Published: August 28, 2007 12:00 am            

Obituaries 08/29/2007

BLOUGH - Sophia

BLOUGH - Sophia "Shirley" T., 82, of Camp Hill, died Aug. 24, 2007, at her home. She was a retired child care specialist. She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland. She was born Dec. 22, 1924, in Johnstown, to the late Andrew and Mary Anne (Trotz) Ciesle. The widow of Reon J. Blough, she is survived by a daughter, Denise J. Altigieri, Fairview Township, and two grandchildren, Chris R. Zuna, New Cumberland, and Amber C. Bishop, Manchester. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at her church with the Rev. Father Michael McFadden officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Lower Paxton Township. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her church's remembrance fund, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, Pa. 17070.



BOSTON - David E.

BOSTON - David E., 76, Cleveland, Ohio, died Aug. 27, 2007, at home. Born May 9, 1931, in Clymer, son of John and Anna (Sefick) Boston. Preceded in death by parents; first wife, Betty (Payne); second wife, Lois (Thomas); sisters, Mary, Annie, Pauline and Sue; and brothers, Jack, Red, Johnny, Steve, Paul and Bud. Survived by children, David Jr. and Denise (Jim) Boston, both of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Victoria Chambers and James (Becky), David and Cory Boston. U.S. Army veteran of Korean Conflict. Retired from General Motors, Brook Park, Ohio plant. Member of St. Coleman's Catholic Church. Friends received from 10 a.m. until time of Catholic funeral service at noon Thursday at Long-Contres Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria, where military rites will be conducted by local veterans organizations. Committal at East Ridge Cemetery.



BROPHY - Leona L.

BROPHY - Leona L., 86, Burke, Va., formerly of New York City, passed away Aug. 24, 2007, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. She was born Oct. 15, 1920, in Bucks County, daughter of the late Jack and Lillian (Murcavitch) Rodgers. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Richard Brophy; her daughter, Eileen Brophy; and her son, Richard Brophy Jr., all of Burke, Va. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Leona was a member of the Church of the Nativity, Burke, Va. She enjoyed being with her family and friends. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Stevens Funeral Home Inc., 146 N. Main St., Carrolltown. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carrolltown, the Rev. Andre Strittmatter, TOR. Interment, church cemetery. (www.stevensfh.com)



CAMPBELL - Jeffery R.

CAMPBELL - Jeffery R., 53, East Taylor Township, died Aug. 27, 2007, at the Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born June 30, 1954, in Johnstown, son of William L. and Mildred "Jacque" (Altemus) Campbell. Preceded in death by father. Survived by loving mother, Mildred "Jacque" Campbell, Johnstown; sons, George, and wife, Joy, and Jody, and wife, Amanda, all of Pittsburgh; and beloved fianc?e Evelyn J. Penrod, East Taylor Township. Also survived by sisters, Leslie Campbell and Rodger McCord, Nevada; Gail, and husband, Edward Frank, Maryland; Rebecca Campbell, California; brother, Jacque Campbell, and wife, Judy, Valencia, Pa.; and stepmother, Sarah Campbell; and stepsisters, Dianne, married to Linwood Manning, and Bonnie, married to Dr. Sam Wint, all of Virginia. Also numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and family and friends. Jeffery was an avid sportsman and loved scraping. He was a 25-year employee for the former Sani-Dairy Co. in Johnstown and employee for PennDOT. Member of Blue Goose Club. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street, where funeral service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday. Private inurnment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to the family, care of Jacque Campbell at 1111 Cobblestone Lane, Valencia, Pa. 16059, in memory of Jeffery Campbell.



GOSSARD - Bernice H.

GOSSARD - Bernice H. "Bernie," 84, Johnstown, died Aug. 27, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave., where service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.



HELMAN - Calvin A.

HELMAN - Calvin A., 97, Ebensburg, died Aug. 25, 2007, at Laurel Crest Manor. Born Aug. 16, 1910, in Johnstown, son of John and Mary (Hershberger) Helman. Preceded in death by parents; four infant brothers and sisters; sisters, Sadie Neatrour, Margaret Wenzel and Verda Dunmyer; and brother, Ralph. Survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Richland Cemetery, the Rev. Dr. Frank Brosius officiating. Arrangements by Hoffman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Davidsville.



KHULA - Joseph M.

KHULA - Joseph M., 92, Windber, died Aug. 25, 2007. 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 -- Methodius Catholic Church, the Rev. Matthew Misurda. Committal, St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery, Windber.



KLINE - Harold J.

KLINE - Harold J., 90, of Lute Road, Ebensburg, passed away Aug. 26, 2007, in Akron, Ohio. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc., Ebensburg, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.



KUSHNER - Freda Inez Burkett

KUSHNER - Freda Inez Burkett, 91, formerly of Geistown, passed away Aug. 28, 2007. Born Sept. 26, 1915, in Altoona, daughter of late Samuel and Gladys (Spicher) Claycomb. Preceded in death by first husband, William C. Burkett; second husband, John Kushner; companion, Boyd Plummer; and son, Charles Statler Burkett. Survived by daughters, Linda Burkett, married to Fred Herlinger, Tarentum, and Dr. Barbara Burkett, Barnum, N.Y.; grandchildren: Mindy Townsend; Shannon Hilbrecht, and husband, Chris; and Lauren Stevens; and great-grandchildren, Nathan and Owen Hilbrecht and Tiege Townsend. Friends received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Henderson Funeral Home, East Hills, where funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Pastor Ralph Cotten. Interment, Forest Lawn Memorial Park.



LAWHEAD - Rebecca Irene

LAWHEAD - Rebecca Irene, 84, New Florence, died Aug. 28, 2007, at Communities at Indian Haven. Born Aug. 12, 1923, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Bert and Rebecca (Henderson) Fisher. Also preceded in death by husband, Merle A. Lawhead; brothers, Ray, Burl, Thomas and Bert Fisher; and sisters, Emma Boring, Phyllis Howard and Annabelle Fisher. Survived by children, Linda Sisitki, and husband, Rudy, New Florence; Dean Lawhead, Washington, Pa.; and Wendy Boarts, and husband, Jim, Avonmore; also seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and brothers, Harry and Joseph Fisher, both of Johnstown. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, New Florence, where service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Pastor Ronald Durika. Interment, Germany Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to VNA Family Hospice, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, Pa. 15717.



REYNOLDS - Donald Marker

REYNOLDS - Donald Marker, 85, Richland Township, died Aug. 28, 2007, at Arbutus Park Manor. Born June 18, 1922, in Roaring Spring, son of Arthur E. and Bessie (Marker) Reynolds. Preceded in death by parents; son, Mark; and brother, Arthur E. Jr. Survived by wife, the former Lucille Dick, whom he married Dec. 24, 1947; daughters, Sharon, Richland, and Sheila, wife of Jim Little, Stewartstown; and daughter-in-law, Jerilyn Reynolds, widow of Mark, Hollsopple; also survived by grandchildren, David, Joshua and Jared Reynolds; Diana, wife of Mike Brewer; and Capt. Denise Little, U.S. Army; and great-grandchildren, Jesse and Gillian Brewer. Also survived by sister-in-law, Mildred "Dolly," widow of Arthur E. Reynolds Jr., and nephews, Arthur E. Reynolds III, Martinsburg, and Kenneth Reynolds, Alexandria. Member of Altoona Bible Church, where he sang in the choir and was active in the tape ministry. He was a licensed private pilot for 30 years and a member of Warrior Flying Club. Donald enjoyed traveling, hunting, playing the trombone, and was a skilled craftsman. He was a member of the Purple Heart Club. He was a retired industrial engineer from Bethlehem Steel Corp. Army veteran of World War II, where he was the recipient of the Purple Heart and five Bronze Stars. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at 11 a.m. Friday at Henderson Funeral Home, East Hills, Pastor Stewart McClelland. Interment, Richland Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted by Conemaugh Valley Detachment Marine Corps League. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions of Altoona Bible Church, 3017 Union Ave., Altoona, Pa. 16602.



SCEHNET - Richard Leroy

SCEHNET - Richard Leroy "Dick," 71, Waldorf, Md., went home to be with the Lord Aug. 26, 2007, at Civista Medical Center. Born Jan. 1, 1936, in Decatur, Ill., son of the late Everett and Louise (Wampler) Scehnet. Also preceded in death by brother, Ronald; brother-in-law, Merle Moyer; and nephew, Terry Stateler. Survived by wife of 40 years, former Eileen Moyer, and son, Bradley, both of Waldorf. Brother of Sharon, wife of Don Kimmons, Athens, Ill.; Phyllis, wife of Charles Stateler, Garland, Texas; Betty, wife of Richard Wolverton, Decatur; and Judy Scehnet, Springfield, Ill. Brother-in-law of Sue Scehnet, widow of Ronald, Mesa, Ariz., and Sharon Moyer, widow of Merle, Twinsburg, Ohio. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Richard was of the Assembly of God faith. Joined the Army in 1957 and served for three years. He had the honor of being stationed at the White House during the Eisenhower Administration from 1959-1960. Later he worked as an accountant, retiring in 2003 after 31 years of service in the Department of the Navy. Avid Chicago Cubs fan. He had a love of music and World War II history. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at The Meek and Dalla Valle Funeral Home Inc., Windber, where service will be held at noon Saturday. The Rev. John Jackson, pastor of Pentecostal Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, Central City, and the Rev. George Nelson from Balsta, Sweden, will officiate. Interment, Richland Cemetery.



SHRIFT - Leona M.

SHRIFT - Leona M. "Pee Wee," 95, Ebensburg, formerly of Summerhill, died Aug. 28, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Jan. 25, 1912, in Croyle Township, daughter of Peter R. and Stella (McCormick) Shrift. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Genevieve Frank, Rita Dierling and Laura C. Shrift; and brothers, Regis and James. Survived by brothers and sisters, Herb, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Ray, Summerhill; Eleanor Singer, Geistown; and Marian Madison, Summerhill; nephew, Jerry Frank, Bluemont, Va., whom she raised; sister-in-law, Irene Shrift, Summerhill; and numerous nieces and nephews. "Pee Wee" worked as a clerk at Acme Store in South Fork for 25 years and was an attendant at Ebensburg Center for 13 years. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Summerhill, and its Altar and Rosary Society. She graduated from Wilmore High School and Cambria-Rowe Business College. "Pee Wee" did not have children, but she was everyone's mother. She was a giving and caring person and an avid photographer. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home Inc., South Fork, where Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m and vigil for the deceased will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John's Catholic Church, Father Alfred Patterson, O.S.B. Committal, St. Mary's Cemetery, New Germany.



Today's Funerals

BRIDGES - Margaret Minnie, 11 a.m., Penial Praise Community Church. John Henderson Co. Funeral Home.

KEIPER - Merle W., 11 a.m., Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., downtown, 514 Somerset St.

PETAK - Agnes R., 1 p.m., St. John Gualbert Cathedral. Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., West Hills, 921 Menoher Blvd.

        

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