Somerset Daily American Obituaries Somerset Pa

Hey there, curious cat! Ever found yourself scrolling through the local paper, only to get sucked into the obituaries? You're not alone. And guess who's got some seriously fascinating tales from the pages of the Somerset Daily American? Yours truly!

Meet the Gang from Somerset, PA

Now, before you start thinking I've got a morbid fascination, let me set the record straight. These aren't your average obits. Oh no, the folks in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, have a knack for making their final send-offs anything but dull. So, grab a coffee (or a stiff drink, I won't judge), and let's dive in!

Obituary Bingo

First things first, let's play a little game of 'Obituary Bingo'. You know you've hit the jackpot when you find an obit that mentions all of the following: a pet, a favorite food, a quirky hobby, and a good old-fashioned 'they were always ready with a laugh' moment. Bonus points if they throw in a 'rest in peace' pun. (Yes, they do exist, and yes, they're hilarious.)

Take Evelyn "Chick" Knisely, for example. This lady loved her some ice cream (who doesn't, right?), was a member of the 'Happy Quilters' club (now that's a name I want on my business card), and was known for her infectious laughter. Oh, and she had a pet parrot. Bingo!

Obituary Haikus

Now, I know what you're thinking. 'This all sounds great, but I don't have time to read through a bunch of long-winded obituaries.' Well, fear not! Some of these masterpieces are so short, they're practically haikus. Take James "Jim" Shaffer, for instance. His entire obituary reads: "Jim Shaffer, 87, of Somerset, went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 25, 2021. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and enjoyed fishing and hunting." That's it! That's the whole thing. And you know what? It's perfect.

Or how about Betty Jean "B.J." McCleaf? Her obit is just two sentences long: "Betty Jean 'B.J.' McCleaf, 82, of Somerset, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. She was a retired school teacher and enjoyed traveling and reading." Boom. Done. On to the next one.

Obituary Puzzles

But not all obituaries are created equal. Some are so packed with information, they're practically puzzles. Take Robert "Bob" Shaffer, for example. This guy was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Elks, the Moose, the Eagles, and the Loyal Order of the Moose. I mean, who has the time? And that's not even mentioning his love for fishing, hunting, gardening, and playing cards. The man was a regular Renaissance fair!

And then there's Mary Jane "MJ" Bittner. This lady was a member of the Somerset County Historical & Genealogical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Somerset County Sportsmen's Association. Oh, and she was also a 4-H leader, a Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Somerset County Fair Board. I'm exhausted just reading that!

Obituary Limericks

But perhaps the most fascinating obituaries are the ones that tell a story. Like Harold "Pete" Peters, who was known for his love of telling tall tales. His obituary reads like a limerick: "There once was a man named Pete, who loved to tell a tale, he'd spin a yarn so tall, it'd make your jaw fall, but he always made you smile, so we'll remember him awhile."

Or how about Eugene "Gene" Miller, who was known for his love of pranks? His obituary reads like a comedy sketch: "Gene was a prankster and loved pulling practical jokes on his family and friends. He once convinced his brother that he had caught a 100-pound catfish. His brother believed him and even had him pose for a picture with the 'catfish' (which was actually a large piece of plywood painted to look like a catfish)." I mean, come on! That's comedy gold!

Why We Love 'Em

So, why are these obituaries so darn fascinating? Well, for one, they're a snapshot of a person's life. They tell us what was important to them, what made them happy, and what they'll be remembered for. They're a testament to the fact that, no matter how different we all are, we're all just trying to make our mark on the world.

But more than that, they're just plain fun. They remind us that, even in the face of something as serious as death, there's still room for laughter, for joy, for a good old-fashioned 'that's what she said' moment. And isn't that something worth celebrating?

So, the next time you find yourself with a few spare minutes, do yourself a favor and flip through the obituaries. You never know what fascinating tales you might find. And who knows? You might just learn a thing or two about life, love, and laughter along the way.