Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Michael E. Sajna Jr.
North Huntingdon
Michael E. Sajna Jr., 49, of North Huntingdon Township, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000, at home, after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was born Nov. 25, 1950, during the "Blizzard of 1950" in Mt. Pleasant, a son of Mike and Leona Rusenko Sajna of Standard Shaft. Sajna was the outdoors writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a lecturer and a contributor to numerous national magazines. In addition to his newspaper work, Sajna authored five books: "The Pennsylvania Trout and Salmon Fishing Guide"; "Buck Fever: The Deer Hunting Tradition in Pennsylvania "; "The Allegheny River: Watershed of a Nation" (with photographer Jim Schafer); "Days on the Water: The Angling Tradition in Pennsylvania "; and this spring, "Crazy Horse: The Life Behind the Legend." He had previously been employed by the Standard Observer of Irwin, the McKeesport Daily News, and the University of Pittsburgh Times. At one time, he was a frequent contributor to the Tribune-Review's Focus magazine. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1969 and California University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He was a member of the Newspaper Guild/Communications Workers of America, Trout Unlimited, Forbes Trail Chapter, The FlyFishers Club of Pittsburgh, Outdoor Writers of America, Standard Shaft Citizens Club and the Hecla Sportsmen's Club. In addition to his parents, Sajna is survived by his wife, Lisa Baxter Sajna, whom he married Sept. 17, 1999, the 50th anniversary of his parents' wedding; two stepdaughters, Lacy Thomas and Lindsay Thomas; and a goddaughter, Rebecca Cook of Irwin. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Sajna, on Aug. 6, 1976. When diagnosed with leukemia in October 1998, Sajna decided on an aggressive course of treatment with Dr. DeLynne Myers and Dr. Elizabeth McGuire of the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Sajna's family will never forget the dedication, professionalism and compassion shown by these two physicians and the nurses and staff of the UPMC Shadyside seventh floor. Sajna said his three proudest accomplishments were helping to raise Becky Cook for 10 years; his five books: and his deep and longstanding friendships. Friends received at GALONE-CARUSO'S, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Mt Pleasant, with the Rev. Anthony W. Ditto as celebrant. Interment will follow in Visitation Parish Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the conservation organization of your choice.
Rose G. Santore
Bethel Park
Formerly of New Jersey
Rose G. Santore, 98, of Dorchester Apartments, Bethel Park, formerly of New Jersey, on Friday, August 11, 2000. Wife of the late Anthony Santore. mother of Richard, and his wife, Marilyn Santore. Grandmother of Richard, Jr. (Sue), Gary (Debbie), and Pete (Beth) Santore, Linda (Clay) Tully, Janet (Jeff) Bumgarner, and Lisa Rose Santore. Also survived by eleven great-grandchildren. Friends may call at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, INC., 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, SUNDAY from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Thomas More Church Monday at 11:30 a.m. (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH.) In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Thomas More Church Family Life and Education Center, 126 Ft. Couch Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.
Patricia (Green) Shimkus
Esplen
Patricia Green Shimkus, suddenly on August 10, 2000, of Pittsburgh (Esplen); mother of Albin (Deanna) Shimkus; sister of Dick Green; grandmother of Albin Jr., and Aaron Shimkus. Memorial service at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1225 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks, (Family owned and operated since 1886) Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Michael G. Simodejka
Toms River, N.J.
Michael G. Simodejka, 52, of Toms River, N.J., died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000, at Memorial Hospital in Burlington County, N.J. He was born in Pittsburgh, a son of George and Anna Simodejka of Aberdeen, N.C., and lived in Germany and Georgia before moving to Toms River, 24 years ago. He was a retired U.S. Army captain and had worked for the past 25 years as deputy director of logistics at Lakehurst Naval Air Base, Lakehurst, N.J. He was a member of the 1st and 75th Ranger Battalion and was a U.S. Vietnam veteran. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Metal, the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachute Badge and the Bronze Star. Over the course of his civilian career, he received numerous commendations and awards for superior service and performance. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Patricia Beleski Simodejka; a son, Jason M. of Seattle, Wash.; a daughter, Dawn M. of Lavallette, N.J.; and a sister, Andi Chaney of Aberdeen, N.C. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the ANDERSON AND CAMPBELL FUNERAL HOMES, 703 Main St., Toms River, N.J. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Toms River, with burial to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River.
Holly Witherspoon Sphar
formerly of Fox Chapel
Holly Witherspoon Sphar, 90, a former resident of Fox Chapel, died at Longwood at Oakmont, Plum Borough, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000. He was born Nov. 1, 1909, in Winchester, Ky., a son of the late William R. and Martha Witherspoon Sphar. He was a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, first in his class with a degree in electrical engineering. While there, he received highest honors, including membership in the honorary fraternities Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi, and was president of his social fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He went on to receive his MBA from the Harvard Business School. He then began his work career as cashier of the Clark County Bank in Winchester. In 1937, he married Mabel Strother Bagby. Soon after their marriage, he took a financial position with the Pocahontas Fuel Company in New York City. He remained with the company and its successors throughout his business career. During his career, he also lived in Short Hills, N.J., and Bluefield, W.Va., then moved to Pittsburgh at the time that Pocahontas Fuel merged with Consolidation Coal Company (now Consol Inc.) as senior financial officer. He was well known in the coal industry and active in numerous financial organizations, including the Financial Executives Institute and the Pittsburgh Society of Financial Analysts. During his life he dedicated himself to Christian organizations and his church. He was particularly active in the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder, trustee, treasurer, controller and clerk of session. He also was especially supportive of the Coalition of Christian Outreach, a campus ministry based in Pittsburgh with activities throughout the mid-Atlantic region, where he served for many years as a director and its treasurer. He was a past trustee of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va., and also had served as a director of the Fox Chapel Sewer Authority. He was a member of the Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Duquesne Club. In addition to his wife, Mabel, he is survived by his son, Holly W. Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Fox Chapel; and four grandchildren, Lauren S. Sphar of New York City, Kate A. Sphar of Norwalk, Conn., and A. Holly Sphar and Jeremy C. Sphar, both of Fox Chapel. He leaves a brother and his wife, William R. and Ruth Sphar; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Anne Sphar, all of Winchester, Ky. A son, W. Bagby Sphar, and a brother, Asa R. Sphar, preceded him in death. He was everyone's idea of the perfect Southern gentleman, although he loved the Pittsburgh area since his arrival in the late 1950s. He was known for his humor, concern for others and high integrity. He enjoyed golf and fishing, and although he only returned to Kentucky for family visits, he loved the annual dove hunting season there immensely. His warmth and gracious manner endeared him to all who met him. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. There will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Winchester Cemetery, Winchester, Ky. A memorial service will be held in the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in mid-September. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Coalition for Christian Outreach, 5912 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, or the Bagby Sphar Memorial Fund of the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. The THOMAS D. ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME, 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, will be in charge of local arrangements.
Wanda L. Venter-Climo
Marshall
Wanda L. Venter-Climo, 54, died Saturday, August 12, 2000, in her Marshall home. Born Feb. 20, 1946, in New Martinsville, West Va., she was the daughter of Mary Nettie Howley Dawson of Pine Grove, West Va. and the late Guy Dawson. Mrs. Climo was a business woman and partner with her husband at #1 Painting Co. in Marshall. In addition to her mother , she is survived by her husband, Vincent A. "Tony" Climo; one son, Howard D. White man of Marshall; three brothers , Wilbur Dawson, Donald Dawson and Clair Dawson, all of Pine Grove, West Va.; two sisters , Wilma Haught of Pine Grove, West Va. and Janet Dawson of North Carolina; two grandchildren, Brittany and Aarden White man of Marshall. In addition to her Father , she was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Dawson; two sisters , Betty Dawson and Lillian Dawson. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the H.P. BRANDT FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Perry Highway, Ross. There will also be visitation Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. in the Palmer Funeral, Main St., Pine Grove, West Va., where services will be on Wednesday. Burial will be in Knight of Pythius Cemetery, Pine Grove, West Va.
Ruth Havekotte Ackman
Pleasant Hills
Ruth Havekotte Ackman, age 98, of Pleasant Hills, on August 11, 2000. A graduate of Allegheny High School, she attended Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to 25 years of teaching in the Baldwin/ White hall School District, she taught music for three years at Rochelle School in Knoxville. She was organist and choir director for 52 years at St. Sylvester Church, Brentwood. Wife of the late Louis J. Ackman and mother of Virginia A. Zeuner, Maureen A. (Edward) Rodgers, Richard (Doris) Ackman and Douglas (Jeanne) Ackman. Also survived by 26 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Friends received at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where a Funeral Prayer will be on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sylvester Church at 10 a.m. If desired, family suggests contributions to St. Sylvester Grade School.
Kathleen G. Brazier
Crown, Pa.,
Formerly of Pittsburgh
Kathleen G. Brazier, 55, died Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000 in St. Barnabas, Richland. Born Sept. 6, 1944 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late George and Frieda Huber Groll. Mrs. Brazier was a medical assistant. Survivors include her husband, Edward J. Brazier; two daughters , Kimberly A. Simcic of Shaler and Becky L. Vecenie, both of Shaler; and a brother, George Groll. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in BOCK FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd., Shaler. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. George C. Newmeyer as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Royal Cemetery, Shaler.
Josephine Rupnik Cappa
Greensburg
Josephine Rupnik Cappa, 93, of Greensburg, formerly of White Valley, died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000. She was born March 14, 1907, in Center, Pa., a daughter of the late John and Julia Hayny Rupnik. Also preceded in death by her husband, Quinto Cappa; a daughter, Elenore Julia Reich; two brothers , Frank and Joseph Rupnik; two sisters , Elsie Trumbetta and Pauline Makuc; and a granddaughter, Linda Williams. Surviving are a son-in-law, Lewis Reich of Delmont; a brother, Stanley and his wife, Betty, of White Valley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the EDWIN N. WOLFE FUNERAL HOME INC., Export, Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m. with Father Dismas Young officiating. Entombment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park Mausoleum, Delmont.
Olga Backstrom Dennick
Ruffsdale
Olga Backstrom Dennick, age 77, of Ruffsdale RD 2, died Sunday, August 13, 2000. Born September 10, 1922, in Rostraver Twp., Collinsburg, Pa., Olga was the oldest daughter of the late William and Ida "Betty" Bryner Backstrom. Olga worked from a very young age and was part of Westinghouse's work crew during World War II receiveing an Army- Navy Production Award for meritorious work. Following her marriage to the late Clinton W. Dennick, Olga became a full-time homemaker and accomplished seamstress. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Robin Dennick, and her sister, Viola Backstrom Dubinshak. Olga was a member of Hilltop United Methodist Church in Madison, Pa. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Dennick-Ream, a son-in-law, Zane A. Dennick-Ream, and two grandchildren, John and Carrie Dennick-Ream, all of Bethel Park. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Joanne Pierce of Collinsburg, and three brothers , Robert Backstrom of Meadville, Pa., and Russell and William Backstrom of Collinsburg, Pa., one nephew and three nieces. Friends and family will be received at JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME INC., at 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, August 14, and at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Madison, Pa. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15. A celebration of death and resurrection will be at Hilltop United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Hilltop United Methodist Church, Madison, Pa., or First Bethel Weekday Ministry's Scholarship Fund at 5901 Library Road., Bethel Park, PA.
