All Obituaries

James K. Thomas, 99, a resident of The Villages of Maple Heights, Ebensburg formerly of Gallitzin died December 10, 2023, at the Villages. Born August 7, 1924, in Amsbry, the son of the late Wilfred C. and Mary (Vasbinger) Thomas. Preceded in death by 1st wife Barbara Wright, son, Billie Jo, infant son Paul, brothers Charles, John, Paul, and sisters Charolette Brown and Doris Kuntz. Survived by a grandson Justin and his wife Teresa and their daughter Nora and a baby girl to be born in...

Nelda J. Cassidy 94, Altoona died December 8, 2023, at Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation Center. Born December 19,1928 in Hollidaysburg, the daughter of the late Vincent and Olive (Weimer) Hart. Preceded in death by her husband, Patrick on March 7, 1973, sons, Patrick Jr., Thomas and Randy aa sister Norma and her partner Bill Benner. Survived by daughters-in-law Vickie Burns, Elma Cassidy and Lisa Cassidy, grandchildren, Mandy Cassidy, Randy (Tricia Lidwell) Cassidy, Tommy (Julie) Cassidy, Halee...

Ivan Robert Wilk was born still on December 1, 2023. He was a brief gift and the highly anticipated son of Marc and Colby (Lenz) Wilk, Pittsburgh. Others mourning his loss include his siblings, Ila and Lottie. “Don't think of me as gone away, my journey's just begun. Life holds so many facets. This earth is but one. Just think of me as resting from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days and years. Think of how I must be wishing that...

Dorothy J. Billy 85, Cresson Shaft died November 26, 2023, at Midtown Oaks Health & Rehab Center, Altoona. Born August 16, 1938, in Cresson Shaft the daughter of the late Michael & Mary (Nesbella) Billy. Preceded in death by her sisters, Julie Panek, Mary Pollack and Annie Kreutzenberger and brothers, Emile Sr., Michael, Joseph, John, and George. Survived by special nieces and caregivers, Kim (Bruce) Myers, Mary Leyo (Bob Mastalski), and Emily Billy and numerous other nieces and...

Rosemary (Penny) Dean, 75, of Savannah, GA peacefully passed away at home on November 18th 2023. Penny was born at home in Gallitzin, PA on February 5, 1948 to Walter and Vivian (Knee) Greevey, the second of 6 daughters: Kathy Albrano, Joan Gregg, Dorothy Lytle, LeeAnn Kochara Sheridan, and Mary Cicero. After Penny graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 1965 she moved to Alexandria, VA to pursue a career in accounting. Penny met her husband, Joel Dean, through mutual friends shortly...

John J. “Jack” Baum 87, Cresson died November 18, 2023, at UPMC Altoona. Born July 4, 1936, in Cresson, the son of the late John F. and Catherine (Ahles) Baum. Preceded in death by his wife the former Mary June Quartz, three grandsons, Thomas Jasper IV, Craig Baum, and Joseph Baum and a brother James. Survived by his children, John (Sandy), Gerald (Melanie), Susan Baum (Ken Karroll) and Cathy (Ray) Osmolinski, grandchildren, Jack Baum, Shannon Baum, Cossonie Baum, Christine...

Robert J. (Bob) “Ecky” Eckenrode Jr. 91, Altoona died November 10, 2023, at UPMC Altoona. Born December 6, 1931, in Loretto, the son of the late Robert and Rose (Olson) Eckenrode. Preceded in death by infant great-grandchildren Leonardo and Lucille, brothers, Bill and Jim and sisters Mag Boldizar and Kate Crusciel. Survived by his wife of 67 years the former Florence “Flo” Gaida and these children, Tony (Anna Rose) and Tonya (Rod) Patterson, grandchildren, Ashley...

Ronald LeComte, a lifelong resident of Cresson passed away November 9, 2023, at his home after a long battle with Fabry disease. Ron was the first to participate in a clinical trial of an enzyme replacement therapy at UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh in 2001. Ron’s cousin Lynn Yetsko donated a kidney to Ron in 2006. Born March 20, 1960, in Colver the son of the late William and Carol (Cherico) LeComte. Preceded in death by brothers, Randy, Eugene “Benny” and Todd, sister...

Lawrence M. “Larry” Cox 70, Gallitzin died November 8, 2023, at the Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg. Born May 5, 1953, in New Brunswick, NJ the son of the late Stanley and Dorothy (Senko) Cox. Preceded in death by an infant son Michael, great-grandchildren, Damon and Lucas and brother Robert. Survived by his wife the former Mary Ann Molosky whom he married February 10, 1973, and children, Richard and fiance Naomi, Clifford (Erin), and Karen Cox  and fiance Jason,...

Edward Paul “Ed” Tutko, 81, of Bowie passed away November 8, 2023. He was born December 9, 1941, in Gallitzin, PA to John R. Sr. and Anna (Robatin) Tutko. Ed grew up in Gallitzin and moved to Maryland when he was 18. He married his wife Phyllis on June 10, 1977 and they lived in Laurel before moving to Bowie. Ed worked in the produce department for Giant Food for many years, retiring in 2001. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville. Ed loved sports,...