James H. Young, Jr.

James H. Young, Jr. 87, of Warren, PA, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Warren.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA on July 24, 1936, Jim was the son of the late James H. and Lillian S. Young. He grew up in Parkersburg, WV and Bradford, PA, graduating from Bradford High School in 1954. He attended Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA, then served for two years in the U.S. Navy, wherein he was a member of the Naval Cadet Choir. He married the love of his life, Mary Kay Young, on February 27, 1960. He pursued a career in banking, during which time he was employed by, among various other financial institutions, Northwest Savings & Loan and as Branch Manager of First Federal Savings & Loan in Warren. Jim was a member of First Lutheran Church for 50 years. 

A very adept athlete, Jim could frequently be found golfing at the numerous courses around Warren. When his sons were growing up, he spent a great deal of time throwing the baseball, football, or hitting fly balls to the neighborhood boys. He could thread the eye of a needle with a football from 30 yards.

Jim was a kind and good man, who was honest to a fault and whose family always mattered most. His presence in this world will be sorely missed.

Erroll H. Flynn           

ULYSSES- Erroll H. Flynn, 70, of Old US Route 6, passed away Thursday (Apr. 4, 2024) in the Olean General Hospital.

      Born Jan. 22, 1954, in Coudersport, he was a son of Claude R. and Elaine A. Jeffers Flynn.

      Erroll was a longtime resident of Ulysses, and was employed with the Tioga Golf Course, Wellsboro, before having to retire.

     He was an avid fisherman and NFL Cleveland Browns fan. He loved gardening, canning, completing puzzles with his mom, and camping, but most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. Erroll also enjoyed horses, his dog Jacob, and his cat Silas.

Clinton Webb Weekley, of Emporium, PA, a decorated veteran, devoted husband, loving father, and adored Papa, passed away unexpectedly on March 31, 2024, at Penn Highlands DuBois. He was 81.

Born on September 20, 1942, in Lynchburg, VA, to the late Clinton and Elizabeth Weekley (Wilkins), Clinton’s life was marked by courage, dedication, and service. At the tender age of 17, he enlisted with the United States Army, embarking on a remarkable journey defining his existence. He served with distinction as a tank commander during the Vietnam War and then as a drill sergeant, proudly preparing hundreds of new recruits for service and then promoting to train sergeants. He retired from service, having reached the rank of Sergeant Major, leaving a legacy of honor and sacrifice.

In 1988, Clinton relocated his family to Emporium, Pennsylvania, where he built a Main Street business and actively engaged in community and volunteer work. He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit, passion for his family, love of boating, cars, and antiques, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War. His generosity knew no bounds, and he was always willing to help those in need and support his favorite local organizations in their missions.

On September 17, 2007, Clinton married Judy Knapp, his beloved wife and steadfast companion, who survives. Their union was a source of profound love, strength, and companionship.

Theresa Ann Button, 71, of Galeton, PA, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Broad Acres Nursing Home, Wellsboro, PA. 

Born May 24, 1952 in Heidelburg, Germany, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Nora (Jordan) Rachiele. Theresa was a Graduate of Galeton High School.  She was married to Gerald Button, who preceded her in death. She was employed at Smith Gloves in Galeton for many years and then owned and operated the Lakeside Inn in Galeton.

Theresa was a member of St. Bibiana Catholic Church in Galeton and enjoyed crafting, sewing and gardening.  

Carolyn Ferranto, 81, of Delaware Ave. in James City, PA passed away Wednesday (April 3) in the Lutheran Home at Kane.  Born March 18, 1943 in Kane, she is the daughter of the late Howard and Ellen (Anderson) Hannold.  On June 14, 1961 she married Leo Ferranto, who preceded her in death on Sept. 26, 2023.

Carolyn enjoyed being a wife and homemaker.  Her greatest love was caring for her children and grandchildren.  She was a wonderful cook and baker and an avid New York Yankees fan.

Jon W. Eilers, 63, formerly of Bradford, a resident of Atlanta, GA, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Born July 13, 1960, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Joyce Marie (Garrigan) Eilers and Norman Edward and Donna M. (Roslinski) Eilers who survive.

Jon was a 1978 graduate of Bradford Area High School and later attended The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

In the early 80’s, Jon worked in the Bradford oil fields for National Transit. He began his professional career as an Investment Broker for Inacom International in Denver, CO. After moving to Washington, D.C., he leveraged his passion and knowledge of Engineering to launch a career as a Solutions Engineer for Honeywell Federal Systems and eventually PDA Engineering selling high-end CAD software to the Federal Government and their major contractors. More specialized government work took him to Atlanta, GA, where he eventually transitioned away from the corporate arena to becoming his own Contractor.

Thomas H. Ford, Jr., 81, of Irene Lane, New Tazewell, TN (formally of Kersey, PA), died peacefully at his daughter’s residence in Tennessee on April 1, 2024, after a brief illness.

Tom was born November 28, 1942, in Ridgway, PA, son of the late Thomas Ford, Sr. and Flora (Van Camp) Ford.  Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy.  Before retirement, he worked many years at Pure Carbon/Morgan Advanced Materials & Technologies in St. Marys, PA.  

Tom prided himself on being a family man.  He was a loyal husband and best friend to his late wife, Shirley, whom he married on June 25, 1965.  He was a superhero father to his daughter, Sheri, whom he was sure to call every single day if they could not be together.  He loved his grandsons, Joseph and Ben, dearly and had great love and appreciation for his son-in-law, Gary.

Eileen M. Dewey, 93, of Wellsboro, PA passed away at her home on April 4, 2024. She was born on April 14, 1930, the daughter of the late R. Arnold and Velma M. (Rose) Smith.  She married Marion M. Dewey on July 10, 1949, and celebrated 67 years of marriage until his passing on May 16, 2017.

Eileen‘s life was devoted to family, agriculture, education, and community service.  She retired from the U.S.D.A. (United States Department of Agriculture) Farm Service Agency (A.S.C.S) with 43 years of service. She was a graduate of Charleston High School, Class of 1948 and a graduate of Jean Summers Business College, Elmira, NY.

Eileen was a lifetime member of the Whitneyville United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed singing in the choir and served on many church and parish committees. Eileen also served on the Wellsboro Area School Board for 16 years, the Charleston Township Municipal Authority for 25 years, Whitneyville Community Development Board, Pennsylvania Ag Awareness Foundation, Ag in the Classroom Workshop, Penn State University Ag Council, Pennsylvania Rural Development Committee, Pennsylvania Farm City Committee, Keystone Soil and Water Conservation Society, American Red Cross Volunteer, Tioga County Tourist Bureau Tour Guide, Council of Republican Women, and the Scarlet Sages of the Red Hat Society.  She also enjoyed traveling, camping, needlework, reading, and jigsaw puzzles.

Betty B. Fasnacht

Betty B. Fasnacht, 92, of Warren PA, died on Friday, April 5, 2024, in the Rouse Home.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc.

Francis A. Castano          “former longtime Coudersport, PA dentist”

CENTENNIAL, WYOMING—Francis Anthony Castano of Centennial, Wyoming, formerly of Coudersport, PA, died at the age of 85 on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Hospice of Laramie in Laramie, Wyoming.  

Francis was born March 30, 1938, in Coudersport, PA to Dominic Castano and Angeline (Gorfida) Castano. After graduating from Coudersport High School, Francis went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a DDS at University of Pennsylvania Dental School and an MBA from The Wharton School.   As an undergraduate, Francis was a member of the ATO fraternity and Penn Glee Club. After graduating from Dental School, he served a Pediatric Dental Residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). With the completion of his residency, Francis entered the US Army as a Captain in the role of Pediatric Consultant to the Army in Europe, based in Nuremburg, Germany. Upon his return stateside, he joined the U Penn faculty as a full-time professor of Pediatric Dentistry.

In 1975, Francis returned to his hometown of Coudersport to establish a private practice in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. During this time, he also served as a HeadStart program reviewer and volunteered as a children’s dentist with the Indian Health Service.  Even beyond his commitment to providing good dental care, Francis was dedicated to ensuring all patients felt welcome, understood and respected in his own practice and volunteer clinics, regardless of financial need or condition.

Francis valued conducting himself as a gentleman, making a positive impact on his community and serving others. He was particularly proud to be a co-founder of the Potter Players community theater group. He also sang in Barbershop Quartet, played clarinet in Community Bands and was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  

Francis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Grant Castano, their children: Suzanne and Matt (Kelly), and grandchildren: Anthony (Gabi), Emma, Samantha, and Molly. He is also survived by his siblings, Teresa (Tom) Kisiel, David Castano and Linda Castano of Coudersport, PA.   

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday, May 25, 2024 St. Eulalia Church, 6 Maple Street, Coudersport, PA, with the Very Reverend Leo J. Gallina, as celebrant.  Francis will be buried at Honey Creek Burial Ground, Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Laramie, 1754 Centennial Drive, Laramie, WY  82070 or online at https://hospiceoflaramie.org

Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Francis, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.