Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Fritz Riebe
Fritz Riebe, 84, of Hammond, Ind., died Monday, Aug. 18, in his home. He was the husband of Lottie (Ostrowski) Riebe. They were married for 60 years.
He was a retired employee of Lever Brothers and the North Township Accessor's Office.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Fritz and Susan Riebe.
He was a member of St. Casimir Church, Hammond, the Lever Brothers Quarter Century Club and Retirees Club and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Club, and a charter member of the Hammond Mohawks.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Barbara Porter of Munster, Ind.; two sons, Dennis of Phoenix, Ariz., and William of Munster; five sisters, Mary Matrician of Lansford, Mary Lynn and Helen Gaul, both of Hammond, Julie Tancos of Chicago, Ill., and Marge Osborn of Whiting, Ind.; three brothers, John of Alexandria, Va., and John and Steve, both of Hammond; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Andrew J., Michael and Andy.
Funeral services and interment were held in Indiana.
James W. Dougherty
James Webster Dougherty, 78, of Philadelphia, died Sunday while visiting his daughter and son-in-law, Veronica and John Wesolowski of Bethlehem.
The deceased was the husband of the late Anna M. (Edelman) Dougherty, who died in 1991.
He was an installer for Colonial Floor Covering Company, Philadelphia, for more than 45 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Charles and Carrie (Thomas) Dougherty.
He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Union and the Artisan Order of Mutual Protection, Philadelphia.
Dougherty was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and a member of the V.F.W. Post 2124, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to his daughter are three other daughters, Kathleen E. Myers in Texas, Patricia D., wife of James Reisenger of Edina, Minn., and Jean M., wife of Dominick Panaccione of San Diego, Calif.; and five grandchildren.
Michael J. Riska
Michael J. Riska, 88, of 877 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, died Monday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Mary T. (Siska) Riska. They observed their 56th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a laborer in the cadmium department of the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for 42 years before retiring in 1972.
Born in Lebanon, Lebanon County, he was a son of the late Frank Sr. and Rosie (Kaspar) Riska.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sokol Lodge, both of Palmerton, and the National Lodge, Pittsburgh.
Riska was an Army veteran.
Surviving are a son, Michael E. of Hockessin, Del.; a daughter, Mary T., wife of William A. Gallagher of Colora, Md.; two sisters, Mrs. Josephine Kiss and Anne V., wife of Edward Sander, both of Palmerton; and six grandchildren.
Mrs. Raymond W. Wicknick
Mrs. Mary Elaine Wicknick, 59, of Bethlehem, formerly of Johnstown, Cambria County, died Tuesday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Raymond W. Wicknick. They observed their 37th wedding anniversary in June.
She worked for the Firemen's Fund Insurance Company, Bethlehem, for 10 years until 1993, and previously was a substitute cafeteria worker for the Bethlehem Area School District and a typist for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Johnstown plant.
Born in Johnstown, she was a daughter of the late Ted and Catherine (Fitzpatrick) Berry.
She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Bethlehem Township.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Debra A., wife of Stephen Vidumsky, and Susan M., wife of Carlos M. Sousa, both of Bethlehem; a son, Mark W. of Kresgeville; a brother Ray in California; and two grandchildren.
George S.Gavula
George S. Gavula, 68, of 905 Kennebec St., Pittsburgh, formerly of Mahanoy City, died Monday in Pittsburgh. He was the husband of Ann (Kurach) Gavula.
He resided for some time in Connecticut, but lived most os his life in Pittsburgh, where he was employed with the Greek Catholic Union.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was a son of the late Stephen and Mary (Panko) Gavula.
He was a 1945 graduate of the former Mahanoy City High School and received a master's segree from Fordham University.
Gavula was an Army veteran, having served in Japan.
He belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, where he was a cantor for many years.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Alexander G. of Morgantown, W. Va.; a brother Stephen of Mahanoy City; two sisters, Mary, wife of Bernard Osilka of Mahanoy City, and Anna, wife of Bernard Markey of Summit Hill; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Frances M. Neifert
Mrs. Frances M. Neifert, 87, a guest at the Kirkhaven Nursing Home, Rochester, N.Y., died Monday in the home. She was the widow of Harry Neifert.
Prior to retiring, she was employed by the former Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds. Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Henry) Major.
Years ago, she was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are a daughter, Gail (Linwood) Drummond of Rochester; a sister, Grace Major of Tamaqua; two grandchildren and other area relatives.
The Crawford Funeral Home, 495 N. Winton Rd., Rochester, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ralph E. Weissflog
Ralph E. Weissflog, 72, of 605 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown.
Prior to retiring, he had been employed by the former American Bank and Trust Company, Tamaqua, for 22 years, as a bank teller. He had previously been employed by Hadesty's Hardware Store, Tamaqua, for 12 years.
Born in Frackville, he was a son of the late Rudolph and Helen (Laudel) Weissflog.
He was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
The 1943 graduate of Tamaqua High School was a member and past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Brunswick Lodge 802, New Ringgold. He was also a member of the Scott Encampment, New Ringgold; American Hose Fire Comoany, Tamaqua; Tamaqua SPCA; Hillside SPCA, Pottsville; and the Pa. SPCA in Philadelphia.
The last immediate member of his family, he is survived by cousins.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen Messersmith
Kathleen D. Messersmith, 66, of 2401 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, died Tuesday at her home. She was the wife of Ronald J. Messersmith. They were married 40 years.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Frank Dillon and Kathryn Klechinski Pauly.
She was a housewife and a substitute teacher for the Pottsville Area School District.
She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Pottsville.
She was past president of the Pottsville Club Auxiliary, and was an active bridge player with several clubs in Pottsville and Tamaqua.
Surviving with her husband is a son, Dr. William J. Messersmith of Mertztown, a daughter, Dr. Ann K. Messersmith of Asheville, N.C., and three grandchildren.
The Lord Funeral Home, Inc., Pottsville is in charge of arrangements.
Mary E. Matika
Mary E. Matika, of 110 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, died Tuesday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Alex Matika.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, Summit Hill, is in charge of arrangements.
Anna Puskar
Anna Puskar, 81, of 519 E. Patterson St., Lansford, died Tuesday in Allentown. She was the widow of John Puskar.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, Lansford, is in charge of arrangements.
Blair E. Rickard
Word has been received that Blair E. Rickard, 87, a long time lover of the mountains and valleys of Cameron County, died (Jan. 28, 2006) at the Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus.
Blair lived his entire life with an address only a few hundred yards from his birth place, but felt right at home in Cameron and Potter counties. He had many passions in life, but the list was topped with God, family and serenity of the flowing water of the Wykoff Run.
In 1996, when he found the perfect spot, just a few short miles from Sinnamahoning, nestled close to the waters of the Wykoff Run, he placed a small, one-bedroom trailor in the center of the Wykoff Run CCC Campsite.
When his health began to fail, he turned Rickard's Camp and his paradise over to his eldest daughter, Virginia and her husband Bob. Since the ownership, they have built "The Coal Miner's Cabin."
Blair was born in Hollentown, a son of the late William and Viola "Ollie" (Hill) Rickard and was married to his beloved wife Isabelle Reffner in Glasgow Nov. 13, 1937. She died May 23, 1997. He helped his dad on the farm as a small child and worked in and around the coal mines from the time he was 15. His father was a miner and started working in the mines and his oldest grandson. Blair also worked for "PupPup" in the mines, making four generations of miners. He retired as a superintendent of the Ruchton Mines, Phillipsburg, in 1981.
Blair was one of the Pioneers of the Wykoff Run Camper's Association. He was present when the land was purchased from the Barkleys and he served as original vice president when the board of directors was formed.
He was a member and a past lay minister of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, a member and past master of Masonic Lodge, Coalport, the I00F, Glasgow, and the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. He is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Virginia and Robert McGarvey of Hollentown, Blairetta and Ellis Dillen of Chardon, Ohio, Vicki and Larry Beunier of Ebensburg, and LuAnn and Kevin Cotter of Virginia Beach, Va.; 16 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and two on the way; a sister, Ida Lunghoffer of Hobart, IN; a very special nephew, Quinten Reffner of Ohio; and his beloved friend Gail Schomer, living in his home town area.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Isabelle; three brothers, Raymond, Willis and Wilmer; two sisters, Beulah Dunn and Florence Minto; one granddaughter, Lori Dillen; and one great granddaughter, Ashley McGarvey.
Interment was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Glasgow, but there will always be a part of him in the mountains of Cameron County.
William Bierly
William Johnson Bierly, 82, of West Fourth Street died Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2006) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys.
Born Sept. 8, 1923, in Warren, he was a son of Grover and Carrie Johnson Bierly. On April 8, 1950, in Emporium, he married Cynthia M. Beck, who died Dec. 25, 1988.
A resident of Emporium almost his entire life, Mr. Bierly was a 1941 graduate of Emporium High School.
In 1973 he retired from GTE Sylvania in Emporium where he was employed as a lathe operator for 35 years.
He was one of the founding fathers of the Little League in Emporium and was a leader of the 4 Mile 4-H and the Ridge Runner 4-H for 35 years. He was also a past member of the Conservation District of Emporium, the Cameron County Fair Board and the CCHS Music Boosters.
Mr. Bierly is survived by two sons, William J. Bierly of York and David M. Bierly of Elysburg; one daughter, Linda Lucas of Emporium; five grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-granddaughter; one sister, Kathrine Wolfanger of Emporium; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lucille Cowee, a sister, a nephew, one grandchild and one greatgrandchild.
Funeral and committal services were held on Friday (Jan. 27, 2006) with the Rev. R. Scott Melott, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Emporium, officiating. Burial was in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the CCHS Music Boosters or the Cameron County Little League.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Coppersmith Condon Funeral Home, Emporium.
William Swartwood
William S. Swartwood, 63, of Camillus, NY died Monday (Jan. 16, 2006) at home.
Born in Emporium, he served in the US Navy from 1960 to 1963 and graduated from Auburn C.C. in 1969, University of West Flordia in 1972 and SUNY Oswego in 1975. Bill worked for the US Defense Department and later Defense Contract Management, retiring in 2004 after 19 years.
He enjoyed stamp collecting and loved to fly as a private pilot and was a member of AOPA since 1967.
Surviving are his mother, Mary (Kromko) Swartwood of Camillus; a daughter, Deborah (Jack) Taylor of Pope AFB, NC; a granddaughter, Hannah Taylor; nieces, nephews and many loved ones.
He was predeceased by his father Harry in 2003 and a sister Judith Ann Walter in 1984.
Funeral services were held Thursday (Jan. 19) at B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, Camillus.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.
Colleen O'Brien
Colleen R. O'Brien, 23, formerly of Renovo, but residing in Cameron County for several years, died Thursday (Jan. 12, 2006).
Survivors are her mother, Cheryl McGowan; a brother, James McGowan; a sister, Erin O'Brien; and a niece, Alonna O'Brien, all from Renovo.
Other survivors are Kathleen Lane from Sterling Run; Calvin Lane and family from Emporium; Chuck and Anne Conner and family from Sterling Run; Lucinda Eckenroad and family from Austin; Patricia Martin, Emily Watson and family, Gayle Heagy, Wendell and Kurt O'Brien, all from Emporium.
She was preceded in death by her father Michael (Grey) O'Brien Sr., who died Jan. 1, 1985; and a brother, Michael Grey O'Brien Jr., who died Dec. 17, 1998.
Services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Renovo on Saturday, Jan. 21.
