Obituaries by LocationJohn K. ‘Jack’ Latsko
John K. “Jack” Latsko, 61, of Poland, Ohio, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at his home after a two-year battle with cancer.
Born Dec. 27, 1940, he was the son of Margaret I. O’Grady and the late John B. Latsko.
A 1958 graduate of South High School, he attended Youngstown University’s Dana School of Music and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Honorary Music fraternity.
He had worked at Isaly Dairy’s main plant in Youngstown from 1957 to 1964. He then worked at Heckett MultiServ, a division of Harso Corp., in Butler, where he served in various capacities from 1964 until he retired in 1995 as director of operations. He then worked at Philip Metals of Cleveland as manager of slag and reclamation from 1996 to 2000, when he became a mill service consultant. He was a member of the AISE and the NSA.
He was a member of Holy Family Parish in Poland and the parish choir. He also was a lifelong devotee of music and lent his voice and talents as director to many organizations including the Youngstown YMCA Community Cup Chorus and sang in various Youngstown and Sharon barbershop groups and the Shenango Valley Chorale and the Main Street Singers, the Seraphim Singers and the Youngstown Symphony Chorus.
He is survived by his wife, Monica “Niki” Chmielewski Latsko, whom be married June 8, 1963; two sons, John K. Latsko Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., and Rodney G. Latsko, of Poland, Ohio; and four grandchildren. His mother, of Boynton Beach, Fla., and a sister, Marjorie A. Green of Poland, Ohio, also survive.
Services were today a Holy Family Church.
HIGGINS-REARDON FUNERAL HOME, Poland, handled arrangements.
George H. Burnett
George H. Burnett, 84, of Yalaha, Fla., formerly of Butler died Tuesday at home.
He was self-employed in the agriculture industry.
He moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 1951.
He was a member of the Community Church of Howey-in-the-Hills.
Mr. Burnett was a member of Imperial Polk Lodge 345 Free and Accepted Masons of Lakeland, Fla.
He also held memberships with the Commandery 87 Knights Templar of Butler; a life member of Syria Temple of Pittsburgh; the American Austin Bantam Club; the Edsel Club; the Antiques Anonymous Car Club of Lake County; the United States Trotting Association; and the International Trotting and Pacing Club.
He owned and trained harness horses on his farm in Florida.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Burnett; daughters Mary Ellen Burnett and Jan Burnett Jones, both of Florida; a brother, Alexander “Sandy” Burnett of Yalaha, Fla.; and two grandchildren.
BURNETT - Friends of George H. Burnett, who died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002, will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. today at STEVERSON, HAMLIN AND HILBISH FUNERAL HOME, Tavares, Fla. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Community Church of Howey-in-the-Hills, with the Rev. Bob Merrell, his pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Gardens, Dade City, Fla.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Lake and Sumter, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.
George Francis Hattz
George Francis Hattz, 87, of Houston, Texas, died Wednesday. He was born in Pittsburgh.
He was a past master of the Temple Lodge 4 AF&AM, past commander of Houston Commandry 95, a Shriner and a past district deputy grand master of 5B, a 33rd honorary degree Scottish Rite and a member of Order of Eastern Star.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Pearl Hattz; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard and Lucille Hattz of Castle Rock, Colo., and Robert Hattz of Meadows Place, Texas; five grandchildren and their spouses, Donna and Kurt Headrick of Firestone, Colo., David and Susan Hattz of Amarillo, Texas, Mark and Raygenia of Spring, Texas, and Anna and Patrick Lehmberg and Nikole and Robert Franklin, all of Katy, Texas; and great-grandchildren Connor and Logan Headrick of Firestone, Melisa and Robert Franklin II and Ashley Nikole Lehmberg, all of Katy, and Evan and Lauren Hattz of Amarillo.
Also surviving are sisters and brothers and their spouses, Anna and Andy Adams, Katherine McConnell, Betty and George Christy, Pete Malinski and Frank and Tracy Malinski, all of Butler.
He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Jackie Lynn Hattz; a sister, Mary Ruthkoski; two brothers Michael Hattz and Charles Malinski; and his mother, Anna Malinski.
HATTZ - Friends of George Francis Hattz, who died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today at BROOKSIDE FUNERAL HOME, Houston. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial and a Masonic graveside service will follow at Brookside Memorial Park, Houston. The Rev. Austin Wilkerson will officiate.
Dr. Ruth E. Long
Dr. Ruth E. Long, 84, of Zelienople, formerly of Evans City, died Friday at UPMC Passavant Cranberry in Cranberry Township.
Born Dec. 13, 1917, in Evans City, she was the daughter of William Otho and Sarah Kristophel Long.
Dr. Long earned a doctorate of education from New York State University.
She was a World War II Women’s Army Corps veteran, serving in the Philippines and Australia.
She was a Lutheran.
Surviving are a niece, Alice Kay Lawlor of Plattsburg, Mo.; a nephew, Harold Jackson Long of Zelienople; two great-nephews; and one great-niece.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Jackson Long Sr., who died in 1995.
LONG - Friends of Dr. Ruth E. Long, who died Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. William W. Brewer, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Zelienople, officiating. Burial will be in the Evans City Cemetery .
Sylvia A. Hoch
Sylvia A. Hoch, 78, of Butler died at 8:30 a.m. Monday at her home.
Born Jan. 2, 1924, in Chicora, she was the daughter of Adolphus Augusta and Gussie Mae Mills Hoch.
She had worked as a dietician for the Butler Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center for 45 years.
She was a member of the Good Samaritan White Shrine and Eastern Star.
Surviving are a brother, Woodrow Hoch of LaQuinta, Calif.; three nephews; and one niece.
A sister and a brother preceded her in death.
HOCH - Private services and burial for Sylvia A. Hoch, who died Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, were held Saturday at Hemphill Cemetery .
YOUNG FUNERAL HOME in Butler handled arrangements.
Kenneth Early
Sunday, November 24, 2002
Kenneth Early, 80, of Washington Township died at 3:15 p.m. Friday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Butler after an illness.
Friends may call after 2 p.m. Monday at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home in Eau Claire.
John J. Welsh
John J. Welsh, 64, of Karns City died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, at home.
Born Feb. 9, 1938, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Charles Philip and Elda Dilanni Welsh.
He owned and operated Welsh’s Sporting Goods in the Butler area since 1985. He was a former investment officer for Mellon Bank.
Mr. Welsh was a member of the West Sunbury American Legion 243, the Moose, Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club, Masonic Lodge Victory 694 and New Castle Scottish Rite.
He was an avid bowler, belonging to three leagues.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Anderson Welsh of Karns City, whom he married April 11, 1970.
Also surviving are two daughters, Diana Welsh and Mrs. Richard (Laurie Ann) Doane, both of Elk Grove, Calif.; a son, Michael Welsh of Turlock, Calif.; a sister, Virginia Lee Welsh of Coraopolis; two brothers, Joseph Welsh of Albany, Ore., and Charles Welsh of Florida; and six grandchildren.
WELSH - A memorial service for John J. Welsh, who died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 127 W. Jefferson St.
Susan G. Shultz
Susan G. Shultz, 44, of East Brady died Saturday in a fire at her home.
Born April 6, 1958, in Butler, she was the daughter of Mary “Mitzie” Weibel Shultz and the late Harry E. Shultz.
She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Chicora.
Surviving are a son, Zackery Shultz of East Brady; her mother of East Brady R.D. 1; and a brother and two sisters, David Shultz and Janet A. Brink, both of East Brady R.D. 1, and Dianne Baker of Tarentum. Two aunts, an uncle and several nieces and nephews also survive.
SHULTZ - There will be no public visitation. A memorial service for Susan G. Shultz, who died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Chicora. The Rev Joseph Kiewra will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County. SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME, Cowansville, is handling arrangements.
Grace E. ‘Amy’ Rapier
Grace E. “Amy” Rapier, 87, of Sunnyview Nursing Home died Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital. She formerly lived on Grandview Boulevard.
Born May 31, 1915, in Butler, she was the daughter of Joseph and Edna Bucey Huff.
She was a homemaker; and as a young lady she had worked at Spaide Shirt Factory for six years.
Mrs. Rapier was a lifelong member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church and had attended St. Peter School as a child. She also belonged to the Women’s Council of St. Peter Parish.
She was one of the founders and a life member of the South Butler Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and served as the first and second president of the auxiliary. She was a blood donor at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center for many years. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. James W. (Janet) Patterson and Mrs. Donald J. (Donna) Miklavic, both of Butler; two brothers, Joseph and George Huff, both of Butler; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was the widow of Nicholas W. “Bill” Rapier, whom she married June 12, 1935, and who died April 9, 1995. Seven brothers and sisters preceded her in death.
RAPIER - Friends of Grace E. “Amy” Rapier, who died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon Wednesday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery .
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, c/o Sister Mary Joseph Trimbur O.S.F., St. Bartholomew of Penn Hills, 141 Edhardt Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
Mary Ellen Pelusi
Mary Ellen Pelusi, 79, of 1087 Sunset Drive died at 1:42 p.m. Saturday at United Community Hospital, Grove City, after an illness.
She was born in Butler, Oct. 7, 1923, and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Joseph A. Pelusi; two sons, Keith J. Pelusi of Texas and Steven J. Pelusi of Butler; a daughter, Mrs. Dennis (Rita) Scanga of Missouri; and a brother, Charles George of Saxonburg. Eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.
A daughter, brother and a sister preceded her in death.
PELUSI - Friends of Mary Ellen Pelusi, who died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St.
Members of the St. Paul Guild and Christian Mothers will meet at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday at the church to recite the rosary.
