Santella & Axe Funeral Home

04/25/2026

THEODORE L. “TED” MCKILLIP
1936-2026

Theodore L. “Ted” McKillip, Sr., 89 of Altoona, Pennsylvania entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 24, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home in Altoona.
Ted was born on September 21, 1936, in Altoona to the late Mildred F. (Piper) and William W. McKillip.
In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his loving Son, Theodore “Bud” McKillip, Jr., his sister Judith Keller and his brother Robert McKillip.
Ted is survived by his loving wife Janice M. (Fanale) whom he married at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Altoona on June 4, 1955, totaling almost 71 years of marriage, his loving daughters; Kathy McKillip, Theresa (Jeff) Trude, Patricia (Dave) Applas, Ann (Scott) Wyland, his siblings Dona Bardell , James (Joan) McKillip, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Ted was Catholic by faith and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and very much enjoyed being involved in his faith. Ted was a choir member, served on parish counsel, and always assisted in various other church functions throughout his life. Ted graduated in 1954 from Altoona Area High School and shortly thereafter went on to work as a Sales Manager for Newborn Enterprises.
Ted loved hunting, fishing, bowling and watching sports. Especially the Steelers, Pirates and Penn State. But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his family.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Ted on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 10AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2716 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA., 16601. with interment immediately after at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be sent in Ted’s name to Family Hospice, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA., 16601 or online at tiny.cc/FHmemorial

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Theodore-TedMcKillipSr

04/23/2026

DANIELLE “DANI” HATFIELD
1969 - 2026

Family and Friends are being received this evening, Thursday April 23, 2026, at The Santella Funeral Home for a Visitstion from 3 PM to 5 PM and 6 PM to 8PM with a Prayer Vigil taking place at 4PM with Father Frank Scornaienchi, TOR.

A Funeral Mass will take place tomorrow, Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.
Interment will be held privately at Calvary Cemetery at the families convenience.

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Celebrate the life of Danielle "Dani" Hatfield and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/20/2026

DANIELLE “DANI” HATFIELD
1969-2026

Danielle “Dani” Hatfield, 56, of Altoona, Pennsylvania entered eternal rest on Friday,
April 17, 2026, at her home while being cared for by her loving Husband.
Dani was born in Altoona, PA., on June 16, 1969, to Susan (Caporusio) Giordano
and the late Howard Giordano.
In addition to her mother, Dani is survived by her loving husband William Hatfield, whom
she married on November 9, 1996, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona.,
her daughter Hannah Hatfield of Altoona, a stepson Billy Hatfield of Altoona, her
siblings; Howard (Gina), Christian (Wendy), John (Stacey), Mark (Misty), Shawn
(Tracey), John (Stacey) and 1 grandchild. Dani loved her aunts, uncles, nieces, and
nephews.
Dani is preceded in death by her loving father, Howard, as well as a sister-in-law Misty.
Dani was Catholic by faith and a member of Mt Carmel Catholic Church where she
married William. Dani worked for First Commonwealth Bank. She enjoyed working with
her co-workers there and the customers that would come in.
Dani was a caring and thoughtful person who always put the people she loved first.
More than anything in this world, she loved her daughter Hannah. She was strong and
faced every challenge head on. She loved cooking, making her home beautiful, and
taking care of the people around her. She had a laugh that could light up a room; that
laugh is something no one who knew her will ever forget.
Family and Friends will be received on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 3-5PM and 6-
8PM at the Santella Funeral Home, 1106 8 th Avenue, Altoona, PA., 16602, with a prayer
vigil taking place.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Mount
Carmel Catholic Church, 806 11 th Street, Altoona, PA., 16602 with Interment taking
place at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Danielle-DaniHatfield

04/19/2026

SHARYN A. ASKEY-KEMBERLING
1945-2026

Sharyn A. Askey-Kemberling, 80, of Altoona, Pennsylvania entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at UPMC Altoona.
Sharyn was born in Lancaster, PA., to the late Catherine C. (Crum) and Silas N. Ringler, Sr on May 15, 1945.
In addition to her parents, Sharyn is preceded in death by a loving son Gary Askey and her brothers and sisters, Catherine, Silas Jr., Charlotte, June, Sara, Johanna, John, Donna, Dave, and Phil.
Sharyn is survived by her loving children; Ed (Sandy) Askey of Johnstown, PA., Rick (Daelle) Askey of Gallitzin, PA., and Tammy Askey of Altoona, Pa., her loving grandchildren; Eddie, Phillip, Nathan, Tamera, Catherine, Gary, Nicholas, Crystal, Danielle, Jasmine, Ricki, James Jr, and Megan.
Sharyn was Christian by faith and loved spending time with her family. In her free time, Sharyn enjoyed bingo and loved solving different puzzles. Sharyn recently retired from working at Dollar General as a Cashier which she enjoyed doing greatly.
Friends and family will be received Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Leslie P. Axe Funeral Home for a public viewing from 10 AM – 12PM.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 12PM with Pastor Sonya McNeal at the Leslie P. Axe Funeral Home with interment immediately following at Catfish Ridge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions can be sent in Sharyn’s name to the Leslie P. Axe Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses

https://www.axefuneralhome.com/obituary/Sharyn-Askey-Kemberling

04/18/2026

CAROL A. MARTINO
1943-2026

Carol A. Martino, 83, of Altoona, Pennsylvania went home to meet her Lord Jesus after she lost her battle to an extended illness, on Friday, April 17, 2026 surrounded by her family in Altoona. Her agony is over, for she spent her time in hell.
Carol was born in Altoona, PA., on January 24, 1943, to the late Ann (Nito) & Daniel Gioiosa.
In addition to her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her loving nephew Chris Amerine who passed on January 19, 2014.
Carol is survived by her loving husband Lewis “Donny” Martino whom she married on August 28, 1965, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Altoona, her son, Mark (Amy) Martino of Altoona, her siblings Daniel Gioiosa, Angela DeCriscio, Sandy Beaudoin and Joanne Bettwy and her loved nieces and nephews.
Carol was Catholic by faith and a member of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Carol loved her family and spending time with them. Carol graduated from Altoona High School and then shortly after attended Beauty school. She worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue until her retirement in 2009. She often enjoyed the presence of her family and cooking for all of them. Carol also enjoyed traveling and making memories with her family. She was a strong catholic woman of faith and really enjoyed attending mass at the cathedral in Altoona.

Friends and Family will be received on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Santella Funeral Home from 3PM to 6PM.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10AM at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament with interment taking place at Calvary Cemetery Privately.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be donated to The Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA., 16601

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Carol-A-Martino

04/13/2026

🇺🇸 "A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount up to and including their life".🇺🇸

At Santella Funeral Home, we believe every veteran deserves to be honored with dignity and respect.

Families of veterans who were honorably discharged and possess a DD-214 may be eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including:

• A United States flag to drape the casket or accompany cremated remains
• Military honors, including the playing of Taps and ceremonial folding of the flag
• A presidential memorial certificate signed by the sitting President
• Burial in a national veterans cemetery with a government-issued headstone or marker (when eligible)
• VA burial or memorial benefits

If you have questions about veterans benefits or need assistance obtaining a DD-214 or arranging military honors, our staff is always here to help guide you through the process.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/veterans

04/09/2026

MICHELLE LEE. POPE

 Family and Friends are invited to a viewing from 1230 until the time of Funeral Service at the Axe & Santella Family Chapel, Today, April 9, 2026.

 A Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM at The Axe and Santella Family Chapel with Pastor Fred E. Hickok.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Michelle-Pope

04/09/2026

We would like to extend a special thank you to the United States Army Active Duty Military Honor Guard out of Fort Meade, MD, and the Blair County Honor Guard for providing full military honors for Lt. Col. George M. Lightner, Jr.

Lt. Col. Lightner faithfully served our country for 30 years, completing intelligence missions in Vietnam, Japan, and Panama. Among his military decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Medal of Honor.

The Blair County Honor Guard is a completely volunteer organization that provides military honors to the veterans of Blair County with dignity and respect. They never ask for anything in return, so donations in support of their mission are always appreciated.

If you see members of the honor guard in our community, please take a moment to thank them for their continued service to our nation’s veterans.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Lt. Col. Lightner.

May his soul, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

04/06/2026

AGNES TURCHETTA
1929 - 2026

Agnes Turchetta,96, of Altoona, Pennsylvania entered into eternal rest on Monday, April 6, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family in Altoona.
Agnes was born on December 1, 1929 in Juniata, PA., to the late Anna (Waschalk) and Michael Mayernick.
In addition to her parents, Agnes is preceded in death by her loving son John M. Turchetta; her late sisters; Margaret (Jerry) Caracciolo, Rose (Merrill)Troxell and her brother’s; Richard & Bill Mayernick, and John (Barbara) Mayernick.
Agnes is survived by her loving children; Patricia “Patty” Turchetta, Pam Turchetta, both of Altoona, PA., her siblings; William (Mary) Mayernick, John (Barbara) Mayernick, Charles Mayernick, Donald Mayernick, Rose (Merill) Troxell, Dorothy (Tom) Mallin, Mary Mayernick, Catherine Mayernick, and Eileen Mayernick all of Altoona, PA., her 3 loving grandchildren David, Michael, Matthew and great grandchildren Mason & Rylee.
Agnes was Catholic by faith and a member at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona, PA. She loved her family much and served them as homemakers for many years. Agnes was very talented in her hobbies when it came to her hobbies in baking, cooking and sewing. The family would like to give a special thanks to all of Patty’s friends and Coworkers who helped get through this difficult time as well as a special thank you to Pinnacle Home Health Hospice.

A Viewing will be held at The Santella Funeral Home, 1106 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA., 16602 on Thursday April 9, 2026 from 3-5PM.
A Funeral Service will be held the following day at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9 AM with committal service immediately following at Calvary Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be sent in Agnes’s Name to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Organ Fund, 806 11th Street, Altoona, PA., 16601.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Agnes-Turchetta

04/05/2026

MICHELLE LEE POPE
1974 - 2026

Michelle was born on July 12,1974 in Altoona to Ernest Pope Jr and Arlene (Nagle) Warner. Michelle attended the Life Skills program at Altoona Area High School where she graduated in 1995. After graduation, Michelle attended Skills of Central Pennsylvania where she made many lifelong friends until her "retirement" in 2019.
Michelle had a smile that could warm the coldest room and a soul that felt only love for the people she was around. Together, with her best friend "Buddy" they brought out the best in people. Whether a trip to the beach, a swim in the pool, a stroll through the zoo or just simply coloring and building puzzles, Buddy was always there. Through the good times and the bad, the memories made were what carried her through.

Michelle was preceded in death by her father Ernest Pope Jr, a brother Robert Pope Sr, paternal grandparents Ernest Pope Sr and Marguerite (Peggy) Pope, maternal grandparents Donald E and Norma Jean Nagle, paternal aunt Lisa Rickabaugh, paternal uncle Todd Pope, maternal uncles Michael Nagle, Craig Nagle, Donald Berry and a Cousin Trisha Hoffman.

Michelle is survived by her Mother Arlene Warner of Altoona, Stepfather Tom Strayer of Tyrone, a brother Ernest Pope III (Sharon) of Hollidaysburg, a stepbrother Matthew Strayer of Pittsburgh, a nephew Austin Pope of Indiana Pa, a nephew Holdon Pope (Kylee) of Altoona, a niece Sydney Pope (Isaac) of Altoona, Aunt Linda Berry of Maryland, Uncles David (Rosie) Pope of Altoona, Glenn Davis of Pottsville Pa, Richard (Nyla) Pope of Oregon, Scott Pope of Altoona, William Pope of Altoona, Donald Jr (Darlene) Nagle of Altoona, Kenneth (Jenny) Nagle of Altoona, Ronald (Lynn) Nagle of Altoona and many cousins , great nieces, and great nephews and lifelong friends who became family along the way.
Michelle was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Altoona where she attended services with her mom and buddy faithfully.

Family and friends will be received for a public viewing from 3 to 5 PM & 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Leslie Axe Funeral Home, 1520 fourth Street Altoona PA 16601.
A Funeral will take place on Thursday, April 9 at 1 PM at the Axe in Santella family Chapel, 1534 4th St. Altoona PA 16601, with interment privately at Calvary Cemetery at the family's convenience.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Michelle-Pope

04/03/2026

LORETTA MAE MANGIA
1957-2026

Loretta Mae Mangia, 68, of Altoona, Pennsylvania entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 2, 2026 surrounded by her family at UPMC Altoona.
Loretta was born on December 21, 1957 to the late Patricia Keith whom she rejoins in heaven only passing away 4 days earlier on March 30, 2026.
In addition to her mother, Loretta is preceded in death by an Uncle Alfred Torso and a sister Debra.
Loretta is survived by her loving daughter Kristen (Paul Cogan III) Mangia of Boca Raton, Florida, her siblings Todd Keith of Altoona, PA., and David Keith of Waukesha, Wisconsin and her loving grandchildren Ava Cogan and Paul Cogan IV.
Loretta loved to cook for her family and was an avid animal lover, most importantly her cats and dogs.
Funeral Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

https://www.santellafuneralhome.com/obituary/Loretta-Mangia