Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
JOHN CHERNEGA
John Chernega, 81, of Murrysville, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in Forbes Regional Health Center, Monroeville. He was born Oct. 7, 1918, in Turtle Creek, a son of the late William and Julia Cuper Chernega. He was a retired chemist for U.S. Steel; a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army Air Corps; and a member of the mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Veronica Chernega, in 1968; and four brothers , Michael, Benny, Nick and Albert Chernega. He is survived by his second wife, Mary Tkack Chernega; a daughter, Julie Caulfield of Oakmont; two sons , John S. of Apollo and James in Virginia; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Campanella, Susan Caulfield, James, Jonathan and Jessica Chernega; two brothers , William of Monroeville and George of Turtle Creek; and two sisters , Mary Erdeljac of Turtle Creek and Julie Bowers of Johnstown. Visitation Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Murrysville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a m. in the mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville, with Father Daniel Mahoney as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Monroeville. If desired, memorials may be made to one's favorite charity.
MURIEL R. DERRICKSON
Muriel R. Derrickson, 77, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born March 23, 1923, in Kennett Square, Pa., a daughter of the late Dr. D. Duer and Celina Fogg Reynolds. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Greensburg and active in the Vanguard Class. Over the past 30 years, she had been a dedicated volunteer at the Westmoreland Regional Hospital with more than 18,000 hours of service. She is survived by her husband, George W. Derrickson; two daughters , Patricia Lynn Hertzog and her husband, Ernest, and Sandra Kay Owney and her husband, Michael, all of Grundy, Va.; four grandsons, Jeffrey and Russell Hertzog, and Aaron and Jason Owney; a great-grandson, Dylan Hertzog; and a brother, Dr. J. Conrad Reynolds and his wife, Marjorie, of Palm Coast, Fla. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert C. Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorials may be placed with the First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second Street, Greensburg.
HELEN L. JONES
Helen L. Jones, 83, of Claridge, died Thursday, June 15, 2000. She was born June 23, 1916, in Irwin, a daughter of the late Charles O. and Mary Hill Miller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar L. Jones, in 1992; an infant son, Melvin Jones; and a sister, Margaret Taylor. She is survived by two sons , Larry L. and wife, Sandra Jones, of Harrison City and Kenneth M. and wife, Mary Beth Jones, of Irwin; a daughter, Margaret "Peg" Valesky of Jeannette; a sister-in-law, Nellie Hoffman; four grandchildren, Rebecca Jones, Vickie McKlveen, Jennifer More and Kimberly Johnson; and five great-grandchildren, D. Bradley Johnson, Alex J. Johnson, Amanda McKlveen, Stephen McKlveen and Reanna More. Friends will be received at the JAMES E. LINDSAY FUNERAL HOME INC., Harrison City, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Penn Township.
VINCENT A. LAPORTE
Vincent A. "Skip" LaPorte, 78, of Adelaide, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2000, in UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland. He was born Jan. 17, 1922, in Adelaide, a son of the late Joseph and Carmela DiLella LaPorte. He was a member of St. Rita Roman Catholic Church. He retired after having worked several years for Seagrams Distillery and Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. He was an excellent mechanic. He was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran. He was a member of the F.O.E. 493 and VFW Post 21, both of Connellsville. He is survived by two daughters , Maria Angela LaPorte of Tempe, Ariz., and Dr. Angela Maria LaPorte and husband, Clifford P. Hughes, of Prairie Grove, Ark.; a son, David V. LaPorte of Connellsville; a granddaughter, Santa LaPorte of Tempe, Ariz.; a brother, Joseph LaPorte and his wife, Sonny, of Pittsburgh; and a sister, Annamarie Barbarito of Brooklyn, N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann LaPorte, on April 17 of this year; and a brother, Michael LaPorte. Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Rita Roman Catholic Church with Father Francis Lesniowski as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held Friday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. military services will be conducted at graveside by members of the American Legion Post 301, VFW Post 21 and Trotter Legion Post 762.
DOROTHY M. (ALKIRE) McCUNE
Dorothy M. (Alkire) McCune, 61, of Blairsville, died Thursday, June 15, 2000, at Indiana Hospital, Indiana, Pa. She was born Dec. 18, 1938, in Monongah, W.Va., a daughter of Peg (Kubinec) Alkire of Indiana, Pa., and the late Maurice Junior Alkire. She was a very good cook, having worked at Ninth Street Deli, Timmy's Restaurant and the former Cameron Manor. She was a loving mother and devoted grandmother. In addition to her mother , she is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dale D. McCune; two sons , Shawn T. McCune and wife, Lorraine, and Shayne P. McCune and wife, Rebecca, both of Greensburg; a daughter, Stacy Lee Simmons and husband, David, of Shelocta; grandchildren, Amy, Sarah, and Matthew McCune, Zack, Casey, and Jamie Simmons, and Meghan and Cassie Steele; a sister, Donna Lee Alkire of Blairsville; a brother, Timothy Alkire of Blairsville; and a niece, Peggy Sue Alkire of Blairsville. In addition to her Father , she was preceded in death by a son, Shevin Michael McCune, in 1992; and an infant son, David Paul McCune, in 1960. Friends will be received at the JAMES F. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, Blairsville, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Service will be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Ronald Wallace officiating. Interment Blairsville Cemetery.
G. KENNETH PAGE
G. Kenneth Page, 83, of Jeannette, died Thursday, June 15, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. He was born Oct. 5, 1916, in Boston, Mass., a son of the late George Clayton and Ida Marie Collard Page. Prior to retirement, he was employed as an iron worker with Local 3 Iron Workers Union and helped to build the tower at Monsour Medical Center. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army, and was a member of the American Legion Post 344 of Jeannette and the Polish Brotherhood of White Eagle. He is survived by his loving and faithful soulmate, Sara Jane; two daughters , Nancy Lynn Cheslak and her husband, John, of Manasquan, N.J., and Dr. Tina Page Beissinger of Pensacola, Fla.; a son, Jerry K. Page of Carteret, N.J.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, William Page of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Jeannette. Interment will be private. The Jeannette Combined Veterans will meet at the funeral home Sunday at 8 p.m. for services.
JAMES PARISE
James Parise, 85, of Orr Avenue, Harmar Township, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in the emergency room of Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison Township. He was born April 3, 1915, in Harmarville, to the late Joseph and Rose Fucci Parise, and had been a lifelong resident. He formerly was employed as a clerk in laboratory services at Gulf Research and Development in Harmar Township for 41 years and was a member of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Harwick. During World War II, Mr. Parise served in the U.S. Army. Among his hobbies were golfing and gardening. Survivors are a daughter, Janelle Parise of Harwick, Springdale Township; a son, Jimmy Parise of Verona; and a brother, Joseph Parise of Harmar Township. Predeceased by parents; wife, Thelma "Tick" Meharey Parise; and two brothers , Vince and Andy Parise. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in Springdale at the CHARLES B. JARVIE FUNERAL HOME INC., 801 Pittsburgh St. Christian Funeral Mass is tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Church with burial to follow in Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township.
WILLIAM S. ROGEL
William S. Rogel, 79, of North Braddock, on Tuesday, June 13, 2000. Retired foreman, Edgar Thomson Works, U.S. Steel; past president of the Slovak American Citizens Club; former North Braddock councilman; inductee in the East Boroughs Hall of Fame; and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Katus Rogel. Special uncle of Paulette Patula and husband, Edward, and Robert Toth and wife, Roberta. Brother of Elmer, Francis and Bernard Rogel, also the late Helen McKolloff. Also six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also nieces and nephews. Friends are being received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RONALD V. LUCAS FUNERAL HOME, corner of Bell and Jones avenues, North Braddock. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Helen's Church, Holy Cross Parish, Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Braddock Catholic Cemetery. The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society.
WILLIAM F. SKURSHA SR.
William F. Skursha Sr., 79, of Avalon, formerly of McKeesport, on Wednesday, June 14, 2000, following a brief illness, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Beloved husband of Olive Tresky Skursha. Father of Kenneth D. Grimm and Thomas M. Grimm, both of McKeesport, Sandra L. Grimm of Gagetown, Mich., William F. Skursha Jr. of Jefferson Hills, Patricia A. Busch of Middletown, Pa., and Linda K. Skursha of DeFord, Mich. Stepfather of Valerie Keeley and Bradley Tresky. Brother of Stella Vodney of Uniontown, Victor L. Skursha of Willoughby, Ohio, and Connie Giachetti of Uniontown. Also seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until services at 10:30 a.m. at the McDONALD-LINN FUNERAL HOME INC., 529 California Ave., Avalon. Interment at Allegheny County Memorial Park, McCandless. Mr. Skursha was a decorated World War II veteran and a retired steelworker.
AGNES E. ULERY
Agnes E. Ulery, 94, of Jeannette, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in Hempfield Manor, Hempfield Township. She was born Aug. 11, 1905, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late John and Joanna Malinoski Berzinski. Prior to retirement, she was a school teacher for the Sacred Heart School, and was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Jeannette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Freeman Ulery; three sisters , Catherine Demar, Helen Cyerski and Genevieve Embs; and four brothers , Edward, Stanley, Morris and Steve Berzinski. She is survived by a sister, Mary Peters of Jeannette; a brother, Charles Berzinski of Jeannette; and numerous nieces and nephews. 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. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, Jeannette. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
THEODORE J. WALKO
Theodore J. "Ted" Walko, 51, of Bethel Park, on Wednesday, June 14, 2000. Beloved husband of Deborah (Pyzdrowski) Walko. Father of Christine and Kevin Walko. Son of Gertrude Walko. Brother of Janice Niemeier, Ron Walko and Joyce Quinn. Friends received Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at PAUL HENNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 5570 Library Road, Bethel Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 9 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church. In lieu of flowers to honor Ted's memory of his love for landscaping and jazz, plant something in your garden for Ted or contributions to WDUQ Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282.
JANET B. (KROLL) WEBER
Janet B. (Kroll) Weber, 59, of Pittsburgh, on Wednesday, June 14, 2000. Beloved wife of Thomas C. Weber. Beloved mother of Ann K. Abbott, Thomas W., Ronald T. and Donald C. Weber. Sister of Lillian Harristy, Cecelia Dehler, Marian Gormley, Dolores Jones and William Kroll. Also survived by nine grandchildren. Friends received Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at STEPHENS MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 600 Cedar Ave., North Side. Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Monday Incarnation Parish/Nativity Church. Donations may be made to Trinity Hospice, 11 Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, or American Red Cross, P.O. Box 1769, Pittsburgh, PA 15230.
PAUL J. BRANDT
Paul J. Brandt, 79, of Youngwood, died suddenly Tuesday, June 13, 2000, in Greater Niagara General Hospital, Niagara Falls, Canada. Mr. Brandt was born April 28, 1921, in Youngwood, a son of Sebastien and Cecelia Brandt. He was a graduate of St. Vincent College, Class of 1949, and was employed as treasurer of the former Leonard Express of Greensburg. He was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church of Youngwood and a former head of the church council. He was a veteran of World War II, having served 30 months in the U.S. Army in Europe. He was a member of the Youngwood Sportsmen's and a life member of the Hecla Sportsmen's Club. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pauline Sivak Brandt; his sons , William and wife, Rita, of Mt. Pleasant, Mark of Youngwood, and Michael and wife, Paula, of Monessen; two grandsons, Sean and Joe; and two granddaughters, Ana and Maxine. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Cohen; a sister, Catherine Gardner; and a brother, James S. Brandt. Friends and family will be received at the C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass in Holy Cross Church with Father John S. Szczesny as celebrant. Interment to follow at St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
JOHN T. COOK
John T. "Red" Cook, 80, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, at home. He was born July 12, 1919, in Fairmont (North Huntingdon), a son of the late Thomas J. and Maude Davis Cook. He was a retired employee of Westinghouse, Trafford. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Irwin where he served as deacon, trustee of the church, and also the dartball team captain. Also from 1935 to 1937, he was an avid participant in Norwin School District sports and church athletics in later years. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by son, Gary A. Cook; and two sisters , Harriet S. Bruno and Lillian Cook. He is survived by his wife, Regina M. Klemstein Cook; a daughter, Kathie J. Watson of Hunker; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; also nieces and nephews. Friends received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with funeral service being held Friday at 1 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Bunnell officiating. Entombment will follow at Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park.
