Obituaries by LocationLeonard M. Kokkila
Robinson Township
Leonard M. Kokkila, age 53, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001. Beloved husband of Phyllis K. Kokkila; father of Brian C. Kokkila and Karen E. and her husband Michael Tindale; son of Leonard W. and Helen Kokkila; brother of David L. and Robert R. Kokkila. Family and friends will gather Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. memorial service at Lakeview Christian Life Church, 1 Lakeview Place, Bridgeville, PA 15017. Memorials may be made to Camp Director Discretionary Fund of YMCA Camps Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer, 126 Nagel Road, Fombell, PA 16123-1198 or the Leonard M. Kokkila Center for Economic Education, c/o Pennsylvania Partnership for Economic Education, 123 North Market St., Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Arrangements by JOSEPH M. SOMMA FUNERAL HOME INC., Robinson Township.
Richard J. Mansker
Harpursville, N.Y.
The Rev. Richard J. Mansker, 73, of Harpursville, N.Y., went to be with his Lord Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, in Columbus, Ohio. He was predeceased by his first wife, Betty, and a brother, Tom. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Mansker, and stepson, Joel Dougherty, of Harpursville; a son, Paul Mansker and wife, Sandy, of Monks Corner, S.C.; a daughter, Pamela Burd and husband, Dennis, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Charity Burd of Maryland; a grandson, Phillip Mansker of Columbia, S.C.; a sister, Carine Palmer and husband, Tom, of Papua, New Guinea; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Rev. Mansker was a graduate of the New Tribes Bible Institute and served over 40 years as a pastor, including 17 years at Harpursville Baptist Church. He was an active member of the West Windsor Baptist Church and of the deacons board. He was also active with Gideons International. At the time of his death, he was employed by Kirby Smith Associates as a financial counselor. He loved sailing and working with young people. Friends will be received at the WM. R. CHASE AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 737 Chenango St., Port Dickinson, N.Y., Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. Service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the West Windsor Baptist Church, 166 North Road, Windsor, with the Rev. Rex Baker, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Harry Ross. Burial Monday in Mellinger Menonite Cemetery, Lancaster, Pa. Contributions may be made to the New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First St., Sanford, FL 32771, or Gideons International, Box 1091, Binghamton, NY 13902.
John Joseph McBride
South Park
John Joseph McBride, 84, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001. Husband of the late Teresa A. (Potts) and the late Lillian (Werner) Barr. Father of Daniel J. of South Park and the late John Joseph Jr. of Greensburg. Father-in-law of Frances McBride of South Park and Carol McBride of Latrobe. Stepfather of Patty Mendys and Janet Conn, both of Upper St. Clair, and their families. Brother of James F. McBride of New Kensington. Grandfather of Tech. Sgt. Jay (Stacey), U.S.A.F., Brent, Rick, Daniel J. Jr. and Christine McBride. Great-grandfather of Brent, Jessica, Katie and Courtney. John was an active member of the senior citizens community and will be missed by many friends, especially those of Leland Center in Baldwin, South Park Seniors and St. Germaine Parish. Friends received in the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, Friday 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral Prayer in the funeral home Saturday at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Germaine Church at 10 a.m. If desired, the family suggests contributions to St. Germaine Social Services for the Elderly and Germaine Harbor, 100 Germaine Lane, Bethel Park, PA 15102.
James R. 'Cookie' McCall Jr.
Troy Hill
James R. "Cookie" McCall Jr., on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001. Beloved son of Gertrude (Chraska) and the late James R. McCall Sr. Beloved brother of Leo, John and Philip McCall, Mary Cherevka, Patricia Steele and Charmaine Duffy. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the HUGHES FUNERAL HOME INC., 1501 Lowrie St., Troy Hill. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday in Most Holy Name Church. Friends invited.
Jesse E. Piper
Upper Burrell
Jesse E. Piper, 89, a 57-year resident of Upper Burrell, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, in the West Haven Nursing Home, Washington Township. He was born Oct. 6, 1912, in Bouquet, a son of the late Howard and Ada Wagner Piper. Mr. Piper was a 1930 graduate of Greensburg High School. He retired in 1971 following 35 years in shop 14 of the Aluminum Company of America, where he was a pipe fitter. He was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church of Arnold, the ALCOA 25-Year Club and was former chaplain of the Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Department. He formerly was a member, president and teacher at the Good Fellowship Sunday School Class of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kensington. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Margaret "Peg" Miller Piper; a son, Donald R. Piper of Jeannette; two daughters, Mrs. Terry (Myra K.) Stull of Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. Ricky (Diana) Ciccotelli of Abingdon, Md.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two brothers, John H. Piper of Greensburg and Frank Piper of Delmont. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Ellsmer L. Piper, Walter H. Piper, George W. Piper and Leroy E. Piper; and two sisters, Marian Kane and Catherine Piper. The family will receive friends Sunday from noon to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., A Family Owned and Operated Funeral Home Ltd., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. with Mr. Arvid N. Anderson of New Kensington officiating. Private burial in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Memorial Fund of Calvary Lutheran Church, 1725 Victoria Ave., Arnold, PA 15068.
Estella E. (Redlinger) Smith
Gibsonia
Estella E. (Redlinger) Smith, of Gibsonia, formerly of Pittsburgh, on Friday, Oct. 19, 2001. Mother of Barbara Forbes of Ohio. Sister of Margaret Wessol and the late Wallace Redlinger and Mildred Renner. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends received at CIESLAK AND TATKO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2935 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, on Sunday only from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services Monday at 10 a.m. in the Stewart Avenue Lutheran Church.
Clara Victoria Tarbi
Gibsonia
formerly of Creighton, Pa. and Pasadena, Calif.
Clara Victoria Tarbi, 86, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, at St. Barnabas Nursing Home in Richland Township. She was born Nov. 1, 1914, in Grove City, Butler County, daughter of Joseph and Victoria Acs Nodge. Mrs. Tarbi worked as a sales associate for S&H Green Stamps until her retirement. She was a member of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church. She is survived by her sons, Samuel G. Tarbi of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. and James Tarbi of Gibsonia; her grandchildren, Joni, Lenny, Lisa, Joe, Bill, Donald, Tom and Dane; also survived by ten great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Tarbi, on Oct. 30, 1974 and two brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at HERBERT R. KING FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 8 at 2841 Woodland Circle, Allison Park, Hampton Township. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. with Father Ken Oldenski as celebrant. Burial will be private in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. The family requests memorials be made to Catholic Charities.
Joseph A. Yusko
North Versailles
Joseph A. Yusko, age 72, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001. Mr. Yusko was a Korean War Army veteran and a retired employee of USX, Homestead Works. Later, he was employed with Cauley Detective Agency at the PPG Buildings. During the 1960's and 1970's, he was an acclaimed local playwright, having been awarded a Golden Quill for his work. His plays were performed at local theatres such as The Pittsburgh Playhouse, McKeesport Little Theatre and the White Barn Theatre. Husband of the late Rosella (Jugan) Yusko. Father of Lynn Thielet of North Versailles. Grandfather of Holly, Chelsea, Zachary and Kylie Thielet. No visitation. Friends invited to a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, Duquesne, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to the Forbes Hospice, 6655 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Arrangements by PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Ave. at Cable, E. Pittsburgh, (412) 824-8800.
Alma May Wiltrout
White
Alma May Wiltrout, 58, of White, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. Born March 23, 1943, in Kregar, she was the daughter of the late John and Emma Jean (Brown) Kiser. She worked as a machine operator for Union Apparel, Norvelt. She was a member of Mt. Salem United Methodist Church, White, and Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club. Surviving are her husband of 31 years, Gerald R. Wiltrout; two sons, Garry Wiltrout and wife, Wendy, of Somerset and Tim Wiltrout, at home; a daughter, Karen DeWitt of White; five grandchildren, Megan, Tyler, Marissa, Amanda and Emily; her mother-in-law, Olive (Snyder) Wiltrout of White; and three brothers, Donald Kiser of Rector, Charles Kiser of Latrobe and Harry Kiser of Acme. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Jesse C. Wiltrout, in 2000. Friends will be received at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., 730 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the Mt. Salem United Methodist Church, White, with the Rev. Paul C. Freidhof officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery, Acme.
Melvin Showers Witt
Connellsville
Melvin Showers Witt, 72, of Connellsville, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh. Friends will be received Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, where funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. with Mr. Witt's sons, the Rev. Geary Witt and the Rev. Barry Witt co-officiating. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville.
