Clare Walker, age 91, of Knoxville, PA passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at The Gatehouse in Williamsport. Born August 15, 1932 in Knoxville, she was the daughter of the late Reed and Ada (Cooper) Merrick.

She was the bookkeeper for Walkers Hardware, owned by her and her husband, Ardell. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing; making many blankets for weddings and showers. She loved to dance and talk with anyone who would chat; most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Larue Leavitt

AUSTIN, PA—Larue Leavitt, of Austin, PA passed away in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

All services are being held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Home Health and Hospice, 102-108 South Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Larue entrusted her final care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

Josephyn M. Tanner

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Josephyn M. Tanner, 16, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

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

At 5:44 PM on Wednesday, Coudersport Ambulance was dispatched to Ross Glen Road for chest pain.

Albert E. Chaplain, 81, formally of Ridgway, PA died on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on December 1, 1942, the son of the late Chester and Louise Chaplain. He married the late Clara Ann Chaplain, who preceded in death on July 8, 2000.

Albert was a resident of Elk County for most of his life and served in the U.S Army. He worked many years in the oil fields and Stackpole, later working as a forester. Albert was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed reading, fishing, and hunting.

Patricia Hart, 84, formerly of 900 West Corydon Street, Bradford, PA left this life to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, surrounded by family and friends at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Born June 8, 1940, in Reynoldsville, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Gertrude (Alessi) Gill.

On February 23, 1957, in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, she married Thomas W. Hart who preceded her in death.

Pat was formerly employed at The Emery Hotel, where she met her husband, Case Cutlery, Byllye Lanes, DeSoto Motel Restaurant, and retired from Zippo Manufacturing Company in 2002.

She was a member of the First Wesleyan Church. Pat enjoyed her beloved pets, camping, fishing, playing cards, crocheting, bowling, corn hole, and mostly helping others. She often opened up her home for others to stay who found themselves alone, or family and friends who visited. She was a wonderful hostess to all that entered her home.

She was the main driver in our home growing up. She could drive
anything, from a school bus converted into a camper, to a small sedan. She never complained about driving anyone anywhere, and frequently took even strangers to doctor’s appointments, or family visits.

She loved doing crossword puzzles, but could solve most any puzzle placed before her. She loved game shows, watching Hallmark Mysteries, Perry Mason, and Adam 12 in her later years. She worked tirelessly during events at the church with her husband Tom at chicken barbecues, Sunday Morning
breakfasts, October festivals, and a host of other events.

George A. BOWEN, Jr., 85, of Galeton, PA, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in his home.  Born September 30, 1938, in Blossburg, he was the son of George A. and Hilma M. Hakes Bowen.  

The family resided in Wellsboro and Spring City, and in 1945 moved to Galeton, where his parents established the Bow Inn.  The Bow Inn started out selling gasoline and a snack bar, like the modern mini mart, eventually adding a motel, which they operated for many years. 

 A 1957 graduate of Galeton High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Army from November 29, 1961 – November 28, 1963.  He attained the rank of Sergeant and worked as a clerk in the post headquarters training office in Fort Polk, LA, where as many as 15,000 recruits received basic and advanced training at a time.  

George and his brother, Perley, worked with their father in the contracting business building homes and custom kitchens in the Galeton area for several years.  In the mid 1960’s, George started in the insurance business with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for a couple years, then opened Bowen Insurance Agency on Main Street, Galeton.  

Following the major fire, he moved the agency to the former GLF (Agway) building on Bridge Street and totally remodeled the building into his office and a rental apartment.  He operated as an Independent Agent/Broker for 30 years, retiring in 1999.  

George was a past member of Goodyear Hose Co., Gale Hose Ambulance, and Galeton Rotary Club, rejoining Rotary in 2012.  On November 14, 1975, in Galeton, he married the former Suzanne “Sue” Foster, who predeceased him on September 20, 2012.  He and Sue traveled to the 49 continental United States and all the Canadian Provinces in an RV.  They were members of the Holiday Rambler RV Club for nearly 35 years, attending regional and national events throughout the U.S. and Canada.  He served as national secretary and national director.  

He served as a Pike Township supervisor and secretary/treasurer for several terms.  George assisted at the Collins and Collins-Olney Funeral Homes in Galeton for many years.  He served as a Potter County Deputy Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner for 20 years.  

In retirement, he drove charter motor coach for Benedict’s Bus Service in Wellsboro for 12 years, traveling throughout the eastern United States from Atlanta to the Canadian maritime provinces.  He also drove tractor and trailer for Campbell Trucking of Galeton for many years.  

James L. Ludwig                   

KEATING SUMMIT, PA—James L. “Jim” Ludwig, 89, a longtime resident of Keating Summit, PA passed away at home in the comforting presence of his loving family on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, after a brief illness.

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

Marlene Irene “Molly” Chapman

Marlene Irene “Molly Chapman, 93, of Olean, NY died Monday (July 15, 2024).

She was born in Ceres to parents, Roy and Edrie Torrey Loucks.

Molly was loved and considered an icon of the community. Beginning in the 1960s when she co-owned the Dairy Bar in Ceres, people came from miles around for her delicious pies and charming conversation.

In the 1970s, she became involved in the League of Women Voters, eventually becoming president of the Cattaraugus County chapter. Her enthusiasm for an honest and fair political environment in the U.S. became one of her life-long passions, resulting in volunteerism in state and county political parties. She became so well-known by state and local representatives, one state senator always stopped by her house every Christmas to fill his pockets with gingerbread men.

Molly’s proclivity for volunteerism did not stop with politics, however. Some of the many social groups she enjoyed were Sweet Adelines, Order of Amaranth, White Shrine, The Daughters of the American Revolution, Oswayo Valley Historical Society, Cattaraugus County Republican Party (secretary), Town of Olean Planning Board (committeeman), the Weston Mills Fire Department Volunteers and manning the information desk on Interstate 86 for the Department of New York State Tourism.

Molly’s extensive involvement earned her the Cattaraugus County Woman of the Year Award in 2008 and the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award, which was presented to her by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul in Albany in April.

Besides belonging to and engaging in a myriad of social groups, Molly was a devout Christian who thrived within her church community. From singing in the church choir to playing the organ for services until just a short time before her death, Molly was a constant role model of faith and an inspiration to others.

Molly’s love of others was shown in many ways. She baked hundreds of cookies to give away during the year and was known to open her home to strangers in need. She exemplified the meaning of kindness and love to others.