Archive - 2011 - Obituary
November 20th
Katherine M. Cappello, 85, formerly of 2 Greeves St., died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at Sena Kean Manor after a brief illness.
Born March 12, 1926, in Kane, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Katherine Yasurek. In 1949, she married Joseph S. Cappello who preceded her in death in 1991.
Surviving are a son, Robert (Deb) Cappello of Kane; a daughter, Mary (Fred) Holmes of Kane; one granddaughter, Tracy (Don) Zilkofski of Kane; three great-grandchildren, Andrew, Zach and Kristen Zilkofski; a sister, Mary (Carmen) Pontoriero of Erie; and several nieces and nephews.
November 18th
Natasha L. “Tasha” Mattis, 25, of 106 Pine Ave., passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.
Born Sept. 15, 1986, in Kane, she was a daughter of Ronald and Angela Asp Mattis.
Tasha was a student at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She was a member of St. Callistus Catholic Church.
Smethport - Benjamin R. Defibaugh, 63, of Smethport, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, N.Y.
He was born July 1, 1948 in Smethport, a son of Benjamin F. and Clara I. Shick Defibaugh. On Oct. 1, 1977 in St. Joseph Church, Mt. Jewett, he married Debbie A. Boyland, who survives.
Mr. Defibaugh was a graduate of Smethport High School and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam.
Mr. Defibaugh was the Director of Veteran's Affairs for McKean County for 25 years, retiring in December 2008.
He was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport.
November 14th
Richard L. Riggs Jr., age 52, of Marienville, died at his home in Marienville.
He was born Sept. 22, 1959 in Brookville, son of the late Richard L. Riggs Sr., and Anna Jean (Albaugh) Riggs.
Rick was previously employed by Sheffield Container. He loved to hunt, fish and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1981.
Surviving are three sisters, Delores “Dee” Carley and her husband David of Kane, Micky Stevenson and her husband Danny of Marienville, and Sally Cox and her partner Aaron Pertz. There are several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
November 13th
Joseph Paul Cecchetti, 80, of Ideal Farm Road, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Kane Community Hospital.
Born June 9, 1931, in James City, he was a son of Umberto and Amilea Sier Cecchetti. On May 16, 1951, in Wichita Falls, Texas, he married Shirley A. Anderson who preceded him in death.
Mr. Cecchetti served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
He retired as a foreman from Stackpole and then became custodian of the Kane Area School District. He was a member of St. Callistus Catholic Church.
Edward W. Dore, 61, of Bentleyville, died Friday, November 11, 2011 in The Donnell House, Washington.
He was born Nov. 13, 1949 in Kane, a son of the late Francis Howard Dore and Gladys Patricia Mitchell Dore. 
He worked as a cook for various restaurants. 
A veteran, he served with the U.S. Navy. 
Surviving are a two brothers, Daniel Bower of Washington and Francis (Skip) Dore of Sanford, Maine; two sisters, Elizabeth Van Gilder of Warren and Deborah Moskal of Houston; three step-sisters, Sharon Doré of Toronto, Canada, Mrs. Kathleen Landi of Lake Ridge, Va., and Mrs.
November 8th
David M. Newpher, 61, of 78 Windy City Rd., James City, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 at UPMC Hamot in Erie from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near James City earlier Sunday.
Born May 8, 1950 in Kane, he was the son of Ronald J. and Marjorie E. Porter Newpher, who survive.
Mr. Newpher was employed as a truck driver.
Surviving, in addition to his parents of James City, are a son, Damon Newpher of Bradford; sisters Cindy Morris of Kane, Janice Hulings and Deborah Sherwin; and a brother, Jim Newpher of James City.
November 7th
David M. Newpher, 61, of 78 Windy City Rd., James City, died Sunday afternoon at Hamot Medical Center in Erie from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near James City. A complete obituary will appear in tomorrow's edition. The Ronald McDonald II Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ronaldmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
November 6th
Jesse A. Fithian, 98, formerly of Northern Area Homes, Russell, died Saturday evening, Nov. 5, 2011 at the Warren Manor after a brief illness.Â
He was born Sept. 8, 1913 in Butler, to the late James Herbert and Carrie Mae Parker Fithian. He has resided in Russell since 2001 and was formerly of Parker and Titusville. He was a graduate of Parker High School Class of 1932.
November 4th
Richard L. “Dick” Clevenger Sr. of James City, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at Kane Community Hospital after a brief illness.
Born Aug. 17, 1938, in Fisher, he was a son of Benjamin and Dorothy Rhodes Clevenger.
Mr. Clevenger served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960. Later in Life, he joined the Army National Guard and served with the Kane Unit for 20 years. During that time they were deployed for service in support of Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.
