, the son of Arthur and Susan (Neefe) Maynard. He graduated from Coudersport High School in 1956. He and Joan married on October 11, 1957. He was a longtime resident of Coudersport until moving to North Carolina in 2015

He was employed from 1956 to 2005 in manufacturing, as an insurance agent, as a bank trust officer, in bookkeeping, and in commercial real estate management and ownership.

Smethport – David L. Petruzzi, 87, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (April 15, 2024) at his home in Smethport.

He was born April 10, 1937 in Kane, the son of Fred and Shirley (Rifle) Petruzzi. On March 17, 1956, in St. Marys Church, Oak Ridge, TN, he married his life’s love and best friend, Mary Pat VanFleet, who survives.

He was a graduate of Smethport Area High School and attended the University of Tennessee.

Dave lived and worked in the Olean-Allegany area for 25 years as a construction electrician. In 1983, he went to work at Hull Electric of Bradford as an outside sales representative. He retired from there in 2003.

He was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #106 of Jamestown, NY for 43 years. He was also a member of the Olean Elks Club, Allegany Legion and Knights of Columbus Council #1220 in Allegany, NY. He is a member of St. Elizbeth Church, Smethport, where he was a former council member.  He was also involved with Meals On Wheels, was a member of the Crosby Legion, the Keating Sportsman Club and the NRA. He was an avid New York Yankees fan.  Dave was also a former member of the Big 30 Committee.  He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.  He especially enjoyed being with family at family gatherings. He loved his family very much and was extremely proud of them.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

Port Allegany – Joyce M. Sizer, 88, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (April 15, 2024) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

She was born August 26, 1935 in Port Allegany, the daughter of DeForest and Leona (LaBarr) Baker. In Emporium, PA, she married Frederick Sizer, who died August 2004.

Mrs. Sizer was a graduate of Port Allegany High School and was employed by Motor Coil in Emporium.

She is survived by: a niece, Pamela (Donald) Keech who took care of her

Two step-daughters; Karen Rhinebolt and Chris Hughes

Four step-grandchildren and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother John Baker and a sister Euretta Amell

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 11:00 am- 12:00 noon at the First Church of God, Main St., Eldred, PA,  where funeral services will start at 12 noon with the Rev. James Kazimer, Pastor,  officiating. Burial will be in the Portage Township Cemetery, Sizerville, PA.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

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

Joan H. Debolt (nee Hoffman), passed away peacefully at her home on March 22, 2024, in Bradford at the age of 83.

Born on September 1, 1940, in Akron, Ohio.  Joan was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Joan was an avid bridge player and master knitter.  She dedicated her life to sharing her passion for knitting by teaching and mentoring numerous individuals.  Her kindness and patience touched the lives of many.  Her wish to be remembered in life as a loving wife and mother goes without question.

Thomas E. Payne “Tom the tomato man”

Thomas E. Payne, 86, of 7722 Rte. 417W., Bolivar, NY passed away Monday, April 15, 2024 at Wellsville Manor after a short illness. 

Born on August 11, 1937, in Wellsville, he was a son of Vaughn A. and Frances (Bryan) Payne.  On September 12, 1958, in Richmond, VA he married the former Charlotte Crandall who survives.

Tom went to school in Pensacola Florida.  He had worked at Reid Hayden in Richmond, VA, Smith Construction in Pensacola, FL, Pratt & Whitney Air Craft in Hartford CT, St. Francis Hospital in Olean, Martin Dry Cleaners in Attica, and last was a counselor for the New York State Department of Corrections retiring in 1999.

He was best known for selling his veggies, fruits and flowers in Cuba, Allegany, Portville, and Bolivar from his roadside stand.

In addition to his wife Charlotte of Bolivar, he is survived by

Gary L. Foster, 63, of Sabinsville, PA, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, PA. 

Born June 18, 1960, in Wellsboro, PA, he was a son of Junior E. and Nancy K. (Gridley) Foster, who both survive. On August 27, 1983, Gary married the former Pamela Williams, with whom he shares two sons.

He worked on the railroad for several years and then moved into the beer distributing business and worked there for 30 years. Gary was an avid hunter, trapper and loved fishing and was an excellent fly fisherman. He was a member of Kamp Kan’thitem. He loved camping and especially sleeping under the stars (which is the only thing he would miss a NASCAR race for).

Gary loved the races. He was a true fan who passed on that love to his boys. They will also carry on his tradition of a quick wit always having a joke and a laugh.

Port Allegany – Joyce M. Sizer, 88, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (April 15, 2024) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

She was born August 26, 1935, in Port Allegany, the daughter of DeForest and Leona (LaBarr) Baker. In Emporium, PA, she married Frederick Sizer, who died in August 2004.

Mrs. Sizer was a graduate of Port Allegany High School and was employed by Motor Coil, in Emporium.

She is survived by: a niece Pamela (Donald) Keech who took care of her

Two step-daughters; Karen Rhinebolt and Chris Hughes

Four step-grandchildren and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother John Baker and a sister Euretta Amell

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 11:00- 12:00 PM at the First Church of God, Main St., Eldted, Pa where the funeral service will start at noon with the Rev. James Kazimer, Pastor,  officiating. Burial will be in the Portage Township Cemetery, Sizerville, PA.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

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

Karen L. Atwell             “beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother”

LITTLE GENESEE, NY—Karen L. Atwell, 62, a longtime resident of Little Genesee, passed away unexpectedly with her loving husband by her side on Friday, April 12, 2024, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

Born on Sunday, September 10, 1961 in Wellsville, she was a daughter of Paul W. and Lucymae Truman Atwell.  She was married to Tom Johnson for almost 40 years.

Karen was a graduate of Bolivar High School, a graduate of the former Olean Business Institute in Olean, and was also a graduate of the Continental School of Beauty in Olean.

Karen was kind and loving person.  She was briefly employed by Arc in Belmont as a resident aide until an injury at work forced her retirement.

She enjoyed her adopted families and kids.  She also enjoyed doing yard work.  She loved her many animals throughout the years.  Karen’s greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren.

David Petruzzi, 87, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (April 15, 2024) at his residence.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

Donna M. Carlson, 74, of Brockport, PA passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.

She was born on June 17, 1949, in Olean, NY, a daughter of the late Sidney and Ruth Holtz Bennett.

Donna was a member of the Brockway Church of God.  She worked at Metaldyne for many years and always looked forward to dinner and game nights with the girls from work. She enjoyed playing with her dog Izzy and loved nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Steven Milton Freeman, of Coudersport, PA passed away at his home with family members at his side, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, following a lengthy illness.

Steve was born June 22, 1952, in Coudersport, the eldest son of Milton S. Freeman and Betty Palmatier Freeman.

Steve served his nation throughout the United States and Europe in the US Air Force from April 27, 1972 to October 31, 1994, retiring with the rank of Master Sgt. His duty assignments were located in New York (two tours), Alaska, Wyoming, Germany, and Nevada.  Steve’s duties included heating, plumbing and Civil Engineering taskings.  He received numerous commendations and a prestigious thank you from President Reagan as he was hand-picked for a special project. 

Upon retiring from the military, Steve was employed by Wending Creek Farms of Coudersport from 1994 until civilian retirement in 2022.

Steve was known for his incredible humor, wit, lifelong compassion for storytelling and pulling pranks, and helping family and friends.  He was a very proud Poppop to his six grandchildren and enjoyed teasing them and making them smile.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening, hunting, camping, taking family trips, and producing maple syrup at Wending Creek Farms.

AUSTIN, PA—-Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Ralph M. Young, 80, of Austin, from 12 noon to 2 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024, followed by a time of sharing at 2 pm, at the Coudersport American Legion, Buffalo Street, Coudersport.

Ralph passed away on December 7, 2023.

Ralph’s family entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

For further information, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com

Shirley A. Rupprecht, 86, of 219 S. Paul Road, St. Marys, PA passed away Monday, April 15, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home with her family by her side. 

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

Elaine C. Ekblom, 76, of Warren, PA, died Sunday morning, April 14, 2024. 

Friends will be received at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA., on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. A complete obituary will be announced through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.