Obituaries

Bruce K. Freeman, 76, formerly of 67 Oxford Street, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023, at UPMC Hamot Medical Center.

Bruce was born in Bradford, on November 24, 1946, he was a son of the late Kenneth W. and Marion H. (Hosack) Freeman. He was a 1964 Graduate of Bradford High School, and achieved his Eagle Scout Award while in high school. 

Bruce earned a Bachlors of Arts degree in Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 20, 1968, he was honorably discharged on March 19, 1977. He was a civilian for the next 10 years and earned an additional degree in Business Management before joining the United States Army. Bruce served his country for an additional 10 more years before retiring to Bradford. While retired he worked at Walmart for five years. For the last four years he resided at the Bradford Manor.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and the Bradford YMCA. He volunteered at BRMC. 

Wayne F. MacKENZIE, 72, of Coudersport, PA, died Saturday, October 7, 2023 in UPMC Williamsport following a brief illness.  

Born July 27, 1951, in Port Allegany, he was the son of Daniel N. MacKenzie and Patricia Kaziska MacKenzie O’Toole.  A 1970 graduate of Port Allegany High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War.  

Mary Jane Ayers, 93, of Warren, Pa., died Monday evening, October 9, 2023, at Kinzua Valley Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Warren, PA.  She was born May 24, 1930 in Warren, PA., and was the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Antoinette Gigliotti Salerno. She was a lifelong Warren area resident and a 1948 graduate of Warren High School.  Mary Jane was employed with the former Central Nursing Home as the office manager and with the Area Agency on Aging as office receptionist.  She was a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church and Sweet Adeline’s.

Mary Jane is survived by her 5 Children – David F. Ayers and wife, Deborah of Bloomfield, CO., Rebecca A. Culbertson and husband, Gary of Warren, PA., Linda M. Eng and husband, Nelson of Alvin, TX., Pamela E. Hartman and husband, Earl, Lucinda A. Nuhfer and husband, Phillip all of Warren, PA., 1 Brother–Leroy Salerno and wife, Mary Anne of Sunnyvale, CA., 8 Grandchildren – Tron Valentine (Caitlin), Melissa Culbertson, Lindsey Abplanalp (Matt), Diane Mayhew (Cody), Kevin Ayers (Haley), Timothy Ayers (Erin), Vanessa Eng (T.J.), Nathan Eng, 4 Great Grandchildren – Chanel, Dominick, Cason,  Jayden, Josie and baby girl due in November, several nieces, nephews and cousins.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Dr.  Charles Salerno and Joseph Salerno.

Tamara Kathleen Meyer, 43, of 420 Rightmeyer Street, St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 7, 2023 at her residence.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

Charles M. Ditz, 88, of Warren, PA., died Tuesday morning, October 10, 2023, at Warren General Hospital, Warren, PA.
A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.

Marilyn I. Veit, 84, of Port Allegany, PA passed away Monday (October 9, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary

Connie B. Allen, 77, Port Allegany, PA passed away Friday (Oct. 6, 2023) in her home.

Born November 16, 1945, in Blossburg, PA, she was a daughter of Guy and Della Butler Sweet. 

Connie worked as a waitress at the former ABC Restaurant, Burtville, and most recently as a private home healthcare worker, before she retired.

Christopher Bice, age 34, of Blossburg, PA, passed away due to a brief illness, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

He was born on August 12, 1989, in Norfolk, VA, a son of James and Tammy (Schoonover) Bice. Chris was the husband of Trisha Brimmer. He worked as a laborer at Ward Manufacturing in Blossburg, PA.

Chris was the most amazing, smart, outgoing, funny, crazy, loving person anyone was fortunate enough to know. He lived his life to the absolute fullest. He was daring, caring and charming. He took pride in making others have a good day even if it was his bad day. He loved his family and was always the one to be there when you needed someone to understand or listen.

Chris lived his life as the adventure it was meant to be, telling many crazy stories about it and leaving many people with stories to tell.

Evelyn J. Sicheri, 86, of 144 Teaberry Road, St. Marys, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023 at Elk Haven Nursing Home, following a brief illness.

She was born April 29, 1937 in Dagus Mines, daughter of the late Etalo and Mary Canton Mattiuz. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Kersey High School, Class of 1955.  She was employed at Stackpole Carbon for 36 years and retired from Penn Metal Stamping.

On June 6, 1959, in St. Boniface Church, she married Frank Sicheri, who preceded her in death on March 23, 2022. 

Patrick J. “Phat Pat” Torpey 72, of Oil City passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Cuba Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. 

Born Jan 10, 1951, in Camp Pendleton California, he was the son of William and Amelia Phillips Torpey. He relocated to Oil City after High School where he built his life and family.  He will always be remembered for his work ethic, his love for family and especially his sense of humor. 

He spent his entire career at Mersiol.  Despite many health challenges and obstacles along the way, he never once complained.  He loved nature, fishing, reading and was a movie buff.  An organ donor provided Patrick and his family with 20 additional years of life.  Once Parkinsons Disease, struck he medically retired.  As his body broke down, he handled his disease with humility and grace and always maintained a sense of humor.  Patrick was blessed that his daughter Megan and her husband were able to keep him at home for over 4 years to care for him. 

Judson R. Duell, II, 82, of Knotts Island, NC, formerly of Coudersport, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, and Helga Duell, 87, of Knotts Island, NC, formerly of Coudersport, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Memorial services for Judson R. Duell, II and Helga Duell will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 North East St., Coudersport.  To share a memory or condolence visit www.thomasfickinger.com.

Gary R. Martin, 77, of Bradford, formerly of Warren, PA passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the St. Vincent Hospital, Erie.

He was born on April 13, 1946 in the former village of Kinzua; a son of the late Troy and Vera Eschenbach Martin.

He was a 1964 graduate of the Warren Area High School and he earned his Bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Edinboro University in 1969.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War; serving from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1972.  While serving his country Gary earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars as well as several other commendations and medals.

On August 27, 1988 in the United Methodist Church, Sheffield; Gary married Linda Wilson who survives.

Virginia Weidow, 83, of Bayard St. in Kane, PA passed away Wednesday (Oct. 4) at the Meadville Medical Center.  

Born May 3, 1940 in James City, she is the daughter of the late Russell and Bertha (Chittester) Farnsworth. On April 30, 1962, in James City, she married David Weidow, who preceded her in death.

Ginny worked as a housekeeper for many years and also had been employed by the Highland Group.  She was a member of the Living Waters Free Methodist Church and the Kane Eagles FOE 307.  She was a past member of the Kane VFW and the Kane Fire Dept. Auxiliary.

Michael Ronald Stanford, 70, of Middlebury Center, PA passed away early Thursday, October 5, 2023, at UPMC Susquehanna in Williamsport. 

He was born July 3, 1953, in Wellsboro, to Ronald Ivan and MaryLou (McConnell) Stanford.  He graduated from Wellsboro High School and earned his associate degree from WACC.  On November 20, 1971, he married Carole Joy Downey, with whom he shared nearly 52 years of marriage, and raised two daughters. 

Pauline R. Goochee, 72, of Skinner Creek Road, Port Allegany, PA passed away Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023) at UPMC Hamot, Erie.

Born Jan. 22, 1951, in Central Falls, R.I., she was a daughter of Leo and Yvonne Charpentier Boucher. On June 4, 1984, in Chaffee, N.Y., she married James E. Goochee, who survives.

Pauline was a longtime area resident and a graduate of Jamestown Community College, Olean, N.Y., with a bachelor’s in nursing. She had been employed with several area healthcare facilities, but most recently with the Potter County Office of Aging, before her retirement.

She was a member of Port Allegany Alliance Church and Port Allegany Moose Lodge 460, a former EMT with Port Area Ambulance Service and a volunteer at many Potter County senior centers.

Victoria G. “Vickie” Johnson, 73, of 90 Main Street, Lewis Run, PA passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023, peacefully, at her residence. She was a loving aunt to many.

Born May 23, 1950, in Bradford, she was the daughter of the late Phillip C. and Gertrude A. (Miller) Freeman. She was a 1969 graduate of Bradford Area High School.

On June 5, 1971, in First Free Methodist Church, she married James F. “Jet” Johnson, who preceded her in death on January 2, 2008. 

Vickie worked at KOA and later was Mrs. Graff’s housekeeper for several years. 

Roy A. Regis, 77, of Emerald Isle, Smethport, PA passed away unexpectedly Tuesday (Oct. 3, 2023) in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

Born March 17, 1946, in Olean, NY, he was a son of Virgil E. and Beatrice Bova Regis.  On June 25, 1966, in Olean, NY, he married Dorothy M. Klampt, who survives.  They were married 57 years.

Roy was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of Otto-Eldred High School, class of 1965.

He had first worked for Minard Run Oil Co., Bradford, then as a salesman for Todd-Dodge of Smethport, for several years, and most recently Bauchard Dodge of Bradford, before retiring.

Joan O’Hare, 88, of Sheffield, PA., died peacefully, on Wednesday morning, October 4, 2023, at Rouse Home, Youngsville, PA. 

Joan was born April 15, 1935, in Sykesville, PA.  She was the daughter of George Pendleton and Jennie Pendleton Karns.  She has resided in Sheffield, PA, since 1966. 

Joan was a 1953 graduate of Sykesville High School.  She was employed for many years, at Blair Corporation, retiring from there.  She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, active with their Friday Lenten Fish Fry.  She enjoyed crocheting.

Kelley A. Hritz, 40, of 138 Bennett Road, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly with her husband by her side Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital.

She was born August 23, 1983, in Tacoma, WA, daughter of Mark and Susan Bussell Oster of New Paris, PA. 

Kelley was a graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School, Class of 2000 as well as a graduate of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in 2003, where she met her loving husband and best friend, Jeffrey Hritz.  Kelley and Jeff were united in marriage on August 1, 2006, in Decker’s Chapel.

Betty J. Kelley, 58, of Orchard Place, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023, at her residence.

Betty was born in Bradford, on January 8, 1965, she was a daughter of the late Larry and Shirley A. (Moore) Reynolds.

She was a 1982 graduate of Bradford Area High School.

On August 8, 1987, in Bradford, she married Raymond R. Kelley who survives.

Betty loved to play bingo, going shopping, and spend time with her grandkids.

Raymond W. Burgess, 91, of Patterson Lane, formerly of Langmaid Lane, Bradford, went peacefully to his heavenly home and his loving wife Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Born on November 19, 1931, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Rodney F. Burgess Sr. and Nettie LaBelle (Melzer) Burgess.

He was a 1949 Bradford Area High School graduate. He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 1, 1951, and served on the USS Daly until his honorable discharge on February 21, 1955. He was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal (European Clasp), Korean Service Medal (one star), United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He began his career in 1950 for Bovaird & Seyfang as a tool grinder. After returning from the Navy he returned to Bovaird & Seyfang as a draftsmen in the Methods department. Bovaird & Seyfang later became Dresser Rand.  There he was a draftsman and the drafting supervisor for the Engineering department until his retirement after 40 years. During his time at Dresser Rand, he had two patents filed. His patent for an Automatic Seal Depressurization System was patented on January 25, 1994, and his patent for a Labyrinth Seal Assembly and Method was patented on December 14, 1999.

On August 20, 1955, he married the love of his life Joyce Walter at St. Francis Church in Bradford. They remained together until her passing in 2013.

COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Ila Arlene Saulter, known to her family and friends as Arlene (aka Harley-Arley), departed her loving family on Monday, October 2, 2023. 

Arlene was born in Roulette on July 9, 1933 to Dorothy and Wayne Knowlton.  Arlene was the last survivor of seven siblings.

Arlene married George E. Saulter in 1948 and was mother to four children, whom she raised in Coudersport with love, devotion, and many a stern look. 

Michael C. Burgett, 48, passed away at his home in Derrick City, PA on September 30, 2023, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.  

He is survived by his parents Amy and Leo, his brother Charles, his sister Nancy, his niece Allison, and his brother-in-law Sunny. Additionally, Michael has aunts, uncles and cousins in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and several other states.

Michael’s life journey started in Minnesota and took him to New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Colorado, Florida, and finally to Pennsylvania where he moved to be closer to his family. 

Raymond W. Burgess, 91, of Patterson Lane, formerly of Langmaid Lane, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023, at his son’s residence.

Born on November 19, 1931, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Rodney F. and Nettie LaBella (Melzer) Sr.

He was a 1949 Bradford Area High School graduate.  He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 1, 1951 and served on the USS Daly until his honorable discharge on February 21, 1955. He was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal (European Clasp), Korean Service Medal (one star) United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He began his career for Boviard & Seafang, Clark Brothers, which later became Dresser-Rand.  There he was the supervisor of the drafting department until his retirement after 40 years.

John H. Kroah, 69, of 27 Euclid Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away Monday, October 2, 2023, at UPMC Hamot Medical Center, peacefully with his family by his side.

Born November 20, 1953, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Robert H. Kroah and Mary Knight (Starkey).

On January 12, 1980, in Eldred, he married Marjorie A. (Lechiara) Kroah, who survives..

John was employed at Dresser Manufacturing for over forty years. He was also an active member of the Marche Club, the American Legion, and the Eagles club. John loved to do Suduko puzzles, watching the Buffalo Bills and going to the races.

Linda C. TUBBS, 74, of Ulysses, PA, died Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

Born May 29, 1949, in Blossburg, she was the daughter of Edwin Cole and Florence P. West Cole.  On June 24, 1978, in Harrison Valley, she married Charles M. “Spood” Tubbs, who predeceased her on November 27, 2022.  

She was employed by Electri-Cord in Westfield, Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, K&W Medical Supplies in Westfield for 17 years, and was also a licensed cosmetologist.  

Mildred R. HANNIGAN, 90, of Wellsville, NY, died peacefully on Friday, September 8, 2023 in her home.

Friends may call at OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY on Saturday, October  7, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 AM.  Rev. Robin George will officiate.  Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery.  Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.  

Memorials may be made to SPCA serving Allegany County. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.

Arlene Saulter, 90, a longtime resident of Coudersport, PA passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 2, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

Funeral arrangements are 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..

Joan M. O’Hare, 88, of Sheffield, PA, died peacefully Wednesday, October 4, 2023. 

Friends will be received at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Saybrook, PA., on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. 

A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.