Obituaries

Linda Leahy, 70, of Ridgway, PA died on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at her residence.

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

David VanSlander, 77, formerly of Daguscahonda, PA died peacefully on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Pinecrest Manor with his family by his side.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Susan A. Mahovlich, 68, of Jackson Road, St. Marys, PA died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at her home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Donald E. Mahovlich, 69, of Jackson Road, St. Marys, PA died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home. 

Troy T. Coppella, 56, of West Washington Street, Bradford, PA passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at UPMC Shadyside, with his family by his side.

Born May 9, 1967, in Saint Marys, he was a son of the late Thomas L. Coppella and the late Margaret Ann Pistner.

He was a 1985 graduate of Bradford Area High School.

On October 3, 1992, he married Christa M. (Lucco) Coppella who survives.

Troy began working after graduating from high school for his father at Coppella and Associates. He continued to operate the business after his father retired, and was currently working right up until his death. In 1998 he joined the Bradford City Water Authority starting as the staff accountant and later became the billing manager/controller.

Maria E. Wolcott, 77, of Derrick City, PA passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Erie County Medical Center, in Buffalo, NY.

Born on March 12, 1947, in Santiago de Chuco, Peru, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Angela Aguilar Escobedo.

Maeia graduated high school in Peru and later graduated in 1970 from Inca Gacilaso De La Vega University in Lima, Peru, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Education and Childcare. She worked for an organization helping orphans and children in Hauraz, Peru after a major earthquake there where she met Chris Wolcott, her future husband, who was working there in the Peace Corps. They married on July 20, 1972, in Lima, Peru.

After coming to the United States in 1973, Maria worked at the Children’s Home in housekeeping and then as a childcare worker. She later taught Spanish at Bradford Central Christian High School for many years until its closing and part-time at the University Pittsburgh at Bradford. She also taught Spanish at The Learning Center and worked at the YMCA Day Care Center until illness forced her to retire.

Daniel P. Thorwart, 79, of 114 Capri Road, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 30, 2024 at his residence. 

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

MARY EILEEN CULP

Mary Eileen Dubler Culp was born in Ridgway, PA on March 19, 1937.  She went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 20, 2024.

Mary Eileen graduated from Johnsonburg High School, Johnsonburg, PA in 1955.  Mary Eileen graduated from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in Albany, New York as a Child Nurse.  Mary Eileen worked as a Child Nurse at St. Margaret’s after graduation.  She also worked for the Ridgway Hospital in Ridgway, PA in the operating room, at the Philipsburg Hospital in Philipsburg, PA, and at Warren County Christian School in Youngsville, PA. 

She was married to Ralph Culp on Sept. 19, 1964.  After getting married and moving to Maryland, she was employed in the Gandy Goose Day Care Nursery until her son Todd was born in 1968.  That is where she met Faye Wolfgang, her longtime friend and godmother to her son Todd.  Faye’s husband John Wolfgang was Todd’s godfather. 

James H. Young Jr.

James H. Young Jr., 87, Warren, PA, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

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

Darryl E. Jackson

COUDERSPORT, PA—Darryl E. Jackson, 58, of Coudersport, passed away with his loving wife by his side on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

Helene L. Turner, 83, of Port Allegany, PA passed away Thursday (March 28, 2024) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

She was born November 12, 1940 in Port Allegany, the daughter of Clare and Marie Cummings Crowe. On June 1, 1963 in Port Allegany, she married George Turner, who survives.

Mrs. Turner was a graduate of Port Allegany High School and employed by Ethan Allen in Eldred, Pa.

Barbara H. Black GROSSMAN, 78, of Wellsville, NY, died Friday, March 29, 2024 in Wellsville Manor Care Center. 

Born November 27, 1945, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Burnham and Helen Rifenburg Babbitt.  On May 15, 1965, in Scio, she married Lynn D. Black, who predeceased her on January 20, 2001.  She later married Robert Grossman, who predeceased her in 2004. 

A graduate of Scio High School, she was self-employed with her husband and operated Black’s Home for Adults on the Andover Road for many years. 

Barbara was a member of Riverside Assembly of God.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.  Barb loved animals, especially her cat, Sarge.

Helene L. Turner, 83, of Port Allegany, PA passed away Thursday (March 28, 2024) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

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

Carl E. Vance, 74, of Bradford, PA passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Elizabeth A. “Liz” Geci, 93, of 74 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, PA, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Elk Haven Nursing Home. 

She was born on March 11, 1931 in St. Marys, PA, a daughter of the late John and Catherine Garbic Geci.

Liz was a member of the Sacred Heart Church. She graduated from St. Marys Public High School Class of 1949, and retired on November 30, 1993 from GTE Sylvania after 27½ years of service.

Troy T. Coppella, 56, of West Washington Street, Bradford, PA passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at UPMC Shadyside.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Smethport – Patricia Ann Miesowitz, 77, of Smethport, PA passed away Tuesday (March 26, 2024) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

She was born July 27, 1946 in Leonard Town, MD, the daughter of Oscar W. and Ruth R. (Wathen) Proffitt. On May 31, 1985, in Leonard Town, MD, she married James Patrick “Pat” Miesowitz, who survives.

Patricia worked at Sena Kean Manor of Smethport for 15 years. She retired there from house keeping in 2017.

She was a member of the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 Smethport Women’s Auxiliary.

In addition to her husband, “Pat”, she is survived by:

Janice M. Fitch, 81, of Emporium, PA passed away at Shadyside-UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA on Tuesday morning (March 26, 2024) following a brief illness. She was born October 23, 1942 in St. Marys, PA a daughter of the late James and Ethel Jacob Lecker. 

Janice married her first husband the late James Wendel who passed away in 1992  and later married Clinton W. Fitch who passed away in 1975.  

She retired from Elk Regional Health Center as a switchboard operator in 2007.  

She was an active member of St. Mark Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and taught CCD for many years.  Teaching CCD gave her so much joy and she still looked forward to running into past students.  She continued speaking fondly of those memories until she passed.  She always enjoyed and held onto memories of her Wednesday nights.  In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her cat, Gerald; watching her British Television Series; puttering around her yard, and visiting with family and friends.  She always had a wonderful time watching the birds, deer, elk, etc. on her rides as well as in her own yard. 

Christena L. Pistner, 77, of Morianna Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Olean General Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Russell Dwight Gross

R. Dwight ‘Squirell’ Gross, 80, of Clearfield, PA passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at his home.

He was born on May 14, 1943 in Coudersport, a son of the late Raymond L. Gross and Margaret L. (Freeman) Gross.

In June of 1967, he married his first wife, Sandra L. Notor of Clearfield, and on August 21, 1999 he married Darlene J Litz of Clearfield at the Centre Grove United Methodist Church in Clearfield.

Surviving are his wife Darlene; daughter-in-law Erin Gross of Montgomery, AL; three grandchildren, Jackson, Jameson, and Georgia Gross all of Montgomery, AL; a brother, Charles Gross of Coudersport; and a sister, Carol Shroeder of Coudersport.

Along with his parents parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jason L Gross; a sister, Evelyn Jenigen; and his twin brother, Ronald Duane Gross.

Elizabeth A. “Liz” Geci, 93, of St. Marys, PA passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

Smethport – Patricia Ann Miesowitz, 77, of Smethport, PA passed away Tuesday (March 26, 2024) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

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

Robert C. “Bob” Taylor, 83, of St. Marys, PA passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. 

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

The enigmatic life of Howard Earl Ott, of Big Run, PA concluded on Monday, March 25, at Riverside Manor. He was just five days shy of 84.
Howard was born on March 30, 1940, in Punxsutawney, the seventh child of the late Donald James and Gertrude Caroline (Zimmerman) Ott. Growing up in the Harmony/Adrian area, he and his eight siblings knew sacrifice and hardship, growing up in post-WWII America in a single-parent environment.

He graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1957, and later enlisted in the USAF, training at Lackland AFB in Texas, then serving as an MP in exotic locations such as Morocco and the Deep South. His duties included defense and security of the B52s and other large aircraft vital to the nuclear capabilities of the U.S. military. Just prior to his honorable discharge in 1962, Howard met Jennieve (Jenny Vee) Gillentine while serving at the Blytheville, Arkansas Air Force Base. They were married on May 25, 1962, and later made their home in Big Run for over 60 years. Howard worked as a meatcutter at the A&P Market, in Punxsutawney before beginning an apprenticeship with IBEW and continuing in that field until his retirement.  

Howard enjoyed college sports and was an avid Penn State football fan attending many seasons worth of home and Bowl games. He also enjoyed and supported high school sports and local youth athletics. Upon retiring, he developed a passion for golf and scored a hole-in-one on July 31, 2008. He continued to play the game into his 80s and until he was no longer physically able to do so.
He was a Freemason and a member of the Coudersport Consistory, also a proud member of the Jaffa Shriners.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife; two infant brothers; his brother, Russel; and sisters Delores, Beverley, Carol, Ruth, Sara, Geraldine and Cheryl.

Surviving Howard are his four children, Leslie Baxter and husband Kenneth of Salem, Utah, Donald Ott and wife Cheryl of Linesville, Daniel Ott of West Jordan, Utah, and Darrin Ott and wife Karen of Coudersport; nine grandchildren, Michelle Baxter-Maynard, Chad Baxter and wife Jen, Megan Jepperson, K.C. Baxter, Christian Baxter, Josiah Ott, Owen Ott, Ameilia Ott and Ethan Ott; and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Victor P. Kolesar, Sr., age 75 of Westfield, PA passed away on March 23, 2024 at home with his wife. Born on January 22, 1949 in Brownsville, PA, he was the son of the late Joe W. and Jessie I. (Barber) Kolesar.

He was a graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School, Class of 1967. While there he was active in chorus, track, football, baseball and basketball. Vic worked for the former A & P in Horseheads, K & W Medical Supplies and in the big kitchen at the Tioga County Fair in the 90’s, where he met his wife. He also worked for his sister, Marie’s Meat Market, his brother, Buzz’s bowling alley and garage and his brother, Gene’s garage.

He was a former PIAA-certified umpire, coached Little League baseball, softball and Junior bowling at Valley Bowling in Westfield. He was also a former charter member of the Jaycee’s Lions Club of Westfield and a member of the Men’s Bowling Association of Westfield. Vic loved to golf, bowl, go fishing in Canada with family and friends, used to play men’s baseball and fast-pitch softball, running the chains for football games at C.V. and announcing ballgames in Elkland. He also loved to watch football, basketball, baseball and golf at both, C.V. High School and on TV.

Cynthia Ann Losey, 73, of Lawrenceville, PA passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Born May 28, 1950, in Corning, NY. She was the daughter of the late Roland D. and Jean (Miller) Losey. 

Cynthia graduated from Williamson High School, attended Lock Haven University, and received her bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. She had a successful and rewarding career as a social worker / supervisor at a halfway house in St. Petersburg.

Cynthia retired to Lawrenceville in 2010 to care for her father, Roland, in the last years of his life. Cynthia inherited the co-management and bookkeeping of the Power Cemetery from him, where she enjoyed restoring, researching, and organizing the information in service to all who rest there.

She was an amazing golfer, almost going pro in her younger years, and will be missed by her current community at Indian Hills GC. She was a beloved classmate and organizer of WHS Class Reunions, reflecting 50+ years of close contact with many who will miss her. She loved dogs, rescuing and caring for many through the years – including her current rescue, Phoebe, who brought her so much joy.

ELDRED — Gerry Zetler was born Dec. 9, 1924, to Lee Baker and Lillian Dolan Baker. She was the second child in a family of four and the first girl. She followed Don and then became an older sister to Richard and Dorothy. She grew up in Rixford and graduated from the Otto Junior-Senior High School in 1943.

While the men in her graduating class were going off to war, she went to Mansfield State Teacher’s College for her bachelor’s degree and later on to Geneseo for her master’s. Gerry started her career at Otto-Eldred and finished it with Bradford School District.

While WWII was going on, Gerry spent summers working at the munitions plant in Eldred. She was one of the real Rosie the Riveters and proud of it. She later volunteered at the Eldred WWII Museum, telling her story to anyone who came through the doors.

After the war was over and her education completed, she married Merle (Bud) Zetler in a quiet ceremony in her family home surrounded by loved ones.

After 10 years of wedded bliss, it was time for a child. Suzy was born in May 1958. While she was busy with Suzy’s raising, she managed to find time to belong to many organizations.

Thomas M. Yohe, 65, of 107 State Street, Bradford, PA passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at his residence with his devoted wife by his side.

Born on February 28, 1959, in Bradford, he was a son of  the late John E. “Jack” and Shirley J. (Fields) Yohe. He was a 1977 graduate of Bradford Area High School. 

On May 24, 1991, in the West Branch United Methodist Church, he married Amy S. (Pearce) Yohe, who survives.

Tom met Amy while working at Werzalit where he worked for 22 years. Together they owned and operated the Cabinetree Woodshop for 20 years.  He worked at Ace Hardware and Walmart and loved assisting customers.

William A. “Bill” Thomas, 62, of Emporium, PA passed away at his residence on Monday morning (March 25, 2024). He was born September 11, 1961 in St. Marys, PA a son of the late Robert L. Thomas and Nancy L. Spellenberg Thomas.

Bill worked at GKN for many years and later at a golf coarse in Douglasville, Georgia.