Obituaries by LocationAnthony S. Caputo, 87, of Brighton Township, Tony's spirit went peacefully to heaven, while at home, on Sunday, March 21, 1999, surrounded by family and friends. Born March 29, 1911, in Freedom, a son of the late Domenic and Anna Bell Caputo, he lived his entire life in Beaver County. His long and successful musical career began when he was a young man studying at the Beaver Conservatory of Music, and he furthered his studies in Paris and Saltzburg, Austria. In 1938, he directed the Tuesday Musical Club's production of "Iolanthe", at which time he met his wife, Janet. In 1940, he founded the Pittsburgh Opera Society and directed their premiere production which was "The Tales of Hoffmann". For over 60 years, he held the position of choir director and organist in numerous and varied denominational churches in Beaver and Allegheny Counties. He taught private piano lessons for 65 years to thousands of young people, some of whom went on to make music their careers. During the 12 years as band director at Rochester High School, he instituted new programs for marching and concert bands which earned him great respect with the band members. Their feelings for him were so deep, he was the guest of honor at their 50th high school reunion for the Class of 1950. He also taught music appreciation for three years at Point Park Junior College. In 1992 he was honored as an inductee in the Beaver Valley Musicians Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the Valley. In the 1940s and 1960s, he established the Beaver Valley Opera Society which performed over 40 productions of tragic and light operas with lead singers from New York City, Pittsburgh Symphony members, and local choruses. In 1970, he began the Eastern Shore Opera Society (Salisbury, Md.), which is still in full production. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Janet Turner Caputo; two children, Chris and Becky; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Frank, Miami Springs, Fla., and Ernest, Ocala, Fla. He will be sadly missed by everyone especially his devoted caregivers and friends, Alex, Cathy, Lee and Marie, who provided every possible comfort for him in the last three years. Friends may call to pay respects at his home, 300 Spruce St., Dawson Ridge, Brighton Township, today from 3 p.m. on. His rector, Father Carl Neely, will conduct a brief funeral service at his home on Wednesday at 11 a.m., followed by a committal service at Sylvania Hills Mausoleum. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church, Fourth and Beaver Streets, Beaver, Pa. 15009; the Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Ave., Beaver, Pa. 15009, or a favorite charity. The J.T. ANDERSON JR. AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 205 College Ave., Beaver, is in charge of arrangements.
Patricia L. Cleary, 44, of Pittsburgh, died Saturday, March 20, 1999, in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Born May 29, 1954, in Beaver Falls, she was the daughter of William D. Cleary, Buffalo, Wyo., and the late Ann Berresford Cleary, who died in 1989. She was an administrative assistant for Federated Investments, Pitsburgh. In addition to her father, she is survived by a brother, Willliam D. Cleary II, Billings, Mont.; three sisters, Pamela Cleary, Pittsburgh, Tami Forsythe, New Castle, and Heidi Cole, Rodgers, Ohio; a niece, Alexa Forsythe, and two nephews, William D. Cleary III and Chantz Allison. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in CAMPBELL'S CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 2618 Darlington Road, where a blessing service will be conducted Thursday at 10:30 a.m. by the Reverend Father James Krah. Private interment
will be in Grove Cemetery, New Brighton. Memorial contributions, may be made, if desired, to Alpha I, National Association, 8120 Penn Ave. South, Suite 549, Minneapolis, Minn. 55431-1326.
Mabel C. Creps, 93, a resident of Tempe, Ariz., formerly of Beaver County, died March 19, 1999. Mrs. Creps, a retired registered nurse, was a member of the Beaver Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and the Rainbow Girls. She was a graduate of Rochester High School and received her nursing degree from Rochester General Hospital. Mrs. Creps was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Creps, in November 1991. Surviving are a son, Lester Creps, Tempe, Ariz., and grandchildren, David Creps, Phoenix, Ariz., and Cynthia Creps, Boston, Mass. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the CARR-TENNEY MORTUARY, Tempe, Arix.
Mary Santia Ferraro, 90, of Baltimore, Md., formerly of Aliquippa, died Thursday, March 18, 1999, in Baltimore, Md. Born Oct. 25, 1908, a daughter of the late Alesandro and Erminia DeSantis Santia, she was a member of St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Baltimore, Md., and a former member of St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, Aliquippa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Ferraro and five brothers and two sisters. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Ann Gorini, San Jose, Calif.; a daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Edward Wheat, with whom she resided, Baltimore, Md.; two grandsons, Allan and Richard Gorini; a granddaughter, Paulette Resnick; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter, Mackenzie, and a brother, Joseph Santia, Ambridge. Friends will be received Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. in the MASTRO-FRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME, 21st and McMinn Street, Aliquippa, where a service will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in St. Titus Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Hopewell Township. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Titus Church, Aliquippa.
William "Bill" E. Genier, 73, of Chippewa Township, died Sunday, March 21, 1999, in The Medical Center, Beaver. Born Jan. 12, 1926, in Mineville, N.Y., a son of the late William and Luella Wilson Genier, he was a machine operator for Republic Steel, Beaver Falls. He lettered in varsity track in high school, and served in the U.S. 28th Marine Corps during World War II, and was present during the raising of the American Flag at Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. Mr. Genier was an avid reader and enjoyed remodeling and working on his home. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Nellie (Artz) O. Alvaro Genier; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Kevin Sprageu, Moriah, N.Y.; a son, Thomas Genier, Moriah, N.Y.; a stepson and step daughter-in-law, Terry and Sheila Alvaro, Enon Valley; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise O'Conner, Mineville, N.Y., and Gertrude Fairbanks, West Palm Beach, Fla.; four brothers, Bernard Genier, Mineville, N.Y.; John Genier, Mineville, N.Y.; Glen Genier, Buffalo, N.Y., and Donald Genier, Bridgeport, Conn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Drinkwine. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in CAMPBELL'S CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 2618 Darlington Road, where a service will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Reverend John P. Maruca of the Victor Assembly of East Palestine Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Big Beaver Borough. Members of the Veterans Honor Squad will conduct full military honors.
Armaida "Maida" Greco, 84, of Sewickley, died Sunday, March 21, 1999, in Villa St. Joseph, Baden. Born March 21, 1915, in Elkins, W. Va., she was the daughter of the late Elton Frank and Mary (Panther) Samsa. Maida and her family moved from Elkins, W. Va., to Ambridge, where she was educated. She was a graduate of Ambridge High School. A member of St. Titus Catholic Church, she was a member of many organizations throughout her lifetime, but will be foremost remembered as a wife, mother and shopkeeper. Together with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Marshall (Mildred) Greco, Marsyl's Dress Shop was formed and opened in Aliquippa in August of 1944. The partnership was amicably disolved and Marsyl's was operated by Maida and her husband, Syl, for 52 years. In 1997, it was decided to retire the wonderful lady who was Marsyl's. Surviving are her husband of 59 years, Sylvester "Syl" Greco; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Walter E. Gregg Jr., Sewickley; two treasured granddaughters, Ashlee Ann Gregg, in Chicago, and Marguerite Tadman Gregg, a student at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tenn.; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Edward Samsa, Ambridge; Raymond and Betty Samsa, Baden, and Elton Fred and Betty Samsa, New Sewickley Township, and a sister, Lillian S. Kennedy, Ambridge, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline S. Parson. 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 Wednesday at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Titus Catholic Church, Aliquippa. Private entombment will take place in Sewickley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Villa St. Joseph, Baden, Pa. 15005.
George Luke Lane Jr., 78, of Hickory, Pa., died Saturday, March 20, 1999, in his home. He was born March 3, 1921, in Aliquippa, a son of George L. and Gladys Anderson Lane. Mr. Lane was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and the Georgia Institute of Technology. In November of 1943, he married Lois Schweitzer. Mrs. Lane survives. Mr. Lane served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was employed by LTV Steel (formerly J&L Steel) in Pittsburgh, Aliquippa and Cleveland from 1937 to 1978. While in Cleveland, he served as works manager from 1973 to 1978. While living in Aliquippa, he was a member and former elder of the Woodlawn United Presbyterian Church. He also served on the board of the B.F. Jones Library and was a member of several Masonic orders. In 1973, he was honored as Aliquippa's "Man of the Year". Mr. Lane lived in Hickory from 1978 until his death. He was well known for his clock repair as well as his service as an elder of the Hickory United Presbyterian Church. Surviving are two daughters, Barbara Salay and husband, David, Bozeman, Mont., and Nancy Lane, Newton, Mass.; a son, George A. and wife, Cybele Lane, Check, Va.; a sister, Louise Lane Shoup, Colorado Springs, Colo., and five grandchildren, Amy Salay Phillips, Jeffrey Salay, Ted Pales, Will Lane and Katie Lane. He was preceded in death by a son who died in infancy and a brother, Robert Lane. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the PIATT & BARNHILL FUNERAL HOME, 420 Locust Ave., Washington, Pa., and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in the Hickory United Presbyterian Church, 210 Main St., Hickory. The Rev. R. Douglas Reinard will officiate. Interment will be private. The family suggests any memorial contributions be directed to the Hickory United Presbyterian Church, 210 Main St., Hickory, Pa. 15340, or the American Cancer Society.
A. Edward Lay Sr., 77, born May 16, 1921, in Wynne, Ark., born to the late parents, Frank and Blanche (Chiles) Lay. Went to be with his Lord on March 22, 1999. Died in The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Celida (Eurite) Lay. Edward was the area electrical engineer supervisor of the National Weather Bureau Station in Moon Townhip also known as Storm Tracker 2000, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 1983. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II with the rank of Sgt. of Detachment 9th Weather Squadron from 1943 to 1946. He received the following citations: American Theater Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and four Overseas Service Bars. He is survived by three daughters and three sons, Katherine Bruce, Carnegie; Christine Mason, Raleigh, N.C.; A. Edward Lay Jr., Moon Township; James Oscar Lay, Ambridge; Gerard Lay, Moon Township, and Juanita Porto, Center Township, and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Brother-in-law of Anna Mae Lay, Cartersville, Ga. Mr. Lay was an Episcopalian by faith and has lived in Moon Township since 1957. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the COPELAND MOON TOWNSHIP FUNERAL HOME, 981 Brodhead Road. A service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in The Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 111 Cherrington Street, Hopewell Township. Minister Father John Hiedengren will officiate. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
William Brower McMillan, 85, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., died Sunday, March 21, 1999 in Oceanview Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Born Aug. 21, 1913, in Beechview, Pa., he moved to the New Smyrna Beach area in 1992 coming from Beaver. He owned a delicatessen in New Brighton and also worked as a butcher for the former A&P Markets. He was a member of the New Smyrna Beach Lions Club; Council on Aging Meals on Wheels, and the First Presbyterian Church of New Smyrna Beach. He is survived by his wife, Hazel McMillan, Conroe, Texas; two daughters, Janice Begley, Beaver, and Brenda Hollis, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; a son, David McMillan, Dallas, Texas, and 9 grandchildren. A service will be held Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 509 Magnolia Street, New Smyrna Beach. Officiating will be Dr. William Chegwin. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Lions Club of New Smyrna Beach, 2340 Sunset Drive, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 32168.
William Paul Odum, 70, of 1311 Fifth Ave., Beaver Falls, died Friday, March 19, 1999, in his home. Born Aug. 25, 1928, in Sylacauga, Ala., a son of the late James and Annie Arbson Odum, he retired from J&L Steel, Aliquippa, in 1984. He was a resident of the area for 30 years after moving from Alabama and was a member of the St. Thomas Methodist Church, Alabama. Surviving are a son, Willie Coleman, Beaver Falls; a daughter, Shirley Leonard, Sylacauga; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Miller Rolland, Cleveland, Ohio; a brother and three sisters-in-law, Luther Frank and Josephine Odum, New Brighton; Louise Odum, Gadsden, Ala., and Mattie Jewel Odum, Sylacauga; his devoted friend, Lorrine Coleman, Beaver Falls; three stepdaughters, Kimberly Alexander and Tina Suggs, both of Beaver Falls, and Sarah Doby, Aliquippa; seven grandchildren, Tawnia Alexander, in Germany; Jamica Alexander, Glenn Haskins, Linnea Haskins, and Jasmine Haskins, all of Aliquippa, and Chrishodd Ferguson and Jessica Alexander, both of Beaver Falls, and a host of other relatives, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Annie Florence and Ozzie Cook, and three brothers, Eugene Odum, Clarence Edward Odum and James Odum Jr. A service will be conducted today at 11 a.m. in the LEAVELL FUNERAL HOME, 721 Seventh St., Beaver Falls. Interment will be in Sylacauga, Ala.
