Bonnie S. Orinko, 73, a resident of Barnes and formerly of Kane, PA passed away peacefully at UPMC-Hamot, surrounded by her family, on Monday (Feb. 6).  Bonnie was born on Dec. 21, 1949 in Kane to the late Jack and Joyce (Spence) Bundy.

Bonnie was proud of her Mayflower and Boones Mountain heritage and loved to tell stories of growing up on the west end of Kane, where “the west end was the best end”.  She also liked to tell of her ice skating abilities and her responsibilities as a school patrol member.

On Oct. 3, 1997 she married Denny Orinko, who survives.  Bonnie is also survived by her children, Larry (Betty) Beimel, Tammy (Tim) Weidow, and Shawn Beimel, all of Kane, and Mary (Frank) Bernecky of Burning Well; five stepchildren, Kim (Todd) Fitch, Denise (Mike) Heckathorn, Lori (Kyle) McNeal, Stan Orinko and Theresa (Tony) Nally;  Eleven grandchildren, thirteen step grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Scott Beimel, brothers, Robert, Jack and Mike, a grandson Jacob Bernecky and her pets Kiki and Tito.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service which will take place on Feb. 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cummings Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Kane Depot Preservation Society, P.O. Box 525, Kane, PA 16735.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.

Joyce L. Reinard, 88, of Fraley St. in Kane, PA passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at UPMC-Kane.  She was born in Ludlow on Feb. 22, 1934, the daughter of the late Arthur and Bertha (Keller) Larson.  On June 11, 1994, she married William Reinard, who preceded her in death.

Joyce was a 1952 graduate of Kane.  She had worked as a waitress at many establishments including the Kane Manor and the Arcade Restaurant.  She loved people and treated everyone as family.  She attended Living Waters Free Methodist Church, New Beginnings Assembly of God and the First Church of God, and supported many ministries and missionaries.  She enjoyed music and played the Piano, guitar, accordion, and tambourine. Joyce loved spending time with her family and she loved Dylan, her cockatoo.

She is survived by two sons, Don (Kelly) Bush Jr. of Kane and John (Carolyn) Bush Sr. of Clarendon; one daughter, Beverly (Scott) Austin of Kane; her son James’ fiancé Patricia Bigley; one stepson Robert Reinard of Virginia; thirteen grandchildren, Melissa Haight, Melanie Bush, Robert Bush, Rhawnie Barrett, John Bush Jr., Kevin Bush, Rebecca Lucas, Shelby Brennan, Riley Austin, Joseph Bush, Andrew Bush, Kayla Leet and Caleb Leet; 21 great-grandchildren, 5 great great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son James A. Bush, one grandson Micheal P. Bush, one great-grandson John H. Bush III; her former husband and father of her children Don R. Bush Sr.; four brothers, Robert, Leonard and Keith Larson and Harold Larson in infancy and six sisters, Doris Malm, Mildred Johnson, Ruth Dillenbeck, Lucille Swedenhjelm, Martha Eastman and Betty Larson in childhood.

Friends are invited to attend a visitation which will take place at the Cummings Funeral Home on Friday (Feb. 10) from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Kane, with the Rev. John H. Bush Jr. of Living Waters Free Methodist church officiating.  Burial will be in Gibbs Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the McKean County SPCA, 80 Glenwood Ave., Bradford, PA 16701.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.

Harold (Harry) Eugene Blair (67) of Johnsonburg, PA sadly passed away in his home February 5th, 2023 after a little over a year’s battle with stage 4 cirrhosis.

Harry was born September 6th of 1955 in Twinfalls, Idaho to Jodie & Emma Blair. He married Renee Dawn Blair in Las Vegas, NV on April 27th, 2009. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Emma Christine Blair and his father Jodie Carl Blair. 

He leaves behind his wife Renee of 14 years, his sisters Emma Jo Blair and Phyllis Blair, brother Ronald Dean Blair of Emmett, ID , a son Clayton John Blair of Texas, 2 step-daughters Danielle Button of St Marys PA and Kassandra (Abraham) Gilmore of Kane PA, 2 stepsons John (Megan) Baker of Metropolis, IL and Brandon McFall of Strattenville, PA along with 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandaughters, and several nieces and nephews.

Harry was a potato farmer with his father in Idaho when he was young. He went on to serve in the United States Army from March 1977 until September 1991 where he spent 9 years active duty and repaired attack helicopters. After the army he was a truckdriver for many years with various companies. He also worked as a geothermal driller for Enlink Geothermal. He was last employed with Targeted Pet Treats in Warren, PA when he decided to take early retirement in 2018 to enjoy time with family.

Harry’s kids and grandkids were his world. He loved his dog (Ladybug) who followed him everywhere and was always by his side. He also loved seafood, fishing, gardening, tinkering with anything in the garage, and doing small engine repairs after retirement. 

There will be no formal funeral services as he requested cremation. However, there will be a small celebration of life scheduled at a later date when the weather is warmer.

Della J. “Jean” Ecklund, 82, of Ridgway, PA died on Wednesday, Februarys 8, 2023, at Penn Highlands Elk.

She was born on June 5, 1940, a daughter of the late Daniel and Florence Sherman Sherry.

Jean was a resident of Ridgway for many years. She enjoyed going camping, sitting around the fire and listening to country music with friends. Jean had a special love for family, and enjoyed family gatherings.

Jean is survived by 5 daughters; Pamela Davidson of Kane, Christine Prechtl and her husband Mark of Ridgway, Susan Parson and her husband Jay of Ridgway, Sharon Hamilton and her husband Brian of Ridgway, Amy Piccirillo and her husband Tony of Ridgway, 2 sons; Gregory Ecklund and his wife Aloha of Ridgway and Mark Ecklund and his wife Pam of Kersey, 27 grandchildren,30 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn Skerl, a great grandchild, Ronnie Jean Smith, a son-in-law, Robert Davidson, a sister, Patricia Sherry, a brother Daniel Sherry, a brother at birth, Dennis Sherry, and the father of her children, Ronald Ecklund.

A Celebration of Life for Della J. Ecklund will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 3:00 PM at North Broad Fire Hall, 28 North Broad Street, Ridgway, PA 15853.

All family and friends are welcome.

Memorial contributions can be made to Elk County Humane Society.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com

Robert D. Johnson, 86, of Bradford, PA passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at the Pavilion at BRMC.

He was born on July 2, 1936 in Bradford, the son of the late David and Elizabeth Iddings Johnson.

He was a 1954 graduate of the Bradford Area High School.

On August 9, 1958 in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church he married Marilyn A. Merkt; who survives.

He was a member of the BAHS Alumni Association and a former member of 50+.  He also enjoyed spending time with his wife and their many friends on their various road trips.

He was employed by the local oil refinery for forty six years until he retired from ARG in 2000.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Johnson of Bradford; he is also survived by one son, Gregg (Evelyn) Johnson of The Woodlands, TX; two daughters, Christine (Steven) Moyer of Bradford and Kelly (Rocky DeCasper) Frisina of Bradford; eight grandchildren, Brandon Moyer, Katie Williamson, Erica Moyer, Carley Frisina, Natalie Frisina, Nick Johnson, Shannon Johnson and Adriana Johnson and six great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one son, Mark Johnson and one granddaughter, Sarah Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc. from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a funeral service to immediately follow at 1:00 PM in the funeral home with the Rev. James Gutting, senior associate pastor of the St. Bernard Catholic Church, officiating.

Private burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

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

Launa “Lee” Branch, 83, of Meadow Lane, Port Allegany, PA passed away Tuesday (Feb. 7, 2023) in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

     Born October 24, 1939, in Grand Junction, CO, she was a daughter of Ernest and Ella Sawer Littleton.  

     Launa was a resident of the area for 17 years, coming from the state of Washington. She resided with her longtime companion, Basil A. “Bucky” Freeman, who preceded her in death, June 1, 2022. 

     She was a graduate of Grand Junction High School, Grand Junction, CO, and attended Arapahoe Community College for two years.

   She was the former CEO of Branch Construction Co., Denver CO, was a realtor in Washington, and was a self-employed bookkeeper, before her retirement.

     Lee loved to fish, golf, bird watch, and was an animal lover of all sorts. She was a good artist and at a younger age, an excellent giant slalom snow skier. Most recent she enjoyed cooking & baking.

    Surviving are three sons, Dace M. (Toni) Branch of Tacoma, WA, Michael L. Branch of Denver, CO, William M. Branch of Flagstaff, AZ; two daughters, Wendy L. Branch of Port Allegany, and Jill E. (Calvin) Clark of Yuma, AZ; three grandsons, four granddaughters; and a great-grand-daughter, Launa Branch.

     She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Marvin Littleton.

     Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 12, 2023) in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Port Allegany, with Rev. J.T. Madison, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany.

     Memorials can be made to the Evangelical Covenant Church, Port Allegany.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.

     Condolences can be made to:  Jill E. Clark,  308 E. Palo Verde St., Yuma, AZ. 85364

Brian K. Heitzenrater, 47, of 226 Gardeau Rd., Emporium, PA passed away unexpectedly at UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA on Monday night (February 6, 2023). He was born August 10, 1975 in Ridgway, PA a son of Priscilla Swesey Heitzenrater, Emporium, PA and the late Jack “Kenny” Heitzenrater. On February 14, 2003 in First Presbyterian Church, Emporium he married Melanie Jones, who survives.

Brian graduated from Cameron County High School in the class of 1993. He had worked at GKN, AST, Teutech and was currently working at Embassy Powder Metal in Emporium. He was an avid base guitar player and played in his church with the worship team. He was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Emporium. Brian enjoyed sitting around a campfire with his family and playing video games. He was always the happiest when he was at home around his wife and children.

In addition to his mother and wife he is survived by two sons, Logan and Jack Heitzenrater; daughter, Zoey Heitzenrater, all of Emporium; a sister, Jamie Hanna (George), Dubai and a nephew, Leo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack “Kenny” Heitzenrater.

The family will receive friends at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 1284 Sizerville Road, Emporium, PA on Sunday, (February 12, 2023) from 9:30-10:15 AM followed by the Memorial Service at 10:30 AM with Rev. Lionel Owen, Pastor, officiating.

Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery, Emporium, PA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help cover final expenses by mailing to Barnett Funeral Home, 207 E. 4th St., Emporium, PA 15834 or using our online payment portal with in his obituary.

Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net

BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.