All Obituaries

Neil R. Johnson, 91, of 151 Houston Road, St. Marys, died on  Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a brief illness. He was born January 30, 1930 in Renova, PA, a son of the late Gerald and Eva Van Sickle Johnson. On March 31, 1951, in the Johnsonburg United Methodist Church, he married Patricia Van Order Johnson, who survives.  Neil was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from...

Michael J. "Mike" Gillen, 74, of 185 Center Street, died on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Penn Highland DuBois following a brief illness. He was born in St. Marys on March 1, 1947, a son of the late Andrew and Mary Rose Minnick Gillen.   Mike graduated from Elk County Christian High School, class of 1965.  He served in the U.S. Army, having served in Vietnam.  He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, where he served as an usher for many years.  Mike retired...

Richard A. "Dick" Walker, 82, of 14109 Wilcox Road, Mount Jewett, died on Monday, July 5, 2021 at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a brief illness. He was born in Emporium, Pa on August 5, 1938, a son of the late Thomas and Lillian Dalrymple Walker.  On February 9, 1963 he married Penny Carlson Walker, who survives.  Together they shared almost 60 years of love, laughter, and happiness.   He retired from Keystone Carbon Company after 42 years of service. Dick...

Samuel N. Chillelli, 75, of 626 Theresia Street, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, June 24, 2021. He was born in St. Marys on August 16, 1945, a son of the late Paquale and Myrtle Sayers Chillelli. In September of 1970 he married Linda Sorg Chillelli , who survives. Sam worked for most of his life as a mechanic, and retired from Walmart. He enjoyed spending time with people, and woodworking. He is survived by two sons; Samuel (Jackie) Chillelli and Dan (Julie Gausman)...

Charles C. "Spike" Fanning, III, 67, of 45 Plum Street, Weedville, died on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Pinecrest Manor following a lengthy illness. He was born on January 28, 1954, in Painsville, OH, a son of the late Charles C. Fanning, Jr. and the late Elizabeth Schwarz Fanning Vito. Spike spent his life with his longtime love and soulmate, Luann Altomare, who preceded him in death on Oct. 21, 2007. Spike attended Kane High School and then served in the U.S. Army. ...

Viola V. Eckert, 90, of 228 Martin Road, died on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Penn Highlands Elk. She was born in Lock Haven on March 10, 1931, a daughter of the late Frank and Concettina Curado Sette. On August 20, 1954 in St. Leo's, she married the late Carl J. "Shorty" Eckert, who preceded her in death on June 9, 2007.  Together they shared nearly 53 years of love, laughter, and happiness. Viola was a member of Queen of the World Church.  She retired from...

Mark A. Rhines, Jr., 34, of 163 Madison Street, St. Marys, died on Sunday, June 6, 2021 in Jones Township following injuries sustained in an ATV accident. He was born in Pittsburgh on March 25, 1987, a son of Mark Rhines, Sr., and Susan Woodford Rhines, both of Kane. On June 2, 2012 in St. Marys, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Alesia Gnan Rhines, who survives of St. Marys. Mark was a graduate of St. Marys High School, class of 2006.  He earned his CDL...

Jeffrey A. Leiner, 58, of 145 Queens Road, St. Marys, died on Friday, June 4, 2021 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following a brief illness. He was born in Charleroi, PA on September 12, 1962, a son of the late Harold and Ann Dunbar Leiner. He shared his life for many years with his fiance, Marybeth Baumer Scone of St. Marys and in addition to her, he is survived by two step-children; Robert Scone of St. Marys and Melissa Scone of Wisconsin, and by two grandchildren; Egan and...

Caitlin M. Ambuski, 20, of 112 Dagus Mines Road, Kersey, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in Kersey.  She was born on August 16, 2000, in St. Marys, the daughter of Chrystal Ambuski of Kersey. Caitlin loved to read and write stories, crocheting, and going camping.  She also enjoyed being with family and friends and will forever be her Grandpa's " Little Woman". She is survived by her mother, Chrystal and her step-father; Kyle Bray, by a sister; Savaeh...

Mark L. Schneider, 72, of 204 Grandview Road, St. Marys, died on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at his home.  A band of angels came down to reunite Mark with his parents in their Heavenly home. He was born on June 17, 1948, in St. Marys, a son of the late Lawrence and Martha Zimmett Schneider. On September 12, 1970 at St. Joseph's in Force, he married the love of his life, Helen "Rosie" Sarnoski Schneider, who survives of St. Marys. Mark was a lifelong resident of St. Marys and...