All Obituaries

SANDERS - Robert A., 69, Johnstown, passed away on March 30, 2026 at Heritage Ridge Care Center.  Born November 8, 1956 in Philadelphia, son of Joseph R. and Anne (Palecko) Sanders.  Preceded in death by parents; infant son, Jude Francis Sanders; mother-in-law, Betty J. Petro; and sister-in-law, Kimberly (Vitt)  Petro.  Survived by loving wife, of 28 years, Maria (Petro) Sanders; and son, Stephen Sanders. Also survived by brother Richard Sanders (Linda); father-in-law, ...

HELSEL – Lois Fay, 87, of Johnstown, passed away April 7, 2026, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born July 17, 1938, in Johnstown, the daughter of James N. and Alma Fay (Bowser) Betts. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Thomas B. Helsel; son, John B. Helsel, brother, Marlin Betts; and sisters, Jane Arford and Joan Wagner. Survived by loving daughter, Susan married to Jack Vince; grandsons, Chris (Haley) Vince, who are expecting Lois’s first great-granddaughter due in ...

GELLES - John M. Jr., 88; Johnstown, passed away on March 31, 2026 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.  Born March 23, 1938 in Johnstown, son of John M. Sr., and Mary (Frank) Gelles.  Preceded in death by parents; and wife, Elaine R. (Edmonds) Gelles.  Survived by son, Michael J. Gelles married to the former Amy Kivador, of Johnstown. Retired member of the PA National Guard. John was a former employee for Bethlehem Steel Corp., Wilson Construction and Sheesley Concrete as a ...

SPISHAK - Carl, 70; of Johnstown, passed away on March 30, 2026.  Born August 16, 1955 in Johnstown, son of George W. Spishak and Mildred (Tarsovich) Varner.  Preceded in death by parents; and brother, James G. Spishak.  Survived by loving wife, of 41 years, Janet (Chernay) Spishak of Johnstown; their sons, Ryan Spishak, (fiancée Krista Peteritis) and Luke Spishak, (loving girlfriend Michele); and granddaughter Hope Spishak.  A brother of Georgette Stephans.  Carl ...

THOMAS – Eleanor, 94, of Johnstown, passed away March 26, 2026, at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital. Born January 1, 1932, in Johnstown, the daughter of Stephen and Mary (Kostick) Maurer. Preceded in death by parents; husband, James E. Thomas; brother, Stephen (Laverne) Maurer; sisters, Mary (George) Repak and Helen Lovrich; and brother-in-law, George Todorich. Survived by loving children James J. (Cathy) Thomas, Joyce M. Cerula, and Stephen (Cynthia) Thomas; grandchildren; Anna Gladhill, ...

MATHIAS – Margaret J. “Marge”, 99, of Johnstown, passed away March 23, 2026. Born December 1, 1926, in Tyrone, the daughter of the late Kasmir and Mary (Starziski) Pacanowski. Preceded in death by husband, Wilbur Mathias; infant twin brother and sister, George and Helen; infant brother, Richard; brothers, Edward (Kathryn), Ernest (Betty), and Frederick; sisters, Agnes (Allen) Dixon, Mary Ann Sigel and Betty (James) Shock. Marge is the last surviving member of her immediate ...

LOVRICH – Michael “Iron”, 66, died March 14, 2026, at UPMC Presbyterian. Born May 1, 1959, in Johnstown, son of the late Robert S. and Mary (Devich) Lovrich. Preceded in death by parents; in-laws, Julius Sr. and Josephine Gontkovic; sister, Sara Elefterin Bilak; brothers, Charles Lovrich and Robert “Rocky” Ferpas and wife Barb Ferpas; stepsons, Christopher Schuster and Brian Schuster. Survived by loving wife, Beverly (Gontkovic Schuster), and granddaughters, ...

ROLLEY – Frank A. Jr., 79; Pittsburgh, formerly of Johnstown; passed away on March 13, 2026 at the VA Hospital in Aspinwall, PA.   Born October 18, 1946 in Johnstown, son of Frank A. Sr. and Virginia (Forsythe) Rolley.  Preceded in death by parents; son, Frank Anthony Rolley III; brothers, Michael, Thomas, Edward; and sisters, Nora Yeager, Ida Belle Callis, Virginia Gibson and Betty Ruth Peters and faithful companion and beloved dog, "Brandon".  Survived ...

GROMAN- John F., 78, of New Florence, passed away March 5, 2026, at Hilltop Nursing Home in Altoona, PA. Born February 12, 1948, in Johnstown, the son of George and Elizabeth (Wileson) Groman. Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael Ratchford; and sisters, Anna Mary “Mamie" Ritko, Denise Goad, Kathy (Tilly) Bond, and Jeanne Jones. Survived by children, Trecia A. McGinniss married to Charles P. III, John E. Groman, and Lindsay Micucci married to Edmond; ...

Tillie, lovingly known to many as Babus, was a fierce combination of both her Polish and her Pennsylvania roots, a background she never forgot. It was a major move to Oak Ridge in 1963, when she followed her husband due to his job opportunity, but eventually, Oak Ridge became home as much as Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In Johnstown, she was a member of St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, where she was known for her love of singing. In Oak Ridge, she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic ...