Obituaries

The Emporium Community has lost a life-long dedicated Christ and community servant with the passing of Kenneth L. Ostrum, on September 12, 2024.

Ken was born January 26, 1932 at his family home on the Old West Creek Road, son of John Fred and Violet (Barr) Ostrum.

On Feb 23, 1952, he married Mary Jane Kinley at the First Baptist Church in Emporium and then celebrated 53 years together. Ken graduated from Emporium High School in1950. He received his Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering from ICS of Scranton, PA He was employed for 37 years at Sylvania Electric (GTE, Philips Electronics), first as a production worker, then in Electrical Design. Ken worked internationally at design jobs in Canada, Mexico, Belgium and France.

Wellsville- Deloris B. Peterson “Loving Mother & Grandmother”

 Deloris B. Peterson formerly of Cuba passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Highland Park in Wellsville. 

 Deloris was born December 22, 1931 in Franklinville and was the daughter of Donald and Beatrice Benjamin Woodruff. She married Robert J. Peterson who predeceased her on January 9, 2014.

Ellie Mae Caya

Ellie Mae Caya, the infant daughter of Aaron Caya and Emily Lowry, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville.

Ellie Mae was born on May 10, 2024, while completely heartbroken her family finds peace knowing she is no longer in pain or suffering.  Holding her in their hearts for only four short months was a gift they are grateful for, but her love and memories will be held in their hearts forever.

Thomas G. Durkin, 74, of Port Allegany, formerly East Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on September 11, 2024, following a courageous fight with cancer. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas R. Durkin and Lois L. (McDavitt) Durkin.  Tom was born during a time when physically handicapped and mentally challenged individuals were often excluded from schools, social settings, and the work force.  However, his parents, especially his mom, were determined for him to have a full life. 

Bernice Helen Clark, 82, of Wellsboro, passed away on September 13, 2024, surrounded by family.

She was born to Clarence and Florence (Shink) Hodder on February 23, 1942. She was one of eleven children. Bernice and Harold “Roy” Clark were married for 49 years. Bernice served in the United States Navy at the Naval Station in Norfolk, VA.

She worked at the Super Duper, and later Bi-Lo and Tops as head bookkeeper/cashier for over 20 years and enjoyed Sewing, Quilting and Swedish weaving. 

Lana S. Creal, 80, of Warren, PA., died peacefully Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2024, at the John and Orpha Blair Hospice Home, Warren, PA. 

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

Annette M. Hulings, 56, of Ridgway, died unexpectedly on Monday, September 9, 2024, at her residence.

She was born on July 10, 1968, in Ridgway, the daughter of Veryl Gess and the late Nancy Vantassal Gess.

Annette was a lifelong member of the community and graduate of Ridgway High School. She worked many years at the YMCA and recently worked for Dickinson Mental Health. Annette enjoyed time with her grandchildren, creating cherished memories with her family that will last a lifetime. Her dedication to her loved ones and her unwavering kindness will forever be cherished and remembered.

She is survived by a daughter, Randi Hulings(Jim Woodford), 2 grandchildren, Elijah and Elle Gadley,2 special nieces, Aliannah and Addison Gess. She is also survived by 3 siblings: Bruce Gess, Harvey Steel, and Cindy Steel, several half siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a son, Randy Hulings.

A Family Gathering will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Krise Funeral Home, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA, 15853.

Nancy R. Kucenski, 87, of Ridgway, died on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Penn Highlands Dubois following a brief illness.

She was born on May 12, 1937, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Rosario and Mary Giffi Grandinetti.

On November 12, 1960, in Ridgway, she married the late Eugene S. Kucenski, who preceded her in death on March 5, 2001.

Sophie A. Hardy                 “beloved mother and Nana”

Sophie A. Hardy, 92, of Portville, passed away with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at The Pines, in Olean, NY.

Born on Sunday, August 21, 1932 in Cohoes, NY, she was a daughter of Arthur and Martha Thomas Hippensteel.  She was married to Howard L. Hardy, who passed away on October 30, 1981.

Sophie was employed by the former Cooper Industries in Olean for many years until her retirement.

She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, watching television, playing cards, and putting jigsaw puzzles together.  She was a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. Sophie’s greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren.

Michael  B. Monti, 60, formerly of Williams Street, Bradford, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Bradford Manor, surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on September 28, 1963, in Bradford, he was the son of the late G. Bruce Monti and Anita (Colosimo) Monti. Mike attended Ramsbottom School.  

He worked for Pizza Hut and later Futures for over 30 years.

Norman S. Plumstead age 74 lifelong resident of Westfield passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.  Born March 17, 1950 in Westfield, he was the son of William and Beverly (Finch) Plumstead.  

Norman retired from Penelec after 37 years of service.  He married Mary K. Dempsey and together they shared 55 years and raised two sons. 

Nancy R. Kucenski, 87, of Ridgway, died on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Penn Highlands Dubois following a brief illness.

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

James I. BRENNAN, 75, of Ulysses, PA, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  Born August 16, 1949, in Buffalo, he was the son of Donald and Dorothy Whitaker Brennan.  A 1967 graduate of West Valley Central School, he earned an associate degree from Alfred Tech in 1969.  

A Vietnam War Veteran, he served honorably with the U.S. Army from February 25, 1970 – September 30, 1971.  He was employed by Motorola in Arcade, NY and owned and operated Brennan’s Shursave in Ulysses.  Jim was a member and past commander of Carl E. Hyde American Legion Post #963 in Ulysses, and a member of the Potter County Honor Guard, Knights of Columbus, and Inn Zone Hunting Club.  He served on the board of directors of Olean Wholesale Grocery Cooperative, Inc.  On October 22, 2023, in Ulysses, he married the former Patricia Tomak Kish, who survives.  

Doris L. Hannah, 93, of Bradford, formerly of Emery Towers, passed away Wednesday September 11, 2024, at the Olean General Hospital after a brief illness.

Born February 4, 1931, in Shippenville, she was the daughter of the late Lewis and M. Louise (Hartle) Uhl.  She attended Bradford area schools until the tragic death of her mother in a car accident.  While staying with relatives in Clarion she met and married Chester L. Hannah on May 10, 1947. They were married for 26 years until his sudden death on January 29, 1974.

Doris was a homemaker raising three children and keeping a meticulous home.  After her husband’s death she went back to school receiving her GED as the oldest and top student.

James B. “Jim” Lenze, 66, of 151 Mule Shoe Road, Brockport, PA, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at his residence.

He was born March 8, 1958, in St. Marys, son of the late Robert F. and Jane Henry Lenze.  Jim was a lifelong resident of the area.  He attended St. Marys Area High School and later graduated from Coudersport High School.

On September 19, 1992, in Sacred Heart Church, he married Karen Levenduski, who survives.

Thomas Lynn (Tom) Van Etten passed away on September 7,  2024   while attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, something he had wanted to do for years. Tom had completed nearly 1,500 miles at the time of his death on the Trail in Botetourt County, Virgina. Tom was born on September 25, 1956 in Coudersport, Pennsylvania to Lynn and Vivian Van Etten.

His family moved to the Niagara Falls area from Pennsylvania in 1960. He graduated from Niagara-Wheatfield High School in 1974 and went on to get a BS degree in Physics from the University at Albany in 1978 and a MS degree in Nuclear Engineering from The Ohio State University in 1981. He worked as an engineer for the Knolls Laboratory (part of the Naval Nuclear Laboratory) from 1981 to 2023 when he retired after 4o+ years of service. Over 30 of those years were in the reactor safety organization, the last 11 in the position of Advisor  Engineer. Tom married Eileen Carbery in June of 1985 and they became parents in 2004 to their daughter, Alice, at a stage in life when most are typically thinking more about future retirement than starting a family. While he had strong interests in many areas such as history, astronomy, and of course, backpacking, he took the most joy from being the proud dad to his daughter, Alice.

Arlene M. Minnick, 99, of 181 Lynch Road, St. Marys, passed away following a full life on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Elk Haven Nursing Home.

She was born June 28, 1925 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Luke and Madeline Seybold Lenze.  She was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1943, and retired as Assistant Manager at G.C. Murphy Co.

Sophie A. Hardy               

Sophie A. Hardy, 92, of Portville, passed away with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at The Pines, in Olean, NY.

Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

Timothy E. Newhouse, 62, of 70 Ryan Road, Mt. Alton, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Born June 22, 1962, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Richard E. Newhouse and Mary (Swartzfager) Newhouse O’Connell who survives.

Tim was a 1981 graduate of Bradford High School.
 
Tim was employed at Sehman Tire Service, Georgia Pacific, and Lafayette Township.  He was employed at Lafayette Township for 26 years, including as a Road Foreman, until his retirement. 

Randy D. Babb “Loving Son, Father & Brother”

 Randy D. Babb of 419 Linwood Drive passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Olean General Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 1:30pm in the funeral home.

The Rev. Joel Whitcher, Pastor of Fresh Fire Worship Center will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

Elaine F. “Penny” Neely, 81, of Port Allegany, passed away Wednesday (September 11, 2024) at her residence with her family by her side.

She was born September 9, 1943 in Olean, NY, the daughter of Leo and Aldean (Davenport) Cochran. On September 14, 1963, in Port Allegany, she married Grover D. Neely, who survives.

 Penny was a graduate of Port Allegany High School class of 1963. She worked for Ball-Incon for several years and the former Jean’s Casual Shop in Port Allegany.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the First Presbyterian Church of Port Allegany, the Star Hose Auxiliary of Port Allegany, and was a leader for the Liberty Majorettes.

Carl Thomas Coole

Carl T. Coole, born in Tioga County, PA, on November 11, 1940, passed away on September 10, 2024. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Ila Frazier Coole, sisters Belva Cabeen, Irene Robinson, Barbara Ayers, and brother Roger Coole.  He leaves behind his brothers Arvid (Juanita) Coole and Larry (Chris) Coole; his four children, Micki (Dave) Jones, Leslee (Mike) Reese, Todd (Cheryl) Coole, Matthew (Malou) Coole; grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Jones, Isaac (Sylvia) Jones, Brianna (Abe) Kightlinger, Maverick Raber, Angela Williams, Stephanie (Jason) Massey, Devin (Erin) Raber, Crystal (Drew) Etheridge, Faith (Meghan) Coole, Madel (Taras) Coole, Elijah Coole, several great-grandchildren and other special family and friends, who have fond memories and stories to share.

He graduated from Galeton High School in June of 1958.  He was a hardworking man who instilled in his children the same work ethic.  His many labors included machinist, quarryman, logger, head sawyer, and owner of 2C’s Sharpening.

R. Allen Pritchard, 92, of Mt. Jewett, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Bradford Manor.

He was born on April 11, 1932 in Clermont, a son of the late Chester and Martha Fuller Pritchard.

On January 13, 1953 in Kushequa he married Shirley A. Dudick who preceded him in death on December 10, 1987.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War; where he received two purple hearts.

He was a member of the Kane Lodge #566 F&A Masons, American Legion Post 574, Mt. Jewett and the VFW Post 6347, Mt. Jewett.

Michael A. “Stimey” Schaberl, 62, of 715 First Avenue, Johnsonburg, passed away early Saturday morning, September 7, 2024, at UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, following a brief illness. He was born on October 9, 1961, in St. Marys, a son to the late George Luke and Jane Miles Schaberl. 
Raised in St. Marys, he was Catholic by Faith and was Baptized and Confirmed at Queen of the World Parish. He attended St. Marys Area High School and had worked as a mechanic for Rick’s Auto Parts in Kersey for many years. 

Stimey had lived in Johnsonburg for the past 15 years with his daughter and grandchildren which were his whole world, devoting himself to spending as much time with them as possible. He loved to take them fishing, four-wheeler riding or to monster truck shows. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was an excellent mechanic and loved to work on and rebuild cars and listen to Classic Rock and Roll music.

Walter J. Farrell, 77, of Tyrone, formerly of Bradford, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the Hollidaysburg Veteran’s Home, Duncansville; after a courageous battle with cancer due to his exposure to agent orange in Vietnam.

He was born on June 21, 1947 in Bradford, the son of the late Walter and Mary “Romaine” Hotelling Farrell.

He was a 1965 graduate of the Bradford Area High School.

On May 10, 1969 in the First United Methodist Church, Bradford, he married Connie E. Wilson, who survives.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War; where he earned the Purple Heart for wounds received during combat.

He was a life member of the Lt. John C. Roche Post 212 VFW, Bradford, and a member of the Moose Lodge 223, Huntingdon.  He was a NASCAR fan who loved hunting, gardening or just being outdoors.  When he and Connie owned a motor-home they enjoyed spending time camping.  In his younger years he worked on the family’s dairy farm.

He was employed by the former Trico Industries, Bradford, for twenty six years, prior to working at the former JPT, Jamestown, NY, for seven years and finally retiring in 2012 after five years of working as a custodian for the Bradford Area School District.

Timothy E. Newhouse, 62, of Lewis Run, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Elaine F. “Penny” Neely, 81, of Port Allegany, passed away Wednesday (September 11, 2024) at her residence.

Arrangements will be announced by Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.

James B. “Jim” Lenze, 66, of 151 Mule Shoe Road, Brockport, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at his residence. 

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

Karl L. Lang, 91 passed away surrounded by his loving family Friday, September 6, 2024, at Charles Cole UPMC in Coudersport. He was born October 24, 1932, in St. Marys PA to John K. and Marie (Sorg) Lang. On August 18th, 1956, he married his beloved Patricia (Krug) Lang with whom he shared 68 years of marriage.

Norman L. “Deb” Haight, 90, of 527 High Street Johnsonburg, passed away early Tuesday morning, September 10, 2024, at the Lutheran Home at Kane following a lengthy illness. He was bon on March 1, 1934, in Johnsonburg, a son to the late R.W. and Laura Belle Shaffer Haight. On September 23, 1958, in Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, he married Valerie “Val” Golebieski and she survives. 

A lifelong resident of the area, Deb lived most of his life in Johnsonburg and was a 1953 graduate of Johnsonburg High School. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Cursillo Movement. He always enjoyed spending time doing activities with his family and grandchildren, he had been a coach for Knothole for many years, he loved hunting and fishing and making his own maple syrup. He also served two separate terms on the Johnsonburg Boro Council, on one of which he served as the Vice President.