Darlene L. Koch, 76, of 130 Greeves Street, Kane, PA
Darlene L. Koch, 76, of 130 Greeves Street, Kane, PA passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Buffalo General Hospital.
She was born March 20, 1947, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Clifford and Ethel Ward Willow. She was a graduate of Johnsonburg High School and attended college in Philadelphia.
In November of 1968, Darlene married Edward W. Koch, who preceded her in death on February 2, 2001.
She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Gross (Tom); four sons: Ben, George, Joe, and Ed Koch; a grandson, Austin Andrew Koch; and by her sister, Maryanna Peterson.
In addition to her husband and parents, Darlene was preceded in death by three sisters: Wanda Hedlund, Billie Patrick, and a sister in infancy; and by two brothers: Keith Willow and a brother in infancy.
Committal services were held privately at the St. Boniface Cemetery.
The Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
Bradford Rotary Annual Meeting- Mrs. Mary Rae Honored; Kirsch Named President for 2023/2024
June 28, 2023—Ben Kirsch, Insurance Advisor, Burns & Burns Associates, Inc., has been named president of The Rotary Club of Bradford for 2023-2024. Kirsch was inducted at the Rotary Annual Meeting at the Bradford Club on Wednesday evening, by outgoing president, Steve Morgan who is the CEO of Futures Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
In his remarks, Kirsch noted that “I am is deeply humbled to serve as President and looks forward to the year ahead, in which the club will embrace new projects, collaborate with like-minded organizations, and leverage our collective energy and expertise to create even more impact.”
At the meeting, Mrs. Mary Rae, the long-time executive director of Futures (1973-1998) and who later served as vice-president of development at Futures, overseeing the Futures Endowment Trust for several years was a Paul Harris Fellow honoree. The Paul Harris Fellow is Rotary International’s highest honor. Her award was presented by William Leven who succeeded her as President and CEO.
The presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow is the foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation.
“It is our club’s honor to honor an incredible leader in our community who exemplify Rotary’s tenet of ‘Service above Self’.” said Steve Morgan, Rotary Club President. “It is because of Mrs. Rae’s many contributions to our community that our club felt it important to recognize her with the Paul Harris Fellow.
Heidi Scrivo was named vice-president and four new members joined Rotary: Brandi Buck, Nate Higbie, Patricia Lanzon, and Sarah Lonzi
The Rotary Club of Bradford supports many community initiatives and local non-profits through volunteerism, fundraising, and special events.
More information on the Rotary Club of Bradford can be found on the club’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bradfordrotary or by contacting Angela Erway, membership chair at bfdrotary@gmail.com/.
Four receive Laurie Anzivine Memorial Scholarship
OLEAN, N.Y., June 29, 2023 — Four recent area graduates received this year’s Laurie Anzivine Memorial Scholarship awards, managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Allie Boser, an Allegany-Limestone Central School graduate, Mikya Stake of Port Allegany High School, Ethan VanCamp of Otto-Eldred High School and Sarah Weber of Ellicottville Central School all received the Laurie Anzivine Memorial Scholarship, each receiving an award of $1,000.
Martin M. Howard, 84, Smethport, PA
SMETHPORT – Martin M. Howard, loving father, grandfather and brother, of 3470 Route 46, passed away on Monday (June 19, 2023) at the Olean General Hospital, following an illness.
Marty was born on July 10, 1938 in Shinglehouse, and was the son of Melford and Erma Bell Wheeler Howard. He was formerly married to Ellen Marie Cooper. On March 11, 1967 in the Free Methodist Church in Duke Center, he married his wife of 42 years, June Marie Stoling, who predeceased him in August 2008.
Marty became a truck driver right out of high school for Andrews Salvage and then for Haliburton for several years. He then began working at Pittsburgh Corning in Port Allegany for about four years before returning to truck driving. Marty was always working on cars and trucks which led him to opening Howards Keystone with his brother in Bradford, which he ran for many years. He then returned back to work at Haliburton where he retired in 1989 after over 10 years of service.
Throughout Marty’s life he would travel around to many churches filling in for the pastors. He then became an ordained minister on Nov. 15, 2003 for the Apostolic Lighthouse Assembly of Jesus Christ.
Marty is survived by two children, M. Daniel (Debbie) Howard of Bradford, and Linda M. Goodrich of Franklin; several grandchildren including Anthony, Shannon, Christal and April; eight great grandchildren and one great great grandson; he had several brothers and sisters.
Along with his wife, June, Marty was predeceased by his parents and two sons, Robert and Frank Howard.
As per Marty’s request there will be no services at this time. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery in Smethport.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741
Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean, N.Y.
Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com
C&N Donates $800,000 to Benefit Local Education
WELLSBORO, PA – C&N recognized the importance of investing in local education with donations totaling $800,000 to area Educational Improvement, Scholarship and Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations. These donations were made under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).
Education is key to a strong and prosperous community. However, there are many budgetary roadblocks preventing children from receiving the level of education they deserve. C&N is committed to closing this gap by supporting local organizations that have made it their mission to ensure every child has access to educational opportunities.
The following organizations were presented with checks that will support their investment in education, and ensure the sustained growth and flourishing of local economies.
Cameron, McKean & Potter Counties
- Austin Area School District* – $2,000
- Cameron County Area School District* – $10,000
- Coudersport Area School District* – $14,000
- Port Allegany Area School District* – $2,000
- Sullivan County Area School District* – $13,900
- Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. – $3,000
Tioga County
- Covenant Academy (through General Council of the Assemblies of God) – $8,000
- Endless Mountain Music Festival, Inc. – $5,000
- Mansfield University Early Start Program (Commonwealth Charitable Management, Inc.) – $40,000
- Northern Tioga Area School District* – $20,000
- Southern Tioga Area School District* – $12,000
- Trinity Lutheran Church & School – $21,000
- Wellsboro Area School District* – $20,000
Port Allegany Concert Cancelled by Smoke
Town Square Concerts in Port Allegany PA
It is with regret that this Thursday’s (June 29) concert on the town square is canceled. Due to the latest air quality report for our area the concentration of particles are increasing rapidly to have a “Red Alert” issued. Please pass the word that this week’s concert is canceled. Thank you.
DEP Declares Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulate Matter for June 29, 2023 for entire state of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for all of Pennsylvania for fine particulate matter for June 29, 2023, due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The average Air Quality Index readings for the entire day will likely be in the Code Red range, however local conditions could be Code Purple throughout the day. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for their local conditions.
On a Code Red Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
In Code Purple conditions, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Check current local conditions at www.airnow.gov.
Concentrations of smoke will likely be high throughout the day in western Pennsylvania and increasing throughout the day in eastern Pennsylvania.
Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.
Smoke from the wildfires is expected to impact Pennsylvania air quality throughout Thursday and Friday, with some possible relief on Saturday. DEP will continue to update the forecast.
Conditions will likely be worse in the morning as a natural weather phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will keep smoke filled air closer to the surface and prevent air from higher elevations to mix with air closer to the ground. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.
Fine particulate matter (or PM-2.5) comes in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (called “precursors”), which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles.
Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also has recommendations on how to protect yourself from air pollution.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all. An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher.
For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb, EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Margaret A. Wheeler, age 96, of Silver Creek Terrace and formerly of Cushing Avenue, Johnsonburg, PA
Margaret A. Wheeler, age 96, of Silver Creek Terrace and formerly of Cushing Avenue, Johnsonburg, PA died Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Penn Highlands-DuBois after a short illness.
A daughter of the late Camiel and Ethel (Spangler) Gontero, she was born on October 6, 1926 in Bradford, PA. On July 8, 1949 she married Richard C. Wheeler, who preceded her in death on January 28, 2008.
Along with her parents and her husband, Margaret was predeceased by: a brother, Donald Gontero; and her beloved Shih Tzu, Zoey.
Margaret is survived by: two sons, Charles Richard (Mary Jo) Wheeler of St. Marys and Raymond Lloyd (Lori) Wheeler of Johnsonburg; three grandchildren, Rebecca (Robert) Burns of Jeanette, PA, Brenda (Dr. Matthew) Conner of Murrysville, PA and Allyson (Calvin) Christoff of Vero Beach, FL; two great-grandchildren, Lydia and Lou Conner; and a sister, Linnea Gontero of St. Marys.
Margaret lived all her life in Johnsonburg until the past four years at Silver Creek Terrace and graduated from Johnsonburg Schools in 1944. She worked in the Paper Mill Office in her youth; part time at Rinovato Pharmacy while raising her children; Johnsonburg Banks as a Demand Deposit Account Clerk and retired from PNC Bank in 1984. She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, the St. John’s Lutheran Women, the Johnsonburg Senior Center and the 500 Card Club. She was an avid bowler for several years and enjoyed golf at the Kane Country Club for more than twenty five years.
There will be no public visitation.
Funeral Services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 30, 2023, at the St. John Lutheran Church of Johnsonburg with Vicar Kevin Schafer. Interment will take place next to her husband in the McKean Memorial Park.
The family suggests memorials to the St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Johnsonburg Senior Center and will be accepting online condolences at the Ubel Funeral Home website(www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com).
Jamie S. Benson, 62, of Bayard St. in Kane, PA
Jamie S. Benson, 62, of Bayard St. in Kane, PA passed away Sunday evening (June 25) at his residence. He was born Jan. 5, 1961 in Kane, the son of the late Ronald and Carol Benson.
Jamie had been employed by the Local Laborer’s Union #603 and had also worked at Kane Hardwood and Hanley Brick. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles AERIE #307 and the VFW of Kane.
He is survived by his sister, Tracey Mercer-Benson of Kane and her daughter Sophia Mercer of Sacramento, CA; his aunt and uncle, Roger (Sharon) Johnson of Kane; Cousins, Danielle Noble of Kane, Michelle and Denny Stromberg of Port Allegany, Roger and JoAnna Johnson Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Bruce and Michael Benson of Pittsburgh, Jim and Peggy Benson of Pittsburgh and Katrina Benson Pavolino of OH, along with many other cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Benson. his uncle, Dennis “Gus” Johnson and his grandparents, Arnold and Martha Johnson and Carl Hilding and Kate Elizabeth “Betty” Benson.
Arrangements will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Kane Guidance Center, 300 N. Fraley St., Kane, PA 16735 or Evergreen Park, %Kane Borough, 112 Bayard St., Kane, PA 16735.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.
The Cummings Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of services.
Krista M. Miller, 44, of St. Marys, PA
Krista M. Miller, 44, of St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
Born September 22, 1978, in Bradford, PA, she was the daughter of George and Mary (Heidrich) Deming. On March 19, 2005, she married Jason Miller, who survives.
She graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1996 and in 2007, she graduated from Jeff Tech as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked in various health care settings, such as nursing homes, schools, and home health. Most recently, she was employed at Penn Highlands Gastroenterology Lab in DuBois, which she really enjoyed. Krista loved photography, scrapbooking, true crime, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Krista is survived by three daughters, Michaella (Kyle Light) Deming, Marissa (Derrik Hollabaugh) Deming, and Miranda (Thomas) Frederick; four sisters, Laurie (George) Hayes, Susan Lee, Karen (Jeff Hilzinger) McClain, and Lynn (Brian) Drehmer; one brother, Michael (Kerri) Deming, and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved like her own children. She is also survived by nine beloved grandchildren, McKenna, Sawyer, Emersyn, Penelope, Braven, Dillon, Camden, Maliki, and Daxton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Austin Miller, two brothers, Derrick Deming and David Deming, and her cherished dogs, Jakayla and Yuki.
Her family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11AM on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Agape Assembly of God, 1004 Earth Road, Kersey, PA. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow the service.
Memorials, if desired, can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Friends and family may leave online condolences, light a memorial candle, share a memory and obtain additional information by visiting www.furlongfuneralhome.com.
Exploring Careers in Healthcare
The Education Council is pleased to partner with UPMC Cole to provide a healthcare exploration experience for students. Healthcare explorers will spend three days at UPMC Cole running through medical simulations and health science career observation. The other two days will be spent at the Education Council’s Coudersport office, being introduced to common medical terminology and the human body through games, hands-on activities, and learning about the opportunities for healthcare career preparation. Transportation and lunch are provided.
This camp, taught by Lana Barth, CTC Health Assistance Instructor, is for students entering grades 7– 9. It is scheduled for Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Camp minimum is 6 and camp maximum is 12. The registration deadline is July 5th, so register today! Visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 545-1333.
