Published: August 24, 2007 06:51 pm            

Obituaries 08/25/2007

BISCHOF – Mildred F.

BISCHOF – Mildred F., 59, Johnstown, passed away Aug. 23, 2007, at home. Born Sept. 7, 1947, in Johnstown, daughter of Hurrell A. and Ruth (Duncan) Trautman. Preceded in death by father. Her death ends a 28-year marriage union. Survived by mother; husband, James E. Jr.; son, Jason; grandson, Gavin; and sister, Nancy, wife of Chet Borosky, all of Johnstown; brother, Rayford Duncan, married to the former Mary Royer, El Paso, Texas; and special cousin/sister, Denise (Trautman) Karwoski, Johnstown; also a number of nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law. Member of the Beulah United Methodist Church, the Johnstown Handicapped Association and a social member of the Dale Fire Company. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Geisel Funeral Home, Dale. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Geisel-Devlin Memorial Chapel, the Rev. Charles L. Shaffer. Intombment, Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Johnstown Handicapped Association.



CEKELLA – Nora Fern

CEKELLA – Nora Fern, 91, of LaurelWood Care Center, formerly of East Taylor Townhip, died Aug. 23, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born March 17, 1916, in Johnstown, daughter of Harry and Stella (Page) Burkett. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Alfred E.; son, Larry Sr.; daughter, Ardell C. Horner; brother, Jim; sisters, Fay Epple and Glen Plummer; and two infant siblings. Survived by daughters, Joyce, married to David Pfarr, and Judy, married to Samuel Reed Mardis, all of Johnstown; grandchildren, Kim Balamuta, Johnstown; Larry Cekella Jr., Texas; Kathy Cekella, Carrie Callahan and Samuel Reed Mardis Jr., all of Virginia; Scott Mardis, Johnstown; Robert Horner, Arizona; Sheri Vivis, Johnstown; Karen Futch, Mississippi; and Jeff and Randy Pfarr, both of Johnstown; and great-grandchildren, Jessica Bennett, Virginia; Steve Balamuta Jr., Johnstown; Ashley Waltrip, Virginia; Joshua Balamuta, Kayla Balamuta, Boyd Mardis, Katrina Vivis and Cassandra Vivis, all of Johnstown; Jacob Futch, Mississippi; Spencer Pfarr, Johnstown; and Abigail Futch, Mississippi; and one great-great-grandchild, Reagan Bennett, Virginia. Member of Summit Chapel United Methodist Church. She enjoyed traveling and spending time at the family cottage. A former employee at Glosser Bros. and volunteer at Memorial Hospital and retired from Ebensburg State School. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Summit Chapel United Methodist Church, the Rev. Penny S. Adams. Interment, Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Summit Chapel United Methodist Church, 2142 William Penn Ave., Johnstown, Pa. 15909.



CHURCHEY – Ramona E.

CHURCHEY – Ramona E. “Monie,” 78, of Johnstown, died Aug. 24, 2007, at Windber Hospice. Born Sept. 23, 1928, in Johnstown, daughter of Walter and Mary Rosezetta (Carbaugh) Kauffman. Preceded in death by parents and infant sister, Betty Jane. Survived by loving husband of 59 years, Garfield Churchey Jr.; children, Robert “Gary” Churchey, married to former Carolyn Hecker; Walt, married to former Kathy McClelland; Patty, married to Kenny Kordell; and Wendy, married to Mark Koontz, all of Johnstown; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren and one on the way. Sister of Vivian “Pat” Deist, Johnstown, and Eugene Kauffman, married to former Betty Ann Rummel, Somerset. Member of Westmont Church of the Brethren. Former employee of Koch’s Ceramics and St. Rochus Church, where she enjoyed teaching and working with ceramics. Monie was a devoted wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. In keeping with Ramona’s wishes, there will be no public viewing. A private committal service will be held at the Grandview Mausoleum. Arrangements by John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave., Johnstown. For friends and family, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Westmont Church of the Brethren, 2301 Sunshine Ave., with Pastor Robert Rummell. The family suggests that those who wish may make memorial contributions to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Ave., Windber, Pa. 15963. Though gone from our sight, she will forever remain in our hearts ... ’til we meet again.



DALEY – Eugene R.

DALEY – Eugene R., 80, Johnstown, died Aug. 22, 2007, at home. Born Sept. 4, 1926, in Johnstown, son of Donald J. and Mary C. (Sabo) Daley. Preceded in death by parents; wife, the former Margaret (Luptak) Dean-Daley; sister, Geraldine Wesner; and stepson, Michael Dean. Survived by stepsons, Martin Dean, Johnstown; Joseph Dean, Florida; and George Dean, Las Vegas, Nev.; nieces, Nancy Fox, Johnstown, and Kathy Adams, Bedford. Retired employee of former Bird Electric in the shipping and receiving department. A member of St. John Gualbert Cathedral, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, the Rev. Monsignor George B. Flynn, VG. Committal, Grandview Cemetery. Friends received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.



HOOPES – Lawrence T. Jr.

HOOPES – Lawrence T. Jr., 66, of West Chester, passed away Aug. 23, 2007, at home. He was the husband of Philomena Mascherino Hoopes, sharing 44 years of marriage together, beloved father of four sons and grandfather of nine. He was involved with the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel inception with his brother-in-law, Alphonse Mascherino. His funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Church, Downingtown, Pa. Visitation from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown; (610) 269-6567. Memorial contributions to Flight 93 Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 142, Shanksville, Pa. 15560.



MORRIS – Philip Thomas

MORRIS – Philip Thomas, 82, of Johnstown, died Aug. 22, 2007. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 205 Peelor St., Prospect. Complete obituary will be in Sunday’s newspaper. Moskal Funeral Home, West End, is in charge of arrangements.



SMITH – Alfred E.

SMITH – Alfred E. “Al,” 82, Vale Wood Road, Loretto, died Aug. 24, 2007, at UPMC Pasavant Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born Feb. 6, 1925, in Coalport, son of the late Domonic and Esther (Harber) Smith. Preceded in death by brothers, Joseph and Edward. Survived by wife, the former Kathleen Farabaugh, whom he married June 7, 1947, in Loretto; children: Ann Oswalt (Daniel), Harrisburg; Richard A. (Linda Krug), Loretto; Carl J. (Karen Sharpe), Plano, Texas; David J. (Dawn Biter), Loretto; and Joyce Black, Loretto; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Last member of his immediate family. World War II Army veteran. Worked for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau from 1950 until 1967, then was employed by St. Francis College as the physical plant director and retired in 1989 after 22 years’ service. Al enjoyed golf, going to camp and playing cards. Life member of Loretto American Legion and Sankertown VFW. Member of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Monsignor Timothy Swope, celebrant. Committal, St. Michael Cemetery. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville, where a vigil service will be held Monday afternoon. Military rites in the charge of Loretto American Legion, Sankertown VFW and other local military organizations.



SMITH – Lee A.

SMITH – Lee A. “Tony,” 68, Lilly, died Aug. 23, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born June 6, 1939, in Lilly, son of the late Leo V. and Angeline (Gigliello) Smith. Preceded in death by brothers, Eugene and Donald. Survived by wife, the former Judy Harkabus, whom he married Dec. 22, 1984; children: Ernie (Debbie), Gallitzin; Michael, Hollidaysburg; and the love of his life, Kimberly, at home. Also survived by brothers, F. James (Brenda), Lilly; Ronald (Janice), Portage; sister-in-law, Sharon Smith, Gallitzin; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Employed as purchasing agent for Laurel Highlands Landfill. Member of Our Lady of the Alleghenies parish and K. of C., #11084, both of Lilly, and AARP. Friends received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson, where vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Chapel, Lilly, the Rev. Msgr. John Sasway. Entombment, St. Francis Xavier Mausoleum, Cresson.



SNELL – Phyllis L.

SNELL – Phyllis L., 70, Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of Cambria County, passed peacefully Aug. 23, 2007, after a brief battle with cancer. Born Feb. 21, 1937. She is survived by her loving sons, Robert Snell Jr. and Steven, both of Colorado Springs; James of Harrison, Ark.; and Dennis of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as her six precious grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arvid and Ethel (Adams) Anderson; sister, Aimee; and brother, William. Also surviving are her siblings, Elizabeth Cooper and Marie McCullough of Alverda, Pa.; Carl Anderson of Belsano, Pa.; Marjorie Hillebrand of Mishawaka, Ind.; Carol Langguth of Chantilly, Va.; David Anderson of Cherry Tree, Pa.; Larry Anderson of Nanty Glo, Pa.; and Janet Andyshak of Northern Cambria, Pa. At her request, her body has been donated for the advancement of cancer research. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.



SRAL – Miriam R. (Taranto)

SRAL – Miriam R. (Taranto), 59, Hastings, died Aug. 24, 2007, at home. Born Feb. 16, 1948, in Spangler, the daughter of Joseph and Nadine (Rummell) Taranto. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Dayus Taranto; and brother, Richard Taranto. Survived by children, Joseph A. Sral (Lori Hershberger), Cherry Tree; Christopher M. Sral, married to former Michele Perry, Cherry Tree; and Robin, wife of Richard A. Prevost Jr., Hastings; grandchildren, MaKayla Sral, Luke Sral, Christopher Sral, Hailey Hunter and Brock Prevost. Also survived by husband, Joseph J. Sral, Hastings. Sister of Joseph D. (Diane) Taranto, Hastings; Salvatore “Sam” Taranto, Lee Ann (Lonnie) Batdorf, Timothy Taranto (Holly Lane), Lisa Taranto (Bob Sposito), and William (Kimberly) Taranto, all of Northern Cambria; and Tracy Taranto, Allentown. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Member of Hastings United Methodist Church. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday at Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria, Pastor Bob Nagy officiating. Interment, St. Patrick Cemetery, Northern Cambria.



VARGO – John Albert

VARGO – John Albert, 95, of Windber, went to be with the Lord Aug. 22, 2007, at the Presbyterian Home, Johnstown. Born Nov. 14, 1911, in Derryhale, W.Va., son of Joseph K. and Mary (Koval) Vargo. Preceded in death by parents; grandchildren, Travis, David Lee Jr., Lisa, Anitra and Rebecca Vargo; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Jo (Edwards) Vargo; brothers, Joseph and Andrew Vargo; and sisters, Mary Sepety and Margaret Molnar. Survived by wife of 67 years, Martha (Weaver) Vargo; son, David Lee Vargo, Ohio; grandchildren, Scott and Wade, Indiana; Davina Cigany, Illinois; Sam, in Iraq; Benjamin, Joetta, Edwin, Darin and Adriel, Ohio; and five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Lindsay and Lucas Vargo, and Kristoffer and Markus Cigany. Also survived by brother, Steve Vargo, Alum Bank; sister, Pauline Verrill, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Retired coal miner and member of UMWA. Member of Moxham Church of the Brethren. Family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. Saturday at the William Kisiel Funeral Home, Graham Avenue and 11th Street, Windber, the Rev. William Wenger officiating. Interment, Berkey Cemetery, Windber. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moxham Church of the Brethren.



WOLFHOPE – Harry W.

WOLFHOPE – Harry W. “Butch,” 58, W.P.A. Road, Salix, died Aug. 23, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Sept. 23, 1948, in Johnstown, son of William R. and Marjorie F. (Roberts) Wolfhope. Preceded in death by his mother. Survived by loving wife of 39 years, MaryAnn (Keilman) Wolfhope, Salix; father, Geistown; children, Chad, married to Susan Popovich, Salix; Alan, married to Wendy Hostetler, Sidman; Curtis, married to Amy Gordon, South Williamsport; Robyn, wife of Jason Berkebile, Johnstown; Brooke, Salix; and Joshua, married to Jill Replogle, Richland; brother, David M., married to Edith Regina Hartshorn, Salix; sisters, Mary Jo Wolfhope and Judy Cononie, both of Salix; grandchildren, Kayleigh, Zachary, Bill, Alicia, Cody, Nathan, Rachael and Drew; also numerous nieces and nephews. Butch worked as an electrician in construction and was a member of IBEW Local Union #5. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Butch enjoyed spending time with his family. Friends will be received Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home Inc., South Fork. Funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidman, by Pastor Bill Coleman. Interment at the Dunmyer Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sidman Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund.



Today's Funerals

COPPOLA – Estella T. (Neri), 10 a.m., All Saints Chapel, Acosta. Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell.

GAYLOR – Russell R., 1 p.m., St. Therese Catholic Church. Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.

HEINLEIN – George J. “Joe,” 9 a.m., Visitation BVM Catholic Church. Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.

HYNES – Regis F. Sr., 10 a.m., St. Columba Catholic Church. Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.

JAKELL – John R., “Tim,” 11 a.m., John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave.

MATONIK – William Patrick, 11 a.m., St. Clement Church, Goucher Street. Geisel Funeral Home, Dale.

McNAMARA – Betty, 11 a.m., Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.

RUSSELL – Mary (Parks), 10 a.m., St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cresson. Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson.

TANASE – James A., 9:30 a.m., St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. Frank Duca Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, corner of Jackson and Locust streets.

VARGO – John Albert, 2 p.m., William Kisiel Funeral Home, Graham Avenue and 11th Street, Windber.

WALUKAS – Maulvine “Molly,” 10 a.m., St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church. Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., West Hills.

YANIK-BRADLEY – Anna Veronica, 10 a.m., SS. Cyril and Methodius Church. Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Ave.

        

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