All Obituaries

Karen A. (Auman) Sporner, 76, loving wife of Vincent E. Sporner, passed away at Penn Highlands Elk on February 22, 2020 following a lengthy illness.  She was born on June 1, 1943, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Marinus J. and Doris M. (Fritz) Auman.  She was Catholic by faith and a member of St. Marys Catholic Church. On February 1st, 2020 they celebrated more than 57 years of love and marriage. In addition to her husband, she is survived by 3 daughters; Dina Marie (Larry)...

Gregory E. Wendel, 55, a resident of Pinecrest Manor and formerly of 721 S. Michael Road, St. Marys, died on Thursday, February 20, 2020 following a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was born on August 11, 1964 in St. Marys, a son of Leander and Christine Miles Wendel, who survive of St. Marys. Greg was a graduate of SMAHS, class of 1981 and a member of Queen of the World Church. He attended technical schooling in both Ridgway and Pittsburgh, and worked for a number of years as a...

Eugene B. Gavazzi, 81, of 115 Ford Road, St. Marys, died on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Pinecrest Manor following a lengthy illness. He was born on May 19, 1938, in Weedville, a son of the late Gino and Albina Malfer Gavazzi. On April 21, 1956 in St. Marys Church, he married Darlyn "Dolly" Sarginger Gavazzi, who survives of St. Marys. Gene was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Weedville High School.  He was a member of Queen of the World Church.  He...

Donald A. Byrd, 65, of 670 Washington Street, St Marys, died on Monday, February 10, 2020 at Penn Highlands Elk following a short illness. He was born on November 11, 1954, in Ridgway, a son of the late Robert and Thelma "Byrdie" Brechtel Byrd. Don was Catholic by faith and a graduate of SMAHS, class of 1973.  After returning home from Florida where he had made his home for more than 15 years, he worked at and then retired from Walmart in St. Marys.  An avid antiques...

Patricia M. Hillebrand, 94, of Erie Avenue and formerly of Windfall Road, St. Marys, died on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at her home following a brief illness. She was born on June 13, 1925, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late George and Natalie Talbot McMackin. On June 4, 1944 in St. Marys, she married Joseph A. Hillebrand, who preceded her in death on December 24, 2011. Mrs. Hillebrand was a member of St. Marys Church.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, and caring for her family and her...

Florence M. "Cookie" Baumgratz, 91, of 617 S. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, died on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Penn Highlands Elk. She was born on January 12, 1929, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Lawrence "Poppy" and Caroline "Nana" Friedl Woelfel. On June 28, 1952 in St. Marys Church, she married Paul H. "Chicken" Baumgratz, who preceded her in death on October 9, 1992. A lifelong resident of the area, Cookie was a graduate of Central High...

Norbert J. "Jim" Cassady, 67, of St. Marys, died at his home on Monday, January 20, 2020. He was born in St. Marys, a son of the late Norbert and Grace Shilk Cassady. He is survived by his two children; Rachel Cassady and Jamie Cassady; both of St. Marys, and by 2 grandchildren; Gracelan amd Laken.  He is also survived by a sister; Jane Ferragine and her husband Dennis of Johnsonburg, and a brother; Calvin Cassady and his wife Theresa of St. Marys. Jim worked in the powdered...

Kyle W. Pichler, 24, of 107 Sheeley Road, Kersey, died at his home on Monday evening, January 13, 2020. He was born on July 15, 1995, in St. Marys, a son of Wayne Pichler of Kersey and Cheryl Schreiber Pichler of St. Marys. Kyle graduated from St. Marys Area High School, class of 2013.  He enjoyed motocross and playing his guitar.  Always enjoying the outdoors, Kyle liked to go hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed spending time with his friends. In addition to his parents,...

Joseph A. Fritz, 103, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home and formerly of 401 N. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. He was born on June 26, 1916, in St. Marys, a son the late William and Clara Meyer Fritz. On October 16, 1940 in St. Marys Church, he married Zita M. Stauffer Fritz , who preceded him in death on September 18, 2004. Mr. Fritz was a lifelong resident of the area and member of St. Marys Church.  He retired from Stackpole Carbon Company in...

Dorothy R. Meyer, 75, of 189 Forestview Road, St. Marys, died peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at her home. She was born on December 23, 1944, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Joseph and Dorothy Weidow Prudich. In July of 1966 in Sacred Heart Church, she married David Meyer, who survives of St. Marys. Dorothy was a lifelong resident of the area and a member of Queen of the World Church.  She was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1962.  She retired in 2017...