Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
ROBERT W. ALBRIGHT
Robert W. Albright, 87, of Connellsville, passed away Monday, May 8, 2000, at Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown. He was born April 26, 1913, in Connellsville, a son of the late Irvin and Nellie Cox Albright. He was a resident of Connellsville all his life and a graduate of Connellsville High School in 1931. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He worked for the Overholt Distillery at Broadford and also at McCrory's 5-and-10-cent store in Connellsville. He became a registered master plumber and worked with the Carl Freshley Plumbing Co. and later had his own plumbing and heating firm. He also worked for the Westinghouse Corp. at Youngwood and East Pittsburgh, from where he retired in 1978. He also served as the projectionist at the Orpheum, Soisson and Paramount movie theaters all at one time in Connellsville for a period of 45 years. He also was a guard at the Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant for four years. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church of Scottdale. He is survived by two sons , John R. Albright and wife, Nilda, of Pensacola, Fla., and David A. Albright and wife, Darlene, of Uniontown; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Albright of Donegal; five grandchildren, William Albright, Kathy Keffer, Barbara Tasker, Carol McConnell and Robert J. Albright; four great-grandchildren, Melissa Albright, Ashley Tasker, Jarred McConnell and Joshua Tasker; and a brother, Irvin Lawrence Albright of Connellsville. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie Moran Albright, on July 25, 1992; a son, James I. Albright; and a sister, Mary Jane Albright. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m., where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Scottdale. Interment will be in Scottdale Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
JOHN R. AMOROSO
John R. Amoroso, 76, of Webster, died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, in Mon Valley Hospital Inc., Carroll Township. Born in Webster, June 15, 1923, the son of the late Domenic and Angeline (Angela) Amoroso. Mr. Amoroso was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. He was a member of the Chapel of Holy Cross and the Church of St. Anne, Rostraver Township. He is survived by his brother, Paul M. Amoroso of Webster; a sister, Esther J. Amoroso of Webster; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers , Anthony Mattee, James Amoroso, Joseph Amoroso and Louis Amoroso; and three sisters , Mary Evich, Florence Augustine, and Teresa Amoroso. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township. A blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Anne, Rostraver Township. Interment will follow in the West Newton Cemetery.
FRANCES (MITRO) BENYAK
Frances (Mitro) Benyak, 62, of Hempfield Township, died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, in Jeannette. She was born Aug. 5, 1937, in Braddock, a daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Marinak) Mitro. She was a vice president at Benyak Tool & Die Corp. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin, and a former member of the Christian Mothers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas M.A. Benyak Jr.; and a sister, Mary Anne (Mitro) Harris. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Benyak Sr.; a son, David Benyak and wife, Cheryl, of Irwin; two daughters , Lorraine Lerch and husband, Mark, of Greensburg and Patricia Benyak of Pitcairn; a sister, Eleanore (Mitro) Schaffer of White Oak; four grandchildren, Shannon Lerch, Kylie Lerch, Bree Benyak and Britt Benyak; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the VINCENT V. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin. Interment Braddock (All Saints Catholic) Cemetery.
CHESTER ADAM BIELOSKI
Chester Adam Bieloski, 56, of Ryon Circle, Lawrenceville, Pa., died Monday, May 8, 2000, at his residence. He was born April 6, 1944, in Syracuse, N.Y., a son of the late Chester and Marguerite Day Bieloski. He moved to Latrobe in 1960 and graduated from Latrobe High School in 1963. He received his engineering degree from Tri-State College in Angola, Ind., in 1968, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He was a resident of Thompson, Pa., from 1977-1989. During this time he was employed by Bard Parker and was a councilman for the town of Thompson as well as a member of the fire department. Most recently, he was employed by Ward Manufacturing as an industrial engineering manager in Blossburg, Pa. He is survived by his loving wife, Marie Strickler Bieloski; and three children, Chester F. of Thompson, Margaret L. Carpenter of New Milford and Todd A. of Yorktown, Va. He is also survived by three sisters , Beverly Larimer of Wakefield, R.I., Elaine Stasko of Waddington, N.Y., and Linda Day Sheaffer of Chalfont; a brother, James of Towaco, N.J.; four grandchildren, Steven and Kayla Carpenter, and Barry and Debbie Wallace; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the TUTTLE-YEISLEY FUNERAL HOME, 5 Susquehanna Ave., Hallstead, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul Catholic Church, Starrucca, Pa. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Susquehanna. Memorial donations may be made to your local chapter of the American Cancer Society in Chester's memory. Arrangements by the KENYON FUNERAL HOME INC., 214 W. Main St., Elkland, Pa.
EDWARD A. BRUNNER
On April 23, 2000, Edward A. Brunner, age 51, of Fineview. Served in the U.S. Army. Husband of Mary Krah Brunner. Stepfather of John Krah. Son of Emil Brunner of Florida. Brother of Linda Ketterman of Pittsburgh and Robert Brunner of Georgia. Also survived by other relatives and friends. No visitation or services. Interment Restland Memorial Park. Services of comfort entrusted to the WATTS MEMORIAL CHAPEL INC., 808 Talbot Ave., Braddock.
MILDRED A. CECCONELLO
Mildred A. Cecconello, 83, of Herminie, died Monday, May 8, 2000, at the Integrated Health Services of Greater Pittsburgh, Greensburg. She was born Sept. 12, 1916, in Herminie, a daughter of the late John and Mari Zalacheck Beddick. Mrs. Cecconello was a homemaker and was a member of St. Edward Roman Catholic Church, Herminie, and a life member of the Herminie S.N.P.J. Lodge #87. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William E., in January 1980; two sons , John "Johnny," in December 1978, and Richard, in October 1996; also brothers , Louis, John, Joseph and Frank Beddick; and sisters , Rose Padjen and Sophie Sage. Mrs. Cecconello is survived by three daughters , Mildred Cecconello, living at home, Barbara and her husband, Larry Nemec, of West Newton, and Patricia and her husband, Larry Raczkowski, of Greensburg; a son, William "Billy" Cecconello and his wife, Carol, of Jeannette; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters , Mary Cantini of Herminie and Elizabeth Highberger and her husband, Paul, of Herminie-Madison Road; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Herminie, Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Father Lawrence L. Manchas officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park.
ALBERTHA H. COLEMAN
Albertha H. Coleman, of Greensburg, died Monday, May 8, 2000, at IHS at Mountain View, Greensburg. She was born in White Plains, N.Y., a daughter of the late John Henry and Agnes Branch Hedley. She was a graduate of White Plains High School and had worked for the Malcolm Parry family in New York for 22 years. For many years, she was a communicant of Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains. She had been living in Greensburg since 1960 and was an active member of the Christ Episcopal Church, where she served on the Altar Guild and worked the salad bars. She also had been a volunteer at the YWCA Thrift Shop. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Henry Coleman; a brother, John Loyd Hedley; and two sisters , Leola Hedley and Dorothy Hedley. Surviving are three nieces, Leola Bryant, Naomi Gillard and Constance Farmer, and a nephew, James John Gibbs, all of New York. Relatives and friends will be received at the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME, 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, (724) 837-0020, www.pantalone.com, Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services in Christ Episcopal Church, Greensburg, Thursday, May 11, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence Knotts officiating. Please meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Greensburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Episcopal Church, 122 N. Maple Ave., Greensburg. Natale N. Pantalone, funeral director.
THOMAS W. COWAN
Thomas W. Cowan, 79, of Pennsville (Bullskin Township), died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at his home. He was born Dec. 22, 1920, in Ruffsdale, the son of the late Jacob L. and Ferne Ganier Cowan. Tom was a resident of Pennsville for the last 19 years, and was a graduate of Connellsville High School with the class of 1939. Prior to his retirement in 1985, he worked as a conductor for the B&O and Chessie System Railroad for 45 years. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of VFW Post #21 in Connellsville, King Solomon's Lodge #346 F&AM, the Uniontown Lodge of Perfection and the Consistory Valley of Pittsburgh. Tom was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Connellsville. He is survived by his wife, Althea Valiante Cowan; a son, David W. Cowan of New Berlin; four stepdaughters, Cheryl Mascia and her husband, Vincent, of Connellsville (Bullskin Township), Karen Hawk and her husband, Rick, of Scottdale, Jamie Ober of Scottdale and Cathy Hughes of Pittsburgh; a stepson, Vincent Horvath of Chicago, Ill.; two grandchildren, Linda Cowan of New Jersey and Jon Cowan of South Connellsville; and five stepgrandchildren, Tiffanie and Samantha Hawk of Scottdale, Matthew Mascia of Connellsville (Bullskin Township), and Ryan and Emily Ober of Scottdale. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Gertrude Pauline Watkins Cowan. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Larry R. Hellein officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the Connellsville VFW, the Connellsville American Legion and Trotter American Legion Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Albert Gallatin Hospice, 20 Highland Park Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401, or the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, PA 15425, in Tom's memory. King Soloman's Lodge #346 F&AM will conduct a service Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
CLYDE V. DICKSON
Clyde V. Dickson, 78, of Washington Township, died Monday, May 8, 2000, in Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, following an apparent heart attack. He was born Feb. 26, 1922, in Mamont, and lived there all of his life. An Army Air Corps veteran, he was a staff sergeant during World War II. Mr. Dickson was associated with the family business, Dickson Tile Company of Mamont, until it closed. He also owned Dick Evan Inc., a trucking company in Mamont, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Christian Missionary and Alliance Church of Plum; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Greensburg Post; and the China, Burma and India Veterans National Association. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Beighley Dickson; a son, Clyde V. Dickson Jr. of Greensburg; three daughters , Mrs. Luigi (Susan) DiLorenzo of Merritt Island, Fla., Mrs. Richard (Amber) Adamovic of Port Orange, Fla., and Carnelia Wilkes of Arcadia, Fla.; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a brother, Paul W. Dickson of Washington Township; three stepsons, Keith Dombroski of Lower Burrell, David Dombroski of Murrysville and Kirk Dombroski of Saltsburg; five stepgrandchildren; and a stepgreat-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde F. and Stella Irwin Dickson. An animal lover, he enjoyed feeding animals of all types. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., a family owned and operated funeral home, 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. His pastor, the Rev. Richard Wood, will officiate. Burial will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.
ELIZABETH M. FRENCHIK
Elizabeth M. "Poochie & Porkie" Frenchik, 77, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Oct. 31, 1922, in Youngstown, Pa., a daughter of the late Stephen and Mary Hutira Rusnock. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, Youngstown, Pa. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry A. Frenchik, on Jan. 14, 1989; three brothers , Steve, Michael E. and Joseph E. Rusnock; and a sister, Julia A. Batsa. Survivors include two brothers , Andrew Rusnock of Latrobe RD4 and Frank Rusnock of Youngstown, Pa. Also survived by several loving sisters -in-law, numerous loving nieces and nephews, and many close friends. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday 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 Friday at 2 p.m. in Sacred Heart Church with the Rev. Chad Ficorilli, O.S.B., as celebrant. Interment in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township.
WILLIAM H. HANKINS
William H. Hankins, 85, of Bullskin Township, Fayette County, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2000. He was born May 11, 1914, in Uniontown, a son of the late William Harry "Tip" and Leota Kate Trimble Hankins. He was a graduate of Uniontown High School in 1933. He retired as a machinist from the Duraloy Corp. in Scottdale. Prior to that he had operated a jewelry store and watch repair in Connellsville. He had also been associated with Normans Jewelers and Hagans Jewelry Store in Uniontown as a watchmaker. He was a member of the Bullskin Township Lions Club where he was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was an organizer of the Bullskin Senior Citizens and was its first treasurer. He was a member of the Bullskin Historical Society, and a former district governor of the Exchange Club. He was a member and trustee of the Paradise United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife of nearly 59 years, Dorothy Brown Hankins; a daughter, Mrs. James (Nancy) Galasso of Aliquippa; a son, William B. Hankins of Mt. Pleasant; a grandson, James Galasso and wife, Jennifer, of Virginia Beach, Va.; a brother, Linn "Tip" Hankins of Tampa, Fla.; and a nephew, Colby Hankins of Tampa, Fla. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m., where services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Doug Burns officiating. Entombment will take place at Green Ridge Memorial Park. The Bullskin Township Lions Club will conduct a memorial service at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
BERTHA RUGH HEADLEY
Bertha "Susie" Rugh Headley, 52, of Export, died Tuesday, May 9, 2000. She was born Nov. 13, 1947, in Tarentum, a daughter of Charles Rugh of Export and the late Lottie Watt Rugh. In addition to her Father , Susie is survived by her husband of 32 years, Howard W. Headley of Export; a sister, Judy Rugh of Export; and a cousin, Diane Nunamaker of Clarksburg. Also survived by several aunts and uncles. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the EDWIN N. WOLFE FUNERAL HOME INC., Export, where services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. George E. Rugh officiating. Interment in Emmanuel Cemetery, Export.
