Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
PAUL W. CLAIBORNE
Paul W. Claiborne, 86, of Greensburg, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born March 19, 1914, in Greensburg, a son of the late Berkley and Prilina Winston Claiborne. He was a retired employee of the Elliott Co. of Jeannette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers , William B. Claiborne, John B. Claiborne and Roscoe Claiborne; and two sisters , Mrs. Ruth Williams and Mrs. Stella Ballard. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Mae Goodwin Claiborne. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Friends will be received at the COSHEY-NICHOLSON FUNERAL HOME INC., 319 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. David Williamson officiating. Private interment will be held at the St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township. Cards and letters will be accepted at the Coshey-Nicholson Funeral Home. Alvin P. Oskin Jr., funeral director, in charge of arrangements.
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.
ELSIE L. DISS
Elsie L. Diss, 91, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, in the Edgewood Nursing Center, Youngstown. She was born Nov. 11, 1908, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Richard and Ida Dau Boehme. Elsie was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Latrobe. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Edward J. Diss, in 1977; and a sister, Amelia Gerst. Friends will be received at the HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, beginning Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Schock officiating. Interment will follow in the Unity Cemetery, Unity Township.
DAN H. DIXON
Dan H. Dixon, 47, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at his home. Born Nov. 1, 1952, in Mansfield, Ohio, he was a son of Robert Dixon and the late Sallie Dixon. Dan was a member of the Miller Methodist Church, and was employed by Westinghouse Electric. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Deihl Dixon. In addition to his Father , he is survived by his stepmother, Vera Dixon; two sons , Jody Weimer of North Huntingdon and Dan Dixon Jr. of Harrisburg; two daughters , Kim Diethorn of East McKeesport and Mary Magee of Donegal; two brothers , Robert Dixon of Murrysville and Davis Dixon of Texas ; a sister, Georgeann Dixon of Ohio; and seven grandchildren. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, Circleville, North Huntingdon. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel Friday at a time to be announced. Interment will be in Madley Cemetery Hyndman, Pa.
ROBERT M. DONITZEN
Robert M. "Dode" Donitzen, 51, of Donegal, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born June 26, 1949, in Latrobe, a son of Edna Shawley Donitzen of Mt. Pleasant and the late John R. Donitzen. He was a member of St. Raymond of the Mountains Catholic Church, Donegal, the Indian Creek Valley Sportsmen's and the N.R.A. He was employed by Graham Masonry Inc., Ligonier RD1. Dode was a veteran of the Vietnam era, having served in the U.S. Navy. In addition to his mother , he is survived by his wife, Terry Jo Coffman Donitzen; three children, Mrs. Allen (Dodie) Fencil of Donegal, Andrew and his fiancee, Erika Buskey, of Acme and Mandy Donitzen of Donegal; four grandchildren, Nicholas and Kelsey Rega, Samantha Fencil and Emily Donitzen; three brothers , Ronald of Donegal, Donald of Melcroft and John of Latrobe; and a sister, Mrs. Debora Serbo of Acme. There will be no public visitation. A Memorial Mass for the public will be celebrated at 1O a.m. Friday in St. Raymond's Church, Donegal, with the Rev. Robert Washko as celebrant. Private interment will be in Donegal Cemetery. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 615 Main St., Greensburg 15601-3018. Jamie Snyder Brown, funeral director for the L. BOYD SNYDER FUNERAL HOME INC., Donegal, in charge of arrangements.
SUSAN L. GOSSETT
Susan L. Gossett, 44, of Smithton, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at her residence. She was born Oct. 7, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of Felix Conley and Dorothy Eck South. She was predeceased by an infant son, Jason Edwards. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Richard L. Gossett Sr.; the following children: Melodie Ann Gossett, Rebecca K. Gossett, Richard L. Gossett Jr., Lydia Marie Gossett, Dean Spencer Gossett, Aaron Jay Gossett and Jessica Dawn Gossett; two brothers , Junior Conley and Michael Conley; and a sister, Kathy Conley. She is also survived by her stepmother, Shirley Conley. Visitation will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the L.L. BARTHELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Second Street, Smithton.
JOANNE M. GRINDLE
Joanne M. Grindle, 68, of Murrysville, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, in the Forbes Hospice, Pittsburgh. She was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Parkersburg, W.Va., a daughter of the late Clyde and Ida Mae Rishel Fearer. She was a retired employee of the U.S. Post Office, Murrysville. She was a member of the Holiday Park United Methodist Church, one of the founders of the Franklin Regional Football Boosters and the Franklin Adult School. Joanne was active in the community and sang in the old Sardis Church Choir. She was active in the PTA, bowling teams and loved to play bridge and golf, as well as having played poker with the same friends for more than 40 years. She was a faithful wife, loving mother , a proud grandmother, and a wonderful friend. The world will be a lonely place without her voice and her smile. She was preceded in death by a well-loved son, James, in 1986; and a brother, Huston Fearer. She was the beloved wife for 51 years of Richard H. Grindle; mother of Ronald and his wife, Kate, of Beaufort, S.C., Gary and his wife, Lynn, of Indiana, Pa., and Gerald Grindle and Sherry Grindle of Cleveland, Ohio; and grandmother of Erin, Sean, Sarah, Ryan, Cody and Marisa. Visitation Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Murrysville. A service will be held in the Holiday Park United Methodist Church Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Douglas Thompson officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Three Rivers Family Hospice, White Oak, PA 15131-2538.
MARILOU (GILLESPIE) WELSH GUY
Marilou (Gillespie) Welsh Guy, 75, of North Braddock, a former longtime resident of Braddock, on Tuesday, July 11, 2000. For the past 22 years, she was an employee of the Cot Club for UPMC Braddock. Wife of the late John "Harp" Welsh. mother of John "Jack" Welsh and his wife, Coleen (McDonough), of Ohio and Judi Butler and her husband, George Allen, of North Huntingdon. Grandmother of Alexander Welsh, Jennifer, Beth, Allen and Joe Butler. Beloved friend of Robert Garrity of East Pittsburgh. Friends received Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Ave., East Pittsburgh, (412) 824-8800. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in Good Shepherd Church, Braddock.
WILLIAM J. JENKINS
William J. Jenkins, 63, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, in UPMC Shadyside. He was born Aug. 29, 1936, in McKeesport, a grandson of Joseph and Louise Zotter and a son of William H. and Edna Zotter Jenkins. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare as a social worker. He was a member of St. Agnes Church, North Huntingdon, the Loyal Order of the Moose, an associate member of VFW Post 781, Ride and Hunt Club and a graduate of Robert Morris College. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the dearly beloved husband of Maureen A. Cassidy Jenkins; Father of William H. Jenkins and his wife, Lynn, of Wilmerding; and brother of Jane Hesek of Verona, Marjorie Boyd of Gibsonia, and Barbara E. Jenkins of Jeannette. Surviving also are a niece, Barbara Jordan of North Huntingdon and a nephew, Bruce Riggins of San Diego, Calif. Friends will be received at the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, Circleville, North Huntingdon, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Church, North Huntingdon, followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery, Greenfield, Pa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
BONNIE LEE (ANDREWS) LAWFORD
Bonnie Lee (Andrews) Lawford, 65, of Idaho, formerly of Norvelt, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000. She was born May 19, 1935, in Norvelt, a daughter of the late John A. and Margaret Andrews. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Lawford; two children, Thomas and Melinda; three grandchildren; a brother, John C. Andrews; and a sister, Maragale Andrews Dailey. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m. in the Hecla Community Church with the Rev. Porterfield officiating.
MAE CAROLINE ONDER
Mae Caroline Onder, 75, of North Huntingdon, died Friday, July 7, 2000, in Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born July 23, 1924, in Braddock, a daughter of the late Tom and Hazel Humberson Murrey. Prior to retirement, she was employed as a waitress by the Holiday House. She was a member of the Christ United Presbyterian Church, North Huntingdon, and the VFW Post 781 Ladies Auxiliary. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Nora McDonough. She is survived by her husband, Andrew B. Onder; a son, Bruce A. Onder; and a sister, Virginia McConnell. There will be no public visitation. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15, 2000, at 11 a.m. in the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, Circleville, North Huntingdon, with the Rev. Dr. Robert J. Anderson officiating.
WENDY L. SNYDER PAINTER
Wendy L. Snyder Painter, 41, of North Huntingdon, died Monday, July 10, 2000, at Forbes Regional Health Center, Monroeville. She was born Sept. 27, 1958, in McKeesport, a daughter of Arthur C. and Vera Adams Snyder of Irwin. Besides her parents, she is survived by her husband, Daniel H. Painter; three children, Jennifer D., Daniel L. and Jacob M. Painter, all at home; a sister, Nancy L. and her husband, Alan Mullaert, of Hempfield Township; a brother, Arthur C. Snyder Jr. and his wife, Geana, of Greensburg; also numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her beloved dogs, Callie, Gabby and Gypsy. Friends received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Friday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Henry Taliercio officiating. Interment will follow at Irwin Union Cemetery.
RICHARD FREDERICK PEARSON
Richard Frederick Pearson, 79, of Lynchburg, Va., formerly of Greensburg, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in Lynchburg. He was born Jan. 21, 1921, in Ridgway, Pa., a son of the late Hilding and Susan Frederick Pearson. After working for West Penn Power Co. for 37 years, he retired as Director of Engineering and Construction. He was a member and former Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg. Dick was a member of Clearfield Lodge No. 314 F&AM and a former member of the Rotary Club of Greensburg and a former board member of the Central Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club, where he was an avid fly fisherman. He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and science and from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Mr. Pearson served in World War II as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and as a captain in the Air Force in the Korean conflict. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth Wallwork Pearson. He is survived by his wife, Betty Shaw Wineman Pearson; a son, Robert H. Pearson of Peru, Ind.; two daughters , Gale Truman and her husband, James, of Morgantown, W.Va., and Beth McAtee and her husband, Kevin, of Greensburg; two stepdaughters, Janie Dowdy and her husband, Roger, of Richmond, Va., and Ann Hamm and her husband, Greg, of Charlottesville, Va.; two grandchildren, Andrew Truman and Elizabeth McAtee; and a sister, Mrs. Jeanne Gray and her husband, Robert, of Clearfield. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main St., Greensburg, with the Rev. Marnie Abraham-Russell officiating. Private interment will be in the St. Clair Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with either the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1038, Greensburg, or with the American Heart Association, 615 S. Main St., Greensburg. BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, Greensburg, is in charge of arrangements.
