All Obituaries

Paul F. Shoemaker, 89, of Bedford, died Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Bedford Colonial Courtyard.  He was born on June 27, 1929 in Buffalo Mills, a son of the late Frederick M. and Anna (Hillegass) Shoemaker.  On March 7, 1953 in Cessna, he married Nora (Anderson) Shoemaker, who survives of Bedford.  He was preceded in death by two sisters: Martha Biggins and Dorothy Fisher; one brother William “Bill” Shoemaker, and a half-brother, Robert McVicker. Paul was a 1948...

Iva Bell Grace Defibaugh, 93 of Silver Springs, MD entered heaven on Friday, May 10, 2019.   She was born in Rainsburg, PA on October 27, 1925 and was the daughter of the late Paul and Goldine (Mower) Logue of Bedford.  She married Fred M. Defibaugh in July 1946, who preceded her to heaven in August 1964.  She is survived by her three sons and one daughter, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren:  son Bill Defibaugh and wife Shirley, of Derwood, MD, and...

Connie L. “Gram” Smith 74, of Bedford, died Monday, May 6, 2019 at UPMC Altoona Hospital.  She was born on January 12, 1945 in New Paris, a daughter of the late Regis and Alice (Ferguson) Miller.  She is survived by the following family: a son, Glenn Smith and wife Bea, of Bedford; two daughters: Christina Bollman and husband Mark, and Stacey Simmons and husband James, all of Bedford; five grandchildren: Kristopher Whetstone, Dusti Howsare, Shanda Diehl, Kirstie Taylor,...

Bernice H. Smith, 87, of Bedford, died on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Pennknoll Village Nursing Home. She was born in Colerain, on March 18, 1932, in Bedford, a daughter of the late Alvah C. and Marguerita (Young) Morris. On September 27, 1952, in Cumberland, MD, she married Norman “Jerry” Smith, who preceded her in death on February 25, 2012.  She is survived by a daughter, Linda Strohe and husband Jerry, of Spokane, WA; a son, David R. Smith and wife Barbara, of Bedford, two...

Betty Lou Yothers 72, of Alum Bank, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Clermont, FL.  She was born on March 23, 1947 in Winchester, VA a daughter of the late Louis and Betty (Whipkey) Trotta.  On June 19, 1965 in Parsonville, PA she married Robert E. Yothers, who survives along with the following family: a son, Robert E. Yothers Jr., and wife JoAnn of Green River, WY, a daughter, Shawnee A. Swanson wife of Lawrence, of Bedford, a son, David A. Yothers, and wife Johanna, of Paradise,...

Mary E. Hoopengardner 84, of Bedford, died Saturday, April 20, 2019 at UPMC Altoona Hospital.  She was born on July 7, 1934 in Bedford, a daughter of the late Earl and Cora (Dibert) Hoopengardner.  She is survived by a sister, Eleanor Jean Heming widow of Richard, of Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Edmund Hoopengardner; and three sisters: Edna Chaney, Lena Russell, and Anna Stevens. Mary worked for Bedford Steam Laundry for...

James Walter "Jim" Geiser, 93, passed away April 12, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri after a struggle with Alzheimer's disease.  Jim Geiser was married to his beloved Joanne (Fisher) Geiser for 42 years, until her death in 1998.  Jim is survived by son, David Geiser and wife Kathryn, of St. Louis, MO; two grandchildren: Matthew and Juliana; a brother George T. Geiser of Pittsburgh; brother-in-law J. Gregory Fisher and wife Betty Ann of Bloomington, IL; and nephews and...

Norman “Jack “ Foor, 79, of Jacksonville, FL, died on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at his residence in Jacksonville,  FL.  He was born on May 20, 1939, in Bedford, a son of the late Ellis J. and Helen M.(Smith) Foor. On June 19, 2001in Jacksonville, FL, he married Yvex (Lolinco) Foor who survives along with two daughters, Tammy Lenore Foor,  of CA, Annette Diane Bowman and husband Steve, of Las Vegas, NV; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren four sisters,...

Marguerite L. Whitfield, 92, of Bedford, died on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 7, 1927 in Bedford, a daughter of the late Ambrose C. and Cora E. (Howsare) Wertz.  On October 21, 1946, in Bedford, she married Alonza B. Whitfield and he preceded her in death on January 17, 1993. She is survived by the following family:  a son, Ronald “Ben” Whitfield and wife Gwyneth, of Bedford, a son,  David “Roy”...

Beverly Jane Madison 90, of  Everett, died Monday, April 15, 2019 at Pennknoll Village Nursing Home.  She was born on July 27, 1928 in Annapolis, MD a daughter of the late Bernard and Margaret (Gladys) Jones.  She met her husband of 70 years, Robert L. Madison, at the U.S Naval Academy, and on December 18, 1948 in Annapolis, MD they were united in marriage.  In addition to her husband she is survived by the following family: a daughter, Karen Madison Smith and husband...

Robert C. Moreland, 67, of Bedford, lost a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, April 12, 2019, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on December 24, 1951, in Johnstown, a son of the late Maurice W. and Mabel (Griffith) Moreland. On March 17, 2014, in Cumberland, MD, he married Ruth (Scott) Moreland, who survives along with the following family: a son, Robert E. Moreland of Bedford; step-son, Allen N. Bridges, of New Paris; two grandchildren:  Megan Moreland and...

Joseph A. Riley, 82 of Everett, died Thursday, April 11, 2019, at Pennknoll Village Nursing Home.  He was born on December 15, 1936 in Bedford, a son of the late James Arthur and Ruth Irene (Hoopengardner) Riley.  He is survived by a brother Paul A. Riley, of Everett; two nieces Glenda Rightnour and husband Charles, of Everett, and Marlena Robinson and husband Will, of Buffalo Mills; one great-nephew, Ricky Zelanko and wife Melissa, of Bedford, and a great- niece, Alicia Mort and...

Dorothy “Doot” Kuhn, 75, of Dublin, VA, died on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Montgomery, VA. She was born on May 4, 1943, in Bedford, a daughter of the late Fred and Edna (Cessna) Howsare, who survives of Rainsburg. She is survived by the following family: four sons, Ivan Kuhn of Dublin, VA, Paul Kuhn and wife Linda of Clarksville, NH, David Kuhn of Daytona Beach, FL, and Fred Kuhn of Dublin, VA; two daughters, Kathryn Loucks and husband Tom, of Bangor, and...

Patricia R. Stiffler 71, of Bedford, died Sunday, April 7, 2019 at her residence.  She was born on February 4, 1948 in Bedford, a daughter of the late Donald E. and Edythe V. (Brown) Timmerman Sr.  On October 29, 1989 in Bedford, she married James R. Stiffler, who preceded her in death on August 3, 2015.  She is survived by a son, Courtney Guyton and wife Pamela, of Claysburg; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; an aunt Leah Jones, of Bedford, and a uncle, Kenneth...

Harriet Jean Clapper Boore, 96, of Bedford, entered Heaven on March 23, 2019, in Bedford. Harriet was born on January 21, 1923 in Huntingdon, a daughter of the late James Walter and Clare (Anderson) Clapper.  On July 14, 1945 in Bedford, she married her husband of 72 years, Raymond T. Boore, who preceded her to Heaven on February 11, 2018.  She is survived by her daughter, Sheredith and husband, James Heitzenrater, of Richmond, TX, and her son, Brent and wife, Jan (Bierly) Boore,...

Kathryn F. Foor, 81 of Bedford, died Friday, March 22, 2019 at her residence.  She was born on August 10, 1937 in Bedford, a daughter of the late Harry and Clara (Hartman) Imler Sr.  On August 9, 1958 in Cumberland, MD she married David T. Foor who preceded her in death on September 12, 2018.  She is survived by a grandson, Duke Nave and wife Angelica, of Oxford; two granddaughters: Kristianne Gid and husband Daniel, of Bedford, and Lauren Nave of Windber; three...

Joseph Wayne Freer, 59, of Hopewell, died on Monday, March 18, 2019 at his daughter’s residence. He was born on June 5, 1959, in Cheverly, MD,  a son Charles Wayne Freer of Lanham, MD and the late Ann Marie (Howard) Freer. On July 26, 1986, in Odenton, MD, he married Susan Marianne (Ray) Freer who survives along with the following family: two daughters, Amanda Dick and husband Kyle, of Martinsburg, Katelynn Nesbit and husband Sam, also of Martinsburg, a step-son, Ray Foster, of...

Vera H. Leydig, 81, of Bedford, died on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at her residence. She was born on March 5, 1938, in Chaneysville, a daughter of the late Webster H. and A. Hazel (Walters) Trail Sr. On November 30, 1963, in Chaneysville, she married Clay E. Leydig, who survives along with the following family: a son, Michael E. Leydig, of Issaquah, WA; and a sister, Freda Hammond and husband Charles, of Clearville.  She was preceded in death by six brothers: Percy, Marshall, Ralph,...

Jerry L. Corle Sr. 69, of Bedford, died Thursday, March 7, 2019.  He was born on July 14, 1949 in Bedford, a son of the late Scott C. and Wilma Jean (Moorhead) Corle Jr.  He is survived by two sons: Jerry L. Corle Jr., and Jason L. Corle and wife Nichole, both of Carlisle, and a daughter, Lori M. Snyder and husband Shawn, of Imler; seven grandchildren: Aleisa, Luke, Madison, Mikenna, Alexis, Alivia, and Isaiah; a brother, Terry S. Corle Sr. and wife Sarah, of Wilson, NC; a niece...

C. David “Dave” Stahl Jr., 60, of Everett, died on Monday, February 25, 2019 at his residence. He was born on September 18, 1958, in Altoona, a son of the late Clyde D. and Joyce Ann (McManamy) Stahl. He is survived by a son, Dylan G. Stahl, of Bedford; a daughter, Morgan M. Stahl, of Bedford; one granddaughter, Khloe M. Stahl; three sisters, Mary Jane Fetter and husband Duane,  of Bedford, Susan K. Helsel and husband Randy, of New Paris;  Joy Kay Clark and companion...

Theodore J. Kagarise, 76, of Everett, died on Thursday, on February 21, 2019, at his residence surrounded by his family and caregivers. He was born on November 5, 1942, in New Enterprise, a son of the late Bruce and Elizabeth (Fink) Kagarise. On July 21, 1962, in Altoona, he married Barbara Jane (Wear) Kagarise who preceded him in death on October 18, 2018. He is survived by a daughter, Kelly S. Houseman widow of Raymond, of Altoona, a son, Gregory A. Kagarise and wife Brenda, of Everett;...

Thomas C. ‘Tom’ Winegardner 73, of Schellsburg, died Sunday, February 17, 2019 at UPMC Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, with his sister by his side.  He was born on January 19, 1946 in Windber, a son of the late Clair V. and Vera E. (Cuppett) Winegardner.  On October 11, 1970 in Clearville, he married Helen (Morral) Winegardner who survives along with a son, David C. Winegardner, a sister, Carol Winegardner, and an aunt Shirley Miller, all of Schellsburg; and many...

Wade Szanca, 69, of Bedford died on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at UPMC Altoona Hospital. He was born on December 9, 1949, in West Mifflin, a son of the late Matthew and Louise (Debiak) Szanca. On January 26, 1971, in Conway, SC, he married Marjorie (Martin) Szanca who survives along with the following family: three daughters, Faye Girdany wife of Dr. David,  of Somerset, Anne Brown wife of Paul, of Cumberland, MD, Tiffany Habinyak and special friend Shawn Leslie, of Bedford, seven...

Rev. Thomas A. Blackburn Sr. 72, of Bedford, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at his residence.  He was born on April 1, 1945 in Lovely, a son of the late Orville and Alma Ruth (Imler) Blackburn.  On July 12, 1986 in Biloxi, MS he married Joy (Newbaker) Blackburn who survives along with the following family: three sons: Tommy Blackburn and wife Nicole, of Pascagoula, MS, Billy Blackburn and wife Angela, of Gautier, MS, and Nick Blackburn and wife Gwen, of...

Steven P. Smith 33, of Bedford died Friday, February 8, 2019 due to a brief illness.  He was born on August 25, 1985 in Cumberland, MD, a son of Roger Smith, of Bedford, and Patricia (Gardner) Horner and husband Robert Sr., of Ocala, FL.  In addition to his parents he is survived by his wife, April (Shaw) Smith, of Bedford; two children: Aurora and Liam Smith, at home; a brother Dan Smith and wife Megan, of Bedford; two half-sisters: Amy Melton of Egypt, and Emily Shaffer, of...

Beverly A. Bowman, 80, of Bedford, went to be with the Lord, on February 3, 2019 at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital. She was born on January 8, 1939, in Johnstown, a daughter of the late Ralph and Katherine (Bouch) Reed. On August 18, 1954, in Nanty Glo, she married George S. Bowman who survives along with the following family: two sons, George D. Bowman and wife Diane, of Belsano, Ralph E. Bowman of Altoona, one daughter, Margaret Bowen, of Grayson, GA; two grandchildren, Michael Bowman and...

Darlene G. McFadden 59 of Osterburg, died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at her residence.  She was born on August 20, 1959, in Roaring Spring, a daughter of the late Ralph and Evelyn (Davis) Ebersole.  On July 1, 1999 in Berkley Springs, WV she married Bob McFadden who survives along with the following family: a son Mathew W. Wilson, a step-son Robert McFadden, and a step-daughter Heather McFadden; four grandchildren: Johnathan Wilson, Kirsten Wilson, Brianna Wilson, and Keisha Lynn;...

David R. Clapper, 88, of Bedford, died on January 30, 2019 at his residence. He was born on October 15, 1930, in Hopewell, a son of the late D. Warren  and Nellie Marie (Knisley) Clapper. On June 19, 1952, in Winchester, VA, he married Dorothy "Dottie" (Hite) Clapper who survives along with the following family: five sons, David E. Clapper and wife Lisa, of Carlisle, John R. Clapper and wife Maura, of Bedford, Larry W. Clapper, of Schwenksville, Michael J. Clapper and wife...

Devin C. Clark 23, of Bedford, died Tuesday, January 29, 2019. He was born on January 31, 1995 in Altoona, a son of Willard Clark, and Joy-Kay (Stahl) Clark and companion Harvey Hadix, both of Bedford. In addition to his parents he is survived by the following family: a brother Jacob Clark, and a sister Rosalind Clark, both of Bedford; step-brother, Nathaniel Keifer; an aunt Mary Jane Fetter, and husband Duane, a uncle Dave Stahl, and an aunt Susan Helsel and husband Randy, all of Bedford;...

Catherine L. Tew, 58, of Bedford, went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2019. She was born on December 20, 1960, in Bedford, a daughter of the late Milton and Geraldine (Benna) Pensyl. On May 2, 1986, in Bedford, she married Francis Tew who survives along with a son, Samuel Tew and wife Shannon, of New Paris; three grandchildren:  Storm, Gabrielle and Mattie Tew; two sisters, Nancy Wright widow of Melvin, of Bedford, Joanne Sleaster widow of Lonnie, of Bedford and one brother, Charles...