Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
JOHN KOWALCHUCK
John Kowalchuck, 84, of Greensburg, died Friday, March 10, 2000, in the Oak Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Greensburg. He was born Aug. 11, 1915, in West Newton, a son of the late George and Julia Getchey Kowalchuck. Prior to retirement, he had been a baker for 32 years at Schaller's Bakery, Greensburg. John was a member of Zion's Lutheran Church, Greensburg, a life member of American Legion Post 981, South Greensburg, and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, one of the survivors of the Bataan Death March in Corregidor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Florence M. Zimmerman Kowalchuck, on June 23, 1991; and a brother, Michael Kowalchuck. He is survived by two brothers , Charles Kowalchuck and Paul and his wife, Anna Kowalchuck, and three sisters , Stella Markle, Mary Urinsco and Pauline and her husband, Melvin Maleski, all of West Newton; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in Zion's Lutheran Church, Greensburg, with the Rev. Gene R. Stuckey Sr. officiating. Interment with full military honors accorded by the American Legion Post 981 Honor Guard of South Greensburg will follow in the West Newton Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Zion's Lutheran Church, 146 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601.
FRANCIS LABBETT
Francis "Lefty" Labbett, 70, passed away Thursday evening, March 9, 2000. He was born in Pittsburgh and lived there for 62 years. He spent the last eight years of his life in Florida. Mr. Labbett was employed with Gardner-Denver Company for 29 years and was a member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Green Tree. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline McCaffrey Labbett of Jacksonville, Fla.; son, Robert Francis Labbett and his wife, Mary Beth, and their children, Tracey Elizabeth, Marjorie Frances and Patrick John, of Sidney, Ohio; daughters , Lee Ann Grushecky and her husband, Joseph, and their children, Desiree and John Eli, of Pittsburgh and Pamela Koch and her husband, Steven, and their children, Jordan and Alexander, of Canton, Ohio; and brother, Edwin Labbett and his wife, Edna, of Ocala, Fla. A memorial service will be held in Pittsburgh at a later date. The family requests memorial contributions to be sent in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, 4492 Southside Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207. HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, Jacksonville, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
DAVID L. McCLEARN
David L. McClearn, 62, of East Pittsburgh, died Thursday, March 9, 2000. He was a
Korean War Air Force veteran, and a former employee of Westinghouse, East Pittsburgh plant. Husband of Idabess Whitman Goldfon McClearn. Father of Arthur and David McClearn, Leonard Lewis and Janine Hochman. Also survived by brothers , sisters , and six grandchildren. Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Ave., East Pittsburgh, (412) 824-8800, where services will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Venango Cemetery, Crawford County.
SUSAN MICHAEL
Susan Michael, 91, of Brush Valley, formerly of Greensburg, died Friday, March 10, 2000, at her home. She was born June 9, 1908, in Greensburg. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Indiana, Pa. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, John Michael. She is survived by a son, John E. Michael of Brush Valley; two daughters , Mary Louise Dienes of Brush Valley and Nancy Mayr of Homer City; and three grandchildren, Kevin L. Taylor and his wife, Kristin, of Chambersburg, Matthew Dienes and his wife, Lisa, of Black Lick and Michelle Dienes of Indiana. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Monday from 1 to 2 p.m., at which time services will be held in the funeral home with the Rev. Roy P. Washill officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Clair Cemetery.
DAVID ALEX MILLER
David Alex Miller, 86, of Greensburg RD6, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born July 13, 1913, in Hempfield Township, a son of the late John H. and Celia F. Moore Miller. Prior to retirement, he had been affiliated with his family-owned and -operated Miller Dairy Farm, and also had served as a Hempfield Township supervisor. He was a member of the Harrold Zion Lutheran Church, Greensburg RD6, the Loyal Order of the Moose #1151 of Greensburg, the Harrold Grange, and was a former director of the Westmoreland Fair, 4-H leader, and director of the Hempfield Township School Authority. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth E. Maxwell Miller, on July 8, 1994; three infant grandchildren; two brothers , his twin brother, George Miller, and Glenn Miller; and a sister, Mary Cavalier. He is survived by two sons , John H. Miller and David A. Jr. and his wife, Barbara Miller, all of Greensburg; a daughter, Celia and her husband, William Vance, of Lowellville, Ohio; six grandchildren, John Alex and his wife, Chrissy Miller, Adam J. Miller, Jennifer Ann Miller, David Glenn and his wife, Heather Miller, Melinda Stewart and T.J. Stewart; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert A. Free officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
RUTH E. (SNYDER) MURRAY
Ruth E. (Snyder) Murray, 88, of Ruffsdale RR3, formerly of Hempfield Township, died Saturday, March 11, 2000, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Va. She was born June 25, 1911, in Mt. Pleasant Township, a daughter of the late Jacob and Jennie (Dillon) Snyder. She was a member of the St. John Harrold United Church of Christ, Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul H. Murray; a son, Paul H. Murray Jr.; a daughter, Dorothy Altman; and a brother, James Snyder. She is survived by a son, James E. Murray and wife, Edith, of Ruffsdale RR3; a daughter, Mrs. Edward (Eleanor) Swadley of Harrisonburg, Va.; 21 grandchildren, including Judy Murray, whom she raised; 28 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a brother, David Snyder of United; two sisters , Mary Ledden of Mt. Pleasant and Olive Trout of Youngwood; and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert A. Free officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township.
ANNIE NICHOLAS
Annie Nicholas, 87, of Irwin, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born April 30, 1912, in Irwin, a daughter of the late Moses and Marion Joseph Nicholas. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as an assembler for Pittsburgh Reflector of Irwin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters , Sara Ustazewski and Mary Weaver; and four brothers , Anthony, Isaac, Joseph and Kenneth Nicholas. Surviving are a son, Albert and his wife, Margo Viziola, of Irwin; two grandchildren, Joe Blasco of Hollywood, Calif., and Nancy and her husband, Filippo Rapone, of Chino Hills, Calif.; a sister, Norma Jean Nicholas of Irwin; two brothers , Michael Nicholas of North Huntingdon and Fred Nicholas of Pitcairn; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., Fifth and Oak streets, Irwin, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Father John Nosal, pastor of St. Michael's Orthodox Church of South Greensburg, officiating. Interment will follow in the Irwin Union Cemetery, North Huntingdon.
LIBERTINA N. NICOL
Libertina N. Nicol, 90, of Latrobe, died Friday, March 10, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born Feb. 12, 1910, in Maggiora, Italy, the daughter of the late Vincent and Maddaline Perolini Vallana. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Latrobe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A. Nicol, in 1969. She is survived by three cousins, Catherine I. Abbott, Valia DeVitto and Bruno Inselmini, all of Latrobe; four nieces, Velma Peilia and Nedra Gallo, both of East Hartford, Conn., Beverly Alexander of Wooster, Ohio, and Kathleen Kutzer of Blairsville; and a nephew, Louis Nicol of Temperance, Mich. Friends will be received at the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Latrobe. Interment in St. Mary Cemetery.
EMIL N. OLYARNIK
Emil N. Olyarnik, 81, of Greensburg, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Dec. 16, 1918, in Duquesne, a son of the late John and Magdalen Olyarnik. He attended Duquesne High School and was a 1940 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. He had been employed by Westinghouse Electric, the Elliott Co., and retired from Motor Coils Mfg. of Braddock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers , John, George and Cyril. Surviving are his wife, Nancy Olyarnik of Greensburg; a sister, Agnes Krucik of White Oak; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Services will be held at the funeral home Monday at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Andrew Carnegie Society (Scholarship Fund), 5017 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
LEWIS RAY PRINGLE
Lewis Ray Pringle, 54, went to meet our Lord and be reunited with his parents, Elmer and Laura Pringle, on Friday, March 10, 2000, after an illness of 10 years. He was a Finleyville resident for 32 years. He was born July 25, 1945, in Mather, Pa. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Monongahela and worked at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh for 20 ½ years. Those waiting to join him one day are his wife of 32 years, Sandra Sellers Pringle; two sons , Matthew and Philip, both at home. Also surviving are his sisters and brother, Dalores (William) Bohonek of Pittsburgh, Harry (Peg) Pringle of Michigan, and Beverly (Tom) Holan of Kentucky. Friends will be received from 12 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the L.M. FRYE FUNERAL HOME, Main Street, Monongahela. Friends may gather at the Free Methodist Church on Second Street in Monongahela for funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment will be in the Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Free Methodist Church.
ALICE MARIE RARICK
Alice Marie Rarick, of Liberty Borough, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in St. John's Lutheran Nursing Home, Mars. She worked as a traveling phlebotomist for the former Med-Check Laboratories in Perrysville for more than 10 years. She was a member of St. Mark's Parish, St. Eugene Worship Site, Liberty Borough; a volunteer with Liberty Borough as an EMT and also McKeesport as an EMS paramedic; and a volunteer with the Girl Scouts. She was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother. Surviving are her mother , Iva Cross Merritt and stepfather, Richard Merritt of Peru, Ind.; two daughters , Kathleen Zeleznik of Mars and Donna Lambert of Rillton; a son, Patrick Rarick of Port Vue; 10 grandchildren; two sisters , Arlene Breeden of Mammoth, Ore., and Shirley Trent of Peru, Ind.; and a brother, Kenneth James of Seattle, Wash. Friends received at STRIFFLERS' OF WHITE OAK Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Eugene's Worship Site, Liberty Borough, with the Rev. Gerald Mikonis as celebrant.
SONYA K. (RUSH) RUPERT
Sonya K. (Rush) Rupert, 48, of Greensburg, died Saturday, March 11, 2000, in the UPMC Shadyside. She was born April 16, 1951, in Fairmont, W.Va., a daughter of Ruth Alberta Williams Rush of Greensburg and the late Albert D. "Bud" Rush, who died Oct. 19, 1999. She had been employed as an executive secretary for Allegheny Energy, Greensburg, with 31 years of service. She was Protestant by faith and a member of the Y-Me Support Group for Breast Cancer Patients. In addition to her Father , she was preceded in death by her Father -in-law, Bruce W. Rupert. In addition to her mother , she is survived by her husband, Raymond B. Rupert; her son, Todd A. Rupert of Greensburg; a brother, Larry L. and his wife, Lana Rush, of Galesburg, Ill.; a sister, Tana D. and her husband, Robert Butler, of Irwin; her mother -in-law, Gladys Ann Rupert of Export; three nieces; and a nephew. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, beginning Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 9 a.m. with the Rev. D. Roy Dail officiating. Entombment will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park Mausoleum, Delmont.
ELIZABETH M. SHOLES
Elizabeth M. Sholes, 89, of Greensburg, died Friday, March 10, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Jan. 2, 1911, in Greensburg. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed as a teacher in the Greensburg Salem School District. She was a graduate of Seton Hill College and attended Columbia University. She was a member of the Greensburg College Club, the Greensburg Art Club and the Southwest Therapy. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her stepmother, Martha M. Morgan; and her husband, Capt. John E. Sholes. She is survived by a son, John M. Sholes and his wife, Judy, of Gaithersburg, Md.; and two grandchildren, Tracy and Jeffrey Sholes. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Monday from 10 to 11 a.m., at which time services will be held with the Rev. Stephen LaSor officiating. Private interment will follow in the St. Clair Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with either the Maplewood United Presbyterian Church, 108 Woodland Road, Greensburg, or with the American Heart Association, 615 S. Main St., Greensburg.
BETTY L. SMITH
Betty L. Smith, 53, of New Stanton RD1, died Friday, March 10, 2000, at Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Aug. 14, 1946, in Greensburg, a daughter of Carolyn V. Barnhart Bosch of New Stanton RD1 and the late Luther H. Bosch. She was a member of the St. Paul's Seanor United Church of Christ, New Stanton RD. In addition to her mother , she is survived by her husband, Robert E. Smith; a daughter, Tamela L. Wilson and her husband, Matthew, of New Stanton; two sons , James H. Smith and his wife, Lisa, of White Oak and Brian R. Smith and his wife, Melissa, of Greensburg; six grandchildren, Joshua and Dayna Wilson, Katelynn, Casandra and Courtney Smith and Peyton Smith; and a sister, Carol L. Sisson of Beaufort, S.C. Friends were received at the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 136, Madison, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James H. Ghrist officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
LINDA LEE SNYDER
Linda Lee Snyder, 54, of McKeesport, formerly of Slickville, died Thursday, March 9, 2000. She was born June 6, 1945, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Paul Z. and Irene M. Jones Snyder. Linda is survived by a sister, Gertrude Gardone and her husband, Joseph, of Monroeville. Friends will be received at the EDWIN N. WOLFE FUNERAL HOME INC., Export, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Frederick C. Heitzenroder officiating. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Penn Township.
CLAYTON G. STUCHAL SR.
Clayton G. Stuchal Sr., 80, of Adamsburg, died Friday, March 10, 2000, in the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. He was born May 30, 1919, in Ardara, a son of the late Harry W. and Bertha Jane McWilliams Stuchal. He was a retired employee of Conrail. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Rodenz Stuchal, on Feb. 16, 2000; four brothers , Samuel, Walter, Gurney and Charles Stuchal; and two sisters , Catherine Correll and Frances Lentz. He is survived by a daughter, Anna Marie Miller of Jeannette; a son, Clayton G. Stuchal Jr. of Adamsburg; also brothers -in-law, sisters -in-law, nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. R. Bruce Maxwell officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
MARGARET E. TROUP
Margaret E. Troup, 95, formerly of Saltsburg, died Saturday, March 11, 2000, in Indian Haven Nursing Home, Indiana, Pa. Born Nov. 8, 1904, in Salina, she was a daughter of the late Jesse and Anna (Lucas) Lauffer. She lived in Truxall, Brennizer, White Station and Saltsburg for many years. She was a member of the sons of Zebedee Lutheran Church, Saltsburg. She was a Gold Star mother ; a former Rebecca Lodge member; and a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Blairsville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton F. Troup; a son, LeRoy F. Troup; a grandson, Thomas Wayne Bucco; and three sisters , Helen Stover, Agnes Moss and Maybelle Lauffer. She is survived by four daughters , Mrs. James (Margaret E.) Ingram of Deming, N.M., Mrs. Edgar (Genevieve L.) Dick of Pensacola, Fla., Mrs. Anzelmo (Catherine F.) Conderino of Colchester, Conn., and Mrs. Arthur (Helen M.) Bucco of Saltsburg; 14 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the CURRAN FUNERAL HOME, 701 Salt St. in Saltsburg, where services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. April Dailey officiating. Interment in Edgewood Cemetery, Saltsburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the sons of Zebedee Lutheran Church in Saltsburg.
