OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
Robert L. Beyer
Nov 29, 2021
BEYER – Robert L., 80, Sidman, died November 29, 2021, at Forest Hills Personal Care Home. Born July 15, 1941, in Johnstown, son of Marcellus Vincent and Anna C. (Senft) Beyer. Preceded in death by parents, sister Anna “Jeannie” Duffy, and brothers Modestus, Vincent, Richard, and Herman Beyer. Survived by sisters Dolores Taylor, Altoona; Martha Sedlmyer; Patricia Cochran, both of...
Yvonne S. Swartzentruver
Nov 29, 2021
SWARTZENTRUVER – Yvonne S., 85, Ebensburg, died November 29, 2021, at Cambria Care Center. Born December 23, 1935, in Fifficktown, daughter of Louis and Stella (Sobel) Slobinsky. Preceded in death by parents; first husband, Carl J. Mehall, who died April 10, 1969; second husband, Jay C. Swartzentruver, who died July 19, 2019; daughter, Carla Shaffer; and brother, Louis Slobinsky, Jr....
Ann Darlene Cominsky
Nov 24, 2021
COMINSKY – Ann Darlene, 66, South Fork, died November 24, 2021, at home. Born June 30, 1955, in Warren, Pennsylvania. Preceded in death by parents, James F. Heffernan and Jacquelyn (Bennet) Heffernan-Farley, granddaughter, Savannah; and former husband, John Cominsky Jr. Survived by stepfather, Thomas H. Farley, Salix; daughter, Kim (Steve) Cominsky, Las Vegas Nevada; sons, Brian (Rebecca) Cominsky, Windber; and...
Prudence A. Rulli
Nov 23, 2021
RULLI – Prudence A., 101, born February 7, 1920, in South Fork. Entered into eternal life November 23, 2021. Preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Antonia (Aliquo) Cannone; brothers, Samuel and Anthony; sisters, Katherine Aveni, Virginia Campagna, Josephine Genovese, and Dominica “Mickey” Gramling; and beloved husband, Dominick, whom she married June 18th, 1949. Survived by son, Joseph, Summerhill; and...
Lee Berkebile
Nov 13, 2021
BERKEBILE – Ellis L. “Lee,” Jr., 60, Summerhill; died November 13, 2021, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born November 16, 1960, in Johnstown, son Ellis L. and Beverly (Weaver) Berkebile. Survived by parents; loving wife of 32 years, Dorothy (LaRose) Berkebile, whom he married September 30, 1989; daughters, Kaylee, engaged to Merlin Elderkin, South Fork; and Chelsie, engaged to Tristan...
Marilyn L. Hooker
Nov 13, 2021
HOOKER – Marilyn L., 90, Johnstown, died November 13, 2021, at Arbutus Park Manor. Born July 17, 1931, in Johnstown, daughter of Clark and Helen E. (Wicks) Lydic. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Rupert C. Hooker, who died May 11, 1994; and sister, Marcia Benden. Survived by brother, Richard, married to Janice (Peel), Toledo, Ohio; sisters, Elyse, wife of...
Margaret J. "Bubba" Smay
Nov 10, 2021
SMAY – Margaret J. "Bubba", 89, Sidman, passed away November 10, 2021 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born November 12, 1931, in Ehrenfeld, daughter of Harry and Eva (Rose) Myers. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Dean C. Smay, who died June 2, 2012; granddaughter, Stacy M. Smay; sister, Betty Susko; and brothers, Chuck, Lester “Cuddy”, Harry “Blair”, Don, Ron,...
Dorothy M. Stropko
Nov 8, 2021
STROPKO – Dorothy Mae, 71, South Fork, died unexpectedly November 8, 2021, surrounded by her daughters at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born October 8, 1950, in South Fork; daughter of Joseph Leroy and Esther L. (Alexander) McClellan. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Nicholas W. Stropko, who died January 13, 2019; and sisters, Shirley Ann Puchko, Sarah Louise Dukery, and...
Violet C. Novotny
Nov 6, 2021
NOVOTNY - Violet C., 85, Ebensburg, died November 6, 2021, at Cambria Care Center. Born June 15, 1936, in Ehrenfeld, daughter of John and Catherine (Sikorski) Mickolick. Preceded in death by parents; husband, John Novotny, who died August 31, 2013; sisters, Genevieve Dlusky, Delores Fyock, and Elizabeth Stevanus; and brothers, Joseph and Bernard Mickolick. Survived by daughter, Susan, wife of...
Karen K. Yatsky
Nov 4, 2021
YATSKY – Karen K., 65, South Fork, died November 4, 2021, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born November 15, 1955, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Walter R. “Tim” and Delores J. (Horrell) Killinger. Survived by loving husband of 45 years, Francis “Dan” Yatsky, whom she married February 28, 1976; children, Dan Yatsky; Melinda, wife of Jarrot Thomas, both of...
Robert LaRue Williamson
Oct 30, 2021
WILLIAMSON – Robert LaRue, 87, longtime resident of Jacobus, Pennsylvania, died October 30, 2021, at McCullough Place in Johnstown. Born August 1, 1934, in Williamsport. Preceded in death by parents, Aleon and Margaret (Jacobs) Williamson – Bird; and stepfather, Collins Bird. Survived by loving wife of 65 years, Mary Ellen (Hauser) Williamson, whom he married October 20, 1956; sons David,...
Laurie L. Smith
Oct 29, 2021
SMITH - Laurie L., 61, Llanfair, passed away at home, surrounded by loving family October 29, 2021, after a courageous two-year battle with breast cancer. Laurie was born on July 3, 1960, in Johnstown; daughter of the late William and Judith (Lewis) Marks. Survived by loving husband Craig D. Smith; her children, Jamie, wife of Eddie Strittmatter, Portage; Katie, wife...
Charles Stephen Handel
Oct 26, 2021
HANDEL – Charles Stephen, 47, Summerhill, died October 26, 2021, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical. Born August 30, 1974, in Johnstown. Survived by mother, Charlene E. (Oswalt), widow of Duane Benton, Summerhill; father, Louis W. Handel, married to Elaine (Seese), Elton; loving wife of 26 years, Tania M. (Bonfanti) Handel, Summerhill; and daughter, Susan Handel, Salisbury, Maryland. Member of St. John...
Dorothy Jean Fiffick
Oct 23, 2021
FIFFICK – Dorothy Jean, 88, Johnstown, passed peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by love, October 23, 2021. Born September 5, 1933, in Windber. Preceded in death by parents, Agnes (Blozevich) and stepfather, Steve Kentes; beloved husband, Edward B. Fiffick, who died June 7, 2006; grandson, Eric Frederick; and brother, John Petrunak. Survived by children, Edward Jr. and friend Natalia...
Casimir T. Szwast
Oct 17, 2021
SZWAST – Casimir T., “Cuz” or “Sarge,” 86, South Fork, reunited in Heaven with family October 17, 2021, at Select Specialty Hospital. Born November 13, 1934, in Johnstown, son of John and Mary (Rykala) Szwast. Preceded in death by parents; grandson, Dustyn Snedden; granddaughter, Stephanie Sendek; infant brother, Andy; brothers, Stanley, Theodore, Andrew, and Blaine; and sisters, Catherine, Estelle and...
Shirley M. Myers
Oct 15, 2021
MYERS – Shirley M., 92, Barnhart, Missouri; formerly of South Fork, went to be with the Lord, October 15, 2021, at St. Clare Hospital, Fenton, Missouri. Born June 14, 1929, in South Fork, daughter of Robert E. “Teddy” and Ida Mae (Link) Peel. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Harry Blair Myers, who died January 21, 2011; sisters, Naomi Schrader,...
Ronald E. Richards
Oct 10, 2021
RICHARDS – Ronald E. Sr., 79, Salix, died October 10, 2021, at UPMC Presbyterian. Born June 29, 1942, in South Fork, son of the late Harry and Bertha E. (Hand) Richards. Survived by loving wife of 57 years, Shirley (Love) Richards, whom he married September 26, 1964; son, Ronald E. Jr., married to Michele (Staines), Linwood, New Jersey; daughter, Robin...
Thomas V. Bracken
Oct 10, 2021
BRACKEN – Thomas V., 76, New Germany, died peacefully at home October 10, 2021, surrounded by family. Born June 27, 1945, in Twin Rocks, son of the late Ralph E. and Susan (Stec) Bracken. Survived by beloved wife of 51 years, Deborah (Shope) Bracken; son, Matthew, married to Michelle (Fink), Johnstown; daughter, Jamie, wife of Robert Heinrich, Summerhill; grandchildren, Kayla...
Gerald "Butch" Weyandt
Oct 8, 2021
WEYANDT – Gerald Wayne “Butch,” 69, South Fork, died October 8, 2021, at home. Born May 21, 1952, in Johnstown, son of the late Gerald W. Sr. and Catherine A. (McMahon) Weyandt. Survived by loving wife of 47 years, Connie L. (Wilkinson) Weyandt, whom he married November 10, 1973; son, William “Buck,” married to Terri (Wayne), Mount Hope; daughter, Tina,...
Valerie J. Kostyk
Oct 7, 2021
KOSTYK – Valerie J., 59, South Fork, died October 7, 2021 at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Born August 21, 1962, in Johnstown, daughter of the late John Sr. and Geraldine (Fetterman) Kostyk. Survived by brothers, John Jr., Waymart, Pennsylvania; and Walter “Tony,” South Fork; sisters, Crystal, wife of Robert Yahnert, Nanty Glo; and Victoria, wife of James Vasbinder, Brownsville; and numerous...


