Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
FRANCES R. MORCOM KEAN
Frances R. Morcom Kean, 93, of North Huntingdon, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, in the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. She was born July 20, 1906, in Bradenville, a daughter of the late Elisha and Urana Puff Morcom. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Irwin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth M. Kean; three sisters , Mae Brenn, Blanche Hill and Lillian Levis; and three brothers , Snoden, Miles and Floyd Morcom. She is survived by two sons , Kenneth E. Kean of North Huntingdon and William W. Kean and his wife, Sally, of Pataskala, Ohio; four grandchildren, Sandy Fry, Betsy Bucchi, Jason Kean and Krissa Kean; a sister, Erma Stull of Leechburg; and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Tuesday in the funeral home at a time to be announced. Interment will follow in Irwin Union Cemetery. Special thanks to all her caregivers, including Paula Greece and Frieda Siebert.
HELEN MARIE KNAUSS
Helen Marie Knauss, 69, of Columbia, S.C., formerly of Atlasburg, Pa., died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at home, following a long illness. Born Dec. 8, 1930, she was a daughter of the late George Matalik and Helen Stefura Matalik. She was a graduate of Burgettstown High School and the Pittsburgh Comptometer School, and was a former employee of Swift & Company in Pittsburgh, and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . She was also a homemaker, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Surviving are her husband, H. Zane Knauss of Columbia; a daughter, Christina Lee Knauss of Columbia (formerly of North Myrtle Beach); a sister, Margaret Castner of Canonsburg; five brothers , Aemil, Joseph, James, Robert and Thomas Matalik, all of Burgettstown; and 23 nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Columbia, S.C. The rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the church. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School, 3700 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29205. The DUNBAR FUNERAL HOME/GERVAIS STREET CHAPEL, is in charge of arrangements.
JULIUS C. KORNS
Julius C. Korns, 83, of Baldwin Borough, on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000. A retiree of Westinghouse, East Pittsburgh, with 39 years of service, and a U.S. Army veteran. Beloved husband of Lois J. (Greene) Korns. Father of David Carl Korns, Marti J. Laudato and Paul John Korns. Brother of Herbert Korns. Also survived by four grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME INC., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills, where a blessing service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment Jefferson Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
SUSAN E. LEWIS
Susan E. Lewis, 84, of Jefferson Hills, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000. She was the wife of Charles F. Lewis; mother of Frederick W. Lewis of North Canton, Ohio, Thomas D. Lewis of Irwin and David C. Lewis of Elizabeth; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister of Kenneth Audin of Glen Campbell, Pa. She was a member of Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Star. Friends received at the STEPHEN D. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, 1701 State Route 51, (Large) Jefferson Hills, Sunday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. Interment Burnside Cemetery, Burnside, Pa.
RONALD J. MAHOSKY
Ronald J. Mahosky, 64, of North Huntingdon, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, in Forbes Hospice Center. He was born Feb. 28, 1935, in Port Vue, McKeesport, a son of the late John G. and Bess Mahosky. Prior to retirement in 1993, he was employed as a technician by Bell Telephone Company. He was a member of St. Agnes Church, North Huntingdon, and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy. He is survived by his wife, Constance Kruszka Mahosky; three sons , Keith J. and his wife, Kitty, of Jeannette, Paul R. and his wife, Cindy, of Stafford, Va., and Scott A. and his wife, Holly, of Westerville, Ohio; and seven grandchildren, Chelsea, Benjamin, Mariah, Dylan, Drew, Tess and Sarah. Friends will be received at the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, Circleville, North Huntingdon, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Church, followed by interment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
ROCCO A. PERLA SR.
Rocco A. Perla Sr., 72, of Murrysville, and a longtime resident of Swissvale, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at the St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born April 4, 1927, in Braddock, to the late Livio and Maria Perla. Mr. Perla was the owner of Perla's Appliances for over 40 years. He was a lifelong member of the Madonna del Castello Church in Swissvale, a former member of the Lions Club, and a longtime sponsor and supporter of many community activities, including Swissvale Little League Baseball and the Swissvale Boys Club. He was the beloved husband of Mary Lou Pascarella Perla and the late Mary Luketich Perla. Loving Father of Victoria Dee and her husband, Bill Dee, of North Carolina, Livio Perla and his wife, Suzanne Perla, of Tampa, Fla., Anthony Perla and his wife, Sharon Perla, of Braddock Hills, Marie Moreau and her husband, Michael Moreau, of West Deer, Elizabeth Vedernack and her husband, Robert Vedernack, of Chicago, Ill., Rocco Perla and his wife, Georgeann Perla, of Churchill, and Michael Perla of Seattle, Wash. Stepfather of Robert Hainsey of Oregon, Ronald Hainsey and his wife, Dana Hainsey, of Monroeville, and Kathy Larson and her husband, Mark Larson, of Forest Hills. Also survived by 21 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Brother of Anita Giacciano of Monroeville, Jean Hawranko of Monroeville, Dale Petitta of Braddock and her husband, Vincent Petitta, and Rose Vallecorso of Hopewell. Also many nieces and nephews. Friends received 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale. Mass of Christian Burial in the Madonna del Castello Church Monday at 9:30 a.m. Interment in the Braddock Catholic Cemetery, Braddock Hills.
MARIE J. (PETERS) PRASNITZ
Marie J. (Peters) Prasnitz, 89, of Latrobe RD1 (Lycippus), died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born Feb. 5, 1911, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late William and Josephine (Schroding) Peters. She was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Whitney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Prasnitz, in 1993; and two sisters , Gertrude Luttner and Ann Mickinak. She is survived by her son, George J. Prasnitz of Lycippus; two grandchildren; and her brother, William Peters of Latrobe. Funeral arrangements are private. The GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, is in charge of arrangements.
ELTON C. SELL
Elton C. Sell, 79, of Derry RD1 (Millwood), died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at Latrobe Area Hospital. Born in Millwood, Sept. 14, 1920, he was a son of the late Harry C. and Cora E. (Rager) Sell. He was a member of the Derry Presbyterian Church. Prior to retirement, he had been employed as a carpenter by Kossman Development. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers , Benjamin Sell and H. Ronald Sell; and a sister, Rebecca Stough. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Whisner) Sell; two daughters , Sharon Sell and Mrs. William (Romayne) Doody, both of Blairsville; a son, Elton Craig Sell of Blairsville; two grandsons, William Doody of Blairsville and Matthew C. Sell of Latrobe; and a niece, Linda Plowman of Millwood. Friends will be received at the JAMES F. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 25 W. Market St., Blairsville, Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Neal Galley officiating. Interment in Blairsville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to your local Humane Society.
MACHELLE FRANCES (CRANE) SMITH
Machelle Frances (Crane) Smith, 42, a former resident of Wayne, N.J., and Long Beach Island, N.J., died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at her home in Belle Vernon. A 1976 graduate of Southern Regional High School, she also graduated from Wilma Boyd Business Academy in Pittsburgh. Daughter of the late Horace "Bill" Crane, she is survived by her son, William Crane Smith of Chula Vista, Calif., his Father , Mark Smith; her mother , Rosemarie "Babe" Crane of Manahawkin, N.J.; two sisters and brothers -in-law, Connie and Rich Becraft and Linda and Mark Falb of Manahawkin, N.J.; two nieces, Shannon Becraft and Megan Falb; and a nephew, Nicholas Falb. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Beach Haven, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the North Belle Vernon Fire Department, Speers and Arch streets, Belle Vernon, PA 15012.
MICHAEL J. WASSERMAN
Michael J. "Ziggy" Wasserman, 90, of South Greensburg, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, in the Integrated Health Services of Greater Pittsburgh, in Greensburg. He was born Sept. 27, 1909, in Udale, Pa., a son of the late John and Mary Oleyar Wasserman. Prior to retirement, he had been employed by the former Walworth Valve Co. of South Greensburg. He was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, South Greensburg, the B.P.O.E. of Jeannette, and the Jednota Lodge Branch 512. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Ziggy was the last surviving member of the 1930-1932 Haydenville baseball team, one of the top baseball teams in the county in that era. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary E. Messich Wasserman; three brothers , John, Stephen and Edward; and a sister, Mary Ann Kocan. He is survived by a brother, Thomas Wasserman of Greensburg; a sister, Elizabeth Kowick of Greensburg; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Bruno Catholic Church, South Greensburg, with the Rev. Blane L. Resko, O.S.B., as celebrant. Entombment with military honors provided by the VFW Post 33 Honor Guard will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Mausoleum, Hempfield Township.
ALBERT J. BENEDETTI
Albert J. Benedetti, 69, of West Mifflin, on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000. Beloved husband of Gina (Tredici). Loving Father of Linda Stockard of Erie, Lana DiSalvo of Library and Lori Steinert of West Mifflin. Grandfather of Leigh, John and Mark Stockard, Vito and Gina DiSalvo and Patrick and Brian Steinert. Brother of Lydia Ranalli, Yolanda Ginnani and the late Elio Benedetti. In his quiet life, Al was president of his own company, Benedetti & Associates, and had also served as a Supreme Director on the International Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus since 1990. Friends received Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at BEINHAUERS, 2828 Washington Road, Peters Township, (724) 941-3211. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 1O a.m. in Holy Spirit Church. Entombment Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony's School for Exceptional Children, 2718 Custer Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15227, or the McGuire Home for Exceptional Children, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066.
LAVERNE RUHE DOWNEY
LaVerne Ruhe Downey, 79, of Avonmore, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at her home. She was born Dec. 23, 1920, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Albert G. and Wilda (Marsh) Ruhe. She lived in Avonmore for the past 18 years and prior to that resided in Penn Hills. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Avonmore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd R. Downey, in 1992; and a brother, ElRoy Ruhe. She is survived by a son, Floyd A. Downey of Bell Township; two daughters , Marsha Weiss of Bell Township and Denise Majoris of Monongahela; her twin sister, LaVonne Reutzel of Avonmore; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the CURRAN FUNERAL HOME, 701 Salt St. in Saltsburg, where services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Baker officiating. Interment in Jefferson Memorial Park in Pittsburgh.
EDITH R. GALLO
Edith R. Gallo, 84, of Latrobe, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born July 21, 1915, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Donato and Marietta Terrere DiPasquale. She was a retired custodian for the Greater Latrobe School District. She was a member of St. Vincent Basilica, Latrobe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis John Gallo, in 1974; a son, Louis John Gallo, in 1938; a grandson, Lance Cpl. Peter Orazio, in 1988; three brothers , Edward, Angelo, and Daniel DePasquale; and four sisters , Donnina Passerelli, Annie Morelli, Loretta Vaccaro and Emma Macko. She is survived by a son, John Gallo and his wife, Peggy, of Latrobe; two daughters , Mrs. Peter (Lois) Orazio of Derry and Mrs. Rose (Jackie) Myers of Fairborn, Ohio; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; two brothers , Henry DePasquale of Greensburg and Samuel DePasquale of Latrobe; and a sister, Olga Falcone of Greensburg. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday in St. Vincent Basilica, at a time to be announced. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery.
DOROTHY LOU HARROLD
Dorothy Lou Harrold, 85, of Greensburg RD7, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Oct. 17, 1914, in Hempfield Township, the daughter of the late David F. and Olive Turney Thomas. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the YWCA, both of Greensburg. Surviving are her husband, Harry B. Harrold, to whom she was married for 65 years; a son, Randall L. Harrold and wife, Ann C., of Greensburg RD7; and grandsons, Scott T. of Idaho and Greg A. Harrold of Colorado. Friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Services will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Robert C. Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery. The family wishes memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second St., Greensburg.
