Breaking News

Obituaries

Melvin G. ‘Muzz’ Swanson

Melvin G. “Muzz” Swanson, 86, of Parsonville, rural Houtzdale, and a guest of Mt. Laurel Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield, died Monday. He was born in Philipsburg, son of the late Gilbert and Seline (Berg) Swanson. He was also predeceased by a brother, Gordon; and a sister, Eleanor Vitorini. He is survived by his wife, Violet; children: Cathy Gearhart, Karen Evans, Melvin, Sandy Dasher, William, Jeffery and Janet Blake; several grandchildren; and a brother, Anthony Kassab. Services will be private. Arrangements are by Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale.

Darrell G. Claar

Darrell G. Claar, 83, Bellwood, died Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Celebration Villa of Altoona. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Jon C. Russin Funeral Home Inc., Bellwood. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at the funeral home. A complete obituary will appear in Wednesday’s Mirror.

W. Dean Esper Jr.

W. Dean Esper Jr., 69, of Altoona, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday May 27, 2025, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc., 501 Sixth Ave., Altoona, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 7 p.m. A complete obituary will appear in Saturday-Sunday’s Mirror.

Robert Lew Greenaway

Robert Lew Greenaway, 84, of Brisbin, passed away Sunday. He was born in Bellefonte, a son of the late Melvin and Martha Ann (Hockenberry) Greenaway. Robert was a U.S. Navy veteran. Surviving are his wife, Jean; four children: Robert, David, Laura Wilkstrom and Cherri Schroeder. Also surviving are several grandchildren; and a sister, Nancy Natalie. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alonso and George; and a grandson, Keith. Friends will be received from noon until the 2 p.m. memorial service Friday, May 23, 2025, at Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale.

Gerald F. ‘Jerry’ Leiden

Gerald F. “Jerry” Leiden, 83, of St. Lawrence, died May 13, 2025, at his residence. He was born in St. Lawrence, son of the late Herman and Rose (Otto) Leiden. He later married Bernadette Cronauer. Gerald served in the U.S. Army National Guard as a Master Sergeant. Surviving are his wife, Bernadette; sons, Chris (Janice) of Coalport and Thad (Briana) of Irvona; daughters, Stephanie (George) Kistner of Sidman and Melissa (Jerrod) Welsh of St. Lawrence; a sister, Patricia Dobrosky; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry; a sister, Betty Higinbotham; ...

Marianne Muri Banholzer

Marianne Muri Banholzer, 92, of Pennsylvania Furnace, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Philip J. and Hilda M. (Wirtner) Bauman. She married Paul H. Muri, who preceded her in death in 1974, and later married Stephen M. ...