Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
GLADYS ELIZABETH STOHL SARGENT
Gladys Elizabeth Stohl Sargent, 83, of Mt. Pleasant, was called home Wednesday, March 22, 2000. She was born in Mt. Pleasant, July 20, 1916, a daughter of the late Wolford and Sarah Goney Stohl. Gladys was the wife of the late Louis "Maggie" Sargent and loving mother of four sons . Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Anchor Hocking of Connellsville for 26 years. She was a graduate of Ramsay High School, class of 1934, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was the last original member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, of which she was a member for 62 years and held a number of offices. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Western Pennsylvania Firemen's Association and a member of the First Baptist Church, where she also served as organist. Also a member of the Jacob Justice Board of Frick Hospital and a member of the Braddock Trail Chapter of the daughters of the American Revolution. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis "Maggie" Sargent; a son, Louis Sargent and wife, Nancy; a grandson, Mark; three brothers , Frank Stohl of Youngwood, Wilmer and Carl Stohl of Mt. Pleasant; and a sister, Leona Stohl Carlson of Youngwood. Survived by three sons , Henry and wife, Marie, of Mt. Pleasant, Wilmer and wife, Diane, of Scottdale, and Edward and wife, Patricia, of Lancaster; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the FRANK R. ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOME INC., 627 Smithfield St., Mt. Pleasant, Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, with Pastor Shirley Farino officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Everyone please meet at the church. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department will hold a service in the funeral home Friday at 7 p.m. Members of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department will meet at 7:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to Westmoreland Hospice, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601.
IRENE D. SKODAK
Irene D. Skodak, 88, of Benicia, Calif., passed away Sunday, March 19, 2000, in a Vallejo hospital after a long illness. She was born in Armbrust, Pa., and was active in the Women's Auxiliary of the Slavonic Lodge of Greensburg and the Ladies Altar Society of St. Bruno Church in South Greensburg. She had been a resident of Benicia for 22 years. Irene is survived by her son, Stephen Skodak Jr., of Benicia, Calif.; daughter, Faye (Jaime) Chow, of El Cerrito, Calif.; sisters , Marie Allen, Helen Kistner and Ethel Hairston, all of Pennsylvania , and Anna Yanetsky of Ohio; grandchildren, Cynthia Cruz, Valeria Chow and Denise Skodak; great-grandchildren, Ricky and Mario Cruz; and daughter-in-law, Marie Skodak, of Benicia. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen, in 1993; and her son, Maurice, in 1994. Arrangements by PASSALACQUA FUNERAL CHAPEL, Benicia, Calif.
CATHERINE POLAKOVSKY WERL
Catherine "Katie" Polakovsky Werl, 78, of Murrysville, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, in Forbes Regional Hospital. She was born April 26, 1921, in Allison, Pa., a daughter of the late George and Suzanne Lorenz Polakovsky. She was a member of the mother of Sorrows Church where she served as Eucharistic Minister, and in the Christian Mothers and Ladies Guild. She graduated from Scott High School in 1938 and Braddock General Hospital School of Nursing in 1941. Prior to retirement in 1985, she was a TCU nurse at Forbes Regional Hospital, past president of the Nurse's Club and was active in the Red Cross blood bank. She had been a member of the Murrysville Women's Club and enjoyed playing bridge. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Fred W. Werl Jr., in 1995; and three sisters , Mary Horvat, Anna Matuchak and Helen Gardner. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Fred W. Werl, of Murrysville; two daughters , Melenie W. Petropoulas and her husband, Christos, of Hudson, Ohio, and Cathy Jane Werl of Bel Air, Md.; a sister, Elizabeth Hazuka, of West Mifflin; a grandson, Tommy Petropoulas; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Lillian Avenue, Murrysville, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville, with the Rev. Daniel Mahoney as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park. The Ladies Guild will meet at the funeral home Sunday at 3 p.m. to recite the rosary. Memorial contributions may be made to mother of Sorrows School, 3264 Evergreen Drive, Murrysville, PA 15668.
GLENN R. BREWER
Glenn R. Brewer, 78, of Pickens, S.C., formerly of Pleasant Unity, died Friday, March 24, 2000, at Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, S.C. He was born March 29, 1921, in Carbon, a son of the late Joseph J. and Emma Ruth (Ellsbury) Brewer. Prior to retirement, he worked as a tool and die maker at General Nuclear Corp. in New Stanton. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy, and was a member of the Pickens View Wesleyan Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn M. (Schoellkopf) Brewer; a son, Robert G. and wife, Laurie, of Slippery Rock; two daughters , Mary Jane Brewer of Bridgman, Mich., and Mrs. Robert (Jo Ann) Westover of Cranberry Township; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Byron T. Eisaman officiating. Interment will follow in Lycippus Community Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township.
HELEN M. BUSH
Helen M. Bush, 82, of Titusville, Fla., formerly of Delmont, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, in the Parrish Medical Center in Titusville. She was born Dec. 22, 1917, in Butler, a daughter of the late James and Anna Dee Mock Elliott. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Titusville, and a former member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Delmont. She was also a member of the ladies auxiliaries of the American Legion, Eagles, Moose, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in the Titusville area. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph H. Bush, on Jan. 16, 1984; and by several brothers . She is survived by two daughters and one son, Patricia E. Bush of Titusville, Fla., and William C. Bush and Sally A. Wingert and her husband, Terry, all of Greensburg; two sisters and one brother, Grace Thompson of Madison, Fla., Alice Patton of Titusville, Fla., and Paul Elliott and his wife, Betty, of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and four grandchildren, Kathleen McHugh of Titusville, William M. Bush and Melissa Wingert of Greensburg, and Timothy Wingert of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Bush's family will receive friends at the JOHN L. BASH FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, (724) 468-8381, Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral home hours: Monday 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral and committal services will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Pastor John W. Hanks officiating. Interment will be private. Should friends desire, memorial remembrances may be made in Helen M. Bush's name to the American Heart Association, 615 S. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601.
WILLIAM E. CRAMER
William E. Cramer, 75, of Level Green, on Saturday, March 25, 2000. He was a World War II Army veteran and a retired employee of Westinghouse Research in Churchill. Husband of Louise (Hajek) Cramer; Father of Kevin E. and his wife, Leslie, of Colorado and Dale F. and his wife, Joyce, of DuBois; brother of the late Dorothy Beech and the late Anna Lewis; also five grandchildren. Friends may call 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at the PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Ave., East Pittsburgh, (412) 824-8800. Funeral service in Paintertown Lutheran Church, Penn Township, Tuesday at 11 a.m.
JOANN DIXON
JoAnn Dixon, 52, of North Huntingdon, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, at her home. She was born July 18, 1947, in Bedford, the daughter of the late Calvin and Dorothy L. Bruck Diehl. She was a member of the Miller United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frederick L. Diehl. She is survived by her husband, Dan H. Dixon; two sons , Jody Weimer of North Huntingdon and Dan Dixon of Harrisburg; two daughters , Kimberly Deithorn of East McKeesport and Frances Mary McGee of Donegal; and seven grandchildren. Friends will be received at the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Robert Bauer officiating. Interment will be private in Madley Cemetery, Hyndman, Pa.
ALBERT A. FERDI
Albert A. Ferdi, of Delray Beach, Fla., formerly of Chalfont Borough, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 15, 2000. He was a graduate of Turtle Creek High School, Class of 1952, and Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired from Ohio State University, where he was a professor of journalism for 25 years and editor of the university newspaper, The Lantern. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Allan and Linda, both of Gary, Ind.; sisters , Goldie Yarosik of Irwin and Emily Bouma of Delmont; and brother, Bill Ferdi of Laguna Niguel, Calif. He also is loved and cherished by family and friends in Columbus, Ohio, south Florida and Honolulu, Hawaii. A memorial service will be held next month in Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
ELIZABETH FORDYCE
Elizabeth Fordyce, 87, of Hannastown, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, in the Integrated Health Services at Mountain View, Unity Township. She was born Aug. 29, 1912, in Webster, a daughter of the late David and Nancy McTurk Nesbit. She was a member of the St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church, Crabtree, and was retired from Gee Bee in Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons , Robert Nesbit and David Fordyce; two brothers , William and David Nesbit; and a sister, Agnes Robinson. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Gerald J. Fordyce; three sons , Donald and wife, Marlene Fordyce, of South Greensburg, Douglas and wife, Cathy Fordyce, of Hannastown and R. Scott and wife, Patricia Fordyce, of Greensburg; two daughters , Geraldine and husband, John Kubas, of Greensburg and Carol and husband, Harry Warren, of Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter-in-law, Cecil Nesbit of Pitman, N.J.; a sister, Georgina Wilson of Forbes Road; numerous grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A prayer service will be held in the funeral home Monday at 9:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. Bartholomew's R.C. Church, Crabtree, with the Rev. Luke E. Policicchio, O.S.B., as celebrant. Interment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township. A prayer service will be held in the funeral home Sunday at 3 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the National Parkinson's Association, P.O. Box 81241, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. The Fordyce family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Integrated Health Services at Mountain View for the excellent care that was given to their wife and mother during her stay.
DONALD L. HIXSON
Donald L. Hixson, 68, of Connellsville, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. He was born July 12, 1931, in Bullskin Township, a son of the late Preston and Nannie Elizabeth Clark Hixson. He was employed for 45 years as a plasterer by the T.L. Rutter Co. of Greensburg. Mr. Hixson was an avid hunter and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Area Dartball League, having been a member of the Church of the Brethren #2 team. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren, where he served as a church deacon. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Mary M. Clark Hixson; and a brother, Elmer "Pete" Hixson. He is survived by his wife, Daisy L. "Pick" Nicolo Hixson; a daughter, Sharon M. Hixson Suter and her husband, Charles L. Suter, of Ruffsdale; a grandson, Ryan C. Suter; three stepchildren, Donald Nicolo and his wife, Gail, of New London, Ohio, Verlin "Bap" Nicolo and his wife, Renee, of Wellington, Ohio, and Lloyd "Bake" Nicolo of Connellsville; the following stepgrandchildren: Dawn Renee and Dennis Rangle of Wellington, Ohio, Tim and Tyler Nicolo of Connellsville, Tammy and Adam Halfhill of Connellsville and Lloyd Nicolo of Normalville; stepgreat-grandchildren, Andrew, Alyssia and Allison of Wellington, Ohio; and six brothers , J.P. Hixson and his wife, Christine, of Connellsville, James Hixson of Connellsville, Dempsey "Ike" Hixson and his wife, Betty, of Connellsville, Delbert "Sye" Hixson of Scottdale, Lindsay "Buck" Hixson and his wife, Thelma, of Connellsville and Clifford Hixson and his wife, Joann, of Ruffsdale. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Henry Landis officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlick Cemetery, Bullskin Township.
HELEN F. KASPAREK
Helen F. Kasparek, 91, of Jeannette, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, in the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 18, 1908, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late Charles and Mollie Verner. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Jeannette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Kasparek; and a daughter, Mary Pfeiffer. She is survived by her daughter, Nellie Aston and her husband, Herbert, of Greensburg; three grandchildren, Linda Aston of Williamsport, Herbert C. Aston of Woodbine, N.J., and Michael Pfeiffer of Ambridge; four great-grandchildren, Maria and Mitchell Pfeiffer and Brian and Benjamin Aston; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dale W. Roddy officiating. Interment will be in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.
JOHN J. KISH
John J. Kish, 79, of Latrobe, died Friday, March 24, 2000, in IHS at Mountain View, Unity Township. He was born Jan. 16, 1921, in Latrobe, a son of the late John and Anna Danko Kish. He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica, Latrobe. He was retired from Latrobe Steel Company with 45 years of service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and a member of the American Legion #515, Latrobe; VFW; 1st Ward Firemen's Club; the Frontier Club, Latrobe; and the F.O.E. #01188, Latrobe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Larry C. Kish; a brother, Robert A. Kish; and two sisters , Martha A. Bravis and Agnes C. Kish. Survivors include his wife, Anne Walro Kish; a son, Jeffrey J. Kish and his wife, Carol A., of Latrobe; and two grandsons, Jeffrey J. and Jonathon M. Kish, both of Latrobe. Friends will be received Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 1O a.m. in St. Vincent Basilica. Interment St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township. military services will be held Monday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home.
JOSEPH SULLIVAN LaFISCA
Joseph Sullivan LaFisca, 82, of Dunbar, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 24, 2000, at home. He was born April 2, 1917, a son of the late Liborio and Liboria Raimondi LaFisca. During his work life, he was employed by Dravo at Neville Island, Continental Fireworks, Liberty Powder Mill and for many years was head of maintenance at Pechin's Market, Dunbar. He was a member of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church and the Trotter American Legion. A veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 1943 to 1946, he received the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle East Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Evangeline Jarvis LaFisca; brother, Clemment LaFisca; sisters , Grace LaFisca Grass, Assunta LaFisca Bolk and Elda LaFisca Kaschke; and nephew, Robert LaFisca. Surviving are his wife, Linda Roebuck LaFisca; daughter, Grace LaFisca Brookings and husband, Darrell, of Connellsville; grandson, Darrell Brookings Jr. of Virginia; great-granddaughter, Taylor Brookings; brothers , Michael and wife, Ruth, of Kittanning, Samuel and wife, Olive, and Peter and wife, Frances, all of Dunbar; sisters , Mrs. Francis (Rose) Schwenning of Akron, Ohio, and Mrs. Joseph (Concetta) Takac of Connellsville; sister-in-law, Betty LaFisca of Dunbar; brother-in-law, Donald Kaschke of West Virginia; and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BURHANS-CROUSE FUNERAL HOME, 28 Connellsville St., Dunbar, Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from noon to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius R.C. Church, Dunbar, with the Rev. Father J. Edward McCullough as celebrant. Interment Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Morning prayers in the funeral home Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Rosary will be recited Monday at 4 p.m. in the funeral home. military honors will be accorded graveside.
