All Obituaries

Thomas “Tom”  Kochara 75, Gallitzin died January 30, 2023, at UPMC Altoona. Born May 11, 1947, in Tunnelhill the son of the late John Sr. and Eileen (Chirdon) Kochara. Preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Mark, John and Daniel “Dink”. Survived by his wife of 46 years the former Mercedes Torales whom he married August 21, 1976 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Loretto and a daughter Maria (Mark) Dashner and their son Aiden (Tom’s only grandchild) and...

Joseph A. Zurilla Jr. 79, Gallitzin died January 27, 2023 at Select Specialty Hospital, Johnstown. Born April 14, 1943, in Lilly the son of the late Joseph A. Sr. and Anna (Nesbella) Zurilla. Preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Anne on December 29, 2015. Survived by his wife of 58 years the former Beatrice Wilk whom he married April 18, 1964, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Lilly, sisters and brother, Dorothy Zelenski, Barbara Butterbaugh, and Edward Zurilla and numerous nieces and...

Helen Cameletti, 88, a resident of Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg and formerly of Lilly and Cresson has gone to be with her Lord and Savior.  Helen was brought into this world November 18, 1934 in Lilly to the late John and Ann (Bezek) (Bulsok) Duperock.  She was preceded in death by her husband Camelo “Cam” on April 28, 2015 and also sisters Mary Gebhart, Ann Wilson and Betty Yurchik and brothers Pete Bulsok, Stephen Bulsok and Michael Bulsok.  She is survived by a...

David R. Beck 81, Cresson died January 16, 2023, at Cambria Care Center, Ebensburg, Born December 8, 1941, in Altoona the son of the late Paul J. and Zelma E. (Diehl) Beck. Preceded in death by brothers, Paul Jr. Ralph and Kevin. Survived by his wife of 45 years the former Doreen Smithmyer whom he married August 19, 1977, stepsons, Richard J. (Shauntae) Iachini Jr.and Christopher P. (Susan) Iachini, step-grandchildren, Layla, Carina, Kelly (Matt) Poorman, sisters and brothers, Judy Lutz,...

Gerald F. “Herk” Stevens, 77, Altoona formerly of Cresson died December 24, 2022, at UPMC Shadyside, Pittsburgh. Born June 15, 1945, in Cresson the son of the late John Stevens and Genevieve (Volk) McConnell and stepfather George McConnell. Preceded in death by a sister Deanna (Stevens) Bendon, brother John “Jack Stevens and father & mother-in-law Walter “Shorty” and Genevieve (Stafford) Conrad. Herk was married to his high school sweetheart of 58 years,...

Joseph A. “Harky” Harkabus 95, Gallitzin died December 11, 2022, at Forest Hill Personal Care Home, Sidman. Born December 29, 1926, in Lilly the son of the late Joseph F. and Mary (Konstz) Harkabus. Preceded in death by his wife the former Helen A. Petyak on November 18, 2010, daughter Eileen on October 9, 2010, infant brother Tommie, brother Francis, sisters Dorothy, Anna Stoltz, Josephine Lestock and Bernadine Buchinski. Survived by sisters, Mary Strank, Gertrude Leap, and...

Father Ivan M. Lebar, T.O.R., 91, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on December 7, 2022, at Saint Francis Friary in Loretto, PA. Born September 7,1931 in Cleveland, Ohio, Fr. Ivan is preceded in death by his parents Ivan A. and Magdalene (Kramar), as well as his two brothers Ivan Jr. and Stephen and two sisters Martha (Bukovec) and Margaret (Stahlinecker). He is survived by his nieces Joanne (Lebar) Rozic, Karen...

James E. Little, 84 Loretto died December 6, 2022, at Cambria Care Center, Ebensburg. Born April 30, 1938, in Loretto the son of the late Francis and Mary Catherine (Doyle) Little. Preceded in death by his wife Nancy on July 14, 2021, brothers, Robert, Fred, and Patrick. Survived by his son James A. and his wife Mary, sisters and brothers, Elaine (Ralph) Sheehan, Bill (Sue) Little, Ronnie Little, Celine (Bill) Rice, and Don (Barb) Little. Jim retired from Penelec as a Line Supervisor. Jim...

The Reverend Robert P. Hilz, T.O.R., 80, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on November 30, 2022 at Conemaugh Hospital in Johnstown, PA.   Fr. Robert was born December 25, 1941 in Youngstown, Ohio the son of the late Robert G. and Elsa (Pitassy) Hilz, preceded in death by his brothers James H. Hilz and Thomas Hilz.  He is survived by his sister, Rosemary Kline and her husband Wayne, two sisters-in-law...

SCOTTO – The Reverend Dominic Scotto, T.O.R., 92, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on 21 November 2022 at Saint Francis Friary in Loretto, PA.  Fr. Dominic is preceded in death by his parents, Domenico and Grazia Scotto and four brothers: Salvatore, Leonard, Joseph, and Anthony. He is survived by one cousin, a number of nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, and his Franciscan...