Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
CLARENCE WENDEL BRYNER
Clarence Wendel "Chauncy" Bryner, 81, of McKeesport, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at UPMC McKeesport. Born July 11, 1918, in Connellsville, he was a son of the late Clarence W. Sr. and Rosa Hostetter Bryner. He was formerly employed by the McKeesport Housing Authority Maintenance Department and also at Greensburg-Connellsville Coal & Coke. He is survived by his wife, Ella Bigam Bryner; daughters , Charlotte Kirshner of McKeesport and Mary "Katie" Stripsky of Connellsville; son, John Thomas Bryner; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters , Mildred Frinsko of McKeesport and Ruth Minor of Mill Run; brothers , Robert and Paul Bryner of Mill Run and Richard Bryner of Michigan; also nieces and nephews. No visitation. Private services and interment. Arrangements by the JAYCOX-JAWORSKI FUNERAL HOME INC., 2703 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport.
EUGENE TYLER COOK
Eugene Tyler Cook, 3, of South Greensburg, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at Latrobe Area Hospital. He was born July 16, 1996, in Latrobe, the son of Eugene J. "Buddy" and Virginia L. "Gin" (Beam) Cook. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Miranda Jean Cook at home; maternal grandparents, Kathy and Tom Freeman of Greensburg RD2; paternal grandparents, Eugene E. and Diane Cook of Trauger; paternal great-grandmothers, Doris Keitz of Pleasant Unity and Rose Cook of Trauger; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m., at which time funeral services will be held with the Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township.
RALPH ECKENROD
Ralph Eckenrod, 56, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Greensburg, died Thursday, May 4, 2000. Born May 22, 1943, he was the son of Clifford Eckenrod of New Mexico and the late Loretta Blakley Eckenrod of Larimer. He is survived by his wife, Rachel Eckenrod and two stepdaughters, Sheila and Juanita, all of Las Vegas, Nev.; a son, Tom; daughters , Marlene, Debra, Jennifer and Angela, all of Greensburg, and Jessica Lynn Myers of Texas ; and two brothers , Charles of Irwin and William of West Mifflin. Interment will be private. The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, Centennial Building, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
LEROY G. LAWRENCE
Leroy G. Lawrence, 83, of St. Benedict, died Friday, May 5, 2000, in Haida Manor, Hastings. He was born April 11, 1917, in St. Benedict, a son of William and Harriet "Haddie" (Bacon) Lawrence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers , William and Joseph; and a granddaughter, Christina Marie Lawrence. He is survived by his wife, the former Grace Louise Linn; and sons , William (married to Cheryl Miller) of Ephrata and Howard (married to Rosemary Horvath) of Latrobe. Also seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Harriet Myers of Greensburg. Friends will be received Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the MORICONI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1303 Bigler Ave., Northern Cambria, where funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. with Pastor Marty Cartmell officiating. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Patton.
FRANK STANISIC
Frank Stanisic, 67, of Trafford, died Thursday, May 4, 2000, in Forbes Hospice, Pittsburgh. He was born June 10, 1932, in Trafford, a son of the late John Sr. and Mary Pavkovic Stanisic. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Westinghouse Printing. He was a member of St. Regis Church, the Trafford Fire Co. #1, and Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge #541. He is survived by two brothers , John Stanisic Jr. of Trafford and Joe Stanisic of Walnut Creek, Calif.; a sister, Mary Renda of Monroeville; two nieces, Toni Beasley of Plum and Kimberly Renda of Regent Square; a great-nephew, Brandon Beasley, and a great-niece, Brittany Beasley, both of Plum. Friends will be received Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the DAVID A. RITTER FUNERAL HOME, 220 Edgewood Ave., Trafford. A funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Father James D. Tringhese officiating. Interment will follow in Braddock Catholic Cemetery, North Braddock. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Trafford Fire Co. #1, 400 Duquesne Ave., Trafford, PA 15085.
RALPH R. WIPPICH
Ralph R. "Pappy" Wippich, 67, of North Huntingdon, died Friday, May 5, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. He was born Nov. 24, 1932, in Shafton, North Huntingdon, a son of the late Otto and Frances Rain Wippich. He was a retired employee of National Aluminum of Murrysville, and was an employee of S&S Taxi of McKeesport. He was a graduate of Norwin High School. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. 1671 of Irwin, and the Norwin Elks Lodge 2313. Pappy was well known for playing Santa Claus. He is survived by his wife, Catherine E. Lutz Wippich; two sons , Richard R. Wippich, serving with the U.S. Air Force in Dover, Del., and Michael E. Wippich at home; a daughter, Lori Weishorn and her husband, William, of North Versailles; four brothers , Jack Wippich of Greece, Otto Wippich of California, Robert Wippich of Level Green and Ken Wippich of Rochester, Pa.; and two sisters , Lilly Wippich of McKeesport and Linda Sior of Penn. Also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. John C. Pressler officiating. Place of interment will be announced.
BETTY YOST WALTON
Betty Yost Walton, 65, of Salem, S.C., died Thursday, May 4, 2000, at her residence. She was the wife of James E. Walton of 3 Beacon Drive. A native of Irwin, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth Sige Yost. She was a homemaker, a member of both the South Carolina and North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association and the American Horse Show Association. Mrs. Walton was of the Catholic faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Yost. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, J. Michael Walton of Downers Grove, Ill.; a brother, Bernard Yost of North Huntingdon; and a granddaughter, Rachel Walton of Downers Grove, Ill. Friends will be received Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DAVENPORT FUNERAL HOME, 311 South Highway 11, Walhalla, S.C. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Francis Catholic Church, Walhalla. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memorial Department, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
ORESTE CONTESTABILE
Oreste Contestabile, of Baldwin Borough, died Friday, May 5, 2000. Husband of Florence (Rizzo) Contestabile. Father of Raymond and Richard Contestabile. Grandfather of Douglas Contestabile, Lisa C. Tafel, Brian and Amanda Contestabile. Great-grandfather of Sarah Contestabile. Brother of Felicetta Felcione of Philadelphia. Friends will be received Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME INC., 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood. Funeral prayer Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Norbert Church at 10 a.m.
RYAN JOHN DETAR
Ryan John Detar, 24, of Crabtree, died Friday, May 5, 2000. He was born Dec. 5, 1975, in Mt. Pleasant. He was employed as an industrial cleaner. He was a former student of Hempfield Area High School. He is survived by his parents, Terry L. and Susan Daily Detar of Crabtree; four sisters , Kimberly Frame and husband, Jim, of Jeannette, Kristin Detar of Greensburg, Jill Vreeland and husband, George, of Youngwood and Terilyn Detar of Crabtree; maternal grandfather, George W. Daily of Mt. Pleasant; paternal grandfather and stepgrandmother, Lester E. and Bonnie Detar of Warfordsburg, Pa.; paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Detar of Blairsville; paternal great-grandmother, Pearl Espey of North Huntingdon; a niece, April Frame; three nephews, Jordan and Jonah Frame and George Vreeland III; and an uncle and aunt, Tom and Sylvia Detar of Greensburg. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Edna C. Daily; and an uncle, Robert Detar. Friends will be received in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Monday from 2 to 8 p.m., at which time his funeral service will be held in the funeral home with the Rev. Henry G. Landis officiating. Interment will be private.
DALE E. HAFER
Dale E. Hafer, 69, of Buffalo Township, died Saturday, May 6, 2000, at his home. He was born March 19, 1931, in Luxor, a son of the late Chauncey and Effie Sullenberger Hafer. He was a welder at U.S. Steel in Saxonburg for 35 years, retiring in 1990. He was one of the original founders and owners of Lernerville Speedway, Buffalo Township. He raced coupes and late model cars for 20 years. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, antiques, and spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly A. Hafer (in 1995); and a brother, James Sullenberger. Survivors include a son, Randall D. Hafer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter, Linda Bombalski of South Buffalo Township; and four grandchildren, Kristen, Adam and Taylor Bombalski and Matthew Hafer. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the REDMOND FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 High St., Freeport, Pa., where services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Emery Barnett, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be in Sarverville Cemetery, Buffalo Township.
JOHN E. KENT SR.
John E. Kent Sr., 57, of Pontotoe, Miss., formerly of Jeannette, died Thursday, May 4, 2000, in the North Mississippi Medical Center, as the result of an automobile accident. He was born Oct. 23, 1942, in Tremont, Miss., the son of the late Gilmore "Vern" and Shirley Evans Kent. He was a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Kent of Pontotoe; five sons , John E. Kent Jr., Carl and wife, Sharon Kent, Tony Kent, Frankie Kent and Kevin Kent; three daughters , Nancy and husband, Richard Sanner, Vanda and husband, John DiVirgilio and Angela Kent; two brothers , Charles Kent and Lowery Kent; a sister, Mildred Stone; and nine grandchildren. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Barbara Church, Harrison City, with the Rev. V. Paul Fitzmaurice as celebrant.
RAYMOND SAMUEL LAVALLE SR.
Raymond Samuel LaValle Sr., 62, of Evansville, Ind., formerly of Jeannette, died Friday, May 5, 2000. He was born Oct. 17, 1937, in Jeannette, a son of Samuel D. LaValle Jr. and the late Loretta Pandolph LaValle. In addition to his mother , he was preceded in death by a brother, Domnick M. LaValle. He was a former deputy sheriff in Hot Springs, Ark., worked for the city of Evansville Water and Utilities Department for 26 years, and was a lieutenant for AA State Security. He was a member of the Washington Avenue Baptist Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Rifle Association, the Owls, the Eagles and Teamsters Local 215, all in Evansville. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and received the National Defense Service medal. In addition to his Father , he is survived by his wife of 19 years, Joyce LaValle; five sons , Ray Jr. of Vidor, Texas , Michael and Gary, both of Milwaukee, Wis., Joe of Fairbanks, Ind., and Jessie of Waukesha, Wis.; two stepchildren; two brothers , Joseph of Hot Springs and Samuel of Beaumont, Texas ; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Services with military rites accorded at graveside and interment will be Monday in Evansville.
DEAN M. MAY
Dean M. May, 68, of Latrobe, died Friday, May 5, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. He was born July 3, 1931, in Bovard, a son of the late Earl Sr. and Esther Dick May. He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica, Latrobe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Bacan. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn E. Popernack May; two sons , Timothy A. May and his wife, Karen, of Latrobe and Christopher A. May of Latrobe; three daughters , Susan A. Mignogna and her husband, David, of Latrobe, Annette M. Showalter and her husband, Timothy, of Latrobe and Kathleen A. Lipps and her husband, Jon, of Solon, Ohio; a brother, Earl May Jr. of Driftwood; and a sister, Donna Woodward of Greensburg. Also survived by eight grandchildren, Melissa May, Ashley May, Katie Showalter, Michael Showalter, Erik Showalter, Zachary May, Hannah Lipps and Savana Lipps. Friends will be received Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday 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 Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Vincent Basilica. Interment St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township.
