Our Family History
Appolonia Clara Portzer
1892 - 1945 (53 years)-
Name Appolonia Clara Portzer [1, 2, 3, 4] Birth 1 Jan 1892 St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA 
Gender Female Death 12 Jun 1945 St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA [3] Person ID I3198 Branches and Roots Last Modified 13 Feb 2026
Father Henry J. Portzer, b. 10 Jan 1855, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA d. 23 Nov 1927, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 72 years) Relationship natural Mother Catherina Daniels, b. 10 Mar 1865, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 3 Feb 1930, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 64 years) Relationship natural Marriage 21 Sep 1886 Family ID F288 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Albert Benedict Blessel, b. 5 Jan 1888, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 13 Dec 1963, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 75 years) Marriage 4 Aug 1914 St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA [3] - St. Marys Catholic Church
Children + 1. Louise C Blessel, b. 17 May 1915, St Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA d. 16 Jan 1986, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 70 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]2. Margaret Blessel, b. 27 Nov 1916, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 27 Nov 1916, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 0 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]+ 3. George Henry Blessel, b. 1 Oct 1917, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 16 Mar 1982, Kersey, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 64 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]+ 4. Mary Magdalen Anna Blessel, b. 14 Oct 1918, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 14 Mar 1989, Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia, USA (Age 70 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]+ 5. Scholatica Mary Celesta Blessel, b. 5 Jun 1920, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 17 Oct 1970, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 50 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]6. Benedict Alfred Ben Blessel, b. 3 Feb 1922, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 19 Feb 1974, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 52 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]+ 7. Angela Maude Blessel, b. 17 Oct 1923, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 13 Apr 2005, Fox Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 81 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]+ 8. Martha Blessel, b. 22 Apr 1925, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 21 Nov 2011, Kersey, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 86 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]> 9. Theresa Bertha Blessel, b. 4 Oct 1926, Benzinger, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 6 Jul 1974, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 47 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]10. Stillborn Blessel, b. 2 May 1928, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA d. 2 May 1928, St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 0 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]Family ID F46 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 13 Feb 2026
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Notes
Mrs. Albert Blessel, nee Apollonia Portzer, died unexpectedly this morning at 1:30 at her home on Theresia Road after being ill less than a week. Her sudden death came as great shock to members of her family and friends.
She was born in St. Marys, January 1, 1892 and lived in this community all of her life. She is survived by her husband and eight living children: Private First Class, George Blessel, serving with 80th Division in Austria; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer; Magdalen, Celesta, Benedict, Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser; Martha, Mrs. John Wonderly and Theresa, all of St. Marys.
She is also survived by one sister, Anna, Mrs. Raymond Feldbauer, St. Marys; two brothers, Edward Portzer, Bellville, Ohio; Frank Portzer, DuBois. Her parents and two brothers John and Harry Portzer have preceeded her to the grave. It is thought today the funeral would be held from St. Marys Church Friday morning. The remains may be viewed at the family residence on Theresia Road.
(Obituary from the St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society, June 12, 1945)
Mrs. Albert Blessel, nee Apollonia Portzer, died unexpectedly this morning at 1:30 at her home on Theresia Road after being ill less than a week. Her sudden death came as great shock to members of her family and friends.
She was born in St. Marys, January 1, 1892 and lived in this community all of her life. She is survived by her husband and eight living children: Private First Class, George Blessel, serving with 80th Division in Austria; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer; Magdalen, Celesta, Benedict, Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser; Martha, Mrs. John Wonderly and Theresa, all of St. Marys.
She is also survived by one sister, Anna, Mrs. Raymond Feldbauer, St. Marys; two brothers, Edward Portzer, Bellville, Ohio; Frank Portzer, DuBois. Her parents and two brothers John and Harry Portzer have preceeded her to the grave. It is thought today the funeral would be held from St. Marys Church Friday morning. The remains may be viewed at the family residence on Theresia Road.
(Obituary from the St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society, June 12, 1945)
Mrs. Albert Blessel, nee Apollonia Portzer, died unexpectedly this morning at 1:30 at her home on Theresia Road after being ill less than a week. Her sudden death came as great shock to members of her family and friends.
She was born in St. Marys, January 1, 1892 and lived in this community all of her life. She is survived by her husband and eight living children: Private First Class, George Blessel, serving with 80th Division in Austria; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer; Magdalen, Celesta, Benedict, Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser; Martha, Mrs. John Wonderly and Theresa, all of St. Marys.
She is also survived by one sister, Anna, Mrs. Raymond Feldbauer, St. Marys; two brothers, Edward Portzer, Bellville, Ohio; Frank Portzer, DuBois. Her parents and two brothers John and Harry Portzer have preceeded her to the grave. It is thought today the funeral would be held from St. Marys Church Friday morning. The remains may be viewed at the family residence on Theresia Road.
(Obituary from the St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society, June 12, 1945)
Mrs. Albert Blessel, nee Apollonia Portzer, died unexpectedly this morning at 1:30 at her home on Theresia Road after being ill less than a week. Her sudden death came as great shock to members of her family and friends.
She was born in St. Marys, January 1, 1892 and lived in this community all of her life. She is survived by her husband and eight living children: Private First Class, George Blessel, serving with 80th Division in Austria; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer; Magdalen, Celesta, Benedict, Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser; Martha, Mrs. John Wonderly and Theresa, all of St. Marys.
She is also survived by one sister, Anna, Mrs. Raymond Feldbauer, St. Marys; two brothers, Edward Portzer, Bellville, Ohio; Frank Portzer, DuBois. Her parents and two brothers John and Harry Portzer have preceeded her to the grave. It is thought today the funeral would be held from St. Marys Church Friday morning. The remains may be viewed at the family residence on Theresia Road.
(Obituary from the St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society, June 12, 1945)
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Sources - [S242] Staff, Unknown Publication: Obituaries, (Name: Unknown; Location: Unknown;), Blessel, George H.
GEORGE BLESSEL DIED MONDAY AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL
FUNERAL MASS ON WEDNESDAY FOR KERSEY RESIDENT
George H Blessel, 64, Hayes Road, Kersey, died at 4:50 p.m. yesterday in Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness.
He was born October 1, 1917, in St. Marys, son of the late Albert and Appolonia Portzer Blessel. He was a US Army veteran of World war II, a member of the Fox Township Legion, and a retired employee of Stackpole Carbon Company.
Surviving are his wife, the former Ruby Horner, whom he married May 1, 1942 in St. Marys Church; two daughters: Joyce, Mrs. Edward Krise; Marilyn, Mrs. LeRoy Secco, both of Kersey, two sons: Kenneth of Englishtown, NJ; Melvin of Emporium; and ten grandchildren.
Also surviving are four sisters: Magdalene; Mrs. Thomas Portzer of Roanoke, VA; Martha, Mrs. John Brendlinger of Kersey; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer, and Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser of St. Marys.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Celesta Reading, Mrs. Teresa Michel; and a brother Benedict Blessel.
Funeral mass, will full military rites, will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock in St. Boniface Church, Kersey. Internment will follow in the parish cemetery.
There will be no visitation, but friends and relatives are invited to the mass. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
The Lynch-Green Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Unknown Publication or Source - [S343] U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, (Name: National Archives; Location: St. Louis, St. Louis, Misouri, USA;), Blessel, Albert Benedict; World War II Registration Card.
- [S234] Staff, Daily Press, The, (Name: Daily Press, The; Location: St. Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, United States;), Blessel, Albert.
Albert Blessel, 75, of West Theresia Road, and life-long resident of St. Marys, passed away at two o'clock this morning at the local hospital. Mr. Blessel was born on January 5, 1888 in St. Marys, son of the late George and Margaret Funk Blessel. He attended St. Marys schools and was a retired laborer.
He was married to the former Appolonia Portzer on August 4, 1914 in St. Marys Church. She preceeded him in death on June 12, 1945.
Mr. Blessel is survived by six daughters and two sons. They are: Martha, Mrs. John Wonderly of Kersey; Louise, Mrs. Edward Feldbauer; Magdalen., Mrs. Thomas Portzer, Celesta, Mrs. John Reading; Angela, Mrs. Joseph Geiser, and Theresa, Mrs. Paul Michel all of St. Marys, George and Benedict both of Kersey.
Other survivors are one sister and two brothers. They are Mrs. Emma Brennen, William and Fred Blessel all of St. Marys. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and four-great grandchildren. Mr. Blessel was also preceded in death by one daughter in infancy, two brothers and two sisters.
Requiem mass will be celebrated Monday morning at nine o'clock in the St. Marys Church with internment to follow in the parish cemetery.
Daily Press, The: 13DEC1963
Accessed: 18SEP2024 - [S19] America's Obituaries & Death Notices, (Name: Name: Daily Press, The; Location: St. Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, United States;;), Brendlinger, Martha Blessel Wonderly.
Martha Blessel Wonderly Brendlinger, 86, of 764 Shelvey Summit Rd., Kersey, died Monday morning, Nov. 21, 2011, at her residence following a lengthy illness.
She was born April 22, 1925, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Albert and Appalonia (Portzer) Blessel.
She married John W. Wonderly, who preceded her in death on April 13, 1970. She then married John L. Brendlinger on Nov. 17, 1979, who survives.
She had resided in the Kersey area for most of her life and had been a former St. Marys resident. She was a member of Maria Lutheran Church in Dagus Mines and had been a member of the Bells of St. Marys and a member of the Square Dance group.
She was the first one in her family to graduate from high school.
She enjoyed spending time and playing with her great-granddaughter Maeve. She liked playing cards and board puzzles and giving Dianne's dog Cornelius treats.
She had been employed by St. Marys Powdered Metals and Exotic Metals for 25 years.
In addition to her second husband, she is survived by four children, Dianne Wonderly Hrusth of Weedville, Darlene Wonderly Lewis and her husband Kip of Philipsburg, Sam Brendlinger and Jim Brendlinger, both of Beaver; a grandson, Richard C. Wonderly and his wife Nancy of Altoona; a great-granddaughter, Maeve E. Wonderly of Altoona; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Louise Feldbauer, Celesta Reading, Magdeline Portzer, Theresa Michael, and Angele Geiser; and two brothers, George and Benjamin Blessel.
A memorial service for Martha M. Blessel Wonderly Brendlinger will be held at the Maria Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Erik Hart, pastor of the Maria Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in St.Boniface Cemetery.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials, if desired, can be made to the Community Nurses Inc. Hospice Program at 757 Johnsonburg Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.
Daily Press, The. 22NOV2011
HFA: 09MAR2021
- [S242] Staff, Unknown Publication: Obituaries, (Name: Unknown; Location: Unknown;), Blessel, George H.