#265 NOVEMBER 2022

On the cover:

Inspiration from the present and the past abounds in the Punxsutawney Hometown community.

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Generations of Service

By Danielle Merrow for Hometown magazine

When John Richard “Dick” Phillips Sr. was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict, he had no way of knowing his service would inspire generations of his family to follow in his footsteps. Yet there is no doubt he would be proud of the legacy of patriotism he left behind.

Following his tour of duty, Phillips returned home to Punxsutawney where he would meet and marry his future wife, Irene Gresock. He worked in the Kramer mine until the late ’50s and at Punxsutawney Beef House, but with few options available to support his growing family, Phillips chose to reenter the service.

By that time, Philips and his bride were the proud parents of three children, and Phillips, along with his family, was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia.

From Fort Benning, Phillips was sent abroad to Hanau, Germany. In those days, according to his children Mark and Laura, dependents were not allowed on base. However, under the presidency of John F Kennedy, the members of the Phillips family were finally able to be reunited in Hanau in 1960.

The Phillips family was able to remain together for five years, moving from Hanau to Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1965, J. Richard Phillips was called back to Korea for the first time since the end of the Conflict. His wife and children returned to their roots in Punxsutawney while he was abroad, with Irene working part-time jobs while raising their children.

When Phillips returned from Korea, the family was reunited and sent back to Fort Knox in 1966, and in 1969 he was ordered to Vietnam.

Irene moved the children (by then, there were six) back to Punxsutawney and continued to work part-time and raise the kids while her husband fought overseas.

Daughter Laura describes the time her dad was in Vietnam as one of the worst parts of her childhood. It would get a lot scarier for the family before things began to look up.

Six months into his tour, Dick was medevaced out of Vietnam, where he was an artilleryman in the 102nd Airborne, when a field doctor found what he

suspected was colon cancer. Phillips was brought back stateside where he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for further testing. He was eventually diagnosed with Diverticulitis – a treatable inflammation of the digestive tract. “Testing for colon cancer wasn’t as simple back then as it is now,” son Mark explains. The misdiagnosis took his dad out of the field in Vietnam for a total of about eight months, but he was eventually cleared to return to his unit.

His next orders were to report to Fort Dix, New Jersey, allowing the Phillips family to be together again. They spent a year at Fort Dix, before being sent to Berlin, Germany, in 1970.

“I counted once,” Mark Phillips remembers. “I was in 12 different schools in 12 years because we moved around so much.”

Yet, Mark and his sister Laura agree that some of their best memories happened between Fort Knox and Berlin.

“Berlin was such a cool place to be in the ’70s,” Laura recalls. “I know it sounds like it would have been scary, but we loved it there.” The family spent three years in Berlin, where Dick and Irene worked extra part-time jobs to take their six children on camping trips all over Europe. “Rome, Pisa, Venice, Florence, Holland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria,” Laura recalls. “There was one trip where there were ten of us – including two cousins from Punxsutawney – in one

camper!”

Of course, there was work to be done, and one of Dick’s duties during his time in Berlin was to run courier service between Berlin and West Germany on the duty train – a risky job, no doubt.

In 1973 when they moved back to Fort Hood, Dick settled into coaching little league and spending time with his family.

In 1976 – son Mark’s senior year of high school – Dick received orders to return to Korea.

Mark remembers being upset that his dad missed his high school graduation, but understood what it means to be a patriot and why his dad’s work was important.

And that patriotic spirit manifested itself in Mark, as well as in two of his brothers who would go on to serve in the military as well, in addition to grandchildren and cousins of J. Richard Phillips Sr.

The oldest Phillips brother, J. Richard “Ric” Phillips Jr., became an Army medic. He served at Fort Hood and in Berlin, Germany; his son, Eric, served in the Air Force from 1998-2002 as an Airman at Vandenberg AFB in California.

Laura (Phillips) Jesse did not serve as a service member, but has devoted her life to being a supportive military family member: first to her dad and brothers, and then later to her husband, John Jesse Jr., the son of World War II veteran John Jesse Sr. and later, her son.

Laura met her future husband in 1975

- Continued on next page

L.

Sgt. Matthew P. McKenzie Active US Army

Deployed (Grandson of J. Richard Phillips)

Chief Warrant Officer 3 John W Jesse Jr.

Army (Ret.)

Sgt. 1st Class J. Richard Phillips

Army (Ret.)

Sgt. Jordan P. Jesse

Army

Iraqi Freedom and War in Afghanistan

of J. Richard Phillips and John Jesse

Sgt. 1st Class

W. Jesse Sr.

Army

when her dad was stationed at Fort Hood.

After serving since 1972, Jesse Jr. retired in 1980 from Army Active Duty and Reserve. John and Laura have three sons: John Jesse III, Jacob Jesse, and Jordan Jesse. Sgt. Jordan P. Jesse, their youngest

graduating from college. I enlisted in 1982.”

While in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mark met the woman who would become his wife, Amy (daughter of a six-year Air Force veteran who served one tour in Vietnam); she became an Industrial Hygienist in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps.

Reflecting on that time, Mark notes, “There’s a tradition in the military when you’re newly commissioned: the first enlisted member to salute you, you give them a silver dollar. My dad was the first to salute me after I was commissioned in the Army, so I gave him a silver dollar. Similarly, my wife’s father was the first to salute her, so she gave him a silver dollar.”

Mark and Amy’s three sons have a unique tradition of military service, both of their grandfathers having served in Vietnam, and both of their parents having served in the military as well.

(and grandson of J. Richard Phillips and John Jesse Sr.), served from 2006-2014. He was deployed to the Middle East from 2009-2010 in Iraq (320th MP Battalion) at Camp Bucca, and from 2011-2012 (307th MP Battalion).

“I begged him to try college first,” Laura explains. “And he did, but he really just wanted to be like his grandpas.”

Mark Phillips, son of J. Richard Phillips, says, “I had always planned on going into the military; it’s a family tradition, in a sense. I joined ROTC right after

Ric, Mark, and Laura’s sister Colleen is the mother of the next J. Richard Phillips descendent to carry on the tradition of service; Colleen and husband Regis McKenzie’s son, Sgt. Matthew P. McKenzie, has served since 2016. McKenzie is currently deployed from Fort Carson, Colorado.

There is one other Phillips brother to have served as well.

Thus, the legacy of service in the Phillips family – and their in-laws – is undeniably far-reaching. Mark says it best as he chuckles, “Of course there is some rivalry, especially when Army and Navy play football. And we tease each other about the different branches we’ve served in. But underneath all of that is an underlying goal of patriotism and a love of America.”

Continued from previous page

Mark J. Phillips Major, US Army Reserve (Ret.) Served 1982-2004

Amy T. Phillips Commander, US Navy Reserve (Ret.)

1993-2019

Amy T. Phillips with her father, Floyd Taylor (US Air Force Vietnam veteran, tour of duty 1968)

Sandwiches – November’s Hometown “Hero”

By Mary Ellen Pollock-Raneri for Hometown magazine

Maybe you think that November is just a colorless month with not much to celebrate except for Thanksgiving. If you don’t like turkey, football, and family parties, it might be just another day. The colorful leaves have fallen to the ground. A stick-person landscape and damp brown piles of foliage frame a gray sky. It’s chilly but not freezing. A few snowflakes might grace the fall backdrop, but nothing much to talk about. October’s Halloween Hoopla is over, and Christmas’ Holly Jolly is over a month away. Yes, No vember might be devoid of much hype; however, there is one day in November that might tug at the memory heart strings of all of us – November 3rd, Sandwich Day.

Yes! November 3rd is National Sand wich Day. The sandwich. Par don my crust; however, I believe that the sandwich is one of the most popular foods of all time. It is named for the Earl of Sandwich who did not want to eat meat with his bare hands, so he slapped it between two pieces of bread (well, that’s the 50-cent version). Somewhere, I read to “never underestimate the power of a good sandwich” (or a bad one, for that matter), so I am here to chew the fat (ex cuse the pun) about my child hood experiences with this Number 1 lunch time delight: the sandwich.

Now, we all have had experience with many types of sandwiches. Fish, beef, chicken, pork, grilled cheese, lunch meat, subs, and even finger sandwiches have graced my table. Sandwiches are named for cartoon characters like Dagwood or named for animals like the Italian Stallion, the Big Clucker (egg sandwich) or the Whale O’Fish. There is even a sandwich named after Elvis (an arrangement of onions and tomatoes together with liver wurst and mustard on a pretzel bun. I’ve eaten club, rye, open face, closed face, grilled, tea, pinwheel, double-deckers and just about any type of sandwich you can imagine. Truly, I am no stranger to vari eties of national sandwiches such as Ital ian, French, Greek, English (cucumber), Egyptian (falafel) American, and even Cubano. Mainly, though, I want to con centrate on sandwiches from my home town childhood. Nothing is better.

My favorite has to be my mom’s tradi tional Saturday special – fried baloney. I can still see those round pieces of baloney that sizzled in our black skillet. They puffed up in the middle and looked like lit tle sombreros as they cooked on our gas range. Usually, my mom charred the baloney because my dad and I like it like that. Then, she loaded it up on her home made bread and we slathered it with

ketchup. Nothing will ever taste the same as the Penn’s Woods baloney that she fried on HER buns.

While I am on the Mom Sandwich Band wagon, I completely state, without equiv ocation, that nothing was better than her ham salad sandwiches (which seldom had ham in them). I remember my mother standing over the meat case at the Quaker Market, examining the packs of baloney that came in big chunks. She would take one home and grind it up in her big silver cast iron grinder that hooked up on the edge of our Formica topped kitchen table. With that medieval-looking device, my mother could pulverize anything whatso ever in no time. After she ground the baloney, she added her homemade sweet pickles, onion, celery and Miracle Whip. Again, we spread this delightful creation on HER home baked rolls and voila – one of the best sandwiches ever!

The Punxsutawney Area School District also gave me some fond sandwich memo ries. Pizza burgers (another baloney-based

delight) were my absolute favorite lunch! Pizza burger day was always welcomed by most of us kids. We could smell the pizza sauce creep around the hall that led to the cafeteria, and we longed to bite into the hamburger bun-shaped school delicacy (usually served with corn on the side). I loved them so much that I begged my mom to make them. She probably got the top-se cret recipe from someone who knew some one who cooked at the cafeteria, and she tried to make this delicious lunch treat for me. I’m not sure if it was exactly the same, but I sure will give her a giant “P” for pos itively trying to prepare pizza burgers!

In addition to my family home and school, Punxsutawney is famous for an other sandwich place. I would be hugely remiss if I did not mention Carlino’s Store. It was a small market on the way out of Punx’y but in the back, there was a restau rant with a grill where you could buy hot sandwiches like hamburgers and hotdogs. Sometimes, my dad would take me there for a hotdog. You know the kind. The ones on a grilled bun with their special delicious sauce that can never be duplicated. Why no copies? Because it’s not just a recipe for a sandwich with sauce. It was the whole ex perience. The squeak of the door, the cook at the grill, the smell of onions, and the sauce dripping from your mouth. That bun

DROP

Favorite

Courage, Thanks, and Faith

a Punxsutawney Love Story

By Jim Lauffer

Jof Hometown magazine ordan and Jody White’s story is a Punxsutawney love story. Theirs is also a story of courage and faith in the face of a devastating medical diagnosis.

They are Punxsutawney born and raised. Jordan, the son of Steve and

Groundhog King and Queen. As members of the PAHS Class of 1997, the pair received another title from their classmates. “We were the Class Couple,” said Jody.

Janice White, and Jody, the daughter of Lee and Sally Long, have known each other since they were third-graders at Mary A. Wilson Elementary School. “She was the cutest girl at Mary A. Wilson,” recalled Jordan. “We actually ‘dated’ in sixth grade until she dumped me!”

They began dating again as 15-year-old freshmen at Punxsutawney Area High School. “Well, I was almost 15,” Jordan said with a smile. As seniors in 1997, Jordan and Jody were crowned

The couple exchanged wedding vows in May 1999 at the courthouse in Brookville. The wedding had been scheduled for June 1999, but was moved to May because Jordan was called to active duty in the Air National Guard for an overseas deployment of unspecified length. The impending deployment threw the proverbial “monkey wrench” into the young couple’s nuptial plans and resulted in a whirlwind of activity. According to Jordan, Jody’s family “made a few calls” to schedule the civil wedding on short notice. Jody was given a bridal shower on Sunday, May 2; she and Jordan were pronounced husband and wife on Monday, May 3; and Jordan deployed to Germany on Tuesday, May 4. During this time, he was a student at Penn State Behrend in Erie. Following the wedding, Jody moved to Erie, and Jordan was stationed in Germany for two months.

Jordan and Jody had their “church” wedding on June 17, 2000, at the Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney. In December 2001, Jordan graduated from Penn State Behrend with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. The couple moved to Monroeville before settling in

Jordan and Jody White, now of Greensburg, are proud of their Punxsutawney roots and strive to be, in Jordan’s words, “good ambassadors” of the area. (submitted photo)

Jody White and her three children, from

and Ethan. (submitted photo)

Jeffrey Lundy & Jay P. Lundy

Thanks

Greensburg. They are the proud parents of three: Gavin, 21, a graduate of Triangle Tech and an employee of Excela Health at Westmoreland Hospital; Ethan, 19, a graduate of Hempfield Area Senior High School’s Autism Support Program and a student in the school’s Work Discovery Program; and Madeline, 13, a student at Harrold Middle School.

Although they settled away from Punxsutawney, Jordan and Jody have never forgotten their hometown roots. “We try to be good ambassadors,” said Jordan. “We’re proud to be from Punxsutawney.”

In October 2017, Jody felt that something was amiss with her body. Her speech was slightly slurred and her tongue “felt funny.” She began seeing doctors: her primary care physician, her dentist, and a neurologist. Her speech therapist told Jody that she had tongue fasciculations, which are intermittent contractures of the tongue’s muscle fibers. The fasciculations are often an early symptom of a motor neuron disease, most often amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

In April 2018, Jordan and Jody saw a neurologist at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. The doctor made the diagnosis of ALS, but also urged Jody to get a second opinion. The couple went to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where the original diagnosis was confirmed.

Jody was familiar with ALS. The youngest son of friends of her family had been diagnosed with ALS and lived years with the disease. Nonetheless, her diagnosis was a blow to the mother of three. “I was devastated,” admitted Jody, “and sad for my children.” Jordan and Jody explained the diagnosis to Gavin, but shielded Madeline. “I didn’t really know anything,” she said. “No one told me; I was pretty young.”

Initially, for the first year, ALS primarily affected Jody’s speech. Then, she began to fall and needed the assistance of a walker. Now, Jody is unable to move, to eat, or to speak. She is mentally sharp and fully aware of what’s going on around her. Her sense of humor and her quick wit are intact. In the spring, Madeline emerged from her room with a bug of unknown origin on her arm. Jody asked her daughter whether she had talked with boys at school that day. When Madeline answered in the affirmative, Jody offered an opinion about the bug: “Maybe it’s a cootie!”

Jody communicates using her eyes and a special tablet. When Jody focuses on a letter on the keyboard, the tablet types that letter. Typing words and sentences is a slow, laborious process. Sometimes, Jordan and Madeline cannot resist the temptation to look over Jody’s shoulder and finish her sentence for her. “She sometimes gets annoyed with me for doing that,” said Jordan. Jody uses a softer approach with her daughter. “She doesn’t get mad at me,” smiled Madeline. The high-tech tablet enables Jody to share her thoughts with family and friends. “We are blessed to have the technology we have today,” said Jordan.

“I am thankful for technology that allows Jody to be so engaged.” The specific technology that Jody uses is the Tobii Dynavox I Series device. The company’s website offers the following description of the device: “The I Series is an eye gaze enabled speech generating device featuring the world’s leading eye tracker. Purpose built for people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome or ALS, this Windows based device is controlled completely with your eyes to communicate and live more independently.”

The technology not only enables Jody to communicate, it also enables her to shop online – “She does all the Christmas shopping,” said Jordan – and to stream movies, including Jody’s longtime favorite, Grease, which stars Olivia

Newton-John and John Travolta. “I grew up watching Grease with her,” said Madeline. Jordan admitted that he was unfamiliar with the film until he and Jody started dating. Jody has also been known to place an order for groceries if she sees that Jordan is especially busy.

Mention of their dating prompted Jody to share a memory: “I used to say, ‘Don’t send me flowers, bring me a Dr. Pepper and a Mounds (candy bar).’” Jordan shared Jody’s unique way of eating her favorite candy bar. “She microwaved them just a bit before eating them,” he said. Madeline revealed her mother’s fondness for a certain yellow condiment. “Mom loves mustard,” she said, adding that Jody would often snack on a slice of bread with mustard. Jody’s penchant for mustard is a trait that mother and

daughter both share.

Jody’s engagement with her family extends beyond communication via the tablet. She rarely misses a school function and has enjoyed seeing Madeline play volleyball and sing in the school chorus. She attended Gavin’s graduation from Triangle Tech. Last summer, Jody went to Kennywood Park with her family, so she could enjoy the expressions on the faces of her children and husband when they exited the rides. Jody’s parents stayed with her while the others rode.

Jody’s mother-in-law, Janice White recalled that Jody once told her that her “goal was to let her kids see her smile every day.”

Jordan praised his wife’s response to her

the

You Deserve!

Court

S. Long Construction

The Ultimate Retirement Community

Factors to Consider Before Booking a Holiday Wedding

olidays are conducive to festive atmospheres. Whether it’s sea sonal celebrations for Christmas or Chanukah or summertime soirees on Fourth of July or Labor Day weekends, there’s no denying festive vibes tend to prevail when holidays turn up on the cal endar.

H

Weddings also are marked by festive at mospheres, and many couples are tempted to make their nuptials even more jovial by saying “I do” during hol iday weekends. Before making that deci sion, couples may want to consider a host of factors as they try to determine if a holiday weekend wedding is for them.

Availability

Guest availability is a big consideration for couples as they try to decide if holi day weekend weddings are a good fit. Many families have holiday traditions that they might be reluctant to give up. For example, families who build their annual vacations around the Fourth of July may already have booked their trips by the time the wedding date is an nounced. Couples who anticipate invit ing a sizable number of guests may want to avoid holiday weekend weddings to ensure all of their friends and family members will be in attendance.

Travel

Travel is another potential red flag for holiday weekend weddings. Asking

guests to travel during weekends that are notoriously busy in regard to travel may be asking too much or it might make things more convenient for some guests. A 2019 report from the Transportation Security Administration indicated that nearly 27 million passengers were ex pected to pass through airport screening checkpoints during that year’s Thanksgiving travel period. Some guests may be reluctant to travel on busy holiday week ends, while others who are al ready traveling to the wedding destination may see holiday weddings as a great way to see their families and attend a wed ding without having to pay for separate flights. In addition, some guests may be more likely to travel during a holiday week end knowing they can return home at their leisure since they don’t have to work on Monday. Couples can gauge their guests’ temperatures on holiday weekend travel before making their decision.

Cost

Cost is always a consideration when planning a wedding, and it merits con sideration for couples toying with the idea of getting married on or around a holiday as well. Venues tend to be less expensive on Fridays and Sundays, so couples who tie the knot on holiday weekends when no one has to work on Monday might save a considerable sum of money by tying the knot on Sunday. But venues and vendors may charge cou ples more if they get married on the Sat urday of a holiday weekend. Competition for venues and vendors also may be greater during holiday weekends as people celebrate the holiday. That means couples may have to spend more to book their desired venues and vendors if they hope to get married during holi day weekends.

Couples must consider a host of factors as they try to determine if holiday week end weddings are right for them.

Sandwiches

that didn’t look like any old bun that you could buy at any old place. It was THEIR bun. Their sauce. It was the total event that tasted so good. And the best part of it all was sitting down with my dad and enjoy ing that hot dog with him.

One last part of my sandwich experience must include Ruth and Harry’s. I was thinking about the first time my mom took me out – just the two of us – for a ham burger after school. You must understand that Mom made everything at home. Well, most everything. Sure, occasionally we went out for a hot dog with my dad. But a hamburger?!! She would have fried one up her magic black skillet on our gas range, and it would have been on her bread or buns.

So once when I was in seventh grade, probably around 12 years old, my mother picked me up in the old red Comet after school and told me she was taking me out for a burger. I felt so grown up! To go to Ruth and Harry’s (our “mom and pop” restaurant, practically the only one around my town) for a burger after school was a dream come true. I was so excited and re member babbling to my mother about my history class – how I had to give a speech about something. I also remember that I had on a purple sweater and a plaid match ing skirt that she had sewed for me. Any ways, we sat in a booth together by the lunch counter, amidst the clanking of dishes and the waitresses scurrying every where, and we munched on our burgers. I must have been really chattering be cause I remember my mom told me to take a breath.

Funny how the smell of something or the clink of a dish reminds you of times that you had. Those special moments that did n’t seem so special back then. Just ordi nary things that will never be ordinary again. And all of this from a simple, notso-ordinary sandwich.

Last but not least, I must honor all the “traditional” November sandwich eaters, that is – turkey sandwich aficionados. After the festivities ended at our house on Thanksgiving evening, my mom resur rected the cooked bird (which sat out in an old, speckled enamel roasting pan all day).

For the next 3 to 4 days, we ate cold turkey sandwiches with Miracle Whip. Also, we ate hot turkey sandwiches on store-bought white bread with left-over

Did you know?

Gardening enthusiasts recognize that fall is not a time to rest on their laurels. In fact, fall is a great season to spend time in the yard. The Center for Agriculture, Food and the En vironment at the University of Massachu setts Amherst indicates fall is the ideal time to improve the soil for next season. Amend ing the soil in the fall allows it to react ac cordingly over time and reap the benefits in spring. UMass suggests getting an accurate soil test to see what is needed in the garden. Samples should be taken from various areas. Avoid doing so when the soil is very wet. At-home kits can test for nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous and determine the soil’s pH. Gardeners should till the soil and add compost or manure, which will counteract many nutritional deficiencies. Worm castings also are good to add, partic

gravy and mashed potatoes. Finally, we ate turkey salad sandwiches, a cousin to chicken salad, made with her canned pick les, Miracle Whip, celery and onion. There was never any discussion about any other sandwiches for lunch. We used up all the turkey until the boney carcass was boiled for soup. Then, we ate turkey soup.

Ah! So there you have it. Sandwiches do not only provide great memories, they are celebrated in November – that tradition ally gray month that holds its breath for a few weeks as we prepare for the holidays. Frankly (excuse the pun again), I don’t care what they are made from, or how they are prepared. I don’t care if they are served in a bun or in bread. Fried, cold, baked, steamed, or boiled. I love sand wiches and I am happy to celebrate this lit tle-known November holiday all the time. Best of all, when I eat a sandwich, no mat ter what, I am back at our kitchen table or in one of our hometown eateries. I wipe the mustard, ketchup, Miracle Whip, or “special sauce” from my mouth and I smile and smile.

• • •

Courage, Thanks

situation: “She amazes me. She is always upbeat and has a good attitude.” Jody herself finds the source of her courage and strength in “my faith and my family,” adding that “I have an excellent support system.” That support group includes Jordan, her 24/7 caregiver, her children, her parents, her in-laws, and her friends and neighbors. Jordan is a mechanical engineer with Westinghouse and works from home.

The roots of Jody’s faith extend to Cloe United Methodist Church and First Church of God – churches she attended as a girl – and to Faith United Methodist Church, Delmont, where she worshiped at the time of her ALS diagnosis.

According to Jordan, Jody was very involved in the church’s youth group.

“The church also had Sonshine Time –kid’s church – and Jody headed that up,” he said.

Jody clearly stated her resolve to battle the ALS that has attacked her. “I will fight until my last breath,” she said. “I am going to fight this for as long as I can and live each day to the fullest.” She also acknowledges that as a believer her fight is not hers alone: “God is in control of everything, so I will just enjoy my life.”

• • •

ularly for summer vegetable gardens. The gardening company Park Seed says that worm castings are high in minerals and ef fective at holding water — so much so that they even can be used alone in place of pot ting soil. Crushed egg shells, coffee grounds and banana peels also can be added in the fall, even if they are not part of a compost pile. The nutrients will break down through out the fall and winter, and be available just in time for summer plantings.

• • •

John Charles Driscoll Enhances Life in Walston

In the fall of 1906 the Union Petro leum Company, which supplied oil for the Rochester and Pittsburg Coal and Iron Company’s equipment at the local mines, leased the Mitchell Barn in the Elk Run section, established a ware house, and hired George Post, assistant mine superintendent at Elk Run Shaft, to manage their operations. The UP Com pany would provide over twenty thou sand barrels, of different types of oil, annually to the local mining operations. The R&PC&I Company used nearly half of the oil. John Driscoll was called upon to replace George Post as the assistant superintendent at the Elk Run Shaft. The Driscoll family relocated from Eleanora to Punxsutawney.

On April 6, 1907, the Punxsutawney Spirit reported that John Driscoll had been temporarily placed in charge of the Walston mines to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. W. Lother.

Nine days later, on April 15th, Driscoll was faced with a potentially explosive situation: William McMullen, an office clerk at Walston, had shot and killed Sal vadore Mancuso, a miner. Mancuso had come to the office to check on his time and, while standing in the lobby in front of the pay window, was joking with Mc Mullen. McMullen, in a playful manner, picked up an old rifle that had been standing, unloaded, in the office for sev eral years, checked to see the chamber was clear and, with the gun in hand, was turning back toward the pay window when the gun discharged. Mancuso, who was standing close to the glass partition, fell. The bullet, having passed through the glass, struck Mancuso in his fore head. McMullen, dropping the gun, rushed around the partition, and found Mancuso had died instantly.

John Driscoll, superintendent of the Walston mines, was called to manage the situation.

As soon as Driscoll was able to assess the situation and McMullen could regain his composure, they came to Punx sutawney to the office of Attorney B.M. Clark. After recounting the shooting in cident to the attorney, William Mc Mullen was advised to give himself up to an officer of the law. Chief of Police Palmer was called and placed McMullen in the town lockup to await the decision of the Coroner’s jury.

Coroner Kyle held an inquest at the Pantall Hotel about 6:30 p.m. that evening with a jury consisting of W. S. Brown, John O’Hare, Omer Depp, Mart Williams, Al Sutter, and Charles Hanley. B.M. Clark, Esq., represented William McMullen.

Witnesses called included Jacob Lin genfelter, the night watchman at Wal ston. He told of the loading of the gun about a week prior to the shooting for the first time in a year because of a recent robbery at Big Soldier Mines. When he returned the gun to the office, he forgot to remove the charge.

John Driscoll, mine superintendent, tes tified to the friendly nature of the rela tionship between Mancuso and McMullen.

Charles McCartney, who was present in the mine office at the time of the shoot ing, testified that he did not see the acci dent; however, no unkind words of any kind had been said by either of the two men.

The final witness was William Mc Mullen, who described standing at the window joking with Mancuso about his misunderstanding of when to return to get information about his time. Mc Mullen told of turning to poke the fire in the stove and seeing the rifle, he picked it up, threw open the ejecting lever and seeing no shell, assumed the gun was empty as usual. He was holding the gun with one hand on the lever and was turn ing back toward the pay window when it discharged. The bullet smashed the glass window and entered Mancuso’s fore head.

The jury determined the shooting was accidental.

Although Salvadore Mancuso did not have immediate family living in this country, he had several cousins and many friends at Walston. Arrangements for his funeral and burial were handled by Robinson & Sons, and a steady stream of viewers came to pay their re spects. Walston residents were troubled by the shooting. Father Deville, the priest at St. Anthony’s Church, was able to reassure them that the shooting was an accident and further tragedy averted. Fa ther Deville had lived in the Walston community since 1900 and after having the experience of counseling several young men, who were sentenced to death, had committed himself to instill ing respect for the law in the members of his parish at Walston.

During Superintendent Driscoll’s time at Walston, greater attention was paid to the development of activities which en hanced the quality of life for residents of the community. Several factors con tributed to the changes taking place as the mine town of Walston began to be come the community of Walston. By 1900, immigrant miners who arrived in the mid-1880s were seeing their children have children, creating a third generation of residents in the community. Second, the priests who lived in Walston and ministered to the congregation of St. An thony’s Church served their parishioners’ religious needs as well as provided for their social and cultural needs. Third was the miners’ union achievement of an eight-hour work day, which enabled min ers to have free time.

Free time led to the opportunity for de velopment of recreational activities for the residents of the town. A band was or ganized. It was managed by Gust Bil latti, with Thomas Campisano as the bandmaster. When the band performed, decked out in their red caps and shirt waists and blue trousers, they repre

Michael Horner, Kim Horner

Joe Presloid & Jennifer Moore

By the Coal Memorial Committee for Hometown magazine

2023, are encouraged to purchase their tile by June 30, 2023 . A Coal Memorial tile may honor persons who worked in any aspect of the coal industry, includ ing railroads and ancillary services. Ad ditional information and forms may be found online at www.punxsyhistory.org or may be requested by an email to: punxsyhistory@outlook.com , or calling (814) 938-2555 and leaving a message.

Help Wanted: Advertising

Continued from previous

John Charles Driscoll sented their community throughout the Punxsutawney area. The band provided a positive image of Walston when played at parades and festivals. The band con tinued to develop under the direction of a new bandmaster Enrico Colonna and manager Felix Gatti.

Next was the organizing and fielding of a baseball team managed by Charles Margiotti. The team proudly took to the field in their uniforms, provided by Su

perintendent Driscoll, proclaiming they were the Driscoll Cubs from Walston. They won their first four games before losing several games. They came back on August 26, 1910, with a 16-8 win over a well-seasoned Rossiter Team.

Through his cool-headed approach to managing potentially explosive situa tions and working with local community leaders to build community spirit, Charles Driscoll was able to influence positive change in the Walston Commu nity.

(To be continued.)

This article has been prepared by the Coal Memorial Committee of the Punx sutawney Area Historical & Genealogi cal Society. Resources used in preparing his article are from PAHGS, Punx sutawney News @ Newspapers.com., and the Library of Congress. Direct com ments to PAHGS, P.O. Box 286, Punx sutawney, PA 15767. A Dedication for the 2022 Memorial Tile additions to the Punxsutawney Area Coal Memorial will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2022. Individuals desiring to honor a coal or coal related industry worker in

Hometown Punxsutawney pub lications has a position open for an experienced advertising rep resentative to join our firm. We are a Punxsutawney-owned company that offers our busi nesses and professionals high quality, full distribution prod ucts and we are looking to ex pand. If you have a successful track record in advertising, and are looking for a fresh change, you owe it to yourself to talk to us. We offer an attractive com pensation package. We are look ing for a local person who will help us move to the next level. Why not talk to us?

email Mary at hometownmary@mail.com

The Walston Band and the Driscoll Cubs of Walston. Individual members are not identified; however, contemporary newspaper accounts of both organizations list their members: Band Members, July 12, 1909 Spirit, were: Simon Belotti, first cornetist; Samuel Scalva and Joseph Gigliardi, second alto; Dominic Gigliotti, second cornet; Lewis Badelotto, first alto; Joseph Scalva and Thomas Campasino, trombone players; and John Dafazio, tuba player. Baseball Team Members, August 31, 1910 Spirit: pitcher, Mambuca; 2nd base, Nase; 1st base, Margiotti; 3rd base, O’Lear; left field, Sisk; center field Carino; shortstop, Kelly; catcher, Basala; and pitcher, Blose. (photo courtesy of PAHGS)

Hometown Community Happenings

From the staff of Hometown magazine and the Community Calendar at Punx sutawney.com, here is a list of events coming up in our area: At press time, Coro navirus restrictions and mask requirements were changing. Please check with the host organization’s website or Facebook page for up-to-date information.

n Hometown Steelers Football Contest winner. George Clark of Punxsutawney guessed a perfect total score of 38 points for the October 16 game. George wishes to re deem his gift card at our local Shop ‘n Save. Congratulations, George. Remember you must play to win the Hometown Steeler Football contest. Enter today!

n Leaf collection by Punx’y Borough Public Works should start around the end of October or beginning of November. Leaves need to be raked to the curb.

n The Punx’y Theatre Arts Guild is holding its Koeze Nuts & Chocolates fundraiser. Place orders by Oct. 31. Call 938-6928 or 938-0378 to place an order or get a catalog.

n Fall Literacy Programs have started at Punx’y Memorial Library. Registration prior to attending programs is recom mended. Register in person at the library’s front desk or with the Children’s Program Coordinator. Only parents or guardians can sign the registration form. Programs will run through Dec. 5 at these times: Tweens & Teens, Mondays at 5 p.m. Wee-Read (18 months to 35 months), Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Pre-K Rocks (3-5 years old), Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. It’s Elementary (K-3rd grade), Wednesdays at 4 p.m. It’s Elementary (4th6th grades), Wednesdays at 5 p.m. A parent or guardian must stay with children in the Wee-Read or Pre-K Rocks programs. A par ent or guardian must stay in the library with children in Its Elementary I or 2.

n The Big Run Fire Co. holds Honey Badger Bingo every first and third Wednes day of the month at the Big Run Event Cen ter. Doors open at 4 p.m., early bird games start at 6 p.m. and regular games start at 6:30 p.m. Food & beverages available.

n The Perry Township Vol. Fire Co holds an All You Can Eat breakfast on the 2nd Sunday of every month at the fire hall, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults, $8.

n The Punx’y Salvation Army has started Club 3:16. Call 938-5530 to register your child or for more information.

n The Salvation Army & First United Methodist Church are offering “Wild – a ministry for teenagers,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays, at the Salvation Army. Call 9385530 for information.

n Through Nov. 1: Reservations will be taken for the Christmas Cards, Cookies, Cocoa, and Cocktails Craft Event on Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at The Burrow, sponsored by the Punx’y Memorial Library. $25 buys the items needed to craft 20 cards, sample cookies and cocoa. Cocktails are available for separate purchase. Cash or check is needed to make a reservation. This craft event is recommended for those age 12 and over.

n Oct. 31: Halloween Parade and Trickor-Treating in Punx’y. Parade lines up on Union Street at 6 p.m.; trick-or-treating from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

n Oct. 31: SPLASH will have refresh ments for sale and games for the kids after the Halloween parade at Barclay Square. This will benefit the George C. Brown community pool.

n Nov. 1-Nov. 18: Fall Bucket List Challenge at Punx’y Memorial Library. Complete the items on this challenge (sub mit a picture of you doing each item) and win a prize. Open to all ages.

n Nov. 2, 12, 16, & 30: Book donations accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Punx’y Memorial Library. Limit 2 boxes/bags per person.

n Nov. 4 & 5: Grange Helping Hands free clothing, Friday, noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Grange Church of God.

n Nov. 4, 11, & 18: Read to a Dog! At Punx’y Memorial Library, 3 p.m.

n Nov. 5: Fall Bazaar, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Grange Church of God.

n Nov. 5: Girl Scouts Brownies Won der of Water Journey Day, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Weather Discovery Center. Cost is $20 per scout. Pre-register by Oct. 31 at 938-1000 or email info@weatherdiscov ery.org.

n Nov. 6: Daylight Savings Time ends, turn clocks back one hour.

n Nov. 7, 14, 21 & 28: Adult Coloring Club, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Punx’y Me morial Library. Bring your own supplies or borrow some from the library. For those over age 18.

2022 PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING QUEEN AND PRINCESS (from l. to r.) Brooke Skarbek (Princess), Alex Momyer, Chloe Presloid, Justin Miller, Jordann Hicks, Evan Groce, Sydney Hoffman, Jake Henretta, Kaylee Guidice (Queen), Carter Savage, Olivia Bish and Noah Weaver. (Hometown photo by Jennifer Roberts)

October 19, 188 — Among improve ments in the borough are the street lamps ordered by the council some time ago. They are being placed at the respective street corners in town. Also, that portion of Mahoning street fronting Messrs. John son & Fink’s and North & Miller’s stores is being paved with oak plank. A splendid idea. (Punxsutawney News)

November 1, 1899 — Andrew Carne gies is now proposing to give to Clarion $50,000 for a public library, providing the town of Clarion will furnish the site and $3,000 annually for the maintenance of the institution. Punxsutawney’s mouth is watering for one of the luscious plums being distributed by the great philanthro pist, but is entirely too modest to even hint of such a thing. (Punxsutawney Spirit)

November 2, 1906 — Customers in Big Run are reminded that Melvin O. Gray does upholstering, making old furniture look like new. He also does everything in the line of finishing, painting and grain ing. (Big Run Tribune)

Note: Graining is the practice of imitat ing hard, expensive wood grain, such as oak, on relatively inexpensive wood sur faces such as pine. The practice was com mon in the late 19th century and early 20th century on surfaces from doors to kitchen cabinets.

November 2, 1914 — Burgess Fink has again clamped on the lid in Punx sutawney. All confectioneries were closed upon his order on Sunday and only the restaurants, cigar-stands in the hotels, shoe shining parlors, news stands (for the sale of papers) were allowed to open. (Punxsutawney Spirit)

Note: What were known as “blue laws” were enforced nationwide to restrict busi nesses and certain activities being opened on Sundays. Blue laws ended in the United States in 1978. The original pur pose was to preserve Sunday as a “day of rest.”

November 10, 1886 — Two carloads of chickens were shipped from the railroad station this week. (Valley News)

Note: The first railroad to enter Punx sutawney was the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh, in September 1883. In De cember 1887, the Pennsylvania and Northwestern began service to Punx sutawney from near Altoona.

• • •

Hometown Community

n Nov. 8: Election Day. Don’t forget to vote!

n Nov. 10: Catastrophic Book Club, 5:30 p.m., at Punx’y Memorial Library. This book club is for adults.

n Nov. 10: PAHS Powderpuff Football Game, 6 p.m., at Jack LaMarca Stadium. Junior and senior girls play for charity.

n Nov. 10 & 11: “Ordnung,” the Amish Ballet, 7 p.m., at Waller Theater, IUP, fea turing the Mahoning Valley Ballet & guests. Performance at 2 p.m. Nov. 12. Watch local media for ticket information.

n Nov. 11: Veterans Day. Federal holi day to honor all those who served or are serving in the U.S. Military.

n Nov. 11: Punx’y Memorial Library closed in honor of Veterans Day.

n Nov. 13: Turkey dinner, opens at 11 a.m., at Rossiter Vol. Fire Co. Fundraiser for the fire company.

n Nov. 16: Blood Drive, 12:30 to 6 p.m., at Punx’y VFW. Benefits the American Red Cross.

n Nov. 17: Christmas Cards, Cookies, Cocoa, and Cocktails Craft Event, 6 to 9 p.m., at The Burrow, benefits the Punx’y Memorial Library. Reservations required by Nov. 1 at the library.

n Nov. 19: Scouts BSA Electricity Merit Badge program, 9 a.m. to noon. $20 per scout. Pre-register at 938-1000 or email info@weatherdiscovery.org

n Nov. 19: Community Thanksgiving Meal, 4-6 p.m., dine in, at The Salvation Army.

n Nov. 23: Drive-Through Community Dinner, begins at 4:30 p.m., at Punx’y Presbyterian Church. Enter the alley off East Mahoning St beside the Pantall and drive toward Union St. Meals will be handed to the driver. The meal will include an entrée to heat at home and a dessert.

n Nov. 24: Thanksgiving! Give thanks for all you have.

n Nov. 24, 25 & 26: Punx’y Memorial Library closed for Thanksgiving holiday.

n Nov. 25: Red Kettle Campaign begins with a boot drive at 8 a.m., at the corner of East Mahoning St. and Hampton Ave., benefits The Salvation Army.

n Nov. 26: Small Business Saturday, various locations in Smicksburg.

n Nov. 26: Mistletoe Madness, various businesses in Punx’y.

n Nov. 26: Home for the Holidays pa rade, 6 p.m., downtown Punx’y. Deadline to enter is Nov. 16. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for registration information.

n Angel tags for The Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance program can be found at various locations around town. Please contact The Salvation Army for in formation.

n The Holly Tour presented by Punx’y Weather Discovery Center will be 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. Ticket information is avail able at the PWDC, and the tour benefits the educational mission of the PWDC.

n The Punx’y Memorial Library will raf fle a scratch-off ticket basket during No vember. Tickets should be available on Nov. 7. Inquire at the front desk.

• • •

(“From Our Past,” researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.)

Punxsutawney Area Hospital Purchases Mobile Wellness Unit

The Punxsutawney Area Hospital is excited to announce the new Mobile Wellness Unit. This unit was purchased with funding received from a SHIP Grant during the middle of the pandemic.

The Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP) supports eligible hospitals in meeting value-based payment and care goals for their respective organizations, through purchases of hardware, software, outreach mechanisms, and training.

The Punxsutawney Area Hospital plans to use this unit for a variety of services, including the promotion of Covid-19 testing, blood pressure readings, screenings, educational opportunities, addressing social determinants of health, and more. PAH participates in the Rural Health Model, which is a state-wide initiative with goals directed at preventative

care and education for patients in our community. With this unit, PAH is able to actively work toward making an impact in our community as it relates to wellness. The goal is to bring wellness to the community at large by taking this unit into areas within the Punxsutawney School District footprint, for example: Ringgold, Big Run, and others. The unit will be appearing in the Annual Home for the Holidays Parade on Saturday, November 26. For more information about the Mobile Wellness Unit and a schedule of events, visit www.pah.org.

Punxsutawney Area Hospital’s Robin Moran, Quality / Patient Safety Manager, with the hospital’s new Mobile Wellness Unit. (submitted photos)

Area

is pleased to announce it will participate in the National Day of Giving on November 29, 2022. The National Day of Giving, held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, kicks off the holiday season by highlighting Punxsutawney Area’s nonprofits and encourages donors to support their work which enhance the quality of life of residents.

Nonprofits must be designated a 501(c)(3) charity by the Internal Rev enue Service.

The National Day of Giving was estab lished to encourage communities, busi nesses, and families to coordinate and “give thanks by giving” to local charities which work year-round to address and solve prob lems in our community.

For the Day of Giving, the Foundation seeks sponsors to contribute to a match pool and pooled funds are used to enhance the funds raised for local charities on No vember 29. Each participating charity will receive the funds donated in their name, plus an additional proportional percentage from the match pool. Day of Giving dona tions and the matching funds will be dis

tributed to charities on December 13.

T Community Foundation to Participate in Day of Giving

The 2021 Day of Giving raised $24,295 for participating charities, which included: Punxsutawney Revitalization Investing De veloping Enhancing (PRIDE), Punx sutawney Weather Discovery Center, Punxsutawney The atre Arts Guild, The Arc of Jefferson and Clearfield Counties, Child Evangelism Fel lowship, Punx sutawney Memorial Library, Mahoning Shadow Rails to Trails, Punx sutawney Area Community Center, Punxsutawney Area Historical & Ge nealogical Society, Inc., Punxsutawney Arts Association, Inc., Punxsutawney Area Coal Memorial, We Care Pregnancy, Punxsutawney Area Community Foundation, Inc., and Unity Rises Association.

Charities interested in participating in the 2022 Day of Giving can register by visit ing the Foundation’s website at www.pxycf.org/2022-registration-form. For more information, please email info@pxycf org or call (814) 938-2493 and leave a message. A Foundation board di rector will return your email or call.

• • •

Community Foundation Schedules Seminar for Nonprofits

The Punxsutawney Area Community Foundation, Inc. (PXYCF) is spon soring a seminar for nonprofit organ ization board directors, staff, support professionals, and volunteers in Jefferson County titled “A Practical Approach to Nonprofit Management, Gov ernance, and Compliance.” The seminar will be conducted by Thomas A. Tupitza, President of Knox Law located in Erie, Pa. Knox Law provides a vari ety of educational programs to clients and professionals, in cluding attorneys, accountants, financial planners, human re source and insurance profes sionals, and educators. through the Knox Law Institute®.

Attorney Tupitza is a licensed consultant for the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Orga nization’s (PANO) Standards for Excel lence®: an Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector, and frequently presents to nonprofits and their profes sional advisors.

government have strengthened the registra tion and reporting requirements for non profits. This seminar is designed to provide information regarding current nonprofit re quirements and to orient nonprofits to best practices and the Standards for Excel lence®.

The seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 8, begin ning at 8 a.m. and ending at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Cobblestone Hotel & Suites located at 188 Alliance Drive, Punxsutawney. Organizations and individuals may register at www.PXYCF.org.

Thomas A. Tupitza, President of Knox Law

The seminar will be followed by a briefing for Punx sutawney Area nonprofits re garding the 2022 Day of Giving to be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, and an introduction to TechSoup, a global non profit that provides 501(c)(3) access to technology donations and discounts on software, hardware, and services and tech nology networking opportunities.

In recent years, both the state and federal

•

Herman H. Hetager of Dade City, Florida

formerly of Punxsutawney

April 20, 1936 - September 14, 2022

Herman was a member of the Chestnut Grove Independent Church. He was active in the American Legion and the Punxsutawney Theater Arts Guild.

Herman attended the Valley Forge Military Academy then the University of Pittsburgh. After college graduation he went on to serve in the United States Army, entering as a Second Lieutenant. He continued his military service earning rank as a First Lieutenant with a specialty as a Military Personnel Officer until his honorable discharge in 1962. He then returned home to Punxsutawney and worked in the drilling industry, which was a large part of the Hetager family heritage, established by Herman’s father Carl in Philipsburg. Herman enjoyed farming, his love of animals, especially the family horse Sundance and his dog Mooch, working his concession trailer, “The Meatball Hut,” and spending time outdoors. Until his retirement in Florida, Herman also enjoyed working as an independent contract driver for FedEx.

He is survived by three sons; Eric (Jane) Hetager, Chris (Lorrie) Hetager, Kurt (Michelle) Hetager; a step-daughter Debbie Meade; six grandchildren, Jacob, Ian, Nathan, Elizabeth, Kaden, and Quinn Hetager; three step-grandchildren, Roxanna Gossert, Nichole (Janie) Himes and Johnathon (Jess) Skidmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. Herman was the last surviving member of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl G. and Kriski (Skramstad) Hetager; his wife,Joyce O. Hetager; two brothers, Karl and LeRoy Hetager; and two sisters, Marie Jenks and Lillian Kritsky.

McCabe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.mccabewaldronfh.com)

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Deborah E. Elbel of Punxsutawney

July 4, 1951 - September 28, 2022

Deborah was a graduate of the Punxsutawney High School Class of 1969 and furthered her education at Edinboro University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education.

She was a former member of St. Bernadette’s Church in Monroeville. She enjoyed her cats, reading, music, concerts, musicals, traveling, cooking, and attending Pittsburgh Pirates games.

In addition to her mother, Dorothy (Smith) Elbel, she is survived by a son Patrick (Kimberly) Hanlon and two sisters, Barbara (Homer) Cogley and Sandra (Kenton) Scott.

She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Elbel, and a brother George Elbel.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com

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August 20, 1943 - October 1, 2022

Donna was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Punxsutawney. She became an RN after attending nursing school. Donna was then the secretary for their pool company and was also a co-owner/operator of her and her husband’s semi-truck.

She is survived by a daughter Robin Plyler and a son Eric (Stacy) Rumpf; six grandchildren, Anthony LeDonne, Sabrina LeDonne and fiancé Jeremey, Tamara (Justyn) Keibler, Nicole LeDonne, and Nathan and Nicholas Rumpf; nine great-grandchildren, Jacelyn Keibler, Alyssa Wallen, Amanda Keibler, Justyn Keibler, Jr., Thomas Bryan, Charles Bryan, Brantley LeDonne, Luva Wyant and Stanley LeDonne; and a brother Ron (Jan) Hallston.

In addition to her husband, Charles G. Rumpf, and parents, Helen (Rydbom) and Carl Hallston, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law Dennis Plyler. Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com

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Anthony G. “Tony” “Cappy” Capozzoli of Punxsutawney

June 13, 1933 - October 2, 2022

He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1957.

Tony was a 1952 graduate of SSCD High School. He was employed by the A&P Company as an assistant manager for thirty years then worked for the Punxsutawney Area School District until retirement.

He was a member of the Punxsutawney Country Club for sixtyfive years where he won the club championship eight times and was also a member of the Walston Club. In addition to his wife, Eleanore J. (Tollini) Capozzoli, he is survived by three children, daughter Suzanne (Brad) Smith, daughter Lori (Bud) Brush and son John (Michele) Capozzoli; five grandchildren, Anthony “AJ” (Jen) Capozzoli, Matthew (Sarah) Brush, Sean Smith and fiancé Maddy Cochran, Patrick Brush and Natalie Brush; five great-grandchildren, Matthew, Kyra, Sawyer, Noah and Rowan; a sister Margaret Zahoransky; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Rose F. (Carraturo) and Augustine J. Capozzoli, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Joseph, Dominic, William, and John “Jake” Capozzoli; and three sisters Mary Louise Sawyer, Theresa Capozzoli and Rose Victoria Whisner.

Memorial contributions may be made to SSCD Church or School or Snacks to Grow On.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com u

Lawrence E. “Larry” Ruby of Anita

December 29, 1942 - October 2, 2022

Larry was a graduate of SSCD High School. He furthered his education with a liberal arts degree from IUP and a master’s degree from Clarion University. He taught at DuBois High School for thirty-five years and at Penn State St. Mary’s Campus, IUP Punxsutawney Campus, and IUP Main Campus.

In addition to his wife, Jean Ann (Shiock) Ruby, Larry is survived by two children, son Chris (Autumn) Ruby, and daughter Melissa Manners; two granddaughters, Hanna and Ally; a sister Nancy Bartleson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Julie (Woznicki) and Ange Ruby, he is preceded in death by a sister Jo Anne Clontz; in-laws Willie and Irene Shiock; brother-in-law Dr. Sam Earley; nieces Sandy Jewell and Leslie Osikowicz; nephews Todd Covert and Braden Shiock; and a great-nephew Chris Jewell.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com u

Robert “Rob” Dean Rorabaugh of Punxsutawney

September 17, 1976 - October 2, 2022

Rob attended Brockway Area High School and Jeff Tech specializing in automotive. He worked at MPP Proform Powdered Metals Inc. Rob was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed camping and heavy metal music. Rob was a great, hard-working man and got along with everyone. He loved spending time with his family, especially his wife.

He will be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, Debra Sue Garthwaite, Rob is survived by three children, Deeadda Rorabaugh, Evan Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell; one brother, Mike (Marissa) Rorabaugh; two grandchildren, Keshawn Rorabaugh, Kove Rorabaugh; and two nieces, Harlee Rorabaugh, Taylor Rorabaugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lois (Burkey) Rorabaugh.

Fait – d’Argy Funeral Home www.dargyfh.com u

Lois E. Pence of Ringgold

June 6, 1933 - October 6, 2022

Lois was a member of the Ringgold United Methodist Church. She participated in many church activities and cleaned and maintained the church for many years.

Lois enjoyed walking, cooking, and baking.

She was a member of the Ringgold Area Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society.

Surviving relatives include five daughters, Sandra Lingenfelter, Barbara

(Douglas) Miller, Karen (Ted) Dubensky, Lori Cieleski, and Tricia Pence; eight grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Richard G. Pence, and parents, Katherine S. (Gruver) and Oren C. Shirey, she was preceded in death by stepfather Ernie Coleman, brother Carl M. Shirey, sister Ruby A. Dinger, and son-in-law Randy Lingenfelter.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com u

Ronald Lewis, 66 of Punxsutawney

passed away October 10, 2022

He attended the First Church of God in Punxsutawney. Ron was a 1974 graduate of Purchase Line High School where he excelled at football. After high school, he was employed as a truck driver. Over the course of his career, he made many friends at Swift Meats, Riverside Markets, and Ruan.

Ron loved big and laughed bigger. He loved his God, his family, and his country. He enjoyed cheering for Penn State, the Steelers, and the Punx’y Chucks. Ron loved his family fiercely and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. Remington, Ron’s black lab, was his best friend. “King Remy” went everywhere with Ron and was spoiled endlessly. Ron, his wife, Cindy, and Remy enjoyed spending the past few years together at camp relaxing.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy (Heckendorn) Lewis; two daughters, Melissa (Charles) Leseman, Mindy (Mike) Rentko; eleven grandchildren, Allaynah (Hope) Bridge, Addison (Evan) Smith, Isaac, Charlie, Nathan, Ian, Nick and Matthew Leseman, Michaela, Jack and Kendall Rentko; one great-granddaughter, Evie Smith; two sisters, Mary (Gary) Wilson, Marcia Lewis; one brother, Bob “Hawkeye” Lewis; two sisters-in-law, Lou Ann Poole and Penny Heckendorn; and one brother-in-law, Jack (LaDawn) Heckendorn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin “Babe” and Florentine “Floss” (Miller) Lewis; one brother, Irvin William “Pud” Lewis; mother and father-in-law, Jack “Red” and Joyce Heckendorn; and a brother-in-law, Ray Poole.

McCabe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.mccabewaldronfh.com) u June Wright of Punxsutawney

July 3, 1925 - October 10, 2022

June grew up in Glen Campbell, before moving to Jamestown, New York, where she worked at Chautauqua Hardware for 20 years alongside her husband. They both retired and moved to Marienville. June lived the

Donna M. Rumpf of Punxsutawney

from previous page

19 years in Punxsutawney. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Punxsutawney. She enjoyed attending baseball games, going for rides, having picnics, traveling, and family outings at camp, but most of all she loved spending time with her family at her home.

She is survived by by eight children, David (Sandy) Wright, Janice (Robert) Matatal, Debbie (Larry) Bergreen, Claude Wright, Jeff Wright, Lisa (Lauren) Collins, George Wright, Tonya (Butch) Foringer. She was blessed with many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Gaye (Conner) Fitzgerald; her husband, Eugene Wright; and a daughter Sharon Abbott.

McCabe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.mccabewaldronfh.com)

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Lawrence R. “Larry” DeChurch of Punxsutawney

March 15, 1932 - October 10, 2022

Larry was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War.

He was a member of SSCD Church and a longtime member of the church choir and served as a cantor. He was an accomplished musician without any formal training.

Larry worked for PennDot on the Bridge and Road Inspection crew for thirty years.

He was a graduate of Sykesville High School and a student at Penn State. Larry was a standout athlete while in high school and was invited to try out for the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. He enjoyed watching professional and college football. Larry was a former coach for Little League and Teener League baseball. He frequently attended high school sports, musicals, and concerts. Larry also enjoyed going to Coffee Club every morning at Burger King with his friends.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eagles and the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Larry is survived by two daughters, Lisa (Ozzy) Samad and Angel DeChurch; two grandchildren, Marina and Harris Samad; two brothers, Alfred (Phyllis) DeChurch and George (Pat) DeChurch; a sister Patricia Clapsaddle; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Angeline F. (Cappella) DeChurch, and parents Lucia (Ferante) and Amerigo DeChurch, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Maimone and Adeline Matusky. Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com

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Richard E. McDivitt, Jr. , 68 of Punxsutawney passed away on October 12, 2022 Rick was a highway construction operating engineer and belonged to the Teamsters Union for seven years and the Union Hall Operators Union #66. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and farming. Rick is survived by four children, Rick

(Alicia) E. McDivitt, III, Amanda G. McDivitt-Martin, Cherry Ann (Michael) Meko, and Rachael McDivitt; eight grandchildren, Garrison and Gavin McDivitt, Mason and Lily Yoder and Raiven Martin, and Alex, Charlee and Rowan Meko. He is also survived by five siblings, Randy (Donna) McDivitt, Rod (Tammy) McDivitt, Mitzi McDivitt, Heidi (Ed) Strischock and Mona (Glenn) Powell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard E. McDivitt, Sr. and Evelyn (Hetrick) McDivitt.

McCabe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.mccabewaldronfh.com)

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Robert L. “Pickles” Deahl of Rossiter

January 4, 1941 - October 12, 2022

He was a 1959 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School and joined the United States Army in 1961. During his two years in the Army, he served tours in France and Germany, performing duties as a Communications Specialist and as a Military Policeman.

After completing his military service, he worked in the coal mines at Greenwich Collieries for 16 years. He was also a self-employed subcontractor laying flooring and carpet for over 40 years.

When he wasn’t on the golf course, he could be found shooting pool. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with his pets, and grabbing a cup of coffee or a cold beer. He always made sure to make his rounds to sign up for the nightly drawings at the various clubs around town. He was a big sports fan and enjoyed watching all types of sports. He was a member of the Rossiter and Punxsutawney American Legions, Walston Club, Punxsutawney Eagles, Elks, and Moose.

He spent 44 years with JoAnn (Henry), and they later married on March 18, 2003. Robert and JoAnn loved their traditional Thursday night date night at the Eagles Club.

Robert is survived by his children, Mark (Erin) Deahl, Bobbie Jo Deahl, Chris (Moscha) Smisek and Brandy (Ryan) Gahres. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Lexi Ann Dunlap, Payton Marie Deahl, Chase Axel Wildeson, Christopher Reed Smisek, and Liam Robert Gahres; his brothers, William (Carol) Deahl, Gary (Joyce) Deahl; sister Diane (Mike) Cauvel; and several nieces and nephews

In addition to his parents, Jonas and Helen (Timblin) Deahl, he was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Myers, and two nephews, Richard Deahl and Dale Myers.

McCabe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.mccabewaldronfh.com) u

Norman E. Dinger of Punxsutawney

September 15, 1933 - October 20, 2022

Norman was an active member of the First Church of God of Punxsutawney. He was a member of the church choir and The Living Christmas Tree for many years.

He worked as a product manager for Stockdale Mine Supply for twenty-five years and then for Wampum Hardware for another eighteen years.

He is survived by two sons, Kirk (Amber) Dinge and Scott (Kristie) Dinger; three grandchildren, Alex, Carson, and Sierra; a greatgranddaughter Charlotte; and three sisters, Betty Caylor, Evelyn Chambers, and Shirley Shaw.

In addition to his wife, Erma J. London, and parents, Fern M. (Mitchell) and Norman M. Dinger, Norm was preceded in death by four brothers, Paul, Darl, Billy, and infant brother Clayton, and four sisters, Mary London, Geneva Hoffman, Annabelle Caylor, and Ruby Burkett.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com

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William A. “Bill” Snyder of Mayport February 20, 1956 - October 20, 2022

Bill was a graduate of Punxsutawney High School Class of 1974. He enjoyed cooking, dirt track racing, hunting, gardening, and his dogs, Buddy and Razor.

He worked for Markle Bullers Mining Company, AmFire Mining, and most recently for Brookville Equipment Company painting trains and trolley cars.

In addition to his wife, Christine M. (Martz) Snyder, he is survived by a son Zach Snyder and fiancé Nikki Agnello of Punxsutawney; three grandchildren, Talon, Raya, and Lane Allen; three siblings, brother Kenneth (Sandy) Snyder, sister Sharon “Dix” (Wayne Jr.) Shirey, and sister Karen “Pix” (Rodney) Caylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dorothy M. (Milliron) and Ernest N. Snyder, he was preceded in death by a brother Ronald S nyder.

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. www.deeleyfuneralhome.com

Please visit the websites of the funeral homes listed to view the complete obituary, sign their guestbooks, plant a tree, and offer your condolences.

If you have a loved one who has passed away and would like to publish the obituary in Punxsutawney Hometown Magazine, please contact us at hometown@punxsutawneymagazine.com or call (814) 952-3668.

he excitement of turkey hunting doesn’t have to wait for spring.

Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season, an annual opportunity to pursue the state’s only big-game bird among the changing colors of the autumn woods, kicks off Sat urday, Oct. 29 in 19 of Pennsylvania’s 23 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs.)

The fall season is closed in WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D. For the remaining WMUs the season lengths are as follows: WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E – Oct. 29-Nov. 5; WMU 2B – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 2325; WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C – Oct. 29-Nov. 12; WMU 2C, 2D & 2E – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 2325; and WMU 5B – Nov. 1-3. Hunters are advised the three-day Thanksgiving season again will run Wednesday, Thursday and Friday where held.

As a reminder, no single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey sea sons. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only.

While fall turkey hunters no longer are re quired to wear fluorescent orange, the Game Commission highly recommends the use of orange, especially while moving.

Season outlook

During the fall season, any turkey – male or female – can be harvested. Female turkeys make up about 60% of the fall har vest.

When turkey populations are below-goal in a given WMU, the fall season length is reduced there to allow more female turkeys to survive to their spring nesting season.

Turkey populations in many WMUs were measured below the management goal. Therefore, in 2021, season length in 15 of the 21 WMUs was shortened, or closed, and the use of single-projectile rifles and handguns was eliminated. The 2021 statewide fall harvest (6,800 turkeys) was 20% lower than 2020. Statewide fall hunter participation (81,500 hunters) was 19% less than 2020.

But things are looking up.

Turkey reproduction in 2021 and 2022 was above average across many WMUs.

“This typically results in larger fall flocks,” said Game Commission wild turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena.

And there’s plenty of spots where hunters can put themselves in good position to take a bird.

“Expect to find turkey brood flocks con centrated on available food sources, such as areas with acorn production or agricul tural areas,” Casalena said.

Casalena also encourages hunters to cover a lot of ground to find available food sources. When abundant food is found, de termining turkey movement patterns around that food will improve hunter suc cess.

Hunters during fall turkey season share the woods with hunters participating in many other hunting seasons. But fall turkey hunting has proven remarkably safe. 2021 marked the fifth year since 2012 with no hunting related shooting incidents while fall turkey hunting. The other years with no incidents were 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

Harvests and reporting

Everyone who purchases a hunting li cense receives one fall turkey tag Successful fall turkey hunters must tag their birds according to instructions pro vided on the printed harvest tags supplied with their licenses, then report harvests. Mentored hunters under the age of 7 may

receive, by transfer, a fall turkey tag sup plied by their mentor.

The turkey must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the turkey is moved, and the tag must be securely at tached to a leg until the bird is prepared for consumption or mounting.

Within 10 days of harvest, turkey hunters must report harvests to the Game Commis sion, either by going online to the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov, calling toll-free or mailing in a prepaid postcard.

T Fall Turkey Season Approaches and Outdoors Guide

Hunters reporting their turkey harvests over the telephone can call 1-800-838-4431 and follow the prompts. Hunters will need to have their license and their copy of the harvest tag in front of them when they make the call. Hunters should record the supplied confirmation number for the turkey reported.

All hunters reporting harvests are asked to identify the WMU, county and township where the bird was taken.

Additionally, hunters may harvest a turkey that has been leg-banded for research pur poses, and if so, they should follow the in structions on the band. The Game Commission leg-banded more than 800 turkeys last winter in a continuing effort to track turkey populations.

Handling harvested birds

Pennsylvania recently saw a wild turkey test positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). While turkeys are highly susceptible to the influenza virus, their be havior and habitat use place them at less risk of contracting the disease compared to waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and avian scavengers.

“This isn’t a concern in terms of affecting the entire turkey population,” said Game Commission Wildlife Management Bureau Director Matthew Schnupp, “but occur rence will be impossible to predict.”

Turkey hunters, and others hunting birds, should take HPAI precautions when han dling harvests. In doing so, they not only protect themselves, but help reduce the risk of this extremely contagious disease spreading to other birds.

Bird hunters should: Harvest only healthy-looking wild birds. Wear gloves when handling any wild birds.

Wash hands with soap and water or an al cohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after handling wild birds.

Dress harvested wild birds in the field.

Change clothing as needed, especially if visibly soiled or if any wild birds came in contact with clothing.

Change clothing, including footwear, be fore coming in contact with any pet birds or domestic poultry.

Wash all equipment, tools, and work sur faces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% household bleach solution. Allow to air dry or rinse after 10 minutes of contact time.

HPAI can infect humans, though just one human HPAI case has been reported in the United States during this outbreak.

Any sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD or on line using the Wildlife Health Survey tool at www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS.

Honoring All Who Served

Blake Mohney

United States Marine Corps

Son of Mr. & Mrs. A.F. Mohney of Punxsutawney enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 22, 1942. During Basic Training at Camp Lejeune, NC. He served in the Southwest Pacific where he saw action on New Guinea and in 1944 he took part in the Battle of Tarawa, where he was injured and received the Purple Heart medal.

Michael Shugarts

United States Marine Corps

Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Shugarts, Platoon Sergeant Michael (Mickee) Shugarts enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1933 and served stateside and in the Philippines. Completing his enlistment, he returned to California where he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1939. He served first in China, then the Philippines where he fought at Battan where he was captured by the Japanese. He was one of the first Punxsutawney men missing in action. He later died in a prisoner of war camp.

Sgt. A. Clark Brown

Private Michael J. Cesario

Brothers Fred Roberts, U.S. Air Force, and Bill Roberts, U.S. Army, Augusburg Germany WWII

Sergeant Ida Byers (right) receives a

from Major General John T. Lewis. SSgt Lewis, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Byers, of

Avenue, was the third

from Punxsutawney

in the Women’s Army

Corps of the United States Army. She

in In December, 1942, and was assigned to Daytona Beach, Fla., for

She was stationed with the General Staff of the War Department in the Pentagon Building, Washington D.C. and later at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Eric Gotwald Bosnia conflict

Sgt. Joseph R. Gigliotti US Army WWII

Major Fred Roberts U.S. Air Force WWII

Doyle Starry Staff Sergeant U.S. Army Korean Conflict

Army Air Corps

Rosalind Zeidel

United States Army Nurse Corps

Daughter of Mrs. Sara Zeidel, of Punxsutawney entered the service in February 1944. She was among the first 18 U.S. Nurses to see service in the North African invasion, where she served 34 months. In addition to performing her nursing duties, Lt. Zeidel encouraged her patients to create art work which was enjoyed by all. The American bomber, “Rosalind, Angel of Mercy, was named in her honor.

L. Eugene Smith United

Charles C. Lowmaster

Mark

Amy T.

Amy T. Phillips with her father, Floyd Taylor (US

The Roles of the Various Branches of the U.S. Military

Each November, people across the United States and its territories honor the brave men and women who serve and have served in the various branches of the country’s military. Veterans Day is ob served annually every November 11 and honors the service of all U.S. military vet erans. The day should not be confused with Memorial Day, which is celebrated each year in May and honors all military per sonnel who have died in service.

spite its massive land mass, the United States is a maritime nation, which under scores how important a strong Navy is to the safety of the country and its residents. The Navy works alongside American allies and partners to keep the seas open and free.

Air Force

The Air Force has five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mo bility; intelligence, surveillance and recon naissance; and command and control. The Air Force defends the country and its residents in air, space and cyber space and is capable of delivering forces any where in the world within hours.

Space Force

Veterans Day is a great time for anyone to learn more about the various branches of the U.S. military.

Army

The U.S. Department of Defense notes that the Army is the largest and oldest serv ice in the country’s military. The Army pro vides the ground forces that protect the United States. Members of the Army are trained to defeat enemy ground forces and to seize and control enemy lands and re sources. Army also are trained to control and interact with the general population in countries where members are stationed.

Marine Corps

It might surprise some to learn that the Marine Corps. is a component of the De partment of the Navy. That’s one reason why maintains amphibious and ground units for contingency and combat opera tions. The Marine Corps. is divided into four groups: the operating forces that fight; the headquarters for leadership; the sup porting establishment that provides logisti cal support; and the Marine Corps. Reserve.

Navy

The Navy protects America at sea. De

The existence of the Space Force may come as a surprise to many Americans. Organized under the Department of the Air Force and es tablished in 2019, this branch of the military organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect the interest of America and its allies in space.

Coast Guard

During peacetime, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security. In times of war, it operates under the Navy. The Coast Guard provides law and mar itime safety enforcement as well as envi ronmental protection. In addition to promoting national security, border secu rity and economic prosperity in the mar itime environment, the Coast Guard saves those in peril on the sea.

National Guard

The National Guard is comprised of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The National Guard has a diverse array of responsibilities that range from supporting combat missions to responding during domestic emergencies to assisting in humanitarian efforts and more.

The U.S. military is made up various branches, each with its own unique mis sions and responsibilities. Veterans Day marks the perfect occasion to celebrate the many individuals who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.

7. In the event two or more contestants correctly pick the winning team and total number of points, one win ner will be randomly selected and awarded the winning prize. In event two or more contestants tie for closest to the total score, one winner will be randomly selected to win the $20 certificate. Each issue we will give one $20 certificate.

8. Hometown magazine retains the right to make any final decisions regarding the contest, and by submitting an entry, contestants agree to abide by the rules of the contest.