OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
Dale R. Wadsworth
May 4, 2023
WADSWORTH – Dale R., 75, St. Michael; died May 4, 2023, at home surrounded by her beloved family. Born November 7, 1947, in Johnstown; daughter of John J. and Anna (Murvine) Makins. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Theodore “Ted” Wadsworth, who died, November 29, 2002; infant son, Charles “Chucky” Bailey; sister, Beverly “Bev” Reighard; brothers, Christopher “Allen” and John...
Estella Grace Jones
Apr 30, 2023
JONES – Estella Grace, 99, Hooversville, went to be with the Lord April 30, 2023, at Windber Hospice. Born March 19, 1924, in Pavia, daughter of Laman Ickes and Florence (Knee) Benton – Ickes. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Samuel Jones, who died August 25, 1980; son, Barry Jones, son-in-law, Ronald Potochar; and fifteen siblings, infant C. Mearl Ickes,...
Ronald W. Russell
Apr 20, 2023
RUSSELL – Ronald Wayne, 88, Mount Hope, went to be with his Lord April 20, 2023, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born March 12, 1935, in South Fork, son of William and Mabel (Gramling) Russell. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Marion Ruth (Roberts) Russell, who died, August 29, 2021; sister, Elaine Miller and brother-in-law, Samuel Miller. Survived by sons,...
Lorna M. Miller - Stewart
Apr 17, 2023
MILLER – STEWART – Lorna M., 87, South Fork; longtime resident of Tampa, Florida; died April 17, 2023, at Windber Hospice. Born February 16, 1936, in Emporium; daughter of LeRoy E. and Estelle O. (Snyder) Bender. Preceded in death by parents; first husband, Richard Dean Miller, who died March 16, 1974; second husband, Franklin Stewart; sister, Alice Gasrow; and brothers,...
Carm A. Colton
Apr 17, 2023
COLTON – Carmelina A. “Carm,” 95, South Fork, died April 17, 2023, at Forest Hills Personal Care Home, Sidman. Born May 22, 1927, in South Fork, daughter of Salvatore and Josephine (Messina) Ardire. Preceded in death by parents; beloved husband, George Colton, who died July 27, 2022; sister, Katherine Rolla; and brother, Anthony A. Ardire. Survived sons, Dr. Richard, married...
Donna Lee Cummings
Apr 16, 2023
CUMMINGS – Donna Lee, 86, Sidman, died April 16, 2023. Born February 16, 1937, daughter of Charles W. Chaney and Mary (O’Yaski) Chaney-Woollaston. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Ronald G. Cummings, who died April 18, 2008; and brother, Charles W. Chaney. Survived by children, Ronald A.; Laurie, wife of John Molnar; and Ricky L., married to Christina (Zeigler); grandchildren,...
Cassandra Joy Bopp
Apr 13, 2023
BOPP – Cassandra Joy “C.J.,” 31, Mineral Point, died April 13, 2023. Born July 2, 1991, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; daughter of Bernie and Sandy (Hostetler) Myers. Preceded in death by brother, Luke C. Myers. Survived by parents; son, Luke; daughter, Isla Rose; brother, Curtis (Katy); and niece, Lydia. Friends will be received from 2 p.m. until time of memorial service...
Gaynell A. Shrift
Apr 13, 2023
SHRIFT – Gaynell A., 70, New Germany, went to be with the Lord April 13, 2023, at home, surrounded by loving family. Born September 13, 1952, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Frank and Bernadine “Bernie” (Radasky) Evanisko. Survived by husband, John Shrift, whom she married June 7, 1975; daughter, Jennifer Shrift, Mt. Holly Springs; son, John Shrift II, Mineral...
Rosemary M. Connor
Apr 13, 2023
CONNOR – Rosemary M., 61, Sidman, passed away April 13, 2023, at home. Born January 4, 1962, in Revloc, daughter of Stephen and Helen (Bellock) Yendzik. Preceded in death by parents; and nephews, Lynn and Aaron Bourdess. Survived by loving husband, Ricky Connor; daughters, Shanna (Troy); Stephanie (David); and Samantha (George); son, Jason (Leesa); sister, Barbara Bourdess (Lynn); brother, Michael;...
Rita C. Forgas
Apr 12, 2023
FORGAS – Rita C., 94, Sidman, native of Portage, went to be with the Lord April 12, 2023. Born October 1, 1928, daughter of James C. and Jane (Brown) Beiter. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Donald R. Forgas Sr., who died November 9, 2015; son, James Forgas; sister, Theresa Kensinger; and brothers, James, George, Francis, John, and Thomas Beiter....
Gary Paul Gurchik
Apr 12, 2023
GURCHIK – Gary Paul, 57, Altoona, died April 12, 2023. Born July 15, 1965, in Spangler, son of Paul “Don” and Rita (Kirkpatrick) Gurchik, Ebensburg. Survived by parents; brother, Glenn, married to Sarah, Camp Hill; niece, Hanna; and nephew, Isaac. Gary graduated from Bishop Carroll High School, class of 1983. He owned and operated Smokestack Barbeque. He enjoyed motorcycle and...
Gerri E. Savering
Apr 7, 2023
SAVERING – Geraldine E. “Gerri,” 72, Richland, formerly of South Fork, and Inwood, West Virginia; died April 7, 2023. Born November 3, 1950, in Portage, daughter of John J. “Jack” and Josephine (Stanchek) Connelly. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Barry K. Savering, who died March 10, 2006; son, Barry C. Savering; brother, John T. “Shawn” Connelly Sr., and nephew,...
I. Mark Patterson
Mar 23, 2023
PATTERSON – I. Mark, 70, of Richland, native of St. Michael, died March 23, 2023. Born February 25, 1953, son of Irvin and Margaret I. “Peg” (Galloway) Patterson. Preceded in death by parents; Aunt Bev; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Marie Gallardy; and brother-in-law, Clyde W. Gallardy. Survived by loving wife, Clara (Gallardy) Patterson; daughters, Hollie, wife of C.J. Sinar;...
Cody Alan Sharp
Mar 21, 2023
SHARP – Cody Alan, 31, died March 21, 2023. Born June 9, 1991, in Johnstown, son of Lloyd T. Sharp, Sr; Patricia Etsitty and David Locher Jr. Preceded in death by father, Lloyd; infant sister, Christina; paternal grandparents, Lloyd and Veronica (Nagy) Sharp; maternal grandparents, Roy Etsitty; Dorothy and Harry Yazzie. Survived by fiancée, Julia Maines, daughter, Heather; son, Ezekiel;...
John G. Leppado
Mar 19, 2023
LEPPADO – John G. “Yunch,” 87, South Fork, died March 19, 2023. Born February 29, 1936, in Windber, son of the late John and Mary (Horvath) Leppado. Survived by wife of 60 years, Sheila J. (Krisko) Leppado; son, John J. wife of Lisa (Plummer), Linthicum, Maryland; and daughter, Leslie, wife of Brian Robinson, Hampton, New Hampshire; and beloved grandchildren, Carter...
Elinor North
Mar 13, 2023
NORTH – Elinor, 97, Johnstown, longtime resident of South Fork; went to be with the Lord March 13, 2023. Born February 7, 1926, in South Fork, daughter of Robert and Mary (Kline) Giles. Preceded in death by parents; beloved husband, William North Jr., who died August 18, 2010; sisters, Mary Giles and Roberta Jean Giles; brother, Robert Giles; and special...
Diana Lee Meier
Mar 9, 2023
MEIER – Diana Lee, 68, Portage, died March 9, 2023. Born January 31, 1955, in Johnstown, daughter of John and Hilda (Motchenbaugh) Meier. Preceded in death by parents; and infant sister, Donna Lynn. Survived by sisters, Sandra Breyer (Davis), Kimberly Biter (Jeff), Lori Marker (Pat), and Patricia Moyer (Larry); and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Though unable to...
James L. Manges
Mar 6, 2023
MANGES – James L., 79, South Fork, died March 6, 2023. Born September 13, 1943, in South Fork, son of Ray and Rosanna (Theys) Manges. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Carole (Krajewski): infant brother, Ray Jr.; and sisters, Dorothy “Doll” Senft and Anna Mae Moran. Survived by children, Wendy Lethbridge; James Mangus (Miriam); and Melissa Cannada; grandchildren, Kathleen (Kyle),...
Edward A. Puchko
Mar 4, 2023
PUCHKO – Edward A., 86, South Fork, died March 4, 2023. Born October 7, 1936, in South Fork, son of Stephen Sr. and Susan (Hamas) Puchko. Preceded in death by parents, wife, Shirley Ann (McClellan) Puchko, who died March 7, 2018; sisters, Eileen Puchko, Dorothy Thomas, Mary Connelly, and Gloria Hull; and brothers, Stephen Jr., Frank, and John Puchko. Survived...
Donald K. Custer
Mar 3, 2023
CUSTER – Donald Kenneth, 89, Portage, died March 3, 2023 at home. Born July 26, 1933, in Portage, son of Howard and Bertha (Nelson) Custer. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Eileen Tranter, Jerri Templeton, Lorraine Marks, and Edna Huff; and brothers, Nelson and Reverend Robert Custer. Survived by loving wife of 66 years, Catherine A. (Myers), whom he married...
Subscribe
Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries
365 Days of Grief Support
Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during difficult first year after a loss
