Obituaries by LocationElizabeth J. ‘Ibby’ McLaughlin
Elizabeth J. “Ibby” McLaughlin, 90, of North Washington died at 1:50 a.m. Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Born May 14, 1913, in North Washington, she was the daughter of Christopher Foster and Sarah Carolina Fennel McGarvey.
Mrs. McLaughlin was a member of the North Washington United Presbyterian Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, Presbyterian Women and Pennsylvania Retired Teachers Association. She was a former member of North Washington Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
A graduate of Slippery Rock Normal School, she taught elementary school in the Karns City School District, retiring after 39 years.
Surviving are 12 nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Howard R. McLaughlin, died July 14, 1977. Four brothers also preceded her in death.
MCLAUGHLIN - Services for Elizabeth J. “Ibby” McLaughlin, who died Thursday, July 24, 2003, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at WILLIAM F. YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 132 Main St., West Sunbury, with the Rev. Matt Kail of Muddycreek Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment
will follow in North Washington Cemetery .
Patricia Kay Fennell
Patricia Kay Fennell, 63, of 1015 Gameland Road, Donegal Township, died at 2:40 p.m. Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Born in Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County, Sept. 2, 1939, she was the daughter of the late John and Caroline Black Voltz.
She retired as a keypunch operator at Nationwide Insurance and enjoyed traveling, gambling, and making crafts and painting.
Mrs. Fennel was a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ of Bradys Bend, where she was active with the Sunday school and cooking.
She is survived by her husband, M.J. “Toby” Fennell, whom she married Sept. 13, 1958; a son, James W. Fennell and his wife Cari of Fenelton; two daughters, Merritt Fennell and her companion Steve McGregor of Hillville and Shannon Eyth and her husband Brandon of Petrolia; and three grandchildren, Katrina, Madison and Corey. Three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Miller of Chicora R.D. 1, Mrs. Carolyn Hillwig of East Brady R.D. 1 and Mrs. Linda Rottman of Karns City R.D. 2; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.
Two brothers preceded her in death.
FENNELL - Friends of Patricia Kay Fennell, who died Thursday, July 24, 2003, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Church of Christ, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. Joe Kiewra officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery , Chicora.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Butler County Unit, P.O. Box 3014, Butler, PA 16003.
William Clinton Brison
William Clinton Brison, 59, of 330 Shannon Road in Connoquenessing Township died at 10:50 a.m. Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Born in Foxburg, Clarion County, Nov. 20, 1943, he was the son of Mary Leona Boyd Brison Gavula and the late William T. Brison.
He was a 1961 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School and served in the Army from 1962 to 1965. He took basic training in Fort Dix, N.J., and served at Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Devens, Mass. He belonged to the Michael Kosar American Legion Post 778, Lyndora.
Mr. Brison worked at Pullman Standard and Trinity Industries and also was a brakeman on the B&O Railroad from 1968 to 1970.
Like his father, he was a railroad buff and had many trains throughout his home. His favorite hymn was “Onward Christian Soldiers.”
He is survived by his wife, Jacalyn “Jackie” Wehr Brison; three sons, John T. Brison and his wife Leslie of Emlenton, Danny L. Brison and his wife Regina of Greenville and Timothy A. Brison of Parker; two daughters, Melissa A. Michael and her husband Gary and Amanda Simon, all of Martinsburg, W.Va.; a stepdaughter, Michelle Lee Wehr of Renfrew; and six grandchildren.
His mother, Mary Leona B. Gavula. and his stepfather Andrew Guvula, of Parker; three brothers, Theodore H. Brison of Oil City, Larry L. Brison and his wife Susie of Columbia, S.C., and Steven B. Brison and his wife Heather of Franklin; three sisters, Mary Lee Logue of Emlenton, Cynthia D. Hill and her husband Robert of Franklin and Lorelie L. Campbell and her husband James of Columbia, S.C.; a number of nieces and nephews; three cousins; and an aunt; also survive.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda D. Alworth Brison; an infant brother; his maternal and paternal grandparents; an uncle; an aunt; and a grandnephew.
BRISON - Friends of William Clinton Brison, who died Thursday, July 24, 2003, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at THOMPSON-MILLER FUENRAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Visitation also will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at Foxburg United Methodist church where services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dan Myers officiating. Burial will be at Foxburg Cemetery .
Graveside military honors will be conducted by members of Michael Kosar American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora.
Verna M. MacPherson
Verna M. McClelland MacPherson, 77, of Evans City died Friday evening at UPMC Passavant Cranberry in Cranberry Township.
Born Feb. 10, 1926, in Zelienople, she was the daughter of Clarence “Dick” and Emma Allen McClelland.
She was a Protestant and had worked at the Golden Dawn in Mars and then at Viola’s Market in Evans City.
Surviving are her husband, Kenneth MacPherson, whom she married June 29, 1945; four brothers, William McClelland of Mars, Robert McClelland of Evans City, John “Jack” McClelland of Arizona and Donald McClelland of New Hampshire; five sisters, Mrs. Betty Steffenauer of Butler, Mrs. Robert (Mary) Wilson of Summerville, and Mrs. Joseph (Dorothy) Chvala, Mrs. Edward (Lois) McAvoy and Mrs. George (Carol) Summerville, all of Zelienople; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Three sisters preceded her in death.
MACPHERSON - Friends of Verna M. McClelland MacPherson, who died Friday, July 25, 2003, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at KINSEY-VOLZ FUNERAL HOME in Evans City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert McCrumb, pastor of United Presbyterian Church in Mars, officiating. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park.
Carl R. Hoff
Carl R. Hoff, 75, of Racine, Wis., died Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine after a short illness.
Born in Butler on July 17, 1928, he was the son of Charles and Manie Rinard Hoff
He was a Protestant and served in the Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Hoff attended Butler High School, and he formerly lived in West Sunbury.
He retired in 1991 from E. C. Styberg Engineering Co. in Racine where he had been head of the heat treatment department.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Forbes Hoff whom he married in February 1964 in Racine; a son, Roger Hoff in Racine, a grand daughter and two great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. William (Shirley) Dellich and Mrs. Donald (Marilyn) Boben; and one brother, Larry Hoff, all of West Sunbury.
Two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held in Racine with the Rev. Ralph Scerer, pastor of Community Church of the Nazarene, officiating.
Albert ‘Yank’ Yenkala
Albert R. “Yank” Yenkala, 81, of 113 Center Ave. died at 2:55 p.m. Saturday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center after an illness.
Born in Parnassus, Westmoreland County, Jan. 7, 1922, he was the son of Simon and Cecelia Behavey Yenkala.
He was a retired cabinetmaker. He also worked at Bello’s Auto Body for 10 years and restored antique furniture. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Mr. Yenkala was a World War II Army veteran and served in Africa and Normandy. He received the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and the E.A.M.E. medal with three bronze stars.
He was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, the Disabled American Veterans, where he was a past commander, and VFW Post 249.
Surviving are four sisters, Dorothy Yenkala and Mrs. Robert (Rose Ann) Muto, both of Butler, Mrs. Alice Yeager of Chicora and Mrs. Charlotte Rench of Phoenix, Ariz.; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.
YENKALA - Friends of Albert R. “Yank” Yenkala, who died Saturday, July 26, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave. A blessing service will be held at 10 am. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Jack Nanz officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery .
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.
Emma C. Rinaman
Emma C. Rinaman, 98, of Mars died Saturday morning at St. John’s Specialty Care Center in Mars.
Born in Pittsburgh on March 30, 1905, she was the daughter of August and Charolette “Lottie” Leonhardt Leipoldt.
A homemaker, she was a member of the Mars Alliance Church and had belonged to the Mars AARP.
Mrs. Rinaman was an avid gardener.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Ruth Pearce of Lake Placid, Fla., and Mrs. John (Patricia) Madl of Mars; 17 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rinaman, who died in 1973; a son, and a daughter.
RINAMAN - Friends of Emma C. Rinaman, who died Saturday, July 26, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Cope, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Mars Cemetery , Adams Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Specialty Care Center, Mars, PA 16046 or to the Mars Volunteer Fire Co., Mars, PA 16046.
Robert D. Parr
Robert D. Parr, 80, of 530 Sawmill Run Road died Friday at the Valencia Wood Nursing Center.
Born Jan. 29, 1923, on the North Side of Pittsburgh, he was a son of William and Lu Lu Belle Crabtree Parr.
Mr. Parr retired from the silicon department of the former Armco-Butler Works after 37½ years of service.
Following his retirement, he worked with his son at his business, P&W Construction, for 16 years.
He was a member of Meridian United Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and taught Sunday school.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa Dorothy Lepak Parr, whom he married June 11, 2001.
Also surviving is a daughter, Mrs. John (Barbara) Grey of Bridgeport, W. Va.; a son, Daniel R. Parr of Penn Township; a brother, William Parr of Butler; a stepdaughter, Carol Nourai of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif; two grandchildren; a stepgrandson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Ruth Singer, who died July 23, 1991.
PARR - Friends of Robert D. Parr, who died Friday, July 25, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Meridian United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Stephen Cahoon officiating. Burial will follow at Butler County Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meridian United Presbyterian Church, 4150 Highland Ave., Butler, PA, 16001, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Robert D. Parr
Robert D. Parr, who died Friday, served three years of active duty in Italy with the Army and belonged to the Butler VFW and American Legion posts. This information was not provided for the obituary in Monday’s newspaper.
Mary J. McCool
Mary J. McCool, 86, formerly of Butler died Saturday at the Evergreen Nursing Center in Harmony.
She was born Sept. 6, 1916 in Portersville to Silas and Hettie Wagner.
Mrs. McCool was a housewife.
She was a member of the Christ Community Methodist Church in Butler.
She is survived by five stepsons, Jeffry McCool of Union City, G. Doug McCool of Prospect, Brad McCool of Butler, Mitchell McCool of Renfrew and Kirk McCool of Evans City; a sister, Mrs. Dorothy Burr of Harrisville; seven stepgrandchildren; and a number of stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George “Jake” McCool, who died March 8, 2000, and whom she married June 25, 1976.
Also preceding her in death were three sisters, a brother and a son.
MCCOOL - Friends of Mary J. McCool, who died Saturday, July 26, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at BRYAN FUNERAL HOME, 443 Main St., Prospect. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Prospect.
