All Obituaries

Oct 3, 1940 – Apr 30, 2024 Samuel Arthur Fawks, 83, of Claysburg, passed away Tuesday at Conemaugh Nason Hospital. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Samuel Orlandis and Loretta Belle (Reed) Fawks. He married Leona May Beatty. Surviving are his wife Leona Fawks; two daughters: Marlene Louise Whitsel and Rebecca Ann Fawks; a son, Samuel David Fawks; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; four sisters: Loretta Harr, Dorothy Fawks, Mary Fawks, and Diane Fawks; and four...

Aug 4, 1969 – April 28, 2024 Linda R. Yon, 54, of Altoona, passed away Sunday after an extended illness.  She was born in Altoona, daughter of Susan (Kissell) Winston and the late Dale “Billy” Yon. Surviving are two sisters: Katherine Whitehead and Billie Jo Persing; a brother, Jason Yon, all of Altoona; several nieces and nephews, and her companion, Pat Foster. She was preceded in death by a brother, Travis, and her step-father, Walter Winston. Linda attended...

Feb 8, 1963 - Apr 27, 2024 Vincent C. Mielnik, 61, of Hollidaysburg, passed away Saturday. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Frank and Frances (An) Mielnik. Surviving are two sisters: Helen Taylor in FL and Barbara Hoovler in CO; five brothers: Daniel, Joseph, and Matthew Mielnik, all of Hollidaysburg, Byung Gill An in South Korea and Pyong D. An “Tom” in WA; eight nephews; and five nieces. Vincent loved hunting and taking care of his orchard. Friends will be received...

Aug 3, 1956 – Apr 26, 2024 Deborah Lou Graham, 67, of Altoona, passed away Friday at UPMC Altoona. She was born in Ridgway, daughter of the late James Wenner Sr. and Doris (McDonald) Wenner-Wise. She married Daniel Graham, who preceded her in death in 1993. Surviving are a daughter Patricia Graham; a son, John Graham (Jennifer); two stepchildren: Tina Ross (Doug), Jesse Rickabaugh; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Wenner (Theresa); two step-sisters:...

Lorraine M. (Prough) Knisely, 88, of Duncansville, went home to be with the Lord on Friday April 26, 2024, at her home in Duncansville, surrounded by family. She was born April 11, 1936, in Altoona, the daughter of Paul and Helen (Burk) Prough. She married Wayne Knisely of Claysburg on September 7, 1955. They had a very special relationship which remained strong until he went home to be with the Lord on September 11, 2013. Lorraine was extremely proud of her children:  Gary Weyandt...

Oct 2, 1946 - April 25, 2024   Jane L. (Yingling) Byrne, 77, of Hollidaysburg, passed away Thursday, surrounded by her family. She was born in Puzzletown, daughter of the late David L. and Jane E. (Miller) Yingling. She married Kevin Byrne in 2004. Surviving are her husband of 20 years; two daughters: Elizabeth Bowers and husband Jeff of Altoona, and Cristy Walker and husband Clint of McVeytown; five grandchildren: Hunter, Brittany, Allison, Michael, and Kaylee; and two...

March 7, 1946 – Apr 24, 2024 David Jeffrey Dodson, 78, of East Freedom, formerly of Hollidaysburg, passed away Wednesday. He was born in Hollidaysburg, son of the late Robert D. and Maxine (Crum) Dodson. Surviving are: a daughter, Megan Dodson in CA; a son, Ryan Dodson in TN; a sister, Ann Dodson Price of East Freedom; and a brother, Robert Charlie Dodson of Hollidaysburg.         Jeff attended Penn State University and California State University...

Aug 27, 1962 - Apr 23, 2024   Duane Lee Pickens, 61, of Altoona, passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday. He was born in Fort Knox KY, son of the late Harold and Wilma (Swartzfager) Pickens. Surviving are a son, Sean Porter of Erie; a brother, Neil Pickens and wife, Tammy; a sister, Candace Bartoe; a nephew, Brendan McCullough; and three nieces: Jessica Pickens, Sara Pickens, and Michaela Bartoe, all of Albion.        Duane was a 1980 graduate of...

May 8, 1943 - Apr 22, 2024 Robert C. Johnson III, 80, of Altoona, passed away Monday at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Robert C. Jr. and L. Martha (VanOrman) Johnson. He married Denise Baker, whom he adored,  in 1992. Surviving are his wife of 32 years; three daughters: Christine Johnson, Stephanie Kuhn, and Amanda Massaro and husband Matthew, all of Altoona; a son, Daniel Vasil and wife Megan, of Hollidaysburg; and eight grandchildren: Jack, Wyatt, Joslyn,...

Dec 3, 1957 - Apr 21, 2024 Margaret “Dolly” G. (Musselman) Estep, 66, of Altoona, passed away Sunday at UPMC Altoona. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah (Zeigler) Musselman. Surviving are three daughters: Brandy Dively and husband, Dale, Michelle Mackey and husband, James, and Danielle Hernandez and husband, Juan; a son, Dennis Estep and wife, Crystal; twelve grandchildren: Alexis, BreAnna, Levi, Alan, Evan, Zoie, Kayla, Ben, Dustin, Damien, Abbie,...