All Obituaries

     Morris “Moe” Charles Dygan was born January 3, 1954 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Morris and Annie Morgach Dygan of Brush Creek Road, Irwin, PA. He was the long-awaited son after three sisters. Moe attended Hempfield Area High School and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He earned his M.A. in Speech Pathology & Audiology from Florida State University and his M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of North...

   With local ties to the Tionesta area, and with shattered hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Nadine Lee Conant, 40, of Newington. Nadine was born in Hartford, CT to Mom, Edith Conant-Haney, and Dad, Gregory Conant, on March 29, 1981 and passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Pennsylvania.    Nadine was raised in Southington, CT and graduated from Southington High School, Class of 1999. She found her passion in helping those who...

     Linda M. (McNabb) Taylor, age 73, of Tionesta, PA, died on Saturday morning, September 4, 2021 at her home in Tionesta surrounded by her family.  She was born March 28, 1948 in Kittanning, PA, daughter of the late Edward David and Amy (Winn) McNabb.      On September 13, 1997, she married her husband of nearly 24 years, Les “Jake” Taylor, who survives.  Linda worked as a caregiver at the Barber Center in Erie, PA for 10 years...

   Gerimy Lee Barnes, age 41, of Tionesta, PA, died on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at his home in Tionesta.  He was born September 25, 1979 in Warren, PA, son of Ronald L. “Mac” Barnes Jr of Erie, PA, and Paula J. “Polly” (Chappel) Daum of Tionesta.  In addition to his parents, Gerimy is survived by his paternal grandfather, Ronald L. Barnes Sr of Tionesta, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.       In addition to his...

   John A. Porta, age 77, of Tionesta, PA, died on Monday, August 23, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home in Tionesta.  He was born February 13, 1944 in Oil City, PA, son of the late Eli C. and Margaret (Eisenman) Porta.      On June 16, 1967 at St. John’s R.C Church in Tidioute, PA he married Evelyn C. (Collins) Porta, who survives.  He served with the US Army during the Vietnam War as a Specialist 4 being honorably discharged on January...

   Frank B. “Butchie” Merlino, age 74, of Philadelphia, PA, died on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in Forest County, PA.  He was born October 9, 1946 in Philadelphia, son of the late Frank and Gemma (Zappalorta) Merlino.     Frank attended South Philadelphia High School where he played football. He worked for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as a Toll Collector from 1993 until he retired in 2007.  He enjoyed baseball umpiring in the...

     Joe F. Bemis, Sr., age 84, of Endeavor, PA, died on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Oil City, PA.  He was born July 10, 1937, son of the late Leon Byron Bemis, Sr., and Cathyleen (Blum) Bemis.       Joe married his late wife, Barbara J. (Hannah) Bemis, on May 27, 1960 at the Tionesta Presbyterian Church in Tionesta, PA.  She preceded him in death on May 4, 2008.  He worked as an...

     Jack E. Bunting, Jr., age 71, of Marienville, PA, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, died on Monday, August 9, 2021 at his home in Marienville.  He was born December 21, 1949 in Stuttgart, Germany, son of the late Jack E. Bunting, Sr., and the late Edelgard (Kalmbach) Bunting.      Jack served three tours of duty with the 7th Cavalry Regiment as a medic in Vietnam.  He went on to earn his Associate’s Degree from the Boyce Campus of the...

   Bradley Patrick Joyce, age 3 ½ , of Sharon, PA, died on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.   He was born January 13, 2018 in Pittsburgh, son of Richard “Rich” B. and Christina “Chrissy” (Kline) Joyce of Sharon, PA.    In addition to his parents he is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Bernard A. and Patricia J. Joyce of Midland, PA.    His maternal grandparents,...

   Frank G. Reese, age 76, of East Hickory, PA, more recently of Erie, PA, died on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the Abington Crest Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Erie.  He was born April 15, 1945 in East Hickory, son of the late Edward W. and Eleanor Lucille (Howe) Reese.  Frank graduated from Hickory High School in Endeavor, PA,  went on to serve in the US Navy, then worked as a machinist in Warren, PA.     Surviving are a son, Stuart Reese of...