Obituaries by LocationAlma E. Guthrie
Alma E. Guthrie, 72, of 1312 N. Main St. Extension, Center Township, died at 7:35 a.m. Wednesday at Sunnyview Home.
Born in Butler, Oct. 8, 1928, she was the daughter of Albert L. and Elizabeth Neill Edmiston.
She retired in 1990 as a secretary at Orthopedic Associates.
Mrs. Guthrie was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Church of Chicora and the BTA MU sorority.
She is survived by her husband, John A. “Jack” Guthrie, whom she married May 28, 1954; a daughter, Mrs. Richard C. (Jane) West of Butler; and a grandson.
GUTHRIE - Friends of Alma E. Guthrie, who died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Chicora. The Rev. Tom Pesci, pastor of East Brady Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will be at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Cemetery .
Norman E. ‘Bob’ Gray
Norman E. “Bob” Gray, 75, of Wilmington, N.C., died May 20, 2001.
Born June 15, 1925; in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, he was the son of Paul B. and Bertha Campbell Gray.
He was a 14-year Marine Corps veteran and had served in World War II and the Korean War.
Mr. Gray retired from GE in Wilmington.
He is survived by a daughter, Sharon Hiles of Wilmington; a son, Gary Gray of South Carolina; and a granddaughter. Also surviving are four sisters, Ruth Pearce of Moon Township, Allegheny County, Sara Choura of Butler, Lois Nicklas of Evans City and Harriet Argentah of Maryland; and four brothers, Barton Gray of Kentucky, Merle Gray of Renfrew, Stanley Gray of Georgia and Lawrence Gray of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Eunice Blanton Gray; two sisters; and a brother.
Graveside military services were May 25 in Wilmington.
Grace A. Keep Craig
Grace A. Keep Craig, 92, formerly of Kaylor, Armstrong County, died Tuesday, May 29, 2001, at Manchester Presbyterian Lodge, Erie.
Born in Utica, Venango County, March 1, 1909, she was the daughter of Robert S. and Lena A. Johnston Keep.
She liked to crotchet and knit afghans and embroider pillowcases and dresser scarves.
In her younger days, she had taught Sunday school at the Kaylor United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir.
Mrs. Craig attended the West Springfield United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two stepdaughters, Mrs. Dick (Barbara) Umstead of Chicora and Mrs. Lee (Eileen) Ballance of Norfolk, Va.; two stepsons, Earl Craig of Chicora and William Craig of Gillett, Bradford County; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two nieces, three nephews; and many grandnieces, grandnephews great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Craig, whom she married Jan. 12, 1985. A sister, a brother and a stepdaughter also preceded her in death.
Services were today at JEAN EVANS THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, East Springfield, Erie County. The Rev. Robert Klingler, pastor of West Springfield United Methodist Church, officiated. Private burial was at Girard Cemetery , Erie County.
Memorial contributions may be made to West Springfield United Methodist Church, School Street, West Springfield. PA 16443.
Genevieve M. Charlier
Genevieve M. Charlier, 85, of Zelienople died Thursday at Passavant Retirement Center, Zelienople.
Born June 27, 1915, in Boswell, Somerset County, she was the daughter of William and Edith Smith Palmer.
She was a member of the Park United Presbyterian Church of Zelienople and a former member of the Mendelssohn Choir.
Surviving are a son, Richard Cochran of Las Vegas, Nev.; and a brother, William G. Palmer of Pittsburgh.
Her husband, Albert Charlier, died in 1994. Two brothers and a sister also preceded her in death.
CHARLIER - A memorial service for Genevieve M. Charlier, who died Thursday, May 31, 2001, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Park United Presbyterian Church, Grandview Avenue, Zelienople. The Rev. Don Hurray, church pastor, will officiate. At the request of the deceased, there will be no public visitation.
HUNTSMAN FUNERAL HOME, Rochester is in charge of the arrangements.
Elaine C. Richards
Elaine C. Richards, 53, of 219 Chipmunk Rd., Evans City, died Thursday at her residence following an extended illness.
Born April 10, 1948, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Ruth Williams Wallace and the late William C. Wallace.
A 1966 graduate of Fox Chapel High School, Mrs. Richards was a homemaker, and had formerly been employed as a waitress at Morgan’s Eastland Diner in Butler. She had also worked as a waitress in Massachusetts.
Mrs. Richards was a Roman Catholic.
She is survived by her mother of Butler; her husband, Dennis J. Richards, whom she married March 17, 1991; two sons, Thomas P. Cavanaugh III of Boston, Mass., and William C. Cavanaugh of Butler; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Tracy A.) Zappi and Jennifer L. Cavanaugh, both of Boston; and two sisters, Mrs. Dennis (Mary) Van DerSchaegen of Minneapolis, Minn., and Bridget C. Wallace of Sharpsburg. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
RICHARDS - A Memorial Mass for Elaine C. Richards, who died Thursday, May 31, 2001, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, Carbon Center, St. Wendelin Rd., Oakland Township, with the Rev. Harry Beilowicz, officiating. Burial will follow in the parish Cemetery . There will be no public visitation.
Memorial donations may be sent to the family of Elaine C. Richards, c/o Dennis J. Richards, 219 Chipmunk Rd., Evans City, PA 16033.
Arrangements are being handled by GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.
Darvin D. ‘Dean’ Purvis,
ex-Mars, Adams official
Darvin D. “Dean” Purvis, a retired Army captain, 84, of Mars, died Friday evening at Butler Memorial Hospital.
He was a former Adams Township supervisor and had been a longtime member of the Mars School Board.
Born Dec. 21, 1916, in Adams Township, he was the son of Thomas Darvin and Margaret Conley Purvis.
Capt. Purvis was an army veteran of World War II with the 70th Army Tank Battalion. His medals include the Distinguished Service Cross and five Purple Hearts. He retired from the Army after 23 years.
After his retirement, he was employed for Purvis Brothers, Inc., in Mars for years.
He was a life member of the Mars Volunteer Fire Department and the Mars American Legion. He was also a life member and past post commander of the Mars V.F.W. Post 7505.
He established the Mars Baseball League and was a supporter of the Mars High School Independent League. He had been involved with the Mars Midget Football League and supported all athletic programs in the Mars area.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Fallon Purvis, whom he married May 3, 1941; two daughters, Mrs. Edward (Peggy) Landis of Stewartsville and Mrs. Donald (Eleanor) Purvis Cupps of Edgewood, N.J.; two sons, Thomas and Gerald Purvis, both of Atlanta, Ga.; a brother, Mac Purvis, Sr. of Valencia, and a sister, Hazel Purvis of Mars. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
PURVIS - Friends of Capt. Darvin D. “Dean” Purvis, who died Friday, June 1, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at McDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mars V.F.W. Post 7505, Mars-Valencia Rd., Mars. The Rev. Robert B. McCrumb II of the Mars United Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery later in the week.
Memorials may be made to the Mars V.F.W. Post 7505, Mars-Valencia Rd., Mars, PA 16046 or to Butler Memorial Hospital.
Charles A. Hemmerlin
Charles Andrew Hemmerlin, 92, of 845 Harmony Road, Mercer Township, died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at United Community Hospital, Grove City.
Born in Etna, Allegheny County, July 17, 1908, he was the son of John and Catherine Miller Hemmerlin.
He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Forestville and a former member of the church Men’s Club.
Mr. Hemmerlin retired in 1971 as a steel fabricator at Portersville Stainless Equipment Corp. and was former president and secretary of the United Steelworkers local in Portersville. He and his wife also assisted in the development of Hemmerlin Greenhouse of Portersville.
Surviving are three sons, Robert E., John J. and Charles W. Hemmerlin, all of Slippery Rock; a daughter, Mrs. Leroy (Margaret A.) Pettis of Pittsburgh; and a sister, Irene Crummy of Etna. Also surviving are six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren.
His wife, Anna Marie Jesteadt Hemmerlin, whom he married Sept. 17, 1933, died March 6, 2001. A sister and a brother also preceded him in death.
HEMMERLIN - Friends of Charles Andrew Hemmerlin, who died Sunday, May 27, 2001, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Forestville. The Rev. James Armstrong, church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery , Harrisville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler County Association for the Blind.
Robert L. ‘Bob’ Heller Sr.
Robert L. “Bob” Heller Sr., 44, of Argentine, Washington Township, died at 1:05 p.m. Sunday at his home after a five-month illness.
Born in Ellwood City, May 17, 1957, he was the son of Jeannetta Nye Heller Arnold and the late Donald “Butch” Heller.
He was a 1975 graduate of Moniteau High School; and he was interested in Moniteau sports and was the Midget Football coach in 1995.
Mr. Heller was a member of the Argentine United Methodist Church, a member and past master of Argyle Lodge 540 F&AM and a member of the New Castle Consistory.
He also was a member of Local 66 of the Heavy Equipment Operators and was working for J.A. Jones Contracting of Braddock when he became ill. He also was self-employed in backhoe and excavating service.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Brehm Heller, whom he married Dec. 27, 1975; a daughter, Brittany Heller at home; two sons, Robert L. Heller Jr. of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and Shawn Heller at home.
Also surviving are his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Arnold of Chicora; four sisters: Darla Brehm of California, Mrs. Mark (Crystal) Yeager of Chicora, Janet Schrecengost of Petrolia and Nichole Heller of Butler; a brother, Donald Heller of Chicora; two stepsisters, Mrs. James (Beth Ann) Tedeski of Foxburg and Mrs. Jack (Karen) Butler of St. Petersburg, Clarion County; a stepbrother, Chris Arnold of Butler; his maternal grandmother, Helen Nye of Portersville; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A son and a brother preceded him in death.
HELLER - Friends of Robert L. “Bob” Heller Sr., who died Sunday, May 27, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, Main Street, Eau Claire. Visitation also will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethel United Methodist Church, Eau Claire, where services will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Tim Bowser, church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at West Sunbury Union Cemetery .
Members of Argyle Lodge 540 F&AM will hold a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Glenn E. Bundy
Glenn E. Bundy, 77, of Cabot died Sunday at his home.
Born Nov. 18, 1923, in Brockport, he was a son of Reuben and Emma Fosler Bundy.
He was a miller at Penn-Dixie Cement for 36 years, retiring in 1987.
Mr. Bundy was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a member of the Buffalo Presbyterian Church.
He was a member of the Saxonburg VFW Post 7376; the Saxonburg American Legion 683; the Saxonburg Golden Agers club; the William H. Miller Lodge 769 Free and Accepted Masons; the New Castle Consistory; the Syria Shrine; and the Syria Caravan 14.
He is survived by three sons, Robert, Gerald and Kenneth Bundy, all of Cabot; two brothers, Homer Bundy of Bradford and Russell Bundy of Brockport; three sisters: Mrs. Gladys Leonard of Bradford, Mrs. Mary Pennino of Hollywood, Fla., and Mrs. Edward (Frances) Duty of Indianapolis, Ind.; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Bundy, who died Jan. 18, 1986; three brothers, and two sisters.
BUNDY - Friends of Glenn E. Bundy, who died Sunday, May 27, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kenneth Chorley, pastor of Buffalo Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Buffalo Presbyterian Church Cemetery .
Masonic services will be held at 7 p.m. today and joint VFW and American Legion services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, 678 Sarver Road, Sarver, PA 16055.
Thomas G. Beckwith
Thomas G. Beckwith, 87, of the Village of St. Barnabas in Richland Township, Allegheny County, died Friday from complications of post polio syndrome.
Born on Aug. 6, 1913, in Hiawatha, Kan., he was the son of the late Gale D. and Inez (Williams) Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh for 40 years, where he taught mechanical engineering. He was the author of Mechanical Measurements of Prototype for Mechanical Engineering textbooks.
Surviving are his wife, Josephine R. (Clawson) Beckwith; his son, Robert W. Beckwith of San Francisco; his daughter, Mary G. Marshall of Princeton, N.J.; his stepdaughter, Lorraine Landefeld of Dallas; his brother, the Rev. Sam Beckwith of Larned, Kan.; his sister, Elizabeth Christophersen of Albuquerque, N.M.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Merne (Smith) Beckwith, his parents and two brothers, Robert G. and Dwight E. Beckwith.
BECKWITH – A memorial service for Thomas G. Beckwith, who died Friday, May 25, 2001, was held on Monday, May 28, 2001, at The First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. The Rev. Dr. David L. McDonald officiated. Interment
was in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kan.
Local arrangements were made by the SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME, 5864 Heckert Road, in Bakerstown.
