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Obituaries

Nancy (Valentine) Palko

Nancy (Valentine) Palko, 74, of Pavia, passed away Friday. She was born in Minersville, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary “Monya” (Kosinski) Valentine. Surviving are her husband, Rodger; sister, Lois Sgro; children: Brian, Carrie DeWitt and Rodger; several grandchildren; and nephews, Michael and Andrew Sgro. She was preceded in death by brother-in-law, John Sgro; and grandson, Vincent Palko. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Altoona Full Gospel Church, 120 Roswell St., Altoona. Arrangements are by Gibbons-Houser Funeral Home Inc., ...

Laquita A. (Mignot) Potts

Laquita A. (Mignot) Potts, 84, of Tipton, passed away Friday at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring. She was born in Philipsburg, daughter of the late Francis and Catherine (Ellis) Mignot. In January 1965, she married her love, the late Glenn R. Potts Sr. She is survived by her children: James Brett Potts and wife, Jean, of Altoona; and Anita Potts and fiance, Russell Bradford, of Tipton; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Potts of Martinsburg; grandchildren: Austin Desch, Chase Bradford, Chelsea (Justin) Houp, Aaron (Amber) Potts, Talina Sager, Anthony Weaver, Joshua Potts and Kim ...

Gertrude ‘Honey’ Mary Jane Shumaker

Gertrude “Honey” Mary Jane Shumaker, 95, Altoona, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at the Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., 719 N. Fourth Ave., Altoona, where a funeral service will begin at 4 p.m. A complete obituary will appear in Wednesday’s Mirror.

Norma J. Weidlich

Norma J. Weidlich, 84, The Winds at Mattern Orchard, Duncansville, formerly of Altoona, died Saturday at UPMC Altoona after an extended illness. She was born in Roaring Spring, daughter of the late Clyde and Anna (Kifer) Helsel. She was married three times: first to Stanley R. Shaffer, who ...

Donald ‘Don’ Castagnola

Donald “Don” Castagnola, 71, Altoona, passed away Oct. 21, 2025, at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Joseph J. and Susan M. (Bosso) Castagnola. On June 25, 1983, he married Karen Kaye at St. Mary’s Church in Altoona. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen; a ...

Richard C. Eckenrode

Richard C. Eckenrode, 74, of rural Gallitzin, passed away Oct. 24, 2025, at home. Born May 31, 1951, in Altoona, he was the son of the late Harold Eckenrode and Edna (Trexler) Eckenrode. He is survived by brothers: Edward J. (Betty) Eckenrode, Bill (Cathy) Eckenrode and Floyd Eckenrode; sisters: Linda (Tom) Lamar, Susan (John) Zentack and Martha (Rick) Link; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers: Robert, James, Michael and twin brother Donald; and nephew, Jason. Richard was a mail handler for the United States Postal Service for many ...