Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
JAMES L. NASH
James L. Nash, 60, of Pitcairn, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2000. Husband of Pearl L. (McWhinney) Nash; Father of Deborah E. Nash and James R. Nash of Pitcairn; brother of Raymond Nash of Pittsburgh, Patty Hall of Monroeville, and the late Sheila Bukovac and Sara McGraw. Grandfather of Randy. Friends received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the WM. O. PEARCE FUNERAL HOME INC., 318 Wall Ave., Pitcairn, where services will be held Friday at 11 a.m.
EDWARD R. OVERLY
Edward R. Overly, 44, of Hunker, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, in Uniontown. He was born March 23, 1956, in Greensburg, a son of Edward S. and Betty Shuey Overly of Hunker. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Jones Overly; two sons , Stephen and Adam Overly of Hunker; two brothers , Tom and Kevin Overly of Hunker; and a sister, Mrs. Bruce (Suzan) Petroy of Orangeville. He worked at Robertshaw Controls for 23 years, and was enrolled in the Laurel Business Institute, Uniontown. He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hunker, L.O.O.M. Post 1151 in Greensburg, the Moose Bowling League, the Friday Night Bowling League at Hillview Lanes and the Hempfield Hunt Club, and was a member of the Hunker Borough Council. Friends will be received at the C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, with the Rev. A.J. Domines officiating. Interment will follow in Youngwood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Overly Children Trust Fund, Stanwood Area Credit Union, 444 Arona Road, New Stanton, PA 15672.
MARY PUZAK PALOVICH
Mary Puzak Palovich, 83, of Cokeburg, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at 10 a.m. in UPMC Presbyterian hospital, Oakland. She was born Feb. 2, 1917, in Andrico (Westmoreland County), the daughter of the late Frank and Helen Bushella Puzak. She was a member of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Charleroi. On June 20, 1958, she married Mike Palovich, who survives, along with a daughter, Joanne Blizman of Scenery Hill; a son, Michael Palovich of Cokeburg; two granddaughters, Tammy Spalding of Claysville and Lori Lohr of Scenery Hill; and four great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers , Frank, Charles, John, Michael, Nick and George; and two sisters , Ann Stuczynski and Helen Vahaly. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 619 Main St., Bentleyville, (724) 239-2191, where service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. with Father Emil Hutnyan of the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church officiating. Interment Beallsville Cemetery.
PERINDA CENTONI PERLA
Perinda Centoni Perla, 86, of Latrobe, formerly of Bradenville, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, in the Oak Hill Nursing Center, Greensburg. She was born Jan. 18, 1914, in Masontown, a daughter of the late Pasquale and Maria Angela Centoni. She was a member of St. Rose Church, Latrobe, and its Rosary Altar Christian Mothers, Latrobe Golden Agers, the St. Rose Senior Citizens, the St. Vincent Senior Citizens and the Trinity Lutheran Church Seniors. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Perla, on May 10, 1980; a daughter, Mary Angela Perla; a son, Sergio Perla; a great-grandson, Joseph McGee; a sister, Rufina Centoni; and two brothers , Quinto and Peter Centoni. Survivors include three sons , Silvano Perla and his wife, Joanne, of Flagstaff, Ariz., Frank Perla and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Charlotte Hall, Md., and Anthony Perla and his wife, Becky, of Latrobe; a daughter, Mary Ellen Kromel and her husband, Donald, of Greensburg; 17 grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews in Italy and Australia. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Rose Church with the Rev. William P. Donahue as celebrant. Interment in St. Rose Cemetery, Derry Township. The St. Rose Rosary Altar Christian Mothers will recite the rosary Thursday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.
HAROLD LESTER SHEPLER
Harold Lester "Huck" Shepler, 74, of Indian Head, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Harmon House, Mt. Pleasant. He was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Indian Head, a son of the late Cloid L. and Ruth M. Bolby Shepler. Huck was a lifelong resident of Indian Head and attended the Saltlick Township schools and the Connellsville High School. He was a self-employed plumber, and retired in 1977. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Donegal VFW #6743, and a life member of the Saltlick Township Firemen. He is survived by a son, Calvin J. Weimer and his wife, Betty, of Duncanville, Texas ; six daughters , Roxann Snyder and her husband, Curtis, of Acme, Ethel Pritts and her husband, Richard, of Macon, Ga., Jean Treece of Findlay, Ohio, Barbara Felesky and her husband, Edward, of Boswell, Kimberly Giles and her husband, Richard, of Donegal and Barbel Ritenour of Stoystown; 23 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two brothers , Charles M. Shepler of South Connellsville and Gerald Shepler and his wife, Peggy, of Ligonier; four sisters , Audrey Peck and her husband, Ted, of Somerset, Jean Snyder of Ligonier, Geraldine Stahl of Champion and Mardell Peck and her husband, Jay, of Rockwood; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Susan Marie Shaffer Weimer Shepler; a daughter, Susan Shepler; an infant granddaughter; and a brother, Raymond L. Shepler. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Leroy C. Kesler officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the Donegal VFW #6743.
WILLIAM S. SHOTTS
William S. Shotts, 76, of Mt. Joy Road, Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Scottdale, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, in UPMC Shadyside. Bill's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m., followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at noon in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Michael W. Matusak as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery, Scottdale, where the Mt. Pleasant VFW Post 3368 will render full military honors.
EVERETT S.C. SORBER
Attorney Everett S.C. Sorber, 94, a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., since 1995, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000. He was born April 4, 1906, in Jeannette, a son of the late Harvey S. and Della Ruff Sorber. He graduated from Jeannette High School in 1924, from the University of Pittsburgh in 1927, and from Duquesne Law School in 1930, when he was admitted to the county bar. He began the practice of law, which he loved, in February 1931. He had a general law practice with specialties in real estate, estate and bankruptcy. His clients numbered in the thousands. He was a member of the Westmoreland County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and was admitted before the U.S. District Court, Westmoreland courts and the state Superior and Supreme courts. He was active as solicitor for the Jeannette School District from 1948 to 1967. He was an early member of the Westmoreland County Board of Review, and later was Westmoreland County acquisition officer. He was also solicitor for the now defunct Jeannette School Authority, and was deputy attorney general for the county under Governors Martin, Duff and Fine. He was past president of the Jeannette Rotary and a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Jeannette. Attorney Sorber practiced law until age 86 in Greensburg and Jeannette. He was honored in 1985 by the Westmoreland Bar Association for 50 years of practice. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association for over 50 years. He and his dear wife, Madeleine Case Sorber, whom he married in 1937, lived at 119 N. First St., Jeannette, for 58 years, until Mrs. Sorber became ill in 1995. She died on Sept. 5, 1995, one month after they moved to Florida to live with their daughter and son-in-law. He is survived by his daughter, Mary-Linda Sorber Merriam Armacost and her husband, Peter H.; siblings, Samuel Ruff Sorber (an attorney), Charles H. Sorber (an architect), and Ann Sorber Hammer (a teacher); and a nephew, Edgar T. Hammer Jr. Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. in the United Methodist Church, 100 S. Second St., Jeannette. The NATIONAL CREMATION SOCIETY, St. Petersburg, Fla., in charge of arrangements.
MARILYN A. TOMPKINS
Marilyn A. Tompkins, 62, of Greensburg, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, at her home. She was born Sept. 20, 1937, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late Edgar R. and Minnie McMarlin McCullough. She had been employed by the Monsour Medical Center in Jeannette for many years. She was Protestant by faith. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Dennis K. Tompkins; and two brothers , William and Edgar McCullough. She is survived by her husband, Daniel J. Tompkins; three daughters , Cynthia Bollinger of Greensburg, Pam Bush of Jeannette and Vickie Mahl and her husband, Brian, of Manor; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; and three sisters , Sylvia Antonucci of Penn Township, Virginia Carroll of Lincoln Heights and Clora Francis and her husband, Samuel, of Greensburg. Friends were received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. David S. Jack officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Clair Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with the Westmoreland Hospice, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg.
JOHN R. VELKEY SR.
John R. Velkey Sr., 65, of Latrobe, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Nov. 18, 1934, in Lloydsville, a son of the late Paul A. Sr. and Barbara Takatch Velkey. He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica, Latrobe. He was retired from the LD Construction Co., and was a member of Local #9 Bricklayers Union. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Korean conflict. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant daughter, Debbie Velkey; two brothers , Paul A. Velkey Jr. and Thomas F. Velkey; and a sister, Barbara C. Monroe. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Nellie J. Garris Velkey; two sons , John R. Velkey Jr. of Latrobe and Mark M. Velkey and his wife, Carol, of Pleasant Unity; three daughters , Julia Velkey of Latrobe, Kathy Donahey and her husband, Richard, of Latrobe, and Cindy Stemmler and her husband, Richard, of Pleasant Unity; two brothers , Steve Velkey and Joseph Velkey, both of Latrobe; and a sister, Betty Ann Johnston and her husband, Roy B., of Erie. Also survived by eight grandchildren, Chris, Jeremy, Dean, Joshua, Matthew, Ashley, Richard and Lisa; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends were received Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be received Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Vincent Basilica. Interment in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township. military services will be held Thursday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home.
DOROTHY V. WISE
Dorothy V. Wise, 78, of Greensburg RD6, went to be with our Lord and Savior Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, at the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. Born Aug. 15, 1921, in Hempfield Township, a daughter of the late Roy Taylor and Idella Mae Henry Herrod. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer E. Wise, on July 17, 2000. Surviving are a son, Roy R. Wise and his wife, Linda, of East Freedom, Pa.; a daughter, Nancy L. Wise of Greensburg RD6; six grandchildren, Wendy Weltz and her husband, Charles, Robert E. Wise and his wife, Susie, Susan Hinerman, Patricia A. Wise, Ricky A. Wise and his wife, Diana, and Dotty L. Gruska and her husband, Gary; seven great-grandchildren, Dalinah Weltz, Bobby and Dustin Wise, Nicole Hinerman, Amber and Jimmy Hinerman, and Alicia Daerr; and two great-great-grandchildren, Adam and Andrew Hinerman; and two sisters , Ruth Schmidt of Adamsburg and Jean Karr of Evanston, Pa. Friends were received at the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 136, Madison, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Kenneth L. Bossart officiating. Interment will follow in the Middletown United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
BETTY A. KUBENA WISNIEWSKI
Betty A. Kubena Wisniewski, 76, a longtime resident of Mt. Pleasant (Bullskin Township), died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, at her residence. Betty's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Wednesday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A prayer service will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Everson. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Parish Cemetery, Everson. The St. Joseph Holy Rosary Society and Ladies Guild will recite the rosary Wednesday at 2 p.m. and a parish wake service will also be held Wednesday, both in the funeral home.
DANIEL A. ANKNEY
Daniel A. Ankney, 41, of Acme RD1, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, at home. He was born Nov. 1, 1958, in Greensburg, a son of Ray F. Ankney of Acme RD1 and the late Mary C. (Hutter) Ankney. He was employed as a truck driver for United Parcel Service in New Stanton, was a member of the Little Sewickley Sportsmen's Association and the NRA. In addition to his Father , he is survived by two sons , Luke Daniel and Elijah John Ankney; his sister, Carol S. Ankney of Buckhannon, W.Va.; his brother, Thomas R. Ankney of Mt. Pleasant RD6; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. There will be no visitation or viewing. Graveside services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the St. Paul Reformed Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township, with the Rev. William E. Ordelt Jr. officiating. Arrangements by GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity.
RONALD E. BECKWITH
Ronald E. "Becky" Beckwith Jr., 77, of Jeannette, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at home. He was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Jeannette, a son of the late Ronald E. Sr. and Eugenie Raviart Beckwith. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Fisher Body, Dravosburg. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a member of the Jeannette American Legion Post 344 and the M&S Club of Jeannette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Leora March; and a brother, Wilbur Beckwith. He is survived by his wife, Louise Fiume Beckwith; three daughters , Carol Ickes and Bill Scheibe of Bovard, Linda Beckwith at home and Diane "Dee" White and David Fody of Jeannette; two sons , Ronald G. Beckwith III and his wife, Cindy, of Irwin and James D. Beckwith of Greensburg RD1; eight grandchildren, Rhonda Logan and her husband, Kevin, Daniel Ickes and Ashley Kifer, Michele White , Melissa White , Chad Beckwith and his wife, Gina, Christy Beckwith and Jeff Chicklo, Justin Beckwith and Heather Beckwith; a great-granddaughter, Jada; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends were received in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Craig T. Hess officiating. Entombment will follow in Twin Valley Mausoleum. The Jeannette Combined Veterans will meet in the funeral home Wednesday at 8 p.m. to hold services.
