All Obituaries

Anne M. Plumlee 88 Great Falls, VA formerly of Gallitzin died April 29, 2024, at the home of her daughter Marzell. Born October 12, 1935, in Gallitzin the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Renaldi) Saracena. Preceded in death by her 1st husband, Robert Peters, 2nd husband, Wilfred Plumlee and 3rd husband, Lloyd Davison Survived by her daughter Marzell (Nicholas) Kolessides and their two sons John and Conner also brothers and sisters, Francis Saracena, John (Bonnie) Saracena, Dolores...

Lucy A. Shall (Dziabo) 96, Altoona, formerly of Gallitzin, went home to be with the Lord on April 26, 2024, at her residence surrounded by family. Born July 1, 1927, in Gallitzin, the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Kroskey) Dziabo Sr. Lucy was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony, on Jan. 3, 1994, as well as sisters, Matilda Stock, Elizabeth Marnecheck, and Josephine Dascanio, brothers, Edward, John, Anthony, and Bernard Dziabo and Joseph and Paul Stock. Survived by her...

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...