All Obituaries

Pastor Donald M. Wilson, a resident of Brisbin, PA, passed away peacefully Friday October 18th, 2019 at Windy Hill Village surrounded by family at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Evans) Wilson; his children Donald (Sylvia) Wilson, Daniel (Lisa) Wilson, and Joy (Jim) Howard; his grandchildren Chad (Tommi Felton) Harvey and Alaina (Andrew Zapf) Wilson; his great-grandchildren Annalyse and Kileigh Harvey and Azalea Zapf; and his brother Bob Wilson. He was predeceased by his...

Martha Louise Tatanish, 87 of Smithmill, passed away Saturday October 12, 2019. Born February 16, 1932 in Philipsburg, she was the daughter of the late Wasco and Anna (Semetosky) Lashinsky. Martha was a member of St. Barbara’s Polish National Catholic Church, Houtzdale She was a graduate of Bigler Township High School. Martha served as past president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #6321 Ladies Auxiliary, Smithmill,  was elected six terms as the Gulich Township...

        Dora Marie McGraw , age 102, a resident of Brisbin, PA, passed away gracefully just as she wished in Florida on October 8.  She lived a full life and was a true joy.  She was the daughter of Lee McGraw and Minnie (Ulrich) McGraw who preceded her in death.  Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Leroy, William and Dorsey Preston McGraw.  She is survived by her sister, Vivian Marshall of Brisbin; nieces Joyce (McGraw) Woods, Donna...

Richard A. "Dick" Waite Sr. passed away peacefully on Sunday October 6, 2019 at Epworth Manor Tyrone. Born April 11, 1947 in Philipsburg, he was the son of the late Ralph M. and Sarah J (Wilkes) Waite. Dick resided in Ohio before moving to Houtzdale and attended Moshannon Valley High School. On June 25, 1966 he married Patricia Jane (Lanich) Waite, who survives at home. Dick was a former loyal and proud member of the Houtzdale Moose Lodge # 327. He was employed as a supervisor...

  James Dale Taylor, 71 of Philipsburg, passed away Thursday September 19, 2019 at the home of his daughter in Danville. Born March 22, 1948 in Philipsburg, he was a son of the late Jonathan Dale Taylor and Hazel C. (Holt) Taylor. On May 29, 1970 he married Doris (Krysiak) Taylor, who survives at home. Jim was an active member of St. Barbara's Parish in Houtzdale and an officer of the Reliance Fire Company in Philipsburg. He was employed by Norfolk Southern Railroad until his...

Garrett Reid Smith, 23, of Philipsburg, passed away Wednesday, September 18th. Garrett was born December 8, 1995 in Clearfield, the son of Allen T. Smith and Gina Waite. Garrett was a member of Gearhartsville Sportsman’s Club. He had a passion for off road dirt biking and he was also a car and gun enthusiast. Surviving Garrett is his father, Allen Smith and step-mother Regina Raymond of Osceola Mills, his mother Gina Waite of Philipsburg, his paternal grandfather Harry...

Paul O. Walstrom, 55, a guest of Ridgeview Health Care and Rehab Center, Curwensville and formerly of Atlantic, rural Houtzdale, died Saturday September 7, 2019 at the center. Born March 27, 1964 in Port Allegany, he was the son of the late Oscar and Louise (Godin) Walstrom. He was a graduate of Moshannon Valley High School. Paul was a member of Faith United Lutheran Church, Houtzdale He enjoyed listening to polka music, watching old western movies and WWF wrestling. Paul especially...

Erma Pearl VanValkenburg, 96, of Wallaceton and formerly of Osceola Mills, died Thursday August 29, 2019 at the home of her son. Born August 26, 1923 in Parsonville, rural Houtzdale, she was the daughter of the late William and Martha (Phillips) Kennedy. Erma was a homemaker. She enjoyed watching old western movies, WWF wresting, and  made beautiful rugs on her loom. Erma is survived by two sons; Vaughn (Martha) Phillips of Pacific, rural Houtzdale and James (Kelly)...

Philip E. Kitko Jr, 84 of Houtzdale, died Friday August 16, 2019 at his residence. Born October 12, 1934 in Madera, he was the son of the late Philip E. and Victoria (Wroblesky) Kitko. Philip was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Houtzdale, the Croatian Club,  Smoke Run, Houtzdale Loyal Order of Moose #327, Stephen Kandrach Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6321, Janesville, Morann Citizens Club, and the BPO Elks Lodge #1173, Philipsburg. He served with the Unites States Army...

Betty Carson, 92, a guest of Colonial Court Yard, Tyrone and formerly of Brisbin, died Saturday August 3, 2019 at Colonial Court Yard. Born August 27, 1926 in Brisbin, she was the daughter of the late John G. and Mabel (Sankey) Lobb. Betty was a member of the Brisbin Baptist Church. She completed her LPN training at Clearfield Hospital in 1947 and was employed at the Hospital until her retirement.  Following her retirement she continued to do private duty nursing and volunteered for...