Published: August 25, 2007 12:00 am            

Obituaries 08/26/2007

BAIR - Harvey F.

BAIR - Harvey F., 89, Cover Hill, passed away Aug. 25, 2007, at home after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born Aug. 8, 1918, in Johnstown, son of the late Samuel and Mary (Schmerer) Bair. Preceded in death by son, Harvey R. Bair; daughter, Patricia H. Paonessa; adopted son, George Bair and siblings, Samuel, Elmer and Kathryn Bair and Ethel Burkhart. Survived by loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Harriet L. (Jones) Bair; son, Richard J., Michelle Sarlouis and son-in-law, John Paonessa, Cover Hill; adopted son, Samuel "Jack" Bair, married to the former Lorraine Hanna, Ephrata. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and sister, Helen O'Donnel. Harvey was a sergeant in the U.S. Army; he served in the Philippines. Harvey was a veteran of WWII and the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star. He was a demolition expert and military policeman. From 1947 until 1966, Harvey worked for Thiele Truck Bodies. After 1966, he was self-employed in construction and timber. He loved spending time on his bulldozer and could often be found operating the machinery even when he was in his eighties. His favorite spot to relax and enjoy nature was his "farm" in Somerset County. He shared this beloved place with all of his family and friends. Harvey was a true nature lover, whether it was the deer, his dogs, or the raccoon, or even all the trees in his backyard; it was Harvey's respect and admiration of God's handiwork that he entrusted to his grandchildren. Harvey was an avid outdoorsman. At age 77, he received a triple trophy for bagging a bear, turkey and buck in the same season. He spent many hours playing rummy with his buddies and family members. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc. 146 Chandler Ave., where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Streets from the Emmanuel Baptist Church, officiating. Interment, Forest Lawn Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be provided by the VFW Menoher Post 155 ritual team. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Windber Hospice.



BERKEBILE - Vernon

BERKEBILE - Vernon "Fuzzy," 88, of Richland Township, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He departed this earth peacefully on Aug. 24, 2007. Born on Nov. 13, 1918, in Stoystown, son of Adam J. and Charlotte (McClelland) Berkebile. Preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Bonnie Eileen; brother, Donald A.; sister, Gladys (Hiner) Woods. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 68 years whom he married Sept. 15, 1939, in Winchester, Va., the former Dorothy Penrod; his children: Gail, wife of James Leckey, Johnstown; and Gary, married to the former Diane Blough, Johnstown; five grandchildren: Keith, Matthew, Jonathan Leckey; Dr. David Berkebile, and Heidi (Berkebile) Lushko; 11 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Emma Leigh, Ella, and Anna Lushko; Zane, Trevor, Matisynn, Teige, Maleigha, Theile, and Trypp Leckey; and a sister, Mildred (Schrock) Luther, Johnstown. Vernon was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WorId War II, where he served in three major battles in Germany with the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He was a self-employed truck driver and equipment operator and was retired with 25 years service from U.S. Steel Corp. Vernon was an avid beekeeper. He enjoyed caring for his bees, gardening, and growing extra large sunflowers. He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family and we will miss his sense of humor and joking. But we have the assurance that we shall see him again; "This mortal must put on immortality ? Death is swallowed up in victory!" I Corinthians 15: 53-54. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. An additional visitation will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church Monday from noon until time of service at 1 p.m., Pastor Ray Streets Sr. and Pastor David Streets officiating. Private interment will be held at Richland Cemetery. In Vernon's memory, the family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to Emmanuel Baptist Church Mission Fund, 425 Luther Road, Johnstown, Pa. 15904.



BISCHOF - Mildred F.

BISCHOF - Mildred F., 57, Johnstown, passed away Aug. 23, 2007, at home. Born Sept. 7, 1949, 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. 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.



KHULA - Joseph M.

KHULA - Joseph M., 92, Windber, died Aug. 25, 2007, at the Church of the Brethren Home, Windber. Born March 7, 1915, in Windber, son of Dominic and Catherine (Tomasovic) Khula. Preceded in death by parents, wife, Anna (Onderko) Khula; brothers, Stephen, John, Gabriel and Paul Khula. Survived by brother, Andrew Khula and sister, Anastasia Swerock, both of Michigan. U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in Italy, heavy artillery. A retired construction worker, member Local Union No. 910. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the William Kisiel Funeral Home, Windber. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, the Rev. Matthew Misurda. Committal, St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery, Windber.



LYBARGER - Helen Virginia

LYBARGER - Helen Virginia, 85, Johnstown, died Aug. 24, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born April 30, 1922, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Arthur R. Keen and Minnie (Eppley) Brown-Keen and George Brown. Preceded in death by husband, Ralph S. Lybarger; son-in-law, Mark Lepley and these brothers and sisters; Russell Keen and Thelma Bloom; step/half-brothers and step-sister Harvey, James, Alvin and William Brown and Odessa Toth. Survived by children; Naomi, married to Dominic Iachini, Johnstown and their son, Denver Lybarger, Knoxville, Tenn.; Cathy, married to Mike Langsdale, Atlanta; Samuel Lybarger, Ocala, Fla.; Ralph Eugene, and wife, Carol, Johnstown; Shirley Shaulis-Lepley, married to Homer Shaulis, Jerome; and June V., married to Jerry Henderson, Apopka, Fla. Helen is survived by sisters; Alice, married to Kenneth Horner, Vintondale, and Gladys Jean, married to Charles Stewart, Johnstown. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Margaret Tiyger and special friend, Alice Ambrose and buddy, "CoCo." Helen was a member of the Women's Missionary Society and a former active member in the West Taylor Twp. Fire Auxiliary. Helen loved her church and gardening. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 146 Chandler Ave. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Third Brethren Church, Spring Street, Pastor Ray Grumbling, officiating. Interment, Grandview Cemetery.



MORRIS - Philip Thomas

MORRIS - Philip Thomas, 82, Johnstown, died Aug. 22, 2007, at Laurel Wood Care Center. Born Oct. 30, 1924, in Hopkins, S.C., the son of David and Julia (Jones) Morris. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Helen (Griffin), who died June 20, 2001; son, Glenn P. Morris; and special friend, Ernestine Washington. Survived by son, Richard, and wife, Jacqueline (King), Johnstown; brother, Alex, and wife, Delores Morris, New Jersey; grandchildren, Demitrius Morris, Johnstown; Glenness, and husband, Pedro Pujoe, Maryland; Albert Matthews and Demiah Perry, both of Johnstown; Loretta King, Maryland; Tina, and husband, Michael Stanback, North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Hilda Roebuck, Johnstown, and Inez Harris, Ohio; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Retired employee of Bethlehem Steel Corp., as a white hat in the blast furnace with 40 years service. An Army veteran of World War II and also retired from the Army National Guard as a master sergeant. Member of IBPOE of W Flood City Lodge No. 371, past master of Conemaugh Valley Lodge No. 10 P.H.A. Mountain Consistory No. 55, and the Retired Men's Club of Johnstown. Devoted member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where he served on many committees including service as head trustee. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 205 Peelor St., Prospect, where Rev. Andrew W. Tilly will hold homegoing service at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Committal, Benshoff Hill Cemetery. Moskal Funeral Home, West End, is in charge of arrangements.



PETAK- Agnes R.

PETAK- Agnes R., 79, Johnstown died Aug. 24, 2007, at the Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home. Born July 31, 1928, in Johnstown, the daughter of the late Mary Thiel. Preceded in death by husband, Rudolph John Petak and brother, Charles Petak. Survived by daughter, Roselyn, wife of Barry Browne, Johnstown; son, Kenneth, Dilltown; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sister, Christine Neff and brother, William Thiel, both of Johnstown. Also survived by special friends at the Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home and Hospice. Agnes loved spending time with her family and enjoyed playing bingo. She was a member of St. John Gualbert Cathedral, where family and friends will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday for a funeral Mass, the Rev. Clarence S. Bridges celebrant. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., West Hills, 921 Menoher Blvd. Inurnment, St. Francis Cemetery.



SCHALESKY - Rickie D.

SCHALESKY - Rickie D., 55, of Johnstown, formerly of Bismarck, N.D., died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007. Beloved husband of Sandra; father of Misty Connor, Jennifer Leach and Kristofer Schalesky; and grandfather of Taylor and Mackenzie Schalesky, Jeffery Leach, Garet and Bryce Connor. Son of Dennis and Twyla Schalesky; brother of Carmen Popiel; Craig, Tim and Tammy Schalesky; and Lisa Hamre. Funeral Monday in Bismarck, N.D. Memorial contributions may be made to the VA Hospital Patient Care Fund University Dr. C., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15240. Arrangements by D'Alessandro Funeral Home -- Crematory Ltd., Pittsburgh.



VASSES - Louis Jr.

VASSES - Louis Jr., 76, Colver, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 24, 2007. Born Feb. 23, 1931, in Puritan, the son of Louis Sr. and Stella "Esther" (Kause) Vasses. Preceded in death by parents, siblings, Donna, Joe and Jack Vasses, and former wife, Alice. Survived by these children: Lola Marie Bishop, Indiana; David, Daniel and Denise, wife of Pete Hensal, all of Colver; Donald, North Carolina; Diana, North Carolina and Donna, New York; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Brother of Joyce Simmons and Randy Vasas, both of Portage. Louis retired from Beth Energy Mines after 40 years of service, member of UMWA. He was an avid sportsman and loved hunting and fishing. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Yates officiating. Committal, Mount Herman Cemetery, Colver.

        

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