Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
FORD A. COSTELLO
Ford A. Costello, 73, of Elizabeth, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, in the Baldock Health Care Centre, North Huntingdon, following a lengthy illness. Born Dec. 22, 1926, in Shaw, W.Va., he was a son of the late William and Beulah Rhodes Costello. Ford worked in the coal mines and steel mills of West Virginia and Pennsylvania most of his life. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army's military police in the South Pacific. He was a member and past governor of the L.O.O.M. 1358, Sutersville, and a member of VFW 7812, West Newton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Hazel (Zirk) Costello, in 1999; and three brothers , Fred, Floyd and Lloyd Costello. He is survived by a daughter, Vicki Costello Brown of West Newton; a son, Ken Costello of Morgantown, W.Va.; three sisters , Frances Bray and Kathleen Finch, both of Maryland, and Coleen Mayfield of West Virginia; and a brother, Russell Costello of Maryland. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the J. WILLIAM McCAULEY JR. FUNERAL HOME INC., West Newton, where services will be held Saturday at noon with the Rev. Darrel Evans officiating. Interment in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
EDITH A. FARROW
Edith A. Farrow, 87, of Madison, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. Born May 7, 1913, in Madison, a daughter of the late James and Elizabeth A. Twigger Farrow. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the former Prinsi Store in Darragh, Pa. She was a member of the Madison Downtown United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers , Arthur, Earl, Edward, John, and Charles Farrow; and two sisters , Mary Smith and Louise Simon. Surviving are a sister-in-law, Verla Farrow of Ruffsdale RD1; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and -nephews. Friends will be received at the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 136, Madison, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 10 a.m. with her pastor, the Rev. Robert K. Moffat, officiating. Interment will follow in the Madison Union Cemetery.
JOHN E. HOUSEMAN
John E. Houseman, 78, of Sutersville, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Sept. 1, 1921, in Belle Vernon, a son of the late Oral and Pearl Comer Houseman. He was a retired crane operator from Fort Pitt Steel Casting. He served in the Army during World War II, having been awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jane Houseman; and his brothers , Jim, Ray, Mel, Paul, and infant brother, Ivan. Survived by a son, Daniel Houseman and wife, Mary, of Sutersville; three daughters , Diane of Sutersville, Debbie Klingensmith of Herminie, and Dana of Yukon; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Perrone and husband, Chad, Rachel Houseman, Billy and Tom Klingensmith; a sister, Eileen Rubino; two brothers , Ralph and Jerry; and a sister-in-law, Alice Bain. Friends will be received at the J. WILLIAM McCAULEY JR. FUNERAL HOME INC., West Newton, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Karl Petterson officiating. Interment West Newton Cemetery.
MARY EDNA HIGNET KRATOCHVIL
Mary Edna Hignet Kratochvil, 75, of Trafford (Penn Township), died Thursday, June 29, 2000, in her home. She was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Larimer, a daughter of the late Harry Monroe Hignet and Mary "Sue" Lavinia Hignet. She was a member of St. Barbara Church in Harrison City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers , James, Stanley, and Faye Hignet; and two sisters , Jessie Williams and Elmira "Midge' Dattola. Survived by her husband of 57 years, William J. Kratochvil Sr.; two sons , William Kratochvil Jr. and Stanley Kratochvil, both of Level Green; three daughters , Vicky Crisman of Oakdale, Sue Teems of Harrison City, and Alice VanDyke of Monroeville; a brother, Robert Hignet of Arizona; a sister, Iva Droske of North Braddock; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the JAMES E. LINDSAY FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Harrison City, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Barbara Church with the Rev. Robert Lubic as celebrant. Interment will follow in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon. A vigil service will be held Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
MARGARET JOAN LUCOVITZ
Margaret Joan Lucovitz, 65, of West Newton, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, at Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. She was born Oct. 22, 1934, in West Newton, a daughter of the late John and Mary Shychuk Lucovitz. She was formerly employed by Kmart and Hills department stores. She was a member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, West Newton, and also a member of the AARP. She is survived by the following aunts and uncles: Julia Lucas, Dorothy Kopko, Irene Lucovitz, Charles Shychuk and wife, Virginia, Andy Shychuk and wife, Helen, and Paul Shychuk; and a number of cousins. Friends will be received at the J. WILLIAM McCAULEY JR. FUNERAL HOME INC., West Newton, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. John A. Regoli as celebrant. Interment West Newton Cemetery.
JEAN (VERNA) MOSCHILLO
Jean (Verna) Moschillo, 84, of East McKeesport, on Wednesday, June 28, 2000. A daughter of the late Charles Sr. and Mary (Tucci) Verna. Beloved wife of William M. "Bill" Moschillo; sister of Ella Mae Masia, Andrew and the late James and Charles Verna Jr.; also numerous nieces and nephews. Friends received at the ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services in the funeral home Saturday at 8:45 a.m., followed by Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 9:30 a.m.
AMELIA HUDOCK OBLEY
Amelia Hudock Obley, 80, formerly of West Newton, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at the Greensburg Nursing and Convalescent Center, Hempfield Township. She was born June 8, 1920, in West Newton, a daughter of the late Henry and Mary Ellen Knopp Hudock. She was a member of the First Church of God in West Newton and a longtime employee of Fries Hardware in West Newton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul M. Obley, in 1983; and two sisters , Mary Elizabeth Hudock and Bertie Dibble. She is survived by two daughters , Janice Andriechack and her husband, Michael, of West Newton and Susan McMichael and her husband, Donald, of South Huntingdon Township; a brother, Joseph Hudock and his wife, Lois, of West Newton; a sister, LaVonne Harvey and her husband, George, of West Newton; and four grandchildren, Denise McMichael and her husband, Lonnie Friedman, of Greensburg, Pamela Andriechack Hansen and her husband, Bob, of Manchester, Conn., Jennifer McMichael of Scottdale, and Eric Andriechack of Wilkes Barre. Friends will be received at the RICHARD F. DODSON FUNERAL HOME, 213 Main St., West Newton, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, July 1, at the First Church of God, Second Street, West Newton, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Frederick L. Bauer officiating. Interment will follow in the West Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to the First Church of God, 157 N. Second St., West Newton, or Westmoreland Hospice, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg.
DOLORES G. PANZANELLA
Dolores G. Panzanella, 64, of Conway, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, in her home. She was born Sept. 24, 1935, in Ambridge, a daughter of the late John G. and Mary S. Taraszawski Seman. She is survived by her husband, Frank Panzanella; a son and his wife, Frank A. and Betty Jo Panzanella of Charlotte, N.C.; three daughters , Denise and her husband, Robert Parish, of Hopewell Township, Renee Kirk of Kansas City, Mo., and Francine Panzanella of Youngwood; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a brother, John Seman of Tampa, Fla. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the PAUL E. BOHN FUNERAL HOME, 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge. Service Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Good Samaritan Parish, St. Veronica Church.
HARRY E. SILLAMAN JR.
Harry E. "Tub" Sillaman Jr., 82, of Forward Township, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at home, surrounded by loved ones, after an extended illness. Son of the late Harry E. Sr. and Bessie E. Ghrist Sillaman. He was a retired millwright at U.S. Steel, Irvin Works, with 40 years of service, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth and a member of the Clairton Anglers Club. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy D. Noble Sillaman; and a brother, Gale E. Sillaman. Survivors include two daughters , Sharon Fedorka and her husband, William, of Rostraver Township and Brenda L. Fasekas and her husband, Glen, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two sons , Larry N. Sillaman and his wife, Jain, of Greenock and Randy E. Sillaman and his wife, Carolina, of Prosperity, Pa.; also a sister, Dorothy "Dolly" Gumbert of White Oak; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends received in the PAUL E. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME, 221 Second St., Elizabeth, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services Saturday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Lori Turner officiating. Interment to follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth.
ARTHUR W. TOSH
Arthur W. Tosh, 83, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., formerly of Ligonier Township, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at his home. He was born May 19, 1917, in Ligonier Township, a son of the late Edward and Nellie Carns Tosh. Prior to his retirement, he had been self-employed as a farmer in the Ligonier Valley and also worked for Kennametal in Latrobe. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Post 267, both of Ligonier. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Alma Jane Hamill Tosh; and a brother, Dwayne (and his wife, Betty) Tosh of Latrobe. Graveside services will be conducted Monday, July 3, at 11 a.m. in Ligonier Valley Cemetery, Ligonier, with the Rev. John J. McClure officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to Latrobe Area Hospice Care. Arrangements by J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL CHAPEL INC., Ligonier.
CORA JANE SULLENBERGER UPTON
Cora Jane Sullenberger Upton, 75, of Dunbar, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, at her home. She was born in Connellsville, Aug. 27, 1924, a daughter of the late William and Ruth Barnes Tishue, and her adoptive parents, the Rev. and Mrs. Charles E. Long. She was a member of Spring Grove Union Sunday school. She was a graduate of the Derry Township High School and attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. Surviving are a son, Charles R. Sullenberger and his wife, Nettie P., of Latrobe; a brother, Dwaine Tisshue of Port Huron, Mich.; and four grandsons, Matthew Sullenberger of Pittsburgh, Kevin Sullenberger of the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Va., Tyler Sullenberger of Latrobe, and Ted Sullenberger of Latrobe. Preceded in death by her first husband, George R. Sullenberger; her second husband, Walter Upton; an infant son, Richard Brent Sullenberger; a sister, Laura Weaver; brothers , Adelbert Tissue, Charles Tishue, and Robert Tishue; and an adoptive brother, William Long. Friends will be received at the RALPH E. GALLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dawson, Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., the hour of services. Officiating will be the Rev. Richard Patton. Interment in Cochran Cemetery.
MARTHA J. WACHTER
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning, July 1, 2000, in the First United Methodist Church in Sharpsville for Mrs. Martha J. Wachter of 836 Donna Drive in Hermitage, Pa., who died at 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2000, in the Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, following an extended illness. She was 74. Mrs. Wachter was born July 24, 1925, in Sharpsville, a daughter of Frank S. and Bertha Bell Boyd. She graduated from Sharpsville High School in 1943. A homemaker, she was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Sharpsville, where she sang in the choir. She was a member and past president of the United Methodist Women and belonged to its executive board at one time. Mrs. Wachter belonged to the former Penn State Homemakers Club in Hermitage. Her husband of 50 years, Richard F. Wachter, whom she married on June 16, 1950, survives at home. Also surviving are three sons , Richard B. Wachter of Farrell, David J. Wachter of North Huntingdon, and Jeffrey F. Wachter of Hermitage. Two sisters survive, they are Mrs. Robert (Eleanor) Staup of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. Helen Halpin of York, Pa. Also surviving are two stepbrothers, Mr. Harold McCracken of Mercer and Mr. Donald McCracken of Sharpsville; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Robert Boyd; and stepmother, Mrs. Elizabeth McCracken Boyd. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 148 Shenango St., Sharpsville, PA 16150, or the American Cancer Society, 19 Jefferson Ave., Sharon, PA 16146. Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME, 1090 E. State St. in Sharon. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, in the First United Methodist Church in Sharpsville with the Rev. Lawrence A. Lyman, pastor, officiating. Burial Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage, Pa.
WILLIAM WETTACH
William Wettach, 90, a Sewickley resident since 1945, died Wednesday, June 28, 2000, in Ohio Valley Hospital. He was born in Pittsburgh, March 13, 1910, to the late Charles Daniel and Louise (Mueller) Wettach. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Sauers Wettach, on Aug. 9, 1998; and his son, Donald Wettach, on Oct. 17, 1999. Mr. Wettach's education included: B.S. in chemical engineering from Princeton University (1931), M.S. in chemical engineering from Princeton University (1933), and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (1941). He was a retired chemical engineer, but more importantly the vice president for Reichhold Chemical Inc. (Sterling Varnish) located in Hayesville. He was a member of Montour Heights Country Club and the American Chemical Society. He is survived by his two sons , Thomas C. Wettach of Thornburg and William James Wettach of Livonia, Mich.; three granddaughters, Christine, Heidi, and Tracy; and a stepgranddaughter, Barbara Bennitt Meyer. Visitation Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. at COPELAND'S SEWICKLEY-IRVINE CHAPEL, 702 Beaver St., with Dr. Jeffrey Sterling officiating. Entombment will follow in Mt. Royal Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to Sewickley United Methodist Church.
