All Obituaries

Jon R. Sechman, 67, of Hoovertown Road, Penfield, PA, died Monday, July 15, 2019, at home after a five year battle with cancer.  A son of Mabel (Hulett) Sechman of Weedville and the late John Sechman, he was born on May 23, 1952 in St. Marys, PA.  On October 15, 1977 he married Phyllis (Maholtz) who preceded him in death on March 22, 2010.  Along with his mother, Jon is survived by: two children, Annette (Tony) Fenice of Force and Blake (Cierra) Sechman of DuBois; two...

Theophila Benevich, 98, of Spruce Street, Force, PA, died  Sunday, July 7, 2019 at home after a short illness.  A daughter of the late Peter and Helen (Visneski) Lovenduski, she was born on May 15, 1921 in Baumertown, PA.  In 1946 she married Lucian Benevich, who predeceased her in 1987. Besides her parents and husband, Theo was preceded in death by: a daughter, Nancy Benevich; four brothers, Chester Kershenski, Vincent “Webb” Lovenduski, William...

Dorothy R. Leonberg, 91, of Tyler Road, Penfield, died Monday, June 24, 2019 at her home, after a lengthy illness.  A daughter of the late John and Isabella (Raffeinner) Buerk, she was born on July 13, 1927 in St. Marys, PA.  On February 8, 1962 she married Harold “Whitey” Leonberg who predeceased her on March 1, 2011. Besides her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by: seven siblings, Erhard, Sabina, Gilbert, Genevieve, Joseph, Sarah and James. She is...

Bernard E. Norlin, 78, of Silver Creek Road, Johnsonburg, PA, died Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Pinecrest Manor after a lengthy illness.  A son of the late Einer and Helen (Averill) Norlin, he was born on September 15, 1940 in Johnsonburg.  On August 1, 1970 he married Velma (Wenner) who survives in Johnsonburg. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: a sister, Nancy Votano and a brother, Bill Norlin. Along with his wife, Bernie is survived by: four children, Bernie Norlin of...

LaRue Herman “Buddy” Gavazzi, 82, of Madison Street, Byrnedale, died Saturday, June 29, 2019 at home in Byrnedale, PA.  A son of the late Armando and Bena (Pirazzi) Gavazzi, he was born on November 8, 1936 in Byrnedale, PA.  In September 1979 he married Cathy G. (Showers) who survives in Byrnedale. Along with his wife, Buddy is survived by: five children, Lisa Huff of Benezette, Leigh Ann (Toni) Copella of Benezette, Nicole (Mark) Eckert of St. Marys, Troy (Angie)...

Shelby J. Smith, 82, of Eddies Road, Penfield, PA, died Thursday, June 27, 2019 at home after a brief illness.  A daughter of the late John and Doris (Fox) VanHorn, she was born on December 12, 1936 in Penfield.  In 1956 she married Glenn E. Smith, Jr. who predeceased her on April 23, 2019. She is survived by: two children, Glenn E. (Elaine) Smith III of Mercer, PA and Luann Muth of Grampian, PA; five grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Marlin VanHorn of...

James (Jim) Benjamin Marzella, 91, of Ridgway, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2019, surrounded by his family. James was born September 13, 1927, the son of the late Ben and Jennie (DeMucci) Marzella. He married Esther Yorns on June 27, 1952, being happily married for 67 years. A lifelong resident of Ridgway, he was employed at the Elliott Company. After going to Dunwoody Baking School in Minneapolis, Minn., he co-owned the St. Marys Bakery in St. Marys. He also worked at Weyerhauser...

Glenn E. Smith, Jr., 83, of Penfield, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Penn Highlands-DuBois after a lengthy illness.  He was born June 12, 1935 in Ridgway a son of the late Glenn & Lyda (Wolff) Smith, Sr. In addition to his wife of 63yrs Shelby J. (VanHorn) Smith, Glenn also leaves behind: two children, Glenn E. (Elaine) Smith, III of Mercer and Luann Muth of Grampian; a brother, David Smith of Weedville; four sisters, Carol Erich of Weedville, Doris Moorehead of Weedville,...

Thomas E. Murphy, 81, of Benezette, PA, died unexpectedly on Friday, June 21, 2019.  A son of the late Joseph and Emma (DeMarco) Murphy, he was born on February 21, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA. He is survived by: his companion of 30 years, Sheila McQuown of Benezette; the mother of his children, Leah Ilgenfritz of Scottdale, PA; two children, Thomas (Christine) Murphy or Mt. Pleasant, PA and Barbara (Greg) Harvaner of Wyano, PA; step-daughter, Christine (Andy) Phillips of Lewis Center, OH;...

Melio Barbazzeni, 85, of Melio Lane, Weedville, PA, died unexpectedly, at home, on June 6, 2019.  A son of the late Leo and Rose (Schena) Barbazzeni, Sr., he was born on May 3, 1934 in Force, PA.  On September 3, 1960 he married the love of his life, Aileen (Carpin), who preceded him in death on November 21, 1992. Besides his wife and parents, Melio was predeceased by his step-mother, Louise (Finotti) Barbazzeni. He is survived by: three children, Joe and Alan Barbazzeni of...