Obituaries

Nancy R. Lyon, 78, of Warren, PA, died Wednesday morning, September 20, 2023, at Warren Manor Nursing Home, Warren, PA, after an extended illness. 

She was born April 17, 1945, in Russell, PA.  She was the daughter of Richard and Catherine Lucks Lyon. 

Nancy was a lifelong Warren area resident and a 1963, graduate of Warren High School.  She was employed for 33 years, in the offices of the former New Process Company and retired from Blair Corporation.  She is remembered for being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved to shop, and spend time with her dog, Penny.

John J. Villella, age 76, of Warren, PA passed away on Tuesday, September 19^th at Cleveland Clinic with his wife and daughter at his side, after a 6-month battle with cancer.

He was born on December 9, 1946 in Punxsutawney, Pa. He was the son of the late Joseph Thomas and Jane Crivella Villella. John was a 1965 graduate of Punxsutawney High School, where he was voted “Best Dancer” of his graduating class.

He served with the United States Army in the Vietnam Conflict as a private 4^th Class with the Signal Corp repairs division.

John earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University, where he served as the president of Phi Delta Mu, Delta Ta Delta, and the American Management Association. During his time as President of Phi Delta Mu, John was instrumental in elevating the fraternity to national status.  

John, with his family, moved to Warren on April 1, 1982 when he became co-owner and operator of Culligan Water in Warren, Meadville, and Erie until his retirement in 2015.

David L. Barger, 75, of 5701 Church Street, Limestone, NY, passed away, Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Bradford Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Born October 13, 1947, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Frank C. and Virginia (Fox) Barger.

Dave was a 1966 graduate of Limestone Union Free School. During high school and for a short time after he graduated, he worked for the railroad.

On September 2, 1966, he enlisted into the United States Army. He was assigned to be a mechanic for heavy equipment. He was honorably discharged on April 6, 1969.

After the service he worked on the construction of Rt. 17, then began working at Kendall Refining Company. He worked for over 35 years and retired as an Operator from American Refining Group.

On February 7, 1976, in the First Free Methodist Church he married Jeanne L. (Saxton) Barger, who survives.

Messina R. Burke, 41, of Emporium, PA, passed away unexpectedly at her residence in Emporium, PA, on Sunday morning (September 17, 2023).

She was born August 13, 1982 in St. Marys, PA, a daughter of James Grey Hodson, Jr. of Emporium and Kimberley Ann Irwin of Emporium. On August 21, 2008 in Emporium, she married Charles Burke, who survives.

Messina graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Lock Haven University with a Nursing degree. She loved flowers, reading, and nursing. 

Patricia Smith Carlson, 71, of Warren, PA, died peacefully, Monday, September 18, 2023, at her home with her family at her bedside. 

She was born December 17, 1951, in Warren, PA.  Pat was the daughter of John J., Jr. and Anne A. Smith.  She resided most of her life in Warren, PA., having lived a few years in California and Ohio.  

Pat was a 1969 graduate of Warren Area High School. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in History from Ohio University.  She was a special agent with the U.S. Government before moving back to Warren. Upon her return, she was employed by Blair Corporation, starting in returns and retiring as Director of Human Resources. 

More

John J. Villella, 76, of Warren, PA, died Tuesday morning, September 19, 2023, at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

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

Lois Arlene Robertson Anderson, “Nana”, of Smethport, PA went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Olean General Hospital surrounded by several members of her loving family.

She was born September 25, 1922 on a farm where she grew up in Marlboro, Ohio to Ross Gilbert Robertson and Edith Grace Bishop Robertson. Lois graduated from Marlboro High School and then Canton Actual Business College after which she worked for a trucking company called Motor Express in Canton, Ohio.               

She met George Edward Anderson in 1943 and they were married in 1944. He passed away in 1981.  In 1947 they moved to Smethport and opened Anderson’s Jewelry Store at 225 W. Main Street. The store was open for over 30 years. Lois later worked at Lindgren’s Variety Store. She left there to work at Hamlin Bank in Smethport, retiring from there after 26 years of service.

Brenda L. Renko                 “beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and grandmother”

COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Brenda L. Renko, 62, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away with her loving family by her side on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a brief illness.

Born on Thursday, October 13, 1960, in Bradford, she was a daughter of Merton A. James and Lila J. Williams James McLaughlin.  On April 10, 1982 in Coudersport, she married Joseph E. “Joe” Renko, who passed away in May 28, 2020.

Brenda was a graduate of Smethport High School, Class of 1979.  She was also a graduate of the former Olean Business Institute in 1980.  She was employed as a line worker at the former Potter Pak in Roulette and was also employed by the Coudersport American Legion where she served in many capacities.

It is with the heaviest, shattered heart and eyes full of tears that I write this

At 1:34pm today September 6, 2023, My son, warrior and bravest person I know Michael Joseph Pesco took his last breath and has been called home.

No more suffering, no more tubes, and no more long hospital stays.

He was surrounded by his sister Jessica Pesco , his dad Troy Roncaglione and myself.

Michael will be able to meet his sister Jennifer Lynn and his grandmother Marilyn whom he has never met ( my mom ).

A memorial service will be held here in Windber PA. 15963

Oct 7 , 2023. Michele Pesco

William Kisiel Funeral Home

1015 Graham Ave

Windber. PA. 15963

Service at 1pm and Celebration of life to follow

Joseph S. Knell, 79, of Port Allegany, PA passed away Monday (September 18, 2023) at his residence, Port Allegany.

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

Virginia (Genie) H. A. McFadden, of 307 Madison Avenue, Ridgway, died Saturday, September 16, 2023 at her home.

She was born on March 28, 1929 in Ridgway, the daughter of Carl H. and Hedvig C. (Nordstrom) Olson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Virginia was a lifelong resident of both the Ridgway and Munderf areas, and graduated from Ridgway Centennial High School, Class of 1947.

On May 31, 1969, Virginia married Thomas P. McFadden at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgway where she was an active member her entire life.

Howard N. LEWIS, 92, of Coudersport, PA, passed away Monday, September 18, 2023.  

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

Helen Marie Pontzer, 98, of Ridgway, PA, died on September 3, 2023, at Regency Oaks Assisted Living in Clearwater, FL, after a brief illness. 

She was born on December 8, 1924, the daughter of the late Florence M. Steinlehner and Clifford W. Cuneo.

Helen grew up in Kersey, PA, and was a graduate of the Kersey High School Class of 1942. She attended Grace Martin Secretarial School in Pittsburgh, PA, and was employed as an executive secretary at Alcoa Aluminum in Pittsburgh.

On June 16, 1951, she married Dr. Herbert P. Pontzer of Kersey who was attending the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. She moved to Ridgway, PA, where Dr. Pontzer established his medical practice.

Roy “Bud” Reynolds, 83, of Warren, PA, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital, AHN, Erie, PA. 

Bud was born November 17, 1939, in Warren, PA.  He was the son of Roy W. and Bessie Groves Reynolds, Sr.  Roy was a lifelong Warren area resident.  He was a 1957 graduate of Warren High School.  He had served with the U.S. Airforce as airman 3^rd class.

COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Brenda L. Renko, 62, a longtime resident of Coudersport, PA passed away with her loving family by her side on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a brief 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.

Mark E. Lopus, 67, of Bradford, PA passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023 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

Jeffery L. Cram, 60, of Wellsboro, PA, passed away on September 17, 2023, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 13, 1963, in Laconia, NH, to Herbert and Bernice (Fields) Cram. He married Deborah Callahan on August 19, 2000. Jeffery greatly enjoyed gardening, painting, pottery, and music.

Susan E. Mangel, 75, of Droney Road, Gifford, PA passed away, Sunday, September 17, 2023, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Lois A. Anderson, 100, of Smethport, PA passed away Sunday (September 17, 2023) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

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

Bill was born January 30, 1963, in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Barbara Luff Boger of Warren, PA., and the late Dr. William L. Boger.

William E.”Bill” Boger, II, 60, of Youngsville, PA, passed away due to heart failure with family at his bedside on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA.

Bill was a resident of the Warren area for most of his life. He was a 1981 graduate of The Gow School in East Aurora, N.Y. and attended Westminster College. Bill also served in the US Navy and graduated from Erie Institute of Technology. He was previously employed in several roles within the wholesale food and automotive industries. He was an avid reader, a lover of music and film, and an ardent poet.

David L. Barger, 75, of 5701 Church Street, Limestone, NY, passed away, Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

“Bicycle Bob”
Robert W. Williams, 79, of Wellsville, New York passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at his daughter’s home surrounded by family.

Born on July 3, 1944, in Olean, he was a son of Dorr O. and Violet Burrows Williams Sr. On June 10, 1980, in Obi, he married the former Cindy R. Brockel who predeceased him on May 26, 2004.

He had worked at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Mt. View Cemetery, and for Work and Silvas Construction Company. Bob was known for riding his bicycle all around Olean and Cuba and would collect pop cans wherever he went. During the winter months, he would shovel snow and with better weather would mow lawns and do landscaping work. He was well-known and loved.

At the age of 97, Rick peacefully passed away. He was a retired mechanical engineer. He is the son of the late Florence Lus Ring and James Ring. He was married to Brenda Ring.

Devoted father to Terrie Butts (Randy) and stepfather to Debra White (Thomas), Wayne Bradley (Krista), Ronald Bradley (Mary Beck), Kenneth Gable (Deborah), Pam Rocheford (Michael Camp).

Loving grandfather to Jesse Davis (Jayme), Susie Bailey (Kyle), Bob Butts (Alexandria), Kyle Butts (Shandi) and 11 step-grandchildren.

Adoring great-grandfather to Anthony Butts, Olivia Bailey, Rory Davis, Gavin Bailey, Nova Bailey, KJ Butts, Selena Butts, 12 step-great grandchildren and 7 step-great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by Patricia Ring (first wife) and Robert & Shirley Ring (brother & sister-in-law).

He was a member of Winter Haven Christian Church. He was an avid fisherman and always enjoyed a good fresh fish fry.

The burial will be at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Portville, NY.

For those who wish, the family requests donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation or Good Shepherd Hospice in his honor.

Jason Michael Gallik, of Erie, PA, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023.

Born in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of Robert Thomas Gallik and Robin Lynn (Pratt) Gallik.

Jason was very outgoing and quick to help anyone in need.  He loved to laugh and live life light-heartedly.  He was a ray of sunshine to everyone around him.  Jason graduated from Bradford High School, Class of 2006. 

He was an Assistant Manager at various Perkins restaurants, and loved being around people.

Stephen V. Morrison, 79, of Annin Creek Rd., Turtlepoint, PA passed away Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2023) in his home, after a lengthy illness.

     Born Mar. 23, 1944, in Philadelphia, PA, Stephen (aka Red Beard) was the son of Stephen M. and Elizabeth A. Palmieri Morrison. He grew up in Ardmore, PA.

    He rode his Indian Flyer Motorcycle to Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, PA, where he graduated Jun. 6, 1962.  He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Patricia A. Johnson, March 1963-with whom he couldn’t live with and couldn’t live without. 

     He was a veteran, having served in the US Navy, during the Vietnam War.

O. June Kio, 93, of Chapel Ridge, Bradford, formerly of Eldred, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday (Sept. 13, 2023) in the Ecumenical Home in Bradford.

June was born on March 28, 1930, to George and Emma Nicklaus. 

Her parents owned a dairy farm on Sartwell Creek Road in Burtville. It was there that she met the love of her life Roland S. Kio. They married on April 17, 1949 in Port Allegany. They lived to be married 71 years.

Deborah Anne (Lukens) Schimpf passed away on September 5, 2023, in Troy, Pennsylvania, at the age of 76.  

She was born on October 13, 1946, in Philadelphia, PA, and was raised in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania, by her parents Robert and Dorothy (Green) Lukens, along with her younger sister Margaret.

She graduated from Abington High School and Geneva College. She was married to the late W. Scott Schimpf, for 43 years, living in Blue Bell, Harleysville, and Morris, Pennsylvania.  

Deborah helped her husband start his business, Guardian Fire Equipment and held several positions at the former US Healthcare (now Aetna Insurance). 

Glenda R. HANCOCK, 74, of Westfield, PA, died Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in her home.

Born March 14, 1949, she was the daughter of Robert T. and Phyllis M. Burdick Hancock.  

A 1967 graduate of Northern Potter High School, she earned an associate’s degree in human services from the Pennsylvania College of Technology.  

Glenda was employed by the Longhorn and Home Comfort Restaurants in Westfield, and CONCERN in Wellsboro.  

Edna S. BIESER, 94, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of North Bingham, PA, died Friday, September 15, 2023 in Wellsville Manor Care Center. 

 Born April 9, 1929, in Corning, NY, she was the daughter of Earl and Terza Benedict Smith.  

She was the last surviving member of Whitesville Central School, Class of 1947. On August 16, 1949, in Whitesville, she married Frederick C. “Fritz” Bieser, who predeceased her on January 3, 1996.  

Edna and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm in North Bingham for many years.  She served as secretary of the North Bingham Cemetery Association for 46 years.  

Mikayla S. PERKINS, 23, of Bolivar, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 14, 2023.  

Due to the circumstances, there will be no services at this time.  

Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.  

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.