Obituary of Gayle Joan Tarbox

Smethport - Gayle Joan Tarbox, 77, of Gifford, passed away Saturday (March 15, 2025) at her home.

She was born July 10, 1947 in Bradford, the daughter of Howard and Betty (Erskin) Hartman. On October 14, 1967, in Allegany, NY, she married Jerry Wayne Tarbox, who preceded her in death on September 10, 2014.

Gayle was a graduate of Smethport Area High School Class of 1965. She had worked at the Sears Catalog Store in the Bradford Mall for many years. She then worked at Zippo Manufacturing in Bradford for over twenty years before her retirement.

Gayle liked working in her yard and flower beds at home, but her favorite thing was taking care of her grandchildren, Jerry, Ana and Lillie.

She is survived by:

Her mother: Betty Hartman of Gifford

One daughter: Lisa M. (Tom Rudis) Tarbox of Currituck, NC

Two grandsons: Matthew (Shelly Dietz) Kloss of Aiken and Andrew Tarbox Kloss of Gifford

five great grand children: Jerry Tarbox, Ana Gallagher, and Lillie Gallagher of Bradford; Joseph and Makenna Serman of Crisfield, Maryland

Three brothers: Stephen Hartman of Gifford, PA, Earl S. (Pamela) Hartman of Warren, PA, and Kevin (Susan) Hartman of Ormsby, PA

And several nieces and nephews

In addition to her father, Howard Hartman, and husband, Jerry Tarbox, Gayle was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Evan Tarbox on November 22, 2014.

A celebration of life for Gayle will be held on Monday, March 24, 2025 from 3-5PM at the Hilltop Baptist Church, Gifford, with the Rev. Max Simms, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Ronald McDonald Charities or Make-A-Wish Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.