Bertie Mae Zimmerman, 81, of Ligonier, died Saturday, April 12, 2012 in Excela Health Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born December 15, 1930 in Starke, FL, a daughter of the late John and Elminey Glover Smith. Prior to her retirement she had been employed as a certified nurses aid. She was an active member of the New Beginnings Worship Center. Bertie was a 30 year member of the VFW#734 Ladies Auxilary. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by two children, Connie and Ronnie, and several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, James E. Zimmermam, Sr., three daughters, Lorie (Mark) Porter of Saltsburg, Wendy (Curt) Kenley of New Florence, and Penny (Ray) Hartman of Ligonier, three sons, James E. (Patty) Zimmerman, Steve (Angie) Zimmerman, and Larry (Jeanie) Zimmerman, all of Ligonier, twelve grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and a sister, Betty Todd and family of Starke, FL. Friends will be received Tuesday from 11:00AM until the time of service at 2:00PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main street, Ligonier, with her pastor's the Revs. David and Linda Brady officiating. interment will follow in the Menoher Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the family or New Beginnings Worship Center in Bertie's memory.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=9f76240687Senior Master sergeant John H. "Jack" McCracken, 89, of Ligonier, died Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Bethlen Home. He was born November 26, 1922 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Wm. Paul and Margaret Huston McCracken. Jack was a highly decorated war veteran of World War II, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, and the Berlin Airlift Campaign in 1948 and 1949. He was a prison of war in the Nazi Prison camps for eight months after being shot down near Bonn, Germany on September 9, 1944. He was liberated by the Russian Army on May 3, 1945. A complete account of his military career, combat missions, and experiences in the Nazi Prison camps can be found in the Greensburg Tribune Review, the Latrobe Bulletin, in his book, "For You Der Vat Ist Offer" or in the book "An Honor to Serve." In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Elsie Fern Johnson McCracken, and a brother, William P. McCracken, Jr. He is survived by two daughters, Donna L. McCracken of Ocean Pines, MD., and Jackie L. McCracken of Cottleville, MO., two grandchildren, Major John T. (Kathy) Stephens of Rapid City, SD and Amy L. (Jason) Parks of Etters, PA, a grandson, John T. Stephens, Jr., three step granddaughters, Erin and Shannon Hudson and Tori Parks, two brothers, James E. (Hazel) McCracken of Ligonier and Richard L. (Carol) McCracken of Atascadero, CA, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier. Jack's life will be celebrated Thursday at 11:00AM at the Fort Palmer EPC with Dr. J. Paul McCracken officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Ligonier Valley Cemetery. Ligonier Lodge #331 F&AM will hold services in the funeral chapel Wednesday at 7:30PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's memory to the 390th Memorial Museum Foundation, 6000East Valemcia Road, Tucson, AZ 85706.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=72a1239220B. Ruth Null, 86, of Ligonier, died Thursday, April 26, 2012. She was born August 1, 1925 in Youngwood, a daughter of the late Huey and Hazel White Mates. Prior to her retirement she had been employed as a telephone operator for Robertshaw. She was a member of the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church in Tarrs. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Philip R. Null in 1972, and two brothers, Donald and Emerson Mates. She is survived by two sons, Jeffrey L. (Kathy) Null of Latrobe and Philip R. (Rayna) Null of Blairsville, two step-daughters, Phyllis (Richard) Knupp of Ligonier, and Susan (Gary) Hixson of Ruffsdale, six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, a sister, Alice (Charles) Nicewonger of Scottdale, a brother, Dean (Cathy) Mates of Michigan, and a sister-in-law, Alberta Mates of Mt. Pleasant. A service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held Wednesday at 11:00AM at the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist church with her pastor, the Rev. Ralph A. Mostoller officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made in Ruth's memory to the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=39cf238847Dorothy L. Ament, 70, of Ligonier, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at her home. She was born August 8, 1941 in Saltlick Twp., a daughter of the late James and Allie Mae Porterfield Ritenour. Dorothy was a member of the Pleasant Grove United Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed crafting, quilting, playing bingo and singing karaoke. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Ament, Sr. in 1986, and a sister, Hazel Geary. She is survived by three daughters, Peggy (Phillip) Shawley of Somerset, Judy (Lawrence) Pospisil, Jr. of Acme, and Beth Ann (Kenneth Nicholson III) Umbaugh of Uniontown, three sons, Robert (Lori) Ament, Jr. of Bradford, Donald (Annamarie) Ament, Sr of Acme, and Jason (Scott Sinemus) of Ligonier, nine grandchildren, two great-grandsons, seven sisters and five brothers. Friends will be received Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier where her life will be celebrated Friday at 11:00AM with Dr. J. Paul McCracken officiating. interment will follow in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=78ee238581Walter B. Kelly, 91, of Ligonier, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in the Hempfield Manor. He was born July 23, 1920 in Waltz Mills, PA, a son of the late Marion J. and Anna Florence Kelly. Walter served in the Army Air Force during WWII as av aviation cadet. He then graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in engineering and worked at several regional companies including ITE/Brown Boveri in South Greensburg for 34 years before retiring as Manager of Power Systems Engineering Product Development in 1983. He was a member of the Heritage United Methodist Church, Ligonier Lodge #331 F&AM, the IEEE Power Systems Engineering Society, was the United States represenative to the International Electrical Standards Board, and during his career he was awarded numerous power systems patents. He was an avid golfer and sailor and was a great fans of the Pitt Panthers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. World Series against the New York Yankees. In recent years he became an avid astronomer and a member of the Planetary Society. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Maybelle Kelly in 2005, and two brothers, John and James Kelly. He is survived by two daughters, Marsha Wilkinson of McKeesport and Janis (Thomas) Shearer of Ligonier, a son, Thomas W. (Phyllis) Kelly of Punta Gorda, FL, eight grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren, and a brother-in-law, Ray Bennett of Youngwood. Friends will be received Friday from 2-4 and 6-8PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier, where Walter's life will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00AM with his pastor, the Rev. John E. Flower, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland Country Memorial Park. Ligonier Lodge #331 F&AM will hold services in the funeral chapel Friday at 7:30PM. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made in Walter's memory to the Heritage United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 775, Ligonier, PA 15658.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=16c0238677Craig L. Miller, 64, of Laurel Mountain Borough, died Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Excela Health Latrobe Area Hospital. He was born January 9, 1948 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Myers W. and Olive Simmers Miller, Sr. Craig had been employed by the Rolling Rock Club. He was a graduate of California State University of Penna. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Viet Nam War. He had served for over ten years as the former mayor of Laurel Mountain Borough and presently served as the tax collectot. His memberships include the Ligonier VFW#734 where he was presently serving as Jr. Vice Commander, and the Byers-Tosh Post #267 American Legion. in addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a brothers, Myers W. "Toby" Miller, Jr. He is survived by three nephews, Jeffrey (Melissa) Miller of Bolivar, Todd (Melissa) Miller of Latrobe, and Brian (Lisa) Miller of Grapeville. Friends will be received Monday from 2-4 and 6-7:00PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA. The Ligonier Valley Veteran's Honor Guard will hold services in the funeral chapel Monday at 7:00PM followed by a memorial service with the Rev. Dr. R. Bruce Maxwell officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Mountain Park Assoc., P.O. Box 39, Laughlintown, PA 15655http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=a015237851Carol Lea George, 66, of Ligonier, died Thursday, April 19, 2012 in UPMC St. Margaret's Memorial Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born March 8, 1946 in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Robert R. and Betty Bishop Riffle. She was a member of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Chesapeake, VA and attended the Ligonier Alliance Church. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Roderick S. George in 2004. She is survived by a step-son, Charles (Susie) George of Chesapeake, VA, a brother, Robert J. "Butch" (Mary Lou) Riffle of Ligonier, a nephew, Jake Riffle of Ligonier, a niece, Wendy (Keith) Voglesang of Latrobe, and two great nieces, Brun and Abby Voglesang. Friends will be received Sunday from 6-8:00PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier, where her life will be celebrated Monday at 11:00AM with the Revs. Larry C. McDonnell and J. Paul McCracken, co-officiating. Interment will be in the Millgrove Cemetery, Millgrove, PA Memorial contributions may be made in Carol's memory to your local chapter of the American Cancer Socierty.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=f697237857Hilda M. Carns, 75, of Ligonier, died Sunday, April 15, 2012 in the Latrobe Regional Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born August 29, 1936 in Unity Twp., a daughter of the late James and Lottie Stout Critchfield. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by two sisters, Blanche Hutchinson and Lilly Critchfield and a brother, Amos Critchfield. She is survived by six sisters, Daisy M. Luther and Marion Critchfield, both of Ligonier, Ruby (William) Roberts of Latrobe, Leona (Lewis) Smith of Canton, OH, and Bonnie McFarland and Sherry (Jim Torock) Critchfield, all of Ligonier, a brother, James T. (Bridget) Critchfield of Ligonier, a special cousin, Mary Bender of Ligonier, and numerous nieces and nephews. Private visitation and services were held Thursday , April 19, 2012, at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier, with George Umphlett, Jr. officiating. Interment followed in the Menoher Memorial Park.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=5efc237634Vivian C. Wilhite, 95, of Ligonier, formerly of Monroeville, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at her home. She was born February 23, 1917 in Phillipsburg, MO, a daughter of the late William C. and Elizabeth Scott Case. She had been a kindergarten teacher in Penn Hills earlier in life. She was a member of the Laughlintown Christian Church and the Ligonier Valley Senior Citizens Center. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, James G. Wilhite in 2011, three brothers, James, William, and Walter Case, and a son-in-law, Charles Olliver. She is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth Olliver ,of Kitty Hawk, NC, Mary (Gene) Bertsch of Monroeville, Margaret (Blake) Rowe of wadsworth, OH, and Marti (Skip) Savage of Ligonier, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Friends will be received Friday from 2-4 and 6-8:00PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier where Vivian's life will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00AM with George Umphlett, Jr and Jeffrey Smead, co-officiating. Interment will follow in the Ligonier Valley Cemetery. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made in Vivian's memory to the Laughlintown Christian Church or to the Ligonier Valley senior Citizens Center.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=a534236673Florence Marie Bruner, 91, of Stahlstown, formerly of Robinson, died Friday, April 6, 2012 in St. Anne's Home, Greensburg. She was born August 13, 1920 in Fairfield Twp., a daughter of the late Joseph and Corene Carmichael Frain. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, William Leroy Bruner. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Tuesday from 6-8:00PM at the J. Paul McCracken Funeral Chapel, Inc., 144 East Main Street, Ligonier where Florence's life will be celebrated Wednesday at 11:00AM with the Dr. J. Paul McCracken officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Armstrong County.http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?o=4d3d236229