Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
HERB THOMAS
RALEIGH, N.C. {ed} NASCAR pioneer Herb Thomas, a two-time series champion, died of a heart attack Wednesday morning at his home in Sanford. He was 77. Thomas, who worked as a sawmill operator before beginning his racing career in 1948, won the Grand National Racing (now Winston Cup) championship in 1951 and 1953. He ranks 12th on the career victory list with 48 wins in 230 starts. Thomas earned his first win at Martinsville Speedway in 1950. His last victory was in 1956 at Merced Fairgrounds in California. Thomas won the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in 1951, 1954 and 1955. His 1955 victory came less than four months after he broke his leg in a dirt track crash at Charlotte. Thomas' career went downhill after he crashed during another dirt track race at the Shelby Fairgrounds in 1956. He suffered a severe concussion that knocked him out of contention for a third championship and left him partially paralyzed for several years. Despite the injury, Thomas continued racing the next year. He retired after making a brief comeback attempt in 1962. Afterward, he raised tobacco on his family's farm and operated a small trucking business. Thomas was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame at Darlington Raceway in 1965, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega Superspeedway in 1994.
MICHAEL W. YETSCONISH
Michael W. Yetsconish, 86, of Belle Vernon, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in Mon Valley Hospital Inc., Carroll Township. He was born in Fayette City, Sept. 10, 1913, a son of the late Mike and Mary Germack Yetsconish. Mr. Yetsconish was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. He was a member of the Church of St. Anne, as well as the West Newton VFW, East Huntingdon VFD, the Slovenian Club in Collinsburg, the Leiderkranz Club in Collinsburg and the Fayette City American Legion. He was a World War II veteran. He is survived by his very good friends, Kim and Joe Holomshek of Ruffsdale; brother, Georgie Yetsconish, of Florida; sister, Susanna Kosheba, of Pontiac, Mich.; several nieces and nephews; and good friend and dog, "Pooch." In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances H. Yetsconish, on Sept. 19, 1992; and several brothers and sisters . Friends will be received Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald L. Simboli presiding. Interment will follow in the West Newton Cemetery.
Ronald E. Beckwith
Jeannette
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; a sister, Jeanne Rahl of Greensburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends were received Wednesday and Thursday in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette. 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.
Louis J. Benedyk
Jeannette
Louis J. Benedyk, 82, of Jeannette, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in A Better Place Personal Care Home, Salem Township. He was born Sept. 13, 1917, in Braddock, a son of the late Thomas and Theodora Zyga Benedyk. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Westinghouse Electric in Trafford. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Jeannette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Benedyk. Surviving are his wife, Florence Stegner Benedyk; five daughters , Paula Groves and husband, Stanley, of Florida, Patricia Szarama of Greensburg, Mary Paklonsky of St. Paul, Minn., Diane Lander of Newville and Quoetta Coyne of Pittsburgh; two sisters , Helen Sosnowski of Buffalo, N.Y., and Frances Laskoski and husband, Louis, of Old Stanton; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends were received Thursday in the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
Peter James Elsbury
Avonmore
Peter James Elsbury, 84, of Avonmore, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000, at his home. He was a son of the late John and Roseanna Beers Elsbury. He was Protestant by faith. Pete was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Elsbury. He is survived by two brothers , Edward H. Elsbury of Fredericktown and Charles W. Elsbury of Youngstown, Ohio; four sisters , Mary Jane Milligan of Finleyville, Margaret A. King and Donna King, both of Ohio, and Ellen C. Bortz of Louisiana ; and a number of nieces and nephews. There will be no public visitation. Interment will take place in the St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg. BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, Greensburg, is in charge of arrangements.
F. Mark Engle
Walker, W.Va.
F. Mark Engle, 43, of Buckner Bend Road, Walker, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Parkersburg, W.Va. He was born in Parkersburg, April 16, 1957. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; graduated from Parkersburg Catholic High School, Class of 1975; was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Parkersburg; and was an avid golfer. He worked as a steel estimator in North Carolina. He is survived by his mother , Laura B. Engle of Parkersburg, W.Va.; his Father , Fred Engle of Davisville, W.Va.; six sisters , Lynn Furin of Kodiak, Alaska, Laura Engle Roche of Boston, Mass., Deborah Parton, Catherine Engle, Jane Engle and Karen Engle Byers, all of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and two brothers , Steve Engle of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Maj. Joe Engle with the U.S. Air Force in Kansas City. Also surviving are 12 nieces and nephews and his 97-year-old grandfather, Robert Engle of Walker, W.Va. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Parkersburg, W.Va., with Father Michael P. O'Reilly as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour before the services at the church. Memorial donations preferred to Parkersburg High School Foundation, 3201 Fairview Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26104, or to The Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship Home, 1030 George St., Parkersburg, WV 26101. LEAVITT FUNERAL HOME of Parkersburg, W.Va., is in charge of arrangements.
V. June Fox
Greensburg
V. June Fox, 90, of Greensburg and Ulysses, Pa., died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro, Pa. She was born June 1, 1910, in Windber, a daughter of the late Charles Ross and Fanny Rogers Lambert. On Nov. 12, 1925, in Wellsburg, W.Va., she married Henry Jacob Fox, who predeceased her in 1980. Mrs. Fox arranged and guided senior citizen bus tours for many years. She was also a representative for Stanley Products. She was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of New Stanton. She is survived by a son, Ronald H. Fox of New Stanton; a daughter, June F. Gray of Ulysses; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a brother and four sisters . Friends may call Friday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Benjamin R. Olney Funeral Home of Ulysses, Pa. Friends may also call Sunday, Aug. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the ROBERT B. DAVIS II FUNERAL HOME, 29 Division Ave., Greensburg, where funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jim B. Liston officiating. Burial will follow in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Mathilda C. Gasper
Cranberry
Mathilda C. Gasper died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000, in St. Francis Nursing Center, Cranberry. Mrs. Gasper was an avid Steelers and Pirates fan. Survivors include a son, David Gasper of New Sewickley; a daughter, Joann Daniella of Pittsburgh; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles P. Gasper. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in GEORGE A. THOMA FUNERAL HOME, 10418 Perry Highway, McCandless. Christian Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday in St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church, Cranberry. Burial will be in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Ross.
Donald W. 'Buck' Giles
Holiday Park, Plum Boro
Donald W. "Buck" Giles, age 13, accidentally on Wednesday, August 9, 2000, of Holiday Park, Plum Boro. Born on July 9, 1987 to Donald T. Jr. and Cherie (Alcorn) Giles. Grandson of Donald T. Sr. and Patricia (Botti) Giles and Donald and Mary Dee Alcorn. Great-grandson of James and Louise Botti and Oddie and Dorothy Thomas. Active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. He loved dirt bikes, working with heavy equipment, fishing and was an eighth grade student at O'Block Jr. High School. Buck was an outstanding son and brother, with strong faith and strong love. Friends will be received Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at SOXMAN FUNERAL HOMES, LTD., Roth Chapel, 7450 Saltsburg Road (at Universal), Penn Hills. Funeral services will be held in Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church on Monday at 11 a.m. (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH). Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church, 2931 Universal Road, Penn Hills, 15235. Interment in Plum Creek Cemetery, Plum Boro.
Olive M. Graft
Vanderbilt
Olive M. Graft, 87, of Vanderbilt, Pa., died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000, at the home of her son, Henry Graft of Dawson. She was born May 9, 1913, in Lower Tyrone Township, a daughter of the late Thomas Newton Junk and Augusta Gilleland Junk. She was a member of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Vanderbilt. Surviving are five children, Emma Peters and husband, Russell, of Acme, James "Gigg" Graft of New Boston, Mich., Earl "Fat" Graft and wife, Barbara, of Smock, Henry "Butch" Graft of Dawson, and Diana and husband, J.R. Espey, of Vanderbilt; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Graft; three children, Lois Ann Graft, Glenn Graft, and Tom Graft; seven brothers , Leslie, Henry, Harry, William, John, Robert, and Paul Junk; and five sisters , Anna Stillwagon, Louella Ference, Augusta Bell Junk, Fannie McKnight, and Nell Alexander. Friends will be received at the RALPH E. GALLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dawson, today from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the hour of the service there. Officiating minister will be the Rev. William Brown. Interment Dickerson Run Cemetery.
Arthur R. Gross
Mars
Arthur R. Gross, 44, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in UPMC Passavant, McCandless. Born Jan. 23, 1956 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Arthur B. and Barbara Swift Gross. Mr. Gross was a laborer for various businesses. He was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church. Survivors include sister, Susan J. Gross of the North Hills; and a brother, David L. Gross of Mars. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars, where services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Rex Throne officiating. Burial will be in Mars Cemetery, Adams Township.
