Obituaries

Linda L. Havens, 72, of Ridgway, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at her residence.

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

Dixie L. Martino, 75, of St. Marys, formally of Ridgway, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Penn Highlands Elk.

She was born on June 18, 1949, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Harry and Betty Woodward Gardner.

Ronald L. Kelly, 90, of Warren, PA, passed away on October 15, 2024, at Warren General Hospital after a brief illness.

Ron was born in Kane, PA, on September 10, 1934, to the late Fred and Hazel (Boggs) Kelly. He was educated in Kane schools and served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. He spent his working life as a car salesman for dealerships in the Warren and Sheffield area having spent most of his time with Jones Chevrolet. After retirement and for a number of years, Ron and Shirley often drove dealer traded cars for Jones’. Ron was a devout member of the First Methodist Church of Warren. He, along with his wife Shirley, often helped secure communion bread for the early weekly service for a number of years.

Ruth J. GERNER, 90, of Coudersport, PA, died Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

Born February 16, 1934, in Bruin, she was the daughter of Thomas W. and Sara Snow Rodgers.  On November 24, 1951, in Woodstock, VA, she married Charles J. Gerner, who predeceased her on November 16, 2016.  Ruth and her husband owned and operated Gerner Electric and Coudersport Precast for many years.  She served as an EMT with the Coudersport Ambulance Association.  Ruth was a member of Park United Methodist Church.  

Patti L. Gougler

Patti L. Gougler, 66, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024, in Penn Highlands Dubois.

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.

Jeffrey T. Olmstead                  “celebration of life slated”

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Jeffrey T. “Jeff” Olmstead, 56, a lifelong resident of Bolivar, from 3pm to 7pm on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Richburg Fireman’s Clubhouse, Griffin Street, Richburg.

Jeff’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.

For further information, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com

Jeanne B. LEONARD, 81, of Genesee, PA, formerly of Honey Brook, PA, died Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  Born February 21, 1943 in Berwyn, she was the daughter of Rudolph and Lydia Hayworth Bowman.  

On November 20, 1995, in Elkton, MD, she married Charles J. Leonard, who survives.  A 1961 graduate of Conestoga High School, she was employed as an accounting supervisor by several manufacturing companies.  

Barbara S. Snyder, 64, of 1214 High Street, Bradford, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Buffalo General Hospital.

Born on June 22, 1960, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Snyder and Janice J. (Crattie) Snyder. She was a 1978 graduate from Bradford High School.

Christine L. Perkins, 71, of 59 Harding Avenue, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 20024, at The Pavilion @ BRMC. 

Born December 28, 1952, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Robert J. and Katherine (Ledden) Ray. 
She was a 1970 graduate of Bradford High School. She also was on the Rifle Team that won the Nation Championship. She later received an associate’s degree in business from the New Castle Business College.

On May 7, 1977, in St. Francis Church she married Mike Perkins, who survives. 

Donna J. Blose, 80, of Turtlepoint, passed away Thursday (October 17, 2024) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.

and will be announced with a full obituary.

Alton Everett Hollebeke Jr. (79), better known as “Buddy” or “Bud”, is now resting after a hard fight against a cancer diagnosis. He was at home, surrounded by his loving family when God called him home on October 12, 2024.

Born in El Paso, Texas, on April 7, 1945, Buddy was the first-born son to Alton E. Hollebeke Sr. and Florence Margaret (Gilmore) Hollebeke. True grit was ingrained in him from the beginning, as he was raised at Hollebeke Stables, the family horse ranch in El Paso, TX.

He graduated with the class of 1963 from Ysleta High School. He grew up doing things only a cowboy would do…things like arrowhead hunting and catching rattlesnakes in the desert, coyote and jackrabbit hunting, rodeos, and driving fast cars.

Thanks to his baby sister Bussie arranging a get-together, Buddy met Sharon Lee (Alviti) Hollebeke in 1978. Little did he know, that day he was introduced to his soulmate, his light, and love of his life. Soon enough, he was calling her “Sugar”, and became her husband on November 17, 1979 in Kermit, TX.

Mary Kathryn “Kathy” Farrell, 83, of St. Marys, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Kathy was born July 19, 1941, in Norfolk, VA, daughter of the late George and Bernadette Kosco.  Her father was a Captain in the Navy and part of her childhood was spent in Alaska which prepared her for the western PA winters.  She was a graduate of Maryknoll High School in Hawaii, Class of 1958 and continued her studies at Rosemont College where she met many of her lifelong friends who she graduated with in 1962.

Clarence P. Cook, 88, of Kane passed away on September 18, 2024 at UPMC Cole.

Born on November 8, 1936 in James City, Pa. he was the son of Melvin James Cook and Jennie Elizabeth Confer.  On May 21, 1956 he married Irene Marie Roush, where they had many children together; Marlene, Janet, Jane, Joe Sr., and William.  Irene Marie Roush preceded him in death on December 5, 1996.  He then remarried Ida Sidelinger on July 19, 2005 and she preceded him in death on December 03, 2021.

Gerald E. Blumer age 93 of Brownsville TX, formerly of Coudersport Pa passed away October 16, 2024.

He was married to the former Katherine Eleanor Walter and on October 24th, they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Gerald is survived by his wife Katherine,  2 sons David (Janice) Blumer of Bakersfield CA and Jon (Jana) Blumer of Coudersport PA,  4 Grandchildren Haakon, Calli, Hunter and Skyler Blumer, and 5 great-grandchildren.

In keeping with Geralds wishes, there will be no services.

Edwin H. Fichtner                “former Eldred, PA resident”

Edwin H. “Ed” Fichtner, 88, of Webster, a former longtime resident of Eldred, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa.

Born on Friday, September 18, 1936 in Salamanca, NY, he was a son of Charles M. and Violet M. Lamberson Fichtner.

During his grade school years, Ed resided in Turtlepoint.  He entered the US Air Force at the age of 18 and honorably served his country.  After discharge from active duty, he served in the Army Reserves.

Steven P. Hathaway           “beloved companion, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend”

Steven P. “Steve” Hathaway, 75, a longtime resident of Shinglehouse, passed away in his home with his loving family by his side on Thursday, October 17, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on Friday, January 7, 1949 in Olean, NY, he was a son of Alfred L. and Theo Schoonover Hathaway.  He was the beloved companion of Linda Clayton.

Sandra “Sandy” Reese, 78, of 14 Cornen Street, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born September 29, 1946, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Domenic and Mildred Barrile. Sandy was a 1964 graduate of Limestone High School.

On March 1, 1992, she married Charles E. Reese at Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, he preceded her in death on February 10, 2016. 

Sandy was employed at and retired from The Pavilion @ BRMC. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. Sandy was strong in her faith and loved flea markets and being with her family.  

Surviving are two sons, Jim (Sean) Fetterman of Farmington, MN, Jeff Fetterman of Bradford, one daughter, Jenni (Dave Hart) Fetterman of Asheville, NC, one sister, Melissa Dixon of Limestone, NY and one brother, Michael Barrile of Sheboygan, WI, two grandchildren, Devyn Hart (Roman Alvarado) and Jeffery Fetterman (Caitlin Williams), and eight great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one granddaughter Kelsi Hart.

Private graveside services will be held for the family at Willow Dale Cemetery with Rev. Barry J. Keurulainen, Interim Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, officiating.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church of Bradford. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com.

Torben A. Martin, of Coudersport, passed away at birth, Friday, October 11, 2024, at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

He was the son of Aaron M. Martin and Jessica L. (Gentzler) Ruppert. Torben is survived by his paternal grandparents, Timothy and Kathy Martin of Coudersport; maternal grandparents, Michael Garrett and Shelia Gentzler of York; brothers: Kenneth Ruppert IV, Riley Ruppert, Peyton Ruppert, Ryder Reimold, and Wyatt Martin, and sisters, Shaylynn Ruppert and Astrid Martin.

Torben was preceded in death by a brother, Jaydyn Reimold.The family has entrusted Torben’s care with the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 N. East St., Coudersport, PA 16915.

Julian F. “Bud” Asti, 82, of 120 Edward Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home. Bud was born at home in Johnsonburg on July 27, 1942.

He was the son of the late Anthony “Tony” and Mildred Aiello Asti. He was a lifelong resident of the area, attended Johnsonburg schools. Following high school, Bud started working at Pure Carbon until he furthered his education at the Educational Institute of Pittsburgh, where he earned his diploma in Design and Engineering Drafting.

Susan M. Fernan, 77, of Ridgway, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Mount Nittany Medical Center following a lengthy illness.

She was born on August 24, 1947, a daughter of the late Milfred and Betty Keneske Nelson.

On May 27, 1983, Susan married William J. Fernan of Ridgway, who survives. Together they shared over 41 years of marriage.

Toby Bernard Lent, a cherished person known for his kind, loving, caring and vibrant personality, left us on October 7, 2024. Born on January 21, 1971, Toby lived a life of tremendous passion and service towards others. Toby was 53.

Lois E. BALCOM, 82, of Wellsville, NY, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 in her home. 

Born April 27, 1942, in Dansville, she was the daughter of Ruth I. George.  On September 26, 1959, in Scottsburg, she married James E. Balcom, who predeceased her on August 16, 2003.  She was employed as an office manager by various companies through the years.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, spending time with her family, and vacationing when she could.  She had a deep love for her pets. 

Alan LITTELL, novelist and travel journalist, dies at age 95.

Alan LITTELL, a Western New York author and journalist best known for his evocative articles on travel that appeared widely in newspapers and magazines in this country and in Europe, died October 13, 2024 at Hart Comfort House, in Wellsville, N.Y. He spent his last days surrounded by family and friends. He was 95 years old and lived in Alfred, N.Y.

The cause was a stroke, his family said.

For more than 40 years Mr. Littell, writing as a freelance, reported on travel for publications ranging from The New York Times and Travel & Leisure Magazine to The Athens (Greece) News. He contributed articles on voyaging and nautical history to Ocean Navigator, a national yachting publication.

In Western New York his work appeared regularly in The Buffalo News, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and The Olean Times Herald, and for 10 years he served as travel editor of The Hornell Sunday Spectator.

Julian F. “Bud” Asti, 82, of Edward Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.