Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Andrew F. Vario, Greensburg
Andrew F. "Sonny" Vario, 80, of Greensburg, died Sunday, July 16, 2000, at his home. He was born Jan. 16, 1920, in Greensburg, a son of the late Gaetano and Frances Mielle Vario. Prior to retirement, he had been a self-employed carpenter, and later a correctional officer for the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institute, in its work release program. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensburg. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carmella (Emanuele) Vario, on Dec. 19, 1995; and a sister, Margaret Pickford. He is survived by two sons , Neil A. and his wife, Karen Vario, of Trauger and Keith F. Vario of Greensburg; a grandson, Aaron A. Vario; a brother, Joseph J. and his wife, Shirley Vario, of Jamestown, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensburg. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township. The family asks that contributions take the form of spiritual bouquets (masses) in Mr. Vario's name.
Dorothy M. Ebeling Werner, Jeannette
Dorothy M. Ebeling Werner, 94, beloved mother , grandmother, great- grandmother and last surviving member of the Ebeling family, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born Dec. 22, 1906, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Charles and Christine Hartman Ebeling. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the former G.C. Murphy Co. of Jeannette. Dorothy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jeannette. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Philip W. Werner, in 1988; a brother, Carl Ebeling; and two sisters , Vera Miller and Lillian Mae Smith. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley M. DeMatteo and her husband, Sam; a grandson, John DeMatteo and his wife, Sandee, all of Jeannette; three great-grandchildren, Erin, Tyler and Briana; two nieces; a nephew; six great-nieces; and a great-nephew. Friends will be received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 North Second St., Jeannette, beginning Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with Pastor Donald E. Walls officiating. Interment will follow in the Jeannette Memorial Park, Penn Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 700, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
Sister Mary Andrew Becker, McCandless
Sister Mary Andrew Becker, 89, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, in UPMC Passavant, McCandless. A graduate of Divine Providence Academy, Sister Mary Andrew entered the Community of the sisters of Divine Providence in 1926 from St. Martin's parish in Pittsburgh's West End. She received a bachelor's degree in education from Duquesne University and became a registered medical technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists in 1938. Sister Mary Andrew was a medical technologist at three hospitals administered by the sisters of Divine Providence: St. John's Hospital on the North Side, 1937 to 1942; Braddock Hospital, 1942 to 1951 and 1959 to 1969; and Divine Providence Hospital, 1955 to 59 and 1969 to 1975. She also worked at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, W.Va. from 1951 to 1953 and Mercy Hospital of Johnstown from 1953 to 1955. In 1975, Sister Mary Andrew retired from Divine Providence Hospital but remained in the North Side neighborhood. She lived at St. Peter's Convent on Arch Street with the sisters of Mercy who taught at St. Peter's School and was a volunteer in the school library for 12 years. In 1994, Sister Mary Andrew moved to the sisters of Divine Providence Motherhouse in McCandless and was active with the community there. Survivors include a brother, John L. Becker of Naples, Fla.; and a sister, Frances Sebula of Pittsburgh. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew A. and Theresa Engelmeier Becker; five sisters , Rose Morgan, Mary Yost, Emma Becker, Anna Sentz and Agnes Norbutt; and two brothers , William Becker and Michael Becker. Friends will be received from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today in the Provincial House, 9000 Babcock Blvd., McCandless. Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Motherhouse Chapel. Burial will be in the community's cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the sisters of Divine Providence Ministries Fund.
Alice E. Buxton Boyle, Penn Hills
Alice E. "Sweetie" Buxton Boyle, 99, of Penn Hills, died Monday, July 17, 2000. She was the wife of the late George W. Boyle, Sr. Surviving are two sons , George W. Boyle, Jr. and Gerald Buxton Boyle; 11 grandchildren, Barbara DeFazio, Patricia Boyle, Rosemary Hogan, George W. Boyle, III, James Boyle, Thomas Boyle, Jerry Boyle, Daniel Boyle, Sharon Rice, Linda Macklem and Patrick Boyle; and 21 great grandchildren. Mrs. Boyle was the last surviving daughter of the 10 Buxton children. The Buxtons were a founding family of Corpus Christi Church where she was a Christian mother . She was the first female employee of the US Dept. of Agriculture to retire with 50 years of service (1970). She was the manager of the Produce Inspection Office in Pittsburgh and a member of the first four-year graduating class of Sacred Heart High School. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in SOXMAN FUNERAL HOMES, LTD., Morasco Chapel, 9406 Frankstown Road (near Graham Blvd.), Penn Hills. Christian Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church.
Ruth M. Cook, Munhall
Ruth M. Cook, 85, of Munhall, died Sunday, July 16, 2000. She was the wife of Lyell Cook; mother of Don Cook of Treesdale, Pa., and Robert Cook of Indiana; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the GEORGE IRVIN GREEN FUNERAL HOME INC., 3511 Main St., Munhall. Funeral services will be held at the Homestead Park United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Memorial donations to the Homestead Park United Methodist Church, 4331 Shady Ave., Munhall, PA 15120.
Dolores Elkin, Latrobe
Dolores Elkin, 77, of Latrobe, died Monday, July 17, 2000, at her home. She was born July 30, 1922, in Irwin, a daughter of the late Joseph A. and Catherine Suter Donegan. She was retired from Century 21 Warren Real Estate Co. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, George C. Elkin; an infant daughter, Sally Elaine Elkin; a sister, Catherine Dimling; and a brother, Joseph Donegan. Survivors include a son, Jeffrey J. Elkin and his wife, Barbara, of Latrobe; three daughters , Sue Ellen Elkin of Latrobe, Katherine Roble and her husband, Randy, of Greensburg and Ann Zoppetti of Latrobe; five grandchildren, Melanie, Elizabeth, Emily, Ryan and Tyler; and a great-granddaughter, Madison. There is no public visitation; service and interment are private. The JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Fontanesi, North Huntingdon
Robert Fontanesi, 89, of North Huntingdon, died Monday, July, 17, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born May 27, 1911, in Duquesne, a son of the late Virgilio and Clotilda Vertani Fontanesi. He started out as owner of Fontanesi's Corner Grocery Store in Duquesne, and later became a self-employed carpet cleaner in the Norwin area. He was a member and Sunday school teacher of the Christian Life Church of Trafford, and prior to that, deacon and elder in the Assembly of God Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith Fontanesi; and nine brothers and sisters . Surviving are his wife, Martha Wampler Fontanesi; three sons , Ronald Fontanesi and his wife, Charloette, of Coraopolis, Kenneth Fontanesi and his wife, Dianne, of Annapolis, Md., and Robert Fontanesi and his wife, Roxanne, of Greensburg; four grandchildren, Cindy Borchert, Molly Duffy, Suzanne Ross and Brent Fontanesi; and a great-granddaughter Rose Duffy. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., 504 Oak 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 Friday (time later) in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in the Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.
Donald G. Foremsky, North Huntingdon
Donald G. Foremsky, 71, of North Huntingdon, died Sunday, July 16, 2000, in UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland. He was born Feb. 10, 1929, in Duquesne, a son of the late George and Julia Lapchack Foremsky. He was a retired employee of Westinghouse Electric Corp. power circuit division, Trafford. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, North Huntingdon. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict, and a member of the VFW Post 781, North Huntingdon. He is survived by his wife, Mary L. Dushack Foremsky; three daughters , Donna Robosky and husband, Tom, of North Huntingdon, Lorraine Woleslagle and husband, Russ, of Mechanicsburg and Rhonda O'Shea and husband, Brian, of Horsham; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; two sisters , Jean Trice of Greensburg and Connie Miller of Clearwater, Fla.; also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Irwin Union Cemetery, North Huntingdon.
Charles E. Frantz Jr., Greensburg
Charles E. Frantz Jr., 88, of Greensburg RD8, died Sunday, July 16, 2000, at his home. He was born Aug. 16, 1911, in Unity Township, a son of the late Charles E. Sr. and Matilda (Fox) Frantz. Prior to retirement, he was a supervisor at the former Walworth Valve Company, South Greensburg. He was a member of the First Reformed United Church of Christ, Greensburg. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers , Joseph, James, John and William Frantz; and a sister, Ella Weiss. He is survived by his wife, Flora (Hamilton) Frantz; two sons , Robert L. Frantz and wife, Ellen, and Russell W. Frantz and wife, Jo Anne, all of Greensburg RD8; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, George Frantz and wife, Mary, of Greensburg RD8; a sister, Mrs. William (Geraldine) McKlveen of Brooksville, Fla; two sisters -in-law, Mildred Frantz of Greensburg RD8 and Mildred Frantz of New Stanton; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., Pleasant Unity, Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Edwin J. Fromm officiating. Interment will follow in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township.
Melvin S. Frederick, Jeannette
Melvin S. Frederick, of Jeannette (Penn Township), died Monday, July 17, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. Beloved husband of 32 years to Gladys "Paddy" (Newton) Frederick. Father of James M. of Florida, Nancy of Florida, Elizabeth Ann of Ohio, Michael of Williamsport, Leith Anne of Virginia, Patricia Kay and Margaret Susan. He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was proprietor of the Leather Shoppe from his home, and presented his specialty products at arts and crafts shows at many festivals, fairs and shopping malls. Friends will be received WEDNESDAY ONLY from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. at the JOHN L. BASH FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, PA 15626, (724) 468-8381, with the Rev. Glen H. Burrows, of the Delmont Presbyterian Church, presiding. Interment will be private.
Dorothy G. Hepler, Greensburg
Dorothy G. Hepler, 89, of Greensburg, and San Antonio, Texas , died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas , after a short stay in the hospital. She was born Sept. 5, 1910, in Pittsburgh, the eldest daughter of Robert Ernest Adams and Ida Winn Adams. She was a member of the Christian Science Church, Greensburg, where she was a Sunday school teacher, reader and chaired various committees. She was retired from the U.S. Census Bureau. She attended Beaver College, as well as Seton Hill College and graduated from Indiana State University. She was active in church and politics. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth George Hepler. She is survived by her daughter, Diana H. Richmond of San Antonio, Texas ; two sons , Keith G. Hepler of Columbus, Ohio, and Kurt G. Hepler of Granger, Iowa; two brothers , David B. Adams of Georgetown, Pa., and W. Alan Adams of Crescent City, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Dorothy Hepler will be held Saturday, July 22, at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, Route 30 East, Greensburg, at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., with a buffet for those attending. There will be no graveside services, as per her wishes. Interment will be in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. Arrangements by COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 625 Kitty Hawk, Universal City, Texas .
Margaret F. Herdman, Conesus, N.Y., formerly of Derry
Margaret F. "Peg" Herdman, 53, of Conesus, N.Y., formerly of Derry, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, in Watertown Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, N.Y. She was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Robert D. and Rose E. Spires Riffle. A graduate of Derry Area High School, Peg was owner and operator of PJ's Gift and Craft Shop and Peg Herdman's Beauty Shop in Derry. She was a former member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and the Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Derry. Peg is survived by her husband, John W. Herdman; a daughter, Mrs. Ron (Patty) Stouffer of Peanut; a son, John P. Herdman of N.Y.; four grandchildren; a brother, George R. Riffle of Derry; two sisters , Mrs. Ray (Martha "Mike") Tinkey of Derry and Kathleen Furin of North Carolina; her mother -in-law, Virginia Herdman; a sister-in- law, Mrs. John (Maggie) Kerin, both of Derry; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the MICHAEL J. QUINLISK FUNERAL HOME INC., 548 N. Chestnut St., Derry. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church with the Rev. Stephen C. West officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Derry.
Ralph J. Hudec, East Huntingdon
Ralph J. Hudec, 73, of East Huntingdon Township, died Sunday, July 16, 2000, at Mountain View Personal Care Home, Greensburg. Friends were received Monday at GALONE-CARUSO'S, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant, where funeral service will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Sherry Miller officiating. Interment will be private.
