Finding out who passed away in a small town like St. Marys, Pennsylvania, isn't just about reading a list of names. It’s about the fabric of the community. In a place where you can't walk through the Diamond without running into someone you know, losing a neighbor feels personal. Honestly, the way we track st marys pa most recent obituaries has changed a lot, and if you’re still waiting for the paper to hit your porch, you’re likely missing half the story.
Life moves fast. Even in Elk County.
Where the information actually lives now
The "Daily Press" is the old standby. Most of us grew up with it sitting on the kitchen table. But if you’re looking for the most recent updates—the ones posted in the last few hours—you have to go straight to the source. In St. Marys, that usually means checking the digital walls of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home or Barnett Funeral Home.
They don't always wait for the print cycle.
Just this January, we've seen a significant number of long-time residents pass on. People like Howard F. Gillen, who made it to the incredible age of 100 before passing on January 13, 2026. He was a WWII vet. Think about that for a second. That's a century of history gone from Frey Road. Then you have younger losses that shake the town differently, like Matthew D. Petruna, who was only 39 when he passed unexpectedly on January 4th.
It’s heavy stuff.
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Recent names you should know about
If you’ve been away from Facebook or the local news for a few days, here is a breakdown of the names that have appeared in the st marys pa most recent obituaries over the last couple of weeks.
- Jerome W. "Jerry" Brendel (83): Passed January 12. He was a 1961 Central graduate and spent 43 years at Keystone Carbon. If you worked at Keystone, you knew Jerry.
- Miriam M. Lavella (92): A staple of the area who passed January 5. Her Mass of Christian Burial is set for January 17, 2026, at Sacred Heart.
- Donald A. Fritz (85): Another lifelong resident. He passed on January 4 at Elk Haven.
- Kenneth M. Meier (75): He was at home with family when he passed on January 4.
- Joseph M. Wojcik, Sr. (59): A tough loss on January 3 after a long battle with cancer.
Some people think obituaries are just for the elderly. They aren't. They are the final record of who we were to each other. When you see a name like Mary Ann Samick (93) or Richard W. Cashmer (93), you're looking at the "Greatest Generation" slowly taking their leave of us.
The Digital Shift: Why Legacy.com isn't always enough
You’ve probably noticed that when you Google st marys pa most recent obituaries, the first thing that pops up is a giant conglomerate site like Legacy. They are fine, sort of. But they often lag behind the local funeral home's own website.
If you want to be at the service, you need the direct info.
Lynch-Radkowski, for instance, has a specific notification system. You can actually sign up for emails. It sounds a bit morbid to some, but in a town this size, it’s how you make sure you don't miss the chance to send a dish to a grieving family or show up for a viewing at the funeral home on Main Street.
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What people get wrong about local services
One big misconception? That everything happens at one church. While St. Marys is known for its deep Catholic roots—Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Church are the big ones—services are spread out.
Sometimes they aren't even in town.
Take Richard J. "Dick" Price, who passed earlier this month. Or Violet E. Gerber, whose burial isn't until late February. People often assume the service happens three days after the death. That’s not the rule anymore. Cremation and travel for distant relatives mean a "Celebration of Life" might happen weeks or even months later.
How to support families in Elk County
When you see a name you recognize in the st marys pa most recent obituaries, the immediate reaction is often, "What can I do?"
In St. Marys, we have some specific traditions.
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- Mass Cards: For the Catholic families, this is still a major thing. You can get them at the parish offices.
- The "Elk Haven" Connection: Many of our seniors spend their final days there. Donations to their auxiliary are often requested in lieu of flowers.
- Community Nurses: You’ll see "Penn Highlands Community Nurses Hospice" listed in almost every other obituary. They are the ones doing the hard work in the final weeks.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
If you are trying to keep up with the st marys pa most recent obituaries to ensure you're supporting friends and neighbors, don't rely on the Facebook feed algorithm. It's too slow.
- Bookmark the Local Funeral Homes: Specifically the "Obituaries" page for Lynch-Radkowski and Barnett. Check them every Tuesday and Friday.
- Check the Daily Press Digital Edition: If you don't get the physical paper, the digital archive is usually updated by 10:00 AM.
- Verify Service Dates: Always double-check the time. With the weather in PA, January services are notorious for being postponed or shifted last minute due to snow.
Keeping track of these passings isn't about being nosy. It’s about being present. In a place like St. Marys, showing up is the most important thing you can do for a neighbor. Whether it's for someone who lived a full 100 years like Howard Gillen or a life cut short, your presence at the service or a simple card to the family matters more than you think.
Check the local listings today. Someone you know might need a kind word.
Next Steps for You:
Visit the official websites of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home or the St. Marys Daily Press directly to see the full service details for the names mentioned above. If you plan on attending a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart or St. Mary's Church, be sure to verify the specific parking instructions, as winter weather often limits street access in the older parts of town.