Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
THOMAS TUSKAN
Thomas Tuskan, 75, of Manor, died, June 18, 2000, in Penn Township. He was born July 20, 1924, in Wall. He was an iron worker for Roche brothers in Braddock, and a World War II Army veteran, serving in the 157th engineering group. He was a member of the VFW Post #781, the American Legion Post #472 in Manor and St. Joseph's Polish Club, Westmoreland City. He also was a member of St. Boniface Church in Penn. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael Tuskan and Catherine Hovatic Tuskan; his wife, Florence E. Voll Tuskan; four brothers , George, Joseph, Michael and Carl Tuskan; two sisters , Ann Hudson and Mary Lavelle. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. James (Pamela) Burke of Cortland, Ill.; a brother, John Tuskan of Manor; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Burke. Friends received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the E.J. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 140 Race St., Manor. Blessing service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.
JOHN H. CROWELL
John H. "Showboat" Crowell, 80, of Jeannette, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at home. He was born Dec. 13, 1919, in Gantt, Ala., a son of the late John Henry and Fannie Lou Ford Crowell. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. Prior to retirement, he was a custodian for the Jeannette School District. He was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church, Jeannette, the NAACP, VFW and Jeannette American Legion Post #344. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers , Martin and Donald Crowell. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Julia McNeal Crowell; a son, Clarence Robinson and his wife, Delores, of Cleveland, Ohio; two daughters , Denise Ruffin and her husband, Harvey Jr., of North Huntingdon, and Karen Crowell and Brian Wilson of Hempfield Township; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers , George Crowell and his wife, Hollen, of Andalusia, Ala., and Benjamin Crowell of Warren, Ohio; two sisters , Lorine Johnson of East Orange, N.J., and Thelma Rowe of Teaneck, N.J.; brother-in-law, Jerry Middleton and his wife, Ruth, of South Carolina; an aunt, Anne "Doll" Crowell of Alabama; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Hopewell Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard L. Freeman Sr. officiating. Interment with military rites will follow in the Jeannette Memorial Park, Penn Township. Jeannette Combined Veterans will hold a service Friday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Kidney Foundation, Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.
CANDACE E. DALEY
Candace E. Daley, 49, of Bristow, Va., died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, in Bethesda, Md. She was born July 24, 1950, in Washington , Pa., a daughter of the late Frank and Anne Lebonick Kertesz. Surviving are her husband, Dennis Daley, former teacher and wrestling coach of Norwin High School; a son, Patrick Hunter Daley of Mt. Lebanon; a daughter, Maigan Daley of Bristow, Va.; two brothers , Jeff Kertesz of Avella and Frank Kertesz of Lisbon, Ohio; a sister, Mary Ann Klaner of Oak Hill, Va.; two nieces; and two nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the HAYDEN-TAUCHER FUNERAL HOME, 23 Erie Mine Road, Burgettstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, Bulger, with the Rev. John Harvey as celebrant. Interment in Robinson Run Cemetery, McDonald.
MARGARET E. (DEMARIA) PUSKAR FINFROCK
Margaret E. (DeMaria) Puskar Finfrock, 81, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at her home. She was born Jan. 29, 1919, in South Greensburg, a daughter of the late Miguel and Mary Daversa DeMaria. Prior to retirement, she had been a home health caregiver. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil D. Finfrock; three brothers , Benny, Dom and Tony DeMaria; and a sister, Irene DiFloria. She is survived by a son, Joseph "Ronnie" and his wife, Barbara Puskar, of Spring, Texas ; a daughter, Rosalie P. West of Greensburg; five grandchildren, Peggy Sue Puskar Weaver and Diana West Turin, both of Greensburg, Joshua, Jessica and Jordan Puskar, all of Spring, Texas ; three great-grandchildren, Carianne, Jacob and Robert Turin; two sisters , Flora Basile of Bridgeport and Kathryn Emerick of Greensburg; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Henry Taliercio officiating. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
CATHERINE R. (SMELTZ) FLEMING
Catherine R. (Smeltz) Fleming, 88, of Forest Hills, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000. Daughter of the late Edward Glenn Smeltz and Catherine McNamara Smeltz. Wife of the late John R. Fleming Sr.; mother of John R. Fleming Jr. of Steubenville, Ohio, Bernard R. Fleming of Wilkinsburg, Glenn Fleming of State College, Carol Ann Yocca of Churchill, and William Fleming of Sacramento, Calif.; also 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Friends may call Friday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel, 1111 Monroeville Ave., Turtle Creek, (412) 823-9350. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Maurice Church Saturday at 10 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Forest Hills Meals-On-Wheels, 444 Avenue D, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.
KENNETH G. HARRIS
Kenneth G. Harris, 55, of Derry RR1, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at home. He was born June 29, 1944, in Derry Township, a son of the late Earl T. and Anna Tierney Harris. He was an employee of Ron Anthony Wood Products of Blairsville and was a member of VFW Post 444 of Derry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers , Ronald, Earl and Richard Harris; two sisters , Laura Datsko and Anna McGurk; and a nephew, Earl Harris Jr. Ken is survived by a son, Kenneth Ronald Harris of Pittsburgh; three daughters , Michelle Snyder, Judy Shepler and her husband, Tony, and Leeann Kowalsky, all of Latrobe; four grandchildren, Nicole, Hunter, Jamie and Chelsea; a brother, John Harris of Latrobe; three sisters , Mrs. Harry (Betty) Rice of Derry, Mrs. Robert (Shirley) Wiley of Greensburg and Mrs. Kenneth (Patricia) Howell of Hillside; also numerous nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the MICHAEL J. QUINLISK FUNERAL HOME INC., 548 N. Chestnut St., Derry. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Aimee W. Twigg officiating. Interment will follow in Coles Cemetery, Derry.
BRIAN D. KIEHL
Brian D. Kiehl, 41, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000, in Greensburg. He was born in Greensburg, Sept. 8, 1958, and was a son of Nancy (Kiehl) Thomas of Greensburg RD5 and the late Jack D. Kiehl. Brian had served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Greensburg. He is survived, besides his mother , by his brothers , Jeffrey H., Gary T. and Robert A. Kiehl; and sisters , Judy Sadler and Laurie Luna. There will be no public viewing. A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of his family. Brian's family wishes memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second St., Greensburg, PA 15601. KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME of Greensburg in charge of arrangements.
ROBERT JAMES LERCH
Robert James Lerch, 81, of Greensburg, formerly of Wilkinsburg, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000, in Oakland Veterans Hospital. He was born March 19, 1919, in Houston, a son of the late Lawrence A. and Alta Vensel Lerch. Mr. Lerch was a graduate of Canonsburg High School and Washington and Jefferson College. Mr. Lerch served overseas with the Army Air Corps during World War II with the Department of Chemical Warfare. He was in charge of processing uranium for the Manhattan Project. He was a pioneer in the development of the Loyalhanna Resorts Inc. (Loyalhanna Woodlands), Saltsburg, Pa. He had been a member of St. James Church in Wilkinsburg, St. Hilary Church in Washington , St. Matthew's Church in Saltsburg and the Cathedral Church of Greensburg. Mr. Lerch was employed as chief chemist and analytical research chemist at Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh; B.F. Drakenfield Chemical Company, Washington ; Spectro Chemical Laboratories, Wilkinsburg; Westinghouse High Temperature Lab, East Pittsburgh; and retired after 24 years with U.S. Steel Research Center, Monroeville. On May 6, 1945, he married Loretta A. Reichert of Washington , Pa., who is deceased. Surviving are two sons , Robert Lerch of Greensburg and James R. Lerch of Cocoa Beach, Fla.: a daughter, Joyce M. Lerch of Palm Coast, Fla.; a sister, Marjorie Hixon of Canonsburg; and three grandchildren, Austin, Justin and Jimmy Lerch. Also deceased is a brother, Walter Lerch of Holbrook. Friends of Robert J. Lerch will be received Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in WILLIAM G. NEAL FUNERAL HOMES LTD., 925 Allison Ave., Washington , Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, in St. Hilary Church with Father Thomas D. O'Neil as celebrant. Interment in Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery. military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Linton, Post 175, American Legion. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association.
CHARLES WESLEY McELWAIN
Charles Wesley McElwain, 90, who resided at home in Penn Township with a nephew, John Beacom Jr. and Barbara, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2000. He was born Nov. 22, 1909, in Versailles Township, Allegheny County, a son of the late John U.S.G. McElwain and Mary Ehrhardt McElwain. He was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Jeannette. Before retirement, he was employed at Altman's Feed Mill and Westmoreland Hatchery. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ethel Marie Beacom McElwain, on Jan. 16, 1994. They were united in marriage on Nov. 2, 1938. He was also preceded in death by the following sisters and brothers : Laura Grace (McElwain) Ferree, William Hazlett McElwain, Mary Amanda (McElwain) McKeever, Emma (McElwain) Huff, Susie Myrtle (McElwain) Wallace, John Walker McElwain, Harry Wallace McElwain, Elizabeth (McElwain) Whigham, and Simpson Grant McElwain. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family will be received at the JAMES E. LINDSAY FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Harrison City, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. A prayer service will be conducted in the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. by the Rev. James Cuffman officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Penn Township.
ROBERT E. MILLER
Robert E. Miller, 72, of Export, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, in his loving home. He was born July 28, 1927, in Warren County, Virginia, a son of the late Sue (Glass) Miller, and was raised by his foster parents, the late Walter E. "Bill" Messick and Jessie M. Stokes. Robert was a retired electrician having done electrical work through the union. He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, having served during World War II, a member of the Delmont Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Blue Lodge Orient #321 of Ohio, 32nd Degree Consistory of Lynchburg, Va., ACCA Shrine Temple of Richmond, and Eastern Star, Forbes Chapter #524, in which he served as Past Patron from 1974-1984. In addition to his mother and foster parents, Bob was preceded in death by a son, Larry G. Miller, in 1998; and a foster sister, Virginia L. Jenkins. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Jane (Roupe) Miller; a son, John R. Miller and wife, Peggy, of Salem, Va.; and a daughter, Debra J. Nyce and husband, Brian, of Spring City, Pa. In addition, he is survived by 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received at the VAIA FUNERAL HOME INC., 463 Athena Drive, Delmont, (724) 468-1177, beginning Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Bob's funeral service will be held in the funeral home Sunday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Glen H. Burrows of the Delmont Presbyterian Church officiating. Private interment in Twin Valley Memorial Park. Forbes Trail Lodge F&AM #783 will hold a memorial service Saturday at 7 p.m., followed with a memorial service by Eastern Star, Forbes Chapter #524. Kevin P. Altman, supervisor, in charge of arrangements.
HELEN G. NICOL
Helen G. Nicol, 77, of Blairsville RD3, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at home. She was born Oct. 26, 1922, in Murrysville, a daughter of the late Arthur F. and Deborah Fern Weister Marts. "Just a mother of a family," prior to her retirement, she was employed by Precision Wire. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Guido "Blackie" Nicol, in 1985; four brothers , Winfield, George, Arthur, and Homer "Red" Marts; a sister, Vivian Kochuga; and a great-granddaughter, Jenna Keller. Helen is survived by a son, Lou and his wife, Rose Nicol, of Michigan; two daughters , Beverly and her husband, Bill Alexander, of Ohio and Kathie and her husband, Kelly Kutzer, at home; seven grandchildren, Chip and Mark Keller, Tony, Mike, and Nick Nicol, and Cody and Caitlin Kutzer; great-grandsons, Patrick, Dominick, Adam, and Matthew Keller; two great-granddaughters, Stephanie and Elizabeth Keller; five sisters , Mrs. Doris Fatora of Derry, Mrs. Louise Forsha of Derry RD, Mrs. Margaret "Betty" Nicol of North Carolina, Mrs. John (Catherine) Kochuga of Pitcairn and LaVerne Martz of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the MICHAEL J. QUINLISK FUNERAL HOME INC., 548 N. Chestnut St., Derry. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in St. Martin Cemetery, New Derry.
ROSEMARIE KENNEL POPP
Rosemarie Kennel Popp, 75, of Finleyville, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, in Jefferson Hospital. She was born Friday, June 19, 1925, a daughter of the late Frank and Rose Duke Kennel. She was a 1943 graduate of Monongahela High School and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Finleyville and its Gleaners Class. She was formerly employed at the First National Bank in Finleyville and was active with the Brownies and Cub Scouts in the Finleyville area. Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Alex Popp; three daughters , Alexis Herron of Finleyville, Patty Jean Leyshock of Greensburg, and Kimberly K. Wick of Karns City, Pa.; a son, Robert K. Popp of Imperial; six grandchildren, Alex Popp, Justin, Adam and Christina Wick, Matthew and Sean Leyshock; three sisters , Margaret McMillen of McMurray, Ida C. Phillips of Monongahela, and Patricia Messner of Finleyville; a brother, Phillip Kennel of Finleyville; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Kennel. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the L.M. FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main St., Monongahela, where funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Leno officiating. Interment will follow in the Finleyville Cemetery.
EDWARD FRANKLIN RUFFNER
Edward Franklin Ruffner, 83, a resident of St. Anne's Home in Greensburg, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000. He was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Altoona, a son of the late Edward and Maude (Jones) Ruffner. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Westinghouse in Pittsburgh. Edward was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Clara (Boehme) Ruffner, in 1966; and his second wife, Ann (Deditch) Ruffner, in 1989. He is survived by his son, William A. Ruffner and his wife, Nancy, of Hickory, N.C.; two grandchildren, Christopher Ruffner and Lynn Frye; and two great-grandchildren, Allison Frye and Mason Ruffner. Friends and family are welcome to attend a graveside service Saturday at 11 a.m. in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township, with the Rev. E. Allen Scanlon officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. The HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, (724) 537-5575, is in charge of arrangements.
