All Obituaries

Russell (Rusty) J. Bergholtz, 63, of Saegertown was called home by his Savior and Lord, surrounded by his loved ones Saturday, September 15, 2018 at UPMC Hamot due to heart complications. He was born January 8, 1955 in Meadville, the youngest son of Devon (Deacon) N. Bergholtz and Imogene (Jean) L. (Wilson) Bergholtz.  He has been a resident of Saegertown since he was 7 years old.  He graduated in 1974 from Saegertown High School. He married Debra N. Vanderhoof November 17, 1979...

Amy Lee Ruhl-Grubbs, 47, of Meadville, passed away Friday, September 21, 2018 at UPMC Hamot.   She was born June 20, 1971 in Meadville, a daughter of Russel H. Lutz and Wilma Ishman Horton.  She married John Grubbs February 2, 2000.   Amy was a 1992 graduate of Maplewood High School and in her younger years worked as a candy striper at Meadville Medical Center.   Survivors, in addition to her husband John, include a daughter, Christina Ruhl of Meadville; a son,...

Anita G. Beck, 81, of Meadville died Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 3:50 p.m. at Wesbury United Methodist Community.   She was born December 12, 1936 in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany the only child of the late Alfons and Hedwig Apollonie Merz Hahl.   Anita worked for Cargo Cleaners, Win-Tronics and Multi-Plastic where she retired in 1999 after 20 years of service.  She became a naturalized US citizen and voted in every election thereafter, something for which she was...

Paul Kenneth Pfalzgraf, 89, of Meadville, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community.   He was born April 28, 1929 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late August and Magdeline Schmale Pfalzgraf.  He married Florence Jeanne Coulter June 14, 1952 and she preceded him in death October 29, 2008.   Ken was a graduate of Oliver High School and the University of Pittsburgh.  A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Marines Corps in the...

Faith Irene Hamilton of Curwensville and formerly of Meadville, best friend to her husband and loving mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2018 at the age of 73.   Faith was the daughter of Carl and Bernice Thompson Marsh of Clymer, NY.  On July 21, 1962 she married John Hamilton and served as his partner and mother of John and Jocelyn.   Faith worked for various companies in the Meadville area after marriage, and then found her calling with 35...

James Thorpe Lasher, 91, of Meadville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community.   He was born in Erie on July 27, 1927 to Percy S. (Shorty) and Jessie Clark Lasher.  He married Audrey Smith on January 15, 1955.   Jim graduated from Academy High School in Erie in 1945, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy the following day.  Following a hardship at home, he was discharged and worked for J.F. Britten for 5 years.  He...

Robert C. Daniels, 88, of Meadville, formerly of Hudson Ohio, died Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community.   He was born in Jamestown, NY February 6, 1930, the son of Ellen and Oscar Daniels.  He married Marjorie Anderson on July 9, 1955.  She survives.   Bob, a 1948 graduate of Jamestown High School, graduated from Montgomery College, Silver Springs MD.  He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U.S. Army in the German Alps...

Specialist 4th Class Thomas A. Willis, 86, of Linesville, marched into his last battle on Friday, September 7, 2018.  Tom fought a gallant battle with multiple health issues like a true brave soldier he was serving just shy of 16 years in the Army.   After returning home in 1965, he worked at the Ohio Rubber Company for 34 years.  He kept 2 to 3 part-time jobs as well.   Tom was a talented cartoon artist and was always full of wit and a touch of devilment.  He...

Noreen Elaine Werley Stein, 87, of Meadville died Thursday, August 23, 2018 surrounded by her children at Wesbury United Methodist Community.   She was born January 9, 1931 in Meadville a daughter of Henry Edward and Mnetha Lenhart Werley.  She married James D. Smith and subsequently married Robert E. Stein May 28, 1980 and he preceded her in death July 30, 2007.   She was a 1948 graduate of Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College.  She retired June 30,...

Mary Beth Cowden, 44, formerly of Conneaut Lake, died Tuesday, August 14, 2018 in Elizabethton, TN.   She was born February 27, 1974 in Portsmouth, VA a daughter of Ward Marvin and Barbara Kay Myers Cowden.   She was a 1992 graduate of Conneaut Lake High School where she played on the girls basketball and volleyball teams.  She served in the US Army from 2002-2004 as a helicopter repair specialist.  She was a member of the Hartstown Volunteer Fire Department first as...