Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
EMILY A. NORGREN THOMAS
Emily A. Norgren Thomas, 61, of Mt. Pleasant RD7, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born March 5, 1939, in McKeesport, a daughter of the late Edwin Lloyd and Ruth Irene Cowan Norgren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers , Edwin and Charles Norgren; and a sister, La Rux Konar. Surviving is her husband of 42 years, Raymond Charles Thomas; four children, Daniel James Thomas and David Lloyd Thomas and his wife, Beth, all of Irwin, Diana Lee Thomas Painter and her husband, Tracy, of North Huntingdon, and Dean Charles Thomas and his wife, Lori, of South Park; nine grandchildren, Daniel Jr., Jennifer, Sean, Rachel, Amanda, Chad and Rebecca Mae Thomas, Jacquelynn and Richard; a brother, James Norgren; six sisters , Dorothy Lebbano, Naomi Gates, Betty Fern, Christina Hensler, Donna Yakovich and Carol Istvanik; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., 504 Oak St., Irwin, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. John C. Pressler, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, officiating. Interment will follow in the Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.
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.
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 received 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.
SARA E. LOWEECEY
Sara E. Loweecey, 69, of Jeannette, died Thursday, June 15, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born June 16, 1930, in Jeannette, the daughter of the late Habeb Phillip and Ethel E. Swank Loweecey. She worked for many years as office manager for Dr. Roy Monsour. She was a graduate of the Jeannette High School Class of 1948, and the University of Pittsburgh. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Jeannette, the Friendship Card Club and the Monsour Ladies Auxiliary, and was a former member of the Jeannette Business and Professional Women's Club. She was instrumental in the fund-raising and development of the Monsour Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers , Charles and Edward Loweecey. She is survived by a brother, Paul D. Loweecey of Syracuse, N.Y.; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Friday, June 23, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Daniel R. Defassio officiating. Interment will follow in Jeannette Memorial Park, Penn Township. Memorial donations may be made to Monsour Medical Center Auxiliary, 70 Lincoln Way East, Jeannette, PA 15644, or the Jeannette Public Library, Magee Avenue and South Sixth Street, Jeannette, PA 15644.
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.
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.
DAVID E. SNYDER
David E. Snyder, 47, of Pleasant Hills, on Wednesday, June 21, 2000. Husband of Heidi K. Snyder. Father of Jeff, Charlie, and Greg. Son of Eldon and Jean Snyder of Pleasant Hills. Son-in-law of Joann and Steele Klingensmith of Birmingham, Ala., formerly of Pleasant Hills. Brother of Martha Ahrens of Spokane, Wash., George S. Snyder of East Grand Rapids, Mich., and Patrick Sego of Cocoa, Fla. Dave passed away due to complications from prostate cancer. Interment will be held privately. A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of Pleasant Hills United Presbyterian Church Sunday, June 25, at 3 p.m. A reception for friends and relatives will follow at the church. Arrangements by JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME INC., Brentwood. Dave belonged to Pleasant Hills-Guthrie Lodge #759, F&AM. If desired, family suggests contributions to American Cancer Society/Prostate Cancer Research, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or Pleasant Hills Community United Presbyterian Church, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236.
GLENN T. THOMPSON
Glenn T. Thompson, 78, of Penn Hills, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000. He was a member of Lathers Union Local 33 and Carpenters Union Local 165. Beloved husband of Jenny Buckley Thompson; and Father of Kenneth G. Thompson, Nancy Kickler, Diane Thompson, and the late Janet Thompson. Brother of Arlene Steigerwald, Alma Aupperle, and the late Dale Thompson. Also survived by four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Friends received at the TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, 11110 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Services will be held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Interment will follow in Church Hill Cemetery.
RUTH E. TIERNEY
Ruth E. Tierney, 96, of Penn Township, formerly of Providence R.I., and Fairfield, Calif., died Saturday, April 29, 2000, in her home. She was born May 20, 1903, in Providence, R.I., a daughter of the late James S. and Elizabeth Jacobs Murray. She was a retired registered nurse at Lying Inn Hospital, Providence. She was a member of the Community United Methodist Church, Harrison City, and the Fairfield United Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, Calif. She was a foster mother for 21 teen-age boys in Providence, where she lived for 64 years. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, the Business and Professional Women, the Oddfellows I.O.O.F., Foster Parent Program, and worked in Miriam McAlphine and Lying Inn Hospital (now Women's and Infants Hospital). In Fairfield, Calif., where she lived for 24 years. She was a deaconess and shepherdess, as well as Ruth Circle at Fairfield United Presbyterian Church. She helped support Allen and Rene' Lindvall and family in Mission Aviation Fellowship in Honduras. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women and the Suicide Prevention Hotline and the National Republican Committee. She established the Extended Family Holiday Outreach of F.P.C., including Bluebirds (Scouts), to minister at Sunny Acres and other nursing homes. She taught crafts as volunteer outreach to teens from troubled homes in Pride House Facility from 1973 to 1983. She worked as a registered nurse volunteer at David Grant Air Force Base Hospital, the Fairfield Community Hospital and Sunny Acres Convalescent Home until 1975, and was a resident nurse at Senior Manor Village from 1970 to 1991. In Penn Township, where she lived the last nine years, she was a volunteer grandma for the ARC Play Group for the Community United Methodist Church, a member of the Super Senior Citizens, the Young at Heart and the Homemakers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Patrick Tierney Sr.; two sons , Joseph Patrick Tierney Jr. and James Ronald Tierney; a brother, James Fred Murray; four sisters , Edith Murray, Mary Sutcliffe, Bertha Murray and Doris Murray; and beloved in-laws, Anna Burke, May Barrett and Pete Tierney. She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Laura Faith Ramage Tierney Bock and husband, James, of Penn Township; a brother, Ronald E. Murray and wife, Evelyn, of Coventry, R.I.; sister-in-law, Rose Arnold of Providence, R.I.; five grandchildren, James Michael Tierney, Rene' Michelle Tierney, Steven Christopher Bock, Shawn Patrick Tierney and Brenda Suzanne Bock; three great-grandchildren, Ellen Baylies Tierney, William Brewster Tierney and Katherine Elizabeth Bock; two foster children still in contact, Paul Robillard and Carl Cromwell; extended family, Bill and Shari Witt, Judy Baker, Smilie and Betty Ferrari, Lorraine Nelson, Don and Evon Acker and families; and beloved numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. in the Community United Methodist Church, Harrison City, with the Rev. Dale Smith officiating. An additional memorial service will be held Monday, June 26, at 4 p.m. in the Fairfield United Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, Calif., with the Rev. Bill Witt officiating.
