JANET L. PUFKA

Janet L. Pufka, 81, Altoona, died Sunday evening at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, Hollidaysburg. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Ralph and Edna (Boslet) Martin. She married Joseph J. Pufka on Aug. 17, 1957, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 16, 1997. Surviving are two daughters: Paula (Joseph) Heuston of Fresno, Calif., and Mim (Paul) Billman of Steilacoom, Wash.; two sons: Joseph (Patty) of Altoona and Steven (Cheryl Abhau) of Pennsville, N.J.; seven grandchildren: Adam (Leanne) Pufka, Jared Pufka, Jordan Pufka, Jamie Billman, Zachary Billman, Elle Billman and Sarah Billman; a sister, Doris (Jerry) Smith of Altoona; three sisters-in-law: Helen Pufka, with whom she resided, Jenny Fonzi and Jean Pufka; a brother-in-law, Gene Kruis; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son, John; and a daughter-in-law, Lisa (Belesy) Pufka. Janet was a 1948 graduate of Altoona Catholic High School and a 1951 graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She retired as a registered nurse from Mercy Hospital after many years of service. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Janet enjoyed gardening, attending her grandchildren's activities, reading, crocheting, traveling to visit her children, crossword puzzles, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Penn State athletics. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2011, at the Stanley J. Krish Funeral Home Inc., 1204 17th St., Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held Thursday evening. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2011, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 12th Avenue and 20th Street, Altoona, by Father James D. Zatalava. Committal will be held at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, 2400 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602-3499; American Cancer Society, Blair County Unit, 1004 N. Juniata St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; or Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.