Obituaries

Joanne C. (Spencer) Higley, 89, of Wellsboro, passed away Saturday November 16, 2024, at Guthrie Robert Packer, in Sayre, PA.  She was born February 4, 1935, in Wellsboro, to Wallace and Vivian (Stradley) Spencer.  Joanne graduated from high school and worked at Wundies in Wellsboro.  On October 20, 1955, she married Horace H. Higley with whom she shared 57 years of marriage.  She loved animals, especially horses, and enjoyed fishing, country music, puzzles, and was especially fond of ice cream.

Marilou  L. Filips     

BRADFORD, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation for Marilou L. Filips, 70, of Bradford, formerly of Ceres, NY, from 10am to 11am on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 152 Seaward Avenue, Bradford.  A memorial service will follow at 11am in the church.

Marilou passed away on November 3, 2024.

Her family entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

For further information, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com

Ruby E. Truax, 95, of 9084 Beebe Hill Road, Cuba, passed away Friday, November 15, 2024 at home surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness. Born on July 16, 1929, in Estill Springs, Tennessee, she was a daughter of Gustavos Lafayette and Jenny Gertrude (Collins) Gore. On November 30, 1951, in Franklin, Tennessee she married Richard H. Truax, Jr., who survives.

Ruby had worked as a cashier for Market Basket and later for Acme Electric, as a circuit board assembler, retiring in 1993 after 20 years. She was a member of the West Clarksville Baptist Church and Obi Community Church. She enjoyed knitting, cooking, reading, baking, shopping and entertaining her family and friends. For years every Sunday she would cook and host dinner for the “Sunday Dinner Gang”. Having her family all together always brought a smile to her face.

Martin W. “Marty” GODRA, 86, of Wellsboro, PA, died Wednesday, November 13, 2024.  Born April 25, 1938, in Coatesville, he was the son of Martin Jr. and Elizabeth Dudas Godra.  On August 29, 1959, in Parkesburg, he married Ruth Anne Hall, who predeceased him on July 1, 2018.  

A U.S. Navy Veteran, he served honorably on the destroyer USS Glennon.  He was employed by Lukens Steel Co., Coatesville, taking early retirement in 1981.  Martin lived a life of adventure with his wife and sons, backpacking in the west, white water canoeing, hunting with bow and rifle, cross country motorcycle trips, and shooting rifle and pistols.  He and Ruth owned and operated a hunting lodge in Maine for four years where he was a master hunting and fishing guide.  

John “Jack” Schlimm, 86, of St. Marys, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a brief stay.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Elizabeth A. Meachum, 94, formerly of Ford Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Penn Highlands Elk.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

David C. Swanson, 89, of Colonial Heights, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born on July 13, 1935, in Gifford, he was a son of the late Oscar C. and Margaret (Cotton) Swanson.

He attended Bradford High School, left school and joined the United States Air Force. He served for two years and was honorably discharged on March 31, 1961. After completing his military obligation, he returned to Bradford and obtained his GED.

On September 12, 1958, in Aiken he married Ardith (Hathaway) Swanson who passed away in 1988. On June 10, 1989, in the Grace Lutheran Church he married Janice (Kime) Swanson who survives.

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Meacham, 94, formerly of Ford Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Penn Highlands Elk with her family by her side.

She was born on January 15, 1930 in St. Marys, a daughter of the late David and Isabelle Krieg Caskey.

Elizabeth married James F. Schatz, who preceded her in death in 1975.  In 1978, she married Ronald Meacham, who preceded her in death in 1996.

P. Victor “Hector” Moore, Jr., 70, of Ridgway, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Penn Highlands Dubois.

He was born on November 1, 1954, in Ridgway, a son of the late P. Victor, Sr. and Louise Anna Yeager Moore.

In September 7, 2007, he married Lesa Marconi, who survives.

Richard J. Sweeney, 82, of 646 Vermont Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully with his loving wife by his side Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Pinecrest Manor.

Dick was born January 22, 1942, in Johnsonburg, son of the late Thomas R. and Irene “Helen” Gurney Sweeney.  He was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Johnsonburg High School, Class of 1960 and a veteran of the United States Army, where he was a sharp shooter.  In 1995, he graduated from IUP Culinary School, where he was affectionately known as the “Legend”.  He was a chef at Aiello’s Café, Bambino’s, and the Towne House.

On October 6, 1966, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dick married Christine J. Sorg.  They were blessed to share fifty-eight years of marriage.

Norine L. Pier, age 62, of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Wellsboro, PA, died on Monday, November 11, 2024.  She was born on August 4, 1962 in Wellsboro, PA a daughter of the late Frank O. Pier and Elizabeth “Betty” (Russell) Borders. 

Norine enjoyed exploring the outdoors, reading and spending time with her family and friends.  She is survived by her mother: Betty Borders of Melbourne, FL, brother: Jeffrey (Karen) Pier of Wellsboro, PA, nephew: Scott (Heidi) Pier, great nephew: Logan Pier, both of Horseheads, NY and many friends in Florida and Wellsboro, PA. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10 to 11 am at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Kristi Webster officiating.

Frederick Joseph Richey

Frederick Joseph Richey, 77, formerly of Delevan, New York, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Cuba Memorial Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit after a lengthy illness.

Born on November 18, 1946, in Buffalo, he was a son of Frederick James and Elsie Revell Richey.

Joe attended McKinley High School in Buffalo and then enlisted in the United State Navy serving in the Philippines from 1964-67.

He was employed as a truck driver for Rising Sun Express and it was through this job he found his love of traveling and enjoyed seeing all parts of the country.  He also enjoyed his motorcycles. 

John “Jack” Schlimm, 86, of St. Marys, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Elk Haven following a brief stay there.

Jack’s son John would appreciate that his wishes and privacy please be respected during this time. He would also kindly request no home visits, gifts of food or flowers.

John said, “I told my dad that when the angels came, they’d bring along his childhood horse Tony, whom as a mischievous kid my dad would hop on bareback and chase girls up and down Brussells Street, right up onto their front porches! I have no doubt that dad once more hopped on Tony and took off, beating the angels back to Heaven!”

It is John’s hope that each of you will find your own meaningful ways to embrace and celebrate the special relationship you had with Jack. Also, that you will each allow yourself the time and space you personally need to move through all the emotions of this incredible life journey.

No services will be held.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Jack’s honor to Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857 or to Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.

Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com

Gordon Leary Vogt, Jr., 65, of Emporium, PA passed away at his residence on Tuesday morning (November 12, 2024). He was born September 29, 1959 in Tonawanda, New York (outside of Buffalo), and is the eldest son of Gordon Leary Vogt Sr. and Mary Krause Vogt.

Gordon graduated from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, in 1977 and then briefly attended Mesa Community College. He often reminisced about “driving fast” down the highway with Led Zeppelin blaring in the car with his friends, missing the ease of his younger days. He left community college to pursue large-scale corporate manufacturing of explosives and large machinery for 30 years, where he gained lifelong friendships as well. Building large machines, robots, and rockets were part of Gordon’s favorite pastimes as he was a curious learner. In a perfect world, Gordon wished to fly planes – though his tall 6’9” stature had other plans and kept him from fitting in the cockpit.

Emma J. Lauver                  “faith, family, farm”

Emma J. Lauver, 85, of Smethport, formerly of Coudersport and Shinglehouse, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, with her loving husband by her side in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

Born on Tuesday, May 30, 1939 in Shinglehouse, she was a daughter of Louis C. and Kathryn Yeager Perkins.  She was first married to Douglas L. Matthews and later Jack Knowlton, who both preceded her in death. On September 12, 2008 in Smethport, she married Marcus H. “Marc” Lauver, who survives.

Emma was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse, Class of 1957.  She was employed by the former Clark Brothers Company in Olean, NY and was employed as a secretary at the Oswayo Valley Elementary School in Shinglehouse for many years until her retirement.

Barbara F. Heimel

Barbara F. Heimel, 101, a lifelong resident of Coudersport, died just after sunrise on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at Cole Manor in Coudersport, the same building in which she was born.

Born Oct. 31, 1923, in the Coudersport Hospital, she was the third child of William Delos Fish and Grace Winifred Stevens Fish.

Raised in Coudersport during the Great Depression, Barbara Jean was nurtured in a family that embraced the value of hard work tempered with generous doses of the outdoors, reading, music, conversation — all with the awareness of the importance of building and contributing to community.

Barb was, by all accounts, a sunny child, with a bright smile and positive outlook that carried her through a long life. She graduated as salutatorian of the Coudersport High School Class of 1941 and was offered a scholarship to attend Waynesburg College. But the turmoil of World War II led her down a different path.

Emma J. Lauver, 85, of Smethport, formerly of Coudersport and Shinglehouse, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, with her loving husband by her side in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

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 obituar

P. Victor Moore, Jr., 70, of Ridgway, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Penn Highlands Dubois.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Krise Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.

Samuel Manno, Jr., 75, of Warren, PA., died peacefully at his residence, Wednesday morning, November 13, 2024.  He was born June 20, 1948, in Warren, PA.  He was the son of Samuel Manno, Sr., and Vera Nodzak Manno Horvat. 

Sam was a lifelong Warren area resident and a 1966 graduate of Warren High School.  He served with United States Marine Corp as a sergeant, from June 22, 1967, to December 1, 1969, serving in Vietnam. He was employed with the Warren State Hospital as a welder and retired as Manager of Building and Grounds, after many years employment. 

He was a 32^nd degree member of North Star Masonic Lodge #241, Warren Shrine Club, Marine Corp League Pendleton Detachment of Warren County.  He was very generous to many charitable organizations.  He was cook for many years at the Heritage Festival.  He also belonged to numerous Blacksmithing organizations.