Obituaries

Gail E. Bartas:  Loving Mother, Grandmother, Friend

Gail E. Bartas, 85, of Friendship, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Jones Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Born on November 3, 1938, in Lackawanna, she was the daughter of Gordon B. and Betty G. (Taylor) Chilcott.

Gail was a graduate of Orchard Park Central School and Alfred State University where she received a degree in Animal Husbandry. 

She had been employed by Acme Electric in Cuba and later worked for Friendship Dairies as a Lab Technician prior to her retirement.

Julianne “Julie” Cogley, 68, of South St. Marys Street, St. Marys, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, September 29, 2024 surrounded by her family. 

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

Thomas D. Vollmer, 64, of Jackson Road, St. Marys, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Ridgeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Curwensville. 

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

Robert A. Cheatle, 63, formerly of St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly in Indiana County. 

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

Phyllis E. Gleason             

Phyllis E. Gleason, 79, of Austin passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

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.

Our mother, Nancy L. Engelberg sadly passed away on Thursday, September 26th, 2024. She was an amazing mother, wife, sister, nana, and friend.

She was born in St. Marys to Clarence and Catherine Wildnauer Distler on January 10, 1945.  She attended Central Catholic where she graduated in 1962.  During her life, Nancy was employed at Keystone Carbon Company, Northwest Savings Bank and Advanced Thermal Products.

On October 15, 1966 in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nancy married the love of her life, Siegfried J. Engelberg, who preceded her in death on April 28, 2017.  Together they had two daughters, Mary (Anthony) Mattivi and Amy (Gary) Dietz. She had 5 grandchildren who adored her, Casey and Abby Mattivi and Josh (Marysia), Jonathan and Michael Dietz. 

Wayne G. Schauer, 87, a resident of Silver Creek Terrace and formerly of Fern Lane, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024 following a brief illness. 

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

Carolyn M. Taylor, Loving wife, mother, and grandmother 

Carolyn Marie Taylor, of Shinglehouse, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024 in her home, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.

Carolyn was born in Shinglehouse, on April 24, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Alfred “Buck” and Ruby Hanson Kemp. On June 20, 1959 in the Ceres Methodist Church in Ceres, NY, she married Dorwin Taylor, who survives.

Lynn E. “Skip” Snyder             “beloved husband, father, and grandfather”

Lynn E. “Skip” Snyder, 77, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, September 23, 2024, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Born on Saturday, November 2, 1946, in Port Allegany, he was a son of Harry E. and Cleo V. DeNio Snyder.  On April 23, 1966 in the Austin United Methodist Church, he married Judy A. Major, who survives.

Myrtle E. Kleiner, age 86 of Elkland, PA passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Elmira, NY on December 22, 1937 and was a daughter to the late Clifford George and Eva Lorena (Harvey) Carpenter. Myrtle was also known by her family as “Sooky”, a childhood nickname that stuck around. 

Slavador S. Paneda, 70, of Peaceful Lane, passed away Sunday (Sept. 15, 2024) in the Bradford Manor, after a lengthy illness.

Born August 7, 1954, in Rosaio, Philippines, he was a son of Dominador and Fortunata Subala Paneda. He married Yvonne D. Doane, who died Dec. 9, 2012.

He was employed with Ethan Allen Co. of Eldred, and the former Pittsburgh Corning Co., Port Allegany, before his retirement.

Vera H. ROUNDS, 91, formerly of Harrison Valley, PA, died Wednesday, September 25, 2024 in Absolut Care, Painted Post, NY.  

Born May 7, 1933, in Blossburg, she was the daughter of Herbert F. and Rhoda B. English Friske.  On May 28, 1953, in Harrison Valley, she married Harry G. Rounds, who predeceased her on October 23, 1997.  Vera was a member of the Harrison Township Ladies Auxiliary, Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company, and the Harrison Township Library Board.  

Betty L. Stebbins, 88, of Port Allegany, passed away Thursday (September 26, 2024)  at her home with her family by her side.

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

Jeanne L. Shavalier, 53, of Port Allegany, passed away Thursday (September 26, 2024) at her home surrounded by her family..

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

Nancy L. Engelberg, 79, of Fern Road, St. Marys, passed away with her daughters by her side on Thursday, September 26, 2024. 

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

A Celebration of Life service for Donald D. Morey, Sr. will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 at the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 of Smethport from 1-4PM.

Everyone that knew Don is welcome to attend and share time with his family. Don passed away on August 20, 2024 and his full obituary can be seen at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. 

Ronald M. COLEMAN, 72, of Wellsville, NY, died Monday, September 23, 2024 in UR Noyes Hospital, Dansville. Born November 27, 1951, in Dansville, he was the son of Max G. Jr. and Mildred R. VanDruff Coleman. On May 21, 1988, in Hallsport, he married the former Penelope J. “Penny” Carlin, who survives.

Jeannette M. BUCK, 85, of Gold, PA, died Wednesday, September 25, 2024 in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.  

Born February 5, 1939, in Wellsville, NY, she was the daughter of Chester H. and Betsey E. Young Morley.  On April 4, 1959, in Gold, she married Robert A. Buck, who predeceased her on November 27, 2008. 

Ricky A. Learn: Loving Son, Father, Grandfather

Ricky A. Learn, 56, of 1992 Wayman Branch Rd., Olean passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 23, 2024.

Born on July 7, 1968, in Wellsville, he was a son of Lawrence and Patricia Childs Learn, Sr.  On March 28, 1992, in Blackcreek, he married the former Shelley L. Vogel who survives.

He was a graduate of Bolivar Central Schools Class of 1987.  He had worked for various farms throughout the years. He was currently employed as a forklift operator for Fitzpatrick and Weller in Ellicottville.

Shirley L. Chilson, age 93 of Lawrenceville passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Broad Acres Nursing Home in Wellsboro.

Born July 6, 1931 in Lycoming County, PA, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Frances Harvey. Shirley married H. Lewis Chilson and they were lifelong business partners of Chilson Motors. Their hard work earned Chilson Motors top honors as the nation’s highest rated Jeep dealership for two years in a row. She loved spending time in the business with Lew, her home and flowers, traveling with their friends and enjoyed the winter months in Lake Wales, FL.

Timothy P. Stratton, age 63 of Bradford, NY passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, September 19, 2024 with his family by his side. Born January 22, 1961 in Elmira, NY, he was the son of Edgar and Janet (Green) Stratton.

He retired from Custom Mix Concrete, where he drove truck and painted the mixers. He loved working with concrete, watching Nascar, going to the local dirt tracks and restoring and painting old cars. Tim volunteered at the Bradford NY Volunteer Fire Department.

William L. Simons, AKA “Billy” or “Wolf”, age 66 of Westfield passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Williamsport Hospital. Born July 25, 1958 in Blossburg, he was the son of the late Leland and Jean (Norwood) Simons. 

Billy loved hunting and fishing, playing Nintendo games and cards, watching wrestling and he loved to cook.  He was into martial arts and was a talented artist, who could draw any picture. 

He is survived by his siblings, Ronald Simons, Carol Perry, Ricky Simons, David Simons and Tina and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Westfield.  

Dana L. Skiver “Loving Father, Grandfather & Brother”

 Dana L. Skiver of 2476 Wolf Creek Road, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024 at his home. 

 Dana was born May 13, 1952, in Olean and was the son of Howard Allan and Vivian Patricia Garfield Skiver. On August 28, 1976, in Bolivar he married the love of his life Laura M. Kuhn who predeceased him on January 17, 2024. 

Lloyd E. McGraw, 97, of Lindenwood Drive, Emporium, died Sunday, September 22, 2024 in Penn Highlands DuBois Hospital. 

 Lloyd was born November 25, 1926, in West Bakersfield, California, the son of Lynn and Elise Heck McGraw, grew up in East Bakersfield and graduated from Bakersfield High School. 

 On January 19, 1949, in Emporium, he married Barbara Schnee who died November 29, 2012.  A veteran of WWII having served in the US Army, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church, now Endless Mountains Methodist Church in Emporium, and was a 33-degree Mason and a member of the Coudersport Consistory. In 1991 he retired from GTE Sylvania, formerly Sylvania Electric in Emporium, where he was employed as a machinist. 

Brian Drew Leidy, 74, of Wellsboro, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 22, 2024, at UPMC-Wellsboro.  He was born September 15, 1950, in Roaring Spring, the son of the late Robert G. and Mary Ellen (Blattenberger) Leidy.  Brian married the former Deborah Foster on September 5, 1970, and they have celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Brian was a graduate of Hollidaysburg High School, Class of 1968.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mansfield State College, his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marywood University and his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Human Service Studies from Cornell University.   Brian was a Senior Research Associate for Cornell University, and recently earned his Emeritus Status. 

Bonnie L. Hooftallen, 43, of Emporium, passed away on Monday (September 23, 2024) at her home in Emporium, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 7, 1981 in Port Allegany, the daughter of David Haggard, Sr. and Ilene (Main) Kamets. On September 18, 2021, in Port Allegany, she married Jesse Hooftallen, who survives.

Bonnie was a secretary, employed by Andrew’s Auto Sales and Service for 18 years retiring in 2024.

John Van Street, 95, of Tucson, Arizona, entered his Heavenly home on Friday, September 13, 2024 in Tucson, AZ following an illness of the past few months.

He was born September 9, 1929, in Bethlehem, PA, a son of the late Anton and Florence (Moyer) Van Street.

In January of 1954, John married the late Pearl Van Street, who preceded him in death on December 11, 2021.  Together they shared nearly 68 years of love, laughter, and marriage.