OBITUARIES

Doris A. Smith

Doris A. Smith

Jul 23, 2024

Doris A. Smith, 90, Altoona, passed away Tuesday July 23, 2024, at her home. Born June 16, 1934, Altoona, daughter of the late Ralph E. and Edna C. (Boslet) Martin. Preceded in death by her loving husband, Jeremiah “Jerry” Smith on April 28, 2014; her son, Kevin C. “KC” Smith on August 4, 1993; her sister, Janet Pufka; and brother-in-law,...

Timothy Leo Seymore

Timothy Leo Seymore

Jul 21, 2024

Timothy Leo Seymore, 80, Altoona, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Leo and Pauline (Cunningham) Seymore. Tim attended Altoona High School before studying economics at St. Francis University. After earning his degree, Tim entered the United States Navy...

Patricia J. Dean

Patricia J. Dean

Jun 29, 2024

Patricia Jane Dean, 73, Altoona, passed away peacefully Saturday June 29, 2024 at, UPMC Altoona, after an extended illness. Born April 6, 1951, Altoona, daughter of the late Henry “Harry” V. and Helen E. (Buchanan) Strohmeyer. Preceded in death by her loving husband, Warren Scott Dean; and brother, Charles Strohmeyer. Survived by her three daughters: Kerri Francioni and wife, Tracy...

Robert T. Thompson

Robert T. Thompson

May 24, 2024

Robert T. “Dewey” Thompson, 85, Selingsgrove, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024 at UPMC Harrisburg. Born March 28, 1939, Newry, son of the late Eugene and Edith (Leonard) Thompson. Survived by his loving wife, Eleanor (Saska) Thompson, whom he married in November of 1978; sons, Brian (Angela) of New York; Robert and Greg; daughter, Robin, all of Maryland; 12 grandchildren;...

James J. Batrus

James J. Batrus

May 22, 2024

James "Jimmy Joe" Joseph Batrus, 72, Altoona, passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer Wednesday, May 22, 2024. He was born in Altoona, PA on August 28, 1951, son of Alma Wierman and the late Thomas Batrus. He married the love of his life Sharon I. Bell on June 26, 1969, who preceded him...

Nancy J. McMahon

Nancy J. McMahon

May 7, 2024

Nancy Jane “Nana” McMahon, 80, Altoona, passed away May 7, 2024 at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring. Born May 27, 1943, Altoona, daughter of the late Ernest R. and Nancy J. (Stein) Lutz. Survived by her daughters, Dawn M. (Scott) Igoe; Carole A (Chad) McMahon-Confer, all of Altoona; Julie (Gerald) Hutchison, Hollidaysburg; 5 grandchildren, Taylor and Trevor Hutchison, Dalton,...

Joseph R. Noel

Joseph R. Noel

May 6, 2024

Joseph R. Noel, 73, Ruskin, Florida, formerly of Altoona, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 at Post Acute Medical Specialty Hospital, Sarasota, Florida. Born August 16, 1950, Altoona, son of the late Herbert J. and Olive A. (Lidwell) Noel. Preceded in death by his first wife, Johanna L. (Claudia) Noel. Survived by his wife, Shirley A. (Campbell) Noel, whom he...

Edwin E. Eckard, Jr.

Edwin E. Eckard, Jr.

Apr 14, 2024

Edwin E. Eckard Jr., 70, Altoona, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at UPMC Altoona. Born January 7, 1954, Altoona, son of the late Edwin E. Sr. and Margaret J. (Ott) Eckard. Survived by his wife, Stephanie M. (Johnsonbaugh) Eckard; daughter, Laura J. Hazlett; son, Rev. Dennis M. Eckard; sisters, Margaret Sprankle, Grace Crosson and Kathy Eckard; brothers, Thomas, John,...

Dennis P. Donley

Dennis P. Donley

Apr 5, 2024

Dennis P. Donley, 72, Altoona, passed away April 5, 2024 at UPMC Altoona. Born February 18, 1952, Altoona, son of the late George W. and Barbara Jean (Bratton) Donley. Survived by his three children, Barbara Jeanne Donley (George Gehring), Renee M. (Taylor) Austin and Patrick W. (Ashley) Donley; granddaughter, Claire Gaines; and his brother, Robert A. Donley (Anita Himes). Dennis...

Joyce A. Hann

Joyce A. Hann

Mar 13, 2024

Joyce A. Hann, 57, Altoona, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at UPMC Altoona, surrounded by her family. Born January 19, 1967, McConnellsburg, Fulton Co., daughter of the late Carl and Susan (Mills) Stains. Survived by her husband, Anthony “Bull” Rodriguez; children, Charles, Joshua (Brandi), and Jasmine Hann; grandchildren, Draven, Quentin, Gemini and Michael; brother, Chris Stains; and numerous nieces...

SFC James J. Robinson (Ret)

SFC James J. Robinson (Ret)

Mar 13, 2024

SFC James J. Robinson (Ret), 60, Altoona, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024, with his wife by his side at their home. Born August 4, 1963, Altoona, son of Josephine (Chamberlain) Neugebauer and the late Donald Robinson. Survived by his loving wife, Cherry (Acker) Robinson; his children; brother, John Robinson; and his special aunt and uncle, Mary Ann and Art...

Darlene K. Schirf

Darlene K. Schirf

Mar 8, 2024

Darlene K. Schirf, 79, Tyrone, passed away Friday, March 8, 2024 at Hilltop Healthcare, Altoona. Born January 24, 1945, Windber, daughter of the late Charles T. Sr. and Edith A. (Thompson) Webb. Survived by her loving husband, Donald Schirf; daughters, Donna (Mark) Wance, Hanover; DeeAnn (Bill) Fike, Chesterfield, VA; and Dawn (Chester) Evans, Arlington Heights, IL; 5 grandchildren, Cassandra (Joseph)...

Regina M. (Madigan) Kutruff

Regina M. (Madigan) Kutruff

Mar 2, 2024

Regina M. (Madigan) Kutruff, 86, Altoona, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 2, 2024 at UPMC Altoona, surrounded by her family. She was born in June 5, 1937, Amsbry, the eldest of 14 children to late parents, Thomas and Marie (Beiswenger) Madigan. Her loving husband, Herbert J. Kutruff, preceded her in death. They married at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Ashville, on...

Estelle M. Gates

Estelle M. Gates

Feb 27, 2024

Estelle M. Gates, 62, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at her residence. Born December 21, 1961, Altoona, daughter of the late James T. and Marilyn G. (Angus) Mills. Preceded in death by her son, David Gates, Jr. and sister, Kathy Mackey. Survived by her husband, David Gates, Sr.; daughter, Sierra Kirsh; two grandchildren; sisters, Bonnie (Eric) Webb and...

Arlene I. Cortez

Arlene I. Cortez

Feb 26, 2024

Arlene I. Cortez, 70, Altoona, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024 at her residence. Born August 4, 1953, Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, daughter of James G. and Martha F. (O’Brien) Miller. Preceded in death by her father; husband, Raphael Cortez; daughter, Tina Morey; grandsons, Tony, Adam and Ryan Morey; and brother, Edward “Eddie” Miller. Survived by her mother; sister,...

Robert K. Stiffler, Sr.

Robert K. Stiffler, Sr.

Feb 18, 2024

Robert K. Stiffler Sr., 85, Bellwood, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024 at his home. Born May 7, 1938, Bellwood, son of the late Cloyd E. and Cecelia M. (Timmons) Stiffler. He was raised in Kerbaugh where he spent most of his life working around the house and yard. He was a retired mechanic who loved time with his family...

Virginia Ann Gilyard

Virginia Ann Gilyard

Feb 15, 2024

Virginia Ann “Red” Gilyard, 78, Altoona, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2024 at UPMC Altoona surrounded by her family. Born June 13, 1945, Altoona, daughter of the late Paul W. and Mae V. (Dunn) Klein. Survived by her loving husband, Charles Gilyard; children, Harold (Tina) White III and Lisa Jo Lunghofer; three grandchildren, Sarah Riter, Allie Burdette and Gabriel Little;...

Eric "Brownie" T. Brown

Eric "Brownie" T. Brown

Feb 7, 2024

Eric T. “Brownie” Brown, 57, Altoona, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at his home after an extended illness. Born November 5, 1966, Altoona, son of the late N. Louise and Arthur Brown, Sr. Survived by sisters, Laurette, Melinda and Pammy; brother, Doug and wife, Debbie; multiple nieces and nephews; and companion, Karen. Preceded in death by sisters, Colly...

Richard R. Leipold

Richard R. Leipold

Feb 3, 2024

Richard R. Leipold, 80, Altoona, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 3, 2024 at his residence. Born September 5, 1943, Altoona, son of the late Ralph F. and Pearl M. (McDonald) Leipold. Preceded in death by his siblings, Robert Leipold, Bonnie Angermeier and Terry Merritts; and brother-in-law, “Shorty” Merritts. Survived by his daughter, Julie Ann (Robert Luciano) Della, Lilly; 3 grandchildren,...

Christopher C. Finch

Christopher C. Finch

Jan 30, 2024

Christopher C. Finch, 67, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at UPMC Altoona.  Born November 24, 1956, Morristown, New Jersey, son of the late Donald E. Sr. and Mary A. (Strunck) Finch. Survived by sisters, Winnie Barbato, Mickey Dow, Sharon Becker and Jerri Holmes; brothers, Donald Finch Jr., Ray Finch and Jim Finch; special friend, Nancy McConnell; and numerous...