OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
Grace Ann Plummer
Apr 11, 2020
PLUMMER – Grace Ann (Potter), 75, Portage, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home April 11, 2020, surrounded by her beloved family. Born December 17, 1944, in Johnstown, daughter of Albert and Bertha (Bopp) Potter. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Kenneth Eugene Plummer, who died June 26, 2005; infant son, Angel; brothers, David, Richard, and Walter Potter; sister, Sherilla...
Dorothy M. (Bopp) Brewer
Apr 10, 2020
BREWER – Dorothy M. (Bopp), R.N., 95, Johnstown, passed away April 10, 2020, at Windber Hospice. Born May 9, 1924, in Johnstown, daughter of Albert J. and Ora G. (Straver) Bopp. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, preceded in death by parents; beloved brother, Bernard E. Bopp; and dear friend, Marjorie Plance. Survived by nephew, Bryan...
Richard E. Ford
Apr 8, 2020
FORD – Richard E. “Rick” “Tank,” 52, Dale Borough, formerly of South Fork, passed away April 8, 2020, at home. Born February 8, 1968, in Johnstown, son of James E. and Joanne (Martin) Ford. Preceded in death by father; niece, Tiffany Morock; and nephew, Payden Morock; brother-in-law, Anthony P. “Mole” Morock; and special friend, “Shell.” Survived by mother, South Fork;...
Joseph J. Ropecka
Apr 6, 2020
ROPECKA – Joseph J., 91, South Fork, passed away April 6, 2020, at Windber Hospice. Born September 3, 1928, in South Fork. Preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Ethel M. (Rosemas) Ropecka; beloved wife, Rose (Strayer) Ropecka, who died September 23, 2017; sister, Delores; brothers, Allen and James; stepson, Johnny Stephens; and stepdaughter, Jeanie Ann Shrift. Survived by stepson,...
George M. Kosaber Jr.
Apr 3, 2020
KOSABER – George M. Jr., 25, Carnegie, formerly of South Fork. Passed away April 3, 2020. Born October 6, 1994, in Johnstown. Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Nancy Lee (Claycomb) and Johnny Miller Sr.; paternal grandparents; Elaine F. (Osewalt) and Glenford G. Kosaber Sr.; and uncles, Glenford Kosaber Jr. and Randy, Charles, Barry, and Joseph Miller. Survived by mother,...
Paul L. "Pauly" Yeager
Mar 29, 2020
YEAGER – Paul L. “Pauly,” 48, Windber, passed away at home March 29, 2020, surrounded by loving family. Born August 9, 1971, in Brooklyn, New York; son of Clair P. “Sarge” / “Doc” and Carole Elaine (Bowen) Yeager. Preceded in death by parents; infant son, Logan Yeager; infant sister, Joni; and nephew, Zachary. Survived by loving and devoted wife, Jessica...
Irene P. Kukenberger-Niovich
Mar 29, 2020
KUKENBERGER-NIOVICH - Irene P., 95, Altoona, formerly of Windber; died March 29, 2020, at UPMC Altoona. Born July 26, 1924, in Windber, daughter of Andrew and Julia (Tomari) Kovach. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Victor Kukenberger, who died December 27, 1969; beloved grandsons, Robbie and Buddy Kukenberger; sisters, Julie Nagy, Margaret Nagy, Hazel Spak, Helen Stiffler, and Ann Toth;...
Debora Ann Wess
Mar 26, 2020
WESS – Debora Ann, 60, New Germany, passed away March 26, 2020, at Cambria Care Center, Ebensburg. Born August 29, 1959, in Johnstown, daughter of Donald C. and Reta D. (Smith) Wess. Preceded in death by mother, who died June 22, 1993; and brother, Timothy A. Wess, who died April 15, 2014. Survived by father, New Germany; brother, Brian, married...
Thomas J. Dolan
Mar 22, 2020
DOLAN – Thomas J., 72, New Germany, passed away at home March 22, 2020, surrounded by family. Born June 13, 1947, in Johnstown, son of James R. Sr. and Macarie R. “Mac” (Gillum) Dolan. Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Samuel and James Jr., sister, Candace Green, and mother-in-law, Ruth M. (Wirfel) Henry. Survived by beloved wife of 41 years,...
Mark Rowell Blaisdell
Mar 18, 2020
BLAISDELL – Mark Rowell, 81, Wilmore, passed away at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; March 18, 2020, due to a cardiac event. Born January 11, 1939, in Johnstown, son of Eben Dustin and Margaret Ester (Kerr) Blaisdell-Seese. Preceded in death by parents; and step-father, Robert William Seese. Survived by loving wife of 54 years, Margaret Ann (Huber) Blaisdell, whom...
Mary Jane Evans
Mar 17, 2020
EVANS – Mary Jane, 78, Ebensburg, passed away peacefully at home March 17, 2020, surrounded by loving family. Born September 8, 1941, in Gallitzin, daughter of James E. and Catherine (Eckenrode) Conrad. Preceded in death by parents; son, Ronald Francis Evans; and brother, Paul Conrad. Survived by husband, John R. Evans, whom she married June 20, 1959; children, William J.,...
Tammy Renee Gaunt
Mar 16, 2020
GAUNT – Tammy Renee, 51, South Fork, died March 16, 2020, at Windber Hospice. Born September 16, 1968, in Johnstown, daughter of Frank R. Sr. and Raye E. (McConeghy) Clifford. Preceded in death by father, and father-in-law, Anthony Gaunt. Survived by loving and devoted mother, Raye E. (McConeghy) Clifford, South Fork; husband, John E. Gaunt, South Fork; sons, Brandon, South...
Julia Swegzda
Mar 14, 2020
SWEGZDA – Julia, 92, formerly of South Fork, died March 14, 2020, at the Lutheran Home of Johnstown. Born November 26, 1927, in South Fork, daughter of Thomas Swegzda and Catherine (Wojtowicz) Swegzda-Turchak. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Josephine Holland, Anna Elchin, and Mary C. Sliko; and brothers, Matthew, Michael, and Steve Turchak. Survived by sister, Theresa Maryak, Tampa,...
Agnes E. Stiffler
Mar 10, 2020
STIFFLER – Agnes E. (nee’ Costlow), 101, of St. Michael, passed away March 10, 2020, ten days shy of her 102nd birthday. Born March 20, 1918, in St. Michael, daughter of James and Blanche (nee’ Adkins) Costlow. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Jess Willard “Bip” Stiffler, who died December 20, 1985; daughters, Barbara Grattan-Wadsworth and Rosemary Lulos; son, James...
Priscilla I. "Pat" Wess
Mar 2, 2020
WESS – Priscilla I. “Pat,” 93, New Germany, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by loving family on March 2, 2020. Born July 30, 1926, in Johnstown, daughter of Daniel and Carrie (Kelly) Altimus. Preceded in death by parents; husband, George W. “Bill” Wess, who died August 1, 2006; and brothers, Frederick and Richard Altimus. Survived by daughter,...
Robert "Bob" E. Varner
Feb 28, 2020
VARNER – Robert E. “Bob,” 65, Summerhill, died February 28, 2020, at home. Born October 26, 1954, in Johnstown, son of Edward T. and Sophie (Erzak) Varner. Survived by mother, Portage; loving wife of 41 years, Carolyn A. (Werfel) Varner, whom he married September 30, 1978; son, First Sergeant Josh Varner (U.S. Air Force), Malmstrom AFB, and his girlfriend, Cristy...
Audrey Lou Isemann
Feb 22, 2020
ISEMANN – Audrey Lou, 84, Carrolltown, died February 22, 2020, at Memorial Medical Center. Born April 3, 1935, in Van Ormer, Pennsylvania; daughter of Charles P. Simmons and Helen (Bott) Simmons-Simmers. Preceded in death by parents; stepfather, Raymond F. Simmers; first husband, John Getsy, who died October 9, 2001; second husband, Frederick Isemann, sisters, Betty Hollen and Mardella Stevens; and...
Brian J. Emerick
Feb 18, 2020
EMERICK – Brian Joseph, 32, Johnstown, passed away February 18, 2020; at home, due to medical complications. Born December 21, 1987, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania; son of Gregory Lee and Beth Ann (Crute) Emerick. Preceded in death by sister, April Ann Emerick. Survived by parents; and maternal grandfather, Joseph C. Crute. Per the family’s request there will be no visitation or...
Shawn M. Yatsky Sr.
Feb 16, 2020
YATSKY – Shawn Michael Sr., 40, South Fork, died February 16, 2020, at home. Born December 13, 1979, in Johnstown, son of Theresa D. (Minor), widow of Andrew G. Paulson Jr. and Harry Paul, married to Sue (Killinger) Yatsky. Preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Thomas Minor; and paternal grandparents, George and Frances M. (Roddy) Yatsky. Survived by parents; maternal...
Henry Blaine Lewis Jr.
Feb 16, 2020
LEWIS – Henry Blaine Jr., 80, Mineral Point, died February 16, 2020, at Cambria Care Center. Born March 23, 1939, in Croyle Township. Preceded in death by parents; Henry Blaine Sr. and Catherine E. (McConeghy) Lewis; and brother, Donald E. Lewis. Survived by loving wife of 46 years, Margaret E. (Boring) Lewis, whom he married November 17, 1971; children, Linda...


