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Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

401 Chestnut Street

Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania

Michael Vanatta Obituary

JOHNSONBURG - Michael L. Vanatta, 69, of 2678 Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, formerly of Johnsonburg, died Thursday (May 8, 2014) at his residence following a brief illness.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944, in Ridgway, a son of Hall Dean and Alice Smith Vanatta. On June 1, 1958, in St. Leo Magnus Church, he married Linda Hannold of Ridgway, and she survives. He's resided in the State College area since 1991.
He graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1962 and from Penn State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1990. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and American Legion Post 245, a lifetime member of Penn State Alumni, Toastmasters and the Springfield Blue Jackets. He loved traveling and driving cars, Penn State Football and spending time with his family.
He is a Vietnam-era war vet, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the CLG7 Guided Cruiser USS Springfield. He was employed by Penn State University ARL for 22 years, retiring in 2012, and by the Stackpole Carbon Co. of St. Marys for 22 years.
He is survived by his wife at home; sons and daughters, Robert E. (Shannon) Vanatta of King George, Va., William D. (Barbara) Vanatta of North Warren, Paul D. (Sandy) Vanatta of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Michelle (Karl) Breakey of Johnsonburg and Cheryl (George) Lukaschunis of Pennfield; 10 grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; three step grandchildren; three brothers and three sisters; Dean (Ellen) Vanatta of Johnsonburg, David (Patricia) Vanatta of Johnsonburg, James (Mary) Vanatta of Mount Airy, Tenn., Judith (David) Rettger, Nancy (Paul) Galford and Margaret Mertz of St. Marys.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St., Johnsonburg. A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael L. Vanatta will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg with the Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Ridgway.
Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Monday.
If desired, memorial contributions should be made to Relay For Life at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/stepbystepDuBois
Share your condolences at www.ferraginefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bradford Era from May 9 to May 17, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Vanatta

Not sure what to say?





Joe Peiffer

May 8, 2023

I fondly remember the trips Mike and I were on together while "working" at State College Ford. I still feel a sense of loss. Hope you are all doing well.

Bob Vanatta

June 6, 2014

How do you say goodbye to your dad, your mentor, your best man/best friend?! I'll never understand why your time with us was cut short; but, I will always cherish the adventures/memories/talks that we've shared. A day hasn't gone by this past month that I haven't missed you dearly. Time and time again, I've flipped through the scrapbooks from the many adventures we've shared all across the country. I don't feel greedy for still wanting more. You were our rock and this loss certainly leaves a huge void; but, you will always be a part of each of us. Someday down the road I'll join you on this latest adventure; until then, scout out the best routes/spots (no maps please). Rest in Peace. Love You, Bye…

Kiran Choudhary

May 14, 2014

Dear Linda,
We're sorry to hear about your husband's death. May God rest his soul in peace. If there is anything we can do for you, please contact us. We pay our sincere condolences to you and your family.

from,
Kiran (employee at Weis),
Gulshan (my husband),
Anshu and Ankur(my kids)
and
my sister,Kamlesh. (Who works at Krishan Indian Grocery Store.)

Kiran Choudhary

May 14, 2014

Dear Linda,
Sorry to hear about your husband's death. May god rests his soul in peace. We pay our sincere condolences to you and your family.
From,
Kiran (employee at Weis),
Gulshan (my husband)
Anshu & Ankur (my kids)
and
my sister, Kamlesh.

May 13, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Whitly Breakey

May 12, 2014

Today was one of the hardest of my life. I'm not sure where we are going from here, but I know I'll carry you with me wherever I go. I miss you so much. I'm grateful of the time I had with you. You'll always be one of my favorite people. I love you oodles of noodles amounts. Safe travels PopPop.

Michelle Breakey

May 12, 2014

You were and always will be my hero. I will miss you every day for the rest of my life. God speed. I love you to the moon and back times a million. Till we meet again. xoxoxox

Bill Nuss

May 12, 2014

Linda, So very sorry to hear about Mike, if there is anything I can do please contact me.
Bill Nuss

Don Stiver

May 12, 2014

Linda and Family, I am sad to hear about Mike's passing. My family is offering our condolences. I enjoyed working with him here at Penn State as a colleague and at times as a mentor. I will alway remember his happy-go- lucky attitude. He was a great person.

May 12, 2014

Thank you for your service to our great country. R. I. P.

Mark Addeo

May 11, 2014

Linda and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Mike was a great guy and I enjoyed our time at PSU. Will never forget the softball tournament. He will be missed by many.

Kelly Martin

May 11, 2014

Bill,
Our sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences are with you and your family on the loss of your Dad.

Erin Campbell

May 11, 2014

Linda, I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. You and your family will be in my thoughts
and prayers.

Charlotte + Scott Harpster

May 11, 2014

Linda, Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Jill Johnson

May 10, 2014

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Joe Peiffer

May 10, 2014

Dear Linda and all; I will really miss Mike and our trips for State College Ford. We had a lot of time to talk and quickly became friends. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all at this most difficult time.

Dan Warmbrodt

May 10, 2014

I am going to miss my cousin Mike. My sincere sympathy to Linda, Bobby, Bill, Paul, Michelle, and Cheryl, and all the rest of his family.

Bonnie/David Peffer

May 10, 2014

Linda, So sorry for your loss. May god give you strength to get thru this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers for you and family. May God Bless.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, PA 15845

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