Obituaries by LocationDOROTHY P. AMES
Dorothy P. Ames, 79, of Lakeland, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, in her home, under the care of Good Shepard Hospice. She was born March 9, 1920, in Brownsville, a daughter of William and Ada Mae Crawford Hackney. She was a graduate of Brownsville High School. Prior to her retirement, she was a chef at the Garden Center Restaurant in New Stanton for many years. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ames was preceded in death by her husband, Quentin Duane "Rivers" Ames, who passed away March 31, 1997; a brother, James Hackney; and two sisters, Mary Johnson and Clara Leyda. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Ebersole and Patty Hohnstrieter, both of Lakeland, Fla.; two sons, Duane Ames of Rochester, Pa., and John I. Ames of Chambersburg, Pa.; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, Route 40, Beallsville, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Gary Gregg officiating. Interment will be in LaFayette Memorial Park.
ALLAN REXFORD CULLER
Allan Rexford Culler, 60, of Littleton, Colo., formerly of Pittsburgh, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, in St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colo. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1939, he was the son of Rexford Kettering Culler of Sarasota, Fla., and the late Bernice Glass Culler, who died in 1998. He was employed by U.S. West in Denver, Colo., and formerly employed by Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh as vice president of human resources. A 1957 graduate of Fairview Park High School, Cleveland, Ohio, he received a bachelor's degree from Wittenburg University in 1961, a master's degree from Case Western Reserve in 1962, and a master's degree in theology from Hamma School of Theology, Springfield, Ohio, in 1966. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from American Compensation Association. He was an active member of Compassionate Friends; was a vicar at First English Lutheran Church from 1964-65; and a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Wittenburg University. In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Donna Dee Daggett Culler, whom he married Aug. 13, 1966; a daughter, Aimee Dee Culler at home; a sister, Marilyn C. Novak of Spencer, Ohio; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Dee Culler, in 1991. Friends were received Tuesday at the DOAN & MILLS FUNERAL HOME, 790 National Road West, Richmond, Ind., where services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. John R. Walker officiating. Interment in Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to A.S.L. Association, 2700 1 Agonra Road, Calabasas Hill, CA 91301-5104.
VESTA MARIE ELLIOTT
Vesta Marie Elliott, 88, of White Oak, on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, in Phoenix, Ariz. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the McKeesport Women's Club. Vesta was past president of the White Oak Chapter 2294 AARP and Sampson's Mills Senior Fellowship. Born Aug. 4, 1911, in Beaver Falls, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Erma McCreary Gillespie; wife of the late Rev. Ward Elliott; and mother of the late Catherine Weed. She is survived by a daughter, Donna Reining of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Louis P. Long and the Rev. Dr. Reginald Lilley co-officiating. The family has suggested memorial contributions to Wesley United Methodist Church, 1229 Prescott St., White Oak, PA 15131, or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Hower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Arrangements by the JAYCOX-JAWORSKI FUNERAL HOME INC., 2703 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport.
HARRIET WILSON McCASLIN TARBERT
Harriet Wilson McCaslin Tarbert, 89, of Sherwood Oaks, on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000. Wife of the late Walter R. Tarbert and previously deceased Murray F. McCaslin, M.D. Mother of Janet M. Larsen (husband, Chris) of Hartford, Conn., Ellen Jane Srodes (husband, Carl) of Edgewood, and W. Scott McCaslin (wife, Ellen) of San Leandro, Calif.; stepmother-in-law of Barbara Tarbert Weller. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at Sherwood Oaks Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sherwood Oaks Resident Association, 100 Norman Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066; The Grant Foundation, which supports Hospital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti, 1410 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243; or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by H. SAMSON INC., Oakland.
RUTH E. WARD WECKERLY
Ruth E. Ward Weckerly, 89, of Wilmerding, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000. Born Feb. 8, 1911, in McKeesport, a daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Hodder Ward. She was a retired employee of J.C. Penney Co. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rolland Weckerly. Survived by nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the FORGIE-SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Broadway, East McKeesport, Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at which time funeral services will be held. Interment will follow in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.
STANLEY F. DERVONIS JR.
Stanley F. Dervonis Jr., 72, of West Mifflin, formerly of Wendel, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at the Jefferson Center, Pittsburgh. He was born May 31, 1927, in Wendel, a son of the late Stanley and Tressa (Kovac) Dervonis. Stanley was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II, where he attained the rank of sergeant. Prior to his retirement, Stanley was employed by Fisher Body, West Mifflin, as a welder with more than 30 years of service. His memberships included: life member of Wendel-Herminie Athletic Association, Hempfield American Legion Post #53, charter member of NRA, Golden Eagles, and the Federal Auto Workers Union. In addition to his parents, Stanley was preceded in death by his second wife, Frances (Graft) Dervonis; a son, Albert J. Dervonis; two sisters, Marie Weitleverich and Anne Miskovich; and a brother, Frank Sokosky. Stanley is survived by two daughters, Carol Skarja and her husband, Daniel F. Sr., of Greensburg and Connie Dainty and her husband, Melvin, of Cochranton, Pa.; his fiancee, Barbara Bentley of West Mifflin; Ms. Bentley's four sons, Jimmy and his wife, Lisa, of North Huntingdon, Scotty at home, Billy and his wife, Jackie, of Elrama, Pa., and Terry and his wife, Barb Bentley, of Munhall; also 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Herminie, Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Father Lawrence L. Manchas officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Leukemia Society of America, Two Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15230.
WAYLAND R. SMITH
Wayland R. Smith, 63, of Uniontown, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born in Sterling, Colo., Dec. 11, 1936, a son of the late Eldon E. and Edith Spencer Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Barbara H. "Sue" Hartshorne Smith; two sons, Douglas Smith and his wife, Bethany, of Laurel, Md., and Greg Smith and his wife, Dana, of Shelton, Wash.; a daughter, Kristy Smith of Uniontown; five grandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca, Amanda, Zachery, and Melissa; and a sister, Marjorie Ruth Smith and her husband, Warren Smith, of Dillon, Mont. Mr. Smith had worked for 27 years for the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, retiring in 1998 as its executive director. He was a member of the National Association of Redevelopment Officials, where he served as past chapter president and past vice president for professional development. He was actively involved in the restoration of many Fayette County landmarks, his latest project being the restoration of the Searights Tollhouse, and was an avid supporter of the State Theater of the Arts. The family will receive friends in the DOLFI FUNERAL HOME, Uniontown, Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., at which time a service of remembrance will be held in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Uniontown Public Library, 24 Jefferson St., Uniontown, or the American Lung Association, 241 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
THE REV. CORTLYNN I. HEPLER
The Rev. Cortlynn I. Hepler, 76, of 18 Hobart St., Marlboro, N.J., formerly of Bellwood, Pa., died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold, N.J. Born in Scottdale, April 21, 1923, he was the son of the late Herman C. and Grace (Lynn) Hepler. He married Henrietta E. Greene on Jan. 12, 1943, in Cumberland, Md. She died April 1, 1998. Surviving are a son, L. Joseph Hepler of Duncansville; a daughter, Martha G. Henderson of Marlboro, N.J.; a sister, Dorothy Dudinsky of New Stanton; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Matawan, N.J. The Rev. Hepler retired as a minister following 10 years of service at the Bald Eagle Baptist Church and Port Matilda Baptist Church. He served in the ministry for 28 years. The Rev. Hepler was a graduate of South Huntingdon High School and also of Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving as a private first class in the European Theater. He was an avid flower/vegetable gardener and also enjoyed traveling and refinishing furniture. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the JON C. RUSSIN FUNERAL HOME, 618 Martin St., Bellwood, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday by his nephew, Thomas C. Martin. Interment at Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood.
STEVE L. SICKLE
Steve L. Sickle, 98, of Perryopolis, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, at 11:10 a.m., in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. He was born Dec. 19, 1901, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Michael and Julianna Sekel. Steve was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church of Perryopolis. He was a retired meat cutter for the company stores. He is survived by five sons, John Sickle and wife, Betty, Bernard Sickle, Steve Sickle and wife, Mary, Thomas Sickle and wife, Sara Jean, and Robert Sickle, all of Perryopolis; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother and a sister, Mike Sekel and wife, Evelyn, of Perryopolis and Mrs. Regina Sabol of Pittsburgh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Sickle, in 1989. Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME INC., 106 E. Independence St., Perryopolis, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 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 R.C. Church, Perryopolis, with the Rev. Father John T. Euker as celebrant. Interment St. John's Cemetery, Perryopolis. A wake service will be held Friday evening at 8 in the funeral home.
MARY K. SMELTZER
Mary K. Smeltzer, 82, of Monroeville, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, in the Huntingdon Ridge West in North Huntingdon. She was born March 11, 1917, in Patton Township, a daughter of the late Charles W. and Laura Belle Cashdollar Kunkle. She was a member of the Level Green Presbyterian Church. She was a volunteer with the Level Green Fire Hall, a member of the Trafford American Legion Post #331 Auxiliary, Meals-on-Wheels of Pitcairn, served on the board of elections in Monroeville for 50 years, and was a member of the former VFW Auxiliary in Trafford. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George B. Smeltzer Sr.; and two sisters, Helen Palmer and Agnes Laura Kunkle. She is survived by a son, George B. Smeltzer Jr. and his wife, Anne Marie, of Manor; and two brothers, Howard Kunkle of Level Green and Charles Kunkle of Monroeville. Also, a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN M. DOBRINICK FUNERAL HOME, 429 Duquesne Ave., Trafford, Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Additional visitation will be held Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Level Green Presbyterian Church when services will be held with the Rev. Dr. R. Dennis Macaleer officiating. Interment will follow in the Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville.
