Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Irene Yaras
Irene Yaras, 82, of Sizerville Road, Emporium, died in her home Wednesday, August 25, 2004, following a lengthy illness.
Born July 25, 1922 in Prospect, she was the daughter of Adam and Anna Hemmerley Pekney.
In 1943 in Pittsburgh, she married Antony L. Yaras who survives.
Mrs. Yaras attended Butler High School and was a resident of Cameron County for 45 years.
From 1959 until 1973 when she retired, she was the owner/operator of Lake View Hotel in Sinnemahoning.
Survivors include: one son, Gary Yaras of Austin; five daughters, Sandra L. Carey of Cuba, NY, Cynthia Clark and Pam Copp both of Emporium, Irene Hoffman of Howell, Michigan, and Linda Yaras of Smethport; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and also nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Yaras was predeceased by her parents, five brothers and six sisters.
Friends will be received in the Coppersmith-Condon Funeral Home, Emporium, Saturday, August 28, 2004 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. At which time Funeral and Committal Services will be held with the Rev. Dwight Simpson, pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Emporium, officiating.
Burial will be in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Curtis Ramsey
Curtis Ramsey, 79, of Coudersport, died Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2004) at the Bath (N.Y.) Veterans Hospital.
Born Oct. 1, 1924, in Bolivar, he was a son of Franklin and Helen Miller Ramsey. On Oct. 22, 1988, in Indiana, he married Gladys M. Risinger, who survives.
Mr. Ramsey was a graduate of Brush Valley High School.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army, where he received the Purple Heart and five Bronze Stars.
Mr. Ramsey had been employed as a stone cutter with Everett Saulter for many years.
He was a member of the American Legion Potter Post #192 and the Disabled American Veterans.
Surviving in addition to his wife are four sons, Robert Ramsey, Walter "Wally" Ramsey and William Ramsey, all of Coudersport, Lisa Gordon of Harrisburg, Patty Ramsey of Albuquerque, N.M., and Cora Bennett of Erie; two stepdaughters, Sharon Benemati of Indiana, and Roberta McGinnis of Shinglehouse; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Ramsey and Harry Ramsey, both of Emporium; and his twin sisters, Joan and Joyce in California.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be no visitation. Services will be held at the convenience of the family with full military rites accorded by the Potter County Honor Guard. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 E. Second St., Coudersport, Pa., 16915.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Fickinger Funeral Home.
Vera Robertson
Vera C. Robertson, 100, formerly of Park Road, died Monday, June 14, 2004, in Pinecrest Manor, St. Marys.
Born October 2, 1903 in Economy, she was the daughter of Harvey and Mary Haggerty Robertson.
After graduating from high school, Vera attended the University of Pittsburgh and was a Registered Nurse.
A resident of St. Marys since 1954, she was an optician and secretary and was employed for 35 years by Dr. Irene Armstrong before retiring in 1989.
Ms. Robertson was a member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church in St. Marys.
She is the last surviving member of her immediate family.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Harry and Marion, and by two sisters, Edna and Ruth.
Friends will be received in the Coppersmith-Condon Funeral Home, Emporium, Thursday, June 17 from 10 until 11 a.m. at which time Funeral and Committal Services will be held with the Rev. William Milligan, Pastor of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Burial will be in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorials, may be made to the Shiloh Abiding Memorial Fund c/o Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 217 Washington St., St. Marys, PA 15857.
Gertrude Collins
Gertrude F. Collins, 83, of 6777 Third Street, Driftwood, died Tuesday (June 15, 2004) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, following a lengthy illness.
Born May 28, 1921, in Norwich Township, she was the daughter of William Lee and Freezie Huey McCombie. On June 6, 1947, in Driftwood Methodist Church, she married Byron C. Collins, who died in 1990.
Mrs. Collins was a lifelong Cameron County resident, graduated from Emporium High School and Williamsport Tech. She served with the Army Air Corp from 1944 to 1946. She was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office for 30 years and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Grange, and Retired Postal Workers.
She is survived by two nephews, Lynn McCombie of Driftwood and Carl McCombie of Lewistown.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Merle and Leonard McCombie.
Friends were received Thursday (June 17, 2004) in the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home, where an Eastern Star service was held. Funeral and committal services were held Friday (June 18, 2004) in the Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dwight Simpson, pastor of the Down County Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was held in Newton Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Memorials may be made to Grove House, Old West Creek Road, Emporium.
Elizabeth Gates
Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Gates, 84, of Roanoke, Va., died Saturday (March 6, 2004) at the Salem Health and Rehab Center of Salem, Va., following a lengthy illness.
She had lived in Roanoke for the past 42 years. She was a member of Emanuel Wesleyan Church, of Roanoke and had been a Sunday School teacher, C.Y.C. youth director, vacation bible school director, sang in the church choir and many other ministries of the church.
Surviving are her husband of 66 1/2 years, Harold J. Gates; two sons, George H. Gates of Williamson, N.Y. and Orville J. Gates of Roanoke; two daughters, Arneata L. Cope of Crawfordsville, Ind. and Bette Z. Gates of Coudersport; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two half-brothers, William S. Victory of Wyalusing and Robert F. Victory of New Smyrna, Fla.; many nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Rachel Muse of Roanoke.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Sidney and Clella L. Victory; two sisters, Helen Benner of Tonawanda, N.Y. and Leathie L. Horn of Emporium; a brother, Harry Grant Victory of Emporium and a grandchild, Alan T. Lucas.
Funer services were held Wednesday (March 11, 2004) at Oakey's North Chapel, Roanoke, where Pastor Mike Ennis officiated.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International or the American Diabetes Association.
John Kalisz
John J. Kalisz, 79, of Bristol, CT, died Saturday (June 12, 2004) at home. Born July 6, 1924, in Edwardsville, he was a son of the late William and Anna (Bubon) Kalisz. A U.S. Army veteran of WWII, he formerly resided in Farmington for 17 years before moving to the Emporium area in 1976, where he lived until moving to Bristol in 2002. He was a carpenter and member of Carpenter's Local #24.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Kalisz is survived by two sons, John W. Kalisz of Estes Park, CO, and Robert Kalisz of Bristol; three daughters, Kathryn Donovan of Bristol, Becky Berarducci of Plainville, and Linda Pleva of Windsor Locks; a brother, William Kalisz of New Britain; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two sons, Charles "Mike" and Paul Kalisz.
Funeral and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorials may be made to Bristol Hospital Hospice, 7 North Washington St., Plainville, CT 06062.
Gaylord McIsaac
Gaylord G. McIsaac, 69, of Driftwood, died Sunday (March 21, 2004) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys.
Born Sept. 24, 1934, in Sinnemahoning, he was the son of George A. and Rachel Duell McIsaac. On Aug. 24, 1957 in Castle Garden Wesleyan Methodist Church, he married Maxine Dempsey, who survives.
Mr. McIsaac was a lifetime resident of Cameron County and attended Emporium High School. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958. He worked construction for the Union in Bradford for 36 years and was employed by the railroad for 18 years.
He was a member of Driftwood Masonic Lodge 532 and Emporium Moose Lodge 368.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his stepmother, Barbara McIsaac of Emporium; two daughters, Rachel Moate of Sterling Run and Mary Catalone of Emporium; two sons, Gaylord G. McIsaac Jr. and James E. McIsaac, both of Driftwood; three grandchildren; five sisters, Donna Lovett of Renovo, Inez Good of Dover, Isola Winston of Driftwood, Georgeann Work of Shelocta and Robin Woods of Emporium and one brother, Neil McIsaac of Emporium.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Miller and a brother, George "Buddy" McIsaac.
Funeral and committal services were held Wednesday, (March 24, 2004) in the Down County Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dwight Simpson, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Castle Garden Cemetery.
Military Honors were accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Keith McLaughlin
Keith E. McLaughlin, 17, of Ridgway, died Friday (June 11, 2004) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys.
He was born Dec. 15, 1986, in Coudersport, a son of Duane and Sally McLaughlin.
He was a member of this year's junior class of Ridgway High School and was to return in the fall as a senior. He was a past member of the Ridgway schools basketball program.
Surviving are his parents; two brothers, Cody McLaughlin and Dusty McLaughlin, both of Ridgway; maternal grandmother, Caroline P. Kellner of Port Allegany; paternal grandparents Donovan and Mary McLaughlin of Keating Summit; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert L. Kellner on May 6, 2004; and by one aunt, Deborah Arnett.
Funeral and committal services were held Tuesday (June 15, 2004) at the Robert J. Hartle Funeral Home Inc., Port Allehany, where the Rev. Rock Pifer, pastor of the Free Methodist Chruch of Gardeau, officiated. Burial was in the Portage Township Cemetery, Sizerville.
Contributions may be made to the McLaughlin family.
William Munsell
William Harry Leroy Munsell, 89, of 220 West Allegany Avenue, died Tuesday (March 23, 2004) in Guy and Mary Felt Manor.
Born Feb. 17, 1915 in Emporium, he was the son of William G. and Helen Rudolph Munsell. On June 30, 1944 in Shiloh Presbyterian Church, St. Marys, he married Marguerite E. Ginther, who survives.
Mr. Munsell was a graduate of Emporium High School. He was a material expeditor at Sylvania, in Emporium, for 23 years and was a highway foreman for PennDOT for 11 years. He was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army, serving in World War II from 1941 to 1945 and a member of the Army Reserves from 1945 to 1948.
He was a member and Past Post Commander of American Legion Post 194 and VFW Miller-Raffaele Post 6221.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Gretta Erickson of Emporium; two sons, William G. Munsell of Emporium and Don Rudy Munsell of Austin; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a nephew.
Funeral and committal services will be held today (Saturday, March 27, 2004) at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Rock Pifer, pastor of the Free Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Newton Cemetery.
Military honors will be accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
William Wright Jr.
William "Boo" Wright Jr., 54, of Rifle, Colorado, formerly of Emporium and West Mifflin, died accidentally Saturday (June 5, 2004) in Colorado.
Born June 10, 1949, in McKeesport, he was the son of William E. and Carol Young Wright Sr., who survive.
Wright was a self employed carpenter and a member of the Moose Lodge.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a daughter, Heidi Wall of West Mifflin; two sons, Christopher William Wright of Emporium, and William Hostetler, also of Emporium; a granddaughter, Nicolina Marie Wall; a brother, David Wright of West Newton; a sister, Deborah Wright of West Mifflin; and a niece and nephew, David and Danielle Wright of West Newton.
Friends were received Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10, 2004 at the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home, 1701 State Route 51 (Large), Jefferson Hills, Pa. 15025, where funeral services were held Friday (June 11, 2004) with Pastor Bob Titus of Lebanon Presbyterian Church in West Mifflin, officiating. Burial was held in Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, West Mifflin.
Donations may be made to The Center of Hearing & Deaf Services, 1945 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 or Magee-Women's Hospital NICU, Forbes Ave., & Halket Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213.
Ameliann Tessena
Ameliann Tessena, 88, of Smethport, formerly of Crosby, died Thursday (March 18, 2004) in Sean-Kean Manor.
Born May 9, 1915, in Crosby, she was a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Curran McKiernan. In 1945, in Smethport, she married Myron Tessena, who died Nov. 5, 1963.
Mrs. Tessena was a 1932 graduate of Norwich High School and attended St. Vincent's School of Nursing, where she received her nursing degree. She was a registered nurse, employed by the Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital for 32 years. She retired in 1977 from her last duties there as central supply supervisor.
She was a member of St. Elizabeth Church and the American Legion Auxiliary, John Berg Post 976, Crosby.
Surviving are three sons, Thomas Tessena of Bradford, Michael Tessena of Smethport and Terry F. Tessena of Woodland, Miss.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Francis Mulvihill and Janet Putnam, both of Crosby; and two brothers, Michael McKiernan of Emporium and William McKiernan of Warren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday (March 20) from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, where the Rev. David Prenatt was celebrant and Monsignor Thomas C. Geddes, con-celebrant. Committal was in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Smethport.
Memorials may be made to the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, Smethport.
