McKelvy
Mary Jane Paul McKelvy, 75, of Sewickley, died on Feb. 27, 2003, in Sewickley Valley Hospital.
The daughter of Phillip Charles and Marie Theresa Soising Paul, she was born May 27, 1927, in McKees Rocks.
Mrs. McKelvy was a homemaker and at one time attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sewickley.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Beatrice Savage, Dorothy Roland and Alice Daily; and five brothers, Edward, William, Phillip, Frank and Jack.
She is survived by her husband, Robert McKelvy; daughters, Nancy McKelvy Lyons of St. Louis and Donna Jean McKelvy of Sewickley; and one grandson, Austin Henry Lyons.
She also is survived by sisters and brothers, Anna Mae Edger of Washington, Pa.; Lorraine Danehy of Hopewell, Pa.; Joann Phillips of Imperial; Mildred Siters of Moon Township; and Ronald Paul of Orlando, Fla.
A service was held at the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.
Interment was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Milnick
Helen S. Milnick, 80, of Leetsdale, died Feb. 22, 2003, in her residence following an extended illness.
She was born May 8, 1922, in Ambridge, and was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Milnick, in 1980; a daughter, Theresa Meckling; and a sister, Stella Koper.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law: Frank & Marie Koper of Denver; and Andrew Milnick of Economy Borough and two grandchildren, Christopher & Tiffany Bollinger, both of Ambridge.
A memorial service was held at the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., Ambridge, by the Rev. Michael Polosky, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ambridge.
Interment was private at the SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Economy Borough.
Skrabut
Ruth Evelyn Skrabut, 78, of Allentown, formerly of Bell Acres, died on Feb. 23, 2003, in Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa.
She was born June 14, 1924, in Ambridge, a daughter of the late Virgil and Elsie Peterson Blosser.
Surviving are her husband, Anthony Skrabut; a daughter, Linda Skrabut Ruprecht of Allentown, Pa.; five grandchildren, Toni Skrabut Paavola of Orlando, Fla., Russell Allen Skrabut of Tallahassee, Fla., Christine Skrabut Walker of Philadelphia, Marc Ruprecht of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Russell Lee Skrabut of Coconut Creek, Fla., and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Russell Lee Skrabut, in 1983.
A memorial service was conducted in the John Syka Funeral Home, Ambridge, with the Rev. Cletus W. Fahrion, pastor of Zion's First Lutheran Church, Ambridge, officiating.
The family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Lung Association.
Smith
Margaret (Burger) Smith, 89, of Fair Oaks, formerly of Sewickley and Coraopolis, died on Feb. 28, 2003, at Sewickley Valley Hospital.
She was born in Coraopolis on July 17, 1913, to the late Conrad and Louisa (Cain) Burger.
Mrs. Smith was a member of both Zion Lutheran Church and the Coraopolis Chapter of the O.E.S.
She was a 1932 graduate of Coraopolis High School.
She enjoyed volunteering at both Sewickley Valley Hospital and the California Hospital.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Wilbert Smith; her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Elisabeth Smith of Bell Acres.
She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Smith in 1972, and her grandson, Bobby Smith in 1966.
A service was held at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Steve broome officiating.
Burial was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to her church or Sewickley Valley Hospital, Critical Care Unit, Blackburn Road, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Wilkins
Ettson A. Wilkins Jr. departed this life on Feb. 25, 2003, in Maryland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ettson Sr. and Bessie Wilkins.
Surviving are his loving wife of 38 years, Augustina R. Wilkins; three children, Lynn Tucker, Malkiya Honesty-Mosley and Wesley 'Tony' Johnson; siblings, Delbert (Betsy), Deirdre, Justin and Patrick Wilkins; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends.
Interment will be in Maryland National Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Md., tomorrow (Thursday).
Memorial contributions may be made to the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club, 4103 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20019
Arrangements were made by the Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, Brentwood, Md.
Sybo
Josephine Marie Herbst Sybo, 76, of Sewickley, died March 9, 2003, at her residence.
Friends will be received at Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley, Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass will be said Friday at St. James. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery.
She was the daughter of the late John and Josephine (Zimmerman) Herbst Sr.
She is survived by her husband, Walter Sybo; step-daughter, Sharyn Ashburn of Gibsonia, Pa.; two brothers, John Herbst Jr. of Sewickley and Carl Herbst of Roanoke, Va.; and two grandchildren, John Ashburn of Ohio Township and Michael Ashburn of Cranberry Township.
Mrs. Sybo was employed as an accountant for John M. Herbst Inc. and a member of St. James Catholic Church. She was a former Quaker Valley School Board member, a member of Sewickley Board of Trade (now the chamber of commerce) and a member of Sewickley Public Library Committee. She worked diligently on the Sewickley Bridge Committee.
Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of St. James, Walnut Street, Sewickley, or to Sewickley Public Library.
Liska
Harry Liska, of Sewickley, died March 5, 2003, in Passavant Health Center.
He was born in June 19, 1913, in Moon Run, the son of Vincent and Theresa Wimer Liska.
He was a WWII veteran with the rank of Lt. U.S. Army.
He was active in the Senior Men's Club, which he helped found and organize, and was a past president.
He worked as an industrial engineer at LTV for 38 years.
He is survived by his wife, Emily Woziniak Liska; children, James and his wife, Emily Liska, of Edgeworth, and John Liska of Coraopolis; and two grandchildren, Lauren and James Liska.
Interment was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to 'ACHIVA' (ARC), 1711 Bingham St., Pittsburgh 15203.
The Richard D.Cole Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Perciavalle
Joseph Mario Perciavalle, 52, of Aliquippa, died March 1, 2003, following a lengthy illness.
He was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Sewickley, a son of the late Giuseppe and Olympia Lena Guerrieri Perciavalle.
He was employed as a fork truck mechanic and operator for Pittsburgh Forgings, Coraopolis, and Thunder Manufacturing, Glenwillard.
He served as vice-president of the United Steelworkers Local Union #1779 and in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
He was a member of the Louis Waugaman Post #3577 VFW, the Ukrainian National Assoc., St. Nicholas Branch #120, Celtic-Reds Athletic Club, and the American-Italian Club, all of Aliquippa.
Surviving are three sons: Joseph Mario III and Jonathan, both of Ambridge, and Jacob of Aliquippa; a daughter, Jamie Lena Loraine of Ambridge; a grandson, Joseph Mario IV; a sister and brother-in-law, Diana MacFarland-Petrovic and her husband Charles, of Moon Township; and a sister-in-law, Teresa Perciavalle of Conway.
He also is survived by three nephews, Brian MacFarland of Mt. Lebanon, Christopher Perciavalle of Ambridge and Frank Perciavalle of North Olmstead, Ohio; a great niece, Gina Perciavalle, and a great nephew, Matthew Perciavalle, both of Ohio; and Adela Sabatucci Perciavalle, of Ambridge, mother of his children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Interment was in Economy Cemetery. Arrangements were made by John Syka Funeral Home.
Witt
Arthur Hermann Witt, 85, formerly of Sewickley, died March 5, 2003, at Passavant Health Center.
He was the husband of the late Dorothy A. Heumann, uncle of Janet Wagner, Carl Wagner Jr., William McFadden and Denise Hampson; and the great uncle of Jason and Craig Wagner McFadden Jr. and Emma Hamson.
He was pre-deceased by one brother, O. Fred Witt.
A funeral service was held at Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.
He was a veteran of WWII and was employed at Ascot Motors as the parts manager. He also had been employed at Sewickley Valley YMCA.
He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
He was honored for giving 10,000 volunteer hours at Raccoon State Park.
Interment was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in McKees Rocks.
Memorial contributions can be made to Arthur H. Witt Funeral Fund, c/o Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, 328 Beaver St., Sewickley.
Wheat
William R. Wheat III, 95, died at Canterbury Place in Pittsburgh on March 4, 2003.
Born in Pittsburgh on March 2, 1908, 'Buck' moved with his family to Sewickley in 1914, where his father built and operated the Sewickley Theatre, which opened in 1916.
He attended Sewickley High School and graduated from Shadyside Academy in 1926, where he was captain of three varsity sports teams.
He attended Princeton University.
He went to sea as an able seaman and later worked at the Ford assembly plant in Pittsburgh and as an electrician at Spang-Chalfant's Ali-quippa Works.
In World War II, he served in the Merchant Marine Army Transportation Corps as chief engineer on the LT 130, a sea-going tug, convoying gasoline across the North Atlantic. He participated in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
After WWII, he took over the Sewickley Theatre and operated it until retirement.
In later years, he could be seen riding his bicycle to the Sewickley Public Library (he was an avid reader) and all around the village.
He loved watching the Pirates and Steelers and also enjoyed the Sewickley High School football games. He sold his family home at 331 Frederick Ave. in 1995.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Wheat Foster, St. Michael's, Md.; his daughter, Sally Wheat Stevenson Ruffin, Sewickley; his son, William R. Wheat IV, Anchorage, Alaska; his grandchildren: Frederick Stevenson III, Sewickley; William Stevenson, New York; Eliza Stevenson, Colorado; Allison Wheat and William Wheat V, Shepherds Town, W.V; and four great grandsons, all of Sewickley.
The Rev. Dr. Jean Hender-son presided at a private family service in Sewickley Cemetery, where Buck was laid to rest beside his parents and his late wife, Betty Bishop Wheat, and among his longtime friends and colleagues.
Copeland Funeral Home of Sewickley handled the arrangements.
Bartling
John B. Bartling, 74, a resident of Seven Fields for two years, formerly of Sewickley, died on March 10, 2003, at UPMC Cranberry Place.
He was born on March 26, 1928, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late George Reynard and Dorothy (Adams) Bartling.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Bartling Jr. and Theodore Bartling.
Mr. Bartling retired in 2000 after being the owner & operator of Bramco Financial Services for 23 years.
He also worked for Westinghouse Credit Corp. where he was senior vice president and chief operating officer.
He was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm in Ohio Township and was a senior warden for them.
He also served as a member of the Jaycees in Odessa, Texas, and was a veteran of the United States Air Force, 1st Lt. during the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Kate (Trumpler) Bartling of Seven Fields.
He was the loving father of Stephan Bartling and his wife Jennifer of Sewickley; Heather (Bartling) Sparkman and her husband Drake of Stanford, Conn.; John Bartling, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Dallas; Dawn Value and her husband Robert of Seven Fields.
He is also the proud grandfather of Tucker Sparkman, and Benjamin, Amanda and John Patrick Bartling.
Burial was private in Sewickley Cemetery.
A memorial service was held at Christ Church at Grove Farm with the Rev. Donald Wilson officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson's Disease Association, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, 6507 Wilkins Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Arrangements were made by Copeland's Sewickley/Irvine Chapel, 702 Beaver St.
Trondle Smith
Violet Trondle Smith, 88, of Tallahassee, Fla., and formerly of Sewickley, died March 12, 2003, in Florida.
Visitation will be held Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at The Richard D. Cole Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Walnut Street, Sewickley.
Interment will follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery.
She was born Nov. 4, 1914, in Ambridge, the daughter of the late Flori and Pearl Martin Trondle.
She was a homemaker and a member of St. James Catholic Church when she lived here.
She was preceded in death by her husband, R. Dale Smith, in 1991, and her brother, Roy Trondle.
She is survived by six sons: Thomas Dale Smith, Joseph Dale Smith, Stephen Dale Smith, Raymond Dale Smith, Paul Dale Smith and Mark Dale Smith; one daughter, Sheila Agnes Smith; and one sister, Doris Harcelerode of Moon Township.
She also is survived by 11 grandchildren: Kathleen Clayton; Lisa, Heidi, Loren, Lydia, Matthew, Monica, Maureen, Kathleen and Adam Smith; and Mara Brownshmith; and three great grandchildren, Hunter, Noah and Bailey Smith.
Lewis
John L. Lewis III, 85, a Moon Township resident since 1960, and formerly of Coraopolis passed away on March 27, 2003, at his home.
He was born in Coraopolis to the late Olive Gleason and John L. Lewis Jr.
Mr. Lewis was the grandson of the founder of Lewis Foundry and Machine Co. in Groveton, where he was the third generation Lewis to work in the family company.
His family was a member of the early Pittsburgh steel family whose interest include the Lewis, Oliver and Philips Co., later known as the Oliver Iron and Steel Co.
Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Thyresa D. (Fratangelo) Lewis; his son, Richard Lewis; and his sister, the late Mrs. Charles K. (Betty) Johnson.
Mr. Lewis was a graduate of Coraopolis High, and Penn State University in 1940 with a degree in engineering.
His career was with the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel in structural steel engineering. He was the shop superintendent for 27 years, retiring in 1978.
Mr. Lewis was a WW II veteran with the 463rd Bomb Group Air Force Squadron. He successfully completed 23 bombing missions and was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, EAME Campaign Medal with 3 bronze stars. He was a member of the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society and Caterpillar Club.
He was a member of St. Margaret Mary Church, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, the American Welding Society and was a long-time member of the Coraopolis United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his children: Lenora (Partel) Patrush and her husband John of Beaver, John Kent Lewis and his wife Cynthia of Pittsburgh, Mary Anne Stewart and her husband Alan of Moon Township, Cheryl Lewis (wife of the late Richard) of Moon Township, and James A. Lewis.
He also is survived by eight grandchildren: Stacey and Kelly Stewart, Laura and Natalie Lewis, Ronald Partel, Jocelyn and Michael Lewis, and Felicity Lewis.
Burial was in Homewood Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Copeland's Moon Township.
Trovato
Barbara Ann Burckart Trovato, 68, of Sewickley, died on March 27, 2003, at her residence.
She was born on Aug. 16, 1934, in Sewickley, to the late Joseph and Mary Waite Burckart.
For 35 years, she worked as a private duty LPN and also was a member of St. James Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, John J. Trovato Sr.; and four children, Darby Ann Trovato of Houston, Texas; Jerry and his wife Sandy Trovato of Sewickley; John Trovato Jr, of Sewickley; and Jim and his wife Julie, also of Sewickley.
She also is survived by three sisters: Marita Taylor of Fair Oaks, Donna Cook of San Francisco and Mary Louise Suyak of Florida; and two brothers, Joseph Burckart of Moon Township and Edwin Burckart of Aliquippa. One grandchild, Jerry Trovato Jr., preceded her in death.
She was a former member of the Leet Township Council, the Ladies Auxiliary to the V.F.W., a past president of the women's guild of St. James Catholic Church, the 55-plus Club, the Sunday Morning Bible Study Group and the Two Hearts Prayer Group that met on Wednesday mornings.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. James. Interment followed at St. James Cemetery.
Memorials be made in her name to the Mario Lemieux Foundation, 920 Ft. Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Arrangements were made by the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.
Brown
William E. Brown, 77, of Sewickley, died on March 28, 2003, at the Beaver Elder Care Center.
He was born May 20, 1925, to the late Spencer and Dorothy Turner Brown.
He worked in maintenance and was a veteran of the U.S. Army in World War II. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Interment will take place at a later date under the direction of the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.
Liggett
Dr. John S. Liggett, 86, of Edgeworth, died at his residence on April 5, 2003.
A service will be held today (Wednesday) at 1 p.m. in The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley with the Rev. David McFarlane and the Rev. Jean Henderson presiding.
Burial will follow in Sewickley Cemetery.
Dr. Liggett was born Jan, 8, 1917, in Syracuse, N.Y., to Dr. Lewis Lee and Aldretta (Williams) Liggett of St. Clairsville, Ohio.
He graduated from St. Clairsville High School, The Ohio State University and Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia) in 1942.
He trained in Toledo, Ohio, and at the Wheeling Clinic. For two years, he practiced in St. Clairsville with his father, Dr. L.L. Liggett, prior to completing a general surgery at Sewickley Valley Hospital, where he was the first certified surgeon. He continued there for 36 years before retiring in 1984, and where he also had served as chief of staff.
After retirement, he was active in Senior Men's Club, the Investment Club and also served on the board of trustees at Sewickley Academy. He enjoyed golf, gardening and fishing, and was an active member of The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley.
He was the beloved husband of Mary Annette (McFarland) Liggett for 61 years, and loving father of Anne (Liggett) Rinzler and her husband Curry of Woodstock, N.Y.; Dr. John S. Liggett Jr. and his wife Christel of Lima, Ohio; Catherine (Liggett) Jerman and her husband David of Home, Pa.
Surviving are a brother, Dr. Charles Lee Liggett of Kerrville, Texas; and grandchildren: Max, Sean and Eli Rinzler; Dana and Christian Jerman; and Kelly Liggett.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Glenn Williams.
Memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, 414 Grant St., Sewickley, PA 15143 or The Union Aid Society at Thorn Street, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Arrangements were made by Copeland's Sewickley/Irvine Chapel.
Quigley
Kenneth Andrew Quigley, 73, of Leet Township, died in Sewickley Valley Hospital March 22, 2003.
He was born Dec. 17, 1929, in Bellevue, the son of William Edwin and Isabelle Isherwood Quigley.
Mr. Quigley was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Sewickley.
He was retired from employment as an insulator for the Asbestos Worker's Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 2, Pittsburgh.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Mae Anderson Quigley; two daughters and their husbands: Kathleen Reed Hardway and her husband, Charles, of Leetsdale; and Heather Carson and her husband, Paul, of Seven Fields; and a son and daughter-in-law, David Quigley and his wife, Betsy, of Leetsdale.
He also is survived by grandchildren, Amy and Mea-gan Quigley, Abby Carson, Lynn Anne and Jennifer Reed, Jacqueline Reed Konopka and her husband, Ashley.
Surviving also are a sister and brother-in-law, Catherine Wain and her husband, George, of Sewickley; four brothers and three sisters-in-law: Donald and Claudia Quigley of Bradford Woods; David and Eleanor Quigley of West View; Thomas Quigley of Pittsburgh; and Daniel and Lindsey Quigley of the North Hills; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Patricia Quigley and Sandra Quigley; and a brother, Edward Quigley.
A service was held at St. James Church. Interment was in St. James Cemetery.
John Syka Funeral Home, Ambridge, handled the arrangements.
Volna
Pauline S. Volna, 91, of Centerville, formerly of Natrona Heights, died March 26, 2003, in the Crawford County Care Center, in Woodcock Township.
She was born July 9, 1911, in Slovokia. She lived most of her life in Natrona Heights and spent the last five months in Centerville.
She worked part time as a seamstress at the former Horne's Department Store in Natrona Heights.
A member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Brackenridge, she was a former member of the altar guild.
Some of her favorite activities included baking, knitting, crocheting, sewing and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Pauline Maust of Centerville; her daughter-in-law, Louise Volna of Meadville; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Volna on Feb. 24, 1986; her parents; Paul & Pauline Knansko Srnensky; her sons, Leonard, Albert M. and John D. Volna; her sisters, Mary Chittick and Beatrice Krofchik; and her daughter-in-law, Mildred White Volna.
Burial was in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mile Lock Lane and Parkside Drive, Brackenridge, PA 15014.
Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home Inc., Natrona Heights, handled the arrangements.
Walkingshaw
Janet Rachael Walkingshaw, 86, of Edgeworth, died at her home on March 27, 2003.
She was born June 30, 1916, in Madiston, Scotland, to the late Robert and Barbara Baxter Walkingshaw.
She is survived by three nieces and two nephews.
For 35 years, she served as vice president for the Mellon Bank Trust Department.
Ms. Walkingshaw was also a member of Sewickley Chapter #439 Order of Eastern Star and was very active in the district. She was a past matron of her own chapter, and in 1956 she was appointed district deputy grand matron and through the years served on many committees.
Ms. Walkingshaw held a membership to the chapter for more than 50 years. Sewickley Chapter #439 held a funeral service on Sunday, March 30.
Memorials may be made to Sewickley Chapter O.E.S. #439, to be directed to the Fraternal Fund, Walnut Street, Sewickley, PA 15143 or to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 3500 Brooketree Road, Suite 320, Wexford, PA 15090.
Interment was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.
Williams
Barbara M. Williams, 74, of Sewickley died March 31, 2003, at her Sewickley residence.
She was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Monaca, Pa., to the late Frank and Molly Ledmon Fabanich.
She was a homemaker and a catholic by faith. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Chester H. Williams in 1982.
She is survived by her son, Dane Williams, and daughter Tina Staub; a brother, Jim Fabanich; and four grandchildren.
Cremation took place on April 5, and a memorial service was held in the Moody Funeral Home in Clinton, Pa.
Tracy
Katharine Tracy, 99, formerly of Sewickley, died July 19, 2003, at Rochester Manor in Rochester, Pa., where she lived.
She was born in Edgewood on Dec. 26, 1903, the daughter of Louis and Katharine McDonald Tracy.
She worked as a secretary for Ketchum McCloud for 16 years and was a member of Sewickley's St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
A graveside service was held on Monday at Sewickley Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Beaver Street.
Kosis
Rita M. Kosis, 67, of Edgeworth, was delivered to the arms of the Lord on July 3, 2003, while comforted by her husband and children.
Born Nov. 17, 1935, in Apollo, she was the daughter of the late Frederick Ermel and Madeline Stengel Ermel of Ingomar.
She graduated Holy Ghost Academy, Pittsburgh, in 1953.
Rita married Edward J. Kosis in 1955. They would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary July 23.
She also shared a business partnership with Ed, working as a public accountant in their Fair Oaks firm.
The couple enjoyed music and laughter, particularly during treasured visits with their children and grandchildren.
The couple traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada.
They discovered their heritage, explored historic sites, enjoyed National Parks, attended theatrical performances, participated in Broadway openings, celebrated special times with relatives and met new friends.
They shared the adventures of an Alaskan cruise and the serenity of the Phipps Conservatory. Through work and pleasure, they rejoiced in life to its fullest.
Rita was an avid reader and skilled needle-worker. Many relatives and friends cherish her crocheted and knitted baby outfits, blankets and booties.
Surviving are three children: Beth Kosis, Hollis, N.H.; Ed Kosis III, Clinton, Pa.; and Tom Kosis, New York City.
Also surviving are a son-in-law, Ron Nadeau, and a daughter-in-law, Tracy Kosis.
Rita loved and enjoyed three grandchildren: Erik Kosis Nadeau, Garrett Kosis and Savannah Kosis.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Frederick Ermel and Thomas Ermel; and her grandson, Michael Kosis Nadeau.
Family and friends were received on July 6 at Syka Funeral Home, Ambridge. A Mass of Christian burial was held in St. James Catholic Church, Sewickley.
Interment followed in the Resurrection Cemetery and Mausoleum, Moon Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Clarwin Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229, or the Forbes Hospice, 6655 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
