Elbertia O. Smoker, 103, of Emporium, PA passed away early Monday morning (March 18, 2024) at Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA. She was born April 6, 1920 in Arroyo, PA a daughter of the late Robert E. and Alice Eddinger George Coon. On November 24, 1970 in Emporium she married the late David Smoker. Elbertia married her first husband Paul H. Carlson on Sept. 28, 1938. and he died in September 1966.

She retired from Sylvania where she worked for over 29 years. During WWII she worked for Budd Manufacturing in Philadelphia. She had attended Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Emporium. She enjoyed crocheting, crafts and cross-word puzzles.

Wesley E. Schmidt, 45, of 727 Center Street, St. Marys, passed away following a courageous battle with liver disease, Sunday, March 17, 2024, at his residence.

He was born September 4, 1978 in Seattle, WA, son of Ethel Church Schmidt and the late Wayne Schmidt.  Wesley was a graduate of Stanwood High School, Class of 1997 and had a passion for anything involving computers.

Christine A. “Chris” Wendel, 81, of St. Marys, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Penn Highlands Elk following a lengthy illness. A Mass of Christian Burial for Christine A.

Wendel will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 with Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, officiating.  

Family and friends will be received at the Queen of the World Church on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

Urbano “Ben” Principe passed away peacefully at Pinecrest Manor on Sunday, March 17, 2024, after a brief illness. 

Ben was born June 30, 1932, in Ridgway PA to the late Mary (Piccirillo) and John Prencipe. He grew up and caused trouble on Rock Street in Ridgway with his three brothers, Jim (Dorothy), Anthony (Marilyn) and John (Dolores) who all preceded him in death.

Benny attended Ridgway Area High School before joining the Army in 1949. It was there he completed his high school education and went on to become a proud member and paratrooper instructor of the 82nd Airborne Division. His service included time during the Korean Conflict although he remained stateside. He received an honorable discharge in December 1952. 

Also, during this time, he became the proud father of two wonderful children, Donna (Barry Harbin) & Steve (Tracy) Kash who remain in Georgia & Alabama respectively.

Upon returning to his hometown of Ridgway, PA, Ben met his sweetheart Joan (Carlson) at the downtown Market Basket where she worked. He chased her around until she said yes in 1959.  It was at this same time he began his career as a Beautician. 

Grace Lucy Daughenbaugh, 91, of New Jersey, formerly of Ridgway, died on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Garnet Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was born on March 4, 1933, in Ridgway, the daughter of the late Anthony and Lucy Capuano Raspatello.

On August 24, 1957, she married the late Marvin W. “Doc” Daughenbaugh, who preceded her in death on January 3, 1984.

Grace was a lifelong member of the area and a member of St. Leo Magnus Church. She and Doc were the proud owners of Circle D in Kersey and owned The Summit, where she hosted numerous memorable wedding receptions. Her dedication to her work was matched only by her unwavering love for her family. In 2017, at the age of 84, she retired and moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Greenwood Lake New York where she quickly became a special part of the village community.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Grace had a wide range of hobbies and interests that brought her joy. She found solace in baking, enjoyed watching game shows, indulged her creative spirit through painting, and savored moments spent playing cards and watching movies. One of her favorite pastimes was taking trips to the casino with her daughter and son-in-law.

Douglas D. Austin, 63, of Corry, Pa., passed away Friday, March 15, at the Corry Manor.

He was born Oct. 3, 1960, in Bradford, Pa., a son of the late Robert E. and Ermma “Billie” (Swackhammer) Austin.

Doug was raised and educated in Bradford and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1978. After high school, he attended Mansfield State College and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Accounting. After college, he came back to Bradford and worked at Bradford Pipe and Supply as a threader and then for the Bradford Era as a newspaper deliverer. Eventually, Doug took over his family business, Austin’s Distributions and ran it for 30 years until he fell ill. At that time he moved into the Corry Manor, where he would be recognized for his warm smile and waving he gave to us all in the community.

Donald Wayne Botens:  Loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather

Donald Wayne Botens, 86, of 30 South Street, Cuba, NY passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Olean General Hospital after short illness.

Born on June 13, 1937, in New Hudson, he was a son of Paul M. and Bernice M. Vaughn Botens.  On June 20, 1959, at the Cuba First Baptist Church he married the former RoseAnn Schryver who predeceased him on November 2, 2018. 

Wayne was a graduate of Cuba Central School.  He had worked at ACME Electric, Schryver’s Market in Cuba as a butcher, and last as a maintenance worker at Cuba Memorial Hospital from where he retired. 

He was a little league coach for 25 years coaching the dodgers and cardinals.  He was also good at building and fixing things, enjoyed reading and puzzles. 

He is survived by