Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
MILDRED G. HELWIG
Mildred G. Helwig, 87, of Jeannette, died peacefully Tuesday, April 18, 2000, at home, with her family at her side. She was born May 15, 1912, to Adam and Minnie Teets Schroyer. She passes on to join her late husband, John R. Helwig; two sisters , Helen Felton and Naomi Green; her brother, Eugene Schroyer; and best friend, Sal Brown. Mildred was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Jeannette. She managed the Pittsburgh brokerage office of Arthurs, Lestrange & Co. until retiring in 1971 to accept election as Grand Secretary, Order of the Eastern Star, for the state of Pennsylvania . She was a member and past matron of James W. Orr Chapter 467 and Jeannette Chapter 69, Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Jerusalem Westmoreland Shrine No. 18 of Greensburg and Jeannette Court, Order of the Amaranth. Mildred was a former district officer of the United Methodist Women; past president of the Progressive Women's Club of Jeannette; and former chairperson and treasurer of Jeannette District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Unit 4. She is survived by daughters , Barbara Ann Daugherty and husband, Ronald, of Acme, Helen N. Kaylor of Reisterstown, Md., and Gretchen H. Nelson and husband, Randolph, of Jeannette; nine grandchildren, Richard Daugherty of Ohio, Debra Pedrow of Monroeville, Linda Hartman of South Carolina, Marc Kaylor and John Kaylor, both of Maryland, Daniel Kaylor of Arizona, Dr. Reed Nelson of Greensburg, Eric Nelson of New Stanton and Dana Nelson of Greensburg; dear friend, Canal Brown of Jeannette; and 20 great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 6, at the First United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Dale W. Roddy officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church of Jeannette, Magee Avenue and Second Street, Jeannette, PA 15644, to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, UPMC 4 West, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or to Trinity Hospice, 11 Parkway Center #275, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. LAWRENCE J. McCLURE FUNERAL HOME, 112 N. Second St., Jeannette, in charge of arrangements.
BLANCHE M. (KUHNS) HOYLE
Blanche M. (Kuhns) Hoyle, 93, a resident of Cruse Personal Care Home in Derry, formerly of Latrobe RD4, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, at Edgewood Nursing Center, Youngstown. She was born March 12, 1907, in Baggaley, a daughter of the late Jacob S. and Mary E. (Ackhammer) Kuhns. She was a member of the Church of God, Youngstown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence W. Hoyle; her son, Robert H. Kuhns; four sisters , Genevieve Hansell, Margaret Wiegend, Ida Miller and Alberta Holzer; and three brothers , Lawrence, Charles and Robert Kuhns. She is survived by a brother, William Kuhns of Ligonier RD2; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Friday from 10 to 11 a.m., at which time funeral services will be held with Bishop Lester F. Lohr officiating. Private interment in St. James Lutheran Cemetery, Unity Township.
EILEEN ELIZABETH MURRAY KOELSCH
Eileen Elizabeth Murray Koelsch, 69, of Seneca, S.C., died Monday, April 17, 2000, at the Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, S.C. She was born in Sharon. The daughter of the late James Murray. She was retired from Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, S.C. She is survived by her mother , Eileen Sleigh Murray; two sons , George J. Koelsch of Pendleton, S.C., and David E. Koelsch of Seneca, S.C.; three daughters , Jeanne Ward of Seneca, S.C., Linda J. Little of North Huntingdon, and Cheri E. Griffith of Greenville, S.C.; two brothers , James Murray of Tampa, Fla., and Ron Murray of Jinks, Okla.; a sister, Donna Fragle of Farrell, Pa.; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at the BROWN-OGLESBY FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, Seneca, S.C., with Dr. Bob Ferguson as officiant. Burial followed in the Ramsey Creek Preserve in Westminster, S.C. The family received friends Tuesday afternoon. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Ramsey Creek Preserve, c/o Memorial Ecosystems Inc., 113 Retreat St., Westminster, SC 29693.
CHARLES KONKUS
Charles Konkus, 77, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, in Jeannette. Born in Fort Palmer, Pa., Dec. 16, 1922, a son of Frank Konkus and Mary Naugle Konkus. Husband of Audrey Ritter Konkus and Father of Charles T. Konkus (wife, Juliette) of Manor. Also survived by a brother, Frank Konkus of Pittsburgh; a sister, Agnes Sechoka of Plum Borough; and a grandson, Joshua M. Konkus. He was a construction worker for Pittsburgh Construction Local #373. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Visitation will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and 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 in the funeral home chapel, time of service to be announced. Interment will follow in the Plum Creek Cemetery.
ROBERT D. LONG
Robert D. Long, 76, of Monroeville, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Uptown. He was born Oct. 13, 1923, in West Newton, beloved son of the late Donald W. and Anna Mary Lash Long. He was also preceded in death by brothers , Donald and Richard Long. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bertha E. (Schwerha); a son, Robert D. (Shirley) Long of Michigan City, Ind.; grandchildren, David, Michael and Stephanie Long; sisters , Norma Sibrava of Moon Township, Lois Courtney of New Providence, N.J., Maryanne Carlson of West Newton; and a brother, Paul Long of the North Hills. He was retired from Atlas Cement Co. in Universal (Penn Hills) and was a World War II Army veteran. The family would like to express its appreciation to family, neighbors, friends, physicians, nurses and other caregivers who have rallied at Mr. Long's side over the years. Each one of you made a difference. The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Friends received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the GENE H. CORL INC. FUNERAL CENTER OF MONROEVILLE, 4335 Northern Pike. Blessing services in North American Martyrs Church Saturday at 1 p.m. Interment West Newton Cemetery.
CAROL MAE MOCK
Carol Mae Mock, 60, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, April 18, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born Dec. 20, 1939, in Jeannette, a daughter of the late Ralph C. and Nancy Stiffler Mock. She was a member of the VFW of Greensburg and the Hempfield Hunt Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters , Margaret Mock, Roberta Abu-Saud, Theresa Florence Bluey and Ellen Nicklow. She is survived by her son, James R. Goulding Jr. of Jeannette; four sisters , Nancy Teeters of Florida, Irene Morris of New Mexico, Emma Mock and Pearl Mock, both of Florida; and a number of nieces and nephews. There will be no public visitation. Private interment will take place in the Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., Jeannette, in charge of arrangements.
PATRICIA ANN GARRIS MOONEY
Patricia Ann Garris Mooney, 59, of Latrobe, formerly of Greensburg, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, in the Integrated Health Services at Mountain View, Unity Township. She was born March 19, 1941, in Hempfield Township, a daughter of the late John W. and Rose A. Thompson Garris. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Mooney Jr., on June 16, 1979; by two brothers , George and Roger Garris; and a sister, Ruth Kunkle. She is survived by two sons , Elmer "Bud" and his wife, Michelle Mooney, and John Patrick Mooney, all of Latrobe; eight grandchildren; a great-grandson; five brothers , John W. Garris of Mt. Pleasant, Richard, Charles, Larry and James Garris, all of Greensburg; seven sisters , Sandy Marol and Nellie Velkey, both of Latrobe, Ella Mae Angelo of Greensburg, Betty Welch and Naomi Stewart, both of Sugar Grove, Pa., Rose Lynn Personett of Chicago, Ill., and Margaret Posey in North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Thursday from noon until 1 p.m., the time of service in the funeral home with the Rev. Almon Birt officiating. Private interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
JOSEPH S. PIANKO
Joseph S. Pianko, 69, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Feb. 24, 1931, in Humphreys, a son of Antoinette Staschak Pianko of Greensburg and the late Ignatius Pianko, who died in 1983. Prior to retirement in 1993, he had been the custodian at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, with 39 years of service. He was a member of the Church of St. Paul, Greensburg. Joe was an avid fisherman, hunter and bingo player, and his grandchildren's #1 sports fan. In addition to his Father , he was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosemary Pianko, on Aug. 31, 1974. In addition to his mother , he is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Margaret J. Stoila Pianko; and his children, Joseph E. and his wife, Mary Pianko, Michael E. and his wife, Tama Pianko, and Margaret and her husband, Richard Johnson, all of Greensburg, Donna and her husband, Joseph Walton, of Mt. Pleasant, Claudia Pianko of Morgantown, W.Va., Gregory and his wife, Beverly Pianko, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Antoinette and her husband, Michael Chovanec of Mt. Pleasant; 13 grandchildren, Marc, Michelle, Melissa, Stephanie, Loren and Andrew Pianko, Scott and Matthew Johnson, Joe and Jennifer Walton, and Noah, Jacob and Justin Chovanec; a brother, Thomas Pianko of Loyalhanna; and four sisters , Catherine Pianko, Mary Ann Pianko and Virginia Trout, all of Greensburg, and Ann Gumbita of Latrobe. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. (No visitation Easter Sunday.) A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Monday at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the Church of St. Paul, Greensburg, with the Rev. Leonard W. Stoviak as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
HELEN DOTSON RODGERS
Helen Dotson Rodgers, 77, of Ligonier, died Tuesday, April 18, 2000, in Latrobe Area Hospital. She was born May 28, 1922, in Loudon, Tenn., a daughter of the late Fred and Ella Carpenter Dotson. She was a member of the Oak Grove Church of Christ. She was retired from Westmoreland Plastics Company, Latrobe. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Rodgers, on April 3, 1993; and a daughter, Wanda Golden, on Oct. 14, 1990. She is survived by a son, Robert and his wife, Carolyn "Sue," of Ligonier; a daughter, Patricia and her husband, Paul Roby, of Holtwood, Pa.; five grandchildren, Stacie, Suzette, Rick, Marissa and Amy; two great-grandchildren, Rick Roby Jr. and Kathleen Grace Roby; four brothers and three sisters , Hugh Dotson of Ohio, Jim of Illinois, Fred of Georgia, Gene Dotson, Jonnie Hoover and Wilma Henderson, all of Tennessee, and Carolyn Roach of Florida. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the SNYDER FUNERAL HOME INC. & CREMATORY, Bell and East Church streets, Ligonier. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Oak Grove Church of Christ with the Rev. Charles Burd officiating. Everyone please go directly to the church. Interment will be in Ligonier Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Church of Christ. Elizabeth Snyder Bloom, funeral director.
GEORGE E. SEIFERT
George E. Seifert, 59, of East McKeesport, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000. A son of the late George E. and Catherine (Radford) Seifert. Beloved husband of Amy (Bobbin) Seifert. Father of Lynette Hornyak and Amber Havranek. Grandfather of Raymond Seifert, Heather Kauffman, Bradley Havranek and David White man. Brother of the late Robert E. Seifert. Friends received at the ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Services in the funeral home Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Interment will be private.
EMILY J. FLORENTINE SMOLICH
Emily J. Florentine Smolich, 78, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Greensburg, died Friday, April 14, 2000, in Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas, Nev. She was born Sept. 25, 1921, in New Brighton, a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Morelli Florentine. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph S. Smolich, on Dec. 24, 1995. She is survived by a son, James J. and his wife, Diane Smolich, of Coral Springs, Fla.; a daughter, Sharon L. and her husband, Allen Tolen, of Las Vegas, Nev.; three brothers , David and his wife, Betty Florentine, of New Brighton, Jack and his wife, Della Florentine, of Beaver Falls and Anthony and his wife, Orietta Florentine, of New Brighton; a sister, Rachel and her husband, James Macry, of New Brighton; and a special cousin, Rachel and her husband, Vincent Cercone, of New Brighton. Also several nieces and nephews survive. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Saturday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. only. (No visitation Easter Sunday.) A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Monday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensburg. Entombment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, Hempfield Township.
STEVE T. BECKI
Steve T. Becki, 93, formerly of Spring Hill, on Tuesday, April 18, 2000. Husband of the late Anna J. (Knauss) Becki. Beloved Father of Arlene (David) Mastro of Library and Carol Mammay of Cranberry. Grandfather of Paul Mammay Jr., Mark and Michael Mammay, Dana Palmieri and David J. Mastro. Also survived by 11 grandchildren. Friends received Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at STEPHENS MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 600 Cedar Ave., North Side, where a blessing service will be held Friday 10 a.m. Mr. Becki was a molder for 60 years, a member of the choir at St. Ambrose and St. Nicholas Church, CFU Lodge #29, KSKJ #81, Javor Hall and Javor Singing Society. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery (Mt. Troy).
IRMA JEAN BROWN
Irma Jean Brown, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, April 18, 2000. She was born Nov. 3, 1913, in East Huntingdon Township, a daughter of the late James Leasure Brown and Marie Louise Leighty Brown. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ, Mt. Pleasant. She was a graduate of the East Huntingdon High School and was an employee of the former W.T. Grant Co., Mt. Pleasant. Irma Jean lived a courageous life following an auto accident 50 years ago that left her a paraplegic. She is survived by her special friend, James Mottle of Tarrs; and three sisters , Doris Lentz of Mt. Pleasant, Mae Gunter of Greensburg and Betty Weaver of Scottdale. Also survived by nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers , Donald Brown and James Brown; and a sister, Ferne Moore. Friends 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 Friday at 10 a.m. in the First United Church of Christ, Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. John R. Bucher officiating. Interment will follow in the Zion Cemetery, East Huntingdon Township.
