All Obituaries

Helen Sharrow Werneth, 92, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home and formerly of 131 Bestway Street, St. Marys, died on Monday, March 16, 2020 at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. She was born on November 23, 1927, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late August and Loretta Kraus Herzing. In December of 1948 in Ridgway, she married James L. Sharrow, who preceded her in death in November of 1989.  She then married August F. Werneth in June of 1992, and he preceded her in...

John E. "Bimbo" Halquist, 66, of 218 Hogback Road, Kersey, died on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born on January 5, 1954, in Kane, PA, a son of the late John A. and Martha L. Benson Halquist. On September 21, 1974 in Wilcox Lutheran Church, he married Sara Ann Williams, who survives of Kersey.  Together they shared more than 45 years of marriage. In addition to his beloved  wife, Sara, he is survived by a daughter; Heather...

Michael B. Schloder, 54, of 573 Center Street, St. Marys, died on Monday, March 9, 2020 at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh following a lengthy illness. He was born in Ridgway, PA on September 22, 1965, a son of Arnold Green of California and the late Edna "Rusty"  Farrell. Mike was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, class of 1983.  He was a member of the PFL and had been employed by Advanced Heat Treating for a number of years.  Mike was an avid Vikings fan...

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...