2025

Sandra “Sandy” Young, 63, of 169 Washington Street, St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly in Johnstown, PA.

She was born August 14, 1961, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Raymond “Junie” and Arlene Carr Prechtel, Jr.  She was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1979.

On August 9, 2012, in Decker’s Chapel, she married Tex (John) L. Young, who survives.  They were blessed to share thirty-three years together before their twelve years of marriage with each other.

Mary Jane Mallison D’Amore passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025. Affectionately known as “Mal” to her friends and family, Mary Jane was born on December 13, 1935, to Linus and Frances McHenry Mallison. She married Joseph D’Amore on July 4, 1959.  Together, they enjoyed over 65 years of marriage.  Mary Jane attended the St. Marys Area Public Schools and graduated in 1954.  As the class treasurer, Mary Jane faithfully planned and organized all her class reunions every five years for 70 years.

Mary Jane was a devout Catholic and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church. Over the years, Mary Jane worked at G.C. Murphy’s, Stackpole Carbon Company, Johnson’s Grocery Store, and as a teacher’s aide.  Because she never missed voting in an election, Mary Jane received a proclamation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Mary Jane was also an avid reader, an active swimmer, and a passionate cook and baker.

Jerry E. Ward:  Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather

Jerry E. Ward, 78, of 4067 Times Square, Friendship, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at home.

Born on July 26, 1946, in Wellsville, he was a son of Orrin and Genevieve Linza Ward.  On December 23, 1972, in Friendship he married the former Barbara A. Cummins who survives.

Jerry attended Friendship Central School. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted in the United States Army Serving during the Vietnam War from 1965-67.   He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his military service he worked for several jobs before going to work at the Town of Friendship as heavy equipment operator.  After retirement he worked as a seasonal employee as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Cuba. 

Angeline M. Pellegrino

Angie M. Pellegrino, 97, of Warren, Pa, died on Tuesday March 11, 2025, at UPMC WCA Hospital, Jamestown, New York.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc.

Raymond W. Neubert, 93, of 1454 Rosely Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully following a lengthy illness Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Elk Haven Nursing Home.

He was born October 1, 1931, in St. Marys, son of the late William and Mary Wendel Neubert.  He was a lifelong resident of the area, attended St. Marys Parochial Schools, and spent his entire life as a dairy farmer on the family farm.

He is survived by his sister, Maureen Newman, of St. Marys; a brother, Gerard “Gerry” Neubert (Rose Mary) of St. Marys; and his beloved nieces and nephews: Tom, Suzy, Mark, Tim, Deb, Joe, Dan, Mike, Karen, and Sharon.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Kenneth Neubert; a sister-in-law, Barbara Neubert; and a brother-in-law, Thomas Newman.

Patricia Vantine, 83, of Sleepy Hollow Rd. passed away Tuesday (March 11) in the Lutheran Home at Kane.  Born March 21, 1941 in Kane, she is the daughter of the late Kenneth and Iola (Jones) Fulmer.  On August 12, 1989, in Kane, she married James Vantine, who preceded her in death.

Patricia worked for many years as a teacher in the Kane Area School District.  As an educator she took great pride in giving each child she was honored with teaching an opportunity to learn and grow.  She was known to have a jar of Hershey’s Kisses and Huggs on her desk to commemorate even the simplest of achievements – she greatly believed each child she came across was special and deserved a chance to excel. She was an active member of the Tabor Lutheran Church, a volunteer at the Friend’s Memorial Library and a member of the Retired Teachers Group in Kane.  She also was a member of numerous quilting groups and created some of the most elaborate scrap books created.

Thomas L. Bells, Jr.     

Thomas L. “Tom” Bells, Jr., 51, of Whitesville, passed away with his loving family by his side on Monday, March, 10, 2025, in NYU Langone Hospital, NY, NY, after a long period of declining health.

Born on Saturday, July 14, 1973 in Brockport, NY, he was a son of Thomas L. Bells, Sr. and Bethany Baker Bells Peet.  On May 13, 1995 in Waterport, NY, he married Vicki M. Lamb, who survives.

Tom was a graduate of Kendall High School, Class of 1991, in Kendall NY.  He graduated from RIT with a degree in computer programming. 

Juli M. Creed, of 1043 Brook St., passed away peacefully Tuesday (March 11, 2025) at Olean General Hospital, with her loving husband and family by her side.

Juli was born Oct. 30, 1971, in Canton, Ohio, and was the daughter of James Dale and Joanne Marie Gipp Snyder. On June 1, 1991, in Smethport, Pa., she married Rodney R. Creed, who survives.

Juli was a 1990 graduate of Smethport High School. She continued her education at the St. Francis School of Nursing in Allegany and then continued by attending JCC, where she graduated with her degree in nursing. She received her bachelor’s in nursing from Purdue University.

Juli began working as a floor nurse at Olean General Hospital, then she worked as an ICU nurse for 15 years at BRMC, then she worked as a nurse at the Salamanca School District for the past eight years until recently returning to Olean General Hospital.