Obituaries by LocationTHOMAS F. SHERER
Thomas F. Sherer, 84, of Swissvale, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, at Latrobe Area Hospital. He was very active with the Swissvale Senior Citizen Center. Born Dec. 31, 1914, in Braddock. He was the son of the late John and Magdalena (Leech) Sherer. Also preceded in death by his wife, Frances Emily (Whitehead) Sherer. Survived by his loving and forever grateful children, Diane Augusty of Trafford, Carol Martin of Falmouth, Mass., Janice Cerra of Latrobe, Thomas Sherer of Wilbraham, Mass., Jeanne Hines and Deborah DiPerna, both of Walpole, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Also survived by two brothers, John Sherer of Rankin and William Sherer of Ford City and the late Francis Sherer, James Sherer, Regina Sherer and Kathleen Clayton. He was a parishioner of St. Anselm Parish of Swissvale. Retired from Union Switch and Signal of Swissvale in 1979 after 41 years of service. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday ONLY at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC., 7441 Washington Ave., Swissvale. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Word of God Parish, St. Anselm Church, Swissvale. Interment will be held at the Braddock Catholic Cemetery, Braddock Hills.
ROBERT M. STEWART
Robert M. Stewart, 76, of Mound Street, Monongahela, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, at his home. He was a native of Monongahela, where he was born Dec. 18, 1922, a son of the late William H. and Ann L. Lang Stewart. Mr. Stewart was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Monongahela, where he served in many capacities, and for many years as the church's investment counselor for its board of trustees and the finance committee. He was a graduate of Monongahela High School and received his degree from Robert Morris College. A veteran of World War II, he served in the weather service for the Army Air Corps and was stationed in Greenland. Mr. Stewart's business career spanned over 50 years in the investment business. He began his work in 1946 with the Pittsburgh firm Moore Leonard and Lynch. Achieving the position of chairman of the board, he was instrumental in the firm's merger in 1978 with Blythe Eastman Dillon. Just a year later, the firm merged with Paine Webber, where Mr. Stewart served as senior vice president of the Pittsburgh office until his death. Well-known for his leadership in the securities industry, during his career he was on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Throughout his career he received numerous recognitions and honors, the most recent of which was presented on Dec. 2, 1999, by the Pittsburgh Stock and Bond Association, honoring him for over 50 years of commitment and dedication to the securities industry. As a member of the board of directors of the United Methodist Foundation for over a decade, he served as chairman of the investment committee and later as chairman for four terms. He recently was the recipient of the foundation's prestigious Founders Day Award. He also was a member of the Duquesne Club and the Pittsburgh Stock and Bond Club. Survivors include three nephews, William Stewart of Eighty-Four, Winfield Stewart of Herndon, Va., and James Stewart of Sterling, Va.; six great-nephews; and a great-niece. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Stewart. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the L.M. FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main St., Monongahela. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Hartman officiating. Interment will follow in the Monongahela Cemetery.
TINA BORTAK
Tina Bortak, 87, of Greenock, formerly of McKeesport, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999, in UPMC-McKeesport. She was born June 9, 1912, a daughter of the late George and Lucia Draskovich. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Bortak; and a grandson, Misael "Brother." A homemaker, she was a former member of Sacred Heart Church, McKeesport, and was a lifetime member and past president of Turnsisters in McKeesport. She is survived by two daughters, Donna Miller of Port Vue and Doris Stepanik, with whom she resided; a son, Richard Bortak of Penn Township; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Anna Bach of Port Vue; and nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the WILLIG FUNERAL HOME, 220 Ninth Ave., McKeesport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Holy Trinity Church, McKeesport. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Port Vue.
CLAUDIA JEAN (PRICE) CHISHOLM
Claudia Jean (Price) Chisholm, 79, on Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, at her daughter's home in Lower Burrell, where she was being cared for. Beloved wife of 56 years to William J. Chisholm of Avalon. Also, survived by loving children, David E. Chisholm and his fiancee, Dolores, of McCandless, William W. Chisholm and his wife, Sharon, of Slate Lick, Robert J. Chisholm and his wife, Carol, of Ross Township and Betty Claire Mulhall and her husband, Joseph, of Lower Burrell; a sister, Claire Gould of Bellevue; also, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and a sister. She was a member of North Hills Chapter #526 O.E.S. and AARP Chapter #1630, Bellevue. Memorials are suggested to the Forest Avenue Presbyterian Church, 898 Forest Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15202, where Mrs. Chisholm had been a member for over 60 years. Friends invited Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 in the ORION C. PINKERTON FUNERAL HOME INC., A Golden Rule Member Firm, 1014 California Ave., Avalon, North Boroughs, where funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11. Interment will be in Union Dale Cemetery, North Side.
THRESIA A. JYACHOSKY
Thresia A. Jyachosky, 77, of Star Junction, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999, at 5:20 a.m., in her home. She was born Aug. 6, 1922, in Star Junction, a daughter of the late Pete and Emma Longo Pradella. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church and the Roman Star Lounge #1914, both of Perryopolis. She is survived by two sisters and a brother, Mrs. Mary Persello of Perryopolis, Mrs. Josephine Rebottini and Roy Giovannelli and wife, Vera, all of Star Junction; daughter-in-law, Ada Jyachosky of Star Junction; two granddaughters, Katrina and Toni Jyachosky, both of Star Junction; two brothers-in-law, Andrew Jyachosky and wife, Mary, of Charlotte, N.C., and Thomas Benicky of Belle Vernon; three sisters-in-law, Irene Pradella of Star Junction, Helen Jyachosky of New Salem and Lee Jyachosky of Hopwood; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jyachosky, on Jan. 16, 1993; son, Peter M. Jyachosky, on Nov. 26, 1989; and two brothers, Bruno Pradella, on May 31, 1985, and Albert Pradella, on April 28, 1989. Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME INC., 106 E. Independence St., Perryopolis, Friday from 2 to 9 p.m., where a prayer service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Perryopolis, with the Rev. Father John T. Euker as celebrant. Interment Mt. Washington Cemetery, Perryopolis. A wake service will be held Friday at 8 p.m.
LOUELLA W. GILKEY
Louella W. Gilkey, 92, of North Braddock, died Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, in Indian Haven, Indiana, Pa. She was born June 8, 1907, in North Braddock, a daughter of Edward and Martha (Bloom) Hensel. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Braddock. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Henry Edward Gilkey. Survived by two daughters, Louann Wainwright of Delmont and Lila Williams of Commodore RD1; and four grandchildren. No viewing or funeral services. Committal services Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the chapel of the Penn-Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, North Huntingdon, with the Rev. David D. Wilson Jr. officiating. Arrangements in charge of the WAYNE W. PIFER FUNERAL HOME, Punxsutawney.
RITA H. GUZY
Rita H. Guzy, 68, of Dunbar, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999, in Highlands Hospital, Connellsville. She was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Merill and Lula Carnes McFadden. She was Methodist by faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Bryner and Audrey Reese; a grandson, Brenan Leapline; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Leapline. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Joseph Guzy; two sons, Kenneth S. Gerhard of Pittsburgh and Joseph M. Guzy and wife, Crystal, of Mt. Pleasant; three daughters, Barbara Conn and husband, William, of Vanderbilt, Marilyn Zies and husband, Jack, of Acme and Doll Ulery and husband, Jerry, of Normalville; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Merill McFadden and wife, Mary, of Scottdale and Melvin McFadden and wife, Diane, of Pennsville; and five sisters, Roberta Ritenour of Pittsburgh, Marge Hardy and husband, William, of Dunbar, Martha Stoner and husband, Earl, of Connellsville, Patty Geary and husband, Jim, of Ohio, and Sandy McWilliams and husband, Robert, of Pennsville. Visitation and interment
will be private. Arrangements by the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Mt. Pleasant.
FRANK S. CERAR
Frank S. Cerar, 88, of South Park Township, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999, at Jefferson Center Hospital. He was born Sept. 14, 1911, in Broughton, Pa., a son of the late Louis and Mary (Simoncic) Cerar. He was a retired supervisor for Consol Coal Co. He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Swatko) Cerar; sons, Edward F. Cerar of California, Richard J. Cerar of Waynesburg, Frank A. Cerar of Charlotte, N.C., Anthony T. Cerar of North Versailles, and David J. Cerar of Salt Lake City, Utah; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Anne Snyder of Monroeville and Alma Laface of Miami, Fla.; and brothers, Louis Cerar, Joseph Cerar, and Paul Cerar, all of Clarksville. Preceded in death by a son, Wayne T. Cerar; and a brother, John Cerar. Visitation Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the GRIFFITH MORTUARY INC., 5636 Brownsville Road, South Park Township. Funeral Saturday at 10 a.m. in Nativity Church, South Park Township, with Father James R. Gretz. Interment Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills.
FRANCES V. HEFFLEY
Frances V. Heffley, 70, of Connellsville, passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, at her home. She was born Dec. 26, 1928, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Nick and Fannie Cozza Capella. Frances was Catholic by faith and was a graduate of Dunbar Township High School with the Class of 1946. She retired in 1971 from Anchor Glass, and for 10 years she was a secretary for Connellsville Construction. Frances is survived by her husband of 28 years, Donald Heffley; a daughter, Diane Clabaugh Brienza of Connellsville; a son, Dennis Clabaugh, also of Connellsville; grandchildren, Denise Clabaugh of McKeesport, Michael and Patrick Brienza, both of Connellsville; a sister, Rita Kindsfather and her husband, Charles, of Ault, Colo.; and two brothers, Alesso Capella and his wife, Dolores, of Connellsville and Robert Capella of Apex, N.C. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a granddaughter, Amy Brienza; two sisters, Rose Housel and Mary Miller; and two brothers, Frank and Nicholas Capella. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral prayer service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. John Butler, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, officiating. A committal service and interment
will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. A wake service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
FRANK J. JOHOVICH
Frank J. Johovich, 80, of McCandless, died Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999, at Suburban General Hospital, Bellevue. He was born Nov. 18, 1919, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Frank M. and Frances Frankovich Johovich. He was a shipping supervisor for MaGraw-Edison, Canonsburg, with 42 years of service. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Valencia, and had organized Oliver High School Men's Luncheon Group. Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl "Penny" Johovich of McCandless and Ginny Miller of Cranberry; a son, Randy Johovich of West Deer Township; three grandchildren, Jennifer and Justin Johovich, and Kate Miller; and two sisters, Anne Short of Avalon and Fran Wagner of McCandless. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Miriam V. Dunn Johovich, on Dec. 17, 1998; a sister, Katherine Gruno; and a brother, Joseph Johovich. Friends will be received Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the H.P. BRANDT FUNERAL HOME INC., 1032 Perry Highway, Ross Township. Services will be conducted in the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Nick Protos, pastor of Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church, officiating. Entombment Allegheny County Memorial Park Mausoleum, McCandless. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society for prostate cancer research.
