Obituaries by LocationWilliam Joseph Ernst Sr.
North Side
William Joseph Ernst Sr., age 79, on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001. Husband of Katherine Sluk; preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella Marie Hoffman. Father of William, Elaine Oliver, Rena Green, Marcella Hawkin and James. Brother of the late Ruth M. Papania. Also survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass in St. Malachy's Church, Kennedy Twp., Wednesday at 10 a.m. Arrangements by the ANTHONY J. SANVITO, INC. FUNERAL HOME (Family owned and operated since 1936), McKees Rocks.
Mathilda Helen Hayes Frey
Pittsburgh
Mathilda Helen Hayes Frey, 89, of Pittsburgh, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001. She was born Aug. 17, 1912, in Wilkinsburg, a daughter of the late William Rankin Hayes and Wilhemina Hayes. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, William Paul Frey, in 1973; and two brothers, William R. Hayes and Nevin T. Hayes. She worked for Green Thumb, a program of the California Center in the Woods, as a resource and referral specialist. She was active in the Friday Evening Club and the Eastern Star. Left to cherish her memory are her son, William Paul Frey of Petersburg, Fla.; a daughter, Paula Anne Frey Gamble of Pittsburgh; six grandchildren, Darrin Paul Gamble, Heather Dawn Gamble Mihalek, David Jeremy Frey, Amanda Elizabeth Frey, Nathan Christopher Frye and Jordan Paul Frye; and three great-grandchildren, Tabitha Storm Gamble, Lauren Elizabeth Mihalek and Patrick James Mihalek. A memorial service will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. in California United Methodist Church, 227 Third and Liberty streets, California, Pa., with the Rev. David Lindberg officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the California United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 426, California, PA 15419.
Arthur E. Griser
Homestead
Arthur E. Griser, 65, of Homestead, died Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, in his home. He was born Sept. 24, 1936, in Pitcairn, a son of the late Arthur L. and Irma A. Scott Griser. He is survived by eight sisters, Agnes Olesky of Irwin, Sarah Fulmer Browell of Duquesne, Dolores Griser Hitt of Pittsburgh, Mary Owens of Michigan, Sharon Griser of Turtle Creek, Dorothy Beeman of Jennerstown, Joan Price of Harrisburg and Susan McClellan of Pitcairn; 11 brothers, Samuel Griser of New Jersey, John Griser of McKeesport, Harry Griser and David Griser, both of Turtle Creek, Robert Griser of Lawrenceville, Joseph and Thomas Griser and Leonard Fulmer, all of Pitcairn, James Griser of Ardara, Richard Griser of Greensburg and Roy Griser of East McKeesport; also nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the FORGIE-SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Broadway, East McKeesport, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. in St. Therese Church, Munhall. Interment to follow in Grandview Cemetery, North Versailles.
Irene Jakab
Clairton
Irene Jakab, age 88, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001, in Jefferson Hills Manor Nursing Home, Jefferson Hills. She was born Jan. 29, 1913, in McKeesport, daughter of the late Steve and Regina Kovatch. Mrs. Jakab was a homemaker and seamstress who worked out of her home. She was a member of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in McKeesport. Wife of the late John Jakab; mother of George S. Jacob of Clairton, John R. Jacob of Bend, Ore., Andrew L. Jakab of Romulus, Mich., and Dennis P. Jakab of Powell Butte, Ore.; sister of Steve Kovatch of Butler. Also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the A.J. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME, 555 Fifth St., Clairton, where Parastas Service will be Thursday at 7:15 p.m. Memorial Service in the funeral home Friday at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, McKeesport, at 10 a.m. with Father John Cuccaro as celebrant. Burial in St. Mary's German Cemetery, McKeesport.
Paul E. `Bud' Koontz Jr.
Sheraden
Paul E. "Bud" Koontz Jr., 81, on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001. Beloved husband of Edna M. (Arnold) Koontz; father of Paul E. III, Robert, Karen Tyler and Gary Koontz; brother of Jean Kaufman, Roger Koontz and Doris Adinolfi. Also survived by nine grandchildren. Friends received Tuesday and Wednesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the WILLIAM F. CONROY FUNERAL HOME, 2944 Chartiers Ave., Sheraden, where funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m.
Michael J. Kovaly
McKeesport
Michael J. Kovaly, 86, of McKeesport, passed away peacefully and quietly to his Father in Heaven on Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, in Bethlen Home in Ligonier. He was born Feb. 24, 1915, in McKeesport, a son of the late Andrew and Maria Skakan Kovaly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche "Bertha" Mac Kovaly in 1970, and his dog, Muffin in July, 2001. Mr. Kovaly worked for 41 years as a rigger at U.S. Steel's National Tube Works, from which he retired in 1978. Following retirement, he worked part-time as a night security guard at Renzie Park, took up golf and enjoyed travel. Mike was one of the great players in fast-pitch softball history. His 23-year softball career started in 1930 with the Smilers. He played for Sixth Ward, Firth Sterling, Joseph M. LaRosa softball team, 10th Ward, National Tube, Kokomos, CIO 1408, Eagles, White Oak American Legion and the Clairton Dukes. He was a player-coach for East End Grill from 1945 to 1955. He finished his career as the coach of Spegiels in 1957. Highlights of his softball career included more than a .300 career batting average, perennial All-Star selection and being a tremendous power hitter. Mike was inducted into the McKeesport Athletic Sports Association Honor Roll in 1975. He was an active member of the Polish National Alliance and Turner's in McKeesport. He was a member and usher at St. Mary Czestochowa Parish in McKeesport. McKeesport has lost a great man and a loving son. He is survived by his loving daughter, Carol Ramela and her husband Richard of Acme; three grandchildren, Mark Ramela of Acme, Michael Ramela of Greensburg and Susan Chorba of Acme; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Andrew Kovaly of West Mifflin; a sister-in-law, Frances Kozey of Munhall; nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. Friends received Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JAYCOX-JAWORSKI FUNERAL HOME INC., 2703 O'Neil Blvd. at Fawcett Avenue, McKeesport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Czestochowa Church, McKeesport. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Polish Cemetery, White Oak.
Frank G. Kumf
McKeesport
Frank G. Kumf, 88, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, in UPMC McKeesport. He was born in McKeesport on March 16, 1913, son of the late Anton and Mary (Kasunic) Kumf. Mr. Kumf was a retired steelworker with U.S. Steel, National Plant, McKeesport, with 41 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Worship Site, CFU Lodge 146 of Versailles and its Pensioneers and Mens Club, USW and Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp #7 at Allegheny National Forest. Husband of Mildred J. (Lugarich) Kumf; father of Richard E. Kumf of Lincoln Place and John A. Kumf of Boston, Pa.; brother of Catherine Kumf of Versailles, Ann Chapski of Baden, George Kumf of White Oak and Edward Kumf of Versailles; grandfather of Kristine, James, Melissa, Amanda and Gregory; great-grandfather of Elizabeth Nicole. Preceded in death by his son, Frank A. Kumf. Visitation Monday and Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the DANIEL F. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME, 4504 Walnut St., Versailles. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at noon in Sacred Heart Worship Site, McKeesport. Burial in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, McKeesport.
Joseph J. Lozito
Allison Park
Joseph J. Lozito, age 85, died Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, in Outlook Point Nursing Home. He was born in Pittsburgh on Feb. 29, 1916, son of the late Anthony and Pauline Randazza Lozito. Mr. Lozito was a retired supervisor for Duquesne Light Co. and a World War II Navy veteran. Survived by one sister, Mary Fisher; two brothers, Angelo and Paul Lozito; also many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Johnson Lozito; two brothers, Louis and Guy Lozito; and a sister, Jenny Angelozzi. Visitation Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the T.B. DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, 806 Perry Highway, Ross. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Teresa of Avila Church, Ross, Friday at 10 a.m. Burial in North Side Catholic Cemetery, Ross. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Teresa Church.
Walter E. Miller
Cherry City
Walter E. Miller, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001. Husband of the late Helga (Henning). Father of Melita Schaar and Mark Miller. Brother of Eileen Reeg. Also survived by five grandchildren. Visitation 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the JACK W. AMICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 512 Grant Ave., Millvale, where funeral service will be Friday at 10 a.m. Mr. Miller was employed at Daniels Electric for 58 years and was a life-time member of Cherry City Volunteer Fire Co. The family suggests donations to St. John's Lutheran Church, 501 North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, or Concordia Lutheran Ministries, 615 North Pike Road, Cabot, PA 16023.
