OBITUARIES

Robert Paul Lunger

Robert Paul Lunger

Mar 11, 2026

Robert P. Lunger, 71, of Altoona, passed away Wednesday March 11, 2026, at UPMC Altoona hospital. He was born on June 24, 1954, in Altoona, son of the late Paul R. and Leona M. (Notaro) Lunger. Surviving are his wife Pamela, his son Michael, and daughter Jessie (Ken) McAleer. Also surviving are his three brothers, David, Doug, and Glenn, several...

Ronald B. James

Ronald B. James

Feb 24, 2026

Ronald B. James, 80, of Altoona, passed away Tuesday February 24, 2026, at Garvey Manor Nursing Home. He was born on April 8, 1945, in Altoona, son of the late Charles and Dorothy (Franell) James. Surviving is his wife Linda who he married on July 20, 1968, two daughters; Amy Skunda (Don) and Becky Manna (Ted), a son Eric James,...

Kathleen Ann Schirf

Kathleen Ann Schirf

Feb 22, 2026

Kathleen A. Schirf, 75, Altoona, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at UPMC Altoona. She was born on November 20, 1950, in Altoona, daughter of Ambrose L. and Irene E. (Chambers) O’Hara. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Patrick O’Hara. Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 45 years,...

Angeline C. Thomas

Angeline C. Thomas

Feb 15, 2026

Angeline C. “Angie” “GiGi” Thomas, 81, Altoona, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Sunday, February 15, 2026, surrounded by her family and devoted caregivers. She was born in Altoona on September 1, 1944, to the late Domenick P. “Doc” and Edna Catherine (Fonzi) Thomas, and in 1947 proudly became the older sister to Ruth Ann Purcell, who...

Clinton E. "Clint" Leipold

Clinton E. "Clint" Leipold

Feb 2, 2026

Clinton E. “Clint” Leipold, 59, of Altoona, passed away Monday February 2, 2026. He was born on September 10, 1966, son of the late Edward Jr. and Carol (Grassi) Leipold. He was preceded in death by three aunts: Diana (Grassi) Stitt, Judith Sanders, and Susan Cullen. Clint is survived by three aunts: Carmel Hicks, Linda Knorr, Elizabeth (Kent) Shade, and...

James H. Bowser Sr.

James H. Bowser Sr.

Jan 21, 2026

James H. Bowser Sr., 87, of Altoona, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at UPMC Altoona Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born on March 27, 1938, in Altoona to the late Mearl and Lilly (Sleek) Bowser. James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose presence brought warmth to those who knew him. He...

Michael Paul Gambardella

Michael Paul Gambardella

Jan 14, 2026

Michael Paul Gambardella, 61, of Alexandria, PA passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, following an extended illness. He was born May 4, 1964, in Gettysburg, PA son of the late Gaetano and Sandra (Zettle) Gambardella. Surviving is his son; Collin, 2 grandchildren; Kellin and Ember, a brother; Vincent, 2 sisters; Sherri Burley and Donna Hollen, and a half sister, Cheryl...

Sandra Lee Welch

Sandra Lee Welch

Jan 14, 2026

Sandra Lee Welch, 75, of Altoona, passed away Wednesday January 14, 2026, at The Villages of Midtown Oaks. She was born on March 6, 1950, daughter of the late Herman and Janet (Vipond) Price. Sandra married Clyde L. “Pete” Welch on November 16, 1968, and he preceded her in death on February 25, 2021. Surviving are two daughters; Cherie Wise...

William L. "Bill" Lear

William L. "Bill" Lear

Jan 5, 2026

William L. “Bill” Lear, 72, of Altoona, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026, at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. He was born on September 25, 1953, in Altoona, son of the late Charles F. and Helen L. (Musselman) Lear. Surviving is his loving wife of 37 years Deborah A. (Lenhart) Lear. Also surviving is his daughter, Rene’...

Marian L. Morgan

Marian L. Morgan

Jan 3, 2026

Marian L. Morgan, 92, of Altoona, passed away Saturday January 3, 2026, at Upmc Altoona Hospital. She was born on July 8, 1933, in Altoona, daughter of the late Alfred J. and Marjorie K. (Durbin) Harber. Marian married Robert J. “Jack” Morgan in 1953, and he preceded her in death April of 2006. Surviving are her two sons: Michael J....

Suzanne E. Hatch

Suzanne E. Hatch

Dec 31, 2025

Suzanne E. Hatch, 88, passed away unexpectedly at her home on New Year's Eve, with family at her side. Born August 11, 1937, in Altoona, to the late James and Katharyne (Sell) Boland. She is survived by her children, Eileen Williams (Gary), Randy Hatch (Judy), and Dave Hatch (Sherry); many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. She...

Haider Mohammedali Rajpar

Haider Mohammedali Rajpar

Dec 30, 2025

Haider Mohammedali Rajpar, 86, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at UPMC Altoona. Born July 21, 1939, Ndanda, Tanzania, son of the late Mohammedali and Rubab (Somji) Rajpar. Survived by his wife, Shamim (Roberta J. “Bobbie” Harter) Rajpar; daughters, Rashida and husband, Chris Larkin; and Yasmin and husband, Tyler Franklin; grandchildren, Meena Larkin, Sophia Larkin, Isaiah Franklin, Silas Franklin...

Robert J. Prebish

Robert J. Prebish

Dec 24, 2025

Robert J. Prebish, 77, of Altoona, passed away on Christmas Eve after a brief and sudden illness. He was born August 4, 1948, in Cresson, the son of the late Peter and Mary L. (Padilla) Prebish. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda (Merritts) Prebish, his brother and sister-in-law, Paul “Pizzo” and Kathy Prebish, his brother, John...

Mary Jane Mills

Mary Jane Mills

Dec 24, 2025

Mary Jane Mills,79, of Altoona passed away Wednesday December 24, 2025, at UPMC Altoona Hospital. She was born on November 19, 1946, in Altoona, daughter of the late Herbert and Cora (Clapper) Keller. She married David H. Mills on June 26, 1965 and he preceded her in death on June 7, 2021. Surviving is her four children: Vanessa M. Mills...

William T. "Bill" Weyant

William T. "Bill" Weyant

Dec 23, 2025

William T. “Bill” Weyant, 73, of Altoona, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at UPMC Altoona hospital following an extended illness. He was born on November 11, 1952, in Hollidaysburg, son of the late Kenneth R. and Nancy A. (Thomas) Weyant. Surviving is his wife, Rebecca L. Weyant, 3 children: Lisa M. Weyant, William T. Weyant Jr. and Heather J....

William R. College

William R. College

Dec 18, 2025

William R. College, 64, Altoona, passed away December 18, 2025, at his home with his loved ones by his side after an extended illness. Born March 1, 1961, in Altoona. William is survived by his mother, Sharon Hollingsworth and her partner John Miller; children, Michelle (Asa) Mosey and Michael (Erica) College; grandchildren, Jayden Mosey, Aurora Mosey, Alesia Mosey, and Kate...

Joan Marie Conroy

Joan Marie Conroy

Dec 16, 2025

Joan Marie Conroy, 92, of Manassas VA, formerly of Altoona, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Paramount Senior Living in Virginia. She was born on June 19, 1933, in Altoona, daughter of the late Henry T. and Angeline ( Cancilla) Mangiacarne. Joan married Ralph J. Conroy on February 27, 1954, and he preceded her in death on December 13,...

John J. Schirf

John J. Schirf

Dec 8, 2025

John Joseph Schirf, 85, Flinton, PA; formerly of Chesterfield, VA, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg. He was born on November 18, 1940, in Altoona, son of the late Herbert T. Sr. and Dorothy A. (Ernest) Schirf. Surviving are his two daughters, Mary Catherine Schirf of Silver Spring, MD and Helen Marie Schirf of...

Debra Ann Metzler

Debra Ann Metzler

Dec 4, 2025

Debra Ann Metzler, 67, Tyrone, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025. She was born on March 30, 1958, in Altoona, daughter of the late Richard W. and Dorothy Hamp. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Metzler; grandmother, Mary DeArmitt; and brother, Allen J. Hamp. Surviving are her two siblings, Richard C. and Linda A. Hamp; 9...

John W. Patton

John W. Patton

Nov 25, 2025

John William Patton, 75, Bellwood, passed away November 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Born July 24, 1950, Altoona, son of Harold and Clare Ann (Garman) Patton. Preceded in death by his parents and father and mother-in-law, Grover and Martha Spotts. Survived by his loving wife, Marsha (Spotts) Patton; son, John Patton and wife, Mary; grandchildren, Mason...