Archive
February 2nd, 2011
Joyce D. Craig, 78, of Punxsutawney, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at Jefferson Manor in Brookville.
She was born July 20, 1932, in Stockton, N.Y., a daughter of the late Doyle Frary and Margaret (Clark) Davis.
Ms. Craig was a member of the Light of Life Mininstry.
John V. Taladay, 75, Rockville, Md., passed away in his home surrounded by loved ones Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011.
He was born in Punxsutawney and graduated from Penn State University. He moved to Baltimore in the 1950s and later moved to Rockville, where he lived for more than 40 years.
Mr. Taladay spent several years working for the railroad, and worked with some of the first computers in existence. He also worked for the Vitro Corporation for 30 years where he met his wife, Joann, and many wonderful friends.Â
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Appropriately beginning a day that pretty much saw all forms of weather â wind, snow, freezing rain, fog and sunshine â in the Weather Capital of the World, Punxsutawney Phil stunned shivering and wet fans at Gobbler's Knob and proclaimed Wednesday that no, he did not see a shadow, and yes, an early spring is on its way.
"The sky is clear; prepare yourself for warmth," Inner Circle Vice-President Mike Johnston said following Punxsy Phil's prognostication, which came on the heels of severe winter storm warnings for the Midwest, Pennsylvania, New York and the Northeast.
February 1st
Thomas R. Chelgren
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Thomas R. Chelgren was named the 2011 Punxsutawney Man of the Year at Tuesdayâs Groundhog Banquet.
Bob âOralâ Roberts, the 2010 Man of the Year, said Chelgren is a Punxsy native and a graduate of PAHS and Jeff Tech.
 Roberts said itâs almost easier to describe what services and activities in which Chelgren has not been involved, but, âIn everything he has done, he has served our community in a very selfless and humble manner, always avoiding the spotlight or any praise for his enormous efforts.â
Bad weather â which continues as such â and the Pittsburgh Steelersâ upcoming Super Bowl were running themes during the annual Groundhog Banquet Tuesday evening, where Inner Circle President Bill Deeley cautioned those who would be attending todayâs prognostication by Punxsutawney Phil.
âTomorrow, I have no idea what will happen,â as to whether Punxsy Phil will predict six more weeks of winter or an early spring. âIâll tap on the door, and heâll tell me what it will be. If itâs wrong, itâs because I misinterpreted.â
NEW OXFORD â Led by the 7-1 performances of wrestlers Seth Spack and Kody Young, six Chucks placed at the New Oxford Tournament this past weekend.
Spack led the tournament for Punxsy with a second-place finish, while Young's loss came in the championship semifinals. Young finished in third place overall.
Also placing for Punxsy were Nathan McGregor (fourth, 6-2), Josh Schuckers (fifth, 6-2), Neko Cappella (sixth, 5-3) and Carl Langley (eighth, 4-4). Wrestlers had to finish in the top eight to be a place-winner.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The Punxsy junior-varsity boys' basketball team outscored Clearfield during every quarter, including an 8-0 first quarter, while routing the Bisons Monday, 44-20.
The Chucks improved to 8-7 with the victory, which was their fourth straight.
Punxsy led 21-6 at halftime before improving its lead with a 23-14 second half.
Eight Punxsy players scored, led by Ian Miller's 11 points. Hunter Tibbs added nine points, Garrett Zimmerman had eight and Tim Pearce tallied six.
The Chucks remain at home and face Elk County Catholic at 6 p.m. Friday.
Punxsy 45, DuBois 42
Carol J. Smith, 61, of Punxsutawney, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, at the DuBois Nursing Home.
She was born March 31, 1949, in Punxsutawney, a daughter of the late Carlo and Mary (Bellerillo) Bruno.
She was married to Thomas Smith, who preceded her in death April 25, 2003.
Mrs. Smith was a member of SS. Cosmas & Damian Roman Catholic Church, where she was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Church Parish Council.
She worked as a secretary for Quaker Industries of Punxsutawney.
Leonard B. Ryen, 87, Rochester Mills, passed away Monday, Feb. 1, 2011, at Mulberry Square Elder Care & Rehabilitation Center, Punxsutawney.
He was born March 4, 1923, in Rochester Mills, a son of the late Allen and Amanda (Potts) Ryen.
He was married to Dorothy "Peg" (DePetro) Ryen, of Rochester Mills, who survives.
Mr. Ryen was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Rochester Mills United Methodist Church, John W. Jenks Lodge No. 534, the Punxsutawney VFW, I.O.O.F. Lodge in Rochester Mills and the Rochester Mills Rod & Gun Club.
Carl H. McKee, 94, of Steffy Church Road, Rossiter, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at DuBois Nursing Home.
He was born Aug. 8, 1916, in Banks Township, Indiana County, a son of the late John W. and Dora C. (Houck) McKee.Mr. McKee was a graduate of Glen Campbell High School.
Mr. McKee was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Germany and France during World War II.
Jan. 15, 1947, he married Elizabeth Kinter of Marion Center. She preceded him in death May 20, 1995.
He was a member of Steffy United Methodist Church, where he also taught Sunday School for a number of years.
