Obituaries

Rev. John R. “Jack” Friggle, 87, retired pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City, died at 3:41 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at the Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville.  Born February 17, 1933, in Franklin, he was the son of the late John E. and Alberta (Grinder) Friggle. He married Sandra Lee Baugher on December 17, 1955, and she survives. Jack served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean Conflict.  He worked for Thrift Plan... read more

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, Sandra Jean Dran, of Washington, passed from this world and into the arms of her God at the age of 73. She was born May 27, 1947, in Washington, a daughter of the late James and Helen Sumney. Sandy is survived by her husband, the Reverend George Dran; her two children, James Dran of Monaca and Charity (Bryan) Isaac of Annapolis, Md.; her three grandsons, Garion Dran (Haylie Flanery), and Matt and Jacob Isaac; and her sisters, Nancy Crafton and H. Ruth ... read more

Darlene (Link) Onder, 74, passed away Thursday, Sept. 5, 2020 at home surrounded by family. She was the surviving spouse of the late Rev. Joseph A. Onder, A resident of North Texas for the last 12 years, Darlene was born November 11, 1945 in Portage, PA. She was the daughter of Bernard and Vivian (Dunmire) Link. She graduated from Triangle Area High School in 1963 and attended Cambria Rowe Business School and Toccoa Falls College. She married Rev. Joseph A. Onder on May 8, 1971. Darlene worked... read more

Catherine H. Hallman of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 after a courageous three-year battle with abdominal cancer.    Catherine was born April 11,1932, in Beaver Falls, PA to the late Alex and Amelia Schinke.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, the Reverend Dr. Franklin D. (Bud) Hallman, brothers Andrew Schinke and Alex Schinke, and sister Lillian Lindner.   Catherine is survived by daughter Barbara (Mark) Parr ... read more

Rev. Raymond Dale "Pete" Graham, 88, of Bradford, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2020, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.   Born on November 5, 1931 in Butler, he was a son of the late Victor Vade and Frances (Brandon) Graham. He was a graduate of Butler Senior High School, attended Mount Union College for his undergraduate degree and earned his Master's degree at Boston University School of Theology. On December 30, 1953 in Butler, he married Lynnette (Wilson) Graham, who survives. An ... read more

Ronald George Naugle Sr., 91, of Darlington, who served more than 50 years as a pastor, passed away August 13, 2020 at Providence Care Center. Ronald worked for Bethlehem Steel and was called into the ministry in 1958 with his wife, Emma. Until three weeks ago, he taught bible study at Providence Care Center, where he resided. He touched many lives for Jesus Christ and lived what he preached. He was faithful to his wife, children, and his Lord. His family was blessed to have him as a father. ... read more

Kathryn “Kathy” Ann Koah (Brickner), 81, went to her new home in heaven on August 11, 2020 after a short illness. A longtime resident of New Port Richey, Florida, and formerly of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, she was the surviving spouse of Rev. Clyde Koah. Born in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania in 1939, she was the older of two children of the late George and Frances Brickner (McNear). Kathy was married to her devoted husband Clyde for 55 years until his death in 2015. They enjoyed traveling, ... read more

With more fish to catch (more fish stories to tell) and more sermons to preach, W. John Hickman, 63, of Johnstown hung up his fishing pole, stepped out of the pulpit and went home on August 6, 2020, ending a two- year battle with glioblastoma. John was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania on November 15, 1956 to Wilbur Charles and Betty (Eakin) Hickman. He grew up in Lisbon, Venango County, graduating from Allegheny Clarion Valley High School and Clarion University. He served in the US Air Force. ... read more

Dorothy Weaver, 88, the wife of the Rev. John Weaver, passed away July 28, 2020, at home in Summerhill.  Born August 30, 1931, in Hastings, the daughter of Herbert and Elizabeth Mae (Canis) Lee, she was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, William Jewett; siblings Doris Evelyn Fowler, Robena Mae Stewart, Carrie Jean Hicks, Bert Lee, Harold Lee and Elizabeth June Wenzel.  She is survived by her loving husband, Rev. John Weaver; children Dorothy Lynn “Dottie” (Dan) Snyder, Gary ... read more

Lois Marie Jones, 78, of Fort Wayne passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Raymond A. Jones.  Lois was born in Washington, PA on January 2, 1942, a daughter of the late Frances Marie (Bradford) and Charles William VanGilder. She was a sweet and faith filled woman who loved her family. Along with being a meticulous homemaker and amazing cook, Lois enjoyed playing the piano and organ at her church. She also had been employed ... read more

The Rev. Donald E. Struchen’s life of service to Christ took him around the U.S. and around the world. Along the way, the United Methodist pastor made time for the occasional adventure and a bit of magic. Struchen, 97, died June 28 at his home in New York City, with his wife Shirley by his side. A year earlier, the United Methodist Western Pennsylvania Conference had recognized his status as the conference’s oldest member with the most years of service by presenting him with the “Thoburn Cane.... read more

Rev. J. Lee Baker, 78, of Centerville, a retired clergy member of the Conference serving on the pastoral staff at Titusville First United Methodist Church, died May 27, 2020 at his home. Born on December 11, 1941, the son of George and Helen Baker, he graduated from high school in Linesville, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.S. Degree in elementary education from Kent State University in Ohio; a Masters Degree in Education from Clarion University; and an Administrative Certification from Edinboro ... read more

Rev. Arlene R. Bobrowicz, 84, entered into new life May 21, 2020 at home in Portage. She was serving in retirement as pastor of Wesley UMC in South Fork. Born June 18, 1936 in Butte, MT, the daughter of John and Muriel (Prisk) Smith, Arlene was preceded in death by her parents and husband Joseph. She is survived by her son Daniel M. his wife, the former Carrie Lamar, grandson Anthony J. and wife Olivia, all of Philadelphia. Arlene was an Army veteran, and since 1994 served as a pastor of ... read more

Gladys Arlene Leight Beal passed away peacefully during the evening of April 30, 2020 surrounded by her family at her home in Raleigh, NC. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. William Clark Beal. Born on July 2, 1935 in York Township, PA, the daughter of Albert Leight and Mary Emenheiser Leight Smeltzer, Gladys was a graduate of William Penn High School, York PA and York Hospital School of Nursing. She was the oldest of seven children: Marian Hovis of York, PA; Charlotte Sechrist of York, ... read more

Carolyn June Hartley, 89, of Brookville, PA, died during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 26, 2020. Carolyn served as Director of Christian Education at the First United Methodist Church in Sharon, PA from 1955 to 1957, and was consecrated a Diaconal Minister in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. She retired in 1988. Born on January 24, 1931 to the late Homer Farran and Chessie Hazel (Mangum) Callaway in Clinton, OK, in 1949 she graduated from Marlow High School in Marlow, OK, ... read more

Rev. Howard Sherman Hess, 87, of Normalville, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020 at Eicher’s Family Home.  He was born June 5, 1932 in Clarion County, a son of the late Richard S. and Elizabeth (Boord) Hess.  Howard was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, having received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. He then entered the ministry as a United Methodist pastor and served many churches throughout Western PA from 1969 to 1994, when he retired ... read more

The Rev. Dr. James Mowrey, 90, of Johnstown passed away on April 25, 2020 of natural causes following a lengthy stay at Arbutus Park Manor. He and his wife, the Rev. Dr. Thelma Mowrey, who died in 2015, are believed to be the first clergy couple serving in the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. Born in Sykesville, PA, the son of LeRoy and Alice (Buhite) Mowrey, he was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, the Rev. Dr. Thelma Mowrey, brother Lee and sister-in-law Linda ... read more

Dorothy Ann HOckensmith, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the Rev. Darrell “Jack” Hockensmith, who passed away in 2003. Rev. Hockensmith was appointed to churches in the Pittsburgh, Altoona and Johnstown Districts of the Evangelical United Brethren church and served UMC churches including Scalp Level: Trinity/Dunlo 1971-1972; Herminie 1972-1975; Marion Center/Creekside 1975-1980; Fells 1980-1983; and Venetia: Wrights 1983-1985. He retirded from active ... read more

Joan Collier Fogg Sanchez of Federalsburg, Maryland, a retired diaconal minister, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2020 at the age of 70 with her husband James Sanchez at her side.   She was born on July 30, 1949, the daughter of the late James Collier and Minnie Anderson Collier. She was a teacher and principal in Western Pennsylvania and held a Doctorate Degree in education, as well as a Master's Degree in religion from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She attended Easton High ... read more

Margaret Jane McKenzie Karns, 91, of Oil City, formerly of Clarion, passed away on April 17, 2020 at Oil City Healthcare Center. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Raymond Lee Karns. Born in Oil City on October 23, 1928 to the late Donald E. and Anna Audene Braham McKenzie. Margaret married the late Raymond Lee Karns on Aug. 25, 1951 at the United Presbyterian Church in Oil City.  She graduated from Cranberry High school in 1946 & Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1950. She taught ... read more

The Rev. George E. Tutwiler, 81, died peacefully in Pittsburgh  April 16, 2020. George served as organist/choirmaster and instructor in church music and United Methodist Studies at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1981-2011, when the Seminary awarded him faculty emeritus status. In 2013, PTS established The Rev. George E. Tutwiler Scholarship Endowment to honor his 30 years of service here. George received his bachelor’s in music and English from Geneva College, where he became a lecturer ... read more

Rev. Bonnie Tyack Friend King, 68, died at her home in Georgia on April 8, 2020. Both Bonnie and her husband John King, who survives, served as pastors in the Western PA Conference and retired in 2017.  Due to COVID-19, no funeral will be held. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Bonnie was born March 25, 1952, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, to Paul Franklin and Hannah Mary Gaines Friend. She was a lifetime Girl Scout. She was active during her younger years, and then became a troop... read more

Shirley Shipley, the surviving spouse of the Rev. Ralph Shipley, loved little more in life than to be in the middle of a big family gathering. Her last family affair was a virtual one, as her children and grandchildren and their partners gathered on a conference call to share memories, to remind her she was tremendously loved, and finally to say goodbye as she succumbed to complications from COVID-19. She passed away peacefully on April 8 at the age of 85. Shirley spent much of her early life ... read more

Rev. Kimberly M. (Hoyle) King, 57, pastor of Owensdale and Jacob's Creek United Methodist churches,  entered into eternal life with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. She was surrounded by her loving family at UPMC Shadyside Hospital as she reunited with family and friends who loved the Lord and welcomed her home. Kim worked in the family business, King’s Electric, as an electrician alongside her husband Jeff and sons Michael and Jeffrey, until God called her into pastoral ... read more

Rev. Thomas Matthew Kennedy, 53, of Latrobe, died Monday, March 23, 2020, at UPMC East. He was the senior pastor of Latrobe United Methodist Church Ministries. Born November 12, 1966, in Erie, he was a son of the late William Kennedy and the late Lois Ann Kennedy. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Leann K. (Laycock) Kennedy; two children, Joshua Kennedy and Kiersten Kennedy; two brothers, Michael Kennedy and Mark Kennedy and his wife Beverly; a sister, Kim Kennedy; a nephew, Patrick ... read more

Rev. Walter B. Hehman of Grove City passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2020 in Orchard Manor following a lengthy illness.  He was 78. Walter was born in Pittsburgh on Oct. 16, 1941 to Walter N. and Ruth (Lewis) Hehman, grew up in the Knoxville area of Pittsburgh and graduated from Carrick High School in 1959. He married Barbara Ann Young on Sept. 2, 1967. He worked in the family floral business at Frank F. Hehman and Son’s until August of 1969.   He attended University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne ... read more

Rev. Paul H. Scruton of Johnstown passed away on March 8, 2020 at Arbutus Park Manor. He was a pastor for many years in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania, where he began serving the Jennerstown Circuit of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1966, a few years before the merger that formed the United Methodist Church.  Born June 9, 1922 in Berwick, Maine, the son of John Y. and Esther (Dow) Scruton, he was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marjorie Ellen "Marge" (Durgin),... read more

The Rev. Gail Eugene McQueen, of Daugherty Township, New Brighton, PA, his family's GEM, beloved husband, father, Papa and Great-Papa left his earthly home for his heavenly home on Monday, February 24, 2020 at age 92. Gail E. McQueen was born on April 25, 1927 to Thomas and Mary Lavina (Burnell) McQueen in Hollidays Cove, WV. As a result of the Great Depression, the family moved to Canton, OH, and ultimately moved to a small farm near Magnolia, OH. Gail graduated from the Magnolia High School ... read more

Betty Hathaway Ellenberger, 89, widow of the late Rev. Percy "Jay" Ellenberger and a former resident of Rices Landing, died February 6, 2020.  Rev. Ellenberger served as a supply pastor in the Methodist Pittsburgh Conference beginning in 1961 in the Monongahela Circuit. He was ordained as an elder and full member of the Western PA United Methodist Conference in 1970 and served Punxsutawney Larger Parish from 1970-1972; Cloe/Covode/Steffy UMCs from 1972-1973; Brockway: Moorhead 1973-1976; ... read more

Pastor Valerie Conrad-Dembinsky, 70, of Windber, a long-time local pastor in the Johnstown District, passed away February 4, 2020 at Richland Healthcare and Rehabilitation. A funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 7 at the Meek & DallaValle Funeral Home in Windber. Born Oct. 28, 1949 in Windber, she was the daughter of the late George and Reba P. (Graham) Conrad. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years Daniel D. Dembinsky and her cousin Linda Statler of Windber. ... read more

Alice Louise "Allou" Powell Wirick, 91, of Davidsville, formerly of Somerset, died January 18, 2020 at Laurel View Village, Davidsville. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Melroy Melvin Wirick, who died in 2001. Born July 25, 1928 in Johnstown, the daughter of Harry A. and Alice C. (Craig) Ellis, she was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Dean B. Powell, second husband Rev. Melroy Melvin Wirick and sister Nancy Rager-Butler. She is survived by her children: Linda J. Hawthorne... read more

Rena Eileen Gray, 91, the first woman to serve as lay leader of the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lancaster, NY. Born October 29, 1928 in NuMine, PA, the daughter of Robert and Juanita (Rose) Fletcher, Eileen lived in the Dayton, PA  area for most of her life and was a very active member of Dayton United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for 60 years and served as ... read more

Emma M. (Freeman) Naugle, 89, of Darlington, passed away December 20, 2019 at Providence Care Center. She was the wife of retired Rev. Ronald G. Naugle. Born October 2, 1930 in Johnstown to the late Torrence and Maggie (Chase) Freeman, she was  preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Lewis, Cecil, Alvin, William, Chester, Myrtle, Birdie, Samuel, Helen, Earl, Dora, and Rose. She is survived by her loving husband of 71, Ronald G. Naugle Sr.; her children, Terri Doyka (William), Ronald ... read more

Rev. Donald E. Myers, 92, of Seneca, went home to be with the Lord, and was reunited with his wife, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at Oakwood Heights in Oil City. He retired as a local pastor in 1990. Born October 20, 1927, in Oil City, he was a son of the late Harold E. and Florence Grisby Myers.  In January of 1946, Donald began his service in the U.S. Army. He was a cook, stationed in Vienna, Austria, cooking for over 200 men daily. Don was honorably discharged from ... read more

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019, the Rev. Dr. Paul D. Taylor, who retired in 2018 as Pittsburgh District Superintendent, moved to eternity's silent chamber. His heart remained at the little house by the side of the road in Fairmont, WVa where he was born March 25, 1949, the oldest of four children of the late Arthur James and Catherine Dooley Taylor. Paul was baptized at Trinity United Methodist Church, Fairmont, at age 12 and he became an active member of Warren United Methodist Church in the ... read more

Rev. Robert Fox Richards of Seven Fields, PA, died unexpectedly at age 84 on Wednesday at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was a retired elder who launched a new church, resurrected another, served as a District Superintendent, and was the executive director/president of United Methodist Church Union for several years.   Born Oct. 22, 1935 to the late Rev. Nicholas Fox and Margaret Hoffman Reining Richards, brother of the late Margaret Jane Richards Kendall (Ralph) of Toledo and John Henry... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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, ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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.... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more

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 ... read more