All Obituaries

Rose Ann “Rosie” Servinsky 77, Hollidaysburg formerly of Loretto died April 7, 2024, at Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. Born March 23, 1947, in Altoona the daughter of the late and Joseph and Rose (Heiss) Spinner. Preceded in death by a brother Paul Survived by her husband John whom she married January 4, 1975, and a son Jay “JJ”, brother Joe (Suzette) and sister Donna (Spinner) Hall and numerous nieces and nephews. Rose enjoyed crocheting, bingo, a Steeler fan, wee...

Irene M. Hertzog 93, Gallitzin died March 4, 2024, at UPMC Altoona. Born January 14, 1931, in Dean the daughter of the late Elmer and Inez (Cavalet) Briggs. Preceded in death by 2 sons-in-law Steve Ciukaj and Jim Eckenrode, her, sisters Johanna (Simanski) Lingenfelter, Dorothy Passanita, Lorraine Matish and Vivian LeBlanc. Survived by her companion and friend Steve Tutko Jr, daughters, Barbara Ciukaj, and Joyce Eckenrode, 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1...

Howard James “Gig” Burk died peacefully surrounded by family on February 24th, 2024. Gig was born June 3, 1941, one of ten children, to Mary (Huff) and Patrick Burk of Gallitzin.  Loyal to his hometown, Gig lived and was an active part of the Gallitzin community his entire life including, amongst many things: the Fire Company, social organizations and the library. He was a proud Army veteran having served two tours in Vietnam and always supporting Veteran’s...

Ronald A.” Soups” Szpala 79, Cresson died February 23, 2024, at his Home. Born April 8, 1944, in Gallitzin the son of the late Alvin and Julia (Lesko) Szpala. Preceded in death by a sons Michael on December 28, 2014, and Jeffrey on November 28, 2021, and brother James on June 10, 2012. Survived by his wife the former Nancy DelGrande whom he married December 29, 1962, at St. Francis Xavier Church, Cresson and these children, Patricia (Ronald) Biter, Rhonda Simanski (Royce),...

Margaret R. “Maggie” Wills, 72, Juniata, Altoona died February 20, 2024, at her home. Born March 20, 1951, in Altoona the daughter of the late Robert and Catherine (McCloskey) Clossin. Preceded in death by an infant brother Francis, sisters, Edna Vinglas, Ann Duran, Dorothy Stevens, and Elizabeth Kroskey. Survived by her husband Leroy Jr. whom she married August 26,1972 at Gallitzin Methodist Church and these children, John Wheland, Cynthia Wills, Crystal Lauver and Sandra (Joe)...

Kenneth A. “Kenny” Patz 80, Cresson died February 18, 2024, at his home. Born November 11, 1943, in Sankertown, the son of the late John and Helena (McGuire) Patz. Preceded in death by his wife the former Donna Reed on April 8, 2006, brothers Richard, Tom, Theodore “TR”, and Donnie, sisters, Elizabeth Phister, Regina, Helena, and Margaret “Peggy” Johnston. Survived by daughters, Renee (Robert) Boyd, Patricia (William) Yahnert and Melony (Timothy) Yahnert,...

Fred Schmidhammer, 81 a resident of Garvey Manor formerly of Cresson died February 8, 2024 at UPMC Altoona. Born October 21,1942 in Altoona the son of Frederick W. Sr. and Clara (Olmis) Schmidhammer. Preceded in death by an infant son Randy in 1977 and a sister Susan Kurtz. Survived by his wife the former Joyce Dickson whom he married May 29, 1965, at St. Mary’s Church, Altoona and daughters, Robin (Sam) McClure Jr. and Renee (Todd) Mahalko, grandchildren, Brittany (Brad) Brenneman,...

John W. “Yitski” Dashner 86, Gallitzin died February 2, 2024, at his residence. Born April 6, 1937, in Gallitzin the son of the late Celestine and Gladys (Swaney) Dashner. Preceded in death by a grandson, Ryder DeStefano Veazey, brothers, Bernard, Francis, and Kenneth and sisters, Marion Surma and Nancy Knee. Survived by his sons James (Angela) Veazey and Timothy (Jennifer) Veazey, granddaughter Jayna Lang and grandson Garrett, brother-in-law, Bob Knee and sister-in-law Alice...

FENCHAK, George, 84, of Athens, GA passed away January 29th, 2024 in Athens, GA. Born September 30th, 1939 in Dilltown, PA, son of the late Charles and Barbara Fenchak. Survived by wife, Elizabeth (Kischel) to whom he was married 57 years; daughter, Pamela Gardner, Encinitas, CA; daughter, Sharon Fenchak, Asheville, NC; daughter, Georgianne (Larry) Fenchak, Cary, NC; son, Christopher (Shannon) Fenchak, Lilburn, GA; 7 grandchildren, Isabel, Annah Rose, Jackson, George, Luke, Helen and...

Mary E. Lumadue 94, Waldorf, MD formerly of Gallitzin died January 27,2024 in Waldorf. Born January 9, 1930, in Gallitzin the daughter of the late John Jr. and Mary (Basko) Kristock. Preceded in death by her husband William “Jack” on February 21, 2011. Survived by cousin Sharon Benone and her family; special friends Carolyn Sylvester, and William and Dina McNamara. Mary worked for the federal government as an Administrative Assistant. A 1948 graduate of Gallitzin High School....