OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
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...
Peter E. Malzi
Oct 2, 2021
MALZI - Peter E., 89, Dunlo, died October 2, 2021. Born January 24, 1932, in Dunlo. Preceded in death by parents, Kenneth and Helena (Miller) Malzi; and sister Nancy (Charles) Hart. Survived by wife of 65 years, Mary Catherine (Hart); brother, Kenneth Malzi; and sister, Lori (Timothy) Smith; daughters, Cindy (Denny) Nagy; Diane (Timothy) Weaver; and Kimberly (Robert) Fisher; grandchildren,...
June M. Wess
Sep 30, 2021
WESS - June M., 90, New Germany, died September 30, 2021, at home surrounded by loving family. Born April 11, 1931, in Devil's Hollow, daughter of Jacob E. and Frances M. (Schrift) Roush. Preceded in death by parents; son Edward D. Wess, sister, Edith Harshberger, twin brother, Edward Roush, and brothers, Russell and Thomas Roush. Survived by devoted husband of...
Jean Schrift
Sep 29, 2021
SCHRIFT - Jean (Leja), 86, Cleveland, Ohio; passed away peacefully September 29, 2021 at home. Beloved wife of the late Charles A. Schrift; devoted Mother of Bruce of Cleveland, Yvonne (Steve) Burke of Fairfax, Virginia, and Renee (Juliano) Boronka of Cleveland; loving Grandmother of Matthew Burke (Elisa) of Ashburn, Virginia; and Aunt and Great Aunt of many nieces and nephews....
Bernice Ann Myers
Sep 21, 2021
MYERS – Bernice Ann, 99, St. Michael, died September 21, 2021, at home. Born July 27, 1922, in Windber, daughter of Steve and Adeline (Chicarell) Campitell. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Clair J. “Herby” Myers, who died March 4, 1990; sisters, Mary Sklodowski, Edith Glacken, and Rose Haley; and brothers, Paul “Hardrock” and Richard Campitell. Survived by son, Steven,...
Lenore Shrift
Sep 19, 2021
SHRIFT – Lenore, 89, Yardley, Pa.; passed away Sunday, September 19, at home, with her family around her. She was born on a hot summer day in 1932 in Wilmore, Pa., where she lived, attended local schools, and in 1952 married Robert Shrift, who grew up in nearby Summerhill, Pa. Bob and Lenore had four children while living in Cambria...
Marian R. Kring
Sep 18, 2021
KRING – Marian R., 100, Sidman, died September 18, 2021, at Forest Hills Personal Care Home. Born November 2, 1920, in South Fork, daughter of John W. and Emily (Mapstone) Thomas. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Percy A. Kring, who died January 23, 2012; daughter-in-law, Rebecca (Stamplis) Kring; and granddaughter, Diana (Brafford) Borensik - Monte. Survived by children, Thomas,...
Daniel G. Wess
Sep 16, 2021
WESS – Daniel G., 81, Ebensburg, formerly of New Germany, died September 16, 2021, at Cambridge Ebensburg Senior Living. Born April 10, 1940, in New Germany, son of Adolph “Shorty” and Coletta (Betz) Wess. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Helen Miller; and brothers, David C., and George “Bill” Wess. Survived by loving wife, Phyllis (Agypt), Ebensburg; son, Chad, married...
Virginia F. Wilson
Sep 16, 2021
WILSON – Virginia Fern “Ginny,” 92, Summerhill, entered into eternal life September 16, 2021, at home surrounded by her beloved family. Born January 10, 1929, in Summerhill Township, daughter of Harvey C. and Mary Stella (Coleman) Miller. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Merle S. Wilson, who died April 6, 2008; infant sister, Thelma May; sisters, Ethel Riblett, Hilda Hazlett,...
Lois R. Whiteford
Sep 5, 2021
WHITEFORD – Lois R. (Long), 87, Portage, died September 5, 2021, at home surrounded by loving family. Born October 15, 1933, in New Germany, daughter of Albert J. and Clara H. (Weinzierl) Long. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Grace Heinlein, Leona Schissler, Rosemary Gill, and Barbara Dumm; and brothers, Harold, Kenneth, Raymond, and Clair Long. Survived by loving husband...
Herbert H. Bishop
Sep 4, 2021
BISHOP – Herbert H., 84, South Fork, died September 4, 2021, at James E. Van Zandt Medical Center. Born November 14, 1936, in Hancock, Maryland; son of Phillip E. and Iva M. (Weller) Bishop. Preceded in death by parents, wife, Shirley A (Bouch) Bishop, who died June 5, 1997, and an infant daughter; sisters, Mildred Burdette, Doris Keefer; and brother,...


