Obituaries by LocationLawrence "Ludy" Macioce, 87, a lifelong resident of the Beaver Falls area, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, in the emergency room of The Medical Center, Beaver. Born Feb. 14, 1912, in Italy, a son of the late Luigi and Anna Lolli Macioce, he was a meat clerk, retiring from the City Market of Beaver Falls. He was a member of Christ the Divine Teacher Roman Catholic Church, Chippewa Township, and the Sons of Italy, Beaver Falls. His friends knew him by Lou. He was an avid gardener, as anyone that drove by 37th St. Extension would know. Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann Ferguson Macioce; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert L. and Theresa Macioce, Ormond Beach, Fla., and Mark J. Macioce, Chippewa Township; a daughter and son-in-law, Anita M. and Cesare Orsini, Port Orange, Fla.; three brothers, Angelo Macioce, Pasadena, Calif.; Elmer Macioce, Springfield, Mo., and Andrew Macioce, New Middletown, Ohio; two sisters, Mary Weldon, Darlington, and Valentine Pezzi, Chippewa Township; five grandchildren, Alex Orsini, Michael Orsini, Erin Macioce, Jane Macioce and Mitchell Macioce, and 30 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Valentino Macioce, and two sisters, Lucia Macioce and Lucy Alexander. Friends will be received today from 1 to 9 p.m. in the LUTTON CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 117 Blackhawk Road, where prayers will be offered Friday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Church, Chippewa Township. Father Harry R. Sangl, his pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Chippewa Township.
E. Joanne Nichols, 76, formerly of Worth Street, Corry, Pa., died Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, in the Corry Manor Nursing Home where she had been a resident. Born Aug. 5, 1922, in Corry, Pa., she was the daughter of the late John and Gwendolyn Irwin Mulderick. Mrs. Nichols was raised and educated in Corry, graduating from Corry High School in 1940, where she was the senior class president. Following her marriage, her priority was taking care of her family. Later she attended the Rochester Nurses Training Program in Rochester Hospital, receiving her registered nurses degree in 1972. She then attended Slippery Rock University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1973. She later attended St. Josephs College in Maine where she received her Master's Degree in Gerontology. Mrs. Nichols enjoyed sewing, refinishing furniture, gardening, quilting, reading and playing the piano. In additon to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Nichols Sr., on June 3, 1990. They were married in Corry on May 31, 1941. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Eileen Waddell, on March 17, 1998, and by a granddaughter, Elena Marja Nichols, in 1981. Mrs. Nichols is survived by three daughters, Margaret Nichols and her husband, David Pearl, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Mary Anne Ruskin and her husband, Andrew, Beaver, and Theresa Cox and her husband, Mark, Corry; three sons, Richard C. Nichols Jr. and his wife, Michelle, Port Richey, Fla.; James W. Nichols and his wife, Edie, Industry, and Matthew G. Nichols, Beaver; a sister, Jeanne Knap and her husband, James, Huddleston, Va.; 14 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements were handled by the BRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 315 North Center St., Corry, Pa. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of North Western Pa., 352 W. 8th St., Erie, Pa. 16502.
William F. Palumbo, 64, of Aliquippa (Raccoon Township), died Monday evening, Feb. 22, 1999, at his Raccoon Township residence. Born July 26, 1934, in Monaca, a son of the late Giuseppe and Amalia Evangelista Palumbo, he was a retired teacher with the Western Beaver High School, and was a veteran of the Korean conflict, having served in the U.S. Navy on the Destroyer USS Vogelgasang. A Catholic by faith, he was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Monaca. Surviving are two brothers and sisters-in-law, John A. and Olga Palumbo, Monaca, and Joseph A. and Joan Palumbo, Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Herbert Davis, Beaver, and numerous nieces and nephews. A blessing service will be held today at noon in BATCHELOR BROTHERS MONACA, 998 Atlantic Ave. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery, Monaca. Full military honors will be provided by the Beaver County Special Unit.
Gary J. Renkin, 49, of Patterson Township, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born Aug. 30, 1949, in Pittsburgh, a son of George Renkin, Allison Park, and the late Betty Prosser Renkin, he was the former Chief of Police in Patterson Township and prior to that was an employee of the Westinghouse Electric Co., Beaver. He was a member of Christ the Divine Teacher Roman Catholic Church. He was a life member of the Beaver Valley Chiefs of Police Association, where he served as President in 1987 and Banquet Chairperson for many years. He received the Distinguished Service Award of the Chiefs of Police in 1990. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Police Beaver Valley Lodge 4; former member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters; former commissioner of the Blackhawk Recreational Softball League; a member of the Beaver County Police Review Board, and Beaver County L.E.P.C. Surviving are his wife, Judi Pratt Renkin; two daughters, Kellie D. and Beth A., both at home; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne G. and Annemarie Renkin, Pittsburgh; a sister, Patricia A. McNally, Confluence, Pa.; a sister-in-law and dearest friend, Joanne Renkin, Chippewa Township, and three nephews and eight nieces. Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. in the LUTTON CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 117 Blackhawk Rd., where prayers will begin Saturday at 10:20 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. at Christ the Divine Teacher Church. The Rev. Harry R. Sangl will officiate. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Chippewa Township. A vigil service will be conducted Friday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home.
George A. Rice, 83, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born Jan. 10, 1916, in Hackensack, N.J., a son of the late Don M. and Bertha Rice, he was a resident of Center Township for nine years and was a research engineer for General Electric Company. He was a member of Capital District, Association of the Deaf, and the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma E. Rice, and a sister, Catherine Duym. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Glenn M. and Linda Rice, Schenectady, N.Y., and Robert A. Rice and Laurie Martin Rice, Center Township; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Friends will be received today from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon in the DARROCH MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 2640 Mill St., Aliquippa. Father Kleppner, of St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Beaver Cemetery.
Dennis R. Riddle, 50, of Butler, Pa., formerly of Monaca, died Friday, Feb. 19, 1999, in his home. Born Aug. 12, 1948, in Sewickley, a son of the late Robert and Helen Roman Riddle, he served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was a member of the Lyndora American Legion Post 778. Surviving are three daughters and two sons-in-law, Megan Riddle, Beaver Falls; Tawnia and John Campbell, and Tera and Christian O'Rosky, all of Center Township; three grandchildren; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark and Cathy Riddle, Economy; James and Barbara Riddle, Merced, Calif., and Kenneth and Karen Riddle, Leetsdale; a sister and brother-in-law, Flora and Bobby Newhouse, Economy, and his fiancee, Alexis McEathron, Butler. There was no visitation. A memorial service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the PAUL E. BOHN FUNERAL HOME INC., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge.
Anna Margaret "Peggy" Schmitt, 81, of Longview, Texas, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, following a lengthy illness. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Longview, with the Rev. Gavin Vavarek officiating. A rosary will be recited by Deacon John Borens at 7 p.m. today in the RADER FUNERAL HOME, Longview, Texas. Entombment will be in Lakeview Mausoleum. Peggy was born Sept. 1, 1917, in Middletown, Pa., to Walter and Mary Fischel Rodfong. Her family moved to Midland when she was two years old. She lived in Midland for 50 years, until moving to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1970. In 1982, the Schmitts retired to Longview, Texas. Peggy was active in Longview Community Theater and various other theatrical groups prior to moving to Longview. Peggy was a docent at the East Texas Oil Museum and a former president of the Civil War Round Table. She was a co-founder with her husband in establishing "Tennis & Crumpets" in Portsmouth, Ohio, and "Tennis & Tacos" in Longview as a major fund raiser for various charities. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Charles R. Schmitt, Longview; daughters, Melissa Ann Newman, Longview; Marian Loftus, Montgomery, Texas, and Mary Kristen Escher, Brewster, Mass.; sons, Charles D. Schmitt, Longview, and Arthur B. Schmitt, Wheeling, W. Va.; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, sisters, Ruth Ellen Nevill, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., and Helen Pickering, Midland, and numerous nieces and nephews. Peggy had a zest for life which spread joy and enriched the lives of those around her, especially her family. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's School Library Fund, 405 Hollybrook, Longview, Texas 75605. Visitation will be 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, following the Rosary.
Eleanor L. Bonnell Shaffer, 78, of Beaver and formerly of Daugherty Township, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born April 14, 1920, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Charles and Anna Spann Bonnell, she was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, New Brighton, and the Beaver County Parkinson's Support Group. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Roy Shaffer, in March 1998. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Carolyn S.) Henderson, Brighton Township, and Mrs. Harold (Marilyn A.) Wissner, Daugherty Township; four grandchildren, Mrs. Jeff (Jodi) Girvan, Rocky Mount, N.C.; Leslie Wissner, Daugherty Township, and Matthew and Jeffrey Henderson, Brighton Township. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the DONALD D. DRUSCHEL FUNERAL HOME, 1612 Third Ave., New Brighton, where a service will be conducted Friday at 1:30 p.m. by the Rev. Lee P. Bittner, pastor of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Darlington. Private interment
will be in Grove Cemetery. Friends may, if they wish, make memorial contributions to the Beaver County Parkinson's Support Group, c/o Judy Patterson, 170 Baker Rd., Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010.
Helen Smolak, 77, of Williamsville, N.Y., formerly of Aliquippa, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, in Millard Filmore Suburban Hospital, Williamsville. Born May 5, 1921, in Aliquippa, she was a daughter of the late Ignatius and Sarah (Waskovich) Debiec. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Debiec. Mrs. Smolak is survived by her husband, Michael Smolak; three daughters, Lynette Smolak and Roberta Caudill, both of Williamsville, N.Y., and Judy Lynn, Winston Salem, N.C.; two brothers, Joe and Henry Debiec, both of Aliquippa; a sister, Stella Pedhaniak, Aliquippa, and six grandchildren. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the WAYNE N. TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME, 2205 McMinn St., Aliquippa, where a service will be conducted Friday at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, Aliquippa. Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum, Hopewell Township.
Randy Phillip Taormina, 42, of Monaca, died Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 23, 1999, in Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh, surrounded by his wife and children. Born May 3, 1956, in Beaver Falls, he was a beloved son of Genevieve Woods Taormina, of Monaca, and the late Phillip Taormina. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Christy J. Mangin. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Terri Mangin Taormina, whom he married Feb. 19, 1977; a son, Randy Philip Taormina Jr., California, Pa.; two daughters, Tara Leigh Taormina and Christie Terese Taormina, both at home; a brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Margaret Taormina, in Florida; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Rhonda and James Kirkwood, Monaca, and Tarla Taormina, Crafton, Pa.; two brothers-in-law and their wives, Dr. and Mrs. John (Loretta) Mangin, Moon Township, and Chris and Renee Mangin, Monaca; two sisters-in-law and their husbands, Nancy and Bill Toomey, Ohio, and Antoinette and Joe Gottuso, Beaver Falls, and his mother-in-law, Teresa Mangin, Monaca. Randy was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Monaca; past president and coach of the Monaca Girls' Softball League; assistant basketball and football coach for Monaca High School, from where he graduated in the class of 1975. He was a former member of the P.N.A. Golf League, and was formerly employed at the J&L Steel Company, Aliquippa Works. Friends will be welcome today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in BATCHELOR BROTHERS MONACA, 998 Atlantic Ave. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the parish Cemetery.
