Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
ROBERT C. GRAHAM
Robert C. Graham, 76, of Murrysville, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, in the Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. He was born Nov. 25, 1923, in Turtle Creek, the son of the late L.G. and Alice Tallant Graham. He was a 1946 graduate of Carnegie Tech with a B.S. in engineering. He was co-owner with his son, James, of Valley Buick-Jeep and Valley Honda, and was an automobile dealer for 48 years. He was a director of the National Automotive Dealers Association and president of the Pittsburgh Auto Trade Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville, the Murrysville Export Rotary Club, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. Also he had 50 years perfect attendance with the Rotary. He was a member of the Forbes Trail Masonic Lodge #783 and the Syria Shrine. He was recognized as a Time Quality Auto Dealer. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane Marshall Graham; two sons , James R. Graham and his wife, Beth J., of Murrysville and Dr. David B. Graham and his wife, Ann R., of Chesapeake, Va.; and four grandchildren, Patricia K., Robert J., Michele L., and Shawn D. and his wife, Kim. Visitation Thursday 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN T. HART FUNERAL HOME, Murrysville. A service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville, and interment will follow in the Murrysville Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville or The Murrysville Export Rotary Club, 4064 William Penn Highway, Murrysville.
WALTER T. GREVISH
Walter T. Grevish, 84, of Greensburg RD12, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at his home. He was born Feb. 8, 1916, in Crabtree, a son of the late Adam Sr. and Mary A. Jhubas Grevish. Prior to retirement, he had been a coal miner and later, construction worker. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and a member of the American Legion of Latrobe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Adam Jr.; and a sister, Ellen. He is survived by two brothers , Alex Grevish and John and his wife, Frances Grevish, all of Greensburg; five sisters , Ann Zera of Latrobe, Helen Ferry and her husband, Anthony, of Bradenville, Betty Guerry and her husband, Louis, of Homer City, Mary Gabonay and her husband, Thomas, of Upland, Calif., and Irene Boltz and her husband, Ronald, of Novato, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg, Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Interment will follow in the Calvary Hill Cemetery, Unity Township.
NETTIE I. HUSAK
Nettie I. Husak, 88, of Mt. Pleasant (Bullskin Township), died Wednesday afternoon, April 26, 2000, at her residence. She was born May 24, 1911, in Acme, a daughter of the late Samuel and Cora Zufall Snyder. She attended Mt. Zion Community Church. She was a student of the former Bear Rocks School. Nettie was an avid quilter and gardener. She enjoyed canning items from her garden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Husak, in 1976; a son, Joseph Husak, in 1960; four brothers , Charles, Russell, Emerson and Gilbert Snyder; two infant brothers ; and four sisters , Beulah Chearney, Dessie Roadman, Kathryn Coffman and Frances Brown. She is survived by a son, Larry R. Husak and wife, Joyce, of Mt. Pleasant; three daughters , Dorothy Harbaugh and husband, William, of Lima, Ohio, Jessie Husak at home and Doris Johns and husband, Donald, of Mt. Pleasant; eight grandchildren, William Bradford, Doyle Edwin and Joel Scott Harbaugh, Eric Lee, Darrell Alan and Diane Lynette Johns, Richard Shane and Kenneth Aaron Husak; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Darlie Kinneer and husband, Clyde, of Indian Head. Friends will be received in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Norman Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in the Husak-Sweitzer Cemetery, Bullskin Township.
JOHN V. KERR
John V. Kerr, 86, of Torrance, died Tuesday, April 25, 2000, at Indian Haven, Indiana, Pa. He was born Feb. 25, 1914, in Derry, a son of the late Charles and Sadie (Mowry) Kerr. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Torrance; a member and former Sunday school superintendent for more than 30 years at the Torrance United Methodist Church; a graduate of Derry Township High School, Class of 1931; and a member of Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM of Blairsville. Also a member of the Coudersport Consistory. He was a retired furnace operator for Kennametal, Latrobe. He is survived by his wife, Betty (Cogley) Kerr, with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on May 3, 2000; a son, the Rev. Raymond Kerr and wife, Carol, of Marion Center, Pa.; three daughters , Sandra Wilford and husband, Floyd, of Ligonier, Patricia Holzapfel and husband, Albert, of New Alexandria, and Valerie Cornell and husband, Kenneth, of Blairsville; a sister, Mrs. Belinda Shaffer of Plantation, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by a son, Robert Kerr, in November of 1960; and the following brothers and sister: Charles Carlyle Kerr, Walter Eugene Kerr, Mildred Cardellino, Wilbur Tracy Kerr, Calvin Mowry Kerr, and Harry Paul Kerr. Friends will be received at the JAMES F. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, Blairsville, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Herb Phar officiating. Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM will conduct services Thursday evening at 7 in the funeral home. Interment Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.
JULIA KIRSCHNER LYNN
Julia Kirschner Lynn, 90, of West Newton, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at Hempfield Manor, Hempfield Township. She was born March 12, 1910, in Rostraver Township, a daughter of the late John and Mary Schwirian Kirschner. She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in West Newton. Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Lynn; seven brothers , John, William, Alvin, Samuel "Bill," Albert, Paul and Walter Kirschner; and two sisters , Emma Zamojc and Mary Grahsl. She is survived by her sister, Audrey Silvasy of West Newton; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the RICHARD F. DODSON FUNERAL HOME, 213 Main St., West Newton, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Services will be held in the Christ Lutheran Church on Vine Street, West Newton, Saturday afternoon, April 29, at a time to be announced, with the Rev. Allen R. Riethmiller officiating. Interment will follow in the West Newton Cemetery.
JOHN J. MAROL
John J. "JJ" Marol, 47, of Latrobe, died Tuesday, April 25, 2000, in St. Anne Home, Greensburg. Born in Latrobe, Nov. 20, 1952, he was a son of the late John Marol and Sarah Francais O'brien. He served in the U.S. Air Force from Sept. 28, 1971 to Sept. 24, 1972, during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, Patience Forsha Marol; a brother, Ronald Marol and his wife, Debbie, of Johnstown; two half brothers , Donald O'brien and his wife, Caroline, of Virginia, and Robert Schultz of New Jersey; a sister, Mrs. James (Carol) Miller of Latrobe; and several nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Tree of Life Assembly of God, Latrobe, and the Disabled American Veterans. JJ attended The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Westmoreland County Community College, where he earned an associate's degree in business management, the New York Institute of Photography, the Columbia School of Broadcasting, and St. Vincent College. JJ and Patience own J.J. Marol Studio of Latrobe, which Patience will continue to operate. Friends will be received at the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Tree of Life Assembly of God, 1005 Cedar St., Latrobe, with the Rev. Paul D. Poole officiating. Interment with graveside military service will take place at Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.
ROBERT A. MARTIN
Robert A. Martin, 75, on Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at his residence in Edgewood. Mr. Martin was born Feb. 3, 1925, to the late Albert J. Martin and Margaret McClure Martin, in Pittsburgh. Mr. Martin was a veteran of the U.S. Army in Europe in World War II, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College in Washington , Pa., and a vice president of National Development Corp. of Oakland. Beloved husband of 47 years to Jean Carson Martin; dear Father of Nancy Fox and her husband, Stuart, of Mt. Lebanon, Jude Resenic and her husband, Daniel, of Ligonier, Robert Jr. of Ohio, and David and his wife, Tracy, of Murrysville. "Pappy Bob" to Sarah, Ashley, Billy, Dana, Katie, Liz, Adam, and Jennifer. Brother of Albert Martin of Clarks Mills. Friends received from 1-3 and 6-9 p.m. FRIDAY ONLY at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale. A service will be held at the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Heart Association, 10 Duff Road, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
MARGARET A. PARKINSON
Margaret A. "Peggy" Parkinson, 58, of Pittsburgh, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at home. She was born April 15, 1942, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Howard and Mary H. Richards. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Norwin Hills Travel as a travel agent. She is survived by her son, Chuck and his wife, Nancy, of Jefferson Hills; two daughters , Barbara Parkinson of Ligonier and Sandra Parkinson of Shadyside; and seven grandchildren. Friends will be received at the SHIRLEY-KUKICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, Circleville, North Huntingdon, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, followed by entombment in the New St. Joseph Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
ANDREW J. ROST
Andrew J. Rost, 96, of Rector, died Tuesday, April 25, 2000, at his home. He was born Oct. 2, 1903, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late John and Mary Hammerschmidt Rost. Mr. Rost owned and operated the Republic Lumber Company in Pittsburgh and many sawmills throughout the tri-state area. During World War II, he provided the finest quality white oak to the government for use by minesweepers. It was also lumber supplied by Mr. Rost that was used in both refurbishments of the USS Constitution. He also bought Mt. Salvage Refractory in 1944 from the Union Mining Company in western Maryland. Over the course of his career, he owned many brick refractory companies in Pennsylvania , Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. Mr. Rost went to work everyday until he reached 91 years in age, but remained on the board of directors of many of his companies until his passing from this life. He was a member of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church, the Longview Club, the National Hardwood Lumber Association, and was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice McCurdy Rost, in 1978; two sisters ; and a brother. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Linda) Whitman of New York, N.Y.; two sons , Robert P. (and wife, Charlotte) Rost of Rector and David M. (and wife, Nancy) Rost of Rector; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Viewing will be private. Graveside services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in Hampton Cemetery, Allison Park, with the Rev. John F. Hollingsworth officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to Ligonier Valley Library or to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME INC., Ligonier.
JAMES J. SIDUN
James J. Sidun, 68, of Irwin, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, in Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. He was born June 24, 1931, in McKeesport, a son of the late Michael and Elizabeth Majors Sidun. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a crane operator by U.S. Steel. He was a former member of the Verona Eagles and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean conflict. Surviving are four sons , James Michael of Herminie, Mark Alan of North Huntingdon, Keith and Kevin Sidun, both of North Irwin; two daughters , Mary Boonie of North Huntingdon and Silvia Piasno of Claridge; 15 grandchildren; a sister, Helen Stojanovic of Florida; his former wife, Shirley Sidun of North Irwin; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH F. OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., Fifth and Oak streets, Irwin, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Denny Seler, pastor of Calvary Assembly of God Church, Irwin, officiating.
GEORGE E. STRICKLER
George E. "Doc" Strickler, 78, of Blairsville, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born Sept. 26, 1921, in Santa Rita, N.M., a son of the late George and Harriet (Gove) Strickler. He was a member of Blairsville Italian Club and Sokol Club, and the VFW Post #5821 of Blairsville. He was a graduate of Penn State and served in the U.S. Army Air Force Flight Engineers during World War II. He was a retired farm manager at Torrance State Hospital after 34 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Rena (Carmo) Strickler; a son, George E. Strickler III of Akron, Ohio; four daughters , Adrienne and John Stiteler of Latrobe, Georgienne and Ben Walters of Indiana, Pa., Elaine and Joe Bazala of Latrobe, and Kathy Hankinson of Blairsville; grandchildren, George IV, Todd, and Stephen Strickler, Lauren and Megan Strickler, Brian Bazala, Lisa Erka and husband, Borche, Brenda Hankinson, Emily and Nicholas Stiteler, and Benji Walters; brothers , Robert Strickler of Newport News, Va., James Strickler of Christmas, Fla., Ivan Strickler of Plainsboro, N.J., and Donald Strickler of Boalsburg, Pa. Preceded in death by a son, Rodney Strickler; and a sister, Jane Thorton. Friends will be received at the JAMES F. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, Blairsville, Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Service will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 1:30 p.m. VFW Post #5821 will conduct military services Saturday afternoon. Interment Blairsville Cemetery.
RENO L. TONIOLO
Reno L. Toniolo, 78, of Jeannette, died Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at his residence. He was born Nov. 8, 1921, in Boquet, a son of the late Guy and Anita Calgaro Toniolo. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Jeannette Auto Store as a machinist for 35 years. Reno attended the Assembly of God Church, Jeannette, a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army, a member of the American Legion Post #344 of Jeannette and served as president for many years for the U.S. Army 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion Reunion. He was also was a member and past president for 10 years of the Irwin Male Chorus. Reno enjoyed woodcrafting from his home shop where he created several pieces of furniture for his family and was also known for his stand-up comedy. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Reno Hoak; a brother, Guy Toniolo; and four sisters , Gilda Kelly, Viola Galetti, Lena Toniolo and Eleanor Reichen. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Wolfe Toniolo; a daughter, Karen Hoak and husband, Maynard "Bud," of Greensburg; a son, Randy Toniolo and wife, Lynn, of Jeannette; two sisters , Lydia "Dutch" Hinkel of Greensburg and Bernice McCarthy of Jeannette; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, beginning Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Paul D. Peternel officiating. Interment with military honors accorded by the Jeannette Combined Veterans will take place in the Jeannette Memorial Park, Penn Township. The Jeannette Combined Veterans will hold services Friday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
JOSEPH E. COTTRELL SR.
Joseph E. Cottrell Sr., 81, of Grapeville, died Monday, April 24, 2000, in the St. Francis Medical Center, Pittsburgh. He was born Nov. 18, 1918, in Redstone Township, a son of the late Fred and Vesta Bush Cottrell. Prior to retirement, he was employed as a truck driver for Helms Express, and was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. He was a 40-year member of the First Baptist Church of Jeannette, its Baraca class, and was the recipient of the 1996 American Baptists Layman of the Year Award for Pennsylvania and Delaware. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 344 of Jeannette and the Teamsters retirees. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers , James, Jack and William Cottrell. He is survived by his wife, Florence Parnell Cottrell; four sons , George Cottrell and his wife, Glenna, of Latrobe, Joseph E. Cottrell Jr. of Jeannette, James Cottrell and his wife, Virginia, of Adamsburg and Daniel Cottrell and his wife, Reppa, of North Scituate, R.I.; two brothers , Fred Cottrell Jr. and his wife, Martha, of Whiting, N.J., and Robert Cottrell and his wife, Eleanor, of Grapeville; three sisters , Ida Mae Simmers of Macomb Township, Mich., VaLetta Bradosky and her husband, John, of Jeannette and Vera Cottrell of Greensburg; seven grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends received in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Jeannette, with the Rev. Donald E. Walls officiating. Interment with military rites will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery. The Jeannette Combined Veterans will meet Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home for services.
