Obituaries

June K. Pessia, 91, formerly of 34 Homestead Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away on February 11, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home surrounded by her loving family.

June and her twin sister, Janet, were born June 17, 1932, in Grove City. They were the daughters of the late Glenn and Pearl (Perrine) Snyder. Her mother Pearl passed away during childbirth. Both twins were adopted shortly after birth, and in the height of the Depression, by George A. and Bessie (Elder) Koehler. The Snyder and Koehler families remained close with many Snyder family members attending June’s 90th birthday celebration in 2022.

A 1950 graduate of Bradford High School, June played the flute and piccolo in the high school band and was a sharpshooter on the rifle team. 

June married Lawrence R. Pessia on December 29, 1962. Married for 48 years, he preceded her in death on October 26, 2011. 

She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and later the Four Square Gospel Church, both in Bradford. 

In 1967 with three young children at home, June went to work for The Bradford Era as a proofreader. At night and on weekends, she studied for her journeyman printer’s certificate from the International Typographical Union which she received in 1969. After that she began working in the print shop of The Bradford Era and experienced many of the technological changes in printing over the next 30 years — from setting type by hand to early computer-generated punch tape to the first multi-media production processes. June retired from The Era in 1997. 

Donna C. Shreckengost                 “memorial service slated”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Donna C. Shreckengost, 77, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly with her loving family by her side on Monday, February 12, 2024, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

To pay your respects to Donna and her family, calling hours will be held from 11am to 12 noon on Friday, February 16, 2024, in Bell Run Union Church, Taylor Brook Road, Shinglehouse.  A memorial service will follow at 12 noon.

Donna’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Donna, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.

Dolores I. “Lois” Gordon, 86, of Roulette, PA passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Sweden Valley Manor. 

Lois was born on April 21, 1937, in Coudersport, the daughter of the late Willard Peet and Pauline Beazer.  She married Erdmund D. “Dewey” Gordon on October 25, 1956 in Roulette and celebrated 36 years of marriage until his passing on November 11, 1992.

Lois was of Baptist faith, worked for Truck Lite for a short time, and mostly loved spending time with her family. 

Paul E. Conn, 79, of Smethport, passed away Thursday (February 8, 2024) at The Pavilion at BRMC, Bradford.

He was born January 2, 1945 in Bradford, the son of Richard and Marie (Anderson) Conn. On October 13, 1973, in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Smethport, he married Marlene D. Austin, who died January 4, 2022.

Paul was a graduate of Smethport Area High School class of 1963. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, serving from 1965 to 1967. He earned a Purple Heart while in action in Vietnam.

Mr. Conn was a fork lift operator employed by Pittsburgh Corning of Port Allegany, PA.  After his time working at PC, he worked for many years delivering pizza for Fox’s Pizza in Smethport.

Paul was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Smethport and the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 of Smethport.

He is survived by:

One son: Casey P. (Kimberley) Conn of Smethport

One granddaughter: Chloe Conn of Smethport

One sister: Barbara “Sue” Atkins of Bradford

And several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Paul was preceded in death by one brother, Richard “Butch” Conn.

A joint memorial service for Paul and his wife, Marlene, will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Smethport, on a date to be announced.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

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

Eleanor Mary Montgomery, 78, of Smethport, passed away Saturday (February 10, 2024) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

She was born December 4, 1945 in Bradford, the daughter of Richard U. Ford and Doris (Scofield) Ford Ordiway.

Eleanor was a 1963 graduate of Smethport Area High School and attended Spokane Community College of Spokane, Washington and also attended Whitworth College, obtaining her Master’s Degree in education.  She was an English Professor teaching English Language at University abroad in Korea.

Eleanor was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Smethport, where she loved to sing in the choir, and she attended the Smethport Senior Center.  She loved to crochet. She crocheted many blankets and items to be donated to Veterans organizations, along with items for Sena Kean Manor residents as well.

She is survived by:

One daughter: Christine L. (Raymond) Nelson of Napa, CA

Two sons: Kevin R. (Coco) Montgomery of Priest River, ID and Richard M. Montgomery of Spokane Valley, WA

Eleven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren

Two brothers: William (Sandra) Ford and Gerald (Cheryl Razey) Ford, both of Smethport

Two sisters: Patricia (Bruce) Moses of Port Allegany and Phyllis (Chuck) Richardson of Olean, NY

And several nieces and nephews

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Jacob Israel Montgomery, and her step father, Lionel “Skip” Ordiway.

A memorial service will be scheduled and announced in the near future at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Smethport. Burial will be in Bells Run Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Smethport, the Veterans Home or Sena Kean Manor Activities. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

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

PORT ALLEGANY- David A. Corio, 75, of Two Mile Rd., passed away Tuesday (Feb. 6, 2024) in his home.

      Born August 29, 1948, in Lanesborough, MA, he was a son of George and Elizabeth Frey Corio.  On Sept. 15, 2000, in Port Allegany, he married Virginia Rhodes, who died Mar. 28, 2022.

     David was a resident of the area for over 23 years. He was employed with Adelphia Cable Co. (now Zito Media) of Coudersport, in the marketing department, before his retirement.

     He was a member of the Association of Retired Persons and the Port Allegany Senior Center 50-plus club.

Patrick J. Cronmiller, of Youngsville, PA, turned 80 on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and died peacefully Sunday morning, February 11, 2024, at John and Orpha Blair Hospice Home, Warren, PA., after a courageous battle with cancer.

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

James A. Dornisch, 52, of 509 Woelfel Avenue, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 9, 2024, at Penn Highlands Elk. 

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

Peggy Sitarchuk-Price, 61, of South Kendall Avenue, Bradford, PA went to join her mother and father, Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born May 7, 1962, in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Barbara (Cuneen) Price and Tom Price. She was a 1982 graduate of Bradford Area High School.

Peggy was employed at Futures Inc. for over 38 years.

Peggy participated in the local and state Special Olympics, and was awarded gold medals for events including bowling, swimming, gymnastics, track and field.

She was a member of St. Bernard Church.

Theodore M. “Ted” Barrett, 85, of 68 East Warren Road, Custer City, PA passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the Sena Kean Manor.

Born February 1, 1939, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Paul L. and Margaret (Beckwith) Barrett. He was a 1957 graduate of Bradford High School.

On June 18, 1960, at the Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, he married Carol Sue (Byham) Barrett who survives.

Ted was manager of the autobody shop at Fairway Ford from 1960 to 1990. In 1990 he started Barrett’s Autobody Shop along with his wife. He retired in 2007, and turned the business over to his son Doug who continues to operate the company.

He was an active member of Hill Memorial United Methodist Church for many years, and the Street Dreams Car Club. Ted and Carol enjoyed going to car shows with his 1950 Chevy and her 1968 Mustang convertible.

Surviving in addition to his wife Carol of 63 years, is one daughter, Amy (Jim) Sage, of Pittsburgh, three sons, Jeffrey Barrett, of Orlando FL, Douglas (Kim) Barrett, and Sean Barrett, of Bradford, two grandchildren, Casey Sage and Kylie Sage, and several nieces and nephews.

Eleanor Mary Montgomery, 78, of Smethport, PA passed away Saturday (February 10, 2024) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

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

Joanne C. Reese, 87, passed away at Elk Haven Nursing Home on Thursday, February 8, 2024, following a short illness. 

She was born on May 9, 1936 in Warren, PA, a daughter of the late Nels and Agnes Hagstrom Carlson.

Joanne was a graduate of Warren High School, class of 1954.  She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, where she enjoyed attending and found solace in her faith.  She retired in 1998, having spent a long career working for many years at Bell Telephone Company and then several years in the office at New Process Company and then Blair Company.  Always enjoying reading and exercising, Joanne loved nothing more than spending time with her family and grandchildren.  A sweet, smart, loving, and precious mother and grandmother, she will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

Maude A. MORLEY, 98, of Ulysses, PA, died Saturday, February 10, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

Friends may call at God’s Country Ministries, 1237 E. Second Street, Coudersport, PA on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with Funeral Services following at 11:00 AM.  

A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Adah F. Meacham

PORT ALLEGANY- Adah F. Meacham, 68, of W. Ransom St., passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Friday (Feb. 9, 2024) after a lengthy illness. 

     Born July 13, 1955, in Coudersport, she was a daughter of Walter F. and Jennie G. Shaffer Miles.  On Feb. 19, 1977, she married David C. Meacham, who died Feb. 28, 2013. 

     Adah was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of the Port Allegany High School. 

     She was known for her generosity, love of family, and God. She enjoyed spending time with loved ones, working on various family and church events.  Her hobbies included sewing, embroidery, crocheting, crafts, camping and enjoyed traveling with family.

Monika M. (Stehmer) Moser, age 48, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. 

She was born on May 15, 1975 in Cincinnati, OH, a daughter of Horst Peter and Christine (Schemainda) Stehmer.  Monika was employed by Dollar General and loved coloring, cooking, gardening, being outdoors and especially spending time with her grandson. 

She is survived by her parents: Horst Peter and Christine Stehmer of Fairfield, PA, son: Chase Moser of Mansfield, PA, daughter: Zoe (Ben) McCarthy of Mansfield, PA, sisters: Brigitte Sutherland of Portland, OR, Melanie (Steve) Stehmer-Townsend of Bethesda, MD, grandson: Liam McCarthy and her “soul sister”: Robyne Sautner of Blossburg, PA. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Wellsboro, PA with Rev. Jacek Bialkowski officiating.  Interment will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Wellsboro, PA. 

Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

ROCHESTER – Mary Hungerford, 96, former long-time Bolivar, NY resident, passed peacefully Tuesday (Feb. 6, 2024), with her family at her side. She was a resident of St. Ann’s Community, Rochester.

Mary was raised in Olean. She graduated from Olean High School in 1945 and Rochester Business Institute in 1947.

In Olean, she worked as a telephone operator and at the DEC, before her marriage to Thomas E. Hungerford in 1950 at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Olean.

She lived in Bolivar for the next 65 years where she was a member of St. Mary’s Church and its Altar Society.

Mary had an infectious laugh that could be heard across the room. Born two days after St. Patrick’s Day, she was proud of her Irish heritage.

Dennis Strede, 61, of Haines St. in Kane, PA passed away Thursday (Feb. 7) in UPMC-Hamot.  

Born Dec. 22, 1962 in Willimantic, CT, he is the son of Joyce Potter and the late Raymond Strede.  On Dec. 16, 2006, he married Teresa Reed, who survives.

Dennis was a loving husband and father and a dedicated grandfather.  He was a skilled carpenter.  He also loved fishing.

Gary Olson of East Kane, 82, passed away on February 8, 2024, surrounded by his family at Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport.

Born on June 19, 1941 in Kane, Pa, he was the son of the late Harold and Virginia Olson. Gary loved Kane and lived his entire life there.

He worked at Stackpole Carbon company as a machinist for 45 years until he retired in 2004. He was also an expert carpenter who built and restored structures in Kane.

Gary was an outdoor enthusiast, with 22 years in the Pennsylvania Game Commission and taught gun safety school for 30 years. He enjoyed woodworking and created many interesting whirligigs and jewelry boxes. Gary enjoyed music and loved the Blues and Elvis. He played clarinet and saxophone flawlessly after decades of not using an instrument. Ham radio was a passion, and he stayed in touch with his community for many years as an Extra Class Operator. He also loved poetry and could still recite “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” by Robert W. Service by heart in his last days.

Smethport – Paul E. Conn, 79, of Smethport, PA passed away Thursday (February 8, 2024) at The Pavilion at BRMC, Bradford.

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

Joanne C. Reese, 87, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024 following a short illness.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 339 Main Street, Kersey, is handling the arrangements.

William E. Lyon, 79, of Emporium, PA passed away at his residence in Emporium, PA on Thursday morning (February 8, 2024). He was born July 30, 1944 in St. Marys, PA a son of the late William D. and Irene Uber Lyon. On February 17, 1990 in Wells, Nevada he married Catherine (Coleen) Williams, who survives.

Bill graduated from Cameron County High School in the class of 1962. Years ago Bill worked for Cameron Manufacturing and then he went into the trucking business hauling logs. In 2012, he retired from hauling logs and became a full-time farmer on his family farm located on Bryan Hill. He continued to operate the farm until he went to be with the Lord. Farming was the love of his life. His heart and soul were in farming. He was a member of Endless Mountains Methodist Church, and a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. 

John L. Taylor, 73, formerly of the Lafayette hilltop, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. He was welcomed into the open arms of his beloved wife, Linda, and his feline best friend, HoBo, who were waiting for him up in Heaven.

Born March 27, 1950, in Kane, he was a son of Bob & Vicky Taylor. He grew up in a home surrounded by nature, with his three siblings and plenty of wildlife keeping him company.

 He married the love of his life, Linda (Hetrick) Taylor in 1972 and spent his early adult life as a renowned electrician, working at the Box Factory, Pennzoil, PGE, and ARG.

We knew him as a kind, hardworking, and loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend. We knew him as the unofficial “Mayor” of Lafayette, as a long-standing member of his “Breakfast Club,” and as the family videographer. He loved to travel and sight-see. He was the king of snacks and board games. He was Mr. Fix It, a storyteller like no other, the father of three ducklings, and the one person who you could count on being outdoors, working sunrise to sunset.

John’s memory will be lovingly held in the heart of all those who knew him best, carried forever among the countless friends and family who he left an unforgettable impact on.

Robert “Bob’ G. Main, 66, of Warren, PA., died suddenly Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Warren General Hospital Emergency Room, Warren, PA., after suffering an apparent heart attack while at work.

He was born May 27, 1957, in Warren, PA.  He was the son of Carol Ann Hoffman Main of Warren, PA., and the late Robert M. Main, who died February 9, 2023.  Bob was a lifelong Warren area resident.  He was a 1975 graduate of Warren Area High School.  He had served with the U.S. Air Force.

After the service he was employed as a welder with Allegany Valve and Coupling Company for 15 years, and previously with the former National Forge Company for many years.  He was a master mechanic, enjoyed working on cars.  He raced #3 at Stateline Speedway and Eriez Speedway. Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman.  He loved his kids, even though they were a pain in his ass.

Margaret M. (Peg) Proebstle, 83, of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Warren, PA, and Canton, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in Henry Ford Jackson Hospital surrounded by her family.

Peg was born in Canton, Ohio, on October 9, 1940, the daughter of the late Paul V.  and Mildred T. (Betzler) DeVille. She was raised in Canton, OH, and graduated from Central Catholic HS. After attending Ursuline College for two years, Peg was a PBX operator and receptionist at the DeVille Lumber Co. and was later employed in the mail order dept. with the Blair Corporation.

On November 30, 1963, Peg married John L. Proebstle in Canton, OH. Subsequently they lived on the West Coast for 17 years where John was employed by the US Forest Service and they raised their four children. The family enjoyed canoeing, camping, and other outdoor activities. As their daughters were growing up, Peg was a Bluebird and Campfire leader.

Judith M. Lewis, 81, of Youngsville, PA, died on Friday, February 9, 2024, in the Rouse Home.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available.

The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Daniel Hayes Whitford passed away on February 5, 2024, after a tragic accident at his home on Cuba Lake.  Countless people have been impacted by his death, and his place in our shared history has been nothing short of legendary. 

The Law of the Conservation of Energy says that energy can neither be created nor destroyed – only converted from one form to another. Daniel’s love for his family, his life, and for other people was what defined him.  His energy was positive, intense, seemingly endless, and will not be diminished, but carried on by all of us.  

Born in Olean, New York to proud parents Chandler and Karen Whitford on June 22, 1977, Daniel grew up on Cuba Lake and was a graduate of Cuba-Rushford High School, Class of 1995.  He graduated from Gannon University. He started his career in the family business, The L.C Whitford Co., Inc., in the trades during his summers off in high school, the same as his brothers. He then progressed through the ranks to his most recent appointment as vice president. Throughout all these roles, his compassionate and authentic personality contributed to the cohesiveness that is the fabric of the company.

Daniel is survived by his parents, wife Rochelle (Darling), son Ford, daughter Stella; brothers Brad, Rod, and Clint; nieces Ellie and Isa Whitford; and sisters-in-law Amanda Darling and Meghan and Lauren O’Keefe.  To list his close friends would be impossible because of the immediate connections he made everywhere he went.

The life of Daniel has many themes:  Family man, intense love, adventurous soul, and a mission of happiness.  He was most passionate about his wife and children; swimming, fishing, or boating with them on Cuba Lake or at his favorite place of all – Lady Evelyn Lake in Ontario, Canada.

Daniel lived an outrageously full life, adding color to the mundane or a lightning bolt to the party. But, above all, he genuinely cared about other people’s feelings and happiness as much as his own.

Daniel leaves so many lives changed forever, and all for the better. To try and capture his life in a picture or paragraphs would be an impossible feat.  His many friends have mourned his passing with some tales and moving remembrances, including living life to the fullest, amazing hugs, making you feel at home, spreading joy and happiness, lighting up a room, infectious smile, and the list goes on.

The Whitford Family invites friends to join them in celebrating Daniel during a visitation on Sunday, February 11 at Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service Inc., 9 Bull Street, in Cuba from 1 to 5 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday, which is the summer solstice.

The Whitford Family will be establishing a memorial fund to honor Daniels’s memory.  Details will be announced before the celebration of life.

Don’t forget Daniel’s important mantra: “Straight to the top!!”

ELDRED – Judith A. Raught, 83, formerly of Looker Mountain Trail, passed away Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2024) at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born July 28, 1940, in Olean N.Y., she was the daughter of Chester and Thelma Reigel Rice. On Dec. 3, 1966, in Coryville, she married Thomas R. Raught, who preceded her in death April 20, 2022.

Judith was a 1959 graduate of Smethport High School, and when younger worked at Zippo, and then part time at Dexter-Hysol.

She enjoyed James Bond movies, crosswords, puzzles, needlework and arts and crafts. Judith was very artistic, which led her to serve as president of the Residents Society. She also previously enjoyed traveling, and sightseeing with her husband, Thomas Raught. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with, and was very proud of, her grandchildren.

ELDRED — Michael O. “Ort” Maynard, 69, of Route 446 passed away Sunday (Feb. 4, 2024) at St. Vincent Hospital, Erie, following a brief illness.

Born Aug. 23, 1954, in Olean, N.Y., he was the son of the late Orton and Peggy Manning Maynard.

Ort was a lifelong resident of Eldred, and had worked at the former Ball Foster Glass Plant, the Gold Eagle Hotel and VFW Post 2092 of Eldred. He was a social member of VFW Post 2092 of Eldred and American Legion Post 887 of Eldred, and was a prior officer for Sons of the American Legion.

He annually attended the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, N.Y., was an avid video game player and also enjoyed going fishing.

Pauline M. White, 91, of Wellsboro, PA passed away at her home on Thursday, February 8, 2024. She was born on December 6, 1932, in Oregon Hill, the daughter of the late Charles F. and Bertha M. (Gilbert) Kalmbach.  She was the wife of the late Richard L. White.

Joan Lucille (Dagustine) Martin, 90, of 111 West Main Street, Ridgway, PA passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

She was born on June 24, 1933, in Johnsonburg, a daughter of the late Frank and Joan Feronti Dagustine.

On October 25, 1952, at Holy Rosary Church, she married the late Daniel G. Martin. Together they shared more than 65 years of marriage.

Joan was a graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School class of 1951. She was a member of St. Leo Magnus Church and Catholic Daughters of America. She was also a member of the Ridgway Woman’s club for many years. Joan was secretary at Elk County Veterans’ Affairs office, retiring in 1999. She was a Jury Commissioner for 4 years (2000-2004).

Joan served as a waitress for many years at various clubs and restaurants, including the Ridgway Country Club, Elk’s Club, and the Mediterranean. She thoroughly loved waitressing and serving people throughout Ridgway. Joan was a self-taught cake decorator and well known throughout the community for her many cakes, cookies, pies, and baked goods.