Matthew Joseph Gray¹

September 9, 1961 – April 8, 2025

Matt was an artist, entrepreneur, trail blazer, great dancer, and a fun and caring individual. Matt grew up in Warren, PA, hanging with swim team friends, great cousins, family, and friends.

Matt participated in art competitions, painted sets for school plays, and – while still in high school – was selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. After graduating Warren Area High School, Matt headed to Pittsburgh to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

William L. OTTO, Sr., 63, of Belmont, NY, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in his home surrounded by friends and family.  

Born September 14, 1961, in Olean, he was the son of James and Pauline Morris Otto.  A graduate of Portville High School, he attended Alfred Technical College.  He was a self-employed handyman and mechanic.  Bill was a social member of Belmont American Legion Post #808 and a member of the Belmont Grange. 

Matthew Gray

Matthew J. Gray, 63, of Warren, PA., died Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 2025, after a courageous battle with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.
A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.

Please run in the Friday, April 11, 2025 edition of the. Warren Times Observer.  Thank you, Mike

On April 10, 2025, John (Dick) Bair left these earthly bonds to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by his loving family.

Born September 6, 1942, to John Lincoln and Thelma Hixon Bair, in Bainbridge, PA, Dick was the beloved husband to Carolyn Bair, nee Dews, for 53 years, beloved father to Richard S. (Margo) Bair, Elizabethtown, grandfather to Jake (Laurel) Bair, Hershey, PA, and Jessica (Mike) Farnish, Mt. Joy, PA.  He was the proud great grandfather to Eli and Sophia Farnish and Ramsey and Fletcher Bair.

Dick’s lifelong occupation was in major household appliance service.  Retiring in Tioga County in 2007, he fulfilled his dream of living in the mountains and living on his Lazy B Ranch.  An accomplished horseman, he lived out many decades of owning and training horses.  Adding to his great love of the outdoors was hunting.

REDMOND, Wash. — Herbert A. “Mike” Russell Sr., formerly of Smethport, Pa., passed away Monday (April 7, 2025) at Evergreen Health System in Kirkland.

He was born Jan. 24, 1936, in Farmers Valley, Pa., a son of Walter and Violet (Hibbard) Russell. On June 6, 2000, he married Virginia (Bayer) Russell, who survives.

Mike attended Smethport schools graduating in the class of 1954 and he was employed by the United States Postal Service in Smethport, from which he retired in 1992 after 25 years of service.

Mike was a veteran of the Armed Forces having completed two enlistments in the U.S. Air Force. Serving first as an airplane mechanic and later as a missile technician.

Robert Raymond Richard Sr, 71, of Coudersport, PA passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, at UPMC-Williamsport. 

He was born July 21, 1953, in Reading PA,  the son of the late Edwin J. and Geraldine D. (Becker) Richard, Sr.  He married the former Susan G. Kern on July 6, 1974, and they have celebrated 50+ years of marriage. Robert graduated from Parkland High School, Orefield PA, class of 1970, and earned an electronic degree from Lincoln Technical Institution.  He worked as an over the road and Shag Truck Driver.  Robert was a Navy veteran and a member and Elder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Coudersport PA.  He was a member of the American Legion, Potter Post #192, and a former member, Elder, and Deacon of the Walnutport PA Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Robert was the WVLH 106.7 FM Christian Lifestyle Radio Programmer out of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Coudersport, PA.  He also managed the Church Attic, a non-profit organization supported by the church offering free clothing and household items.

John M. Van Marter gave his final goodbyes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Rio Tinto Nevada on May 3, 1944 to Clause and Ruby (McGlothlin) Van Marter.  John was their second born, following his brother Michael just eighteen months older.

John grew up in Spokane Washington and this is where he would raise his family.  First would be a set of blonde twins, Cathy (Robbie) Cabe and Sheila (Kevin) Paxson both currently of Smethport, PA. They were then followed by Steve (Rhonda) Van Marter of Albuquerque, NM, Russell of Genesee, ID and Tabby of Deer Park, WA.