Obituaries

David C. Schell, 66, of Smethport, PA passed away Thursday (September 14, 2023) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.

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

Natasha Joella Largey, 47, of 333 East Main Street, Bradford, PA passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the Bradford Regional Medical Center, after a lengthy illness.

She was born December 2, 1975, in Ridgway, the daughter of the late Sharon M. Fazzio and Peter A. Largey, who survives of St. Marys. 

Natasha was a high school graduate of Journey Health System, formerly known as the Children’s Home of Bradford.

Paul E. “Gene” Westerburg, 95, of Kane, PA, formerly of Wilcox, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at his home.

He was born on June 18, 1928 in Kane, the son of the late Irving and Helen Mines Westerburg.

He attended the Wilcox area schools.

On September 2, 1950 in the St. Callistus Catholic Church Rectory, Kane, he married Elizabeth A. “Betty” Cuthbertson who preceded him in death on March 10, 2022.

Glendon “Glenda” Sue Jackson, 73, of Elkland, PA sadly left us on September 10, 2023 following a brief illness.

Glenda was born September 26, 1949 in Brownsville, WV to Maxine Jackson and Glendon Reed.

She is survived by several brothers and sisters in several states. Thelma Myers of Kingwood WV, Lisa Everson of Belington WV, Donna Jean Jackson, Judy Kay Jackson, James Franklin Jackson, Paul Edward Jackson, Dale Nueton Jackson, several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was Daisey Marie Lanham, Roger Lee Jackson, and Rodney Jackson. Glenda never had children nor been married but had friends like family. George and Lynnette Heckler were loved like her own.

Glenda’s request for cremation was honored.

To honor Glenda’s memory, we are holding a celebration and memorial service of her life at 2:00-4:00 pm on September 30th, 2023 at Osceola Fire Department, 7654 State Route 49. We invite anyone who knew her to attend and remember her wonderful life.

Even though a failing body took her away from this world, Glenda’s loving heart left a beacon of light for all in the community.  Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Elkland.

Luanne Stocum,68 of Lawrenceville, PA was taken home suddenly yet peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 10th.

She was born 6-11-1955 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, Pa.

Janelle Amanda Boone was born to Rod and Lora Boone on December 16, 1959, in Deming, New Mexico.  The family lived in Texas from 1960 to 1965, first in Fort Stockton, then El Paso.  In 1965 they lived in Mesquite, New Mexico, in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1966, then back to Texas, Houston and Austin this time, from 1967 onwards. 

She graduated from Leander High School in the class of 1977, then graduated as a Paramedic from Austin Community College in 1988 and was proud to be in the first class of a Paramedic to Registered Nurse bridge program.  Janelle, “Jan” to so many, worked as a Paramedic in Largo, Florida, in 1988, and went on to join the Austin-Travis County EMS in 1989, where she served with distinction and pride for thirty years before retiring as a Commander.

Janelle married Dale Johnson and their son, Luke, was born in 1977, son, Mark, in 1979, and daughter, Mandy, in 1981.  Janelle was a proud grandmother many times over.  She began a relationship with Debbie Fena that lasted from 1995 until Debbie’s passing in 2011.  On June 26, 2015, the very day same-sex marriage was legalized, Janelle and Christine Wylie were in Travis County’s first group to receive their marriage license.  On August 29 of the same year, the loving couple was wed, and they went on to fill their homes with love, laughter, and cats.  Janelle passed away in Pennsylvania on September 9, 2023, after a life well-lived.

“Jan” Boone wore a great many hats in her life.  She was a wife, a mother and a grandmother, a sister and a beloved aunt.  She was a friend, a mentor, a first responder, and an immensely respected Commander.  Words cannot describe the lives that she touched, nor how they were brightened by her humor, her wit, her generosity, and her love.  Numbers cannot do justice to the lives that she quite literally saved in her decades of service, instruction, and leadership.

Janelle was preceded in death by her eldest brother, Craig Anthony Boone, in 1969, her mother Lora May Kull Boone in 2003, her wife Debbie Fena Boone in 2011, and her father Rodney Tom Boone in 2016.

She is survived by her older brother Steve Boone and sister-in-law Cindy, and Janelle’s nieces Stacy and Kristy; by her son Luke Johnson and daughter-in-law Maria, grandson Samuel and granddaughter Kayla; by her son Mark and daughter-in-law Nicole, granddaughter Tiyana and grandson Craig; and by her daughter Mandy and her husband Ronnie, granddaughters Addison and Taylor, and grandsons Troy and Colton; by the ATCEMS family, and by her loving wife, Christine Boone.

Janelle’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 North East Street, Coudersport.  To share a memory or condolence visit www.thomasfickinger.com.

Ruth Leona Kearney, age 94, of Kane, PA passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 with family by her side.

Ruth was born on January 13, 1929 in Bradford, PA to Benjamin Wilcox and Neva Clark Wilcox.  She married William E. Kearney of Bradford in February 1949, who preceded Ruth in death in 2008 after 59 years of marriage.  

Ruth and Bill moved their family to Kane in 1954 where they made their home on South Edgar Street, raised ten children, and where Ruth continued to reside up until her death.

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

Arrangements will be announced by OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

John F. Alexander, 89, of 538 Bolivar Drive, Bradford, PA died peacefully, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at his residence.

Born June 26, 1934, in Bradford, he was a son of the late A. O. and Eleanor (Meachem) Alexander.

On October 2, 1965, in Bradford, he married Norma Jean (Dougherty) Alexander who preceded him in death on May 28, 1994.

John was a 1952 graduate of Bradford High School. While in high school he worked at McGregor Working Barrell.

Leatrice Joyce Rhines, 90, of Ridgway, PA died on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Penn Highlands Elk after a brief illness.

She was born on January 16, 1933, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Earl and Mary Ellen Carlson Johnson.

On June 26, 1954, she married the late Richard Rhines, who preceded her in death in 1990.

Harold “Russ” Burton, of Highland Terrace, Portville, NY went to be with his Lord on Wednesday (September 13, 2023) at the Olean General Hospital

Born March 17, 1939, in Eldred, PA, he was the son of the late Howard and Gertrude Morris Burton. On April 16, 1960, he married the former Rosalie A. Nudd, who predeceased him on October 7, 2010.

Natasha Joella Largey, 47, of 333 East Main Street, Bradford, PA passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the Bradford Regional Medical Center, after a lengthy illness. 

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

Michelle L. Hardy, 47, of Bradford, PA passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, September 8, 2023 at UPMC Hamot, Erie, with her loving family by her side.

She was born on April 19, 1976 in Brookville, the daughter of Genevieve L. Hess.

She was a member of the Limestone Pentecostal Tabernacle, Limestone, NY.  Michelle loved to write, listen to music, cook, dance and entertain people; she just loved living life to the fullest.

Gary A. Froelich, 75, of St. Marys, PA passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 at DuBois Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on April 12, 1948 in Bismarck, ND, a son of the late Edward and Alta Ferber Froelich.

On August 2, 1971, in Hagerstown, MD, he married Pamela Bland Froelich, who survives of St. Marys. Together they shared more than 52 years of marriage.

Gary was Lutheran by faith and retired in 2012 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after working as a Park Manager at the East Branch Dam and Lake for many years. Gary loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Evelyn J. Morgan, 74, formerly of Cyclone, PA, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Bradford Manor.

Born November 21, 1948, in Olean, she was a daughter of the late Lewis S. and Alyce (Sylvis) Benjamin.

She graduated from Otto Eldred in 1967 and went on to earn an associate degree in December of 1997 from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

On June 27, 1987, in the Church of Ascension, she married Bruce H. Morgan, who preceded her in death on March 10, 2015.

Evelyn was formerly employed at Kendall Refining and retired as an Administrative Assistant at FCI McKean.

Connie M. POTTER, 78, of Harrison Valley, PA, died Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in her home.  

Born December 10, 1944, in Wellsboro, she was the daughter of Oliver E. and Adaline J. Giantomasi Beebe.  On December 17, 2008, in Brookfield, she married Stuart L. Potter, who predeceased her on December 11, 2021.  

A 1962 graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School, she was employed by Metalcraft in Knoxville beginning in 1984 for 10 years and by Rosenblooms in Westfield  for 20 years, retiring in 2014.  

Betty Mae Mohney Johnson, 67, of Park Ave. Ext. in Kane, PA passed away Friday (Sept. 8) at her residence.  Born March 31, 1956 in Kane, she is the daughter of the late Charles and Georgean (Blauser) Mohney Sr.  She married Virgil Johnson, who survives.

Betty had worked at Kane Screen and also at the Highland Group in Sheffield.  She enjoyed baking, which earned her the name “cookie lady” to many of her friends and she loved her many pets.

Gary Froelich, of St. Marys, PA passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 at DuBois Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

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

Louise M. Goodman, 69, of 442 Kansas Branch Road, Duke Center, PA passed away Saturday, September 9, 2023, at her residence with her husband by her side after a long struggle with Alzheimer disease. 

Born June 16, 1954, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Marvin J. and Donna M. (Berlin) Uhl. 

Louise was a 1972 graduate of Bradford High School. 

On December 11, 1976, in the Sawyer United Methodist Church, she married Ronald A. Goodman who survives.  

James H. Master, Sr., 81, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (September 11, 2023) at Lakeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Smethport, surrounded by his family.

He was born September 21, 1941 in Coudersport, the son of Harold and Gladys (Hayes) Master. On June 11, 1960, in Indiana, PA, he married Donna J. Berg, who survives.

Jim worked for Quaker State up through their buyout by International Waxes in Farmers Valley.

Smethport – Gail M. Wilson, 73, of Mount Jewett, PA passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday (September 9, 2023) at her home.

She was born December 6, 1949 in Clearfield, PA, the daughter of Ralph and Madelyn (Buck) Graham.  She has been together with Richard Anderson, Jr. of Mt. Jewett for many years.

Gail was a graduate of Clearfield Area Schools and was the sleep lab coordinator at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Bradford, PA.

Marie M. Barnard, 69, of 53 W. Corydon Street, Bradford, PA passed away, peacefully, Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Born on January 28, 1954, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Robert O. and Ellen “Mary” (Hopkins) Barnard. She was a 1972 graduate of Bradford High School.

Marie worked as a Residential Program Worker at Evergreen Elm, and prior to that at Woolworth Department Store for 20 years.

Constance Elizabeth BUYSER, 75, of Friendship, NY, formerly of Gloucester County, NJ, died Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. 

Born September 26, 1947, in Glassboro, NJ, she was the daughter of Harry J. and Elizabeth Mack Stevenson.  She was married to John R. Buyser, who predeceased her in 1995. 

She was employed as a home health aide for 20 years.  Constance was a fan-fiction writer and an astrologer, having her own radio show in Delaware.  She made lots of friends and touched the lives of many, no matter where she lived. 

Joan Harrison, 83, of Lake Worth, Florida and formerly of Warren, PA, died Sunday, September 10, 2023, at her residence with her brother at her side.

She was born May 28, 1940, in Warren, PA.  Joan was the daughter of Richard W. and Barbara Morrison Harrison.  She was a 1958 graduate of Warren High School.

She was employed with Penelec as head dispatcher for many years retiring from there.  She had previously been employed with Gaughn’s Drug Store as a clerk.

“beloved husband and father”

ULYSSES, Pa.—Mr. Kari P. “Finn” Karhio, 66, of Ulysses, PA passed away following a motor vehicle accident in Mills, on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Born on Saturday, April 20, 1957 in Pori, Finland, he was a son of Olli P. Karhio and Sinikka L. Orvokki Karhio Condon.  Having been together since September 15, 2001, Finn married Yolonda J. “Lonnie” Somogyi on March 5, 2011 in Ulysses.

John L. Pontzer, 92, a resident of St. Martha’s Villa, Downingtown, PA, and formerly of St. Marys, PA, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2023, at St. Martha’s Villa. 

He was born February 20, 1931, in St. Marys, son of the late Raymond and Helen Victoria Smith Pontzer, Sr.  

He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys Public High School, Class of 1949.  John spent most of his working career as an employee and officer of the family business, Corbett Cabinet Company.

Richard L. Townsend, Jr., age 47 of Painted Post, NY passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. 

Born August 5, 1976 in Corning, NY, he was the son of the late Richard L. and Virginia (Watkins) Townsend, Sr. 

He is survived by his children, Kameron and Kielee Townsend of Lawrenceville and two grandchildren, Elaina and Grayson. 

Private family services will be held at their convenience. 

Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Elkland.  

Phyllis M. (Youmans) Taylor, age 86, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Friday, September 8, 2023. 

She was born on February 12, 1937 in Mansfield, PA, a daughter of the late Raymond and Eileen (Grinnell) Youmans and was married for 63 years to the late William “Bill” Taylor. 

Phyllis attended the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro and loved playing dominoes, taking care of others and loved to laugh and joke. 

William Boger, 60, of Warren, PA, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, September 10, 2023 at UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA.

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