Obituaries

BATH, N.Y.–Bernard J. Zawrotny, 87, of Bath, NY passed away August 2, 2023 at the Corning Hospital.

Born May 24, 1936 to John and Marie (Gronski) Zawrotny, Bernie graduated from Haverling High School in 1953 and Oswego State College in 1957 with a B.S. He earned his Masters at the University of Vermont.

He served 6 months active duty in the Army and 8 years in the reserves. He then taught industrial arts at Corning Free Academy, West High School, and over 26 years more at Lakeland High School in Westchester County where he taught electronics and computers. He was instrumental in helping to implement the computer program there. He also was an advisor for the ski club and enjoyed ski trips to Europe.

Michael J. Pontzer, 64, of Kersey, PA passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 25, 2023 at his residence.

He was born October 15, 1958, in St. Marys, son of the late Mark P. and Marie J. Carino Pontzer.  Michael was a lifelong resident of Kersey, a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1977, and a retired employee of Straub Brewery.

Mary Frances Sipko, 89, formerly of 54 Bates Road, Bradford, PA passed away Thursday, August 10, 2023, at her residence in North Carolina.

Born February 28, 1934, in Mt. Alton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Lauretta M. (Ryan) Perry.

She graduated from Salamanca High School in 1952, and later attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, before graduating from Jamestown Community College with a degree in Nursing.

Mary worked as a Registered Nurse at Bradford Hospital for over 25 years. At the time of retirement, she was the Pre-Admissions Testing Coordinator.

Susan C. Quirk, 69,a resident of Strawberry Fields in State College, PA passed away Friday, August 25, 2023 in State College. 

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

Robert V. Howard, 80, of Wehler Road, St. Marys, PA passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Snyder Memorial Health Care Center, following a lengthy illness. 

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

Michael J. Pontzer, 64, of Kersey, PA passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 25, 2023 at his residence. 

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

Barbara A. Noerr, 75, of Sheffield, PA, died peacefully, Friday evening, August 25, 2023. 

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. 

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

Shirley A. Raub passed away August 25, 2023 in Niagara Hospice House. 

Born May 18, 1937 in Wayland, NY, she was the daughter of Richmond and Evelyn (Drake) Dean. 

She worked for Durham Staffing in Depew, NY and was a member of the Cheektowaga Rotary Club where she was a past president.  Shirley sang in “Sweet Adeline’s” for many years, enjoyed their home in Galeton, PA and their cottage in Rushford, NY, and also loved fishing in Canada. 

Shirley is survived by her husband, Thomas A. Raub; sons, Scott (Lori) Walters and Zane Raub; granddaughters, Alyssa Zuch and Heather Raub; siblings, Paul (Sharon) Dean and Denise (Douglas) Dean; also several nieces, nephews and her beloved cat, Fluffy.  She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Dean.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 5-7 PM at the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Galeton and on Friday, September 1, 2023 from 10-11 AM at the Pine Creek Valley Church in Gaines, PA. A Funeral Service will follow at 11 AM with the Rev. Frank Billman officiating.  Interment will be in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton.

Husband, Father, Grandfather

Charles W. Runyan Jr., 75, of 104 S. Main Street, Belfast, NY passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Olean General Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Born on October 6, 1947, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, he was a son of Charles W. and Geneva Caldwell Runyan, Sr. On June 11, 1983 in Cuba, he married the former Sue L. Weatherly who survives.

Charles was last employed as a laborer for Peterson Roofing in Olean prior to his retirement.

He enjoyed tinkering on cars and transporting the local Amish families in the area.

Surviving in addition to his wife Sue are 3 daughters, Michele Runyan of Portville, Tiffany (Jr.) Thornes of Rochester and Colleen Runyan of Wellsville; 3 grandchildren, Justin, Arianna, and Olivia; a sister, Bonnie Stojek of Binghamton; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother Raymond Runyan.

Memorial Visitation will be held at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Monday, August 28, 2023 from 4-6 P.M.

Burial will be in Eulalia Cemetery, Coudersport Pennsylvania.

loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather

Laroy “Larry” Spateholts Jr., 96, of Cuba, NY passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday (Aug. 22, 2023) with loved ones by his side.

Born Sept 28, 1926, in Hudson, he was the youngest of five children of Laroy “Roy” Sr. and Eva Jones Spateholts.

Larry was a 1944 graduate of Hudson High School.

Marjorie S. Colbert, 94, of Warren, Pa, formerly of Wadsworth, Ohio, died on Friday, August 18, 2023, in the Warren Manor.

She was born in Kent, Ohio, on February 21, 1929, the daughter of the late Norman and Ruth Weiss. Marjorie was graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio. She was a secretary for Ohio Injector Co. and then worked as an Administrative Secretary for the University of Akron.

Marjorie was a tournament Euchre player, and one of the luckiest bingo players ever. She loved to cook and spend time with her family and grandchildren.

William A. Blum, 89, of Warren, PA., died Thursday afternoon, August 24, 2023, at Kinzua Valley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Warren, PA. 

William was born July 21, 1934, in Warren, PA.  He was raised in Stoneham, PA. where he was one of fourteen sibilings, and was a lifelong Warren area resident.  He was a graduate of Warren Area High School Class of 1952.  He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving in Alaska as a Private First Class. 

When he came home from the service, he was employed with Warren Car Company and then went to work as a Firefighter for the City of Warren Fire Department for 25 years and worked part-time with the Warren County Sherriff Office as a prison guard.  He had also did logging work with the John Young Logging Company.

He enjoyed camping and was a real outdoorsman.

Phyllis Hamler, 92, of Warren, PA., died peacefully in her sleep at the home of her son’s, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

She was born October 27, 1930, in Rimersburg, Clarion County, PA.  Phyllis was the daughter of Ira and Winifred Johnston Dunkle.  She has resided in Warren since 1964 and was formerly of Brookville, PA.  Phyllis was a graduate of Rimersburg High School.  She was employed with G.T.E. Sylvania working in the Brookville and Warren plants, retiring after many years’ employment.

MONROEVILLE – Paul Wayne Causer, 70, of Hazel Hurst, PA died Tuesday (Aug. 22, 2023).

Paul was the beloved husband of Kim Cesario Causer, who preceded him in death.

He enjoyed working with his hands and he loved everything about cars. He will be dearly missed by those who loved him.

Cindy L. Nollinger, 69, of Warren, PA, died Thursday, August 24, 2023, at St. Vincent Healthcare Center-AHN, Erie, PA., after an illness of the past 2 weeks. 

She was born May 20, 1954, in Warren, PA.  Cindy was the daughter of Eugene Reynolds and Jean Lackey Mangine. 

She was employed with North American Phillips, Lorangers and G.T.E. Sylvania. 

Rachel Holly Spencer Roberts, 108, formerly of Bradford

Living niece, Sandy Postlewait, great niece, Pam Redmond, and great nephew, Mike Postlewait and their families of Port Allegany

Monday morning June 19, our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother-in-law died peacefully in her sleep at care center Maria Oord in Vinkeveen, The Netherlands.  She had been living nearby in Abcoude with her daughter Sally Montoya for several years.  

Rachel was born December 30,1914, in Bradford, PA, the second youngest of seven children of Edwin and Susie Belle (Washburn) Holly. 

In her 108 years, Rachel was witness to many historic events.  One of her first memories was of her father waking her up to watch the fireworks at the end of World War I.  She watched how proudly her mother dressed in her Sunday best to vote for the very first time after the 19th amendment was passed in 1920.  She also claimed to have seen the very first Zippo lighter when its inventor wandered into her workplace in Bradford, PA to show off his windproof lighter. 

Betty Alexander Hill, 83 of Warren, PA, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at her residence, Watson Memorial Home, Warren, PA., after an extended illness. 

She was born June 1, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Robert and Margaret Beckenbach Alexander.  She had resided in Cleveland, MS for 26 years before moving back to Warren and was a former resident of Gouverneur, NY for 9 years.

She was a 1958 honor graduate of Warren High School and attended SUNY at Buffalo and Delta State University at Cleveland, MS. 

 “Pap”

Jacob R. “Jake” Snyder, 86, a longtime resident of Austin, PA passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Born on Saturday, September 19, 1936 in Scottdale, he was a son of Earl and Mae Snyder.  On December 27, 1957 in Normalville, he married Shelvadean “Deanie” Richter, who passed away on March 25, 2013.

Jake attended school in Scottdale.  He was employed as an equipment operator for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in Austin. 

George A. Heigel, 80, of Main Street, Kersey, PA died on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Dubois Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on January 23, 1943, in Kersey, a son of the late James and Frances Eckard Heigel.

On June 21, 1969, in Ridgway, he married the late Linda Johnston Heigel, who preceded him in death on March 21, 2021.  Together they were blessed with nearly 52 years of marriage.

Dale B. Buboltz, 77, of Hutchinson, Minnesota and formerly of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 in Waconia, MN following a brief battle with cancer.

On April 9, 1975, in Kent, OH, Dale married the love of his life, Kathleen Dougherty Buboltz, who preceded him in death on November 6, 2020. Together they shared more than 35 years of love, laughter, and happiness.

Dale graduated from Stewart High School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 – 1970, having served in Vietnam. After returning from the service, he attended Hennepin County Technical School for powder metal engineering. After graduating, he moved to Kent, Ohio and joined a powdered metal company, where he met his future bride, Kathleen.

Rodney E. Tierson of Brooklyn Street, Portville, NY passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at his home.

Friends will be received on Saturday, August 23, 2023 in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at which time a funeral service will be held. Burial will be in Veterans Field of Honor Mount View Cemetery, Olean.   

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

Laura K. Ladlee, 73, of Smethport, PA passed away Saturday (August 12, 2023) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport, after battling with cancer.

She was born June 26, 1950 in Olean, NY, the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Dufton) Bridge. On June 17, 1968, in Portville, NY, she married Roland James Ladlee, who survives.

Laura was a 1968 graduate of Port Allegany High School.  She worked at Pittsburgh-Corning in Port Allegany for many years, where she was a quality control inspector.

Laura was the union secretary while working at Pittsburgh-Corning.  She enjoyed spending time camping and tending to her family.

William “Poke” Poole, 63, of Lewis Run, PA passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023, at his residence.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Jacob R. “Jake” Snyder, 86, a longtime resident of Austin, PA passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

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.

Thomas L. Martin, 59, of Coudersport, PA passed away on August 10, 2023. 

Tom was born on August 17, 1963, in Coudersport, the son of the late E. Dale and Arbella Martin.

Tom was a graduate of Clarion Limestone high School, Class of 1981.  He owned and operated Tom’s Tree Service, Coudersport.  Tom enjoyed music and played guitar at many local events including the Maple Festival and the Falling Leaves Festival. 

Betty Alexander Hill, 83, of Warren, PA, died Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

Tentative arrangements are that friends will be received on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. in the parlors of First Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren, PA.  A Memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary. 

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

Cindy Nollinger, 69, of Warren, PA, died Thursday afternoon, August 24, 2023, at St. Vincent Healthcare AHN, Erie, PA., after a 2 week illness.

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

William A. Blum, 89, of Warren, PA, died Thursday afternoon, August 24, 2023, at Kinzua Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Warren, PA.

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

Bonnie L. Hoffman, 76, of Bear Creek Road, Ridgway, PA passed away at her home, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from a long battle with dementia and a short battle with cancer.

She was born on November 23, 1946, in Ridgway, a daughter to the late J. Arthur and Mary Clark Johnson. On October 15, 1994, she married the love of her life, Wayne Hoffman.

Bonnie was a 1964 graduate of Ridgway Area High School. She was employed by several places throughout her life including Grant’s Department Store, Exotic Metals, Clarion Sintered Metals, The Thoughtfulness Shop, USA Today, Goodwill, Sheetz, The Ridgway Record, and Allegheny Coatings.

Phyllis Hamler, of Warren, PA, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning, August 23, 2023 at her residence. 

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