LaVerne C. “Bird Dog” Brennen, Sr., 75, of 1026 Windfall Road, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Pinecrest Manor after a lengthy illness.

He was born June 4, 1937 in St. Marys, son of the late Eugene and Esther Caskey Brennen, Sr.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Schools.  He was a retired employee of Sylvania, retiring in 1983 with over 30 years of service.

On August 26, 1961 in St. Marys, he married Phyllis J. Dinger Thompson, who survives.  He is also survived by two daughters, Ginger Brennen of St. Marys, Julie Anderson and her husband Todd of St. Marys; three sons, LaVerne C. “Vernie” Brennen, Jr. and his wife Missy of St. Marys, Randy Thompson of Johnsonburg, Rick Thompson and his wife Charlene of Brockport; 14 grandchildren, India Thompson, Jody Chicola, Kelly Thompson, Jessica Auman, Crystal Williams, Jason Brennen, Kayla Brennen, Randi Anderson, Erica Anderson, Alexander Anderson, Derek Rothrock, Haley Rothrock, Colleen Mulhollan, and Casandra Mulhollan; and eight great grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Evelyn Hess, Doris Krivonyak, and Shirley Gapinski; and four brothers, Wilfred Brennen, Frederick Brennen, Eugene Brennen, Jr., and Earl Brennen who passed away at birth.  He was the last member of his immediate family.

Mr. Brennen was a member of the Queen of the World Church and was a Veteran of the Korean War having served in the US Air Force.  He enjoyed hunting and gardening.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Friday, May 17, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick, Pastor, officiating.  Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday evening, May 16, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1128 State Street, Suite 301, Erie, PA  16501 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 403, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Gary L. Ginther, 76, of 1037 Theresia Street, St. Marys, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013, at his home after a brief illness.

He was born August 29, 1936 in St. Marys, son of the late LeRoy and Gertrude Vollmer Ginther.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Schools.  He was a retired employee of Grotzinger Equipment Company.

On November 7, 1981 in the St. Mary’s Church, he married Aurelia H. Halloran, who survives.  He is also survived by two step daughters, Stephanie Ackman and her husband Jim of Erie, Cindy Sorg and her husband Paul of Ridgway; a step son, Charles “Buddy” Emmert and his wife Angie of St. Marys; seven step grandchildren, Amanda Ackman, Rachel Ackman, Tyler Ackman, Madelyn Sorg, Olivia Sorg, Luke Sorg, and Josie Sorg; two sisters, Susan Kaveney and her husband Jim of St. Marys, Cathy Trumbull and her husband Fred “Fritz” of St. Marys; four brothers, Dennis Ginther and his wife Alice of St. Marys, Thomas Ginther and his wife Cookie of St. Marys, Frank Ginther and his wife Connie of St. Marys, and Roger Ginther of St. Marys; and by nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane Ginther; and a sister-in-law, Kathleen Ginther.

Mr. Ginther was a member of the St. Mary’s Church.  He enjoyed hunting, gardening, canning, and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Church on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday, May 17, 2013, from 5:00 till 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Community Nurses, Inc., Hospice, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Michael W. “Mick” Weis, 66, of 149 West Condot Road, St. Marys, passed away Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Johnstown after a lengthy illness.

He was born May 22, 1946 in St. Marys, son of the late Leo “Bunk” and Audrey Wendel Weis.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, Class of 1964.  He was a retired employee of GTE Sylvania.

In July of 1967, in Pittsburgh, he married Rita M. Brendel, who survives.  He is also survived by a daughter, Leigh Aaron and her husband James of St. Marys; a son, Brian Weis and his wife Sharon Sibley-Weis of Sellerville, PA; a granddaughter, Audrey South; a sister, Lynn Weis-Dill and her husband John of St. Marys; and three brothers, George Weis of St. Marys, Thomas Weis of Brockway, and Andrew “Sam” Weis of Monterey, CA.

Mr. Weis was a veteran of the US Coast Guard, serving for four years.  He was a member of the National Model Railroad Association, was a Pennsylvania Logging Railroad enthusiast, a past member of the BPOE, a member of the Harley Owner Group, and the Antique Watch Association.  Michael Weis is no longer “tired and cranky”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating.  Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail.  Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Monday evening, May 6, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Raymond R. Rettger, 54, of 101 North Mill Street, Ridgway, passed away unexpectedly Friday, May 3, 2013, at his residence.

He was born September 3, 1958 in St. Marys, son of the late Charles J. and Edith Squires Rettger.  He had lived in Lakewood, NJ for many years and returned to the area two years ago.  He was a graduate of St. Marys High School.

He is survived by two brothers, James Rettger and his wife Cheryl of Kersey, David Rettger and his wife Judith of Wilcox; and his sister-in-law, Donna Rettger and her family of Kersey.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lavern “Buck” Rettger and, in infancy, Mark Rettger.

Mr. Rettger enjoyed model railroading, playing his guitar and banjo, and Blue Grass music.

There will be no visitation.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in the McKean County Memorial Park.

Margaret A. Bonfardine, 73, of 148 Louis Street, St. Marys, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, at her residence after a lengthy illness.

She was born August 10, 1939 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Alcuin J. “Doc” and Charlotte Myers Dornisch.  She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1957.  She was a former employee of Speer Carbon, was co-owner of the former Fabrics Plus, did alterations for the Hour Glass Cleaners, and was a seamstress and did alterations at her home for many years.

On October 31, 1959, in the Sacred Heart Church, she married Gelindo “Boots” Bonfardine, who survives.  She is also survived by seven daughters, Amy Bradley of Coudersport, Ann Kralik and her husband Ed of Malvern, PA, Molly Bonfardine of St. Marys, Lucy Mosebarger and her husband Bill of St. Marys, Phoebe Bonomo of Danville, PA, Gretchen Bonfardine of Erie, Chloe Sweeney and her husband Jay of Charlotte, NC; a son, Michael Bonfardine and his wife Rita of Fort Lewis, WA; 12 grandchildren; two sisters, Mary T. “Tetta” Dornisch of St. Marys, Alice Wiesner of St. Marys; four brothers, Richard Dornisch of St. Marys, Alcuin Dornisch and his wife Carol of Ridgway, Thomas Dornisch and his wife Sue of St. Marys, Bernard Dornisch and his wife Irene of Lock Haven, PA; and by a sister-in-law, Dolly Dornisch of St. Marys.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Dornisch.

Mrs. Bonfardine was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, St. Marys Homemakers, Quiltmakers, and was a former Girl Scout leader.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday, May 6, 2013, at 12:00 PM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday evening, May 5, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Sacred Heart Church, 325 Center Street, St. Marys, PA  15857, or to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Alfred N. “Al” Dempsey, 61, of 453 Toby Road, Kersey, passed away Wednesday evening, May 1, 2013, at his home after a lengthy illness.

He was born October 29, 1951 in Franklin, PA, son of the late Alfred and Alice “Lettie Jean” Neal Dempsey.  He had been a resident of the area since 1975.  He was a graduate of Punxsutawney High School, Class of 1971 and graduated from Vo Tech in Reynoldsville in 1971.  He was an employee of SGL in St. Marys for 33 years.

On September 2, 1972 in the St. Mary’s Church in Reynoldsville, he married Bonnie J. Pegnetter, who survives.  He is also survived by two daughters, Kimberly Swackhammer and her husband Ryan of Kersey and Erin Wilson and her husband Jason of Weedville; two grandchildren, McKayla Wilson and Dempsey Wilson; and a brother, Carl Dempsey and his wife Kathy of Punxsutawney.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, Michael Dempsey.

Mr. Dempsey was a member of the Fox Twp. Sportsmen’s Club and was a coach and president of the Fox Twp. Little League.  He loved hunting and fishing and especially going on his Virginia hunting trips.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially hunting and fishing with them, and spending time with his family and friends at his hunting camp in Dents Run.

Due to the renovation of the St. Boniface Church, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Monday, May 6, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. James Faluszczak, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday evening, May 5, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Fox Twp. Sportsmen’s Club; the Fox Twp. Ambulance Association; the Fox Twp. Pheasant Hunting Program; Community Nurses, Inc., Hospice; or the Fox Twp. Little League.

Mary C. Smith, 99, of 560 Chestnut Street, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday evening, April 30, 2013, at the Elk Regional Health Center after a brief illness.

She was born May 23, 1913 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Clement and Mary Buchheit Meyer.  She was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Schools.  She was a former employee of Sylvania and worked in the kitchen of the Knights of Columbus.

On June 26, 1934, in the St. Mary’s Church, she married Arnold J. Smith who preceded her in death in 1976.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Catherine “Cathy” Schaefer of Portland, OR; two grandsons, Martin Schaefer and Paul Schaefer; a sister-in-law, Ruth (Mrs. Arnold) Meyer of St. Marys; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Donald Smith, who passed away in 2005; five sisters, Bertha Pfingstler, Walburga Nussbaum, Esther Pistner, Frances Gleixner, and Ethelreda Geitner; and five brothers, Urban Meyer, Albert Meyer, Charles Meyer, LeRoy Meyer, and Arnold Meyer.  She was the last member of her immediate family.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Queen of the World Church and the Rosary Altar Society.  She enjoyed gardening and baking.

There will be no visitation.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA  15857, Community Nurses, Inc., Memorial Fund, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA  15857, or to a favorite charity.

Philip D. Popielski, Sr., 73, of 134 Valley Road, St. Marys passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, at his home surrounded by his wife and friends.

He was born May 26, 1939 in Ridgway, son of the late Chester and Charlotte Donlan Popielski.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Johnsonburg High School, Class of 1957.  Phil entered into the Brothers of the Holy Cross in 1958 and received his habit on August 22, 1958.  This began his lifelong love of Notre Dame and our Lady on the Golden Dome.  He retired from Keystone Carbon Company in 2001 after 38 years of service.

On March 28, 1989 in Florida, he married Amy C. Bowley, who survives and was the rock of his life.  He is also survived by his son, Philip D. Popielski, Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Westminster MD; four grandchildren, Cassandra, Michael, Sydney, and Joshua Popielski; and a sister, Maria Britten of Ridgway.

Philip was a member of the Queen of the World Church.  He had a strong love of God and his church and was a member of the parish council while at St. Boniface Church in Kersey.  He was very active in the Cursillo movement of Elk and Cameron Counties, and volunteered on Sundays to conduct the service at Pinecrest, Elk Haven, and Silver Creek Terrace.  Phil enjoyed decorating for all the holidays and playing with his train collection which he had done all his life.  He spent four years in the US Navy as a 1^st class petty officer and served on the USS Boston as a Navy core man. He also spent three years at Fort Dietrich in the Navy Bio Lab.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Monday, April 29, 2013, at 12:00 PM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick, Pastor, officiating.  Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, April 28, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Elk County Catholic School System, 114 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA  15857 or to the Elk County Cursillo Movement, c/o Paul and Mary Lynn Carnovale, 145 Villa Road, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Earl W. Gaffey, 89, of 157 Larch Road, St. Marys, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at his home after a brief illness.

He was born March 23, 1924 in St. Marys, son of the late Thomas V. and Anna Deth Gaffey.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1942.  He was a retired employee of the Stackpole Carbon Company, retiring in 1986 after 44 years of service.  He had also worked as a bartender at Diamond Dick’s for many years.

On June 28, 1957 in the Queen of the World Church, he married Hazel Meyer, who preceded him in death on January 9, 2009.

He is survived by four sons, Thomas Gaffey and his wife Shirlee of St. Marys, Kevin Gaffey and his wife Brenda of Penfield, Darrell Dinsmore and his wife Karen of St. Marys, William Dinsmore of St. Marys; two daughters, Lois Stauffer and her husband Robert of St. Marys, Karen Fox and her husband William of St. Marys;  19 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; a sister Wilma Gaffey; and a brother, Willis Gaffey.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Kathleen “Totty” Gaffey; and two sisters, Patty Wolf and Colleen Uberti.

Mr. Gaffey was a member of the Queen of the World Church.  He was an avid bowler and bowling was his life.  He won numerous bowling awards and in 2001, he was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame.  He was a Veteran of WWII, having served as a Sergeant in the US Army, and served in the Italian Campaign and was a former Prisoner of War.  He was a past president and life member of the CMF.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Friday, April 26, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, April 25, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA  15857, or to the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, c/o American Legion, 168 Center Street, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Alberta L. Wolfe, 80, of 1764 Bucktail Road, St. Marys, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, April 19, 2013, at her home.

She was born January 28, 1933 in Kersey, daughter of the late Bernard and Helen Thowart Schneider.  She was a lifelong resident of the area and attended Kersey Schools.

On September 15, 1951 in the St. Boniface Church, she married Alvin J. Wolfe, who survives.  She is also survived by three daughters, Beverly Feldbauer and her husband Thomas of St. Marys, Diane Verne and her husband David of Brockway, and Lori King and her husband Chris of Martinsberg, PA; four sons, Jeffrey Wolfe and his wife Mary of Kersey, Dale Wolfe of St. Marys, Dr. Karl Wolfe and his wife Debbie of St. Marys, and Dennis Wolfe and his wife Ann of St. Marys; 12 grandchildren; three step grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; and a brother, Gerald Schneider and his wife Shirley of Kersey.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Glenn Wolfe; six sisters, Mary Tamburlin, Rosella Butsch, Grace Roebuck, Agnes Ginther, Nadine Florio, and Ethel Krolczyk; and two brothers, Urban Schneider and Bernard Schneider.

Mrs. Wolfe was a member of the Queen of the World Church.  She was a hard-working, loving, and supportive mother who placed family above all else.  She loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – taking great pleasure in family dinners and holidays when everyone could gather at her home for one of her wonderful meals.  The more family she had surrounding her, the happier she was.  Her generous spirit extended to many special friends and family with whom she was extremely close.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Monday, April 22, 2013, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Michael Ferrick, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, April 21, 2013, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA  15857, the Community Nurses, Inc., Hospice, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA  15857, or to the Elk County Catholic School System, 114 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA  15857.