Obituaries by LocationJean Elizabeth Shields
September 22, 1923 - October 15, 2008
Jean Elizabeth (French) Shields left for heaven October 15, 2008 at 5:25 a.m.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 22, 1923 to Guy and Venice (Jacobson) French.
Jean joined the U.S. Marine Corp on September 25, 1943 and did engine repair on fighter planes during the war. She rose to the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged November 29, 1945. During her service she met Marine Staff Sergeant Louis Shields of Butler; they were marriage
on January 19, 1946 and made their home in Prospect, Pennsylvania.
Jean was a quality human being; it was a privilege for her family to know and love her and to be loved by her. She had never-ending patience, was kind, gentle and thoughtful. She gave so much of herself and her talents but gave all the glory to God.
Living is her son Gary L. Shields, daughter Robin Matthew, daughter and son-in-law Dawn and Gordon Cratty, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a beloved sister Ella Miller; also many nieces and nephews.
He husband, Lou, and other family and friends are surely waiting for her at heavens gate.
A private burial is planned.
Joan Carol Rugaber
December 14, 1935 - October 14, 2008
Joan Carol Rugaber, age 72 of North Duffy Road, Butler, Pennsylvania, died Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. following surgery in the U.P.M.C. Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Born December 14, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York she was raised by her grandmother Anna S. Hake of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Mrs. Rugaber graduated from Lycoming College with a degree in Medical Technology. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Butler, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She also helped organize the vacation bible school at the church. Mrs. Rugaber was active in the Butler Junior Women's Club, twice serving as vice president. She served as an advisor to the Butler Memorial Hospital Candy Stripers, founded the Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia support group at the hospital and volunteered at the Cherry Tree Shop. She was a devoted wife and grandmother, who loved to cook and read. Mrs. Rugaber was a patron of the Butler Public Library. She loved to travel and enjoyed touring Europe with her son David as well as extended trips to Thailand with her daughter-in-law Maria.
Mrs. Rugaber is survived by her husband Robert J. Rugaber whom she marriage on June 18, 1955, by two sons and their wives, David and Shirley Rugaber of Prospect, Pennsylvania, Dr. Christopher R. and Maria Rugaber of Butler, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren, Misha Rugaber, Amy Rugaber, and Michael Rugaber; one sister, Mrs. Paul C. (Sue) Truman of Atlantic City, New Jersey; and by several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania on Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday, October 17, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc. on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. with Reverend Bruce Geary of St. Peter's Episcopal Church officiating. Interment will follow in Champlin Cemetery Westfield, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Public Library, 218 North McKean Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001.
L. Christine Doerr
March 13, 1947 - October 14, 2008
L. Christine (Zielinski) Doerr, 61, left us peacefully and walked into God's arms Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. with her adoring family by her side at the Good Samaritan Hospice unit in Cabot after a brief, but courageous battle with brain cancer.
Born March 13, 1947 in Germany, she made her way along with her family to the United States when she was a very small child and settled in Butler where she since then educated herself, fell in love, had her own family, gave everything of herself unselfishly and touched many lives around her.
After graduation from Butler Senior High School in 1965, Chris worked hard at Nationwide Insurance, American Hardware, Pullman Standard, Butler Area School District and finally retired from the state after 17 years of dedicated service with the Kittanning and Butler Pennsylvania State Police as a PCO.
Chris was a member of Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church. She loved and was so devoted to her family. She loved spending every minute that she could fit into her busy day with her grandchildren whom she adored. She loved her card club and friends. She loved her pool and Myrtle Beach. She loved going for walks. She loved to laugh. She loved people and was sincere in every conversation she had with them. She was thoughtful and kind and had such a way to make everyone feel comfortable and included. She was so giving of herself, caring, and such an amazing woman to all who knew her.
She is survived by her beloved husband, George P. Doerr, who she marriage April 15, 1967; two proud and admiring daughters, Traci and Mark Laffey of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, and Tiffany and Jay Tonini of Butler; five darling, prized and loved grandchildren Makenna, Marin, Kelin, Giavanna, and Georgi. Her mother Mrs. Anna Zielinski of Butler and three brothers, Stan Zielinski of Butler, Ed Zielinski of Pittsburgh, and Rick Zielinski of Butler,
Preceded in death by her father, Stephen Zielinski.
Viewing will be a Thompson/Miller Funeral Home at 124 East North Street Thursday 7 til 9 p.m. October 16, 2008 and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. October 17, 2008. With a mass of Christian burial at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with entombment in the Calvary Mausoleum. Members of the St. Paul Guild and Christian Mothers will recite the rosary at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States at 302 Ridgefield Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806.
Stephen J. Lachendro
December 8, 1958 - October 10, 2008
Stephen Julian Lachendro, age 49, of Arlington Avenue, Butler, Pennsylvania passed away Friday, October 10, 2008 in Bernalillo, New Mexico.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1958, he was the son of Margaret McCarthy Lachendro and the late John Robert Lachendro.
Mr. Lachendro was a member of Meridian United Presbyterian Church. He was currently a full time reservist in the United States Air Force Reserve, stationed at the Youngstown Air Force Reserve base in Vienna, Ohio with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force where he was an electrician. Mr. Lachendro was a member of NOBPA, the Northern Ohio Balloon Pilots Association; He was a former elder of his church and currently a member of the church choir. Mr. Lachendro was a member of AOPA, Aircraft Owners Pilots Association, the Balloon Federation of America, a member of the Butler Farm Show Airport. He was also a Notary Public.
Steve is survived by his wife, Carrie Pollock Lachendro, whom he marriage on September 16, 1978, by two sons, Chris Lachendro and his wife Tracy, and Joseph Lachendro both of Butler, Pennsylvania, one daughter, Amanda Lachendro currently a student at Slippery Rock University, by his mother, Margaret McCarthy Lachendro of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, one sister, Ruth Anne Lachendro of Los Angeles, California, four brothers, James Richard Lachendro of Scotland, Edward Michael Lachendro of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Michael Alan Lachendro of Reno, Nevada, Mark Timothy Lachendro of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and by a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Friends and family of Stephen J. Lachendro will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001 on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be from the funeral home on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Stephen Cahoon, former pastor of Meridian United Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow in The Butler County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Division, Inc. Attn: Memorial and Honor Gifts, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 or to The Balloon Federation of America's Youth Balloon Camp, P.O. Box 400, Indiana, IA 50125
Jane I. Lynn
August 1, 1924 - October 3, 2008
Jane I. Lynn, age 84, of Elliott Road, Butler, Pennsylvania, formerly of Cottage Street, Butler, Pennsylvania died Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. at her residence.
Born August 1, 1924 in Butler, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Nancy Craig Brown.
Mrs. Lynn was a homemaker. She resided with her youngest son, Larry and his wife, Carrie, since 2003. Jane loved sitting in the outdoors and watching the birds and wildlife. She also enjoyed listening to music and watching music DVD's. During her end-stage Parkinson's, Jane continued to enjoy the company of family, friends and pets, as well as the many devoted VNA Complete Care and VNA Hospice staff members and volunteers who treated her with respect and dignity until her passing.
Mrs. Lynn is survived by two sons, David and Anne Lynn, Larry and Carrie Lynn; five grandsons, David Lynn, Scott Lynn, Daniel Lynn, Chad Lynn, and Eric Lynn; five great-grandchildren, Brittney Lynn, Haley Lynn, Malayna Shea Lynn, Ryan Lynn, and Greyson Matthew Lynn; a sister, Geraldine Stoughton of Temple, Georgia; two dearest friend, Audrey Myers and Rita Baker; and by a daughter-in-law, Betty Lynn.
Mrs. Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, Howard A. Lynn, who was deceased September 13, 2000 and by her son Robert, who was deceased March 4, 1994. Also preceding her in death were her two sisters, Evelyn and Jeannette and a brother, William.
A private funeral service was held at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc. with Reverend Jim Lewis, Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Interment was in the Butler County Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to Hospice Program of the Visiting Nurses Association, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001.
V. Donna Heasley
September 14, 2008 - October 1, 2008
V. Donna Heasley, age 80 of McQuistion Road, Butler, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 3:15 a.m. in the Butler Memorial Hospital.
Born September 14, 1928 in Mercer, Pennsylvania she was the daughter of the late Nelson L. Cress and the late Clara Messmer Cress.
Mrs. Heasley was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mrs. Heasley was a member American Legion #778 Auxiliary and a social member of the VFW #249.
Mrs. Heasley is survived by her constant companion of 30 years, Joseph Erkman of Butler, Pennsylvania; one daughter, Mrs. James R. (Laurie) Ludlum of Columbus, Ohio; one brother, Edward "Eddie: Cress of Emlenton, Pennsylvania; two nephews, Jeff Cress, John Cress, one niece, Barbara Rice, and one first cousin Louise Kimel, Gainesville, Florida.
Mrs. Heasley was preceded in death by her husband, Francis E. Heasley who passed away on November 15, 1976, by one sister, Mae Krabill, and one niece, Judy Miller.
Friends will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania on Friday, October 3, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc. on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Alden Towberman of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Burial Estates.
Howard B. "Pete" McKinnis
February 8, 1929 - November 27, 2008
Howard B. "Pete" McKinnis, age 79, died Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
Born February 8, 1929 in Prospect, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late H. Merle McKinnis and the late Helen Barnhart McKinnis.
Mr. McKinnis was Presbyterian by faith.
He was a foreman in the welding shop for Armco and retired in 1990 after 37 years of service. He was a member of the Eagles in Kane, Pennsylvania, the Kane Sportsmen's Club and the Russel City Sportsmen's Club. He enjoyed hunting, camping, spending time with his family and with his dog, "Buddy".
Mr. McKinnis is survived by his wife, Judy McKinnis, a son, H. Bruce McKinnis and his wife, Lisa T. of Ridgley, West Virginia; a daughter, Sherri L. McKinnis and Edward Perry of Sarver, Pennsylvania; two step children, Mary Beth and Charles Lechner and Sharon Yoho and David Widek; a step-son, Douglas Yoho; a grandson, Maxwell C. McKinnis; step-grandchildren, Heather and Justin Lechner; seven sisters, Ruth Sherman of Butler, Pennsylvania, June Reed and her husband, Harold, Ruby Brown of Prosepct, Pennsylvania, Fay and Don King, Edna Mae Knaur of Butler, Pennsylvania, Bonnie Bolton and her husband, Crawford, and Sandy Henricks and her husband, Robert, of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania; two step-sister, Millie and Al Terlizzi and Rosemary Morelli both of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; and by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Kelley McKinnis, who was deceased December 28, 1989 and his sister, Betty Allison and twin brothers.
Friends will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 29, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9.
Services will be held at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc. on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend David Wider, a retired Methodist minister, officiating. Interment will be in Butler County Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to Butler County Humane Society, 1027 Evans City Road, Renfrew, Pennsylvania 16053.
