Obituaries – Solomon's Words for the Wise (2024)

Kimberley A. Hoak

Kimberley A. Hoak, 69, a lifelong resident of Coudersport, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Kim, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.

Arthur J. Cianca, 73, of Ridgway, died on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at his residence following a lengthyillness.

Funeral arrangementsare incomplete and under the direction of Krise Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.

Mary E. Hoffman Oknefski, 94, formerly of Montmorenci Road in Ridgway, died on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

She was born February 21, 1930, in Ridgway, the daughter of the late Charles and Estella Cussins Hoffman.

On December 6, 1947, she married the late Frederic (Ted) Oknefski, who preceded in death September 7, 2012.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Ridgway and a 1947 graduate of Ridgway High School. She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church and worked for Dr. William Thompson for over thirty years. She was a member of the Bells of St. Marys and she enjoyed playing 500 with her card club ladies. She was the happiest when surrounded by her family.

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Ruth E. Rudoph Grubbs Extein, 76, of Warren, PA., and formerly of Tidioute, PA., died peacefully with her family at her bedside, on Saturday evening, June 29, 2024, at Warren Manor Nursing Home.

She was born June 11, 1948, in Titusville, PA. She was the daughter of Lester W. and Luella Mae Anthony Rudolph.

She was a longtime resident of Tidioute, PA. Ruth was employed at Sparkle Car Wash as an attendant for 4 years and was previously employed with the former Thornes Bi Lo grocery store.

She was a member of Tidioute United Methodist Church, Peginot Yeager V.F.W. Post 8803 Ladies Auxiliary, Tidioute, PA. She was active with the Tidioute Allegheny River Raft Race, Warmer Clothes for Kids, Tidioute Branch of the Salvation Army Bundle Up program.

She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and was an avid Nascar and Pittsburgh Pirates Fan. She loved to feed her pet bears and racoons.

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James E. “Big Jim” VanAlstine, 92, a resident of Pinecrest Manor and formerly of Hall Avenue, St. Marys, PA passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Timothy W. Pilon: Loving Father, Grandfather, Brother

Timothy W. Pilon, 59, of 461 County Rd. 33, Bolivar, NY passed away Monday, June 24, 2024 at home after a short illness.

Born on December 15, 1964, in Olean, he was a son of Roger W. and Beatrice M. Lafferty Pilon.

Tim was a graduate of Bolivar Central School.

He had worked for Current Controls in Wellsville and for Saputo in Friendship for the last 21 years retiring due to illness. He also worked part time for Canfields Outdoor Power Equipment in Ceres for many years.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved to cook. He was an avid sports fan following softball, football, and NASCAR. He was also a history buff and enjoyed a good conspiracy theory.

Tim is survived by

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Latashia Lee Pierce, 35, of Williamsport, PA, formerly of Westfield, PA, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at UPMC Williamsport.

Born September 22, 1988, in Wellsboro, PA, she was a daughter of Leo Campbell and Cecelia “Sue” Pierce, who both survive.

Latashia was a 2013 graduate of Belleview High School. She loved getting tattoos, watching tv, listening to music on Amazon, collecting genie bottles and fairies, spending time at the beach and traveling, playing with her nieces and nephews and spoiling them.

In addition to her parents, Latashia is survived by five brothers, Leo, Jr., Lee, Landon, Levi and Larius; five sisters, Larenna, Larinda, Lakisha, Latory and Rianna; several aunts and uncles; several cousins; and several nieces and nephews.

Latashia was predeceased by a sister, Lacey Pierce.

Services will be held at the family’s convenience.

Memorial contributions may be made to the funeral home to assist the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton, PA.

Phyllis C. Potter, age 85, of Westfield, PA was found deceased on October 29, 2023 in Westfield. Born February 8, 1938 in Westfield, she was the daughter of the late Walton O. and Bernice (Allen) Taft. Phyllis married Benjamin Potter and they shared 59 years together until his passing on December 27, 2018.

She cut hair for neighbors and family, enjoyed playing cards, doing word search, chatting with friends and family and always had a snack bag ready for you when stopping by her house.

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Thomas A. Perry, 82, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, of 314 Seaward Avenue, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at The Pavilion @ BRMC.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed atwww.hollenbeckcahill.co

Donna M. Burgess, 71, of 132 Rightmeyer Street, St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 24, 2024 at Penn Highlands Elk.

She was born December 20, 1952, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Frederick “Mike” and Marie Groll Leithner. She was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1971, and employed at St. Marys Carbon for twenty-two years.

On July 20, 1984, in St. Marys, Donna married the love of her life, Gerald J. “Jerry” Burgess, who survives. They were blessed to share thirty-nine years of marriage.

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Anita J. (Pearson) Zimmer, 73, of Warren, PA, died Sunday, June 23, 2024, at St. Vincent Healthcare, Erie, PA.She was born April 1, 1951,

In Warren, PA. She was the daughter of Donald Pearson and Myrtle Hays Pearson Walters.Anita was a lifelong Warren area resident and a 1969, graduate of Warren High School.In her youth, she volunteered as a candy striper with Warren General Hospital.She was employed with Warren State Hospital, as a Psychiatric Aide 2, retiring from there after 25 years employment.She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.She loved books, was an avid reader.She also loved to go on picnics, swimming, and cooking.

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Smethport—A celebration of life for Stephen Larson will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, from 11AM to 1PM.

Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport.

Roderick Kinley Memorial July 4, 2024

Friends and relatives of Rod Kinley are invited to a memorial celebration in honor of Rod on July 4, 2024. Rod was born in York, PA in 1932, and moved to the Coudersport area in 1981. The celebration will be picnic style from 2 to 5, on the shaded lawn at his home at 116 Kinley Lane, Coudersport, PA Bring a dish if you like, and lawn chairs. Plates, cups, silverware and drinks will be provided.

There will be a small ammo can for mementos which will then be buried with his ashes in Ford Hill Cemetery the next day.

Sylvester Corey,79, of Brockport, PA died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Christ The King Manor.

He was born on January 18, 1945, in Kane, the son of the late Joseph and Edith Farren Corey.

On March 11, 1967, he married Rebecca Shipe, who survives.

Sylvester led a fulfilling life; having worked at the Ridgway Ink Plant and later retiring from GKN in 2010. Notably, he had a profound love for dancing, bowling, and playing softball. Additionally, he found solace in the great outdoors, with hunting and fishing being among his favorite pastimes.

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William H. Wagenmann, age 85 of Lawrenceville, PA passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Corning Guthrie Hospital.

He was born on June 23, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA and was a son to the late Marie (McGlory) Wagenmann. Bill was a proud Army veteran, having served from 1961 to 1964. He enjoyed turkey and deer hunting, driving his tractor, listening to old country music and he loved his beer.

Bill was a member of the St. Thomas’ the Apostle Catholic Church for several years, long-term member of the Elkland Moose Lodge # 746 and he was a Freemason.

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Anita Zimmer

Anita Zimmer, 73, of Warren, PA, died on Sunday, June 232024, in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Erie, PA.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., Warren, PA.

Judy Jean (Thompson) Shaffer

Judy Jean Shaffer, 79, of Warren, PA, formerly of Russell, PA, died on Monday June 24, 2024, in the Warren Manor after a brief illness.

She was born in Ashtabula, Ohio on April 24, 1945, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Charlotte Mae Thompson. She was the owner and operator of Kinzua Field and Stream, and a press operator and quality control specialist for Loranger Manufacturing.

Judy loved time with her family and grandchildren, yearly beach vacations, holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, family camping trips, and picnics. Judy’s favorite holiday was Christmas when she could have all her family together to celebrate the holiday. She also enjoyed being in the sun, game shows, and her grandchildren’s events.

On July 18, 1962, in Geneva, Ohio she married Harvey D. Shaffer, and they spent 58 loving years together before he passed on September 6, 2020.

Judy is survived by her loving children, Laura Winslow and husband Andrew of Warren, Tammy Fiscus and husband Charles Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, Brenda Huntoon and husband Brian of Warren, Harvey L. Shaffer and wife Jillian of Scandia; 13 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; sister, Jane Cutright and husband Larry of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Billy Thompson and wife Sandy of Ashtabula, Ohio, and Jimmy Thompson of Clarion, PA.

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Gerald E. DECKER, 80, of Scio, NY, died Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. Born March 11, 1944, in Wellsville, he was the son of Raymond E. and Mary C. Crandall Decker. He was a graduate of Belmont High School.

A Vietnam War Veteran, he served honorably with the U.S. Navy from 1963 – 1967 on the USS Kitty Hawk as an aircraft mechanic. He was employed by Current Control in Wellsville. Gerry enjoyed go kart racing, NASCAR, football, basketball, wrestling, and watching Westerns.

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Donna M. Burgess, 71, of 132 RightmeyerStreet, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 24, 2024 at Penn Highlands Elk.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

Patricia L. Kagarise “beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend”

ROULETTE, PA—Patricia L. “Pat” Kagarise, 74, of Roulette, PA passed away with her loving family by her side, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Born on Monday, October 31, 1949 in Clay, she was a daughter of David H. and Carrie E. Hutchinson Haldeman. She was first married to Ray Elmer Unangst, who preceded her in death. She later married Roger Kagarise, who also preceded her in death.

Pat was a graduate of Ephrata High School. Before relocating to Roulette, Pat was employed as a school van driver for the IU13 Program in Ephrata. She and her late son, Steven, owned and operated Steve’s Farm Fresh Produce and Misty Maple Farm, both in Roulette.

While living downstate, Pat was a member of the Durlach-Mt. Airy Fire Department in Clay Township, where she served in the Fire Police. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and watching birds. Her greatest love was her family.

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Lewis Virgil Gillotti, 95, of 2 Greeves St, Kane, PA passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2024 in Erie. He was born September 16, 1928 in Kane to William and Zella Knapp Gillotti.

He was a 1946 graduate of Kane High School. On December 31, 1949 in Kane, he married Elaine Neale Gillotti, who preceded him in death in 2019. Elaine died 10 days before their 70th wedding anniversary.

He was proud of playing football for the Wolves, being nicknamed “Radar” for playing without his much-needed glasses.

Virgil was a corporal in the US Army, serving with the Reconstruction Force in Austria during the years of the Korean Conflict.

Virgil worked for 25 years for Spring Water Company and then Pennsylvania American Water Company, never missing a day’s work. When he retired in 1985, he and Elaine moved to Tavares, Florida for 30 years until health problems brought them back closer to their children. In Florida, they enjoyed mall-walking and beach-walking at Daytona.

Virgil was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Warren. He was known for his story-telling and his accurate recall of historical events, particularly Kane history. He was a well-known figure walking around Kane. He loved the Emeritus Reunion, which was held on the day of his death, and was still planning to attend the day before.

At age 88, Virgil decided he wanted to be a world traveler. He asked his daughter to accompany him. The first trip was to Austria to revisit the places he knew from his military service there. Amazingly, the Old City of Salzburg was still the same and he spent a wonderful week reliving memories. At 89, he did a bus tour of Italy. He especially wanted to see Pompeii, which he had visited on a military leave. He celebrated his 91st birthday in London as part of a bus tour of Ireland, Wales and England. When his children curtailed his overseas travel, he insisted on a family trip to Disney World at 93, riding all of his favorite rides.

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Frederick J. “Fred” Mildrew, 80, formerly of St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly after a short battle with cancer at his residence at 957 Susquehanna TRL, Watsontown, PA 17777.

Fred was born June 19, 1944, in St. Marys, son of the late Frederick A. and Dorothy Faye (Reed) Mildrew. He was a lifelong resident of the area until he and his wife moved to be closer to family. He was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1962, and worked in sales for Stackpole Carbon and Keystone Carbon. Following his employment at Keystone, Fred worked for Burkes Ace, where he retired in 2017.

On May 3, 1969, at Queen of the World Church, Fred married the love of his life, Constance “Connie” Krug, who survives. They were blessed to share fifty-five years of marriage.

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Patricia L. Kagarise

ROULETTE, PA—Patricia L. “Pat” Kagarise, 74, of Roulette, PA passed away with her loving family by her side, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.

Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Pat, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page

Richard Harvey ELLIOTT, IV, 15, of Belfast, NY, affectionately known as Ricky, passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2024.

He was born January 4, 2009, in Buffalo.Ricky had just completed his freshman year at Belfast Central School and was a high honor roll student, a testament to his dedication to academics.

Described as loving and caring, Ricky had a vibrant personality and enjoyed making everyone laugh.He was known among his family and friends as a jokester who brought joy and levity to those around him.His hobbies included making Tik Toks and YouTube videos, playing basketball, riding bikes, and spending time with his siblings.

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Brenda Sue MINGER, 63, of Ulysses, PA, formerly of Sebring, FL, died Thursday, June 20, 2024 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

Born October 20, 1960, in Oakland, CA, she was the daughter of Robert Howard and Audrey June Morris Wooley.

She was employed by Winn Dixie and other grocery stores.Brenda loved animals, especially her dogs.She enjoyed playing solitaire and doing crossword puzzles.

Surviving are: her domestic partner of 13 years, Christopher Henry; three sons, Michael Shelly, Beau Shelly, and Race Minger; three grandchildren; and a brother, Duke Wooley.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by husbands, Marvin Minger and Kenneth Ray Shelly; and a brother, Robert Wooley.

Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.

Online condolences may be expressed atwww.olneyfoust.com.

MARGARET MARIE SHERBURNE NIX

“LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, GRAND & GREAT GRANDMOTHER, AUNT & FRIEND”

PORTVILLE – Margaret Marie Sherburne Nix passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 23, 2024, at ECMC in Buffalo, NY.

Margaret graced us with her beauty, inside and out, for 88 years. Born March 18, 1936, in Olean, NY, she was the daughter of George & Jennie (Larson) Sherburne. She was an only child.

We all have a story to tell, a book about ourselves…….a beginning……a dash…….and the end. Today, it’s with a heavy heart that the woman we were honored to call, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend ended her last chapter.

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Judy J. Shaffer

Judy Jean Shaffer, 79, of Warren, PA, died on Monday, June 24, 2024, in the Warren Manor.

A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., Warren, PA.

Ted Jay, 89, of 8 Limestone Street, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Olean General Hospital.

Born on August 6, 1934, in Clearfield, he was a son of the late Melvin Jay and Lillian (Wilton) Rossi. He was a graduate of Bradford High School.

On August 19, 1953, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged on October 10, 1957.

On May 2, 1959, at the St. Callistus Church in Kane, he married Blanche M. (McMahon) Jay who preceded him in death on March 7, 2016.

After the military, Ted worked as a painter, bartender, and in 1958, he started working at Kendall-Witco Refining Company, working as a heavy equipment operator, before retiring with 39 years of service.

Ted formerly coached football, baseball. He started the YMCA swim team and served as their coach. He was a former member of the Moose Lodge, and a Jaycees. He was also a member of VFW Post #212, American Legion Post #108, and the YMCA. Ted enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, hunting, fishing, golfing, corn hole, and playing euchre.

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Gary N. Lundin,83, of Ridgway, died at his home on Sunday, June 23, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

He was born on April 26, 1941, in Ridgway, a son of the late Arnold and Maxine Newell Lundin.

On September 30, 1961, he married Karen E. Stover who survives.

Gary was a 1959 graduate of Kersey High School, and went on to serve in the National Guard. He retired from Clarion Sintered Metals after many years of service. Gary was an avid outdoorsman, and could often be found hunting or fishing. He also enjoyed playing football and spending time at his camp. Gary cherished the time that he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchild.

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Robert F. Marshall, 85, of Wadsworth, OH and formerly of Kersey, PA passed away Friday, June 21, 2024 at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.