OBITUARIES

May 2, 2023

Robert E. “Bobby” Balmforth, 41, of Fredrick, Md., formerly of Altoona, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born October 13, 1981, in Jacksonville, N.C., the son of David and Sally (Ruffner) Balmforth. Surviving are his parents; life-partner, Doug Martin of Fredrick, Md.; siblings: Michael Balmforth (Allison and Noah) of Altoona; Sarah Adams (Alexander) of...

Apr 26, 2023

Jacob G. Spahn Jr., 89, of Altoona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at UPMC Altoona. Born on June 2, 1933, Roaring Spring, son of the late Edith (Bell) and Jacob Spahn Sr. He married Arlene Frederick on January 3, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Altoona. Surviving are his two children, Randy (Dena) Spahn; and Lori...

Apr 13, 2023

Richard Paul Howard Jr., 46, Altoona, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 after an extended illness at his home. Born April 14, 1976, Altoona, son of the late Richard P. and Charlotte L. (Duck) Howard Sr. Survived by his son, Bryson Eldridge; sister, Vicki Hall; special friend, Cheryl Nale; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and other...

Apr 7, 2023

Mrs. Minnie (Faris) “Tita” Yahner, 97, of Purcellville, Va., formerly of Altoona, died Friday at her residence after an extended illness. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late George and Mary (Batrus) Faris. She married Richard J. “Dick” Yahner on June 30, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. He preceded her in death on...

Apr 4, 2023

Edmund Alphonsus “Ed” McConnell, 96, of Altoona, died Tuesday at UPMC Altoona after an extended illness. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Walter and Gladys (Sprow) McConnell.

He married Elizabeth Rose Johnson on July 23, 1949, at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

Ed retired in 1987 as a mechanic at Philips...

Apr 4, 2023

John Conti, 95 of Altoona died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg.

He was born January 1, 1928 in Pico, Italy a son of the late Teresa (Castrechiini) Conti.

He retired in 1994 as a maintenance man at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg, after many years of service. He also worked as a...

Apr 2, 2023

Lonnie J. Pfahler, age 76 of Altoona, died Sunday morning 04/02/2023 at her son’s residence, Newark, Delaware.  She was born 01/23/1947 in Altoona, a daughter of the late James and Winifred (Henry) Poorman.  On 09/30/1995 she married the late Donald Pfahler who passed away 11/21/2012.  Surviving are her son, Donald Pfahler (Rose) of Delaware, her daughter Beckey Smith of...

Mar 18, 2023

Stacey Lynn Stein age 52 of Altoona, died Saturday afternoon 03/18/2023 at UPMC Altoona.  She was born in Altoona 10/25/1970, a daughter of the late Jay M. and Phyllis L. (Wyland) Poorman.  Surviving is a son, Zachary, a sister, Dawn R. (Tim) McCreary, and nieces:  Madison and Megan.  Stacey graduated from Altoona Area High School who worked at several...

Feb 13, 2023

George G. Moyer, 87, Altoona, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, February 13, 2023 at his daughter’s home. Born July 10, 1935, Altoona, son of the late Raymond T. and Mable (McCaulley) Moyer. Preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy L. (Zeak), whom he married November 20, 1957 in Altoona; and his...

Feb 8, 2023

Elsie K. Wright, age 74 of Altoona, died Wednesday afternoon 02/08/2023 at UPMC Altoona after a extended illness.  She. Was born in Altoona 06/02/1948, a daughter of the late Leroy Schroth and Mary G. (Dively) Ingham.  Surviving are her husband, Richard Wright, daughters:  Karenlee,  Terry Jo, Tina Marie and Kimberly; several grandchildren; sisters:  Charolette Leaper, Elaine Kaye LeFevre and...

Jan 30, 2023

Shirley Jean Keirn, 85, of Altoona, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, January 30, 2023 her home, after an extended illness.

She was born in Altoona, April 18, 1937, daughter of the late Claire and Ruth (Benton) Trexler. She married Joseph E. Keirn July 20, 1956 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Altoona with...

Jan 23, 2023

Mr. Jesse A. Moyer, 54, of Altoona, Pa, died at 12:25 AM, Monday January 23, 2023 at Epworth Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, after brief illness. Went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Moyer was born in Altoona, Pa. on October 17, 1968, son of the George G. Moyer and late Dorothy L. (Zeak)...

Jan 18, 2023

Daniel R. Langenbacher Sr., age 65 of Bellwood, died Wednesday afternoon 01/18/2023 at Hershey Medical Center.  He was born in Altoona 05/17/1957, a son of the late, Edgar L. and Betty J. (Fetterman) Langenbacher.  Danny married Paula A. Stonerook .  Surviving are his wife, three sons:  Daniel Jr. (Amy), Christopher Sr. (Cathy), and Justin Sr. (Dee Rhodes); two daughters:  ...

Dec 30, 2022

Peter Michael Rossi, 74, Altoona, passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2022 at his home. Born May 1, 1948, DuBois, son of the late Anthony L. and Maybelle M. (Mater) Rossi. Survived by his wife, Barbara J. (Rafacz), whom he married on May 25, 1974 in Huntingdon; son, Jacob J. Rossi, at home; and brother Anthony L. Rossi, DuBois....

Dec 25, 2022

Thomas C “Pepe” DePue, 79, DuBois, formerly of Altoona, went home to be with the Lord and his sweet bride Therese on Christmas Day at Christ the King Manor, Dubois. He was born August 26, 1943 in Easton, PA son of the late Richard Masters and Ruth (Pensyl) DePue. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Richard S. DePue....

Dec 23, 2022

Howard William Ross Jr., age 77 of Altoona died Friday evening 12/23/2022 at his residence.  Bill was born in Altoona, a son of the late Howard W. and Shirley L. (Parson) Ross Sr.  Surviving are sons:  Howard W. Ross III, Sean Christopher Ross Barronner and Joel Timothy Ross, 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a  brother, David Lee Ross.  ...

Dec 19, 2022

David A. Gates Jr., age 43, of Altoona and State College, died Monday morning 12/19/2022 in State College, Pa.  Dave was born in Altoona, a son of David A. Gates Sr. and Estelle M. (Mills) Gate.  Surviving are his parents, and a sister, Dr. Sierra Kirsch.  Dave was a Air Force Veteran who was self employed as a painter.  ...

Dec 18, 2022

Edward G. Baker Sr., 84, Altoona, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Guardian Healthcare Altoona. Born April 13, 1938, Altoona, son of the late Francis P. and Loretta A. (Blake) Baker. Preceded in death by his son, Edward Paul Lauver; and brothers, John and Frank Baker. Survived by his wife, Catherine L. (Soult); sons, Edward Baker Jr. and...

Dec 14, 2022

Rafacz, Francis “Frank” J., 67, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, passed away on December 14, 2022. Born on July 18, 1955, in Spangler, he was the son of the late Frank and Rita (Brown) Rafacz. Preceded in death by sister-in-law, Jennifer Quick; and brothers-in-law, John Rife and Peter Rossi. Survived by siblings, Barbara Rossi; Sharon Sanders and husband, Walter; John...

Dec 3, 2022

Rose M. Savine, age 90 of Altoona, died Saturday morning 12/03/2022 at Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.  She was born in Altoona, a daughter of Michael and Grace (Cenerari) Polignone.  Surviving are a son, Rober D. Savine, one grandchild, a sister, Janet Botteicher, a brother, Michael Polignone, and several nieces and nephews.  Rose retired from Sylvania as a...