Archive - 2013
March 18th
Mabel L. Rishel, 85, Rossiter, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Mahoning Riverside Manor, Punxsutawney.
She was born Jan. 27, 1928, in Frostburg, a daughter of James C. and Amber (Hamilton) Jordan.
On Feb. 26, 1949, she married Albert J. Hudak, who preceded her in death on April 3, 1982.
She then married Lloyd Joseph Rishel on March 19, 1988. He also preceded her in death, on Oct. 16, 1995.
Mabel was a graduate of the Punxsutawney High School Class of 1946.
She was a member of the First English Lutheran Church of Punxsutawney.
Larry "Joe" Joseph Sprankle, 53, of York, Pa., formerly of Punxsutawney, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa.
He was born July 24, 1959, in Punxsutawney, a son of Larry G. and Judy (Niel) Sprankle.
He was married to the former Ruth Buchholz.
He was a plumber by trade.
March 17th
Saturday's weather was perfect for staying indoors and listening to the Punxsutawney Rotary's Radio Auction on WPXZ.
Shown broadcasting are (front, from left) Rotarians, Scott Neal, Jim Cassidy and Doug Chambers. Helping in the background is Michelle Stahlman and (far left) Bill Allemang.
Tom Chelgren, auction chair, said the rotary raised close to $40,000 during this year's auction.
BIG RUN — It seemed as if it was the same as it always was, but somehow it was different, as Big Run's "Frogman," the late John London, was honored at Sunday's Big Run Peepers’ Banquet.
"Tonight, we will not be honoring a man or a woman Citizen of the Year, but, instead, we will be honoring John H. London, commonly known as the 'Frogman,'" said Joe Buterbaugh, Big Run mayor.
Sate police responded to a rollover accidents that occurred in McCalmont Township Saturday.
Borough police also responded to a rollover wreck Saturday on Park Avenue.
No injuries were reported, but both vehicles sustained damage and were towed from the scene.
(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines and spelling.)
Local Intelligence
March 24, 1897
In Doubt of Their Man
A man supposed to be Jacob Bookamire, who is charged with the murder of William Cunningham, in Banks township, Indiana county, March 16, 1894, was captured at Bolivar, Westmoreland county, on March 20, and placed in the Indiana jail.
Hazel D. Freedline, 90, of Punxsutawney, formerly of Newtonburg, Clearfield, County, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
Mrs. Freedline was born Sept. 15, 1922, in Patchinville, a daughter of the late Carl T. and Daisy L. (Solley) Sunderlin.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Howard L. Freedline, on Aug. 16, 1993.
Hazel was Protestant by faith.
She was a member of the Westover Golden Agers, Mahaffey Fire Company Ladies Auxillary, Board of Elections for Bell Township and the Bell Township Grange.
Blaine B. Wachob, 73, of DuBois, died Friday, March 15, 2013, at Christ the King Manor in DuBois.
He was born Aug. 20, 1939, in Big Run, a son of the late John and Sarah (Bowers) Wachob.
July 10, 1970, he married Deanna S. Gidley Wachob. She preceded him in death on Aug. 4, 2007.
Mr. Wachob attended Big Run School and was a retired truck driver for Cable Trucking of Brookville.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp.
He attended the First United Methodist Church in Reynoldsville.
Mr. Wachob was a member of the John M. Read Lodge F&AM in Reynoldsville.
Irene J. Duda, 77, Sykesville, died Sunday, March 17, 2013, at Christ the King Manor after a short illness.
She was born Feb. 10, 1936, in Rossiter, a daughter of the late John and Ann (Senott) Sitosky.
Irene was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Sykesville.
She worked at Paris Cleaners.
She was a member oh the Sykesville Ambulance Board.
Irene loved being a homemaker and cooking, and her greatest joy was her grandchildren
She lived most of her life in the Sykesville area.
Carmen J. Cuccaro Cook, 86, of Punxsutawney, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, at his home in Punxsutawney.
He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Punxsutawney, a son of the late Benjamin Cook and Mary (Rich) Cook.
He was a member of the United States Army, serving during World War II.
He attended SS. Cosmas & Damian Church.
He was employed by Jefferson Wholesale Grocery.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He loved his children and grandchildren.
