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Connie Jean (Schmerbeck) Fluke

Connie Jean (Schmerbeck) Fluke, 79, Roaring Spring, entered eternal rest on Friday after a brief illness. She was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Appleman) Schmerbeck and George Schmerbeck. On Oct. 2, 1965, she married Gary W. Fluke in Woodbury. Together, they enjoyed 60 years of wonderful ...

Richard Wilfred (Dick) Hoover

Richard W. Hoover, a husband, father, grand­father and great-grand­father, passed away Saturday of natural causes at the age of 88. He was born in Altoona, the son of the late Jacob and Hazel Hoover. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Kathleen Judith (Pritchard) Hoover; and ...

Amy E. (Dunkel) Laughlin

Amy E. (Dunkel) Laughlin, 65, Altoona, died Saturday afternoon at UPMC Altoona surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Howard P. and Betty L. (Burket) Dunkel. On June 18, 2011, she married Robert V. Laughlin at Bethany Lutheran Church, ...

Deborah Joy Ross

Deborah Joy Ross, 73, Altoona, died Monday. She was born in Altoona, daughter of Daniel and Anna M. Luciano. Surviving are her husband, Ronald; children, Tammy and Ronnie; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Marcy. She was preceded in death by siblings, Ralph and Sharen. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Trans4mation Church, 1001 S. First St., Altoona, and from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the church, where a funeral service will follow at noon. Arrangements are by Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., Altoona.

George P. Vasel

George P. Vasel, 88, Altoona, passed away Sunday at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Michael and Ida Mae (Robinson) Vasel. He married Margaret “Peggy” Cummings, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 10, 2024. George is survived by his loving daughter, Lisa Spicer; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a special family friend, Amy Mallory; and his beloved Jack Russell, JJ. He was preceded in death by his brothers: John, Robert and James Robinson and Lou and Terry BiMatre; and an infant sister, Janet Louise. George served in the U.S. Air Force and ...

Charles Edward ‘Ed’ Ford Jr.

Charles Edward “Ed” Ford Jr., 76, of Altoona, passed away on June 4, 2026, in Venice, Fla., his snowbird home. He was born in Altoona and was the son of the late Charles E. Ford and Leila Smith Ford. He is survived by his son, Charles “Chip” Ford (Melissa); grandson, Chase Jonathan ...