Obituaries by LocationSteven F. Hovanec, 87, of the Villa St. Joseph, Baden, and formerly of Beaver, died Thursday, March 11, 1999, in the villa. Born Aug. 5, 1911, a son of the late Martin and Anne Hovanec, he was a retired manager of the Wine & Spirit Store, Rochester, and was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, in 1995, and a daughter, Patricia Ann Craig, in 1998. Surviving are a son, James Steven Hovanec, Beaver; a daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hovanec, Tiburon, Calif.; four grandchildren, Jen Hovanec and James Hovanec Jr., both of Beaver; Melissa Lynn McMilan, Lakeport, Calif., and Deborah Erin Houdeshaldt, Rockland, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Christian Ann McMilan, Lakeport, Calif., and Shelby Lee Stanich, Rocklin, Calif.; two sisters, Betty Ann Zelin and Mary Ann Balak, both of Ambridge, and a brother, Edward Hovanec, Tucson, Ariz. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the TODD FUNERAL HOME, 340 Third St., Beaver. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Church with the Rev. Msgr. Raymond T. Schultz officiating. Entombment will follow in Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum. A rosary will be recited Monday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
Thelma (Muriel) Thorne Kelley, 81, of Industry, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 13, 1999, in her home. Born March 17, 1917, in Ohioville, a daughter of the late John H. and Emma A. Tressler Thorne, she was a resident of Industry most of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman D. Kelley Sr., on Dec. 31, 1988; three brothers, Leo J., Frank A. and Charles W. Thorne, and a sister, Sarah (Sue) Deem. Surviving are two sons, Frederick D. Kelley, Industry, and N. David Kelley Jr., Dinwiddie, Va.; four sisters, Mrs. Delma Popp, Industry; Mrs. Paul (Carmen) Dawson, East Liverpool, Ohio, and Mrs. Keith (Verna) Davis and Mrs. Richard (Audrey) Douds, both of Industry; six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the J.T. ANDERSON AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 205 College Ave., Beaver, where a funeral service will be conducted Tuesday at a time to be announced with the Rev. R. Martin Williams, pastor of the Four Mile United Presbyterian Church, Ohioville, officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Industry.
Drenning W. Martin, 69, of Brighton Township, died Friday evening, March 12, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver, following a brief illness. Born March 2, 1930, in Indiana, Pa., a son of the late Jennings Wade and Erma Sell Martin, he was a resident of Brighton Township since 1962. He retired in 1995 from Baker Engineers, formerly Michael Baker Jr. Inc., Brighton Township, from the Photogrammetry/Surveying Department after 44 years. He was a member of Beaver United Methodist Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps having served during the Korean Conflict. He was active for the past 35 years as a coach, officer, and volunteer with the Brighton Township Athletic Association and the Brighton Township Recreation Board. He was also a former member of the Beaver Valley Sportsman Club. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, B.J. Martin; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Candy Martin, Brighton Township, and Gregory and Barbara Martin, Seattle, Wash.; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Brian Evans, Chippewa; four sisters, Helen Martin, Jane Ziner, and Nancy Pounds, all of Indiana, Pa., and Martha Lauffer, San Diego, Calif.; five grandchildren, Luke and Lindsay Martin, Brighton Township, and Joseph, Jessica, and James Martin, Seattle. Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the NOLL FUNERAL HOME, 333 Third St., Beaver. Mr. Martin will lie in state Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. in the Beaver United Methodist Church. In the absence of his pastor, the Rev. Dennis M. Henley, the Rev. David D. Byers will officiate. Interment will follow in Beaver Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made, if desired, to the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, 1260 Brodhead Rd., Suite 104, Monaca, Pa. 15061-2523 or the Memorial Fund of the Beaver United Methodist Church, 345 College Ave., Beaver, Pa. 15009.
Michael M. Mattuch, 90, of Duss Avenue, Ambridge, died Friday, March 12, 1999, following a lengthy illness. Born Nov. 27, 1908, in Ambridge, a son of the late Michael and Susan Harmon Mattuch, he was a lifelong resident of Ambridge. He attended St. Procopius College, Chicago, Ill., and received his Bachelor's Degree from Geneva and his Master's Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He started teaching in Highland School in Harmony Township in 1935 and then taught math, physics, and chemistry at Ambridge High School. In 1953 he became the Principal of Anthony Wayne, Fourth Ward, Liberty, and South Heights Elementary Schools and subsequently became the Curriculum Director for the Ambridge Area School District. He also owned and operated Mattuch's Paints and Hardware Store on Duss Avenue in Ambridge for 30 yearswith his wife, Jean. He retired from education in 1973. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ambridge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Kulcvycki Mattuch, on Sept. 28, 1975, and a sister, Mary Palko. Surviving are two sons and two daughters-in-law, Myron and Jean Mattuch, Chicago, Ill., and Dennis and Elizabeth Mattuch, Baden; four grandchildren and their spouses, Donna and Robert Davey, Phoenix, Ariz.; Joseph and Kathryn Mattuch, Atlanta, Ga.; Brian and Laura Mattuch, Lincoln, Neb., and Jennifer Mattuch, Cleveland, Ohio, and a great-grandson, Zachary Plumley, Phoenix, Ariz. Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m in the JOHN SYKA FUNERAL HOME, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a service will be conducted Tuesday at 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Church with his pastor, the Rev. Michael Pilosky, officiating. Burial will follow in the church Cemetery, Economy. Parastas will be held Monday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
Betty McCaslin, 89, a resident of Moon Township since 1927 and formerly of Butler, died Saturday, March 13, 1999, in her residence. Born Jan. 15, 1910, in Butler County, Pa., a daughter of the late John D. and Margaret Caldwell, she was a homemaker and a member of The Homemaker Club, Moon Township. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles David McCaslin Sr. Surviving are a son, Charles D. McCaslin Jr., Baden; a daughter, Dolores McCaslin, Moon Township; two grandchildren, Kathleen Meteney, Chippewa, and Delbert C. McCaslin, Nashville, Tenn., and two great-granddaughters, Britney and Kristy Meteney, both of Chippewa. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the COPELAND MOON TOWNSHIP FUNERAL HOME, 981 Brodhead Rd., where a service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. with her minister, Pastor John Free, officiating. Contributions may be to made, if desired, to the charity of one's choice.
Robert E. Mills, 55, of Beaver Falls, died Thursday, March 11, 1999, in his residence. Born May 13, 1943, in Wellsville, Ohio, he had owned the 356 Bar and Grill in Wellsville, Ohio; had been employed by the Babcock & Wilcox Tubular Products Co., and was currently on the White Township maintenance crew. He had attended the College Hill United Methodist Church, and had coached midget football and also Beaver Falls High School football. Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Lawrence Mills; his mother, Ruby Smallwood Milliron, Wellsville; his father and stepmother, Robert and Mary Mills, Wellsville; a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Judy Mills, Janesville, Wis.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mrs. Doug (Lynn) VanZandt, Ashburn, Va.; Mrs. Greg (Tina) Becouvarakis, Hampton, Va., and Jennifer Mills, Beaver Falls; 11 grandchildren, Johnna Mills, Anna Mills, Mattie Mills, Alexandra VanZandt, Zachary Becouvarakis, Christy Mode, Michael Mode, Stephanie Mode, Jeremy Mode, and Anthony and Alexis Lake; three brothers, Larry Mills, Wellsville; David Rowley, Wellsville, and Gary Miller, New Castle, and three sisters, Kathy Kramer, Steubenville, Ohio; Vickie Lassan, Weirton, W.Va., and Becky Mey, Wellsville. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Earl "Bud" Milliron, and an infant sister. Friends will be received today from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the CAMPBELL'S CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 2618 Darlington Road, where services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Edward Schoeneck will officiate. Interment will follow in Hammondsville Cemetery, Hammondsville, Ohio.
Thomas R. Oakey, 78, of Beaver and formerly of Carmel, Calif., and The Woodlands, Texas, died Friday morning, March 12, 1999, in the Beaver Valley Geriatric Center, Brighton Township. Born Oct. 23, 1920, in Chicago, Ill., a son of the late Thomas A. and Marie Kegle Oakey, he was a resident of Beaver since August 1997, The Woodlands, Texas, the previous nine years, and Carmel, Calif., the preceding 19 years. He retired in 1989 as an independent builder of custom homes in California. A Roman Catholic by faith, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. A former Rotarian, he also belonged to the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Home Builders. He is survived by his wife of over 56 years, Babette F. Oakey; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael S. and Martha E. Oakey, Beaver; a daughter, Mrs. Kathleen O. Russell, Columbia, Md.; two grandsons, John M. Oakey, Omaha, Neb., and Paul T. Russell, Salinas, Calif. and two great-grandsons, Blake M. and Brady Oakey, Omaha, Neb. He was preceded in death by a brother, John H. Oakey, and a sister, Helen O. Brickner. There was no visitation. A blessing service was held Saturday in the J.T. ANDERSON AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 205 College Ave., Beaver with Father Paul J. Savage, Chaplain of the Beaver Valley Geriatric Center. Private interment
was held in Beaver Cemetery. Friends may, if they wish, make memorial contributions to the Beaver Valley Geriatric Center, 246 Friendship Circle, Beaver, Pa. 15009.
Mary Petcash, 88, of Economy, died Saturday, March 13, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born June 9, 1910, in Ambridge, a daughter of the late John and Anna Bowan, she was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Baden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Petcash, on June 7, 1957. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Diane Petcash, Economy, and Andrew and Kathleen Petcash, Baden; a daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Andrew Blazakis, Youngstown, Ohio; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Helen, in California. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Steven Bowan, and a sister, Anne Pinchot. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m in the PAUL E. BOHN FUNERAL HOME INC., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge, where a service will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church with the Rev. Father Joseph Dascenzo officiating. Interment will follow in Good Samaritan Cemetery, Fair Oaks. A Christian wake service will be held Monday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
George P. Raftery, 79, of Chippewa Township, died Saturday, March 13, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born March 1, 1920, in Beaver Falls, a son of the late Michael and Charlotte Hilbert Raftery, he was retired with 25 years of service as a ladle liner in the Brick Department of the J&L Steel Company. He was a member of the Bricklayers Union and was a life member of the Beaver Falls Elks Lodge 348. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Beaver Falls American Legion Post 261. Surviving are his wife, Helen Walton Raftery; three brothers, Lawrence C. Raftery, Monaca; Thomas K. Raftery, New Brighton, and Ralph R. Raftery, Ashland, Ky.; two stepsons, Gary Rolinson, Center Township, and Richard Pillsbury, East Palestine, Ohip; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Larry (Debra) Whitman, in Colorado; five step-grandchildren, and five great-step-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Bonnlyn Whistler, and a brother, Joseph Raftery. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the CAMPBELL'S BEAVER FALLS FUNERAL HOME, 14th Street and Eighth Avenue, where a service will be conducted Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Dennis Burnett of the First Presbyterian Church, Monaca, officiating. Private interment
will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Big Beaver.
Stephen A. Scabavea, 90, of Ambridge, died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born Dec. 24, 1908, in Chios, Greece, he married Esther L. Davis of Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1928, five years after immigrating to the United States. Mr. Scabavea founded, owned and operated the Central Painting Company of Aliquippa, a painting contracting firm that provided broad services to the Beaver Valley for almost 50 continous years. These services were manifested in the maintenance of numerous office buildings, churches, snyagogues and residential homes throughout the Beaver Valley and surrounding communities until his retirement several years ago. Mr. Scabavea is survived by his wife, Esther Scabavea, Clarinda, Iowa; two daughters, Helen Campbell, Belleville, Ill., and Kathryn Thompson, Marshalltown, Iowa; a son, Andy S. Scabavea, Littleton, Colo.; nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Private services will be held in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Ohio. The HUNTSMAN ALIQUIPPA FUNERAL HOME is in charge of local arrangements.
