Obituaries

It is with sadness because of the loss, but also joy at the promise of the resurrection that the family and friends of the Rev. Edwin E. “Ed” McElroy, a retired elder, learned of his death Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at his home in New Castle.  Ed was born on April 25, 1944 to the late James and Mary McElroy McElravy in Karns City, PA. He was married to Doris Walter in 1984. She preceded him in death in 2004. A graduate of Karns City High School, Slippery Rock State College and the Methodist ...

Rev. Lionel Eugene Sayers, 94, Pastor Emeritus of Evans Memorial United Methodist Church, passed away Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at his residence in Bradford, with his loving wife of 75 years by his side. Born Jan. 11, 1925, in Parnassus, he was a son of the late Russell Sayers Sr. and Martha Musthaf Sayers Moorehead. Lionel attended Clarion Limestone High School. He enlisted in the United States Army Infantry and was honorably discharged. Lionel's career started as a lineman at Bell Telephone. On ...

The Rev. Robert S. Lash, a former Washington District Superintendent whose active ministry spanned 55 years, passed from this life on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 at the age of 87.  Born in Venetia in 1931, the son of the late William and Myrtle Lash, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Washington and Jefferson College, a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity from Washington and Jefferson. He began serving a circuit of ...

Mary Jo Oldham, the surviving spouse of the late Rev. Roy Olham, passed away September 17, 2019 in Florida. Rev. Oldham, who passed away in Florida in 2005, was transferred from the West Virginia Methodist Conference to the Pittsburgh Conference and served at Wrights Methodist Church from 1955-57 and at the Pittsburgh Wesley Foundation from 1957-1960. He then served at St. Petersburg Junior College in Florida until 1981, when he retired.  Mary Jo was living in Seminole, Fl. at the time she ...

Nancy B. Hankey, wife of pastor Rev. Ronald Hankey, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 in Grove City at the age of 82. Born November 8, 1936 in Redbank, she was the daughter of Homer and Gladys (Hawk) Buzard.    Nancy graduated from Union High School in Rimersburg in 1954. Upon graduation she attended Clarion State College and obtained her Bachelors Degree. Nancy later went on to obtain her Masters Degree from Edinboro University.    She married Ronald Hankey on June 14, 1958 and he ...

Rev. Harold Ray “Hal” Kelly, 94, of Meadville, a former missionary, pastor and District Superintendent, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2019 with his wife of 70 years, Peggy, by his side.   Hal was born October 6, 1924 in Jamestown, NY to Ray Kelly and Pearl Wells Kelly.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Anne Nerger and two brothers, Paul Kelly and Joe Kelly.  He was the father of Kathryn Kelly Hibler (John), Zanesville, OH, Gregory Kelly (Elizabeth), Fort Meyers, FL, ...

Susan Kathleen Solida, 72, wife of the Rev. Ralph H. Solida, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on September 10, 2019, at Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Born April 15, 1947 in Oil City, to the late William Preston and M. Arlene Neely McCray, Susan grew up in Petroleum Center, PA where her father managed the family’s oil wells on the McCray Farm before deciding to become a Methodist minister. She had many happy memories of her family home in Petroleum Center, often ...

Jacqueline "Jackie" D. Bish, 81, of Kittanning, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 2019, surrounded by her daughters. Jackie was born January 14, 1938, in Conneaut Lake, PA, to the late F. Arthur and Helen Langley. She was a general supervisor at PPG Industries for 18 years, at which point she then answered God's call and became an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated from the Wesley ...

Pamela Rose (Griffin) Myers, 70, of Ruffs Dale, passed away in the early morning hours on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Select Specialty Care, Latrobe. Pam was born Nov. 2, 1948, in Fort Lee, Va., a daughter of the late Olen Leroy and Syble (Harris) Griffin. She married James Ray Myers on July 12, 1966. Pam was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her family. She graduated from Thomasdale High School in Chester, Va., and received her master's degree from Indiana University....

Pastor Timothy "Tim" C. Shindledecker, 80, of DuBois, passed away at his home Tuesday, August 13, 2019. Born November 6, 1938, in Reynoldsville, he was the son of the late George Leonard Shindledecker and Hallie Rosetta (Lingenfelter) Shindledecker. He married Ruth Mae (Bochert) Shindledecker on October 15, 1967. She preceded him in death on November 26, 2016. Their faith in Christ and in each other was strong, and they are now reunited in God's Heavenly Kingdom. Mr. Shindledecker was an ...

Mildred M. Huntsman 98, of Rochester died on Friday,  August 9, 2019 in Masonic Village. She was born on October 26, 1920 in Williamsfield, IL., the daughter of the late Rev. James  and Virginia MacRill. She was a longtime and active member of Faith Community United Methodist Church in Rochester. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Dr. Ralph Huntsman, 3 siblings, a daughter-in-law, Becky and a great grand daughter. She is survived by her 3 sons, Paul ...

Pastor Herbert D. “Herb” Phar, 77, of Derry Township, passed away peacefully at his home on July 6, 2019 surrounded by his family following a brief battle with cancer. A retired local pastor, he had been serving since 2016 as pastor of Bradenville UMC. Born July 12, 1941 in McKeesport, the son of the late Robert C. and Ruth L. (Duke) Phar, Herb was a graduate of McKeesport High School and earned an associate’s degree in Industrial Electricity. He served in the U.S.  Army for three years and ...

Ruth J. Huson, 84, of Johnstown, died May 14, 2019 at Westmont Woods. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. William B. Huson, who passed away in 2015. Born July 19, 1934 in Rochester, daughter of William and Harriet (Slayton) McKay. Preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Frank and Amanda Slayton, who raised her; her loving husband Rev. William B. Huson; sons William and Scott; brother George and sister Dorothy Harding. She is survived by daughters, Denise Lynn (Mark Miller) of ...

Rev. Fred J. Moore, 84, of Rew, PA, who served in the Wesleyan Church in Western NY and later as a supply pastor for 11 years at Rew and Custer City UMCs, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home. Born on March 14, 1935 at home on Pratt Hollow, he was a son of the late Fred Lee and Rhea (Blakeslee) Moore. He was a 1953 graduate of Bradford High School. On July 11, 1953, in the EUB Church in Rew, he married Blanche (Hughes) Moore, who survives. He worked for ...

Carol A. Lilley, 81, of McKeesport, died May 3, 2019, at Manor Care of Canonsburg. Born March 17, 1938, in Cincinnati, OH, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Alan and Aileen (Sheehan) Caley and the wife of the late Rev. Dr. Reginald G. Lilley for over 45 years. Carol retired from Soundwise Hearing Aid Technologies, where she worked as office manager. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where she was a former trustee, active with the women's group and a volunteer at the church...

Glory caught Dorothy Jean Earl Morris' breath and turned her face into a radiant smile on Good Friday, April 19, 2019. Less than an hour later, the widow of Rev. Henry A. Morris crossed the chasm between earth and Heaven to be with Jesus, her parents Dr. LeRoy DeLong and Antoinette Willson Earl, her brothers Harris, Richard, Robert (Bobby), John (Jack), Paul Earl and her sisters Jane Earl Rigsbee and Barbara Earl Guinta, and her husband. All five of Dorothy's children -- Ruth Ann, wife of ...

Rose Kathleen Walp Acker, 65, of Venango went to be with her Lord escorted by the prayers of her family and friends on April 18, 2019 after a hard-fought four-year battle with brain cancer. She was the wife of  David Acker, who retired as a part-time local pastor in 2012 after serving in the Erie-Meadville District since 1996.  Born on July 1, 1953 to Lee and Nancy (Kleckner) Walp, Rose attended Cambridge Springs schools and graduated in 1971. She received an associate degree at Keystone Jr. ...

Dixie Rose Welker, 75, of Springboro, a retired local pastor, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019, at home, surrounded by her loving family. Dixie was born in Fremont, Ohio, on October 7, 1943, the daughter of the late Cyrus and Helen (Merryfield) Berkheimer. Dixie graduated from Linesville High School in 1961. Upon graduation, she worked in Washington, D.C. as a court stenographer. Dixie moved back to the Conneautville area in 1968, where she worked in numerous secretarial positions, while ...

Sharron Virginia (Grubb) Philpott, 73, of Smithfield, Pa. passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 with her loving family by her side as she went to be with her loving Heavenly Father. Sharron was a loving wife, sister, friend and neighbor. Surviving are her loving husband of 57 years, Reverend Frank M. Philpott, who serves as pastor of South Brownsville and West Bend UMCs; sisters and brothers, Linda Thomas, Bruceton Mills, W.Va., Pamela Carlson, Cumming, Georgia, Kenneth Buchanan, Oak Hill, ...

Pastor Robert D. “Bob” Zimmerman, 90, of Geistown, who served as pastor of Johnstown: Mt. Olive UMC from 1987 to 1999, passed away on March 13, 2019, at Harmony House. Born October 11, 1928, in Harrisburg, son of Blair R. and Ann H. (Napotnik) Zimmerman, he was preceded in death by parents; loving wife Genevieve M. (Lehman) Zimmerman, five brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his children: Linda K. Weaver and husband Daniel of Johnstown, Ann R. Wolfinger and husband Robert of Johnstown, ...

Edith Florence Rothwell, 90, formerly of Conyngham, passed away, Monday, March 11, 2019 at the home of her daughter in Beaver Township, following a short illness. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Wayne H. Rothwell. Born in Jamestown, NY, January 6, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Fernando and Nancy (Wright) Smith. She had resided in the Conyngham Valley since 2005, She had also previously resided in Florida, and Diamond Avenue, Hazleton. Edith had worked as a Nursing Home ...

Rev. Ronald C. (Ron) Lindahl, 72, of Williams St., Bradford, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday, March 9, 2017, surrounded by his loving family, at Bradford Regional Medical Center. A retired elder, he was the husband of the Rev. Majorie Lindahl and father of the Rev. Craig Lindahl.  Born September 2, 1946 in Bradford, he was a son of the late Carl H. and Betty L. (Bruner) Lindahl. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1965. He served aboard the USS Ranger Air Craft ...

Mary Ann (Kelso) McConnell, 67, a licensed local pastor and lawyer, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at home in Coolspring Township. Her husband Findley passed away on Jan. 27, 2019. Born June 16, 1951, to Robert A. and Lucille (Baer) Kelso, Mrs. McConnell was the oldest of three siblings. She graduated from Mercer Area High School in 1969, Dickinson College in 1973 and University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1976. Mary Ann had practiced law in Mercer since 1976 and was active in the United ...

Rev. Thomas A. Blackburn Sr. 72, of Bedford, who was serving with his wife as pastor of First United Methodist Church in New Paris, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at his residence. He was born on April 1, 1945 in Lovely, a son of the late Orville and Alma Ruth (Imler) Blackburn. On July 12, 1986 in Biloxi, MS he married Joy (Newbaker) Blackburn, who survives.  Thomas was 1964 graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School, and went on to serve in the United States Army. He ...

Findley L. McConnell, 76, of Coolspring Township, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Mary Ann Kelso McConnell, who served as a part-time local pastor  He was born on May 29, 1942, to Mont and Margaret McConnell, the oldest of five boys. He graduated from Mercer Area High School in 1960 and served in Vietnam as a demolition engineer. He loved to play basketball, whether in high school, Vietnam, Brandy Springs Park or Buhl Club, where he played several years in both the ...

The Rev. Gary Utz, a retired associate member who served congregations in the Johnstown and Indiana districts, passed away Jan. 29, 2019 in Hiddenite, NC.  Born January 11, 1944, he was married for 49 years to Karen Marie Utz, who passed away at age 71 in Statesville, North Carolina after a long illness in December, 2014. She was survived by a son Victor E. Utz of PA.; a daughter Elizabeth Korte (Kent) of Hiddenite; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Rev. Utz transferred his ...

Lois Maxine Weible, 85, of Boswell, the surviving spouse of the Rev. Samuel Weible and former Connellsville District President of United Methodist Women, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Born July 12, 1933, in Ursina, she was the daughter of Lloyd and Edna (Meyers) Younkin. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who passed away in 2013; grandson Christopher Tressler, and brother Denzel Younkin. She is survived by children Sheila (Jake) Tressler and Kimberly ...

Pastor Robert B. Stultz, 79, of Fishertown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2019, and is finally free from this world of sin and is finally with Jesus. Born on Nov. 8, 1939, in Wilkinsburg, he was the son of the late Robert and Gladys Stultz. In 1959, he married Patti (Oravec) Stultz from Somerset County. His passing ended nearly 60 years of marriage.   They raised five children and 11 grandchildren (six married), eight great-grandchildren, and grandson Joshua in heaven, and many nieces and ...

The Rev. Dr. Rodney Craig Bennett, 68, of Churchill, who served as a pastor in the Erie-Meadville District and Jeannette and with community organizations, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019 in Monroeville. He was the beloved husband of 41 years to Rev. Dr. Suzanne Bennett, a retired elder; brother of Allen Bennett of Ankeny, Iowa; uncle of James Paul Bennett (Rachel) and Rebecca Bennett, both of Iowa; great-uncle of Mark and Avery. He is also survived by his little dog, Lily. Craig was born ...

Pastor James William Martin Jr., 94, of Dawson, passed away at 5:28 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Township. Jim was born Dec. 9, 1924, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late James William and Dorothy Belle (Reed) Martin. He married Mildred Jean "Millie" (Toplis) Martin on Sept. 3, 1948, in Sheraton Methodist Church, Pittsburgh. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he served as a pastor in the Western PA United Methodist Conference for 15 ...

Lois I. Rippin, wife of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Rippin, entered into the Light of God on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Lois was born September 20, 1940 to Jack and Irene Stutzman of Johnstown, PA where she grew up. In December 1960, she married Rev. Dr. Kenneth Rippin. She worked as a legal secretary in Johnsonburg, PA, and more recently for the firm of Klett, Rooney, Lieber and Shorling in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris College in her ...

Dr. Perry J. Troutman, 91, of Annville, died Monday, December 24, 2018 at his residence. He was the husband of the late Vivian Schreffler Troutman, who passed away in 2010.  Born in Corfu, New York on October 31, 1927, he was the son of the late Edwin J. and Sarahann Beller Troutman. Dr. Troutman was a Professor of Religion at Lebanon Valley College, retiring after 34 years of teaching. He received a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College, a divinity degree from United Theological Seminary, ...

Audrey Jean (Higley) Sheerer, 83, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Crystal Waters Personal Care home to join her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Lois (Evingham) Higley and her sister, Arvella (Higley) Martin with Christ.  Audrey Jean Higley was born on August 10, 1935 and married Elwin J. Sheerer on July 24, 1951. They were married for 67 years. In addition to her husband, Elwin J. Sheerer, Shelocta; she is survived by: Roy O. Sheerer, Shelocta; Rex A. Sheerer, Cochranton; ...

 Rev. Mearl Everett Henley, 90, of Greenville, PA passed away at 1:55 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2018 at The Heritage at St. Paul's in Greenville. Born in Ernest, Pennsylvania on September 4, 1928 to the late Delaus Arthur and Grace Alta (Cramer) Henley,   Mearl graduated from Reynoldsville High School in 1947. He received his BS of Education from Edinboro University in 1959, a Bachelor and Master of Sacred Theology in 1962 and a Doctor of Divinity in 1977, all from Wesley Theological ...

The Rev. Fredrick Charles Vanderhoff, 74, went to heaven Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Born March 19, 1944, in Titusville, Pa., a son of the late G. Stanley and Milly Ensle Vanderhoff, he graduated from Rocky Grove High School, Cleveland State University with a degree in electrical engineering and Ashland Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Rev. Vanderhoff worked at Westinghouse and General Electric before answering a call to ministry. He served as a pastor for 32 years, retiring from ...

Rev. Victor LeRoy Redfoot, 89, passed from this life on November 30, 2018, at Passavant Retirement Community, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 6, 1929, to Raymond and Marguerite Redfoot, the first of eleven children. On June 15, 1951, he married the love of his life, Stella Jane Ansell, an event that he described as "the greatest thing that ever happened to me." Victor and Stella were married for 54 years, until her death in 2005. He is survived by three of their four children, ...

Linda Grace Harrison, 57, pastor of Jeannette: Gethsemane and Middletown United Methodist churches in the Greensburg District, died unexpectedly at home in Munhall on November 25, 2018 due to chronic medical conditions. Born April 29, 1961, Linda grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allerdice High School and the University of Pittsburgh. She taught for 22 years in parochial and public schools, was a music teacher and keyboardist before answering a call to ministry. She began serving...

Randall Walter Headley, 70, of Port Allegany, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport. He was an associate clergy member of the Western PA Conference who served churches in the Kane District from 1991 until his retirement from active ministry in July, 2017. He was born March 9, 1948, in Tarentum, a son of Rev. William N. and Lois M. McLaughlin Headley. On Aug. 31, 2002, in Shinglehouse, PA, he married Barbara S. Perkins, who survives. Randy was a 1966 graduate of Kiski Area ...

Nancy K. Starr Brickner, 77, of Patterson Township, died Tuesday, November 13, 2018. She served three churches as a Student Local Pastor. Born April 30, 1941, in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late William L. Starr and Lilly Corless Starr Rieth and stepdaughter of the late William J. Rieth. A Registered Nurse, she earned a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and served as a student pastor at Christ Community Church in McKees Rocks, Brush Run United Methodist ...

Jane Kunkle Rulong, 87, wife of the Rev. Roger Rulong, of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Monday, November 12, 2018.  She was 87 years old. Jane and the Rev. Roger Rulong, a retired elder who survives, recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Born Dec. 19, 1930 in Homer City, PA, she met and married her college sweetheart at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. She was a partner in ministry with him, serving United Methodist congregations in Western ...

Rev. Patti Fuller, 55, of Lawrence Park, PA entered eternity on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was an ordained deacon who served churches and as a chaplain in the Erie-Meadville District.  Born March 15, 1963 in Erie to Ruth Moody Lewis and the late Robert Harry Lewis, she was a member of the Iroquois High School class of 1981 and a graduate of Slippery Rock University and Asbury Theological Seminary, where she earned her M.Div. degree. She worked in various...

Grace A. Halula, 85, (formerly of Greensburg), died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Livermore, CA, where she lived. She was the widow of the Rev. Raymond A. Halula, a retired elder of the Western PA Conference who died in 2002. Born Dec. 27, 1932, in Greensburg, to Harry B. and Margaret M. (Johns) Myers, Grace was raised in Marguerite and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1950. She was a member of Charter Oak United Methodist Church, Greensburg, and a former member of Bradenville United ...

On October 2, 2018 all of the mysteries of life were revealed to Rev. David Youngdahl Sr., as he passed away quietly in his sleep. He began his journey through this life on January 12, 1932 in Robindale, PA. His parents were Sarah and Arthur Youngdahl. He was one of five children, three of whom lived to adulthood. He was a graduate of United high school in Armagh, PA and served in the Navy during the Korean conflict. David went on to attend Indiana State Teachers College graduating with a B.S. ...

Beverly Ruth Webb, 84, the surviving spouse of the Rev. James R. Webb, went home to be with the Lord she loved and dedicated her life to serving on Monday, October 1, 2018 with her family by her side. Born on April 12, 1934 in Sharon, PA, she was the daughter of Ethel (Bell) and Arthur King and grew up on Curtis St. in Sharon, Pennsylvania, where she learned about the love of family, animals, music, and her Lord. Beverly graduated in 1952 from Sharon High School and from the Sharon General ...

The Rev. Harold L. "Sammy" Knappenberger Jr., 93, of Washington,PA, died Sunday, September 2, 2018, in Washington Hospital, following a brief illness.  Born March 14, 1925, in Warren, a son of the late Rev. Harold L. Sr. and Ruth Rosebud Smith Knappenberger, the Rev. Knappenberger graduated from Warren High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Allegheny College and a master's of divinity from Drew University. He later was honored with a doctor of divinity from Allegheny College. He...

Rev. Paul Sparrer, 83, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018 after a long struggle with diabetes. He was a retired elder. Preceded in death by his father, George Bernard Sparrer, mother, Jeanette Diggs Sparrer, brother, Bernard W. Sparrer, and sister, Edna Louise Sparrer. Paul was a retired United Methodist minister who served churches in and around the Pittsburgh area for 34 years.  After serving as an associate at Laketon Heights and Mifflin Ave. UMCs, he was appointed to Pine Run in ...

Rev. Jack Eugene Elder, of Edinboro, a retired associate clergy member of the Conference, went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2018. Born on August 17, 1934 in Sligo, PA, Jack graduated from Sligo High School in 1952. He attended Clarion University, then worked odds-and-ends jobs while attending Grove City College, where he later was received as an associate clergy member of the Western PA United Methodist Conference. He served numerous churches, including Stanton UMC, Fredonia UMC, ...

Charles James Kutz "Jim", 79, of St. Johns, Fla., a retired associate member of the Western PA Conference, died Sunday, August 19, 2018 after a difficult battle with cancer of the throat caused by smoking.  Born June 2, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of the late Charles and Virginia Kutz. He attended Brookville High School, Mercersburg Academy and Allegheny College.  Following his graduation from Allegheny College, Jim served as an officer in the U.S. Navy where he met his wife ...

A memorial service was scheduled for 2 p.m., August 25, 2018 at Asbury Heights for the retired Rev. William F. Rautner, who passed away on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the age of 81.  Born Feb. 9, 1937 in Pittsburgh to William and Esther Rautner, Bill married Nancy Ann Bosely, in Tacy, WV, on December 20, 1958. They were married almost 60 years. He was the devoted father of James Rautner of Sterling, VA, Stephen Rautner of Belington, WV and the late David Allan Rautner and the brother of Barbara ...

Pastor Donald E. Rudge, 63, of Oil City, died unexpectedly, Friday, August 10, 2018 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born June 26, 1955 in Johnstown, he was the son of Donald E. and Dorothy J. Young Rudge. After graduating from high school, Don worked for several years at Fisher Auto Parts in South Fork, and while working there was called to the ministry and began his ministerial studies. Pastor Rudge served as the pastor of Trinity and Bethel UMC. Before moving to Oil City in 2013, he served as ...