All Obituaries

Russell J. Lykens Sr., 65, Hollidaysburg, died Tuesday at his residence. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Russell and Adelaide (McClellan) Lykens. Surviving are a son, Russell J. Jr. of Duncansville; three grandchildren; two sisters: Lisa Harris in South Carolina and Jody Downing of Hollidaysburg; and two brothers: Steve in Delaware and Jeff in Texas. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2019, at Sorge Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.,...

John D. Vance, Duncansville, died Monday, April 15, 2019 at UPMC Altoona. He was born November 25, 1949, in Altoona, son of the late James H. and Arlene J. (Nale) Vance. Surviving are two daughters: Nicole L. Vance, of Duncansville and Jenifer A. Noel, and husband, Dave, of Hollidaysburg; 4 grandchildren: Josh McConnell, Emily and Shawn Stefanick and D.J. Noel; a great grandson, Aiden McConnell and a sister, Jackie Walter. He was preceded in death by 2 sons: Shawn D. Vance and Matthew...

Lillian "Gerry" Cassidy, 90, Puzzletown, passed away Monday at Homewood at Martinsburg.  She was born in Duncansville, daughter of the late Harold and Mary (McCormick) Plummer. She was first married to Robert Kephart; she then was married to Gene P. Cassidy Sr., both of whom preceded her in death. Surviving are a daughter, Deborah Risoldi in North Carolina; two sons: David Kephart and wife, Beth, of East Freedom, and Gene Pete Jr. of Puzzletown; many grandchildren; and a...

Sandra L. "Sandy" (Troutman) Blair, 78, Altoona, died Monday at Martha's Manor in Lilly. She was born at home in Juniata, daughter of the late William R. and Emily G. (O'Donald) Troutman. She married William H. Blair Sr. in 1955, and he preceded her in death in 1998, after 43 years of marriage. Surviving are three daughters: Mary Morgan and husband, Calvin, in Idaho, Linda Murphy and husband, John, and Brenda Hicks and fiancee, Donna Russel, all of Altoona; two...

David C. Mattern, 71, Hollidaysburg, died Thursday at The Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Richard and Ethel (Leamer) Mattern. He married Betsy L. Cameron in 1971, and she preceded him in death in 2005. Surviving are two daughters: Meghan Myers and husband, Matt, of Hollidaysburg, and Dr. Mandy Johnson and husband, Matt, in Florida; three grandchildren: Cameron, Caleb and Evelyn; and two sisters: Nancy of Roaring Spring and Joyce in New...

Grace (Hyle) Helsley, 88, Hollidaysburg, died Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at her residence.  She was born March 20, 1931, in Canoe Creek, daughter of the late Frank and Laura (Curry) Hyle. She married Wilbur Helsley in 1952, and he preceded her in death in 2008, after sharing 55 years of marriage. Surviving are two daughters: Jeannie Manning and husband, Thomas, of Rural Valley, and Fran Ajay and husband, Timothy, of Hollidaysburg; two sons: Barry L. and wife, Daphne, of Emmaus, and...

Lois E. (Brubaker) Bottomfield, 95, Hollidays­burg, died Thursday at UPMC Altoona. She was born in Woodbury, daughter of the late Elmer J. and Rebecca (Byers) Brubaker. She married Joseph E. Bottomfield in 1947, in Hollidaysburg, and he preceded her in death in 2008, after 61 years of marriage. Surviving are a sister, Velma M. Eastep and husband, Ronald, of Hollidaysburg; a brother, Dwight Brubaker and wife, Joan, in California; and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. Lois...

Gerald R. Black, 71, Tyrone, formerly of Hollidaysburg, died Saturday at his residence.  He was born in Roaring Spring, son of Robert and the late Algie Black. Surviving are two daughters: Kimberly McGregor and husband, Bill, of Roaring Spring, and Penny Nearhoof and husband, Dave, of Duncansville; a son, Scott and wife, Sue, of Martinsburg; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his father; and two sisters: Carol Shultz and Janie Brehm. Gerald graduated from Thaddeus...

Shirley A. (Barnes) Tate, 84, Hollidaysburg, died Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, after a long duration with Alzheimer's disease, with her husband by her side. She was born January 17, 1935, in Blue Knob, daughter of the late Theodore and Sarah (Berkhimer) Barnes. She married John L. Tate in 1957, in Claysburg. Surviving are her husband of 62 years; a daughter, Jennifer L. Tate and wife, Karla; a son, David J. and wife, Christine; four...

Robert J. Burkhart, 73, Hollidaysburg, died Tuesday at his residence.  He was born in Hollidaysburg, son of the late Ralph E. and Alverta (White) Burkhart. He married Carol M. Farber in 1966. Surviving are his wife of 53 years; a daughter, Melisa Berardi and husband, Jason, of Bellwood; a son, Robert E. of Hollidaysburg; a granddaughter, Taylor; two grandsons: Anthony and Liam; and a brother, Ronald of Upper Reese. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Lois Estep, Joan Blyler...