Portville- Helen E. Kwiatkowski Watson

 Helen E. Kwiatkowski Watson passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at her daughters home. 

 Helen was born on July 7, 1943 in Franklinville.  The daughter of Edward M. and Dorothy M. Fothergill Kwiatkowski.  At the age of two, Helen’s parents moved to Anderson Road where she would reside her entire life. 

 On June 5, 1965, she was married in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church to her former husband, James A. Watson of Olean.  She was married 25 years to James.  Together they had three children: Laurie, Wendy and James Jr. 

 Helen graduated from Portville Central School class of 1961; St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1962, receiving her NYS nursing license in that year.  She also attended Olean Business Institute.   During Helen’s life she was honored with the Betty Crocker Award; The Florence Nightingale Award, and The Every Women Opportunity Achievement Award presented to her by Senator Pat McGee.

 Helen worked at Cuba Lake concession stand in the 1960s; St. Francis Hospital; AM and A’s; Olean Medical Group; Cattaraugus County (Job Training Program) and retired from the Cattaraugus County Health Department, (NYS Early Intervention Program) after 21 years of service.  Helen was a stay-at-home mom for 25 years while raising her family.

Port Allegany – Richard E. Heller, 66, of Duke Center, PA passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (June 12, 2024) at the Port Allegany Community Health Center, Port Allegany.

He was born January 21, 1958 in Brookville, PA, the son of Dean and Alberta (Postlewaite) Heller. On July 16, 1977, in Niagara Falls, NY, he married Lori J. Smith, who survives.

Richard was a graduate of Trott Vocational High School of Niagara Falls, NY.  He worked in maintenance for Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, worked at Ethan Allen of Eldred for 15 years, and had been lastly employed in maintenance at McDonald’s of Bradford, PA.

Richard was an avid animal lover. He loved spending time with his dog, “Oreo”.  He enjoyed doing crafts and spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

Galen C. Lester, 93, of Aiken, PA passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Galen’s Life at the Mt Jewett Legion on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 1 pm to 4 pm. At 1:30 pm in the Legion, Full Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force and members of the Mt Jewett American Legion.

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

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Suzanne C Susie Murray, 90, of Howard Circle, Emporium, PA passed away Wednesday night (June 12, 2024). She was born on November 26, 1933 in Emporium at (Jo Pleak’s “Big House”) on Sixth Street. She was the daughter of the late William and Ruth McMillan Sullivan.

On May 11, 1962 in Saint Mark Catholic Church she married the late James W Murray. He preceded her in death on December 25, 2020.

She graduated from Emporium High School in the class of 1951. She enjoyed planning the class reunions and keeping up with all the classmates throughout the years.

A lifelong resident of Emporium, she was involved in many social activities, including, Secretary of EHS/CCHS alumni, a life member of Cameron County Historical Society, VFW Auxiliary, many different bowling leagues, card clubs and morning coffee groups. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years. She was an active member of Saint James and Saint Mark Catholic Churches. She was most proud to be involved with her extended Sullivan, Anderson and Schager families.

Harry L. Himes, 77, of Pinecrest Manor, and formerly of Boot Jack Road, Ridgway, PA passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024.

He was born on January 2, 1947, in Brookville, a son of the late William Wade Himes, and Mary Lindsey Himes, who survives of St. Marys.

Harry was a member of Awakening Alliance Church and a past treasurer of the Ridgway Senior Center. He was very involved in the church, and could often be found playing the organ and singing in the choir. In his spare time, Harry always enjoyed playing a good card game.

Port Allegany – Richard E. Heller, 66, of Duke Center, PA passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (June 12, 2024) at the Port Allegany Community Health Center, Port Allegany.

 Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany and will be announced with a full obituary

Peter Alyoious Eckert, 86 of Bridgeville, DE, formerly of Austin, PA, passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 28, 2024, at home. He was born on July 7, 1937, in Saint Marys, son of the late Ferdinand “Fred” and Sara (Wolfe) Eckert.  He married the former Marjorie A. Huling on July 11, 1959, at the Austin United Methodist Church.  They celebrated 59 years of marriage until her passing on May 31, 2019. 

Peter worked in construction on the family farm, Stone Quarry & Coal Mine, Saint Marys, Allegany Mnt. Const., Conn-E Const., and several Const. Co. in PA and DE.  Pete also owned and operated Eckert’s Tavern and Eckert’s Exxon & Towing, Austin, and Eckert Bros. Tools Hardware & Surplus, Laurel, DE.  Earlier in life, Pete worked for his parents at Little Fella Fish Hatchery, Odin, the Rainbow Paradise, Coudersport, Greeleys Garage, Austin, The Austin Boro, and the PA Housing Authority.  Peter was known as a “Jack of all Trades”.  There wasn’t a tool made that he didn’t know what it was for and how to use it. If he didn’t know he would make it up.

Peter enjoyed his morning coffee for years at Myers Country Store, Bridgeville, where he and his friends would discuss and solve the world’s problems.  In younger years, Peter was an avid snowmobiler and enjoyed camping and traveling.  After retirement in 1998, Pete and Marge traveled up and down the East Coast, across the country to Las Vegas, and several trips to Texas.  They enjoyed visits with family and friends all over.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Marcie Anne (Kreger) Dinnison, age 66, of Wellsboro, PA, joined her son in heaven on June 10, 2024.  

She was born on April 20, 1958 in Blossburg, PA.

Marcie was a pet groomer at the Wellsboro Pet Complex for 36 years.

She enjoyed camping, going to the beach, making Christmas a magical celebration, and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  

She is survived by her mother: Dorothy Kreger of Wellsboro, PA, three daughters: Erica (Chad) Pequignot of Covington, PA, Kayleigh (Damon) Smith of Wellsboro, PA, Dailyn (Emily) Cooney of Wellsboro, PA, two brothers: Dr. Leonard Kreger of Nauvoo, PA, Steve (Cathy) Kreger of Morris, PA, 7 grandchildren: Taylor Henninger, Ollie Pequignot, Robbie Pequignot, Addie Smith, Paity Smith, Brynn Smith, Rowen Cooney.  

She was predeceased by her father Robert Kreger, a son: Lennie Winters, and a granddaughter: Evelyn Patricia Cooney.  

A memorial gathering to honor Marcie’s life will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Marcie’s house, 67 Homer St., Wellsboro, PA.  

Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.