OBITUARIES

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...

Barry J. Bollinger

Barry J. Bollinger

Nov 24, 2025

Barry J. Bollinger, 74, Altoona, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025 at his residence after an extended illness. Born May 14, 1951, Altoona, son of the late James and Pauline (Zimmerman) Bollinger. Survived by his loving wife, Melissa (Chilcote) Bollinger; son, Ryan Bollinger; brother, Kim Bollinger and wife, Deborah; nieces, Christina and Lisa Reedy; and his beloved fur babies, Bella...

Jedadiah "Jay" Ward

Jedadiah "Jay" Ward

Nov 11, 2025

Jedadiah “Jay” Ward, 40, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025. Born on August 28, 1985, in Canton, Ohio, Jay lived a life full of laughter, loyalty, and love. Jay was the beloved son of Cheryl and Earnest Ward, and the devoted boyfriend of Audry Behe, with whom he shared a loving home that they poured their...

Kathleen M. Canole

Kathleen M. Canole

Nov 10, 2025

Kathleen M. Canole, 71, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at Garvey Manor Nursing Home following an extended illness. She was born on June 19, 1954, in Altoona, daughter of the late Owen and Gertrude A. (Dudas) Canole. Surviving is her sister, Deborah A. Canole, sister-in-law, Sally Canole, nephew, Matthew K. (Taylor) Canole and niece, Rachel H. Canole. Also surviving...

Brian K. Bender

Brian K. Bender

Nov 1, 2025

Brian K. Bender, 59, of Altoona, passed away peacefully at his home following a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, November 1, 2025. He was born on July 26, 1966, in Mentor on the Lake, OH, son of Clyde and Donna (Bragg) Bender. Surviving are his parents, a daughter, Paige Bender and her fiancé’ Braden Shultz, a girlfriend Kali Estright,...

Barbara J. Rossi

Barbara J. Rossi

Oct 31, 2025

Barbara J. (Rafacz) Rossi, 76, died on Oct. 31, 2025 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh after sustaining serious head injuries in a fall 12 days earlier. She was a gentle, soft-spoken person with a lifelong devotion to her Roman Catholic faith and a commitment to serving humanity. Barbara was born March 21, 1949 in Spangler (now Northern Cambria), the...

Richard F. Fickes

Richard F. Fickes

Oct 29, 2025

Richard F. Fickes, 65, Bellwood, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at UPMC Altoona Hospital. He was born on December 15, 1959, in Altoona, son of the late Charles and Peggy (Bowers) Fickes. Surviving is his wife, Teresa Smyder; two daughters, Aubree Zojonc (Ryan) of State College; and Angela Miller (Justin) of North Las Vegas; 8 grandchildren, Morgan Betz and...

Clayton P. McConnell

Clayton P. McConnell

Oct 26, 2025

Clayton P. McConnell, 85, Altoona, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025 at Hilltop Healthcare & Rehab, Altoona. Born February 7, 1940, Altoona, son of the late Roy A. and Helen M. (Cashman) McConnell. Preceded in death by his three brothers, Jim, Joe and John McConnell; and sisters, Margaret Briskey, Betty Hahn, Alice Imler and Elizabeth Eyer. Survived by his sisters,...

James M. Raihl

James M. Raihl

Oct 20, 2025

James M. Raihl, 50, of Altoona, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025. He was born on March 30, 1975, in Altoona, son of James F. and Mary Raihl. Surviving are his parents, wife Jayme, two sons; Logen and James Raihl, stepson; Jaydon Cornelius, two brothers; Thomas and Robert, and by his mother-in-law; Gloria J. Cornelius. James was preceded in death...

Darlene R. Garlick

Darlene R. Garlick

Oct 18, 2025

Darlene R. (Doutrich) Garlick, 83, Altoona, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, October 18, 2025 at her residence. Born June 4, 1942, Altoona, daughter of the late Ellery L. and Audrey M. (Kehler) Doutrich. Survived by her loving husband, C.R. “Dick” Garlick Sr.; daughter, Rhonda L. Graham and husband, Robert; son, C. Richard “Rich” Garlick and wife, Cathy;...

Walter J. Trybus

Walter J. Trybus

Oct 7, 2025

Trybus, Walter J., 87, Cresson, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg. Born November 16, 1937, Lilly, son of the late Wladyslaw “Walter” and Joanna (Godzisz) Trybus. Preceded in death by his loving wife, Gertrude “Trudy” (McConnell) Trybus; beloved son, Michael Trybus; grandson, Shawn; brothers, John,...