Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
HENRIETTA B. HOKE
Henrietta B. Hoke, 85, of Greensburg, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in the Hempfield Manor, Greensburg. She was born Feb. 3, 1915, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Leroy and Henrietta Blanche Hamm John. She was Protestant by faith. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William F. Hoke; a daughter, Blanche Bashioum; a brother, Leroy John; and a sister, Virginia Smith. She is survived by a son, William C. Hoke and his wife, Julie, of North Huntingdon; a daughter, Dorothy Bates of Greensburg; six grandchildren, Roman and James Bates, Chanta Kolick, Dolores Cholock, Meghan and Laura Hoke; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Wilbur L. John and his wife, Gail, of Bovard; and two sisters , Ella Marie Rauscher of Greensburg and Dorothy Eachus of Roanoke, Ala. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Franklin Bishop officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Clair Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with the Alzheimer's Association, 1011 Old Salem Road, Greensburg.
ELINOR L. MATSON
Elinor L. Matson, 71, of Slickville, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at home. She was born May 20, 1928, in Blairsville, a daughter of the late Julian and Luella Newhouse Johnson. She was employed for 24 years as a ward supervisor at the Pennhurst State Hospital in Pottstown. She was Lutheran by faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer B. Matson, in 1993; by three brothers , Raymond, Ronald and George Johnson: and by a sister, Sarah Johnson. She is survived by two children, Linda M. and her husband, Joseph Elliott, and Larry E. and his wife, Cynthia Merich Matson, all of Slickville; two brothers , David Johnson and his wife, Georgeann, of Homer City, and Howard Johnson of Blairsville; four sisters , Helen Rhodes and her husband, David, of Blairsville, Alice Starry and her husband, Charles, of Derry, Carol Lutz and her husband, James, of Blairsville, and Betty Hutton of Derry; five grandchildren, Raymond W. Bair and his wife, Lisa, of Slickville, Carole Lynn Byrd of New Alexandria, Larry E. Matson Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Bradenville, and Brian D. Matson and Danene A. Matson, both of Slickville; and six great-grandchildren. Mrs. Matson's family will receive friends at the JOHN L. BASH FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, (724) 468-8381, Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral home hours: Saturday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Frederick C. Heitzenroder officiating. A chapel committal service and interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.
PAUL P. PROTENIC
Paul P. Protenic, 87, of Greensburg RD8 (Marguerite), died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at Latrobe Area Hospital. He was born June 29, 1912, in Marguerite, a son of the late John Sr. and Susan (Gumbita) Protenic. Prior to retirement, he worked at American Bridge Company in Ambridge, and once worked for the former King brothers Coal & Coke Marguerite mine. He was a member and altar server of the St. Benedict Catholic Church, Marguerite, and was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army. He was also a member of the St. Benedict Holy Name Society, Jednota Branch #388 of Marguerite, the Oblates of St. Vincent Archabbey, U.M.W.A. Local #7951, U.S.W.A., Steelworker Retiree Club Local #1537, American Legion Post #515 of Latrobe, Charter Oak Retirees Bowling League, and A.A.R.P. Paul was also a life member of Marguerite Volunteer Fire Department, and member of the Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania Firemen's Associations. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son and seven brothers , John Jr., Michael, Frank, George, Andrew, Edward and Albert Protenic. He is survived by his wife, Ann S. (Forish) Protenic; two brothers , Joseph of El Paso, Texas , and Charles Protenic of Baden; two sisters , Mary Ann Ward and Margaret Wilkerson, both of Louisville, Ky.; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the St. Benedict Catholic Church, Marguerite, Monday at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Stephen R. Honeygosky, O.S.B., as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township.
ANN SMITH
Ann Smith, 83, of Harrison City, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. She was born Jan. 9, 1917, in Yonkers, N.Y., a daughter of the late Michael and Catherine Drost Kachmor. She was a member of St. Barbara Church, Harrison City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. Smith, in 1974; and three brothers , John, William, and Anthony Kachmor. She is survived by two sons , Lloyd G. Smith of Harrison City and Larry Smith of Jeannette; a daughter, Patricia Ann Smith of Harrison City; three brothers , Peter Kachmor of Harrison City, George Kachmor and Steve Kachmor, both of Jeannette; and a sister, Mary Kachmor of Harrison City; two grandchildren, Kristen Ann and Amy Jo; and two great-grandchildren, Devlin and Madeline. Friends will be received at the JAMES E. LINDSAY FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Harrison City, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Barbara Church with the Rev. Robert Lubic as celebrant. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Penn Township. A vigil service will be held Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
THE REV. MAX E. SMITH
The Rev. Max E. Smith, 75, of Ligonier, Rector Emeritus of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church, Rector, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000. He was born Aug. 19, 1924, in Confluence, a son of the late Harry E. and Mary Matthews Smith. Max was rector at St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church, Rector, from 1968-87 and rector emeritus from 1968 to the present. He graduated from Muskingum College in 1949, the Philadelphia School of Divinity in 1953, at which time he was ordained as an Episcopal priest. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a 2nd lieutenant. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Schaal Smith, on Feb. 16, 1996; a grandson, Ian Bradley Smith; two brothers , Robert and Carl Smith; and a sister, Evelyn Gardner. He is survived by a son, Bradley E. Smith and his wife, Melissa, of Latrobe; two daughters , Paula S. Columbus and her husband, Jim, of Dayton, Ohio, and Janet S. Cox and her husband, Randy, of Ligonier; six grandchildren, Cedie, Ryland, Mac, Marron, Warren, and Bryan; a niece, Nancy Hittie, and two nephews, Don and James Gardner. Family will receive friends at the SNYDER FUNERAL HOME INC. & CREMATORY, Bell and East Church streets, Ligonier, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial services will be held at St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church, Rector, at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. James B. Simons officiating. Private interment in St. Michael's Cemetery. Family will receive friends in the parish house following the service. The family requests no flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church, Ligonier Valley Library, or West Penn Hospital, Neo-Natal I.C.U. Elizabeth Snyder Bloom, funeral director.
JULIANN KEITZ WILSON
Juliann "Judy" Keitz Wilson, 55, of Norvelt, formerly of Mammoth, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. She was born Oct. 3, 1944, in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of the late Paul and Katharine Pocratsky Keitz. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Calumet. Survived by her husband, Charles B. Wilson of Youngwood; two aunts, Mrs. Andrew (Agnes) Pinsky of Mammoth and Mrs. Frank (Juliann "Babe") Pochinsky of Latrobe RD1; and three uncles, Stanley Pocratsky of Finleyville, and Raymond and Thomas Pocratsky, both of Mt. Pleasant. Arrangements by the JAY A. HOFFER FUNERAL HOME, Norvelt.
MARGARET M. BALEST
Margaret M. Balest, 83, Apollo RD7, formerly of Ashville, Pa., died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in Citizens General Hospital, New Kensington. Born May 28, 1916, in Export, the daughter of the late Joseph and Julia (Zorzi) Dapra. Preceded in death by husband, William, on May 31, 1989; a son, Dennis March; a brother, Urbano "Benny"; and an infant brother, Ciprano. Survived by these children: Alice May married to James Brinker, of Export RD, Ronald married to the former Alice Shockey of Altoona, John married to the former Lori LeBlanc of Avonmore, twins, Denise Balest of Apollo (with whom she resided), Debra married to Patrick Speedy of Mesa, Ariz.; stepchildren: Arlene Wagner of Port Richey, Fla., Shirley married to Robert Grim of Locust Grove, Va.; 20 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Mario of Oakmont. She was a former member of the Avonmore United Presbyterian Church, a member of the Altar Rosary Society and of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ashville, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Bunn as celebrant. Committal, East View Union Cemetery, Delmont. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the GIBBONS FUNERAL HOME, Ashville, where a vigil service will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Thomas Catholic Church, in Margaret's memory.
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.
CHARLES J. GOEBEL JR.
Charles J. "C.J." Goebel Jr., 33, of Latrobe, formerly of Ligonier, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at his home, of natural causes. He was born Nov. 29, 1966, in Perth Amboy, N.J., a son of Mary McCullough Giesey of Ligonier RD2 and Charles J. Goebel Sr. of Rahway, N.J. C.J. was a graduate of Slippery Rock State University, having earned a B.S. degree in public administration. He was a member of St. Michael's of the Valley Church in Rector. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his stepfather, Larry Giesey of Ligonier RD2; maternal grandmother, Pearl "Jenny" McCullough of Ligonier; half brother, Larry Goebel of Rahway, N.J.; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Robert H. McCullough, in 1997. There will be no public visitation. Service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in St. Michael's of the Valley Church, Rector, with the Rev. James B. Simons officiating. Interment in St. Michael's Cemetery, Rector. Friends and family will be received in the church parish hall following the interment. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made in C.J.'s memory to St. Michael's of the Valley Church, Rector, PA 15677. Arrangements by J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME INC., Ligonier.
WILLIAM A. GREENAWALT
William A. Greenawalt, 51, of Jeannette, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland. He was born March 11, 1948, in Greensburg, the son of the late Charles and Ann Cimballas Greenawalt. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of American Legion Post 344 of Jeannette, and was an employee of Persichetti's Restaurant. He is survived by two sisters , Patty Severini and Carol Maholic and her husband, Edward Sr., all of Jeannette; 12 nieces and nephews; and 10 great-nieces and nephews. Friends were received Friday at the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, where a blessing service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. V. Paul Fitzmaurice officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
EDWARD S. HEALEY
Edward S. Healey, 57, of New Alexandria, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. He was born Aug. 18, 1942, in Homestead, a son of the late John A. and Gertrude Schotting Healey. He was a retired employee of the H.J. Heinz Co., and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John W. He is survived by his wife, Arlene H. Garofalo Healey; two brothers , Richard W. Healey of Penn Hills and Harvey J. Healey of Cortland, N.Y.; a sister, Dolores Critchfield of North Huntingdon; two brothers -in-law, Emil and John Garofalo Jr.; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Costello. Services and interment will be private. Arrangements by the McCABE FUNERAL HOME, Derry.
