Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
William A. Reader
May 7, 2007
William A. Reader, 36, of 300 W. 18th Street, Tyrone, died Sunday, May 7, 2007 at his residence.
He was born April 5, 1971 in Altoona, a son of Albert and Donna (Nelson) Reader. On April 10, 1999 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carroltown, he married Melissa Jarvis.
Surviving are his wife, a son Logan at home, his parents of Tyrone, two brothers: Michael and wife Brande of Thornton, Colorado and Albert III of Pittsburgh, a niece Brooklyn Reader of Thornton and a nephew Brayden Mennett of Johnstown. He was preceded in death by a niece Hope Reader.
Mr. Reader was formerly employed at Ray Burial Vault Company, Tyrone for a number of years.
He was a 1989 graduate of Tyrone Area High School and was veteran of the US Army with service in the early 1990s. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7 p.m. at Feller Memorial Home with Rev. Douglas Mottin officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Melvin Clair Harper
June 18, 2007
Melvin Clair Harper, 90, of RD 3, Box 147, Tyrone, PA died Monday, June 18, 2007 at Epworth Manor, Tyrone.
He was born November 19, 1916 at Northwood, Snyder Township, PA, a son of Melvin and Virginia (Getz) Harper.
He was married March 6, 1939 in Tyrone to Margaret J. Morrisey.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, Clair L. Harper and his wife Donna of Palm Coast, Florida and Sheldon L. Harper and his wife Cindy of Warriors Mark, PA, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two sisters, Norma Harper of Bald Eagle and Virginia Arnold of Tyrone, and a brother Leroy Harper of State College.
He was a member of the Bald Eagle United Methodist Church and a graduate of Tyrone High School in 1934.
He served as a Cpl. during World War II with the United States Army in the European Theatre.
He was a true family man who enjoyed music, hunting, fishing, and his hobby of making Mantel Clocks and Wooden Toys.
He retired as a carpenter and cabinet maker April 1, 1981 from the Penn State University after 25 years service.
Funeral services with Flag Presentation will be held Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Derman Funeral Home, Inc., Tyrone with Rev. A. Michele Somerville officiating. Interment will be at Bald Eagle Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be given to the Bald Eagle Cemetery c/o Sandra L. Chronister, RD 3, Box 155, Tyrone, PA 16686.
Timothy R. Thimmig
June 18, 2007
Mr. Timothy R. Thimmig, age 48, of 3358 S. Mountain Road, Tyrone, died Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the Tyrone Hospital.
He was born February 14, 1959 in St. Louis, MO the son of Russell B. and Ione Cuneio Thimmig. He is survived by a son, Timothy Thimmig Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA and a daughter, Jessica Thimmig. Also surviving is his mother of Battlefield, MO and four sisters: Debbie Thimmig, St. Louis; Kimberly Thimmig, Springfield, MO; Karen Manus, Texas and Samantha Thimmig, MO.
Mr. Thimmig was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and was retired on disability from HRB in State College as a hardware technician. He had served in the US Army as an electronic warfare/intercept tactical systems repairer.
Local arrangements are under the direction of the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. of Tyrone and funeral arrangements will be announced by Bopp Funeral Chapel of Kirkwood, MO.
Marianne Jensen Vilbig
June 14, 2007
Marianne Jensen Vilbig, a journalist and homemaker, died in her sleep after a long illness on June 6. She was 81.
Marianne was born July 26, 1925 in Phoenix, Ariz., the daughter of Simon Jensen, of Denmark, and Dorothy Leahy, a first generation Irish American. Marianne was raised in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where she studied violin and during World War II, developed a lifelong interest in following the news. After a year at Hood College, she transferred to Penn State, from which she graduated with a degree in journalism.
After college she worked as a reporter for the Tyrone Daily Herald and then in 1948 moved to Dallas, Texas, where she worked as Stanley Marcus’s administrative assistant. She married J. Lee Vilbig Jr. of Dallas in 1950 and over the next thirty years raised a family of four children, despite severe health problems developed as result of scoliosis.
Marianne remained an avid reader throughout her life, and at one point read the Nobel Prize winning novels of all the novelists who won the prize since its inception in 1901.
Marianne was known as fiercely loyal to her family, and a tough, feisty woman who at the age of 75 confronted an attempted carjacker, shoved him away, and said, “No, you can’t” when he demanded her keys in a parking lot. She remembered seeing him in her rearview mirror scratching his head as she drove off.
She is survived by her four children: Peter Vilbig and his wife, Susan Hayes, of Brooklyn, David Vilbig and his wife, Barbara, of Dallas, Fred Vilbig and his wife, Diane, of St. Louis, Linda Boggess and her husband, Charles (Butch) Boggess, of Houston. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
A visitation was held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, TX on Friday, June 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 8. A Funeral service was held on Saturday, June 9 at St. Monica Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Donations may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas in Dallas, the Dallas Rotary Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.
Betty Jane Harper
July 5, 2007
Mrs. Betty Jane Harper, age 87, a guest at Epworth Manor and formerly of Bald Eagle died Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 12:50 a.m. at the Manor.
She was born May 1, 1920 in Tyrone, the daughter of Arthur L. and Mabel C. Burford Woomer and on February 10, 1944 in Altoona she was married to Robert D. Harper who preceded her in death April 11, 1988.
She is survived by two sons: Allen and wife Elaine Harper of Pennington Road, Tyrone and Gary and wife Ann Harper of the Pennsylvania House, Tyrone; one granddaughter, Mindy, wife of Randy Persi of Irwin, Pa. and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by three brothers: Dr. James Woomer, Robert Woomer and an infant brother.
Mrs. Harper was a member of the Bald Eagle United Methodist Church. She had been employed as a clerk at Fink’s Hardware, retiring in 1985. She particularly enjoyed bowling, fishing and camping, often at the Liberty Sportsman Campground in Howard.
Funeral service for Betty Jane Harper will be Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. with Pastor Michele Sommerville officiating. Interment will follow in Bald Eagle Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
William Edward ‘Wild Bill’ McCahan
July 5, 2007
William Edward “Wild Bill” McCahan, 80, of Glen Hope, passed away at 2:38 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at the Altoona Hospital.
Mr. McCahan was born in Tyrone, on August 7, 1926, the son of the late William R. and Laura (Moon) McCahan.
He attended Grazierville School, Tyrone and served in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Laertes.
He retired as a drag operator and worked for Putman and Green; Sky Haven and Orlando Brothers for a total of 60 years.
He was Protestant by faith, a member of the Grazierville Club, Tyrone; in the 50s he drove dirt track race cars, winning many trophies. Along with his wife, he drove show race cars for Bud Garvey. He and his wife have display cars that they both won in while racing. Bill’s car was No. 35.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Lorene Parshall, whom he married on October 4, 1963 in the Bellwood EUB Church.
Mr. McCahan is also survived by two daughters, Kathy Faaborg of Pittsburgh and her husband Kevin and Susie McGee and fiancé James of Clearfield; four sons: George E. Miller and wife Elaine of Mahaffey, Randy B. Miller of Clearfield; B. Mark Miller and fiancee Ann of Janesville and William D. McCahan and wife Brenda of Olanta, Pa.
Also surviving are three sisters: Ruthie Durbin of Bald Eagle, Gene Shirey and Lasca Jackson, both of Tyrone and one brother, John McCahan of Tipton.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. McCahan is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, infant McCahan and Grant McCahan and one sister, Genevieve.
Friends will be received at the Kruise Funeral Home, Inc., Madera on Friday, July 6 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Kruise Funeral Home, Inc. Madera at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 7 with David Parshall officiating.
Graveside services will be at Fruit Hill Cemetery, Jordan Twp., Pa. The Clearfield Honor Guard, American Legion Post 6 and VFW Post 1785 will conduct military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association-Central Region 116 So. Allegheny St. Rm. 309 Bellefonte, Pa. 16823.
Anna C. Getz
August 18, 2007
Mrs. Anna C. Getz, age 96, formerly of 1507 Madison Avenue, Tyrone, and a guest at Epworth Manor died Friday, August 17, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. She was born January 12, 1911 in Altoona, the daughter of Seneca A. and Mary Slep Coffey and on July 7, 1930 at the bride’s home in Sylvan Hills, Hollidaysburg was married to Melvin U. Getz who preceded her in death December 24, 1978. She is survived by two children - Diane Kirwan and husband Raymond of Sun City West, AZ and Melvin C. “Pete” Getz and wife Judy of Tyrone; four grandchildren - Steve Yon, Shelley Ann Moyer, Laura Kirwan, and Amy Messner, 10 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother Arthur “Bud” Coffey and two sisters - Frances Klevan and Cordelia Smiley.
Mrs. Getz was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she had served as a Deacon and an Elder and was always very generous with her time, talents and presents for church, civic and charity affairs. She had attended the Mary Lyon School in Swathmore, PA, the Combs Music Conservatory in Philadelphia and the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in Ithaca, NY and had studied in New York City at the Fred Waring Workshop. She was an accomplished pianist and piano teacher and was active in music all her life. She taught many students of piano. Ann had been a member and served as president of the Logan Study Club, the Tyrone Junior Service League and the Civic Club. Her other memberships included the Tyrone Hospital Auxiliary, the Eastern Star, the Tyrone Players, the Questers and the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce. During the 1940’s she was the organist for the Warriors Mark Methodist Church. Ann was one of the organizers of the Tyrone Fred Waring Day in the 1950’s. She was the pianist for the 1954 dedication of the Tyrone Hospital and also for the hospital’s rededication in 1991.
Mrs. Getz served on the Board of Directors of the Altoona Engraving Company, the Altoona Mirror Printing Company and the Pennsylvania Mirror. In 1984 the Tyrone Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi named her “Woman of the Year”. She has been an active and generous supporter of the Altoona Symphony and the Blair County Civic Music Association.
To her many friends Ann was also affectionately known as Cupcake Anne, Green Bean Queen, The Great Mechanic and the Great Navigator-Buffalo & Jethros.
Funeral service for Anna C. Getz will be held Monday, August 20, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. with her nephew Tom Klevan and Chaplain Joan Smith officiating. Music will be provided by her longtime friend and associate Richard Merryman. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Dayton L. Reese
October 26, 2007
Dayton L. Reese, 74, of Port Matilda was called to Heaven by his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 6:45 a.m. at Mt. Nittany Medical Center.
He was born December 28, 1932 in Philipsburg a son of O.P. and Cynthia Pauline (Nearhoof) Reese. On May 10, 1958 at the Stormstown Methodist Church he married Florence Louise Peters.
Surviving are his wife, a daughter Cynthia L. Reese and husband Keith Kohatsu of Asheville, North Carolina, two sons David L. and wife Maribeth of Port Matilda, Stuart and wife Jennifer of Harrisburg, 10 grandchildren, Mattie, Sarah, Logan and Travis Reese of Port Matilda, Daniel, Nathan, and Shannon Reese of Harrisburg, Aaron, Eli and Hannah Reese of Ashville, North Carolina, five brothers, Ira of Quincy, Washington, Earle of Pasadena, California, Rodney, H. Quay and Samuel all of Port Matilda and three sisters, Frances Hipps of Halfmoon, California, Faye Gray and Marilyn Hipps both of Port Matilda. He was preceded in death by a brother Dale.
Dayton was a lifelong member of the Port Matilda Baptist Church where he served on many boards and was a Sunday School teacher. He served on several community boards and was a founding member of the Port Matilda Borough Authority.
He graduated from Port Matilda High School in 1950 and worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Altoona, a dairy farm in New Jersey, and completed a tour of duty as a medic for the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1955, having reached the rank of sergeant in the medical detachment of the 37th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
He retired in 1995 from Omega Bank Port Matilda as branch manager following 43 years service. After retiring from the bank, he worked at a job he truly loved with the Penn State Horticulture Department at Rock Springs in potato and high tunnel research for six years.
He pitched for the Port Matilda Porters for numerous baseball seasons, and loved throwing a baseball and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He relished good poetry, history, sports and gardening and was fond of tractors, machines, and masonry work. He loved to work outdoors including cutting wood and building projects and was an avid deer and turkey hunter. He especially treasured his time with his late brother Dale fly fishing in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming.
Dayton was a loyal friend and devoted husband, father and pappy. He taught us how to be generous, committed and forgiving and demonstrated it by his dedication to his Lord, family, church, community, and country.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 29, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Port Matilda Baptist Church with Pastor John Pine officiating. Interment will follow at Port Matilda Presbyterian Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Feller Memorial Home on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Port Matilda Baptist Church, P. O. Box 450, Port Matilda, Pa. 16870 or to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK or to the American Diabetes Foundation, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Ill. 60606.
