Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Margaret Frayer Meister, Zelienople, Formerly of Sharpsburg
Margaret Frayer Meister, 83, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, in Passavant Retirement Health Center, Zelienople. She was born June 17, 1917, in Sharpsburg. Mrs. Meister was a retired seamstress, and was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fox Chapel. She also was a member of the Sweet Adelines and enjoyed bowling. Survivors include her husband, Frederick B. Meister; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Wood of Towson, Md., Linda Newman of West Seneca, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave., Aspinwall, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Robert B. Musser, officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, O'Hara. Memorial contributions can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1610 Powers Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Ruth Perry Newhill, Indiana, Pa.
Ruth Perry Newhill, 82, of Indiana, Pa., died Wednesday, July 19,2000, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. A daughter of the Rev. William H. and Evangeline Cotton Perry, she was born April 11, 1918, in Lyons, N.Y. Mrs. Newhill was a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana and was a very active member of community organizations. She was a founding member of the Mental Health Association and was president and editor of the MHA newsletter for many years. She, along with her husband, Dr. Esko E. Newhill, were founding members of the Human Relations Committee and had been active in civil and human rights issues locally for the past four decades. More recently, Mrs. Newhill had coordinated Arm Chair Travelers and had been a member of other university related organizations such as the American Association of University Women. On March 25, 2000, she was honored as one of the Most Notable Women of Indiana County. She received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in music from Syracuse University, where she met her husband. Following their marriage on Aug. 2, 1941, she taught music in public schools as well as private piano lessons for many years in Bath and Canaseraga, N.Y. Dr. and Mrs. Newhill moved to Indiana in 1960 where Dr. Newhill became the founder and first chairman of the sociology department at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania . Surviving are a son, David William of Merced, Calif; a daughter, Christina Evangeline Newhill and her husband, Dean Leahy, of Pittsburgh; a granddaughter, Tiffany Newhill-Leahy of Pittsburgh; and a stepgrandson, Edward Leahy of Sacramento, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Esko E. Newhill in 1994; and a brother, Earnest Perry. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the BOWSER-MINICH FUNERAL HOME, Indiana, Pa. Private interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, SEPT. 17, 2000, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Esko E. Newhill Award for Excellence, c/o IUP Sociology Department, Indiana, PA 15701.
Eugene H. 'Boots' Norris, Slippery Rock, formerly of Middlesex
Eugene H. "Boots" Norris, 79, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, in his home. Born Oct. 30, 1920, in Cumberville, he was the son of the late John C. and Annie B. Donaldson Norris. Mr. Norris was a retired construction worker, having worked for various companies, and was a member of Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, Middlesex. Survivors include his wife, Alberta M. Bombich Norris; three stepsons, Joseph Kopnisky of Grove City, James Kopnisky of Hilton Head, S.C., and Robert Kopnisky of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sisters , Marian Kennihan of Valencia, and Helen Schroeder of State College; a brother, Emmett Norris of Valencia; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers , Wilmer Norris and Vernon Norris. Burial will be in Glade Run Cemetery, Middlesex. Arrangements are being handled by McDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, Mars.
James W. Oplinger, South Greensburg
James W. Oplinger, 71, of South Greensburg, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. He was born Sept. 25, 1928, in Arona, a son of the late John and Bessie Errett Oplinger. He was retired from Hockensmith in Penn and was a veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Roosevelt Club, Greensburg, Youngwood Sportsmen's, and American Legion Post #981, South Greensburg. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Haba) Oplinger; a son, John T. Oplinger of Sugarland, Texas ; two daughters , Mrs. James (Bonnie) Grant of Katy, Texas , and Mrs. Andrew (Elizabeth) Selembo of Crabtree; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two brothers , Paul Oplinger of Arona and Lester Oplinger and wife, Jane, of Arona; and four sisters , Ruth Gasper of Irwin, Elsie Armstrong of Arona, Hazel Miller of Ruffsdale, and Mrs. Bert (June) Bobbs of Irwin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Oplinger. Friends received at the C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Samuel L. Scheiderer officiating.
Viola Pauline Tibbits Parker, Akron, Ohio, Formerly of Irwin
Viola Pauline Tibbits Parker, 99, of Akron, Ohio, formerly of Irwin, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000, in Akron. She was born Sept. 10, 1900, in Flint, Mich., the daughter of the late William and Bertha E. (Kenter) Tibbits. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence A. Parker. Survived by a son, Alan Parker of Akron, Ohio; a daughter, Jean Lashley (husband, George B.) of San Antonio, Texas ; and four grandchildren. There will be no visitation. Services and interment are private. Officiating will be the Rev. Louis P. Long. Arrangements by the VINCENT V. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, Irwin.
Richard Frederick Pearson, Lynchburg, Va., Formerly of Greensburg
A memorial service for Richard Frederick Pearson, 79, of Lynchburg, Va., formerly of Greensburg, who died Monday, July 10, 2000, will be held Saturday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg. BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, Greensburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret E. Reed, Parma, Ohio, formerly of Mutual
Margaret E. Reed, 80, of Parma, Ohio, formerly of Mutual, died Thursday, July 20, 2000. Beloved wife of Thomas. Dear mother of Carolyn, James (Jean), Kathleen (Bob) Ongert and Jeffrey (Marilyn). Grandmother of nine. Great-grandmother of six. Sister of Louise and Mildred. Funeral Mass Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m. from St. Charles Church. Burial Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation at the ZABOR FUNERAL HOME, 5680 Pearl Road, Parma, Ohio, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Charles M. Rogers, Delmont
Charles M. Rogers, 88, of Delmont, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, in his home. He was born Feb. 11, 1912, in Jeannette, a son of the late Charles and Mary (Dodge) Rogers. Charles was a retired machinist for Westinghouse Electric. He was a member of the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ of Delmont, a life member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #486 of Jeannette, a member of Forbes Trail Lodge F&AM #783 of Export, and Gourgas Lodge of Perfection of Pittsburgh. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by five brothers , John, William, Frank, Edward and Herbert Rogers; and a sister, Marguerite Baker. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Helen L. (Keenan) Rogers; a son, Charles W. Rogers; four grandchildren, Timothy, Sandra, Michelle and James; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive relatives and friends at the VAIA FUNERAL HOME INC. AT TWIN VALLEY, 463 Athena Drive, Delmont, (724) 468-1177, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Charles's funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Peter Bortz of the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ of Delmont officiating. Entombment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. Forbes Trail Lodge F&AM #783 will hold a memorial service Friday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to either Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 39 E. Pittsburgh St., Delmont, PA 15626 or Westmoreland Hospice, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601. Kevin P. Altman, supervisor, in charge of arrangements.
Grace Catanese Romeo, Pittsburgh
Grace Catanese Romeo, 81, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000, in Little sisters of the Poor, Benton Avenue, Pittsburgh. Born May 9, 1919, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Charles and Bessie DiMinio Catanese. Mrs. Romeo was retired after 16 years from ARMCO Country Club in Slippery Rock, where she was a lockeroom attendant. She was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Slippery Rock. Survivors include a son, Carmen C. Romeo of Pittsburgh; two sisters , Mary Giamportone of Detroit, Mich., and Susie Laaks of Pittsburgh; a brother, Anthony "Tony" Catanese of Pittsburgh; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Romeo; a son, Charles Romeo; six brothers and a sister. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, Slippery Rock, with the Rev. James Armstrong officiating. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park, Butler.
Mary Elizabeth Labik Sarik, Trafford
Mary Elizabeth Labik Sarik, 83, of Trafford, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, at Beverly Manor Nursing Home. She was born April 24, 1917, in Wall, a daughter of the late Paul and Anna Torma Labik. She was a member of St. Regis Church. Prior to her retirement, she was an L.P.N. at the Podiatry Hospital. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Sarik, in 1984; two brothers , Paul and John Labik; and two sisters , Susan Labik and Anna Zitnik. She is survived by her son, Michael Sarik of Lincoln, Neb.; also two grandchildren, Adam and Robin Sarik; and two brothers , Michael Labik of East McKeesport and George Labik of Trafford. Friends received Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the DAVID A. RITTER FUNERAL HOME, 220 Edgewood Ave., Trafford. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Regis Church, Trafford, with Father James D. Tringhese as celebrant. Interment will follow in New St. Joseph Cemetery, North Versailles.
Richard G. Shaffer Jr., Derry
Richard G. Shaffer Jr., 32, of Derry, died Thursday, July 20, 2000. He was born Aug. 11, 1967, in Latrobe, a son of Susan V. Hill Shaffer of Derry RD and the late Richard G. Shaffer Sr. An employee of K&N Paving of Greensburg, he was a graduate and vice president of Derry Area High School Class of 1985; and 1989 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, where he was a two-time All-American wrestler. In addition to his mother , he is survived by his wife, Kathleen M. "Kathy" Daniels Shaffer; his son, Travis J. Shaffer at home; a brother, Thomas H. Shaffer of Derry RD; a sister, Mrs. Roy (Lynda) Joseph of Jennerstown; his maternal grandparents, Michael and Vern Hill of Derry; his Father - and mother -in-law, Joseph and Mary Ann Daniels of St. Michael; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Family will receive friends from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the MICHAEL J. QUINLISK FUNERAL HOME INC., 548 N. Chestnut St., Derry. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Rose Roman Catholic Church, Hillview Avenue, Latrobe, with the Rev. William P. Donahue as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Travis Shaffer Educational Trust, c/o Rosalie Bell, Esq., 238-A Lakeview Drive, Jeannette, PA 15644.
Agnes A. (Birsic) Svoboda, Ross
Agnes A. (Birsic) Svoboda, 88, of Ross Township, died on Thursday, July 20, 2000, at UPMC Passavant. Mrs. Svoboda is survived by a daughter, Nancy L. Baklarz; two sons , William P. Svoboda and Ronald F. Svoboda; two sisters , Helen Unger and Catherine Pirsic; five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Svoboda was preceded in death by her husband, William V. Svoboda, a brother, John Birsic, and a sister, Mary Kosak. Friends will be received on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the LAWRENCE T. MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 460 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue. A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Assumption, Bellevue. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Ross. Memorial contributions can be made to the Church of the Assumption, 45 N. Sprague Ave., Bellevue, PA 15202.
Henry Tepke, North Versailles
Henry Tepke, 90, of North Versailles, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, at home. He was born March 31, 1910, in Germany, a son of the late Theodore Sr. and Johanna Lashinsky Tepke. He was a retired employee of the Westinghouse Bettis Atomic, West Mifflin. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Vera A. House Tepke; three brothers , William, John, and Paul Tepke; and a sister, Gertrude Gruber. He is survived by two sons , Robert J. Tepke of Murrysville and Larry D. Tepke of Penn Township; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a brother, Theodore Tepke Jr. of Turtle Creek; and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the FORGIE-SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Broadway, East McKeesport, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Eric E. Dennis officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery.
Raymond J. Thompson, Ligonier, Formerly of East McKeesport
Raymond J. Thompson, 67, of Ligonier, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. A son of the late Raymond and Ellen (Lynch) Thompson. Beloved husband of Ann (Nalevanko) Thompson. Dear Father of Deborah (Paul) Bigos, Donna (Nick) Padezan, Richard Thompson, Joseph (Bernadette) Thompson, Susan (Lawrence) Butler, Judith (Ted) Lanyi, David (Patty) Thompson, Glenn (Dawn) Thompson and Timothy Thompson. Brother of Don (Donna) Thompson. Also 26 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends received at the ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday up until the time of the service in the funeral home at 11 a.m., followed by Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Church at noon.
