Obituaries

Frank S. Willard, age 83, a well-known personality in Wellsboro, PA, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, November 12, 2023. 

Frank was born on March 20, 1940 in Wellsboro, PA.  The son of the late Stewart and Doris (Atherton) Willard, he was married to Donna Mae (Brooks) Willard for 64 years. We will never forget Frank’s good cheer, kindness, and generosity.

Frank was one of the lucky individuals whose vocation was his avocation. He thoroughly enjoyed his relationship with woodworking and carpentry. Frank excelled for many decades in remodeling and contracting. His craft is visible in dozens of buildings throughout Tioga County. He began his woodworking career at Patterson Lumber Company and transitioned into private trade. In addition, he spent 19 dedicated years at the Wellsboro Hospital, ultimately serving as Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Safety.

Margaret Hewitt HACKETT, 75, of Belmont, NY, died Monday, November 13, 2023 in her home. 

Born February 26, 1948, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Arthur Henry and Flossie Geraldine Williams Hinkley.  On February 29, 2020, she married Harry Bruce Hackett, who survives. 

Margaret was employed by Harrison Bros. Federal Meat Packing Plant in Williamsport, worked in many area restaurants, and owned and operated a cleaning business. 

Surviving besides her husband, Bruce, are: two children, Vickie L. Keown and Edwin K. Keown, Jr.; five step-children, Todd (Christina) Hackett, Chery (Andy) Smith, Cheryl (Jeff) Lewis, Sandy (Greg) Peczak, and Robin (Paul) Hosmer; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by a son, Jerritt R. Hinkley; and three siblings, Joyce Brink, Roger Hinkley, and Arthur Henry Hinkley, Jr. 

Private burial will be in Genesee Cemetery, Genesee, PA. 

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 21, Scio, NY 14880 or Medical Transport Service, P.O. Box 586, Wellsville, NY 14895.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.  

Port Allegany – Lee Allen Howard, 61, of Jamestown, NY, passed away Sunday (November 12, 2023) at his residence in Jamestown.

He was born April 2, 1962 in Lafayette, IN, the son of LaVerne R. and LoRena Nadene (Baker) Howard. 

Lee was a 1984 graduate of Brookville High School and a graduate of IUP.

Lee was a published writer/author, having written many published books in the horror genre.

Richard L. Bretz, 92, of Smethport, formerly of Port Allegany, passed away Saturday (November 11, 2023) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

He was born December 7, 1930 in New Castle, PA, the son of Michael and Matilda (Plattner) Bretz. Dick was first married to Betty Daugherty in 1964.  She passed away on March 7, 1983. He was then married to Phyllis C. McGavisk Swanson on April 12, 1986.  She passed away on December 17, 2013.

Dick was a graduate of New Wilmington High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Bretz was a mechanic employed by Quaker State of Farmers Valley, PA, retiring in 1992.

He had attended the Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Port Allegany, was a former member and Past Commander of the Lions Club of New Castle, PA. He was also a member of the VFW Post #2497 of Smethport and the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby.

Lottie “Trudy” Whitesell, 70, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Sunday (November 12, 2023) at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on June 01, 1953 she was the daughter of Winn and Ida (Bennett) Sidelinger.  In 1977 in Bradford, Pa. she married Tom Whitesell who survives.

Trudy attended Otto-Eldred Schools.

Surviving including her husband of 46 years, is one brother, John, her niece and nephew Stacy and Keith, who were raised by Trudy and Tom, all living at home. She was also survived by her niece and nephews, Stephanie, Adam, Victor and one brother-in-law, Butch Dickerson, one sister-in-law Kay, and many cousins.

Suzanne M. (Unangst) Thomas, 87, of Mansfield passed away Tuesday November 14, 2023, at Broad Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation.  She was born on January 18, 1936 at home on 63 Pearl Street in Wellsboro to Arthur and Ellen (Short) Unangst. 

Suzanne graduated from Wellsboro High School, and on June 14, 1964, she married Larue Thomas with whom she shared better than 30 years of marriage.  She was a faithful, life-long member of the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro, where she taught Sunday School for more than 50 years, and loved and supported the children of her community, especially through involvement with Tioga County 4-H.  She was especially proud of the milking station at the Fairgrounds in memory of Larue.

Sandra Ann (nee Fischer) Tucker, 78, of 1050 Theresia Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Sandra was born on July 7, 1945 to the late George and Elsie (Straitwell) Fischer of St. Marys.  She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School. 

She was employed by Stackpole Carbon Company for a time, was a homemaker, avid crafter, belonged to the Grange, the Red Hat Society, and belonged to St. Mary’s Parish.  Sandra worked with Prison Ministry, went to Rome with the Oblates, and was a Missionary Oblate of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.  She also taught Catechism classes in her younger years, she belonged to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Sandra also loved working on family history.

Sandra married the love of her life, Olin Tucker, Sr., on December 26, 1963, in St. Marys.

Trisha Renee Cole, 25, of Reynoldsville, PA died tragically in Corsica on Thursday, November 09, 2023.

She was born in Coudersport, Potter County, on March 11, 1998, the only daughter of David Michael (Cole) Callor and Dawn Marie (Lunn) Cole of Reynoldsville.  She is the paternal granddaughter of Shirley Mello of DuBois, and Fred Callor of Salem, Massachusetts, maternal granddaughter of Larry Lunn of Jay, Oklahoma and the late Juanita Lunn.  Paternal Great-granddaughter of Shirley Naczas of DuBois.

Gayla Jo Baker           “longtime resident of Coudersport and Sweden Valley”

Gayla Jo Baker, 64, of Coudersport, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2023.

She was born in Coudersport on Thursday, April 23, 1959, a daughter of John R. and Carlene E. (Brown) Baker.

Gayla was a graduate of Coudersport High School and was also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Bradford with a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing.  Gayla had a lifelong career in nursing and healthcare and enjoyed helping others.

A Celebration of life for William E. “Bill” Boger, II, 60, of Youngsville, PA., who died September 10, 2023, will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church, 119 W. Third Avenue, Warren, PA.., with Rev. Jeffrey Ewing, Pastor, officiating.

Family will receive friends from 10:00  to 11:00 am in the church. Arrangements are being handled through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc.

Crosby–A memorial service for Jane L. Cogan will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at 11AM in the Crosby Community Church.

Jane passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 and a full obituary was printed in a previous edition. 

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

Judith Ann (Simson) DeVantier, age 80, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Saturday, November 11, 2023. 

She was born on February 10, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, a daughter of the late Emmett and Arlene (Byer) Simson and was married for 60 years to Pastor Peter A. DeVantier. 

Judy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsboro, PA, a LPN for 40 years working in western New York and Wellsboro, PA, a camp worker at Camp Pioneer, Angola, NY and a cook at the Trinity Lutheran School both for 10 years. 

Donald J. Sain, 82, of Terrace Road, St. Marys, PA passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at UPMC Hamot in Erie surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on January 12, 1941 in St. Marys, PA, a son of the late John and Magdalene Detsch Sain. 

On July 5, 1973, he married Leah Dowie, who survives. Together they shared more than 50 years of love and laughter.

Donny was a member of St. Marys Church and was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1958.  He retired from St. Marys Steel in 2006 and then worked part-time at Printing Plus in his retirement years, enjoying the friends he met along the way. 

Gayla Jo Baker, 64, of Coudersport, PA passed away Saturday, November 11, 2023.

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.

Port Allegany – Lee Allen Howard, 61, of Jamestown, NY, passed away Sunday (November 12, 2023) at his residence in Jamestown.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany, PA

Anna Mae Parmigiani, 91, of Kersey, PA passed away Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Elk Haven Nursing Home.

She was born October 6, 1932, in Kersey, a daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Krellner) Dietz.  Anna Mae was a 1950 graduate of Kersey High School. 

She worked for A&P Grocery Store, Enterprise Printing, and Speer Resistor until she married Paul Parmigiani, on August 27, 1955 at St. Boniface Church. 

Travis M. Wehler, 37, of Winchester, VA, and formerly of St. Marys, PA, passed away at the home of his parents on Friday, November 10, 2023 following a brief illness.

Born April 9, 1986, in DuBois, PA, Travis was the son of Richard and Lori Rae Radaelli Wehler, who survive of St. Marys.

Having overcome some obstacles in his younger years, Travis lived in Winchester, VA, for the last 13 years, where he worked as a Project Manager for Fiber Network Services, Inc.

Michael L. Emmick Sr., 68, of Wellsboro, PA passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Wellsboro.

Michael was born March 7, 1955, in Wellsboro, a son of Samuel and Patricia (Freeman) Emmick.

He was a race car driver at Woodhull Raceway in Woodhull, N.Y., and enjoyed fishing, hunting, darts, the Buffalo Bills, parties, his dog, Jim, and spending time with his family.

Sandra A. Tucker, 78, of 1050 Theresia Street, St. Marys, PA passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023 at her residence, with her family by her side. 

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

Christopher (Chris) Cashimere, 62, of 2649 McCann Hollow Road, Olean, NY passed away on November 9, 2023, at the Buffalo VA after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born September 19, 1962, in Olean, he was the son of Paul and Margaret (Peggy) Cashimere, also of Olean. He was married to Mary Jo (Robak) Cashimere for 42 years, who survives.

Chris was a 1981 graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School and shortly after married the love of his life, Mary Jo. He joined the United States Air Force in March of 1982 and served as a fuel system maintenance mechanic for over 12 years. After the service he worked privately as a military mechanic in Saudi Arabia for almost 3 years.

In 1997, he returned to his hometown of Olean, and worked for Mazza Sheet Metal, then purchased Business Interiors which he ran, along with his own countertop business, until 2023. He had a steady business with many local clients and was known for his work ethic, dependability, reliability and honesty. And he was ready and willing to help his extended family with their carpentry needs, too.

Lisa S. Shaffer, 46, of Clay St. in Kane, PA passed away Friday morning (Nov.10) at her residence, following a lengthy, hard fought battle with Breast Cancer.

Born May 17, in Havre de Grace, MD, she is the daughter of the late Clarence and Alice (Stephens) Ashford.  On Aug. 15, 2015, she married Raymond (RC) Shaffer, who survives.

Lisa had worked as a dental assistant at the Kane Dental Center.  She was a member and former Bartender of the Wilcox Sportsman Club and loved hanging out with her family and pets and also spending time outdoors.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters Marissa McKinney and Miranda Shaffer; one son Myles Shaffer, along with her two fur babies Riggs and Zoey and many brothers and sisters.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Michael Avenali, 94, of Route 6, Kane, PA passed away Friday morning (Nov. 11) at the Buffalo Regional Medical Center.  

Born May 18, 1929 in Kane, he is the son of the late Peter and Josephine (Lorenzo) Avenali.  On Feb. 25, 1950 in Ridgway, he married Alfreda Weatherbee, who preceded him in death.

Mike served in the US Army and was a WWII veteran.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his large family. He worked at Domtar for 49 years and also owned Avenali’s Yamaha motorcycle shop for 14 years.  He was a member of the Mt. Jewett American Legion, the Kane Fish and Game Club and the NRA.

Anna Mae Parmigiani, 91 of Kersey, PA passed away Friday, November 10, 2023 at Elk Haven Nursing Home. 

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

Phyllis A. Cook, 94, of 502 Church Street, St. Marys, PA passed away in her sleep Monday, November 6, 2023 at Valley View Retirement Community in Belleville, PA.

She was born May 5, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN, daughter of the late Walter and Helen Brandenburger Stuck at the outset of the Great Depression.  Their family farm raised turkeys, milked cows, cultured Honey Bees, and grew corn to survive when it was still possible to have an active farm inside the city limits of Indianapolis.  

She earned her teaching degree from Indiana Central University and additionally trained at Indiana University.   Phyllis taught 1st and 4^th Grade many years in the St. Marys Public Schools.

Phyllis met her future husband Harold E. Cook, Jr. while he served in the U.S. Navy Engineering Department at Purdue University.  They were married at Holy Rosary Church and Hal preceded her in death on December 4, 2004.        

After a courageous battle with cancer, Edwin A. Archer Jr. passed away at the age of 72 on November 11th, 2023. He was surrounded by family at UPMC Cole, where he received end of life care by a compassionate staff.

He was born on June 4, 1951, in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania to Edwin A. Archer Sr. and Genevieve Lewis. He grew up in Keating Summit as the oldest of five children. He attended Austin and Port Allegany School Districts and achieved a GED.

His biggest achievement was becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services.

He married Linda Nace on July 30th, 1988 and they were married for 35 years at the time of his death.

Mary Virginia Devling, 101, of Galeton, PA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Born November 27, 1921, in Galeton, she was a daughter of the late Clyde A. and Emma (Schramm) Devling. She was a graduate of the Galeton High School and Penn State University. 

Mary was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in Egypt during WWII. She then worked for the First National Bank in Galeton until retiring. 

She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Galeton, serving as a teacher and as the treasurer in the Sunday School Department, a member of the American Legion and a member of Friend X.

Donald J. Sain, 82, of Terrace Road, St. Marys, PA passed at Hamot Hospital in Erie on Saturday, November 11, 2023. 

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

Travis M. Wehler, 37, of Winchester, VA, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the home of his parents in St. Marys.

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

Nancy L. Sposato, 81, of 33 Brennan Street, Bradford, PA passed away Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Born July 30, 1942, in Bradford, PA, she was a daughter of the late James J. and Mary M. (Chohrach) Manning. She was a 1960 graduate at St. Bernard School.

On May 11, 1963, at St. Bernard Church, she married Richard L. Sposato, who survives.

Nancy formerly worked at the DFS Finance Company, and she worked part time at Bradford Central Christian High School in the cafeteria.

James Sewell, 80, of 29 Ave B, Bradford, PA passed away Thursday, November 9, 2023, at his residence, surrounded by family.

Born on October 14, 1943, in Bradford, he was a son of the late John C. and Elizabeth R. (Spencer) Sewell. He attended Bradford Area High School.

On November 17, 1969, in Allegany NY, he married Nicholene (Volliet) Sewell who survives.

Jim formerly ran his own construction company, worked for PennDot, the City of Bradford Roadway Department, KOA Speers, Boise Cascade, and the Children’s Home.