Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
RUTH V. McCURDY
Ruth V. McCurdy, 91, of Ligonier, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, at home. She was born April 16, 1908, in Ligonier Township, a daughter of the late F.W. and Anna Stout Berkley. She was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Ligonier; had been an employee of the Ligonier Borough, working at Town Hall; and had done babysitting for many families in the valley. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Charles T. McCurdy in 1988; a daughter, Sarah Barbara; and a son, James Oliver McCurdy; six brothers and sisters , Harry, Earl, Bob, and Elizabeth Berkley, Azile Bills Kerr and Bennie Ferry. Survived by three daughters , Esther R. Estes of Owensboro, Ky., Betty M. Jones of Mobile, Ala., and Nancy Lee Bushnell of Ligonier; four grandsons, James Perry, Timothy Jones, Charles Estes, and Brent Bushnell; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Monday, April 3, from noon till 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church, West Main Street, Ligonier. Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the church with her pastor, the Rev. David Kenyon, officiating. Interment will follow in Green Mountain Cemetery, Ligonier Township. McCABE FUNERAL HOME of Derry in charge of arrangements.
THE REV. JACK W. MILLER
The Rev. Jack W. Miller, 70, of 2200 Ionoff Road, Susquehanna Township, Harrisburg, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, in Saville Township, Perry County. Born June 1, 1929, in Ruffsdale, he was the son of the late Winfield and Effie (Myers) Miller. He was a member of Christian Life Assembly of God, Camp Hill, and a retired pastor of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Waynesburg College and Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington , D.C. He pastored churches in Brave, Pa., Hereford, Md., Sharpsburg, Port Vue, and Ambridge. He was the executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on Alcohol Problems from 1979 until 1991. He had been a representative of the council for 24 years, speaking in churches, private and public schools, colleges, and universities across Pennsylvania , promoting "Alcohol and Drug Free Lifestyles." He was active in legislation pertaining to alcohol and drugs, and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, a pianist, organist, and a member and past president of the Port Vue Lions Club. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Pearl E. Neighbors-Miller; three sons , Robert J. and Rick A., both of Harrisburg, and John W. of Elliottsburg; a daughter, Lou Ann Miller-Johnston of Shermans Dale, Pa.; a sister, M. Jean Miller-Craig of Florissant, Mo.; and 10 grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Pennsylvania Council on Alcohol Problems, 900 S. Arlington St., Room 220, Harrisburg, PA 17109, or Christian Life Assembly of God, 2645 Lisburn Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
MELVIN D. MINNICK
Melvin D. Minnick, 70, of Uniontown, died suddenly Tuesday, March 28, 2000, in Hopwood. He was born Aug. 10, 1929, in Uniontown, a son of the late Eugene W. and Laura Belle (Clark) Minnick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Minnick. Melvin was a self-employed auto mechanic and auto salesman. An avid race care driver for 28 years, he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Hall of Fame in 1995. He attended Cove Run Free Methodist Church in Lemont Furnace, was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II, was a member of the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Hall of Fame, the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club, American Legion Post 51 and AMVETS Post 103. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Bickerton) Minnick, whom he married Dec. 23, 1969; five children, Sheila Groves and husband, Robert, of Hopwood, Sheree Minnick and fiance, Nick Stone, of Columbia, S.C., Shelly Minnick and fiance, Junior, of Uniontown, Melvin D. Minnick Jr. and wife, Pam, of Uniontown, and Paul Craft of Smock; grandchildren, Jamie, Jason, Donald, Lacy, Melvin III, Matthew, Lee, Jonathan, Shannon; six great-grandchildren; and the following brothers and sisters : Eugene Minnick Jr. and wife, Betty, of Brook Park, Ohio, Dolores Nicklow of Uniontown, Patricia Thomas and husband, Paul, of Hopwood, Robert Minnick and wife, Lois, of Lemont Furnace, Gary Minnick and wife, Diane, of Ohiopyle, and Ronald Minnick and wife, Lois, of Uniontown. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the HAKY FUNERAL HOMES INC., 139 W. Fayette St., Uniontown, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 1, until 10 a.m., the hour of service with Pastor Roger L. Yeager officiating. Entombment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 51 and VFW Post 8543.
HELEN CONAWAY PALMER
Helen Conaway Palmer, 79, of Monessen, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at her residence. Born in Mannington, W.Va., April 23, 1920, Mrs. Palmer was a daughter of the late Arley and Beaulah Conaway. Mrs. Palmer was a graduate of the Mannington High School, Class of 1938, and West Virginia Weslyan College, Class of 1942. Protestant by faith, Mrs. Palmer was a member of the United Methodist Church of Monessen, Order of Eastern Star #205 of Monessen and the West Virginia Weslyan Alumni Association. Mrs. Palmer was preceded in death by two brothers , in addition to her parents, Robert W. Conaway and Donald Conaway. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Ralph E. Palmer Jr. of Monessen; two sons , David Allen Palmer and his wife, Sharron, of Richmond, Ind., and Ralph E. "Rick" Palmer III of Monessen; two daughters , Mrs. Evan (Patricia) Aptaker of Dallas, Texas , and Dr. Susan Palmer of San Antonio, Texas ; and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Andrew Palmer of Richmond, Ind. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. William Gawlas officiating. Interment will follow in West Newton Cemetery. Memorials in Mrs. Palmer's name may be made to the American Heart Association, Parkinson's Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, and the Monessen Public Library, in lieu of flowers.
STEVE ANTHONY PATRILLA
Steve Anthony Patrilla, 81, of Tarrs RD3, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, in Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at GALONE-CARUSO'S, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Michael W. Matusak as celebrant. Interment in St. Pius X Parish Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 and the VFW Post 3368, both of Mt. Pleasant. Western Pennsylvania Mohawks will conduct services in the funeral home Friday at 7 p.m. and East Huntingdon Volunteer Fire Department will conduct services in the funeral home Friday at 7:30 p.m.
NICHOLAS SAMERY
Nicholas Samery, 68, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, in Jeannette. He was born Feb. 8, 1932, in Penn Shaft, a son of the late Nicholas Samery and Lucy Sowash Samery Kramer. Prior to retirement, he had been employed as a moulder by the Lenhart Works of Westinghouse Electric. He was a
Korean War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army, and a member of VFW Post 781 in North Huntingdon. Surviving are his wife, Rhoda Sarsfield Samery; and three sisters , Margaret Cogar of North Huntingdon, Martha Petrill of Jeannette and Mary Ann Yakubisin of Trafford. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the VINCENT V. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin. Services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Joseph M. Kim officiating. Interment in Irwin Union Cemetery.
MARLENE McCONNELL TINLEY
Marlene McConnell Tinley, 37, of North Huntingdon, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, in the Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. She was born April 6, 1962, in Jeannette, a daughter of Anthony "Red" and Betty Rockwood McConnell of North Huntingdon. She was a graduate of Norwin High School, Class of 1980, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Class of 1984, and went on to complete a master's degree in communication at Duquesne University. She was owner of Marlene Tinley Communication, a thriving Pittsburgh-based public relations firm. She was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Irwin. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, David Tinley; two daughters , Callie Faye and Tessa Laurel Tinley, and a son, Tynan Rockwood Tinley, all at home; four brothers , Anthony Jr. and his wife, Ginny McConnell, of Irwin, Michael and his wife, Dianalyn McConnell, of Greensburg, Thomas and his wife, Mary Anne McConnell, of Leesburg, Va., and Jeff and his wife, Nancy McConnell, of Greensburg; three sisters , Bette Ann Soisson and her late husband, Joel, of Rillton, Bonnie McConnell and Sam LaPinto of Pittsburgh, and Jenny McConnell of Irwin; her mother -in-law, Georgia Tinley; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., Fifth and Oak streets, Irwin, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
ANN BRYAN VISLOSKY TURCHECK
Ann Bryan Vislosky Turcheck, 85, of Tennis Court Road, Fredericktown, Pa., died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at 5 p.m. in the emergency room of Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born April 5, 1914, at Hibbs, Pa., a daughter of the late Ludvik and Pepa Susanj Bryan. She was a member of the Parish of St. Oliver Plunkett. Survived by three sons , Michael B. and his wife, Pat Vislosky, of North Royalton, Ohio, Thomas C. and his wife, Carol Vislosky, of Dunwoody, Ga., and Robert E. and his wife, Adelaide Vislosky, of Greensburg; a brother, Leroy Bryan of East Millsboro, Pa.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandsons. Preceded in death by her first husband, Mike Vislosky, who died Feb. 1, 1980; her second husband, Floyd E. Turcheck, who died Nov. 27, 1997; two brothers , Ludvik Bryan and Charles Bryan; and four sisters , Mildred Bryan, Dorothy Dulla, Judy DeCarlo, and Josephine Siko. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 31, in the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, Fredericktown Hill, Fredericktown, Pa., where a blessing service will be held Saturday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Parish of St. Oliver Plunkett, St. Michael's Archangel Church, Fredericktown, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Edward S. Litavec as celebrant. Interment in Lafayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill. Parish vigil will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
DANIEL EUGENE WALTERS
Daniel Eugene Walters, 41, of South Carolina, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, in the University of South Carolina Medical Center of Charleston, due to injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was born Aug. 6, 1958, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of Florena G. Nicholson Walters of Mt. Pleasant and the late Homer Walters. He had been a resident of South Carolina for the last eight years and was working as a construction painter through the union. He was a graduate of the Rosemont Institute as a certified auto mechanic. In addition to his mother , he is survived by a son, Raymond Walters of Mt. Pleasant; three brothers , Mark Walters of Mill Run, Kenneth Walters of Germantown, Md., and Charles Walters of Mt.Pleasant; and two sisters , Gale Ridenour of Connellsville and Linda Baird of Ruffsdale. In addition to his Father , he was predeceased by a brother, Homer Walters Jr. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mt. Pleasant, Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., at which time there will be a memorial service in the funeral home with the Rev. Geary Witt officiating. Burial will be in the Scottdale Cemetery.
NELDA E. WARREN
Nelda E. Warren, 74, of Ligonier, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Burgettstown, a daughter of the late David and Violet Kennelty Morris. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Arthur David Griffin Jr. She is survived by her husband, Harris J. Warren; two sons , Mark E. Griffin of Ligonier and Terry L. Griffin of Camp Hill; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marie Parker of Cincinnati, Ohio. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. ONLY. Services will be private.
ANNE E. WISE
Anne E. "Betty" Wise, 79, of Rankin, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at the Heartland Health Care Center, Pittsburgh. Born Aug. 6, 1920, in Braddock, a daughter of the late Otto and Helen Biehl. Member of Good Shepherd Church, Braddock. Wife of the late Michael A. Wise Sr. Surviving are two sons , Michael A. Wise Jr. of Rankin and Thomas P. Wise and his wife, Sally, of Shadyside; a grandson, Andrew T. Wise; three sisters , Helen L. Husar of Monroeville, Doris M. Horvat of Munhall, and Christina Bolter of North Braddock. Visitation Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the THEODORE J. SCHLEIFER JR. FUNERAL HOME, corner of Second Street and Comrie Avenue, Braddock. Mass of Christian Burial at Good Shepherd Church in Braddock Saturday at 10 a.m.
LOUIS AIRHART
Louis "Pat" Airhart, 70, of Ruffsdale, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, at the Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. He was born March 14, 1930, in Altoona, a son of the late Oscar and Lucy Carl Airhart. He was a member of the Victory Chapel of Jeannette; a
Korean War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army; and was a self-employed general contractor. He is survived by two sons , Robert E. Airhart and Brenda of Ruffsdale and Michael P. Airhart and Judy of Altoona; two daughters , Deborah D. Airhart of Wilkes-Barre and Christine Airhart of Altoona; a sister, Patricia Airhart of Jeannette; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers ; and a sister. Friends will be received in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home Monday at noon with Pastor Bob Pollick officiating. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be made for funeral expenses.
JOSEPH BERKLEY SR.
Joseph Berkley Sr., 86, of Monroeville, died Thursday, March 30, 2000. Son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Dusic) Berkley. Husband of Catherine (Jurisic) Berkley. Father of Darlene (Michael) Hurney, Patricia (Philip) Ott and Joseph (Patricia) Berkley Jr. Grandfather of Pamela Donnelly, Scott and Rodney Thomas, Michael Berkley and Karyn Ott. Great-grandfather of Ethan Donnelly. Brother of the late Lawrence and Ann Berkley, Catherine Grancha, Mary Benish, Barbara Shepard, Agnes Porti and Vilma Tragesser. Nieces and nephews. Friends received at the ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Blessing service in the funeral home Monday at 10 a.m.
