Obituaries 05/06/2006

ARMSTRONG – Joanne P.

ARMSTRONG – Joanne P., 69, formerly of Grove Avenue, Johnstown, died May 4, 2006, at Select Specialty Hospital. Born Jan. 31, 1937, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Wilbur W. and Elena B. (Lorenson) Armtrong. Survived by children: Linda Armstrong, Pueblo, Colo.; Gail Armstrong; Michael, married to the former Anne Kellar; Kathy Armstrong; and Debbie, wife of Larry Burkhard, all of Johnstown. A grandmother of Vincent, Amelia and Rochell Planell, also great-grandson, James Hicks. A sister of James Armstrong, and wife, Carol, of South Carolina. Retired office employee of Ferndale Area School District. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street. Funeral Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, Ohio Street and Grove Avenue, the Rev. William Lavelle. Private inurnment at Richland Cemetery at the convenience of the family.



BARNOSKY – Peter

BARNOSKY – Peter, 63, Beaver, Pa., formerly of Hastings, died May 5, 2006, at his daughter’s residence. Born April 21, 1943, in Spangler, son of John and Grace (Layton) Barnosky. Preceded in death by father; brother, Paul; and infant sister, Eve. Survived by mother, Cherry Tree; children, Peter (Bethany) Barnosky, Peterborough, N.H., and Carrie (Kevin) Foreman, Beaver, Pa.; granddaughters, Annika Barnosky and Mallory, Paige and Rebekah Foreman. Brother of John Barnosky, Clover; George Barnosky, Ephrata; Wanda Stein, Cherry Tree; and Helen Stein, William Barnosky and Diane Warner, all of Northern Cambria. Friends will be received from 1 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m. Sunday at Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria, Pastor James Whited officiating. Interment, North Barnesboro Cemetery.



BOWMAN – The Rev. Robert C.

BOWMAN – The Rev. Robert C., passed away on April 11, 2006, in Milwaukee, Wis. He was born Aug. 19, 1910, in Berwick, Pa., the son of Roy W. and Edith (Johnson) Bowman. He graduated from Johnstown High School, Johnstown. He worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. before entering Park College, Parkville, Mo., and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Missouri during his college years. He received his theology degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Ill., and was ordained in 1938 in Blairsville Presbytery, Pennsylvania. He married Helen L. Davis on May 2, 1938, in Evanston, Ill. He was the former minister of Presbyterian churches in Ohio, Iowa and Indiana. He presently resided in Trinity Village, Milwaukee, and was a member of Milwaukee Presbytery and Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon, Wis. He was a Mason, past Rotarian and Eagle Scout and served on many committees in his parishes. He is survived by his children, Judith (Charles) Holtz, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Ronald (Ann Dunlap), Bellevue, Wash.; Roberta (Joseph) Marchese, Peyton, Colo.; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Orzell, Hollsopple; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; brother, Mason Bowman; and sister, Barbara Mason. A memorial celebration service was held on Good Friday, April 14, at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon. Inurnment was in Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wis. Memorials are appreciated to the church, Trinity Village or Ruth Hospice. Krause Funeral Home, 7001 Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wis. 53223, assisted the family. krausefuneralhome.com.



FISHER – Gerald

FISHER – Gerald, a 1948 graduate of the former Johnstown Catholic High School, died May 4, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nev. He was the son of the late Karl and Mary Fisher of Moxham. He is survived by his wife, Rita; his children, Thomas, Tammy, Todd and Tim; and six grandchildren. A Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Burial will be in Las Vegas.



HARRIS – Delores J.

HARRIS – Delores J., 80, Laurel View Village, Davidsville, formerly of Ebensburg, died May 4, 2006. Born Dec. 26, 1925, in Summerhill, daughter of Harvey and Roselia (Geisler) Diamond. Preceded in death by parents and sister, Leona Ropecka. Survived by husband, Richard Harris, to whom she was married for 60 years; children: Deborah Ann (Spochart), wife of Joseph Miller, Ebensburg, and Denise Ann, wife of William LeHew, Johnstown; four grandchildren: Michael, and wife, Brandi Spochart; David Spochart; and Eric and Brian LeHew; and a great-grandson, Kyler Spochart. She was the last surviving family member. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and was past senior regent of Women of the Moose Lodge 681, Ebensburg. An avid Girl Scout leader, knitter, gardener and crocheter. A volunteer at Holy Name School and Catholic Church, Ebensburg. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the George E. Mason Funeral Home Inc., Davidsville, where a vigil of the deceased will be held at 5:45 p.m. Sunday. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, the Rev. Sean Code officiating. Interment, St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Germany.



HART – Helen M.

HART – Helen M., 100, of Geistown, died May 5, 2006, at Memorial Medical Center, Downtown Campus. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Geistown. Full obituary will be published in Sunday’s paper.



KIFER – Kevin Karl

KIFER – Kevin Karl, son of Burton L. and the late Elaine Allen Kifer, former Johnstown residents, died April 4, 2006, in Cheyenne, Wyo. He is survived by his father in Arlington, Texas; brother, Alan C. (and wife, Nory), Kansas City, Kan.; sister, Kandace Ann Hartwick (and husband, John), Allen, Texas; niece, Skye Kifer; nephews, Aaron Kifer and Mark Hartwick; and the many friends he made on his journey.



RAGER – Richard H.

RAGER – Richard H. “Dick,” 73, Windber, passed away suddenly of an aneurysm May 5, 2006, at Memorial Medical Center, Main Campus. Born Jan. 30, 1933, in Johnstown, son of Gus Rager and Elizabeth Havener. Preceded in death by stepmother, Florence Williams Rager; father, Gus Rager; stepfather, Russell Havener; mother, Elizabeth Havener; and sister, Carolyn Berkhammer. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, the former Lois Powers; son, Richard J. “Rick,” married to the former Glenda Miller, Johnstown; daughter, Cheryl, and fiance, John Heinbaugh, Slickville, Pa.; sisters, Phyllis, wife of Jack Steves, Johnstown, and Jane, wife of James Simmons, New Bern, N.C.; brothers, Harry, Seward, and Larry “Moe,” married to the former Myra Shetler, Johnstown; and grandchildren, Carly Rager, Johnstown, and Airman 1st Class Joshua Rager, Bowling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., children of Richard J. Rager and Evelyn Walat. Dick was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. A 1953 graduate of the Army Aviation School, Fort Sill, Okla., where he trained to be a helicopter mechanic. During his military service he received two Purple Hearts, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. Dick served in the National Guard upon his return from the war as a tank commander. Dick was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 4795; Korean Veteran’s Association, Post No. 1; and an active member of the Korean Service Veterans Association of Pennsylvania. He was also a member of the Johnstown BPOE Home Association Elks, Johnstown, and the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association. Dick retired from Bethlehem Mines and Sears Roebuck. Dick was a coach for the Johnstown Youth hockey league in the 1970s. He was an avid gardener, reader and nature lover and friend of animals. Dick and Lois enjoyed yearly vacations to Jamaica, where they made many friends. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Don Seese. Johnstown Elks Lodge 175 will hold a ritual service at 7 p.m. Sunday. Interment will take place at Richland Cemetery with military rites conducted by Menoher Post #155 VFW Ritual Team.



THOMAS – Kathleen P.

THOMAS – Kathleen P., 78, Westmont, died May 4, 2006, at Laurel View Village. Born Sept. 16, 1927, in Johnstown, daughter of John Petz and Rose (Petz) Carazola. Preceded in death by parents and stepfather, John Carazola. Survived by loving husband of 56 years, Van Dyke Thomas; daughter, Vanessa, married to Dan L. Hummel, Johnstown; and grandson, Bryan D. Hummel. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Co-owned and operated the Tioga Street Market for 35 years, retiring in 1987. Longtime member of Our Mother of Sorrows Church, where family and friends will meet for a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, the Very Rev. Paul E. Turnbull, V.F., and the Rev. Francis Balestino, concelebrants. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Committal Grandview Cemetery.



WESTRICK – Derek Walter

WESTRICK – Derek Walter, 20, Sanford, N.C., passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2006. Funeral Mass will be conducted 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Stephen Catholic Church by Father John Forbes. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Derek was born in Johnstown, Pa., formerly of Ebensburg, Pa., and a sophomore at Appalachian State University. He had a great smile and a great sense of humor. Derek loved music and football, especially the Pittsburg Steelers and Penn State University Nittany Lions. He is survived by his parents, Lori and Mark Westrick; a sister, Diana Marie Westrick, of the home; a brother, Dylan Luke Westrick, of the home; maternal grandparents, Walter and Marie Lieb of Ebensburg, Pa.; paternal grandparents, Bernard T. and Anna Marie Westrick, of Ebensburg, Pa.; and many uncles, aunts and cousins, along with his loving pets. Memorial contributions can be made to Bethesda Link, C/O Sandhills Mental Health Center, Post Office Box 9, West End, N.C. 27376. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Rogers-Pickard Funeral Home, Sanford, N.C., and other times at the home.



ZUFALL – Frances Z.

ZUFALL – Frances Z., 90, of Stoystown, died May 5, 2006, at Somerset Hospital. Born May 20, 1915, in Quemahoning Twp., daughter of Jacob P. and Miriam (Mostoller) Zimmerman. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Calvin W.; brothers, John and Samuel; and sister, E. Christine Koontz. Survived by children: Stephen, married to the former Claire Marchant, of Somerset, and Jennifer of Stoystown; and grandchildren: Rachael, Benjamin, Leah and Zachary Zufall. Sister of C. David Zimmerman, and wife, Joan, and Joy, married to Thomas M. Zimmerman, both of Stoystown; Maxine Pierce, Ruth Pile and Thomas H. Zimmerman, and wife, Verdean, all of Friedens. Also survived by sisters-in-law: Elaine and Georgiana Zimmerman. She was a graduate of Stoystown High School and Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Retired registered nurse from Medical Associates, Stoystown office. Former director of nursing at Somerset Hospital and former co-owner of Stoystown Tank and Steel Co. Member of Grace Lutheran Church, Stoystown; Forbes Area Senior Citizens; and Stoyestown Area Historical Society. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and needlework. Family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Deaner Funeral Home, Stoystown. Viewing from 1 p.m. until service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, Stoystown, the Rev. Walter L. Startzel officiating. Interment, Odd Fellows Cemetery, Stoystown. Instead of flowers, contributions may be given to Verland, 212 Iris Rd., Sewickley, Pa. 15143-2400, or Western Pa. School for Blind Children, Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213.



Today's Funerals

COOPER – Richard F. Jr., 10:30 a.m., Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Davidsville.

GLAVACH – Carrie Marie (Rose), noon, St. Benedict Catholic Church. Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd.

GRIMES – Elliott, 1:30 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, Coupon. Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville.

HALL – George E. “Rev,” “Red,” 11 a.m., John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave.

JONES – James M. Jr., 1 p.m., Holy Name Church. Askew-Houser Funeral Home Inc., Ebensburg.

KLIMECK – Barbara Ann (Snyder), 1:30 p.m., St. Benedict Catholic Church. Henderson Funeral Home, East Hills, 2503 Bedford St.

MARSH – Mildred G. “Millie” (Lindstrom), 10 a.m., First Lutheran Church. Geisel Funeral Home, Dale.

McCANN – Rosella Marie, 10 a.m., St. John Gualbert Cathedral. Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., Downtown, 514 Somerset St.

O’CONNOR – Doris A. (Sopich), 2 p.m., Mount Laurel United Church of Christ. Hoffman Funeral Homes.

PALUCH – Joseph Sr., 11 a.m., St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. Jean H. Kinley Funeral Home, Beaverdale.

SHULTZ – Ruth M. “Ruby” Glass, 10 a.m., St. Francis Xavier Church. Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson.

WEAVER – Patricia, 11 a.m., Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.

WERTZ – Patricia M., 1 p.m., United Methodist Church. Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg.

WYSOCKI – Peter T., 11:30 a.m., St. Benedict Church. Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria.

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