Ruth A. Shawl:  Loving Mother and Grandmother

Ruth A. Shawl, 79, of 4430 Route 275, Friendship, NY passed away Friday, May 31, 2024 at Olean General Hospital after a brief illness.

Born on June 2, 1944, in Wellsville, she was a daughter of Kenneth W. and Gladys M. Lobdell Water.  On June 30, 1962, in Andover she married Raymond G. “Ted” Shawl who predeceased her on February 19, 2019.

She was a graduate of Andover Central School.  While her children were young, she worked in the cafeteria at Friendship Central School.  In 1978, she went to work at Cuba Memorial Hospital working in the Operating Room, Radiology Department, at one time was the Activities Director and finished her 40-year career in the Medical Records Department.

Ruth attended the Friendship United Methodist Church and was a member of McKee Tristar Chapter 242 Order of the Eastern Star.  She loved shopping, baking, cooking and gardening both flowers and vegetables.  She was able to start a conversation with anyone she met and always enjoyed sharing stories with them.  Ruth attended her children’s sporting events, concerts and activities, and made it a point to continue that same tradition with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was also a special caregiver to her son-in-law John and always kept a strong connection with her nieces and nephews and their families.

She leaves behind

A Celebration of Life Service for Louis J. and Saundra Salerno, will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. 

The family would like to request that attendees avoid wearing black as we are celebrating their rich and colorful lives.

Helmuth Vanharte, 80, of Warren, PA., died unexpectedly Saturday morning, June 1, 2024, at his home after suffering from a fall.

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

I. Linnea Funari, 91, of Chase St., Kane, PA passed away Wednesday (May 29) at her residence. Born Jan. 14, 1933 in Kane, she is the daughter of the late Arthur and Mildred (Carlson) Anderson.  On Jan. 15, 1955 in Kane, she married Rudolph Funari, who preceded her in death on Feb. 19, 1998.

Linnea attended Kane Area High School.  After graduation in 1950, she worked for a local law firm.  She attended Temple University in Philadelphia, receiving a degree in accounting.  She returned to Kane and was employed at Dickman Accounting.

Linnea became a homemaker and mother of seven.  As an excellent seamstress, she made dozens of dresses for her four daughters, staying awake till all hours of the night.  Her accounting skills continued for decades as a notary and assistant to her husband at Funari’s Texaco Service Station on Fraley St.  Over the years she decorated cakes for weddings, birthdays and special events, to add to the family income.

Other employment included the Election Board of Kane, the US Census of 2010 and Walker Printing Co., from which she retired in 2003.

Linnea and Rudy enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons with their friends at local polka parties.  After 43 years of marriage, she continued this tradition of dancing with those special friends until recently.  She like to travel as well.  These destinations included a tour of Sweden with her sister and her dream vacation to the Grand Canyon in 2019.  The last big adventure was her granddaughter’s wedding in April 2024 in North Carolina.

She spent thousands of afternoons together with her sister and best friend, Corine, working, drinking coffee, chatting, and reminiscing.  She attended graduations, sporting events, plays, concerts and church activities of her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever possible.

Linnea spent her entire life serving her family and friends.  She loved to spend time gardening, sewing, knitting, baking and visiting with her family.  She will be greatly missed.

Richard Belcher

Richard E. Belcher, 81, of Sheffield, PA., died Saturday morning, May 18, 2024, at Warren General Hospital, Warren, PA., after an extended illness.  Richard was born October 9, 1942, in Warren, PA. to the late Ernest “Earl” and Leona Farr Belcher.  He was a lifelong Sheffield resident.  Richard was a 1960 graduate of Sheffield High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Edinboro University.  He was employed with the Cambridge Springs School District, as a science teacher.  He also worked at G.T.E. Sylvania, Struthers Wells Corporation, and was a Psychiatric Aide at Warren State Hospital, retiring from there.

He was a Prudential Life Insurance Agent for a short time as well.

Richard was a member of the Warren congregation of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some of his hobbies were genealogy, landscaping, gardening, and hunting.

The family of Dennis C. Stromberg (deceased January 13, 2024) announces that a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Bradford Club (32-40 Boylston Street, Bradford, PA).  Visitation with family will begin at 1:00 PM followed at 2:00 PM by a program of tribute and sharing.  Friends are welcome.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.  

Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.