Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Robert Fontanesi, North Huntingdon
Robert Fontanesi, 89, of North Huntingdon, died Monday, July, 17, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born May 27, 1911, in Duquesne, a son of the late Virgilio and Clotilda Vertani Fontanesi. He started out as owner of Fontanesi's Corner Grocery Store in Duquesne, and later became a self-employed carpet cleaner in the Norwin area. He was a member and Sunday school teacher of the Christian Life Church of Trafford, and prior to that, deacon and elder in the Assembly of God Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith Fontanesi; and nine brothers and sisters . Surviving are his wife, Martha Wampler Fontanesi; three sons , Ronald Fontanesi and his wife, Charloette, of Coraopolis, Kenneth Fontanesi and his wife, Dianne, of Annapolis, Md., and Robert Fontanesi and his wife, Roxanne, of Greensburg; four grandchildren, Cindy Borchert, Molly Duffy, Suzanne Ross and Brent Fontanesi; and a great-granddaughter Rose Duffy. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., 504 Oak St., Irwin, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Gary J. Simpson, pastor of the Christian Life Church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.
Melvin S. Frederick, Jeannette
Melvin S. Frederick, of Jeannette (Penn Township), died Monday, July 17, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. Beloved husband of 32 years to Gladys "Paddy" (Newton) Frederick. Father of James M. of Florida, Nancy of Florida, Elizabeth Ann of Ohio, Michael of Williamsport, Leith Anne of Virginia, Patricia Kay and Margaret Susan. He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was proprietor of the Leather Shoppe from his home, and presented his specialty products at arts and crafts shows at many festivals, fairs and shopping malls. Friends will be received WEDNESDAY ONLY from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. at the JOHN L. BASH FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, PA 15626, (724) 468-8381, with the Rev. Glen H. Burrows, of the Delmont Presbyterian Church, presiding. Interment will be private.
Albert M. Gallik, Baden
Albert M. Gallik, of Baden, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. Husband of Donna Crowe Gallik; Father of Charles Pendro of Enon Valley, Susan Taylor of Baldwin and Debra Pendro of Erie; and brother of Edward Gallik of the South Hills and Sophia Griener of the North Hills. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the GLENN-KILDOO CRANBERRY CHAPEL, 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said in St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Joseph P. Newell as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Loretto Cemetery. Funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at St. Ferdinand's Roman Catholic Church, Cranberry Township.
Margaret F. Herdman, Conesus, N.Y., formerly of Derry
Margaret F. "Peg" Herdman, 53, of Conesus, N.Y., formerly of Derry, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, in Watertown Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, N.Y. She was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Robert D. and Rose E. Spires Riffle. A graduate of Derry Area High School, Peg was owner and operator of PJ's Gift and Craft Shop and Peg Herdman's Beauty Shop in Derry. She was a former member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and the Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Derry. Peg is survived by her husband, John W. Herdman; a daughter, Mrs. Ron (Patty) Stouffer of Peanut; a son, John P. Herdman of N.Y.; four grandchildren; a brother, George R. Riffle of Derry; two sisters , Mrs. Ray (Martha "Mike") Tinkey of Derry and Kathleen Furin of North Carolina; her mother -in-law, Virginia Herdman; a sister-in- law, Mrs. John (Maggie) Kerin, both of Derry; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family received friends Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the MICHAEL J. QUINLISK FUNERAL HOME INC., 548 N. Chestnut St., Derry. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church with the Rev. Stephen C. West officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Derry.
Esther E. Johnson, Youngwood, Formerly of Coudersport
Esther E. Johnson, 92, of Youngwood, formerly of Coudersport, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000, in Hempfield Manor, Greensburg. She was born Jan. 30, 1908, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Carl G. and Gerda F. Thornblade Bowman. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hunker. She graduated from the Westmoreland Hospital Training School for Nursing Class of 1930. Survivors include her husband, Burdette O. Johnson; three sisters , Luella Glunt of Greensburg, Betty Allwine of Hummelstown and Lenore DeJaiffe of Greensburg; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Bowman; and sister, Adelia Kuhns. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood. Service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hunker, with the Rev. A.J. Domines officiating. Interment in St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg. A bidding prayer will be recited Thursday at 8:45 p.m. in the funeral home.
Virginia M. Kahl, Latrobe
Virginia M. Kahl, 100, of Latrobe, died Monday, July 17, 2000, at her home. She was born Oct. 22, 1899, in Mt. Braddock, a daughter of the late Michael and Anna Barron Herha. She was a member of Holy Family Church, Latrobe, and its Rosary Society. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William J. Kahl; six sisters ; a brother; and four grandchildren. Survivors include four daughters , Virginia Krinock, Dolores Couch and Rita Robinsky and her husband, Thomas, all of Latrobe, and Marie Markwood and her husband, Carl, of Sacramento, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Unity Township.
Mary Kovac Lakatosh, Irwin
Mary Kovac Lakatosh, 92, of Irwin, died Sunday, July 16, 2000, in Jeannette. She was born Sept. 20, 1907, in Westmoreland City, a daughter of the late Paul and Julia (Bartik) Kovac. She was a cafeteria worker in Norwin School District. She was a member of Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church and Norwin School District Retirees Association. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Julias George Lakatosh; a son, Richard J. Lakatosh; a brother, Paul Kovac; and two sisters , Julia Krusper and Pauline Sherback. Survived by two sons , Paul G. Lakatosh (wife, Esther) of North Huntingdon and Barry L. Lakatosh (wife, Gloria) of North Huntingdon; a daughter, Valerie M. Waugaman (husband, Bill) of North Huntingdon; a daughter-in-law, Doris Lakatosh of Irwin; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Friends received at the VINCENT V. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. George Hanko officiating. Interment Irwin Union Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church.
Genevieve M. Lauffer, DuBois
Genevieve M. Lauffer, 90, of DuBois, died at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2000, in Christ the King Manor, DuBois. She was born Aug. 14, 1909, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Charles O. and Lydia A. Long Shetler. She was married to the Rev. William F. Lauffer on Feb. 23, 1927. He preceded her in death on Dec. 2, 1982. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son and a sister. Survivors include a son, Lawrence Lauffer of Brookville RD1; a daughter, Blanche Blair of Titusville; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters , Gladys Walker of Greensburg and Helen Anderson of Irwin. Mrs. Lauffer was a homemaker and a member of the Wesleyan Church of Hyde. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the BERNARD P. SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, Reynoldsville, where services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Wayne Chapman officiating. Interment in Hillview Cemetery, Greensburg.
Deems L. Leasure, Salinas, Calif.
Deems L. Leasure, 52, of Salinas, Calif., died at home on Friday, June 16, 2000. Deems was born March 9, 1948, in Herminie, a son of the late Jacob D. and Dorothy Deems Leasure. He was a 1966 graduate of the Yough School District; served for four years in the U.S. Army (stationed for a time in Korea); and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 23 years in Salinas. He is survived by his wife, Kathe Wall Leasure of Salinas; a daughter, Tabitha Gibson Kane of St. Louis, Mo.; two sisters , Shirley Hopkin of Herminie and Arlene Mowrey of Sunbury; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday, July 22, at 1 p.m. in the Herminie United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chuck Hildbold officiating.
Father Aidan Lucko OFM Cap., Formerly of Lawrenceville
Father Aidan Lucko OFM Cap., 86, died on Sunday, July 16, 2000 in Vincentian Nursing Home, McCandless. He was born on October 23, 1913 in Pittsburgh, the son of the late John J. Lucko and Anna Pemcak Lucko. Fr. Aidan attended elementary school at St. Augustine School in Lawrenceville and graduated from St. Fidelis College in 1934. He entered the novitiate for Capuchin life in 1934 in Herman, Pa., and professed his first vows on August 25, 1935. He professed his perpetual vows on August 25, 1938. He was ordained into the priesthood on June 10, 1940. After his ordination Fr. Aiden continued his studies in theology at Capuchin College, Washington , D.C., in 1941, and at the Catholic University in Washington , D.C., where he received his master's degree in Economics in 1946. Father Aidan taught school for nine years, three at St. Joseph School in Hays, Kansas, and six years at St. Mary School in Herman, Pa. In 1963 he relocated to Charleston, W.Va., serving at the Sacred Heart Parish. The parish was staffed by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars at that time. Father Aiden returned to St. Augustine and served as Hospital Chaplain for two years. During the 1970s, Fr. Aiden served as pastor for St. Elizabeth Parish in Roswell, Ohio, and was then reassigned to St. Ann in Grantsville, Md. where he served as pastor for eight years. In 1984 he returned to Pennsylvania and served at St. Cecelia, Beaver County, as the Administrator at St. Pudentiana Church for five years. In 1991, Fr. Aiden came to St. Augustine Friary, Lawrenceville, where he remained until 1997, when, due to illness, he moved to Vincentian Nursing Home, McCandless. Friends received at St. Augustine Friary Chapel, 221 36th St., Lawrenceville from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Friends will also be received from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of the Angels, St. Augustine Church, Lawrenceville. The Eucharistic Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in St. Augustine Church, Lawrenceville. Interment will be in the Friar's Plot, St. Augustine Cemetery, Shaler. Arrangements by DANIEL T. D'ALESSANDRO, LTD., Butler at 46th Sts., Lawrenceville. The Capuchin Franciscan Friars request memorial contributions be made to The Capuchin Sick and Elderly Fund, P.O. Box 15099, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
Eugene McLane, North Braddock
Eugene McLane, 77, of North Braddock, on Tuesday, July 18, 2000. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and Korea. He was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service with over 40 years of service at the North Side. Husband of Alice B. (Curran) McLane. Father of Maureen McDonald of South Bend, Ind., Sandra G. Culligan of North Braddock and Eileen M. Metzgar of Plum Borough. Brother of Helen Imperatore of Canonsburg and Pearl Towroski of Pittsburgh, and the late William McLean. Also eight grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Friends may call Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Ave., East Pittsburgh, (412) 824-8800. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, time later, in Good Shepherd Church.
Edward L. Miller, Avalon
Edward L. Miller, 68, died Monday, July 17, 2000, in his home. Mr. Miller was an Army veteran of the
Korean War and had worked as a pattern maker for Kenson Plastics in Warrendale for the past 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Armstrong Miller; a daughter, Linda Zinkham of Robinson; a son, Lee Miller of Bellevue; and two grandsons. There will be no visitation. Services and burial will be private. Arrangements were handled by ORION C. PINKERTON FUNERAL HOME.
Margaret Baker Morris, formerly of Penn, Jeannette and Greensburg
Margaret Baker Morris, 83, formerly of Penn, Jeannette and Greensburg, died Monday, July 17, 2000, at her daughter's home. She was born in Claridge, April 18, 1917, and was the daughter of the late William and Cora Barron Baker. She was a former employee for 30 years with the Bellevue-Lee Thompson-Fawcett Co., and was a member of the Penn Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, C. Raymond Morris; and a sister, Hattie Dornin. She is survived by her loving daughter, Donna Morris Kepple and her husband, C. William, of New Alexandria RD2; two sisters , Elizabeth Lohr of Somerset and Dorothy Westwood of Level Green; four grandchildren, Kim Mertz and husband, Bob, William Kepple and wife, Kathy, Kathy Gwynn and husband, Tim, and Donald Kepple and wife, Jennifer, all of New Alexandria; and 10 great-grandchildren. Family and friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 11 a.m. with her pastor, the Rev. Darlene Williams, officiating. Interment will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park. Terence L. Graft, funeral director, in charge of the arrangements. The family wishes memorial donations to the Westmoreland Hospice, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601.
Hilda Amelia (Kuhn) Nist, Turtle Creek
Hilda Amelia (Kuhn) Nist, 95, of Turtle Creek, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Nist. Loving mother of Robert J. Nist of Gulfport, Fla., Emma L. Kraft of Lancaster, Donald William Nist of Murrysville, Lorraine Retterer of Monroeville and Charles L. Nist of Turtle Creek. Grandmother of 22; great-grandmother of 31; and great-great-grandmother of six. Mrs. Nist was a member of the Catholic daughters of America, the St. Colman's Rosary Society, the Turtle Creek Senior Citizens and AARP, and the Eastern Area Adult Service Advisory Board, of which she was a past president. Friends will be received Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOBE FUNERAL HOME INC., corner of Shaw and Triboro avenues, Turtle Creek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Colman Roman Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.
