Obituaries

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.

Ellen H. Eberly, 85, of Youngsville, formerly of Warren, Pa, died on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Rouse Suites, Youngsville, Pa.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc.

Lewis Kirkpatrick II, 76, of Warren, PA., died peacefully at his home, Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024, after suffering an apparent heart attack. Lewis was born July 29, 1948, in Harrisburg, PA. He was the son of Lawrence Lewis and Zona Bernette Sherman Kirkpatrick. He has resided in Warren since 1968. He was a graduate of Western Beaver High School in Industry, PA., and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Education from Edinboro University and a master’s degree from Penn State University. He was employed with the Warren County School District for 35 years and taught and coached at Eisenhower High School and retired from Warren Area High School. While at Eisenhower High School, Lewis coached the golf team, leading them to an undefeated record, and also coached the track team. During the summer, he taught driver’s education, where he had a unique approach: on the very first day, he had students get behind the wheel and drive. They would often make a stop at “Bob’s Trading Post” for ice cream before heading back to school. Many of his students affectionately called him “Mr. K,” a nickname he always answered to with a smile. 

Lewis Kirkpatrick, II

Lewis Kirkpatrick II, 76, of Warren, PA., died peacefully at his home, Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024, after suffering an apparent heart attack.

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

Barbara F. Heimel

Barbara F. Heimel, 101, a lifelong resident of Coudersport, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Cole Manor, 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.

Edward C. Palmer, 90, of 170 Toby Road, Kersey, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Penn Highlands DuBois.

He was born March 26, 1934, in Dagus Mines, son of the late Carl H. and Dorothy Green Palmer.  He was a graduate of Kersey High School and employed by Stackpole Carbon Company. 

On April 19, 1954, in Cumberland, MD, Ed married his high school sweetheart, the late Clara E. Lance, who preceded him in death on September 25, 2022.  They raised a large and loving family with whom both loved to spend time.  Both were active members of the United Methodist Church of Kersey.

Robert H. Carroll “B.O.B.”, 95, of Smethport, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Olean General Hospital.

He was born on October 27, 1928, in Mapleton Depot, he was a son of the late James H. Carroll and Vera Flo (Corbin) Carroll.

He was a 1946 graduate of Jeannette High School, received a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, and earned a Master of Arts at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.

On June 22, 1956, he married Shirley Woodle, who passed away on June 8, 1999.

Ronald Gary PRESTON, 65, of Belmont, NY, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 9, 2024 in his daughter’s home surrounded by family. 

Born July 2, 1959, in Cuba, he was the son of LeClair Archie and Myrtle Louise Bisnett Preston.  A graduate of Belfast Central School, he was first employed by his family gas station, Quaker State in Caneadea.  He then went on to Preston Truck Sales, Eastside Garage, and Preston Auto in Wellsville.  Later, he owned his own business, Twin Tier Auto Transfer in Belmont, and most recently was employed as transportation supervisor for Alfred-Almond School.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  Ron enjoyed camping, fishing, reading, and was a NASCAR enthusiast.  

Michelle Lin “Mickey” Swackhamer, 75, of Bradford, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Olean General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born September 25, 1949, in New Martinsville, WV she was a daughter of the late John J. “Jack” and Eleanor Jane (Leap) Walker, Jr.

She attended Magnolia High School in New Martinsville, WV until 1965 before moving to Limestone, NY where she was a 1967 graduate of Limestone High School.  She graduated top of her class from Olean Business Institute in 1968.

On April 11, 1970, in St. Patrick Church, Limestone, NY, she married Daniel J. Swackhamer, who preceded her in death on July 6, 1989.

Mickey worked for the YWCA as a Legal Advocate for 33 years and most recently as a Systems and Training liaison for the last two.

Robert J. “Mushy” Marsh, 76, of Crosby, passed away Saturday (November 9, 2024) at his home.

He was born March 14, 1948 in Port Allegany, a son of Robert and Dorothy (Cunningham) Marsh.

He was a 1967 graduate of Smethport Area High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 in Vietnam.

Mr. Marsh worked at several different jobs in his life, ultimately as a laborer at the Crosby Sawmill before retiring.

He was a member of the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby and the Smethport VFW Post #2497.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved working on cars.

Christopher M. Tronetti, 62, of Smethport, passed away Friday (November 8, 2024).

He was born January 2, 1962 in Kane, PA, a son of Robert and Charlotte (Foley) Tronetti.

Chris was a 1980 graduate of Smethport Area High School and attended Clarion University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1984.

Chris first had worked for Children & Youth in his earlier years, then at Universal Well Services of Bradford. He lastly worked as a self employed laborer in Smethport.

Chris was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, where he was always available for helping with maintenance to the grounds and building for many years, the Smethport Food Bank, the Keating Sportsmen Club and the McKean County Historical Society.