Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
ALFRED MARIAN
Alfred "Al" Marian, 93, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Greensburg Nursing and Convalescent Center. He was born March 28, 1907, in Jeannette, a son of the late Guy and Anna DeCellis Marian. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Al was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Church of Greensburg, the K. of C. Council #1222 of Jeannette, the St. Vincent Assembly 4th Degree and their Honor Guard, the F.O.E. #844 and the B.P.O.E. #486, both of Jeannette. Al was also an avid bowler. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Cecilia Leonard Marian, in 1985; a grandson, Charles E. Lizza III; a sister, Frances Marian; and a brother, Raymond Marian. He is survived by two daughters , Jo Anne Getto and husband, Michael, of Jeannette and Patricia Lizza of Latrobe; a brother, Edward Marian of Pittsburgh; two sisters , Angela Perry of Johnstown and Evalyn Stevenson of Jeannette; three grandsons, Michael Getto Jr., Alfred Lizza and Christopher Getto, M.D.; six great-grandchildren, Anthony, Christine, Katherine, Michael, Michelle and Maria; and several nieces and nephews. Friends were received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Entombment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, Hempfield Township. K. of C. Council #1222 will hold services Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
HELEN V. McFARLAND
Helen V. McFarland, 83, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born July 16, 1917, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Josiah and Goldie Carns McFarland. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed by the former Porcelier of Greensburg and later by the Westmoreland Regional Hospital. She was a member of the Greensburg Alliance Church where she had served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Upon retiring, Helen found much joy and companionship with her many lady friends at the Greensburg Alliance Church. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Clara Sloan. She is survived by a brother, Charles E. McFarland of Greensburg; two sisters , Genevieve Mottin of Nanty Glo, Pa., and Betty Bower of Seattle, Wash.; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Wesley Myers officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Clair Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with the Greensburg Alliance Church, RD6, Greensburg, PA 15601.
John R. McGrath
John R. McGrath, 81, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, O'Hara. Born Jan. 20, 1919 in Emsworth, he was the son of the late James and Petronilla Sweeney McGrath. Mr. McGrath was an Army veteran of World War II who served as a technical sergeant and was a prisoner of war after being captured by the Germans while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He a deputy trial administrator in the Orphans Court Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for 27 years. He was a member of St. Ursula Roman Catholic Church. Mr. McGrath, an active Democrat, served as a Ross Township commissioner from 1960 to 1974. He served as chairman of the board for several of his later terms and spearheaded the campaign for the opening of the Northland Public Library in McCandless. He also was instrumental in the development of Ross' community parks system and in the development of Ross Township's first high-rise for senior citizens, the Robert J. Corbett Apartments. Survivors include his wife, Catherine L. Kash McGrath; a son, J. Dennis McGrath of McCandless; two daughters , Karen Borgen of Hampton and Valerie Mengine of Ross; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Francis McGrath; and a sister, Clare McGrath. ®MDBO¯Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday in H.P. BRANDT FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Perry Highway, Ross. Christian Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church, Ross, with the Rev. Garrett Dorsey as celebrant. Burial will be in Allegheny County Memorial Park, McCandless.
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.
JAMES H. NEWMEYER
James H. Newmeyer, 78, of Vanderbilt, died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000, at home. He was born Dec. 10, 1921, in Carrick. He was a 1940 graduate of Clairton High School. He served as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II. He graduated with a B.S. degree from St. Vincent College in 1949. He received a master's of education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956. He was a retired Frazier High School teacher, where he also coached both junior and senior high football and taught driver's education. He played football for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948 and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was awarded the 1997 Letterman of Distinction from St. Vincent College. He was a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Perryopolis, VFW Post 07023 and the Sokol Hall. He was an avid golfer and belonged to several leagues. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice R. Newmeyer. He is survived by daughters , Pam Newmeyer and Susan McAninch, and son and daughter-in-law, James T. and Donna Newmeyer, all of Vanderbilt. A granddaughter, Noelle C. Smith, and two great-grandchildren, reside at Travis Air Force Base, California. A grandson, James H. Newmeyer II resides in Jeannette. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at St. John's Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. John Euker and the Rev. George Newmeyer as concelebrants. military honors, reception and wake will follow at Perryopolis Sokol Hall. He will be buried in the Gulf of Mexico. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Frazier High School Library, Perryopolis Heritage Society, Westmoreland Fayette Council Boy Scouts of America, or the Crime Victims Center of Uniontown.
C. Albert Orbell
C. Albert Orbell, 77, of White hall, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000. He was a veteran of World War II, a Mason and a Shriner, also a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Beloved husband of Lois Luther Orbell; loving Father of Deborah Freligh, Charles A. Orbell III, and Mark L. Orbell; brother of Jean Chester, James A. Orbell, and Janet Neilson. Also survived by five grandchildren, Sarah Norton, Charles and Jonathan Freligh, Zachary Gordon and Caralynn Orbell. ®MDBO¯Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME INC., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills, where services will be held at noon Saturday. Interment Jefferson Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 W. Eighth St., Erie, PA 16505.
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 PAGNANELLI
Mary Pagnanelli, 82, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. She was born Oct. 3, 1917, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Michael and Sara George David. She was a housewife and a member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry "Rego" Pagnanelli; a brother, Eziekel David; and a sister, Ann Riddell. She is survived by her children, Henry Pagnanelli of Dowingtown, Mrs. John (Mary Jo) Silvis of Greensburg, Joanne Pagnanelli of Pittsburgh, and Dr. David Pagnanelli of North Wells, Pa.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, John David, of Latrobe; a sister, Christine Tornavacca; and several granddogs. Friends will be received at the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, 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 9:30 a.m. in Holy Family R.C. Church. Interment St. Mary 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 were received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be received 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.
Elinore J. (Yurik) Petrow
Of Bethel Park, age 71, on Tuesday, August 8, 2000, beloved wife of Joseph C. Petrow; beloved mother of Joel Petrow, Joyce Petrow-Jones and Randy Petrow; sister of Michael Yurik and Mary Kotulak and the late John and Paul Yurik; grandmother of Carl Petrow, Alfred Brown and Nathaniel Petrow. ®MDBO¯Friends recieved on Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at PAUL L. HENNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL INC., 5570 Library Rd., Bethel Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, 10 a.m. at St. Valentine Church.
Susan Jean Rapp
Susan Jean Rapp, 82, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000 in the Village of St. Barnabas, Richland. Born Jan. 22, 1918 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Tvarzik Rapp. Miss Rapp was a secretary for 30 years for Safety First Supply Co. She was a lifetime member of St. Gabriel Archangel North Side until it closed in 1993. She was a member of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Richland. Survivors include several nephews. ®MDBO¯There will be no visitation. A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Richland, with the Rev. Ken Oldenski as celebrant. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
BRENDA REILLY
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. {ed} Brenda Reilly, a founder of the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and award-winning coach at Central Connecticut University, has died. She was 62. Reilly died of cancer Saturday at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. For the past three decades she coached volleyball, softball and basketball at Central and served as an athletic administrator. Reilly pitched and played infield for the Raybestos Brakettes, a fast-pitch softball powerhouse in the late 1950s and 1960s. She later managed and played for the Falcons of the Women's Professional Softball League in the mid-1970s. A New York native, Reilly also was a basketball official and served on several NCAA committees including equity, Title IX and rules. She won several awards including the Division II coach of the year in 1986. She was most recently honored for her lifetime service to women's basketball, an award she received at the Women's Final Four in Philadelphia. Reilly is survived by three brothers and 17 nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass was scheduled for Saturday at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Newington.
Lois M. Ruffing
Lois M. Ruffing, on Monday, August 7, 2000 of White hall. Wife of the late Walter G. Ruffing; mother of Diane Buck, Carol Ruffing, Joyce Brader and Lynn Munoz; also survived by six grandchildren. ®MDBO¯Friends will be received at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, Thursday 6-9 p.m. Funeral prayer on Friday morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Gabriel Church at 10 a.m.
HAROLD LESTER SHEPLER
Harold Lester "Huck" Shepler, 74, of Indian Head, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Harmon House, Mt. Pleasant. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft, 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.
