Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
ELLA MAE MAFFESSANTI
Ella Mae "Ellie" Maffessanti, 80, of Greensburg, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Feb. 12, 1920, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Calvin F. and Malinda Long Reese. For many years Ellie was employed by the Hempfield Area School District, and was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Greensburg, the church Sunday school class, and, with her husband, was a church custodian. She was a graduate of Hurst High School Class of 1939, and an avid bowler with the Friday Seniors League and the AARP Senior League. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, in 1997; a sister, Ann Ryan; and brothers , Calvin F., William H. and Robert C. Reese. She is survived by her loving family: a son, James E. Maffessanti Sr. and his wife, Sheila, of Arizona; a sister, Judy Krizan of Norvelt; a brother, James R. Reese and his wife, Joann, of Southwest; grandchildren, James E. Jr., Vincent R. and Nicholas A. Maffessanti; a great-granddaughter, Kacie Michelle; and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Edwin J. Fromm officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park. The family wishes donations to the First United Church of Christ, South Maple Avenue, Greensburg. Terence L. Graft, funeral director in charge of arrangements.
RICHARD L. MOONEY
Richard L. Mooney, 78, of Trafford, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in the Forbes Regional Health Center, Monroeville. He was born July 13, 1921, in Turtle Creek, a son of the late Richard S. and Mary Newton Mooney. He was a member of St. Regis Church, Trafford, and was a Democratic committee person. Retired from Westinghouse Electric, East Pittsburgh, and the Retirees W-5 A&I Association. He was U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and a member of the Trafford American Legion Post #331 and Turtle Creek VFW Post #207. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Mooney; and a sister, Marjorie Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Margaret DiRinaldo Mooney; two daughters , Rosemary Frollini and husband, Dominick, of Trafford and Rita Krugh and husband, Robert, of Mt. Lebanon; a sister, Mildred Mason of Turtle Creek; and four grandchildren. Friends will be received at the JOHN M. DOBRINICK FUNERAL HOME, 429 Duquesne Ave., Trafford, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Regis Church with the Rev. James D. Tringhese as celebrant. Interment will follow in the New St. Joseph Cemetery, North Versailles.
HELEN P. MOORE
Helen P. Moore, 78, of Kingston, died Sunday, July 9, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Lockport, a daughter of the late Joseph and Pearl Magalish Datsko. She was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Bradenville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence T. "Windy" Moore; and four brothers , Michael, Joseph, Paul and John Datsko. She is survived by three sons , Robert J. Moore and his wife, Connie, of Latrobe, James R. Moore and his wife, Eva, of Latrobe and Michael J. Moore and his wife, Bonnie, of Derry; a brother, George Datsko of Derry; two sisters , Pauline Micklow of Latrobe and Kathryn Fersak of Reynoldsville; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Friends received at the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Parastas service will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Panachida service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Bradenville. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Byzantine Church cemetery.
EDITH V. FIRESTONE PRITTS
Edith V. Firestone Pritts, 92, of Normalville, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2000, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elsie B. Firestone, in Connellsville. Friends received at the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft, Tuesday from noon until 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., when services will be held with the Rev. John Davis officiating. Committal and interment will follow in Mt. Nebo Cemetery near Champion.
ALLEN E. SCHWAB
Allen E. Schwab, 76, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of West Newton, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, in Greensburg. He was born Jan. 2, 1924, in Sabraton, W.Va., a son of the late Edward Amos and Emma Elizabeth Piper Schwab. He was a retired employee of 3O years for U.S. Steel Corp., Irvin Works, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He is survived by a son, John Schwab and wife, Marlene; a daughter, Diane Keffel; three grandchildren; four sisters , Esther Dainty, Emogene Klich, Edith Zyla and Gail Simon; two brothers , Dean and Calvin Schwab; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters , Ellen Norah Klingensmith and Luchia Keefer; and two brothers , George and Jess W. Schwab. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by the J. WILLIAM McCAULEY JR. FUNERAL HOME INC., West Newton.
EMERSON LLOYD SWINK
Emerson Lloyd Swink, of Bullskin Township, passed away early Sunday, July 9, 2000, in the Uniontown Hospital. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Terry Murray and Pastor Robert Bixel co-officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. The Marion Lodge #562 F&AM will conduct a service Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
DONALD BROOKS TENNANT
Donald Brooks Tennant, 77, of Greensburg, died Thursday, July 6, 2000, in a Stockton, Calif., hospital following complications after surgery. Mr. Tennant was born in Rivesville, W.Va., Sept. 6, 1922, to Charles and Ida Tennant. He graduated from Fairview High School in 1940. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Flying training program and became a B-24 pilot in World War II, assigned to the 98th Bomb Group in Lecce, Italy. On his sixth mission, he was forced to abandon the airplane, and became a German prisoner of war. After the war, he enrolled in the School of Engineering at West Virginia University, and graduated as a mechanical engineer in 1950. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He married Betty Jean Bartlett of Fairmont, W.Va., in 1950. They had two daughters , Donna Jean and Lisa Ann Tennant. His professional career was with the Monongahela Power Company in Kingwood, W.Va., and as head of the Environment Department with the Allegheny Power System in Greensburg. He was a Fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), past chairman of the ASME National Environmental Committee, and served on the Governmental Relations Committee. He was appointed by the EPA administrator to serve one term on the National Air Pollution Technique Advisory Board. He was past chairman of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee and an active member of the Pennsylvania Electric Association Environmental Committee. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Greensburg, where he was a lay speaker. He was also a former Sunday school teacher, chairman of the program council and member of the finance committee. He is survived by his wife, Betty Tennant of Greensburg; daughter, Donna Shelton, son-in-law, Tommy Shelton, and three granddaughters, Lindsay, Lori Beth and Caitlin Shelton, of Vicksburg, Miss.; and a sister, Patty Nanni of Arlington, Texas . Preceding him in death are his daughter, Lisa Ann Tennant; and brother, L. Dean Tennant of Morgantown, W.Va. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Greensburg Friday, July 14, at 11 a.m. and the graveside service will be held Saturday, July 15, at the St. Luke's Cemetery in Mooresville, W.Va. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, Second and Maple, Greensburg, PA 15601, or the ALS Society, 1230 W. Monterey, Stockton, CA 95204. Arrangements by KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., Greensburg.
BARBARA ANN WHITEHEAD
Barbara Ann White head, 58, of Anaheim, Calif., formerly of Greensburg, died Friday, July 7, 2000, at her home. She was born Sept. 1, 1941, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late James M. and Catherine M. Furin Murtland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Murtland. Survivors include her husband, William White head, of Anaheim, Calif.; a daughter, Jessica White head of Lansdale; a brother, James Murtland of Greensburg; two sisters , Kitty Panichella and husband, Jim, of Greensburg and Jane Murtland of Anaheim, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends will be received at the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME, 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, (724) 837-0020, www.pantalone.com, Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Edwin J. Fromm of the First Reformed United Church of Christ officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township. Natale N. Pantalone, funeral director.
LORRAINE BARTUS
Lorraine Bartus, 68, of Penn Township, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born April 2, 1932, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Joseph and Rose Sausto Fabio. She was a member of St. Barbara Church, Harrison City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael A. Bartus, in 1996; a brother, Peter Fabio; and a sister, Carmella Fabio. She is survived by a son, Joseph M. and wife, Kristin Bartus, of Greensburg; a daughter, Lisa A. and husband, Guy Bloom, of Cordova, Tenn.; a brother, Anthony Fabio of Pittsburgh; two sisters , Mary Ann Dadey and Rose Marie Slope, both of Pittsburgh; and four grandchildren, Justin and Jacob Bartus, and Ethan and Hannah Bloom. Friends will be received at the JAMES E. LINDSAY FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Harrison City, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday (time later) in St. Barbara Church with the Rev. V. Paul Fitzmaurice as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Barbara Cemetery, Penn Township. A vigil service will be held Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
JOSEPH T. BELLERBY
Joseph T. Bellerby, 75, of Leeper, formerly of Larimer, died Thursday, July 6, 2000, in West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Bellerby of Leeper; two sons , Joseph M. Bellerby of Croydon and David W. Oskin of North Versailles; a daughter, Terri Hawk of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Bill Fix of Irwin. Services were private.
BETTY L. (QUERY) BYRD
Betty L. (Query) Byrd, 68, of Hempfield Township, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in Greensburg. Born Jan. 21, 1932, in Greensburg, she was a daughter of the late Howard A. and Mabel (Wakefield) Query. She had been employed as a hostess by the Eat'n Park restaurant in Jeannette. She was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert William Byrd, in 1983; and three sisters , Pearl Ramsey, Nellie Hendrick and Patty Query. She is survived by a daughter, Diane (husband, Barry) Borza of Hempfield Township; a brother, Howard T. Query of Greensburg; four grandchildren, Elaine Altman and Nicole Hilty, both of Cleveland, Ohio, Stephanie Borza and Jennifer Borza, both of Hempfield Township; and a great-grandson, Jarod Hilty. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the E.J. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 140 Race St., Manor, where services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Ralph Solida officiating. Interment in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
JANE H. (HEISTER) CHALLINOR
Jane H. (Heister) Challinor, of Scott Township, formerly of Aspinwall, on Tuesday, July 11, 2000. Wife of the late George O. Challinor Jr. Sister of the late John and Robert Heister. Also survived by six nieces and nephews. No visitation. Services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME INC., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills. Interment Jefferson Memorial Park.
KATHERINE A. DIAMON
Katherine A. "Katie" Diamon, 103, of Herminie, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at the Hempfield Manor, Hempfield Township. She was born Feb. 25, 1897, in New Kensington, a daughter of the late Jules and Harriet (Bahley) Theibert. Prior to her retirement in 1962, Mrs. Diamon, "Katie," was employed as postmistress of the Herminie post office. Her memberships included St. Edward Roman Catholic Church and the St. Edward Sunshine Club and Altar Rosary Society, also the Herminie VFW Post 8427 Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Diamon, "Katie," is survived by her son, Phillip P. Shearer of Mt. Pleasant; a sister, Irene Wilps of Herminie; a grandson, Phillip F. of Columbus, Ohio; two great-grandsons, Peter and James; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Diamon, "Katie," was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Shearer, in 1932; her second husband, Joseph Diamon, in 1986; six brothers , Phillip, Jules, Anthony, Bernard, Joseph and John Theibert; and five sisters , Margaret Vassia, Harriet George, Mary Herbert and Maryann and Gertrude Theibert. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Herminie, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Edward Roman Catholic Church, Herminie, with Father Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township. A St. Edward parish rosary will be recited Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and a parish wake service will be held Thursday at 8 p.m., both in the funeral home.
