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Obituaries

L. Scott Sharpless

L. Scott Sharpless, 58, of Sandy Ridge, died Friday. He was born in Philipsburg, the son of Sheldon Sharpless and the late Rhelda (Tormey) Hummel. Surviving are his wife, Jennifer; daughters, Hannah Sharpless and Lara Quick; siblings, Sharon Glasgow and Timothy Sharpless; nieces, Emily Roney and Kristie Sharpless; a nephew, Ryan Glasgow; and mother-in-law, Betsy Whitehead. He was also preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and father-in-law, Lee Whitehead. Services will be private for the family. Arrangements are by Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale.

Thomas D. ‘Tom’ Taylor

Thomas D. “Tom” Taylor, 73, of Altoona, passed away Saturday at UPMC Altoona after a long illness. He was born in Wilmington, Del., son of the late David R. and Joann C. (Carlin) Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Diane; three sisters: Kathy Casey, Carol Taylor and Anne Hudson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his youngest sister, Colleen Taylor. Friends will be received at the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are by Santella ...

Ray D. Sell Jr.

Ray D. Sell Jr., 89, Altoona, passed away Friday at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness. Ray was born in Altoona, son of the late Ray D. and Cleda (Tyler) Sell Sr. He married Gretchen Wills on Aug. 3, 1957, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 18, 2021. He is survived by two daughters, ...

Terry L. Wertz

Terry L. Wertz, 75, Hollidaysburg, passed away Friday morning at UPMC Montefiore, Pittsburgh. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Ernest and Audrey (Reffner) Wertz. On Feb. 13, 1970, he married Darlene F. Geesey, who preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 2012. He is survived by three ...

Dakota ‘Cody’ Matthew Delattre

Dakota “Cody” Matthew Delattre, 20, passed away Nov. 6, 2025, at home. Dakota was born May 15, 2005. He is survived by parents, Matthew Delattre and Tina Delattre (Joshua Rummel); sister, Jordan Delattre (Charles Legrand); and grandparents, Annette and Edward Ebbs and John and Danna ...

The Rev. Emil J. Engelman

The Rev. Emil J. Engelman, 93, of Dallas­town, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at 9:14 p.m. on Nov. 4. Emil was born in Altoona on June 19, 1932, the son of the late Emil and Geraldine (Burket) Engelman. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Barr) Engelman, in ...