Breaking News

Obituaries

Jeffrey Wayne ‘Jeff’ Bookhammer

Jeffrey Wayne “Jeff” Bookhammer, 58, of Roaring Spring, passed away Thursday. He was born in Altoona, the son of Nancy (Edwards) Shoenfelt and the late James “Andy” Bookhammer. He was preceded in death by his father; stepfather, Paul Shoenfelt; and a brother, Wesley. Surviving are his wife, Michelle; daughter, Elizabeth; mother, Nancy; sisters, Sandy Hughes and Catherine “Catie” Vasas; and his nieces and nephews. Jeff was a U.S. Army veteran. At the request of the deceased, no services will be held. Arrangements are by Fink & Stone Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., ...

Kenneth E. Cox Sr.

Kenneth E. Cox Sr., 80, of Aberdeen, Md., formerly of Altoona, died early in the afternoon on April 24, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Altoona, a son of the late Harry Edward and Elizabeth Mary (Servello) Cox. He married Donna June Berkheimer on July 11, 1964, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. She preceded him in death Nov. 18, 2008. Surviving are two brothers, Jack L. (Karen) Cox of Altoona and Daniel J. Cox (Patricia) of Ashville; a sister, Deborah K. Smith of Claysburg; and numerous extended family members. Kenny was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth E. Cox ...

Ronald Lee Ecker Sr.

Ronald Lee Ecker Sr., 88, of Altoona, peacefully entered the presence of our Lord on June 11, 2026. Born in Hollidaysburg, to Paul and Grace Ecker, Ron lived a life defined by faith, loyalty and hard work; with a sense of humor and smile that could light up any room. Ron graduated from ...

Shirley J. (Cruthers) Fries

Shirley J. (Cruthers) Fries, 94, of Roaring Spring, passed away Thursday. She was born in Hollidaysburg, daughter of the late Nelson and Gladys (Morgan) Cruthers. She married Thomas J. Fries, who preceded her in death in 1997 after sharing 42 years of marriage. Surviving are a son, Ron Fries, and wife, Johnna, of Roaring Spring; four grandchildren: Casi, Jared, Denise and Jamie; seven great-grandchildren; and a niece, Barbie Edmundson. She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas J. Jr. in 2020; a sister, Evelyn Adams; and a nephew, Jerry Adams. Shirley graduated from Roaring ...

Shirley M. McConnell

Shirley M. McConnell, 98, of Altoona, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday after an extended illness. Family and friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc., 501 Sixth Ave., Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Barbara Servello officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602; or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).

Linda (Tomlinson) Porter

Linda (Tomlinson) Porter, a devoted nurse, loving mother, grandmother and great-grand-mother, passed away May 22, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz., after a long-term illness. She was 84 years old. Born in Altoona, Linda lived a life marked by compassion, dedication and unwavering strength. A proud ...