Pennsylvania Department of Health and Penn State Extension to Provide Free Water Testing for a limited number of Private Wells, Springs, and Cisterns in McKean County
Have you ever had the drinking water from your well, spring, or cistern tested for lead and other health-related pollutants? If not, here’s your chance!
Over 8,600 households in McKean County get their drinking water from a private source. These residents are voluntarily responsible for testing and treating their own water. About half of the private water systems in Pennsylvania fail at least one drinking water standard, but many pollutants have no obvious indicators. The only way to be certain that water is safe to drink is to have it tested routinely by an accredited laboratory.
David Lee Bennett, Sr., 79, of 47 Corwin Lane, Bradford, PA
David Lee Bennett, Sr., 79, of 47 Corwin Lane, Bradford, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025, at UPMC Cole Hospital in Coudersport unexpectedly.
Born on May 29, 1945, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Charles and Bernice (Burt) Bennett, III, and was a 1964 graduate from Bradford High School.
On July 18, 1964, at the Bradford East End Presbyterian Church, David married his high school sweetheart, Irona Mae (Ramer) Bennett, who survives.
David worked at Kendall-Witco Refinery where he retired in 1998 after 25 years.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 749 of Bradford, where he served two years as Worshipful Master in 2020-2021. David was also a member of the Bradford American Legion Post 108.
He was known for being an avid camper, including being a member of the Targle Foote Camp Club. Along with being a camper, David loved the outdoors and hunted his whole life. David was also known as “Mr. Fix-It” when it came to repairing lawn mowers and watches. Above all, David loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Road, Smethport, PA.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Road, Smethport, passed away peacefully Friday, January 10, 2025, at her home, with her family by her side.
Born August 2, 1939, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Lloyd and Myra (Lineman) Newman.
Kaye was a 1957 graduate of Bradford Area High School.
On August 20, 1960, she married Bernard J. Little at the Sawyer E.U.B. Church in Bradford. They were married for 51 years until his death.
Kaye was a Military Wife and a Homemaker. She lived all over the United States and Germany, making a loving home wherever they were stationed. Kaye was a member of the United Methodist Church of Smethport and a member of the Phoenix Chapter No. 15 Order of the Eastern Star. Her family was everything to Kaye. She loved spending time with family, whether it be at events or just sitting around talking at the kitchen table. Kaye was also extremely supportive of all of her son’s sports and activities, rarely ever missing any events. She loved gardening and especially growing and caring for flowers. Kaye also enjoyed canning vegetables from the garden and apple butter from her own apple trees. She truly loved Christmas and always made it special with making Christmas cookies, hard rock candy, and incredible meals.
Gerald Eugene “Jerry” Brennen, Jr., 82, of 419 Gay Road, St. Marys, PA.
Gerald Eugene “Jerry” Brennen, Jr., 82, of 419 Gay Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 13, 2025 at his residence.
Jerry was born February 11, 1942 in St. Marys, son of the late Gerald and Edna Wolfel Brennen, Sr. He was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1960. He was an employee at Speer Carbon Company where he served as Plant Manager and retired from the company in 2000. Jerry was a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserve and United States Air Force.
On February 16, 1963, at Sacred Heart Church, Jerry married Ethel “Ann” Ford, who survives. They were blessed to share sixty-one years of marriage.
Beverly A. Harnish, 92, of Wellsboro, PA
Beverly A. Harnish, 92, of Wellsboro, passed away peacefully, Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Green Home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 21, 1932, in Morris, the daughter of the late Prosper E. and Anita Irene (VanZandt) Yohe. She married Robert B. Harnish on May 11, 1985.
Beverly graduated from Wellsboro High School, Class of 1952. She was a retired L.P.N., she worked for the Blossburg State Hospital from 1956-1972, and the North Penn Comprehensive Health Services from 1973-1997. Beverly attended the Coolidge Hollow United Methodist Church, she was a member of the Cowanesquee Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star, Westfield. She volunteered with Laurel Home Health and Hospice from 2000-2016. She enjoyed time at Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, NY, gardening, bird watching, reading, her black labs, and holidays with her grandchildren, especially hiding eggs for the Easter egg hunt.
Steven L. GOSS, 65, of Shinglehouse, PA
Steven L. GOSS, 65, of Shinglehouse, PA, died Friday, January 10, 2025 in Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.
Born February 13, 1959, in Canandaigua, NY, he was the son of Kennard E. “Shorty” and Irene M. Romig Goss. A U.S. Army Veteran, he served honorably from 1976 – 1979. He was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic by L.C. Whitford in Wellsville. Steve was a member of American Legion Post #530 in Shinglehouse.
Phyllis N. Bonneau, 94, Of Sena Kean Manor
Phyllis N. Bonneau, age 94 passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Sena Kean Manor with her son and 2 daughters at her side.
Born in Roulette on October 10, 1930 to Harry arid Amelia (Peterson) Johnson.
Phyllis lived a long and fulfilling life. She could light up any room with her pretty blue eyes and bright smile. Phyllis spent most of her life working as a nurse’s aide with the elderly. Even after retirement, Phyllis would go into private homes to care for people.
Phyllis married Bob Cornelius on May 5, 1946 who passed away November 5, 1970. Phyllis then remarried to Ted Bonneau in the summer of 1976, Ted passed away December 19,2017.
Potter County Community Garden Gearing Up for a Fourth Season of Growing.
It may be cold and snowing but plans for the 2025 Potter County Community Garden are springing into action. Applications for garden plots will be released to the public on Wednesday, January 15th, and will be accepted until all spaces have been claimed. The Community Garden has a total of thirty-three garden beds with four being raised for handicapped or disability access. Located at 7 Water Street in Coudersport, the Community Garden will open its gates again on April 26th for individuals and groups to utilize a free garden plot regardless of income.
Individual and group applications are now available at Ace Hardware, Hershey’s Market, Kaytee’s, Coudersport Library, UPMC Wellness Center, Coudersport Pediatrics, Potter County Food Bank, the Potter Commissioner’s office, and the Penn State Extension office. New this year, the PCCG has a website and online application at http://pottercountycommunitygarden.org. For more information, be sure to check out the garden Facebook page, Potter County Community Garden, email pccg2022@gmail.com or call 814-274-8540 x 100.
The Potter County Community Garden is a cooperative effort between the Potter County Commissioners, UPMC Cole, Penn State Extension, and Potter County Conservation. The mission of the garden is 1) to empower the community to plant, grow and harvest their own produce, 2) to provide education on the value of gardening, 3) to promote community interaction & unity, and 4) to offer solutions to food insecurity where groceries and healthy eating can be limited.
Joan M. (Copp) Carson, age 90, of Wellsboro, PA
Joan M. (Copp) Carson, age 90, of Wellsboro, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025. She was born on March 12, 1934, in Wellsboro, PA, the daughter of the late Russell and Mary (Harding) Copp, stepmother Wilda Eberenz, and was married to her high school sweetheart, the late William L. “Bill” Carson. Joan graduated from Wellsboro Area High School, worked at Whitmer’s Fashion in Wellsboro, and was a member of the Wellsboro United Methodist Church.
She was devoted to her family, always caring deeply for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joan enjoyed reading, tending her flower beds, and baking cookies to share with her loved ones. Her kitchen was a welcoming place, always filled with conversation, laughter, and good company.
Information Sessions Scheduled for Penn College LPN Courses
Penn College has scheduled Information Sessions for their upcoming LPN course beginning in September. When you enroll in the full-time Practical Nursing program, you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling career in just one year. With skilled faculty, hands-on learning labs, 1,546 hours of instruction, and access to Penn College student services, you’ll be confident and ready to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN), and if you want to advance your career, we have pathways to get you there.
To learn more, attend one of the Information Sessions that are scheduled for Thursdays, January 16 or February 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, or live via Zoom at the Education Council’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street. Registration is required. For more information or to register for an Information Session, call Wendy Joachim at (570) 724-7703.
Robert A. Raught of 200 Pleasant Street, PA.
Robert A. Raught of 200 Pleasant Street, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the Olean General Hospital following an illness.
Bob was born January 8, 1954 in Kane, PA and was the son of Donald E. and Margaret Audine Mulvihill Raught. Bob married Phyllis Jean Freeman who predeceased him on October 22, 2002.
Bob worked with his dad at his body shop, Don’s Body and he also worked other various jobs.
Dorothy Lucille EBERSOLD, 95, of Galeton, PA
Dorothy Lucille EBERSOLD, 95, of Galeton, PA, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 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.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Smethport, PA.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Smethport, passed away Friday, January 10, 2025, at her residence, with her family by her side.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Richard “Dick” J. Cavallero, 85, of Bradford, PA
Richard “Dick” J. Cavallero, 85, of Bradford, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on March 1, 1939, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Dominic Francis and Mary Margaret (Persichini) Cavallero.
On June 20, 1969, in Bradford, he married Ann (Freaney) Cavallero, who survives.
Dick graduated in 1957 from St. Bernard Catholic High School. After high school, he was employed by Felmont Oil before completing the 10-week Basic Field Course for Municipal Policemen. He then began his 38-year career with the City of Bradford Police Department on May 21, 1962, serving as Chief of Police for 10 of those years until his retirement on January 1, 2001
Adam Johnson Selected to NAWDP Leadership Academy
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College Vice President of Workforce Development, Adam Johnson, was recently selected to take part in the National Association of Workforce Development Professional’s (NAWDP) inaugural Leadership Academy cohort. Offered in partnership with the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, this transformative program empowers workforce professionals to elevate their leadership impact. The Academy is designed to empower and equip leaders with the essential skills, knowledge, and innovative strategies needed to drive transformational change within the workforce development sector.
NAWDP is a professional association representing individual workforce development and human resources practitioners, who connect jobseekers, educators, and companies to advance the American economy. The organization provides professional development, resources, and certification credibility to individuals seeking to thrive in the workforce development industry as thought leaders and innovators. As the leading advocate for workforce development professionals, NAWDP builds relationships and connections with other industry-leading organizations to challenge and collaborate for the advancement of the industry. NAWDP ‘s mission is to enrich the workforce development community by connecting and advancing workforce professionals through building innovative partnerships.
Richard D. Hixenbaugh, 77, of Smethport, PA.
Richard D. Hixenbaugh, 77, of Smethport, passed away Friday (January 10, 2025) at Olean General Hospital.
He was born October 14, 1947 in Smethport, the son of Floyd K. and Lula (Himelrick) Hixenbaugh. He was married to Nancy Conley on April 20, 1974. She died on September 26, 2018.
Richard was a graduate of Smethport Area High School and had worked over the years in several places as a produce manager.
He was a member of the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 of Smethport. He enjoyed playing guitar and singing, spending time with family, and riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was an avid hunter and gun fanatic.
Catherine A. Jordan, 82, of Ridgway
Catherine A. Jordan, 82, of Ridgway, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Elk Haven Nursing Home.
She was born on August 2, 1942, in Oxford, PA, the daughter of the late Frank and Helen Marson McCory.
On June 20, 1959, she married the late Ronald B. Jordan, who preceded her in death on August 1, 2014.