Obituaries by LocationHenry B. Grabman
Henry B Grabman, 84, of Burlington, N.C., died at 5 a.m. Saturday.
Born Nov. 12, 1917, in Zelienople, he was the son of Henry P. and Mary Burr Grabman.
He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Tech and retired in 1980 as a sales engineer of stainless steel and corrosion piping material for Alloy Supply Co. of Rochester, N.Y., after 20 years.
Mr. Grabman formerly worked at the Crane Co. in Chicago and Pittsburgh, and was involved in the design of steel mills and public utility piping systems during the Korean War era. In 1955, he moved to Geneva, N.Y., where he was a district manager of Burnham Boiler Corp.
He was an officer on active and reserve duty with the Army Corps of Engineers for 13 years, including a year during World War II in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory during construction of the Alaskan Highway. He also participated in the invasion of Europe and had five battle stars.
While in Geneva, he was a Boy Scout leader and held various offices at the Zion Lutheran Church.
He moved to the Burlington area in 2000 and was a member of the Friedens Lutheran Church in Gibsonville, N.C.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Mary Jeanne Britt Grabman; four sons, H. Michael Grabman of Beverly Hills, Mich., John F. Grabman of Santa Barbara, Calif., Richard P. Grabman of Mexico City, Mexico, and Robert Grabman of Arlington, Va.; and 11 grandchildren. Three sisters Laura Grabman of Zelienople, Grace Colgin of Chesapeake, Va., and Virginia Johnson of Texas; and a brother, Philip Grabman of Evans City, also survive.
A son preceded him in death.
GRABMAN - A memorial service for Henry B. Grabman, who died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Friedens Lutheran Church, Gibsonville, N.C. Another service for more distant friends and relatives will be held later in the year.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James P. Grabman Memorial Fund, c/o the American Cancer Society, 500 W. International Airport Road, Suite A, Anchorage, AK 99515; or to the donor’s favorite charity.
Arrangements are by RICH & THOMPSON FUNERAL SERVICE, Burlington, N.C.
Ronald E. Donaldson
Ronald E. Donaldson, 29, of Butler died of muscular dystrophy at 3:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at his home after a long illness.
Born March 8, 1972, in Grove City, he was the son of Charles L. and Karen R. Bell Wolfe.
He is survived by his parents, with whom he made his home; a sister, Mrs. Scott (Charyn R.) Caruso of Butler; a nephew, Corey M. Wolfe of Butler; and his grandmother, Betty R. Bell of Butler.
His mother, Patricia L. Bell Donaldson Krauchuck, died in July 1990.
Private services were at YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, West Sunbury. Private entombment was at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.
Helen B. Crispen
Helen B. Crispen, 84, of Sunbury Estates in Center Township died at 5:46 p.m. Saturday at her home.
Born in Fairview Township, Nov. 24, 1917, she was the daughter of Harry and Mary E. Everetts Bailey.
She was a homemaker and a Methodist.
Surviving are a son, Robert Lee Crispen of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Her husband, William J. Crispen, died July 15, 1987. A son and a sister also preceded her in death.
CRISPEN - Friends of Helen B. Crispen, who died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, 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 at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. J. David Panther, pastor of First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.
John J. ‘Jack’ Young
John J. “Jack” Young, 72, of Franklin Township, Beaver County, died at 5 a.m. Monday at his home.
Born Oct. 25,1929, in Butler, he was the son of James and Vernie Wagner Young.
He was a graduate of Mars High School and retired from Mathews Conveyor and Rexnord.
Mr. Young was a Protestant and a member of the Franklin Township Fire Police.
During World War II, he was an Army private first class medical technician.
He is survived by his wife, Alberta C. Sabatini Young; two sons, William Young of North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, and Jerry Young at home; four daughters, Barbara Vinroe of Freedom, Mrs. Leland (Cathy) Chandler of Zelienople, J. Roberta Young at home and Joann Young of Ellwood City; and three grandchildren. Four sisters, Mrs. Hazel Salisbury and Mrs. Margaret Phipps, both of Butler, Mrs. Olive Hulick of Prospect and Mrs. Wilda Stevenson of Rochester, also survive.
A sister preceded him in death.
YOUNG - Friends of John J. Jack Young, who died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at SAMUEL TEOLIS FUNERAL HOME, 309 Spring Ave., Ellwood City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. John Seth officiating. Burial will be at Locust Grove Cemetery , Ellwood City.
Clara Wallace
Clara Wallace, 87, of York died Monday at York Medical Center.
Born in Butler, April 16, 1914, she was the daughter of Domenico and Louisa Duranti Zenobi.
She retired as a cafeteria worker at Grove City College after 22 years.
Mrs. Wallace was a former member of the Church of the Beloved Disciple of Grove City and a member of St. Rose of Lima Church in York. She also was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.
She is survived by a son, John Morrow of Florida; a daughter, Diana Malingowski of York; a stepdaughter, Sheila McKay of Grove City; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Two sisters, Virginia Forlini of Donora and Helen Fozard of Pittsburgh; and a brother, John Zenobi of Grove City, also survive.
Her second husband, William Wallace; her first husband, Austin L. Morrow; a sister; and two brothers preceded her in death.
WALLACE - Friends of Clara Wallace, who died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, will be received from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at FICCA FUNERAL HOME, 203 E. Pine St., Grove City. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Beloved Disciple, Grove City. Burial will be at Crestview Memorial Park, Grove City.
Tina Ravita Kleber
Tina Ravita Kleber of Freedom, Beaver County, died Sunday after a one-year cancer illness.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Kleber; her parents, Bob and Jenny Ravita of the Pittsburgh area; two sisters, Mary Ravita and Phyllis Eberman; and nieces and nephews.
KLEBER - A memorial service for Tina Ravita Kleber, who died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, will be at noon Wednesday at JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills.
Shirley J. Gross
Shirley J. Gross, 70, of Sarver Road, Buffalo Township, died Saturday at Mary Freeling’s Care Home, Cabot.
Born in Clinton, Nov. 10, 1931, she was the daughter of Joseph E. and Bernice I. Coffman Swartz.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed baking and flower gardening.
Mrs. Gross was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, Buffalo Township.
Surviving are two sons, Robert G. Gross of Apollo and Daniel F. Gross of Franklin; two daughters, Mrs. David (Judy) Rose of Charlotte, N.C., and Mrs. Dan (Karen) DiThomas of Sarver; and six grandchildren. Two brothers, Richard R. Swartz of Buffalo Township and Jack L. Swartz of Tarentum; and two sisters, Mrs. Joanne Flick of Freeport and Mrs. Jerry (Beverly) Gumpert Dallas, Texas, also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George H Gross, who died in 1993; and a brother.
GROSS - Friends of Shirley J. Gross, who died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at REDMOND FUNERAL HOME, 524 High St., Freeport. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Zion United Methodist Church with the Rev. Howard Greenfield, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Mount Airy Cemetery , Natrona Heights.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001; or Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, Sarver, PA 16055.
Wilda B. Follstaedt
Wilda B. Follstaedt, 91, of Seneca, Venango County, died at 3:15 p.m. Monday at the Titusville Hospital.
Born Nov. 22, 1910, in Armstrong County, she was the daughter of Lewis W. and Bertha Shaffer Bowser.
She attended high school in Dayton, Armstrong County, for one year and then transferred to Butler High School, where she graduated in 1929.
Mrs. Follstaedt was a member and former Sunday school teacher of the Zion Lutheran Church in Oil City, where she belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women and Naomi Circle. She also belonged to the Putnam King Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Oil City.
She had been a Girl Scout leader in Oil City for years and was one of the original volunteers in the snack bar of the Oil City Hospital.
She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, cooking and bowling.
She is survived by two daughters, Lois Follstaedt of Seneca and Ruth Maloney of Allison Park; a sister, Mrs. Marie B. Rice of Butler; and a granddaughter.
Her husband, Henry Follstaedt, whom she married Sept. 12, 1934, in Butler County, died Sept. 14, 1993. A grandson, three brothers and a sister also preceded her in death.
FOLLSTAEDT - Friends of Wilda B. Follstaedt, who died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at OSENIDER FUNERAL HOME, 15 W. First St., Oil City. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, Oil City, with the Rev. Sharon Hilfiger, church pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens, Cranberry, Venango County.
Memorial donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 207 State St., Oil City.
William John Bowser
William John Bowser, 88, formerly of Cunningham Street, died at 10:36 a.m. Tuesday at James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Altoona.
Born in Queens Junction, March 11, 1914, he was the son of John and Mary Bowser.
He had worked in the maintenance department at Magnetics in East Butler.
Mr. Bowser was a Protestant. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of the VFW Post 249.
Surviving are three daughters, Margaret E. McCormick of Jamestown, Pa., Joanne Goodman of Raleigh, N.C., and Bonnie L. Osche of Butler; and two sons, Richard L. and Ronald N. Bowser, both of Wintergreen, Fla. He also is survived by 32 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace E. Bowser, who died July 29, 1969; his second wife, Edna Marie Bowser, who died Jan. 3, 2000; two sons, two grandsons, a sister and a brother.
BOWSER - Friends of William John Bowser, who died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Connoquenessing, officiating. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.
Members of VFW Post 249 will conduct a military service at the Cemetery .
Leo B. Barkus,
Ex-bakery owner
Leo B. Barkus, 76, of Butler died Tuesday at his home.
Born March 23, 1926, in McKees Rocks, he was a son of the late Peter and Mary Andzules Barkus.
Leo was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U. S. Army. While serving, he received a Purple Heart Medal at the Battle of the Bulge and also the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Leo graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree. He married Amelia “Milly” Lipnichan of McKees Rocks on May 14, 1949, and together they raised three children, Debbie, Paul and Amy.
In 1953, he opened Barkus Bakery on the North Side of Pittsburgh. He was joined in the business by his brother Bob in 1955. Barkus Bakery began with a single retail location and grew to have 11 locations, becoming one of Pittsburgh’s most successful and largest retail bakeries. Together, Leo and Bob operated Barkus Bakery for nearly 30 years, selling it in 1982.
In 1994, Leo and his daughter, Amy, started Barkus Chocolates at the Point Plaza in Butler.
Leo was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Butler.
Surviving are his beloved wife, “Milly” Barkus; a son, Paul A. Barkus and his wife Amy D. Barkus of Butler; two daughters, Debra A. Nelson and her husband Robert Nelson of Butler and Amy C. Barkus and her husband George W. Boyd of Butler; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Nelson, Margaret Nelson, Andrew Barkus, Michelle Barkus, Matthew Barkus, Kristen Barkus, Emily Barkus, John Henry Barkus, Mariel Barkus, Natalie Barkus and Christopher Barkus-Boyd.
He also is survived by three sisters, Mary Ann Bradford of Pittsburgh, Ruth Labuskes of Pittsburgh and Frances Smith of Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leo was preceded in death by his brothers, Harry, Peter and Robert; and a sister, Irene.
BARKUS - Friends of Leo B. Barkus, who died, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, will be received at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and until final viewing at 10:15 a.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, North Main Street Extension, with the Rev. James Salberg, pastor officiating. Interment
will be at Calvary Cemetery .
Memorial donations may be to Catholic Charities of Butler County, 407-A W. Jefferson St., Butler PA 16001.
