William L. “Bill” Black, 87, of Port Allegany, formerly of Emlenton, PA, passed away Saturday (December 30, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

He was born April 23, 1936 in Versailles Twp., Allegany County, PA, a son of Thomas Burton Black and Yola LaVerne McCutcheon. On Oct. 19, 1963 in the E.U.B Church, Port Allegany, he married Beverly L. Mantz,  who survives. They were married 60 years.

Bill was a graduate of Port Allegany High School class of 1954. He received a degree from Syracuse University, Alfred State, and Penn State in agriculture science and milk marketing. He worked on the family dairy farm until 1966 when his parents retired to live in Brownsville, TX. He then worked for the former Pierce Glass Co. for 30 years.

Upon his retirement, he grew and sold sweet corn and pumpkins for years. He donated pumpkins over the years to many school classes and organizations for them to do projects with. Bill was very active in church as a lay leader and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife sang together, played the guitar and accordion for many years. He was a member of the former E.U.B. Church of Port Allegany, then upon the closing of the church, he was a member of the Wrights Evangelical Church for 30 years. He surely loved and enjoyed serving his Church and Lord.

Sandra M. “Sandy” (McMullen) Cooper, age 77, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Saturday, December 30, 2023. 

She was born on May 13, 1946 in Wellsboro, PA, a daughter of the late James A. McMullen and Thelma M. (Fish) McMullen and was the wife of the late Gary E. Cooper who passed away in 2003. 

Sandy was an insurance agent with Wilkinson Dunn Company, Wellsboro, PA for over 20 years. 

Frank J. Raffaele Jr, 72, of Warren, PA, died early Monday morning January 1, 2024, in Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Warren.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Sewickley, Pennsylvania – Mathias “Matt” Shaner, 44, of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly in Key Largo, Florida. His family, friends, and colleagues are devastated by his sudden death. Larger-than-life, Matt was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all.

Matt was born in Bolivar, NY to Ellen and Lance Shaner on November 24, 1979. The eldest of three, precocious and a natural leader, Matt enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Bolivar, organizing outdoor activities with siblings, cousins, and neighborhood friends.

The family moved to State College, PA when Matt was 13, where he attended State College High School, worked multiple jobs, and became a member of the State College High School football team. Later, Matt attended Kiski Prep and went on to study History at the Pennsylvania State University. While a student at Penn State, Matt joined Phi Kappa Tau, and co-founded the youth charity soccer tournament Kicks-4-Kids with his fraternity brothers in 2000.

After leaving Penn State, Matt worked for Senator Rick Santorum in Washington, D.C., making many personal and professional connections before returning to State College to work for the family business, where he met his wife, Andrea.

Richard D. “Dick” Abernathy, age 80, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Friday, December 29, 2023. 

He was born on December 25, 1943 in Wellsboro, PA a son of the late James and Edrie (Purvis) Abernathy and was married for 32 years to Linda M. (Wetherbee) Abernathy. 

Dick was retired from the Tioga County Prison where he had worked as a correction officer. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.

He is survived by his wife: Linda M Abernathy of Wellsboro, PA, son: Eric Abernathy of Wellsboro, PA, daughter: Tracey (Bob) Schmouder of Wellsboro, PA, two stepsons: Allyn Townsend of Wellsboro, PA, Brian (Dianna) Townsend of Middlebury Center, PA, stepdaughter: Denise (Ray) Shelmire of Wellsboro, PA, brother: Leland Abernathy of Elmira, NY, sister: Linda (Tom) Tice of Mansfield, PA, ten grandchildren: Dylan Abernathy, Jordyn Abernathy, Braeden Abernathy and Kilion Schmouder, Danielle Southard, Trisha Tanner, Brianna Huck, Brad Townsend, A.J. Townsend, Colby Shelmire and 6 great-grandchildren. 

Services will be private and are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA

William L. “Bill” Black, 87, of Port Allegany, formerly of Emlenton, PA, passed away Saturday (December 30, 2023) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, from 10AM-12 Noon, at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 105 Main St., Port Allegany, where funeral services will begin at 12 Noon in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Baldwin and Rev. Michael Culver, co-officiating.  Burial will be in Portage Valley Cemetery, Wrights, PA.

Henry D. “Dan” Bunce, 70, of 10 Riterville Road Lewis Run, PA passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at his residence surrounded by family.

Born October 13, 1953, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Willard F. and Elizabeth (Golthwait) Bunce, Sr.

On June 26, 1976, in Bradford, he married Rhonda (Benner) Bunce, who survives.

Dan was an Ironworker for many years. He also helped his father install roofs on area homes. He enjoyed working on vehicles and listening to country music.