BAIRD – Robert P.

BAIRD – Robert P., 76, Bolivar, died April 30, 2007, at home. Born March 14, 1931, in Bolivar, the son of late William and Amelia (Clark) Baird. Also preceded in death by wife, Beatrice (Gibson) Baird; sons, Richard and Keith Baird; brothers, Russell, Charles, Clark, Johnny, Perry and Tom Baird; and sister, Martha McClarren. Survived by children, Roger Baird, Punxsutawney; Belinda Betts, Blairsville; Robert Baird Jr., Johnstown; and Randy Baird, Rodney Baird and Clark Baird, all of Bolivar; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and brother, Walter Baird, Bolivar. Retired employee of Garfield Refractories. Enjoyed hunting. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, New Florence, where service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Interment, Bethel Cemetery.



BOLDIZAR – Sister Mary Agnes

BOLDIZAR – Sister Mary Agnes, 102, Daughter of Divine Charity, died April 23, 2007, at the convent of St. Joseph Hill Academy, Staten Island, N.Y. Born May 25, 1904, in Gallitzin, the daughter of the late Gabriel and Mencie (Kish) Boldizar. Preceded in death by sisters, Helen, Anna, Mary Bauer, Alma Tutko and Pauline Fontaine, and brothers, Gabriel, John, Frank and Walter. Survived by a sister, Olga Olson of Canfield, Ohio; brothers, Paul (Mildred) of York and George (Mary Margaret) of Gallitzin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sister celebrated 85 years as a nun in 2006. Funeral Mass was held April 26, 2007, at the convent chapel and committal was held in Bethlehem, Pa.



CALLAWAY – Ernest Lee

CALLAWAY – Ernest Lee, 59, of Johnstown, died April 28, 2007. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Stevens Memorial Holy Church, 317 William Penn Ave., Prospect, where Pastor Charles Johnson will hold homegoing service at 11 a.m. Saturday. Moskal Funeral Home, West End, is in charge of arrangements. Complete obituary in Thursday’s paper.



COLANANNI – James P.

COLANANNI – James P., 77, Seward, died April 29, 2007, at Beacon Ridge, Indiana. Born Aug. 9, 1929, in Seward, son of the late Loreto and Romaine (Ambrose) Colananni. Also preceded in death by his loving wife, Angeline (Balestrino) Colananni. Devoted father to surviving sons, Vincent Colananni, New Florence, and special friend, Nancy O’Hara; and John Colananni, and wife Lori, Indiana; grandson, Michael Colananni, Indiana; sister, Jean Patterson, and husband, Arnold “Jake,” Seward. Member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Seward; Seward Volunteer Fire Company; and Thomas R. Lewis VFW Post 7022, Seward. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Retired employee of Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad and lifelong railroader. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, New Florence. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Seward, the Rev. John Wilt. Interment, Armagh Cemetery. Parish rosary at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Military graveside rites by local veterans organizations.



DEWAR-CLARK – Dorinda Ann

DEWAR-CLARK – Dorinda Ann, 43, formerly of Westmont, died April 28, 2007. Born Dec. 13, 1963, in Pittsburgh, daughter of Jim and Patti Dewar. Preceded in death by grandparents. Survived by parents; husband, Robert M. Clark, Ph.D.; son, Oakes Dewar Salancy; and daughter, Khalen Dewar Clark; brother, Dr. James, married to Dr. Stephanie Dewar, of Ohio; sister, Laura, married to Dr. Kevin Cregan, of North Carolina; nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Katie and Andy Dewar; Cory, Devin, Riley and Brianne Cregan; Jonathan, Jamie, Timothy, Stephanie, Krystyne, April and Ashley Clark; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edgar and Nancy Clark; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edgar and Amy Clark; Don and Terri Clark; Brenda Clark; aunts and uncles, Ed and Carole Trosch, Georgia and Ed Matthews, and Jack and Tootie Dewar. A 1981 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School with honors. Graduated “cum laude” from Williams College, where she excelled at varsity women’s rugby. Attended Penn Dental and Wharton business schools. She supported her family through hard work and dedication. She was the customer service manager for Dewar’s Car World and during her most recent career, she won various national awards for her managerial and sales accomplishments with numerous major pharmaceutical companies. Dorinda loved to ski, read, paint, horseback ride, vacation at the beach, play piano, and spend time with her family and friends. She also loved her home on Laurel Mountain and her Akita, Rambo. We will miss her beautiful smile, joyous laughter and giving spirit. She was a member of Westmont Presbyterian Church, where family and friends will meet for a funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dr. Larry Choittner, Dr. William Jackson and Dr. Douglas Stevens officiating. Friends received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Interment, Unity Cemetery, Plum Borough. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund at the Westmont Presbyterian Church or the Lymphoma Society of Pittsburgh in her memory.



GEMZA – Genevieve

GEMZA – Genevieve “Gen,” 94, of East Taylor Township, passed away on April 30, 2007, at Arbutus Park Manor. She was born on Nov. 25, 1912, in Johnstown, daughter of Waclaw and Frances (Ratkowski) Petrowski. Preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter (2000); sisters, Sister Mary Colombiere and Peggy; brothers, Stanley, Phillip and Frank. She is survived by a daughter, Barbara, wife of William Baughman, East Taylor Township; grandchildren, Richard “Rick” Baughman, married to the former Christina DeYulis, Ebensburg, and Denise, wife of John Headlund, Johnstown; great-grandchildren, Danielle and Matthew Baughman; brother, William, married to Wilma, Johnstown; sister, Helen Hecker, Johnstown; sisters-in-law, Margaret Petrowsky and Frances Petrowski, both of Johnstown, and Frances Petrowski, Akron, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. Genevieve was an active member of Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church. Family and friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel, Conemaugh, where vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church, the Rev. Father Robert C. Hall. Committal will be held at Grandview Cemetery.



KOPERA – Dorothy N.

KOPERA – Dorothy N., 78, Patton, passed away on April 30, 2007, at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. She was born Jan. 9, 1929, in Van Ormer, Pa., the daughter of Ray and Martha (Boring) Bott. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen J. Kopera, and numerous sisters and brothers. She is survived by her children: Barbara (Patrick) Fogle, Patton; Stephen Joseph (Kimberly) Kopera, Altoona; Patricia J. (Edward C.) Bender, St. Augustine; and Duane Kopera, at home; grandchildren: Patrick Fogle, Rebecca Diehl, Troy and Dustin Bender, Katrina Gregory, Lysle and Kelcie Weaver; great-grandson, Brandon Diehl. She is also survived by sisters, Catherine Platko, Arizona, and Louise Baker and Betty Kordish, both of Hastings, and numerous nieces and nephews. Private visitation and services will be held at Stevens Funeral Home Inc., 1004 N. Fifth Ave., Patton, by the Rev. John F. Dallape. Interment, St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the American Heart Association. (www.stevensfh.com)



PFISTER – Catherine R.

PFISTER – Catherine R. “Casey,” 78, formerly of York, Pa., and Johnstown, Pa., died Friday, April 27, 2007, at Hospice of the Piedmont Hospice House in Charlottesville. She was wife of the late Robert McDonough Pfister. A viewing was held Sunday at John W. Keffer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 2114 W. Market St., York, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday at St. Rose of Lima Church, 950 W. Market St., York, with the Rev. Thomas R. Hoke, celebrant. Committal, Holy Saviour Cemetery. Mrs. Pfister was born March 14, 1929, in Johnstown, a daughter of the late Toribio and Perina (Shorto) Verrone. She retired from York Federal Savings and Loan, where she had served as a collections officer. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church in York and the York Catholic High School Athletic Association. She attended the Charlottesville Senior Center and was a graduate of Johnstown High School. Mrs. Pfister is survived by two sons, Timothy J. Pfister, and his wife, Cecily, of New Hope, Pa., and Eric R. Pfister, and his wife, Courtney, of Charlottesville; two grandchildren, Robert and Christine Pfister; two sisters, Minnie Bermosk and Jean Patterson, and her husband, Jack, both of Johnstown; two brothers Dr. Geswaldo Verrone, and his wife, Andree, of Gaithersburg, Md., and Dr. Anthony Verrone of New York, N.Y.; nieces, Carol Patterson, Sona Davis and Lisa Bonanno; and nephew, Mark Verrone. She was preceded in death by a sister Corie Sallese. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church, 950 W. Market St., York, Pa. 17404, or to York Catholic High School Athletic Assn. 601 E. Springettsbury Ave., York, Pa. 17403.



POLIMINE – The Rev. Alan F.

POLIMINE – The Rev. Alan F. Polimine, TOR, 79, died Sunday, April 29, 2007, at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Father was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 11, 1927, the son of Fortunato and Rosalie (Borello) Polimine. He professed his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on July 16, 1953. On July 15, 1956, he professed his solemn vows. He studied at The Catholic University of America, receiving his B.A. in philosophy in 1956, and where he took graduate studies in language. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1959, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. For a short time, he was chaplain at St. Gabriel Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. From 1960 to 1965 he was a teacher of religion and English at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minn. He was named Novice Master at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg, Pa., from 1965 to 1968. At St. Thomas More House of Studies in Washington, D.C., Father Alan was the Director of Professed from 1968 to 1974. He was then named pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona, Pa., from 1974 to 1982, and then was named pastor of the former St. Anthony Church in Johnstown. He then returned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona, where he served as parochial vicar. In October 1999, Father retired at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg, where he resided until his death. Father is predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Grace, Santa and Rose; and his brothers, Ben and Dominick. He is survived by his Franciscan Community; his sisters, Josephine Middlebrooks, Angelina Mancuso and Antoinette Taggio; his brother, Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. The viewing will take place from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Altoona, where there will be a wake service at 8 p.m. His funeral Mass will be at noon Wednesday at the church with burial at the community cemetery at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg. Arrangements by the Santella Funeral Home, Altoona.



SCHMERER-GARLESKY – Dawn C. (Spangler)

SCHMERER-GARLESKY – Dawn C. (Spangler), 64, Hill Avenue, Hollsopple, died April 29, 2007, at the Regional Hospice at Windber. Born July 7, 1942, in Johnstown, daughter of Earl Sr. and Kathryn (Weaverling) Spangler. Preceded in death by parents; first husband, John Schmerer, in August of 1968; sisters, Jackie Horbal and Betty Nycz; and brother, Earl Jr. Survived by children, Douglas Schmerer, married to Lisa Ketner, Hollsopple; Daniel Schmerer, at home; Vikki (Schmerer) Cramer, Westmont; and Jennifer Garlesky, at home; five grandchildren, Cayla, Travis and Jonah Cramer, and Brittany and Stephen Ketner; and former husband, George Garlesky, Hollsopple. Sister of Robert Spangler and Mary Kathryn Snyder, both of Oklahoma; Delores Bennett, Johnstown; and Audra Hurst, Virginia. A graduate of Johnstown High School. Former employee of G.M. Honkus & Sons Recycling Center, Windber. Active member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Davidsville. Volunteer at Laurel View Village and many other local organizations. The most important part of her life was family and friends. Viewing from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Davidsville, where vigil for the deceased will be held Wednesday afternoon. Service at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, the Rev. Father Michael Lewandowski, OFM Conv., officiating. Committal, Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorials to the Regional Hospice at Windber, 600 Somerset Ave., Windber, Pa. 15963, would be appreciated.



STEPHENS – Robert L.

STEPHENS – Robert L. “Bob,” 68, of Mundys Corner, passed away April 28, 2007. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc., Nanty Glo, and from 10:30 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pike Grace Brethren Church, Mundys Corner.



Today's Funerals

McCLEARY – Mrs. Vivian Rebecca (Rigby) Alt, 11 a.m., Geisel-Devlin Memorial Chapel, Dale. Geisel Funeral Home.

SUPANICK – Frank W. Sr., 11 a.m., Mount Laurel United Church of Christ. Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell.