Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
CATHERINE A. POWERS
Catherine A. Powers, 91, of Richland Township, formerly of Murrysville, died Friday, March 31, 2000, in St. Barnabas Home, Gibsonia. She was born Aug. 27, 1908, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late William and Mary Madden Powers. She was a retired executive secretary for Thorofare Markets and a member of the mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville. She was preceded in death by a sister, Anna M. Powers in 1991. She is survived by two cousins, Margaret McLane of Mars and Father Silvan Rouse, C.P., of Bedford. Private interment was in the North Side Catholic Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. in the mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville. Arrangements by JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Murrysville.
GEORGIA C. ROSCOSKY
Georgia C. Roscosky, 87, of Jeannette, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. She was born Aug. 25, 1912, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late George and Minnie Yurt Hizer. Georgia was a member of the St. Boniface Church of Penn and the church's Christian Mothers. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by three sisters , Henrietta Kunesh, Elizabeth Horvath and Genevieve Roscosky. She is survived by her husband, Clemens Roscosky; a daughter, Lucille Robino and husband, Francis, of Jeannette; a brother, Robert Hizer and wife, Lenora, of Columbia, Mo.; two sisters , Wilamina Loughner of Export and Rosemary Kardos of West Newton; four grandchildren, Susan Bobrowski and husband, Daniel, Richard Robino and wife, Kris, Linda and Laura Robino; three great-grandchildren, Kelsey Bobrowski, Rachael and Lauren Robino; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, beginning Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Boniface Church. Interment will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
LEOPOLD P. SMEREKAR
Leopold P. "Paul" Smerekar, 86, of Irwin, died Monday, April 3, 2000. He was born Jan. 24, 1914, in Yugoslavia, a son of the late John and Magdeline Zagar Smerekar. He was a retired sexton for the Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin, with 32 years service. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin; F.O.E. Aerie 1671, Irwin; the L.O.O.M. Lodge 236, Irwin; and the S.N.P.J. Lodge of Herminie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Menart Smerekar in 1993; four sisters , Ella Younkin, Amelia Klus, Mary Lindsey, and Christine Iski. He is survived by a daughter, Rosemarie Friend of Ottawa, Ohio; two sons , Leo Smerekar of North Huntingdon and James Smerekar of Pinellas Park, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers , Frank Smerekar of Florida and Edward Smerekar of Greensburg; also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 521 Main St., Irwin, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday in the Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
MARY JANE RUFFNER SPHON
Mary Jane Ruffner Sphon, 69, of Jeannette, died Monday, April 3, 2000, in Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Luxor, a daughter of the late John A. and Daisy Leonard Ruffner. She was a member of the Christian Liberty Church in Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Clyde Roy Sphon; and brothers , James and John Ruffner. She is survived by her children, Jake Edward Sphon and wife, Linda, of Leechburg, William F. Sphon and wife, Barbara, of Latrobe, James Ruffner Sphon and wife, Diane, of Greensburg, Daisy Sphon of Jeannette and Billie Jo McDonald and husband, Harry, of Ohio; a brother, William Ruffner and wife, Nancy, of Fort Myers, Fla.; and sisters , Henrietta McIlnay of Luxor, Gladys Myers and husband, Richard, of Greensburg, Annabelle Bayura and husband, Joseph, of Forbes Road and Faye Svetkovich and husband, Joseph, of Greensburg. Also survived by grandchildren, Jacob, Noel, Jason, Justin, Jared, Jamie, Bud, Ryan and Brad; and numerous 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 10 a.m. in the Liberty Christian Church, South Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg, with the Rev. Almon Birt officiating. Interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park.
JOHN FRANCIS VARGO SR.
John Francis Vargo Sr., 85, of Brooksville, Fla., died Friday, March 24, 2000. He was born in Crabtree, lived in Greensburg for 71 years, and was a resident of Brooksville for the past three years. He was a retired machine operator for RobertShaw Controls Co., a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and a member of the VFW. Survivors include his wife, Frances L.; four sons , John of Brooksville, Fla., David of Cranberry Township, Mark of Waltham, Mass., and Joel of Houston, Texas ; brother, Henry Vargo of Greensburg; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Paul's Catholic Church, Greensburg, Thursday, April 6, at 9 a.m. with Father Leonard Stoviak as celebrant. Family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by PINECREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, Spring Hill, Fla., (352) 684-0001, family owned and operated.
ROSE V. KOLANO WALSH
Rose V. Kolano Walsh, 71, of Jeannette, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, in Vindobona Nursing Home in Braddock Heights, Md. She was born Sept. 12, 1928, in North Braddock, a daughter of the late Joseph Kolano and Victoria Kolano. She had formerly lived in Braddock and moved to Jeannette in 1975. She was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg and the Polish Women's Alliance. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James D. Walsh Sr.; a sister, Agnes Weirzbowski. Surviving are her children, James D. Walsh of Champlin, Minn., David M. Walsh of Orlando, Fla., Kathleen Tracy of Middletown, Md., and Mark P. Walsh of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers , Frank Kolano and John Kolano; and sisters , Dorothy Kolano and Louise Forlini. Also survived by eight grandchildren. 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. Wednesday. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Breast Cancer Foundation, c/o Susan Catkoman, 5005 LBJ Freeway #370, Dallas, Texas , 75244.
JOSEPH BAKIN
Joseph Bakin, 44, of Ebensburg Center, died Saturday, April 1, 2000, in the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital. He was born in Braddock and was a son of Gloria W. Bakin of West Palm Beach, Fla., and the late Joseph Bakin of Braddock. Joseph is survived, besides his mother , by his sister, Teri Whalen of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and brothers , Thomas of Upper St. Clair, Kenneth of Peoria, Ill., and Phillip of Manassas, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no public viewing. A private blessing service will be held at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., Greensburg, with private burial in the Braddock Catholic Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions to the Ebensburg Center, P.O. Box 600, Ebensburg, PA 15931.
EVELYN WHALEY LEIGHTY
Evelyn Whaley Leighty, 85, formerly of Painter Street, Everson, died Friday, March 31, 2000, in Eicher's Family Personal Care Home, Normalville. Evelyn's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Tuesday from 1 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert B. Patton and the Rev. Audrey J. Bell co-officiating. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Randy S. Parfitt Memorial Scholarship, 409 E. Green St., Connellsville, PA 15425, in memory of Evelyn Leighty.
JOSEPH G. MALOVITZ
Joseph G. Malovitz, 75, of Level Green, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, in Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. He was born April 22, 1924, in Chalfant Borough, the son of the late Paul and Violet Wracher Malovitz. He was a retired employee of Westinghouse Electric, East Pittsburgh. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Trafford American Legion Post #331. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church in Monroeville, and Serbian Lodge #7 of Monroeville. He was also a member of the F&AM Masonic Lodge #613 of Turtle Creek. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Maria Lovre Malovitz; a son, Wayne M. Malovitz of Harrison City; a daughter, Diane M. Brady of North Huntingdon; a sister, Ann Amantea of Monroeville; and two grandchildren. Friends received at the JOHN M. DOBRINICK FUNERAL HOME, 429 Duquesne Ave., Trafford, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday starting at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, and 11:30 a.m. in the St. Nicholas Serbian E.O. Church, Monroeville, with the Rev. Father D.C. Malich officiating. Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, North Versailles. Pomen Service will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
RITA A. MINERVA
Rita A. Minerva, 60, of Greensburg RD3 (Salem Township), died Sunday, April 2, 2000, in the IHS at Mountain View nursing home, Unity Township. She was born May 30, 1939, in Bolivar, a daughter of James H. Carmichael of Placentia, Calif., and the late Helen C. Forsythe Carmichael. She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Forbes Road. In addition to her Father , she is survived by her husband, Ronald A. Minerva; two sons and a daughter, Christopher E. Stawicki of Saltsburg RD3, Scott R. Minerva and his wife, Valerie, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Lisa Minerva of Saltsburg RD3; two brothers and a sister, James H. Carmichael Jr. of Placentia, Calif., John C. "Chuck" Carmichael and his wife, Marian, of Charlotte, N.C., and Melinda L. Kohn and her husband, Mitch, of Columbus, Ohio; a grandson, Devin Raye Minerva of Virginia Beach; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Minerva's family will receive friends at the JOHN L. BASH FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, (724) 468-8381, Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral home hours: Tuesday 2:00-9:00 p.m. A parish wake service will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 4 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary's Church, Forbes Road, Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Anthony Burlas as celebrant. A chapel committal service and interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. Should friends desire, memorial remembrances may be made in Rita A. Minerva's name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1032, Greensburg, PA 15601.
CONNIE SUE RICHARDSON MOCZYNSKI
Connie Sue Richardson Moczynski, of Edison, N.J., formerly of Jeannette, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 1, 2000. She was born April 4, 1955, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Frances Casper Richardson. She was employed by the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst, and Doukas in New Brunswick, and previously worked for Laurel Legal Services in Greensburg. She was a member of the Clara Barton American Legion Auxiliary Post 324 and of Our Lady of Peace Church, both in Edison, N.J. She is survived by her loving husband of 17 years, Attorney Richard Moczynski; and the following brothers and sisters : Kenneth C. Richardson of Bolton Valley, Vt., who lovingly donated a kidney in her deepest time of need, Dennis Richardson and his wife, Carol, of Murrysville, Mrs. Kenneth (Danyce) Neal of Irwin, Miss Carole Richardson of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Mrs. James (Charlotte) Blazowich of Jeannette; nieces, Mrs. James (Kimberley) Stewart and Mrs. Thomas (Tracie) Daugherty; nephews, Ryan Richardson, James Blazowich Jr., and David and Danny Catnese; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Peter Catnese; and her mother -in-law, Anita Moczynski, with whom she shared a loving relationship. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at FLYNN AND SON FUNERAL HOME, Edison, N.J., with Legion service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Church, Edison, N.J. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway, N.J. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey, c/o Flynn Charities, 23 Ford Ave., Edison, NJ. Connie was our point of light and love; she will be missed eternally.
WILLIAM P. QUEER
William P. Queer, 82, of Orchard Avenue, Scottdale, died Saturday evening, April 1, 2000, at his residence. Bill's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. with his pastor, Bob Chambers, officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlick Cemetery, Bullskin Township.
SANDRA E. ROBINSON
Sandra E. Robinson, 44, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at her residence. She was born Feb. 9, 1956, in Mt. Pleasant, a daughter of the late Edward Blaine Sr. and Dolores Evelyn Walker King. She was a member of the Reunion Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant. Sandra was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant Area High School, Class of 1974 and attended West Chester State University. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Edward B. King in 1998; and her grandparents, Oliver and Hallie King and Nathaniel and Evelyn Walker Davis. She is survived by her husband, James K. Robinson; a daughter, Kendra E. Galley and husband, Dwight, of Jeannette; a step-daughter, Jamie Robinson of Greensburg; two sisters , Sylvia King of West Chester and Cheryl L. Taylor and husband, Kevin, of North Liberty, Iowa; five nieces, Shauna, Tiffany, Tamara, Sabrina, and Aubrey; two nephews, William and Kevin; her mother -in-law, Frances Robinson of Greensburg; two brothers -in-law, John Edward Robinson and wife, Mary, of Herndon, Va., and Timothy Robinson of Greensburg; three sisters -in-law, Diane King of Geigertown, Beverly Guest and husband, Robert, of Plainfield, N.J., and Katherine Franklin of Silver Spring, Md.; two uncles, two aunts, and numerous cousins. Friends will be received in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. F. Neil Galley and the Rev. Jarome Littlejohn co-officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the King-Robinson Family Trust.
