Obituaries

John A. “Jack” Grube, 89 of 100 High Point Dr., passed away Friday (Nov. 15) at in the Lutheran Home at Kane. Born Oct. 6, 1935, in Punxsutawney, he was the son of the late Russell and Ellen (Shirk) Grube.  

After graduating from Cameron County High School in 1955 Jack entered the Air Force and was stationed at Scott’s Air Force Base in Illinois. On June 8, 1956, in Belleville, IL he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Caton, who survives. Upon returning he worked for many years at the Quality Market, Market Basket, and was the Food Service Director for The Nutrition Group in Kane and Brockway. After “retiring” he worked for the KASD providing specialized transportation for many years. He was a past member of the Kane Lions Club, the Men’s Chorus, and participated in several productions of the Kane Players. He was also a member of the Kane Sports Boosters being inducted into the Sports Boosters Hall of Fame after nearly 50 years of working the chain gang and running the clock for football and running the time clock for basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. He was a very active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he held several organizational positions. Jack was awarded the Ambassador of Peace medal for missionary work in Spain along with his good friend, the Rev. Stephen Shuart.

Joanne M. Monroe, age 66, of Westfield, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at UPMC Williamsport. Born August 3, 1958 in Blossburg, she was the daughter of the late Maynard and Frances (VanSkiver) Gunn.

She married Alexander H. Monroe, who passed away at the age of 22 in 1984. Joanne’s children and grandkids were her life. She loved all things outdoors; camping, going to the Asaph or Hills Creek State Park, music around the bonfires and rides around the hill looking for deer. Joanne enjoyed talking and gossiping with her friends.

Debora S. Catalone, 70, of Emporium, PA passed away at Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA on Wednesday night (November 20, 2024) following a lengthy illness. She was born November 21, 1953 in St. Marys, PA a daughter of the late Herman and Martha A. Card Clark. On October 12, 1982 in Emporium, PA she married Dale Catalone, who survives.

Debbie attended Cameron County High School and worked as a nursing aid at various places throgh the years in Emporium. She enjoyed riding through with her family and going camping. She enjoyed anything outdoors.

Patricia  L. Focht, 75, of Emporium, PA passed away at Penn Highlands DuBois, DuBois, PA on Tuesday (November 19, 2024) afternoon with her family by her side. She was born April 16, 1949 in St. Marys, PA a daughter of the late Minard Sprung and Ruth Ford Sprung Ronco. 

Pat graduated from Cameron County High School. She retired from Motor Coil where she worked for many years.  She enjoyed golfing, playing cards, traveling and going to the beach. She lived life to the fullest and especially loved spending time with her family and friends and her beloved cat.  

Anthony P. Magnetti, 81, formerly of Gates Hollow, Bradford, passed away, Wednesday November 20, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Gretchen H. Rhoads, 74, of Ridgway, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at her residence.

She was born on April 17, 1950, in Ridgway, the daughter of the late Isaac L. and Phyllis J. McKay Smith.

Gretchen was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from St. Marys High School, class of 1969. She found joy in spending time with loved ones, nurturing her beloved dogs, immersing herself in the tranquility of fishing, and tending to her vibrant garden.

Donna F. LAMPMAN, 83, of Ulysses, PA, died Thursday, November 21, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  

A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  

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

Phillip E. Frair

Phillip E. “Phil” Frair, 85, of Shinglehouse, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 18, 2024, in his home in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Born on Sunday, June 11, 1939 in Olean, NY, he was a son of Herman and Content Tarr Frair. On December 7, 1957 in Shinglehouse, he married Vivien K. Gustin, who survives.

Phil was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1957. He was employed as an engineer at Dresser Industries in Bradford until his retirement.

Phil was a member of Myrtle Gospel Tabernacle in Myrtle, PA and also a member of the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle in Coudersport, PA. In his younger years, Phil enjoyed playing golf, camping, riding motorcycles, and bowling. His greatest love was his faith in the Lord and enjoying time with his family.

Velma A. Bridge, 93, formerly of 2174 West Washington St. Bradford, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home. 

Born May 19, 1931, in Bradford a daughter of the late Stillman S. and Freda Z. (Knight) Lewis.

Velma was a 1949 graduate of Bradford High School.

On September 30, 1950, in Allegany NY, she married LeRoy L. “Willy” Bridge who preceded her in death on July 14, 2002.

Gretchen Rhodes, 74, of Ridgway, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at her residence.

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

RICHARD K BRUNNER   1946 – 2024

-Richard Brunner, died Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, NY.  He was born February 9, 1946 in Olean, NY, the son of Edward and Helen (Duffy) Brunner of Allegany, NY.

On May 15, 1982 in Obi, NY he married Bonita (Bixby) Brunner of Portville, NY.  They celebrated their 42nd anniversary earlier this year. 

Sue Anne Pupo, 93, of 17 Sullivan Road, Bradford, passed away Tuesday November 19, 2024, at Olean General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born May 31, 1931, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Susan (Kutchmire) Dudick.

She was a 1949 graduate of St. Bernard High School, and a lifelong member of St. Bernard Church.

On June 9, 1956, in St. Bernard Church, she married Louis A. “Lou” Pupo, who preceded her in death on May 26, 2016.

Velma A. Bridge, 93, of Bradford, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home. 

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Elmer Gatecloux, 87, formerly of Bradford, a resident of Snyder Memorial Health Care in Marienville, since January 30, 2023, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the facility.

Anyone with knowledge of Elmer’s deceased sister Debra Bennett, or her children is asked to call Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. at 814-362-6643.

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.