OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
Elaine J. Mayes
Dec 18, 2017
MAYES - Elaine J., 51, Ehrenfeld, died December 18, 2017, at Windber Hospice. Born November 14, 1966, in Johnstown, daughter of George and Connie (Ruffing) Coutts. Preceded in death by mother; son, Bradley Scott Mayes, infant-granddaughter, Jade Renee; and father-in-law, Lester E. Mayes. Survived by father, Shippensburg; loving husband, David A. Mayes Sr., Ehrenfeld; son, USMC Sgt. David A. Jr.,...
Ronald P. Shaffer Sr.
Dec 9, 2017
SHAFFER – Ronald P. Sr., 66, Richland, formerly of Ehrenfeld, died December 9, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center. Born December 10, 1950, in South Fork, son of Irene (Bopp) Shaffer. Preceded in death by mother; wife, Carla (Mehall) Shaffer, who died September 25, 2007; sister, Florence Vasbinder; and brother, James Shaffer. Survived by sons, Ronald P. Jr., married to April...
Stanley J. Soflarsky
Dec 8, 2017
SOFLARSKY - Stanley J. “Stush,” 85, South Fork, died December 8, 2017, at Richland Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. Born January 26, 1932, in Nanty Glo, son of Nellie (Solarczyk) Soflarsky-Smoluch and Joseph Soflarsky. Preceded in death by parents; brother, Frank A. Soflarsky; step-son, Steven A. Kishlock; and step-father, Stanley Smoluch. Survived by loving wife of 51 years, Ethel P. (Peters)...
Howard F. Penrod Sr.
Dec 6, 2017
PENROD - Howard F. Sr., 64, Richland, formerly of South Fork, died December 6, 2017, at Richland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Born April 24, 1953, in Johnstown, son of Daniel F. “Jake” Jr. and Doris Jean (Fetterman) Penrod. Preceded in death by parents; brother, Johnny R.; sister, Linda Clawson; and mother-in-law, Betty (Baumgardner) Miller. Survived by loving wife of 32...
Paulette J. Walker
Dec 4, 2017
WALKER – Paulette J., 66, Mount Hope, died December 4, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center. Born September 17, 1951, in Johnstown, daughter of Darl G. and Betty R. (Myers) Susko. Preceded in death by parents; son, Charles R. Krens; and 4 year old brother, Mark Susko. Survived by loving husband of 24 years, Marzy David Walker, whom she married July...
Joseph Sarka
Dec 2, 2017
SARKA - Joseph, 83, St. Michael, died December 2, 2017, at Rose of Sharon Personal Care Home. Born September 1, 1934, in Windber, son of Charles and Mary (Juhasz) Sarka. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Joann (Waddell) Sarka who died June 11, 1995; brothers, Alex and Charles Szarka and Arthur and Frank Sarka; and sisters, Jennie Bakhan and Irene...
Samuel H. Brewer
Dec 2, 2017
BREWER – Samuel H., 89, Mount Hope, died December 2, 2017, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born February 1, 1928 in Salix, son of Samuel J. and Martha B. (Varner) Brewer. Preceded in death by parents; brothers Dick and Clifford; and step-sons, Keith and Alan Wilkinson. Survived by loving wife of 39 years, Carolyn A. (Marteeny) Brewer, whom he married...
Elizabeth A. "Libby" Wilson
Dec 1, 2017
WILSON – Elizabeth Anne “Libby”, 87, South Fork, died December 1, 2017, at Forest Hills Personal Care Home. Born September 26, 1930, in South Fork, daughter of Albert R. and Mae (Harris) Rojohn. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Michael James Wilson, who died July 5, 1988; 2 year old sister, Dolores Elizabeth; nephew, Billy Spaid; and special sister-in-law, Anna...
Jack G. May
Dec 1, 2017
MAY – Jack G., 67, South Fork, died December 1, 2017, at Maple Winds Care Center. Born June 26, 1950, in Windber, son of the late Clarence Jr. and Lois G. (Wicks) May. Survived by daughter, Lisa, wife of Timothy Erskine and their children, Alex and Elizabeth, Clarksville, Maryland; sister, Patti, wife of John Maury, Margate, Florida; and brother, Richard,...
Larry J. Moyer Sr.
Nov 27, 2017
MOYER - Larry J. Sr., 73, Portage, died November 27, 2017, at home. Born May 19, 1944, in Lebanon County on the Moyer family farm, son of John H. and Luella B. (Bates) Moyer. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Moyer and great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Plummer. He is survived by Karen E. (Lewis) Moyer, his loving wife of 53...
Frederick D. Russell
Nov 22, 2017
RUSSELL – Frederick D. “Fred,” 78, Sidman, went to be with the Lord November 22, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born July 14, 1939, in South Fork, son of James and Christina E. (Wilson) Russell. Preceded in death by parents; and brothers, the Reverends Roger and John Russell. Survived by loving wife of 54 years, Carolyn “Carlie”...
Irene L. Prince
Nov 21, 2017
PRINCE – Irene L., 80, South Fork, died November 21, 2017, at Windber Hospice. Born November 5, 1937, in Johnstown, daughter of Enoch and Sophie (Vroble) Gabany. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Frank J. “Bub” Prince, who died June 8, 2016; sisters, Stella Meliss and Pauline Caron; and brothers, Alec and Joseph Gabany. Survived by children, Mary Jo Shrift,...
Charles F. Ruddek
Nov 20, 2017
RUDDEK – Charles F., 90, Mount Hope, died November 20, 2017, at home. Born May 23, 1927, in Fifficktown, son of Friedrich Ruddek and Wilhelmine (Wiescholek) Ruddek-Primel. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Dorothy L. (Burnheimer) Ruddek, who died October 7, 2012; son, Larry Ruddek; brother, Hans Ruddek; daughter-in-law, Cathy Jean (Straw) Ruddek; step-father, Frank Primel Sr.; and step-brother, Frank...
Kevin M. Beyer
Nov 12, 2017
BEYER – Kevin M., 60, Sidman, died peacefully November 12, 2017, at home. Born July 31, 1957, in Johnstown. Preceded in death by sister, Susan L. Beyer and mother-in-law, Twila P. Brown. Survived by loving wife of 37 years, Tammy L. (Brown) Beyer, whom he married June 28, 1980; sons, Joshua K., married to Shana (Schlosser), Rudyard, Michigan; and Travis...
Joseph R. Stiles
Nov 10, 2017
STILES – Joseph R., 76, Sidman, went to be with the Lord, November 10, 2017, at home. Born October 9, 1941 in Bolivar, son of Robert L. and Sarah E. (Lovejoy) Stiles. Preceded in by parents; first wife, Ruth A. (McDonald), and second wife, Marie V. (Rose). Survived by wife, Shirley M. (Hollenbaugh) Jones-Stiles, Sidman; children, Robert, Lorain Borough; Michael,...
Paul J. Thir
Nov 9, 2017
THIR – Paul J., 71, Mineral Point, died November 9, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center. Born December 30, 1945, in Mineral Point, son of Nicholas and Olean (Weakland) Thir. Preceded in death by parents; and brother James. Survived by brothers, Dennis and his wife Sharon, McKeesport; and Donald and his wife Linda, Mineral Point; special nephew, Jim and his wife...
Donna Lee Ohler
Nov 3, 2017
OHLER - Donna Lee (Miller), 75, Salix, went to be with the Lord, November 3, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by loving family. Born August 26, 1942, in Onnalinda, daughter of Lewis and Anna E. (Sherman) Miller. Preceded in death by parents; husband William Zalar; sisters, Matilda Cassidy, Violet Cummings and Lottie “Dolly” Reighard; brothers, Lewis Miller Jr. and...
Dennis C. Jones
Oct 12, 2017
JONES – Dennis C. “ Denny”, 89, Summerhill, died October 12, 2017 at Richland Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. Born June 9, 1928, in Summerhill, son of William P. and Rosanna (Plummer) Jones. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Mary Jean Jones and Claire Lysinger and husband, Arthur; and brother, Vernon and wife, Jane. Survived by sisters, Arleen, wife of the...
Julia M. Varljen
Oct 10, 2017
VARLJEN – Julia M., 79, South Fork, died October 10, 2017, at Laurelwood, Westmont. Born July 31, 1938, in South Fork, daughter of William R. and Martha E. (Plummer) Young. Preceded in death by parents; husband, John J. “Yak” Varljen Sr., who died March 23, 2010; sister, Mary Croyle; and brothers, Raymond, John and Joseph Young. Survived by children, John...
Gretchen A. Rummel
Oct 3, 2017
RUMMEL - Gretchen A., Salix, died on her 66th birthday, Oct. 3, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center. Born October 3, 1951, in Johnstown, daughter of Matthew I. “Stoney” and H. Elizabeth “Betty” (Good) Jackson. Preceded in death by parents; infant daughter; and brother, Gary Jackson. Survived by devoted husband of 45 years, Karl Rummel, whom she married May 20, 1972;...


