July 2024

OLEAN – John W. Barber Jr., 62, of Olean, NY passed away Monday (July 22, 2024) at Olean General Hospital, surrounded by family, after fighting a long illness.

Born Dec. 8, 1961, in Olean, he was the son of John W. and Roberta C. Deibler Barber Sr. He enjoyed an 18-year union with his loving companion, Brigette Ross, who survives.

John was a graduate of Hinsdale Central School. He worked as an independent roofing contractor for many years, a job in which he was both skilled at and enjoyed.

Everyone knew him as an avid Buffalo Bills fan since childhood, but most knew him to be an outdoorsman, especially fishing which was his first passion. He also loved animals, and generally held a love of life itself.

Merle E. Dibble 94, of Derrick Rd., Bradford, PA passed away peacefully Tuesday (July 23, 2024) in the Olean General Hospital.

    Born November 17, 1929, in Betula, PA, he was a son of Alice A. Dibble. On April 26, 1958, in Scio, NY, he married Mary Brodie, who died Nov. 28, 2005. 

    Merle was a hard worker, starting off at age 13 when he quit school and worked full time logging and cutting chemical wood with teams of horses, which he loved.   At 18, he worked up Fishing Creek for room and board, at a dairy farm.  Starting in 1952 he worked 18 years in Coudersport for the Damascus Tannery.  Merle finished out his employment with  Ball-Incon Container Co. of Port Allegany, retiring in 1996, after 26 years of nearly perfect service, only missing 2 days.

     Merle was a lifetime resident of the area.  He enjoyed working in his garden and cutting firewood, planting trees, and spending time with family and friends.  Merle loved playing his harmonicas and singing and after retirement he joined a quartet.  Later in life, Merle revisited his passion for oil painting.  Merle loved helping out family and friends in need, and would often neglect his own needs. 

Richard A. Wineberg, 74, of Pierce Brook Road, Smethport, PA went to be with his Lord, after a courageous battle with cancer, Tuesday (July 23, 2024) at UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

Born April 22, 1950, in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Kenneth E. and Grace Nick Wineberg. On July 28, 1979, in Bradford, he married Shirley M. Tanner Myers, who survives. They were married 44 years.

He was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of Bradford High School, class of 1968.
Richard was employed with Belser & Hale of Bradford for several years, and also Dresser Co. of Olean, before his retirement.

He attended Hilltop Baptist Church in Gifford. He was a member and past master of McKean Lodge 388 F&AM, Smethport, and the Coudersport Consistory.

Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing, and sitting on the front porch swing of the home he built. He enjoyed spending time with his family and beloved pets, and sharing devotions with his wife daily.

Kathleen (Kathy) Healy Ligday, 85, of Zelienople, PA, passed away on 16 July 2024.

A native of Bradford, PA, she was the only child of Marion (Wharton) and Gordon Healy. Gregarious and fun loving, Kathy spent her youth amongst many cousins and friends. She often attended dances donning mother-made poodle skirts, enjoyed outdoor fun like skiing, and cheered on the Bradford Bees baseball team with her adoring father.

Upon graduating from St. Bernard High School in 1957, she received a degree in Dietetics at Mount Mercy (now Carlow University) and embarked on her lifelong career as a dietician.

Settling in the Pittsburgh area, Kathy’s friend suggested a double date to a football game. Through Divine Providence, she met the man who she would eventually share 55 years of marriage.  She married Francis (Fritz) Ligday, Jr. in 1969, and set to work building their family in a modest home in Harmony, PA. It’s under this roof that their two sons – Francis and Stephen – experienced and witnessed their mother’s unconditional devotion and selflessness. Firm but fair, Kathy instilled virtues of commitment, sacrifice, and work ethic through a life of humility.  However, she was immensely proud of her boys – encouraging and embracing their passions and always cheering from the sidelines. She never missed the opportunity to draft a ‘blub’ for the local paper highlighting their accomplishments.

Glenn A. Wonderling, 63, of Main Street, Kersey, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Penn Highlands Dubois.

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

Anna M. Kopp, 97, formerly of Houston Road in “Lynchville” St. Marys, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at the home of her daughter.

Anna was born on September 21, 1926 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Frank and Catherine Caskey Cheatle.  She was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys schools.

On May 3, 1948 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Anna married the late Richard “Dick” Kopp, who preceded her in death on February 25, 1976.

Travis James “TJ” McCleary, 47, of Brookings, OR, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Bradford Regional Medical Center. 

Born on June 12, 1977, in Bradford, he was a son of Cathy (Tsepelis) McCleary and the late Michael Daniel McCleary.

Frank W. Barton, Jr., 75, of 73 Edgewood Road, Bradford, PA passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at The Pavilion @ BRMC surrounded by his loving family.

Born August 24, 1948, in Kane, he was a son of the late Frank W. Barton Sr. and Lois Louise (Hines) Barton. He was a 1966 graduate of Kane High School. After high school he worked at the tannery in Mt. Jewett. Later in life he obtained an associates degree as a Paralegal from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and a business degree from Olean Business Institute

In 1968 he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Korea and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

On April 5, 1969, in the Mt Nebo Chapel Mt. Jewett, he married Patricia A. (Trumbull) Barton who survives.  After the service he worked at Case Cutlery for 20 years then Cutco in Olean for 21 years then he retired. In 1990 he opened Barton’s Notary Service on Congress Street and operated the business until 2012.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 108, Eagles Club, and the VFW Post 212.

Smethport – John A. Marsden, Jr., 57, of Mt. Jewett, PA passed away Tuesday (July 23, 2024) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

Arrangements will be announced with a full obituary by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

Clyde P. Beldin, Jr., 75, of Emporium, PA passed away at UPMC-Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA on Monday morning (July 22, 2024). He was born May 20, 1949 in Ridgway, PA a son of the late Clyde P. Sr and Jennie McKimm Beldin.

Clyde Served with the US Army during the Vietnam conflict (January 1969- August 1970). He worked many years at PA Pressed Metals in the secondaries and grinding departments. Clyde was a member of the Miller-Raffaele Post 6221, VFW and enjoyed working on cars and riding his motorcycle. His love for FORD vehicles was unsurpassed.