July 2024

John C. HINKLE, Jr., 76, of Cuba, NY, formerly of Scio, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Williamsville. 

Born June 20, 1948, in Wellsville, he was the son of John C. and Ella F. Antes Hinkle.  A graduate of Scio Central School, he was employed by Dresser Rand in Wellsville for many years and was also self-employed, owning Vandermark Garage in Scio and Keystone Garage in Olean. 

He served honorably with the US Army.  John was well known in the local auto industry including the demolition derby at the fair.  

Michael E. “Mike” Jefferies:  Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend

Michael E. “Mike” Jefferies, 69, of 9364 Bradley Ave., Cuba, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Olean General Hospital after a brief illness.

Born on March 2, 1955, in Olean, he was a son of Harold D. and Mary Jones Jefferies.  On August 26, 1978, at Our Lady of Angels Church he married the former Kathryn E. “Kay” James who survives.

Mike was a graduate of Cuba Central School’s Class of 1974.  While in school he attended BOCES for Automotive Collision Repair.

He worked for Lester Chevrolet in Wellsville and for several other body shops in the area, but in 1994 he opened Mike’s Body Shop in Cuba and was currently still working and repairing cars at the time of his passing. 

Mike was a former member of the Cuba Ambulance Squad for several years.  Active in the community he volunteered at the Cuba Dairy Days Car Show and the Cuba Garlic Festival.  He was quite often the first person to show up and lend a helping hand to anyone in need, whether he was plowing snow for area businesses, using his excavator to help his friends, or helping to improve businesses in town.  He could be found every morning having coffee in town with his friends.

He loved riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles, camping with his family, restoring antique cars to add to his collection, and had mechanical skills that allowed him to fix anything.

In addition to his wife Kay, he leaves behind

His Children              Jason Jefferies                                 Cuba

                                    Kelly (Christopher) Clayson         Cuba

                                    Colleen (Joshua) Bunk                  Cuba

                                    Matthew (Jacy) Jefferies               Cuba

His grandchildren   Colston, Madison, Isabelle, and Watson.

Two Sisters               Terry Toomey and Patsy Byers

Several Nieces and Nephews

In addition to his parents, He was predeceased by two brothers H. Dean Jefferies and Ronald Jefferies and a sister Judith Jefferies.

The family will receive friends at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.  Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. 

Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Cuba, New York. 

Memorials in Mike’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

As a final tribute to Mike, his family requests those who have classic cars he has worked on to line Main Street in Cuba at 11:00 Monday, July 8, 2024, from the Fire Department headed east towards Friendship, for the funeral procession to pass.

William B. Kaiser, 86, of 334 Chestnut Street, St. Marys, PA passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at his residence with his family by his side.

He was born September 18, 1937 in St. Marys, son of the late Adolph B. and Margaret Leithner Kaiser.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1955.

Bill is survived by his sister, Jean Starner and her husband Lawrence of Dover, TN; a nephew, David Starner; two grandnephews, Kaleb and Logan Starner, and two grandnieces, Kathryn and Olivia Starner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, William Starner.

Bill worked at the local G.C. Murphy store from 1955 until 1986.  He worked his way up from a stockboy to the assistant manager.  He loved jazz and exchanged music with friends in the United States, France, Britain, and Germany.

Harold W Lewis was born June 30, 1955, in Sellersville, PA. He was called home by his Heavenly Father on June 27, 2024, at the age of 68. He was surrounded by love as he was accepted into Jesus’ arms. 

Graduating in 1973 from Pennridge High School, in Perkasie, PA. Harold happily joined the United State Air Force to serve his country. Harold was a lifelong entrepreneur and craftsman. He was known for his beautiful fiberglass and woodworking skills. He was a kind, carefree man, whose heart was as full as his lush greenhouse. 

You would never find his home without a few ferns, a stacked bookshelf, and he never went too long without fish in his tank. 

Harry enjoyed reading, sailing, boating, fishing, skiing, shooting, hunting and teaching his son his craft, truly living life to the fullest. 

Of all the wonderful things Harry did, his proudest moment was becoming a father, only to be amplified by becoming a grandfather. 

Jessica Dunkle, 31, of Dawson St., Kane, PA passed away Sunday (June 24) at her residence. She was born in Northridge, Ca. She moved to Kane with her family in 1993.  She was a lifelong resident of Kane. She is the daughter of Connie Martin and the late Robert Dunkle. She is the granddaughter of Burton (Susan) Snyder of Santa Clarita, CA and the late Richard (Diane) Dunkle of Florida.

She was loyal to her family and friends to a fault. She was known to give others things even if she did not have enough for herself. She fought a lifelong battle with Marfans Syndrome but never let that stop her from getting what she wanted in life. Jessica had a heart of gold. She often believed the best in people even when others had given up. She was a huge fan of music. She enjoyed singing immensely. She would often share song choices with those she loved. A few days before she died, she shared the song Scratching the Surface (Mama’s song) by Kylie Morgan with her mother.

Jessica had two very special things that she held dear to her heart. One of those things is her niece, Ariella Mae Raff, age 5 of Kane. The other thing is her cat, Raven. She will be missed by them and all of her family and friends.

Loretta M. Howard-Summers          “former Shinglehouse, PA resident”

NIAGARA FALLS, NY—Loretta M. Howard-Summers, 97, of Niagara Falls, NY, formerly of Shinglehouse, passed away in her home with her loving family by her side, on Monday, July 1, 2024.

Born on Friday, November 5, 1926 in East Sharon, PA, she was a daughter of Wayne and Celestia Terrette Taylor. In April of 1944, she married Kenneth R. T. Howard who passed away on November 7, 1991.  On June 10, 1995 in North Tonawanda, she married Robert A. “Bob” Summers, who survives.

Loretta attended Shinglehouse High School.  Loretta and her first husband were the general managers of the KOA Campground on Grand Island. 

She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Niagara Falls.  She enjoyed camping, visiting with her family, and playing card games.  She was a wonderful baker. Loretta loved her family and loved serving the Lord.

Robert F. “Bun” Marshall, 85, formerly of Kersey, PA passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 21, 2024 at his residence in Wadsworth, Ohio.

He was born August 26, 1938 in St. Marys, son of the late Vincent and Dolores (Kronenwetter) Marshall.

Bob married Patricia Cotter in October of 1964 in the Sacred Heart Church; she later passed away in 1989.  They were blessed to have two sons, Jeffrey and Toby.

Bob remarried Sharen Benigni Heigel on July 5, 1996, who survives.

Bob was a graduate of St. Marys High School.  After graduating, he went on to serve in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1964.  He attended Williamsport Trade School and became an electrician.  He gained employment at Sylvania in St. Marys until his retirement in 1996.

Bob enjoyed his cars especially the Corvettes.  He took great joy in attending car shows and cruise ins with friends.

Elizabeth A. “Betty Ann” Conners, 85, of DuBois, PA passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home.

She was born August 28, 1938, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Romandus “RL” Bauer and Dorothy Wells Bauer.  Betty Ann was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1956.  She continued her education at Lock Haven University, where she was a top student majoring in English Literature.  Following graduation, she went to California State University of PA for her student teaching.

Betty Ann married her high school sweetheart, John Thomas “Tom” Conners, also from the class of 1956.  Together they lived in several homes, enjoyed traveling, and raised their daughter, Cathy.

She was a tremendous teacher and spent many years at St. Rose of Lima and Bishop Guilfoyle in Altoona teaching Public Speaking, Mock Trial, English, and Music.  She was also an accomplished and dedicated piano teacher who took great pride in her many talented students and annual themed rehearsals in Wilton, CT and DuBois, PA.

John “Bruce” Bauer, 89, of Rightmeyer St., St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Penn Highlands DuBois.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 5, 2024 at Sacred Heart Church, 337 Center St., St. Marys, PA, 15857 with Fr. Thomas Curry, OSB, as celebrant.

Family and friends will be received at the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, July 5, 2024 from 10:15 AM until the time of the mass.

Burial will be in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

A full obituary will be forthcoming.

Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com.

Robert D. Miketish, 77, of 17 Aqua Drive, Gifford, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024, at his residence.

Born November 22, 1946, in Bradford, he was a son of the late George and Gertrude (Dailey) Miketish. He was a 1964 graduate from Smethport High School.

On April 3, 1968, in Munich, Germany, Robert married Veronika (Aniol) Miketish, who preceeded him in death on April 13, 2019.

Robert was employed at Zippo for one year, Beatty Auto Parts, drove the gas truck for Jack Hermes, and worked at R.F. Snyder as a manager, before retiring. Robert enjoyed spending time with his wife and going to bingo and the casino together.

Surviving are two daughters, Rhonda (Mike Roller) Miketish, of Gifford, Natalie (Angelo Fuqua) Miketish-Brown, of Gifford, two sons Robert (Dawn)  Miketish, of Gifford, Mark (Sarah Zawalsky) Miketish, of Olean, NY, a sister, Martha (Chet) Lindemuth, of VA, 13 grandchildren, Tyler (Sabrina), Codi, Nathan, Kyleigh, Robbie, Mason, Mark, Marina, Manoah, Mia, Jasiah, Nia, five great-grandchildren, Brysen, Kendyn, Emmett, McKenna, Bellamy, and several nieces and nephews.

Evelyn H. Coast, 87, of 48 Bedford Street, Bradford, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home. 

Born August 19, 1936, in Red Cross, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Alma (Bohner) Hoch.

Evelyn was a 1958 graduate of Bradford High School.

On October 24, 1958 she enlisted in the United States Army and she served at Ft. McClellan in AL. She was Honorably discharge on February 13, 1961.

Evelyn was a Home Health Care Aide since 1978. She was always loving and was dedicated to her patients. She enjoyed painting, baking, and puzzling.