OBITUARIES

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...

Dec 2, 2022

Jay M. Poorman, 80 of Altoona, died Friday morning 12/02/2022 at UPMC Altoona.  He was born in Altoona, a son of Bruce and Gladys Poorman.  Surviving are daughters: Dawn (Tim) McCreary and Stacy Stein: 3 grandchildren, sisters:  Carol Boor, Renee Figart and Sandy Lepore.  Jay retired as a truck driver from Drenning’s Company, Altoona.  At the request of the...

Nov 14, 2022

Bertrand D. Summerville, age 62, of Altoona, transitioned from this life on Monday morning 11/14/2022 at UPMC Altoona.  He was born in Flint, Michigan, 09/27/1960, the fifth child of the late Raymond D. and Hester L. ( Marshall) Summerville.  As a child he attended the Flint Community Schools in Flint Michigan, then later moved to Harrisburg, PA where he...

Nov 14, 2022

Agnes Patricia Vasas, 68, resident of Graystone Manor, Altoona, passed away Monday, November 14, 2022. Born May 19, 1954, daughter of the late Warren H. and Orpha A. (Sanders) Noel, Sr. Preceded in death by her siblings, Cathy Rossbach, William Noel, Warren Noel Jr. and Maureen Noel. Survived by her children, Eric Vasas and wife Catherine, Roaring Spring; Kendra...

Nov 7, 2022

Tyler S. Hammel, 31, of Bellwood, passed away Monday at Shadyside Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, after an extended illness. He was born in Altoona, the son of Robert Hammel and Christine A. DeArmitt.

He worked as a self-employed auto mechanic.

Tyler was a Christian.

He was a 2010 graduate of Altoona Area High School...

Oct 29, 2022

David L. Plowman, age 68 of Altoona, died Saturday morning 10/29/2022 at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Altoona, a son of the late Ellis S. and Dora (Wilt) Plowman.  He is survived by his life companion, Marcy L. Houck, sons:  Todd and Bill Plowman, a daughter, Amy J. Phillips, 2 grandchildren, a sister, Bonnie Keith, brothers:  Carl and...

Oct 28, 2022

Daniel J. Helsel, Jr., 59, Altoona, passed away October 28, 2022 at UPMC Altoona. Born March 15, 1963, Johnstown, son of Daniel J. and Alberta R. (Ainsworth) Helsel, Sr. Preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings. Survived by his loving wife, the former Sarah L. Flynn, whom he married on July 2, 2004 in Hanover Borough, PA....

Oct 25, 2022

Suzanne   E. Drass, age 69 of Bellwood and Tyrone, died Monday morning 10/24/2002 at Myersdale Healthcare and Rehabitation Center.  She was born in Altoona 07/01/1953, a daughter of the late Michael J. and Marjorie (Karl) Drass.  Surviving are a nephew, Scott Shiffler and cousin, Thomas DeHaven.  She was preceded in death by two brothers:  Michael and Patrick Drass, and...

Oct 12, 2022

Barry Alan Behe, 62, of Altoona, died at 10:38 PM, Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at UPMC – Altoona after a brief illness.

He was born in Altoona, Pa on November 25, 1959, son of the late John Joseph (Jack) and Dolores Louise (Pete) (Gority) Behe.

He retired in April 2022 as a Customer Service Representative...

Sep 21, 2022

Michael B. Daversa, age 38 of Altoona, died Wednesday morning 09/21/2022.  He was born in Altoona, a son of Michael J. Little and Julie M. Daversa. Surviving are his parents , a grandmother, Janet Daversa, and his dogs:  Dee and Albert.  Mike was a Altoona Area High School who was a cashier for the Keystone Truck Stop in Munster,...

Sep 10, 2022

William J. Maloney Jr., age 44 of Altoona, died Saturday evening 09/10/2022 at UPMC Altoona.  He was born in Altoona, a son of William J. Maloney and Colleen J. (Doran) Maloney.  Surviving are his parents, a son, Cameron Maloney, daughters:  Paige and Haley Maloney.  Bill was a Altoona Area High School graduate who was employed at Altoona Pipe and...

Sep 10, 2022

Colleen A. Douglass, 82, of Altoona, passed away Saturday at her home. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late John and Pearl (Marlett) Riggleman.

Surviving are her daughter, Kathleen Douglass, and her fiancé, Mike DeFrancesco, of Altoona; a grandson, Troy DeFrancesco, whom she adored; a brother-in-law, Richard “Dick” Douglass and his wife, Mary Catherine, of...

Sep 3, 2022

Tricia A. Rupert, age 51 of Altoona, died Saturday morning 09/03/2022 at her residence.  She was born 06/25/1971 in Altoona, a daughter of Eugene F. and Virginia L.”Mickie” (Carland) Seymour.  Surviving are her parents, her life companion, Chris Horton, a daughter, Brandi R. Rupert, a son, Andrew R. Rupert (Emily), a step daughter, Mandy R. Horton, three grandchildren, brothers:  ...

Aug 15, 2022

Leroy E. Carlheim, age 80 of Altoona, died Monday afternoon 08/15/2022 at UPMC Altoona.  He was born in Altoona, a son of the late Edward H. Carlheim and Edna J. (Benton) Pandora.  He married Patty J. Nale.  Surviving are his wife, a daughter, Diane R. Crile, a son, James A. Carlheim, a granddaughter, Audra Carlheim and a sister, Dorothy...