Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
CHARLES H. HEMPEL
Charles H. Hempel, of Reynoldsville, Pa., formerly of Murrysville and White Valley, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Oakland. He was born Nov. 8, 1924, in Wilkinsburg, a son of the late Samuel L. and Laura Soles Hempel. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Municipality of Murrysville Public Works. He was a member of the Allens Mills United Methodist Church. He was past master of Forbes Trail Lodge F&AM #783 and a member of Hobah Lodge F&AM #276, and the Valley of Coudersport. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, was a member of the American Legion Post #711, AMVETS Post #85 of White Valley, and the VFW of Blairsville. He was also an honorary member of the Murrysville Fire Department and a member of the White Valley Athletic Social Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters . He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nellie May Greene Hempel; three sons , Charles and wife, Terri, of Emlenton, Ronald and wife, Kim, of Brookville, and Gary Hempel of White Valley; two sisters , Laura and Frieda Hempel, both of Monroeville; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation was from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Murrysville, where services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastors John and Ellen Bullock co-officiating. Interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
MYRTLE M. GONGAWARE JOHNSON
Myrtle M. Gongaware Johnson, 92, of Irwin, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, at home. She was born Nov. 23, 1907, in Irwin, a daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle Marsh Gongaware. She was a member of the Brush Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, Irwin, where she was involved in numerous church activities. She was a 30-year volunteer at the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital and a member of the Thiel Women's Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry G. Johnson; and a sister, Margaret Shrum. She is survived by two daughters , Vivian Ferguson of Irwin and Phyllis Permar and her husband, Edward, of McMurray; three granddaughters, Sandy Werts of Minnesota, Andrea Frew of Monroeville and Jill Ferguson of Irwin; three grandsons, Michael Ferguson of Virginia and William and Scott Permar of Dormont; two great-grandsons, Peter and Timothy Werts; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley Frew. She is also survived by two sisters , Lovena Lauffer of Greensburg and Sara Peterson of Ohio; and a brother, Walter Gongaware of Colorado. Also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Brush Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, Irwin, with the Rev. William L. Hauser officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brush Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, 177 Brush Creek Road, Irwin, PA 15642.
EVELYN JONES
Evelyn Jones, 82, of Jeannette, died Saturday, March 18, 2000, at her residence. She was born July 5, 1917, in Irwin, a daughter of the late Frank and Myrtle Creighton Weaver. Prior to retirement, she was employed by Lakeview Lounge, Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gerald S. Jones Sr., in January, 2000; two brothers , Paul and Raymond Weaver; and four sisters , Lera Oblak, Eleanor Weaver, Dorothy Hitchens and Carolyn Hitchens. She is survived by two sons , Gerald S. Jones Jr. and wife, JoAnne, of Norwood, Mass., and James A. Jones and wife, Candy, of Penn Township; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends were received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas A. Walters officiating. Interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. Contributions may be made to the Three Rivers Hospice, 3029 Jacks Run Road, White Oak, PA 15131.
CHARLES T. KROZEL
Charles T. Krozel, 85, of Mt. Pleasant RD5, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, in Scottdale Manor. He was born Sept. 6, 1914, in Peanut, Pa., (Mt. Pleasant Township), a son of the late Joseph and Agnes Pocratsky Krozel. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church in Calumet and the U.M.W.A. Local #1619. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a coal miner for the Helen Mine and also worked at the Carpentertown Mine. Charles was a lifetime carpenter and had also worked for Eidemiller Road Construction and Bovard Cement Plant. His hobby was farming. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anastasia M. Krozel, on Jan. 30, 1999; and the following brothers and sisters , Andrew, Adam, Kathryn, and Joseph Krozel. Survived by two sons and their wives, Carl Krozel and Carol, and Richard E. Krozel and Mary Lou, all of Mt. Pleasant RD5; six grandchildren, Christine, Michael, and Steven Krozel, Kimberley Benca, Nicole and Adam Krozel; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Martha Yanek of West Mifflin; and nieces and nephews. Friends were received at the JAY A. HOFFER FUNERAL HOME, Norvelt, Monday from 2 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 9:20 a.m., followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Stanislaus Church at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Cemetery. Wake service will be held in the funeral home Monday. Sandra L. Hoffer, funeral director.
ELIZABETH F. McCANCE
Elizabeth F. McCance, 89, of Pittsburgh, on Sunday, March 19, 2000. Daughter of the late Francis K. and Mary Stevenson McCance. Sister of the late Helen Mar McCance. She is survived by numerous cousins. Miss McCance began her career working in her family's printing firm, Stevenson & Foster, and later joined the administrative offices of Robert Morris Junior College, from where she retired as the dean of students. She was a past president of Zonta, a member of the dispensary board at St. Margaret Hospital, a board member of the Pittsburgh Women's Shelter and a member of the Junior League. She also belonged to the Twentieth Century Club and the Pittsburgh Golf Club, and was active in fund raising for the Pittsburgh Women's Shelter, the American Museum in Bath, England, and the National Cathedral in Washington , D.C. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Ave., Shadyside. The family will receive friends following the service in the Great Hall of the church. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsburgh Women's Shelter, POB 9024, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Arrangements by H. SAMSON, INC., Oakland.
DOROTHY J. McGEARY
Dorothy J. McGeary, 88, formerly of Southwest Greensburg, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, in Oak Hill Rest Home. She was born July 3, 1911, in Southwest Greensburg, a daughter of the late John and Mary Cindric. She was a former employee of Greensburg Floral. Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and its Dorcas Class and Women's Society. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star William E. Gelston Chapter #435, YWCA, Meals-on-Wheels, Knights Templar Ladies Auxiliary, the Royal Arch Widows Association and the Westmoreland Symphony. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd W. McGeary; two sisters , Helen and Anna; a brother, Amel; and a great-grandchild, Erin Suttle. Surviving are her children, Ralph W. McGeary and wife, Debbie, of Ruffsdale, Mrs. Peggy McGeary of Hoboken, N.J., Elaine Semenko and husband, Robert, of Greensburg and Norma Jean Suttle and husband, William, of Columbus, Ohio; and a sister, Mary Provins of Boca Raton, Fla. Also survived by 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church 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, Greensburg. Members of the William E. Gelston Chapter #435 will hold Eastern Star services Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
FRANCIS D. PASCALE SR.
Francis "Frank" D. Pascale Sr., 70, of Brownsville, died suddenly Saturday, March 18, 2000. Friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park St., Brownsville, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Tuesday evening with the Rev. Father Vincent Gigiotti officiating. The family requests that no fresh flowers be sent to the funeral home.
LLOYD POSTA
Lloyd "Babe" Posta, 83, of Mt. Pleasant, went to be with his Lord Sunday, March 19, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, after a courageous two year fight with cancer. He was born Dec. 3, 1916, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late Frank and Anna Ibl Posta. He was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. Babe was a graduate of the Ramsay High School with the class of 1934 and a Nebraska business school. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the Army Air Corps in the China, Burma, and India theaters. He was a member of the VFW Post 3368, where he had served as quartermaster for the past 22 years. Babe was also a member of the American Legion Post 446 and the C.S.A. Lodge 234, Loyalhanna. He was a volunteer at the Latrobe Area Hospital Oncology Department. For the 36 years prior to his retirement, Lloyd worked for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and was a manager in several Westmoreland County stores. He is survived by his loving family: his wife of 44 years, Marie Precosky Posta; daughters , Cindy Harr of Latrobe and Sandy Gaskey and husband, Gene, of Mt. Pleasant; five grandchildren, Jared and wife, Diana, Michael and wife, Monica, and Patrick Harr, and Bart and Gina Gaskey; and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas Smith, and Alex and Jacob Harr; a brother, Frank Posta and wife, Helen, of Inverness, Fla.; a sister, Ellen Minster of Rocklin, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Robert Harr; two sisters , Mary Murphy and Arda Beranek; three brothers , Rudolph, George, and James A. Posta; and a nephew, John Posta. Friends will be received in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from noon to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Pius X R.C. Church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael W. Matusak as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the members of the Mt. Pleasant American Legion and the VFW.
RITA LAVERNE GATES YOUGER
Rita Laverne Gates Youger, 25, of Latrobe, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, at her home after an extended cancer illness. Friends were received Monday at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor David brothers officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, in memory of Rita.
JOSEPH W. ZABKAR
Joseph W. Zabkar, of Bethel Park, on Saturday, March 18, 2000. Beloved husband of the late Ida (Ciardi) Zabkar. Father of the late Kimberly A. Zabkar; brother of Dorothy Yelenchic, Edward and (Margaret) Zabkar, David and (Mildred) Zabkar, and Nancy Wallace. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Former employee of Pleasant Hills Distributing Co. (Petrovich's), Albrecht Distributing, and was a Bethel Park school guard. Friends received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the GRIFFITH MORTUARY INC., 5636 Brownsville Road, Broughton-Curry-South Park Township. Funeral prayer Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial in St. Valentine Church at 10 a.m.
FRED H. ALLISON
Fred H. Allison, 83, on Monday, March 20, 2000, in Harrisburg. Beloved husband of the late Virginia Gibson Allison. Predeceased by parents, George E. Allison and Nellie H. Hawkins. Brother of the late Mary K. Allison of Greensburg. Surviving are two sons , Thomas G. of San Antonio, Texas , and Fred R. of Gibsonia; and a daughter, Lucinda Hawkins of Linglestown, Pa. Also survived by six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Fred was a retired major in the United States Air Force, senior pilot and World War II veteran. He was also a staff pilot for Pennsylvania State University, a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion Post 245 of State College, Daedalions, Quiet Birdmen, Reserve Officers Association, Retired Officers Association and Silver Wings. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the KOCH FUNERAL HOME, State College. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.
ANNE MONSKIE BENTZ
Anne Monskie Bentz, 98, of Greensburg, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, in the Greensburg Nursing and Convalescent Center. She was born June 8, 1901, in Grindstone, Pa., a daughter of the late Julius Monskie and Bessie Wable Monskie. She was a longtime member of the First Christian Church and had been the church secretary and treasurer of the Bible school for 30 years, and had been a volunteer for the American Lung Association and the Meals-on-Wheels in Greensburg. She was preceded in death, besides her parents, by her husband, Jack Bentz; and her family members, Robert and Edward Monskie, and Lorraine Damato and Phyllis Monskie. Surviving are her sisters , Davida Monskie Leshock and Virginia Monskie Woodward. Friends and family will be received at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. Services will be held in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Steven L. Welker officiating. Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery.
ANGELINE L. BRADEN
Angeline L. Braden, 96, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, March 21, 2000, in the Edgewood Nursing Center, Youngstown, Pa. She was born Nov. 25, 1903, in Italy, the daughter of the late Angelo and Mary Nicolina. She was a member of the Christ United Church of Christ, and the Ladies of the Moose, both in Latrobe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Braden; two sons , Herbert and George Braden; and a brother, Henry Nicolina. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Johnstone and husband, William, of Youngstown, Pa.; a stepdaughter, Anna Katherine Bates of Latrobe; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Phyllis Humphreys of Derry. Friends will be received Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe, where service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Wayne R. Sautter officiating. Interment Unity Cemetery, Unity Township.
