JOHN J. SPANARD
On Fri., January, 4, 2001, John, age 93, of Stowe Twp.; husband of Ada CHARLETTA; father of Dr. Russell A. (Audrey) Spanard and Richard J. (Catherine) Spanard; brother of the late Nicholas, Michael and Frank Spanard, Ella CAPUTO, Josephine PIETO, Florence EGGIE and Mary LITTERINI; also eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was the founder and First President of the Citadel Lodge of the Italian Sons & Daughters of America in Stowe Twp. and was First National Councillor for the ISDA. Friends received in the ANTHONY M. MUSMANNO FUNERAL HOME, 700 Seventh St., McKees Rocks. Funeral Mass in St. Malachy Church on Tues. at 10am. Visitation MONDAY ONLY 2-4 & 7-9pm.
JOHN SPILKO
John Spilko, age 77, 1853 East 2nd Street, died Saturday evening, August 23, 2008, at the Memorial Herman NE Hospital, Humble, Texas following a brief illness. He was born in McKees Rocks, Pa., May 17, 1931, son of the late Dan and Olga TRISKA Spilko. He lived in Erie all of his life. John was employed as a social worker with the PA State Department of Public Welfare in the State Blind Pension Program for 30 years retiring in 1986. Following retirement, he worked for the Erie Center for the Blind & Visually Handicapped for 14 years, retiring in 2000. He was a 1948 graduate of Erie Technical High School and received his Masters Degree in Sociology from Gannon College. John served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Catholic Church and the second Curcillo class. He enjoyed walking, fishing, gardening and loved spending time with his wife and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Christine Hammann Spilko, one son, Matthew Spilko and his wife Karen of Erie, one daughter, Rebecca KERN and her husband Kevin of Houston, Texas and three grandchildren, Isaac Spilko and Jessica and Emily Kern. Friends may call Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home, 5000 Wattsburg Road (corner of Pine Ave. and East Gore Road, 1-90 Exit 29). A prayer service will be held there Friday at 9:15 a.m. followed at 10:00 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Lakeside cemetery.
VIRGINIA RUTH STALLINGS
Virginia Ruth Stallings, a retired department store clerk, died of heart disease and dementia Feb. 14 at Heritage Harbour Health and Rehabilitation Center. The Annapolis resident was 90.
Born Virginia Ruth HASENEI in McKees Rocks, Pa., she moved to Baltimore's Pimlico area and was a 1934 graduate of Western High School. In 1953, she began work in the women's glove department at Hutzler's department store, later joining its display and accounts payable departments. She retired in 1979 and moved to Annapolis in 1997, after residing many years in Pikesville. She enjoyed traveling, needlework and German cooking. Services were held Monday in Severna Park. Survivors include a daughter, Arline Stallings KIRK of Annapolis; two brothers, Alfred Hasenei and Duane Hasenei, both of Baltimore; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her first husband, John Edward Stallings, died in 1945. Her second husband, Maurice Ellsworth FLATHER, died in 1997. A daughter, Janice Irene WARDEN, died in 1957.
MATHILDA "TILLIE" (FYFITCH) STANGL
Age 78, formerly of McKees Rocks, on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. Beloved wife of the late Michael J. Stangl Jr.; mother of David M. (Patti), Richard J., Allen T. (Cynthia) Stangl and Kathleen (Wayne) CROPPER; sister of Mary KWALICK, Margaret LECK, Nicholas Fyfitch and the late John Fyfitch Jr.; also survived by nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday 2-4 & 6-8pm at the McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1225 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. Funeral Mass Friday 9:30am St. John of God Parish, Church of St. Mary.
WALTER "LUDGE" STANKO
On November 6, 2002, age 73, of Houston, TX, formerly of McKees Rocks; husband of Shirley Stanko; father of Barbara LOVEGREEN (Ken) of Lake Kiowa, TX, Sandra Stanko of Henderson, NV, and Linda Stanko of Lakewood, CO; son of the late Barbara and Peter Stanko; brother of Anne BLUMLING (Robert) of McKees Rocks, LizzieZIRKLE (Robert) of Hankey Farms (Oakdale), John J. Stanko (Dolly) of Coraopolis and the late Mary MAKAR and Pauline BARAN; grandfather of Scott and Lindsay Lovegreen; also nieces and nephews. Friends received at the ANTHONY J. SANVITO, INC. FUNERAL HOME, 1650 Broadway, McKees Rocks (Stowe Twp.), family owned and operated since 1936, on Sat. 10-12 noon. Funeral Service will be 12 noon in the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to Odyssey Healthcare, 4011 McLeod Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89121.
BETTY G. STARNER
Betty G. Starner, 66, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, at her home. Born Sept. 27, 1941, in Mckees Rocks, Pa., she was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church. Mrs. Starner was a former X-ray technologist in Zanesville, former co-owner of "Catering Friends" in New Lexington and an aide at New Lexington Elementary for the past 10 years. She enjoyed making and buying crafts. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Richard E. Starner, whom she married
Aug. 10, 1963; her parents, Albert and Sophie KOCAY FOGARTY; a daughter, Christine L. McCABE and friend, John Morgan; sons, Shawn R. (Audra) Starner, all of New Lexington, and Jason E. (Carrie) Starner of Lebanon; grandchildren, Kaylee and Lauren McCabe and Zachary Starner; a sister, Sister Joanne Fogarty OSF; brothers, Butch (Emily) Fogarty and Jim (Vickie) Fogarty; numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, William Richard Fogarty. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at St. Rose Catholic Church, corner of Main and Water streets, New Lexington with Father William Maroon as celebrant.
NICHOLAS STAROSCHACK
Nicholas "Starr" Staroschack, a retired home contractor, died Monday of kidney disease at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oakland. Mr. Staroschack, 67, of Stowe was the founder of Starr Sales Contracting and Home Remodeling and owned the business for 30 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Pauline; a daughter, Mary Katherine PIETRANTONIO of Kennedy; a son, Mark R. FOLLEN of Stowe; three sisters, Jule and Kay Staroschuck of Stowe and Helen SCHIMMEL of Coraopolis; and a brother, Andy Staroschuck of Robinson. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow, August 1, 1991, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 204 Olivia St., McKees Rocks. Burial will follow at Resurrection cemetery in Moon.
ROBERT K. STEWART
Age 86, of McKees Rocks, on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Loving father of Robert (Judy), Dianne KEATING, William (Mary Jo), Sharon (Walter) WOJCIECHOWSKI, Kurt (Sue), Tina (Jeffrey) HAMMOND and Mark (Mercedes); also 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother of Leora BORLAND. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8pm Wednesday at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 334 Forest Grove Road, Kennedy Twp. (Family Owned and Operated Since 1886 and Member of the Good Grief Center) where a service will be held 10:30am Thursday.
JACOB STIKAROFSKY
Jacob "Jake" Stikarofsky, operator of Jake's Garage, Kennedy Township, for the past 25 years, died of a heart attack last night, July 5, 1978, in Ohio Valley Hospital. Mr. Stikarofsky, 55, was a veteran of World War II and lived in Kennedy Township for more than 40 years. He was a member and former deacon of the Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church, and a member of Chartiers Valley Lodge No. 747 F&AM, and the Islam Grotto. He is survived by his wife Irene; a daughter, Mary Lou ROTE, a son, Jacob Jr., all of Kennedy Township; and four sisters, Marie KASPERSKI of Robinson Township, and Emma BARBER, Alice SEELEY, and Helen TAUNEY, all of Kennedy Township, and three grandchildren. Friends will be received at the Stover Funeral Home, 534 Island Ave., McKees Rocks, until 9 tonight and from 12 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Chartiers Valley Lodge No. 747 F&AM will hold services at the funeral home tomorrow at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Calvary cemetery, McKees Rocks.
ANNA CHRUSZCZ STONER
Anna Chruszcz Stoner, 92, of Albion, Pa., passed away May 25, 2007. She was born to the late Dymytro and Anastasia (LABANT) Chruszcz on December 14, 1914 in McKees Rocks, Pa. When she was nine months old the family moved back to the Ukraine to assist on the family farm. In 1933, Anna and her older brother Peter left Wola Petrovia, Poland, for a turbulent voyage to America. She went back to McKees Rocks, Pa., and worked at various jobs including a steel mill and as a riveter in a munitions plant during WWII. She met her future husband, Michael Stoner, a police officer, walking back and forth to work. Anna was a talented quilter and won ribbons at local fairs. She also liked to crochet and embroider. She always had many flower gardens around her home and always a large vegetable garden. She loved the outdoors, and animals. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Michael in 1972, and her brother Peter in 1991. Anna is survived by her daughter Linda RISLEY, with whom she made her home; her brother, John (Nancy) Chruszcz, her sister Mary SJPYNDA, all of Pittsburgh, Pa.; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved little beagle "Bonney", devoted Basset "Xena" and her cat "Baby." Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Raymond Thomas of St. Mary and St. Frances Cabrini Churches officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m., until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.
MERVIN C. STOVER
McKees Rocks funeral director for more than 55 years, died of a stroke Friday, Feb 9, 1992, at Asbury Heights Nursing Center in Mt. Lebanon. Mr. Stover, 81, owned Stover Funeral Home in McKees Rocks and was associated with Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home in Crafton. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Eckels Mortuary School in Philadelphia. Mr. Stover was a former district governor and secretary of the National Funeral Directors Association and a former president and trustee of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association. Surviving are three sons, Hayes C. of McCandless, Dr. Mervin C. III of Munster, Ind., and James G. of Rosslyn Farms; and seven grandchildren. Friends will be received from noon to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Stover Funeral Home, 534 Island Ave., McKees Rocks. The funeral and Masonic services will be held at 1 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. tomorrow, respectively, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Calvary cemetery, Kennedy.
CELIA STOYAK
Celia "Cel" STOYAK, Of Linden, 88, died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Celia was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania on May 30, 1918, the daughter of John and Helen PYRC. She married
Joseph Stoyak on February 14, 1936. Surviving are 3 children, Joseph P. and wife Peggy of Tennessee, Kathleen Page of Linden, John and wife Toni of Burton; 9 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Stella GRADOWSKI, Jenny and husband Morris KURYS and Lottie ONDO; 2 brothers, John Pyrc, Raymond and wife Dorothy Pyrc; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, on December 28, 2002; 2 sisters, Wanda LEMEK and Stephania BOLONOWSKI; 2 brothers, Bernard and Joseph Pyrc. Your condolences may be shared with the family at www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
HENRY C. STULTZ
Sunday, September 29, 1968, Henry, husband of Sarah DOYLE Stultz; formerly of McKees Rocks; father of Robert and Paul Stultz; four grandchildren; brother of Emma NOZLING, Ruth SCHOLZ and Albert Stultz. Friends received at McDermott Bros. 1225 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks, Requiem mass at St. Francis DeSales Church on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m.
