Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
LEO J. O'CONNOR
Leo J. "Lee" O'Connor, 72, of Frazer Township, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000, in his home. He was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Shadyside. He had lived in the area for 21 years. Mr. O'Connor was a machinist for B&O Railroad in Hazelwood, retiring in 1988 after 44 years. Mr. O'Connor was a veteran in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a former member of St. Susanna Church of Penn Hills. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Jane Smith O'Connor; four sons , Leo J. O'Connor III of Minot, N.D., Kevin P. O'Connor of Export, William J. O'Connor of West Deer Township, and Warren M. O'Connor of Frazer Township; six grandchildren; a brother, David O'Connor of Penn Hills; and two sisters , Patricia O'Connor of Shadyside and Ursula O'Connor of Shadyside. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo J. Sr. and Florence Doody O'Connor; and a son, Dennis W. O'Connor. Family and friends are invited from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at the ROBERT PETERS FUNERAL HOME INC., 1521 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, where a blessing service will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m. A Christian Funeral Mass will follow at noon at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Blessed Sacrament Worship Site. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Township.
CHARLES A. ORBIN
Charles A. Orbin, 85, of Youngwood, died Monday, May 29, 2000. He was born March 7, 1915, in Youngwood, a son of the late George W. and Mary N. Younger Orbin. He was retired from Hempfield Area School District and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Youngwood. He is survived by his wife, Martha J. (Ritchey) Orbin; three daughters , Marjorie Hawk of Greensburg, Mrs. Michael (Janet) Dohey Sr. of Youngwood, and Mrs. Carl (Jean) Clair of Greensburg; a son, G. Walter Orbin of Youngwood; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Paul Orbin of Foxtown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters , Mary Elder and Pauline Orbin; and six brothers , George, Kenneth, Alfred, Ralph, Nelson and Robert Orbin. Private visitation. Funeral service will be held in Christ United Methodist Church, Youngwood, Thursday, June 1, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Merritt Edner officiating. Interment Hillview Cemetery, Greensburg. Family suggests memorial contributions to Christ United Methodist Church. Arrangements by C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood.
DONNA L. OVERLY
Donna L. Overly, 57, of Mt. Pleasant RD1, went to her eternal rest, Monday, May 29, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. Donna was born in Mt. Pleasant May 4, 1943, a daughter of the late Thomas O. Sr. and Cora Elizabeth Sullenberger Sheppard. She was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren, where she served as a deaconess, taught Sunday school, and was also a member of the Women's Fellowship. She was a life member of the Kecksburg Volunteer Firemen's Ladies Auxiliary. Donna was also a graduate of the Ramsay High School with the Class of 1961. She was formerly employed by the Candyland and presently was employed at the Friendship Farm Bakery. She is survived by her loving family, her husband of 37 years, George A. Overly; a son, Gregory A. Overly and wife, Carrie, of Greensburg RD1; four daughters , Denise L. Rose and special friend, Jon J. Minkel, of Greensburg, Janice S. Summy and husband, Gary, of Marietta, Pa., Cheryl J. Himler and husband, James M., of Armbrust, and Bethany D. Overly at home; nine grandchildren, Carolyn and Jason Rose, Nadine and Rebecca Summy, Justin and Alex Himler, Coral Overly, Kimberly and Jeffrey Minkel; two brothers , Thomas O. Sheppard Jr. and wife, Patricia, of Kecksburg and Ronald W. Sheppard and wife, Mary, of Glen Rock, Pa.; and four sisters , Dorothy L. Sheppard of Scottdale, JoAnn Kint of Marianna, Pa., Betty Soles and Beverly Sheppard, both of Mt. Pleasant. Friends will be received at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Additional viewing will be held Friday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren, where her funeral service will be held with Pastor Henry G. Landis officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Joy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren.
JULIA RIZZO
Julia Rizzo, 92, of North Versailles, on Sunday, May 28, 2000. Wife of the late Joseph Rizzo; mother of Lucy Filia of Wilkins Township, Frank Rizzo of North Versailles, Rosemarie Abate of Delaware, Constance Biedinger of North Huntingdon, and William Rizzo of Hawaii; sister of Mary Loffredo of Pitcairn, Filomena Condrasky of Pitcairn, Anthony DeCenzo of Hawaii, and the late Lena Amanatea, Victor, Louis, and Joseph DeCenzo. Also 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Friends received at the JAMES F. FILIA FUNERAL HOME, 354 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude the Apostle Church Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
ALICE REED TUCKER
Alice Reed Tucker, 84, a lifelong resident of Squirrel Hill, died Monday, May 29, 2000, at home, after a brief illness. Beloved wife of the late Richard B. Tucker Jr. She is survived by a sister, Clarissa Reed Haviland of Easton, Pa.; her three sons , Richard B. Tucker III of Sewickley, Clarke Reed Tucker of O'Hara Township and Henry St. George Tucker of Regent Square; and three grandsons, Reed, Wade and Drew Tucker. She graduated in 1933 from Ellis School and attended Pennsylvania College for Women, now Chatham College. She was one of the founders of St. Edmund Academy and a volunteer board member and longtime supporter of the former Episcopal Church Home, now Canterbury Place. She loved spending summers at her family cottage at Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. A memorial service will be held Saturday 3 p.m. in Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Ave., where the family will receive friends in the Great Hall following the service. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk St., Pittsburgh 15201, or to St. Edmund Academy, 5705 Darlington Road, Pittsburgh 15217. Arrangements by H. SAMSON INC., Pittsburgh.
FRED DANIEL WAAS
Fred Daniel Waas, 63, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000, in West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born Aug. 26, 1936, in Brooksburg, Ind., a son of the late Fred H. and Sada Larimore Waas. He was a retired chemical engineer for GenCorp in Jeannette. He was a member of the Brooksburg United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Hanover College in Hanover, Ind. Surviving are his wife, Mabel Waas; his children, Melinda Phillips, Connie Waas, Dana McEliece and Bryan Waas; and sisters , Donna Lozar and Mary LeCrone. Also survived by two grandchildren, Troy Phillips and Leo Daniel McEliece. Friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Services will be held at the Vail-Holt Funeral Home in Madison, Ind., at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment will follow in Brooksburg Cemetery in Brooksburg, Ind. PLEASE OMIT FLOWERS. The family wishes memorial contributions to the Leukemia Society of America, 1614 Clark Building, 717 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
MARGARET (JANE) MINKEL WAREHAM
Margaret (Jane) Minkel Wareham, 75, of Ardara, loving mother , grandmother, aunt and neighbor, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, May 30, 2000, at home. Jane was born May 11, 1925, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late Charles C. and Margaret Hazlett Minkel. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Bruce Wareham; a brother, Bernard DeMark; and a sister, Dorothy E. "Dot" Hudson. Jane's special interests in life were the love and devotion to her family, various pets throughout her life and gardening, especially flowers. Prior to her marriage, she enjoyed being a nanny for several families in the area. She is survived by two sons , Donald Lee Wareham at home and John Randolph Wareham and his wife, Cindy, of Latrobe; a daughter, Rebecca Rose Adams and her husband, Roy, of Copperas Cove, Texas ; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jamie and Jeremy Wareham and Tony, Jackie, Amanda and Jennifer Adams; a great-granddaughter, Jollene; three special nieces, Janet Clemens, Linda Ray and Nancy DeMark; three special nephews, Wayne Hudson, James DeMark and Kenneth DeMark; several other nieces and nephews; and her pet dog, Holly. Friends will be received in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday at a time to be announced. Interment will be in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.
CHARLES BENJAMIN WOODS
Charles Benjamin Woods, 83, of Herminie, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born March 30, 1917, in Adamsburg, a son of the late Benjamin and Mary Charlotte King Woods. He was a retired employee of Harmar Clay Products, Harmarville. He was a member of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church, Hempfield Township. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Woods; a brother, Samuel Woods; and two sisters , Charlotte Rinaldi and Anna Mae Kotouch. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martha H. Pedder Woods; twin daughters , Claudia J. Griffin of Beaver, Pa., and Carol E. Horvat of Rillton; a granddaughter, Michelle E. Guerrieri of Rillton; three brothers , John Woods of Herminie, Donald Woods of Crabtree, and George Woods of McKeesport; four sisters , Elsie Greene of Maryland, Margaret Javor of North Huntingdon, Mary Catherine Nichols of Herminie, and Rosella Nichols of Chambersburg; also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. John B. Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
MARGARET P. YAVORSKY
Margaret P. Yavorsky, 79, of Donora, died Friday, May 26, 2000, at the Mon Valley Hospital Inc., Carroll Township, after an illness of the past several years. She was born May 30, 1920, in Donora, a daughter of the late Michael J. and Anna Zamborsky Yavorsky. A lifelong resident of Donora, she retired from the dietary department of Mon Valley Hospital Inc. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Donora. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Yavorsky, in 1993. She is survived by a brother, Martin Yavorsky of Craven Hill; a sister, Ann Malencia Ferguson of Finleyville; 11 nieces and nephews; and 13 great-nieces and -nephews. Friends will be received in the PAUL MACIK FUNERAL HOME, 546 Thompson Ave., Donora, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Valley Parish, St. Philip Church, Donora. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township.
MADOLYN M. CIOCCO
Madolyn M. Ciocco, 83, of Towne Towers, Oil City, Pa., died at 11:45 p.m., Sunday, May 28, 2000, at the Northwest Medical Center in Franklin. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1917, a daughter of the late Roy Ross Sr. and Edith Marie Oliver Bickley. She was raised and educated in the Punxsutawney area. A homemaker, Mrs. Ciocco had lived in Youngstown, Ohio, Greensburg, Irwin, and for the last 2 ½ years, Oil City, coming here to be near her daughter. She had been a beautician in her earlier years, having graduated from the Pittsburgh Beauty School. Mrs. Ciocco enjoyed cooking, shopping, sewing, and she was an avid reader. While living in Youngstown, she had been a volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. While living in Greensburg, she had belonged to the Level Green Presbyterian Church there. She attended the Zion Lutheran Church in Oil City. Mrs. Ciocco was first married to Frank David Miller of DuBois in February of 1937 and he preceded her in death in 1963. She then married Charles A. Ciocco in 1976 and he preceded her in 1997. Surviving are four children, Frank Miller of Greensburg, Terry K. Miller of Poland, Ohio, Mrs. Richard (Edith) Johnson of Oil City, and Mrs. William (Karen Lee) Minehart of Poland, Ohio; 10 grandchildren, Terry Miller Jr., Jeff Minehart, Heather Lyons, Eric Miller, Greg Miller, Steven Johnson, Tim Miller, Mark Minehart, Shannon Miller, and David Minehart; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Ann Hoiden of Bensalem. A brother, the Rev. Roy R. Bickley Jr., preceded her in death. Her remains are to be cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, at noon at the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, Ohio. Interment will follow at the Brunstetter Cemetery in Austintown, Ohio. Memorials may be made to Save the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036, or to the Zion Lutheran Church, 207 State St., Oil City, PA 16301.
OLIVE PEARL SPROAT DAVIDSON
Olive Pearl Sproat Davidson, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, in the Harmon House, Mt. Pleasant. She was born Sept. 12, 1908, in Chaintown Bridge, Scottdale, a daughter of the late Thomas and Bertha Hagerman Sproat. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Brockway Glass in Brockway, Pa., and also earlier by Anchor Hocking in South Connellsville. She was a member and past Worthy Matron of the Elizabeth Early Chapter #208 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member and past Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine and past Watchman of the Sheperd of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Ridgeway, Pa. She was a past mother Advisor of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Mrs. Davidson was also a former member of the Everson Senior Citizens and former member of the Albright United Methodist Church in South Connellsville. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ralph E. Davidson; two brothers , Harry Sproat and J.D. Sproat of Dawson; and six sisters , Ferol Budd, Mary Finley and Helen Black of Dawson, Annabelle Ellenberger of Elizabeth, Pa., Rosella Kimmell of South Connellsville and Gertrude Bischoff of Ridgeway, Pa. She is survived by a daughter, Norma Jean Ferrell of Mt. Pleasant; a sister, Lucy K. Posner of Monongahela, Pa.; a brother, Thomas Sproat of Dawson; three grandchildren, Patricia J. Buffers of Mt. Pleasant, Ralph R. Ferrell Jr. of Greensburg and Michael L. Ferrell of Mt. Pleasant; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. There will be no public viewing or visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside committal service Friday, June 2, at 2 p.m. in the Scottdale Cemetery with Dr. Marvin Watson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville.
GWEN M. (MEGLEN) DELANO
Gwen M. (Meglen) Delano, 33, of West Mifflin, on Tuesday, May 30, 2000. She was a graduate of the Median School, veterinary assistant program, and was employed at the Munhall Veterinary Hospital. Beloved wife of Scott W. Delano; loving daughter of Thomas L. Sr. and Gwen (Forsyth) Meglen; and sister of Donna M. (Ernest) Picklesimer, Beverly D. (Ty) Clark, Thomas L. Jr. (Suzanne), Mark P. (Barbara), J. David (Celine), and Steven D. (Donna) Meglen. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 12 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME INC., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday. Interment Jefferson Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the World Wildlife Fund.
ANNA M. GAREIS
Anna M. Gareis, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, after a brief illness. She was born May 17, 1916, in Youngstown, Pa., and was raised in Latrobe. She was a popular salesperson in the sportswear department at Royer's Department Store in downtown Greensburg for many years. She was a member of the Church of St. Paul and the McKenna Senior Citizens Center, both of Greensburg. She is survived by her son, Ronald E. Gareis of Charlottesville, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Andora; and two sisters , Agnes Martin and Betty Byerly. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at noon in the Church of St. Paul, Greensburg. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
