Obituaries by LocationDale W. Matheson
Dale W. Matheson, 73, of Mars died Thursday evening at UPMC Passavant Hospital, McCandless after an illness.
Born in Bairdford, Allegheny County, Sept. 11, 1928, he was the son of Ellis and Mabel Ikenberg Matheson.
Mr. Matheson served 21 years in the Air Force. He retired as a technical sergeant and served during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
After his retirement, he was parts manager at Wick Implement, Butler. More recently, he was a sporting goods salesman at Wal-Mart in Cranberry Township.
He belonged to the Church of the Resurrection Episcopal, Cranberry Township. He was a life member and past commander of the Mars VFW Post 7505 and a former Butler County district commander of the VFW.
Surviving are his wife, Ruth Smyth Matheson, whom he married Nov. 14, 1953; two daughters, Mrs. Rod (Janice) Klinzing of Gasport, N.Y., and Mrs. Jeff (Margaret) Boyle of Mars; a brother, Elmer Matheson of Pittsburgh; and two sisters, Ila Walters of Canton, Ohio, and Ruth Stants of Titusville, Crawford County. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
MATHESON - Friends of Dale W. Matheson, who died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at McDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. The funeral services will follow at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Gordon Green, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olive Cemetery , Adams Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Resurrection Episcopal, 8533 Peters Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.
Frank Bohonak Sr.
Frank Bohonak, 83, formerly of Clay Township, died at 12:55 a.m. Friday at Sunnyview Home.
Born March 16, 1918, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Nicholas and Mary Kominski Bohonak.
Mr. Bohonak retired as a brakeman for B & O Railroad, where he worked for 37 years.
He attended Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He served in the Army during World War II, and was a member of VFW Post 249 in Butler.
Surviving are a son, Frank Bohonak Jr. of Butler; two daughters, Mrs. Joe (Carol M.) Coddington of Butler and Michele Bohonak of Pittston, Texas; one son, Frank Bohonak Jr. of Butler; two brothers, Nicholas and John Bohonak, both of Pittsburgh; three sisters, Mrs. Kate Mallinger of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Mae Williams of Indiana, and Mrs. Frances Johnson of Indiana; one grandson, one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol M. (Stebila) Bohonak, who died Nov. 23, 1997, one brother and one sister.
BOHONAK - Private services for Frank Bohonak, who died Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, were held at Young Funeral Home in Butler, with Father Stefan Zencuch of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church officiating. There will be a private burial.
Audrey J. Knapp
Audrey J. Knapp, 65, of Marwood, died Friday at Sugar Creek Rest in Worthington.
Born Nov. 5, 1936, in Marwood, she was the daughter of Raymond D. and Irene M. Lang Logan.
She worked at the Butler County Mushroom Farm for 20 years, retiring in 1988.
Mrs. Knapp was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Butler.
She is survived by her husband, Eugene D. “Denny” Knapp, whom she married June 11, 1955; a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Jean M.) Walker of Cabot; two sons, Bruce D. Knapp of Imperial and David D. Knapp of Englewood, Colo., and seven grandchildren.
KNAPP - Friends of Audrey J. Knapp, who died Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Michelle Nickodemus of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at St. Luke Church Cemetery in Cabot.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, 1323 Forbes Ave. Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-4725.
Robert S. Kudelka
Robert S. Kudelka, 64, of Ford City died Friday at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.
Born Aug. 7, 1937, in Kittanning, he was the son of Stephen and Lena Luini Kudelka.
Mr. Kudelka retired as a steelworker from Armco Steel Corp. in Butler. He had served in the Army during the Vietnam War.
He was a life member of Ford City Hose Co. 1, a member of both Armstrong County and Western Pennsylvania firemen’s associations.
He also was a member of the Eagles, Slovak Catholic Union, Polish Falcons and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all of Ford City. Mr. Kudelka was also a member of Jedonta Bowling League and Jedonta Pool League.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Ford City.
Mr. Kudelka enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, hunting and fishing.
Mr. Kudelka is survived by his children, Gene R. Kudelka of Ford City, Mrs. Mitchell (Marie) Stivason of Kittanning and Robert C. Kudelka of Butler; his parents of Ford City; his friend, Helen McKelvey; a brother, Daniel Kudelka of Pittsburgh; a sister, Kathleen Jackson of Ford City, and a grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada M. (Hileman) Kudelka, who died on Aug. 18, 1997.
KUDELKA - Friends of Robert S. Kudelka, who died Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at WELCH FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Fourth Avenue, Ford City. The funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, corner of Sixth Avenue and Tenth Street in Ford City. The Rev. Edward Lewis will officiate. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Manor Township.
Viola A. Dearing
Viola A. Dearing, 82, of Zelienople died Sunday at Passavant Retirement and Health Center in Zelienople.
Born Sept. 29, 1919, in Middle Lancaster Township, she was the daughter of William and Nora Moyer Baker.
Mrs. Dearing was a Protestant.
She retired from the H.J. Heinz Co. in 1982 after 38 years. After her retirement, Mrs. Dearing volunteered for several charities.
She is survived by two brothers, Robert Baker of Portersville and Clifford W. Baker of Middle Lancaster Township; a sister, Blanche Grimm of New Castle, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick G. Dearing, who died in 1964; two brothers, and one sister.
DEARING - Friends of Viola A. Dearing, who died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Grace Bible Church Cemetery , Middle Lancaster Township.
Thomas R. Drobenak
Thomas R. Drobenak, 76, of Buffalo Township died at 6:20 p.m. Saturday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Born July 16, 1925, in Swoyersville, Luzerne County, he was a son of George and Anna Adamcik Drobenak.
He worked as a millwright for Pullman Standard, retiring after 19 years.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during World War II.
He enjoyed woodworking.
He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Donald (Lorraine) Beckwith of Natrona Heights, Mrs. Russ (Karen) Winwood of North Huntingdon, and Andrea Scott of New Jersey; a sister, Helen Amos of Wilkes Barre; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Borish Drobenak, who died in 1995.
Also preceding him in death was a son, a brother, and two sisters.
DROBENAK - Friends of Thomas R. Drobenak, who died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME, 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. A blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Plumcreek Cemetery , Plum.
Theresa M. Gaggini
Theresa M. Gaggini, 47, of East Brady died Saturday at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.Born March 9, 1954, in Kittanning, she was a daughter of Alex and Victoria Dudek Kijowski.
She was employed at II-VI Inc. in Saxonburg as a precision machine operator.
Prior to that, she taught math at Lenape Vocational-Technical School in Ford City from 1976 to 1989. She also worked as a seamstress at the Bradys Bend T-shirt Factory for two-and-a-half years.
She was a member of St. Eusebius Roman Catholic Church in East Brady, where she was a religious education teacher, a commentator/reader and a Eucharistic minister. She also served on many church committees.
She was a member of the Karns City High School Band parents; was a Girl Scout troop leader in East Brady for troops 629 and 680; and an assistant troop leader for Troop 494, all part of the Keystone Tall Tree Council in Kittanning.
She was a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 1484 of Bradys Bend.
She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Gaggini.
Also surviving are three daughters, Natalie, Alexis and Katherine Gaggini, all of East Brady; her mother of Kittanning; four brothers: Thomas and Michael Kijowski, both of Pittsburgh, David Kijowski of San Diego, Calif., and Vincent Kijowski of Colleyville, Texas; and a sister, Catherine Kijowski of Kittanning.
She was preceded in death by her father.
GAGGINI - Friends of Theresa M. Gaggini, who died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the CHARLES BUECHELE FUNERAL HOME, 105 Fourth St., East Brady. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Eusebius Church in East Brady with the Rev. William Kuba, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Eusebius Cemetery , Brady Township, Clarion County.
A parish prayer service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Harold W. Hiwiller
Harold W. Hiwiller, 68, of Washington Township died at 5:20 p.m. Saturday at Mercy Hospital following an illness.
Born Dec. 20, 1933, in East Brady, he was a son of John and Margaret Louella Lorenz Hiwiller.
He was a field manager for the Baltimore Life Insurance Co.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War.
He was a member of the Boyers Methodist Church.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Jean Hurst Hiwiller, whom he married May 5, 1961.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Ronald (Sherry) Cumberland of Petrolia; a son, Donald Hiwiller of Boyers; a sister, Mrs. Gary (Carole) Stevens of Harrisville; three brothers, Howard Hiwiller of Glendora, Calif., John Hiwiller of Prospect, and Richard Hiwiller of Petrolia; and four grandchildren.
HIWILLER - Friends of Harold W. Hiwiller, who died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, West Sunbury. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kathleen Soltis of Boyers Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in West Sunbury Union Cemetery .
Jennie M. Kirkwood
Jennie M. Kirkwood, 86, of Butler died Saturday afternoon at Sunnyview Nursing Home, where she had been a patient for three years.
Born March 24, 1915, in Butler she was the daughter of John M. Tirk and Elizabeth Rule Tirk.
Mrs. Kirkwood was a homemaker and was active in her churches, the First Baptist Church and the Cornerstone Baptist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Peg) Morando of Butler; two sons, Kenneth E. (Ed) Kirkwood of East Butler and John M. Kirkwood of Butler; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth G. Kirkwood, whom she married Aug. 13, 1936, and who died March 15, 1993; a grandson; four brothers, and a sister.
KIRKWOOD - Friends of Jennie M. Kirkwood, who died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday 2 to 4 p.m. at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. The funeral will be Thursday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. John Neyman of Cornerstone Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at the Butler County Memorial Park.
The family suggests donations be made to the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 771 Mercer Road, Butler 16001.
Andrew Luchkiw
Andrew Luchkiw, 75, of Petrolia died at 5:50 a.m. Saturday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center following a lingering illness.
Born Jan. 19, 1926, in North Washington, he was a son of Wasyl and Helen Simpchek Luchkiw.
He was a building contractor in his early years and donated many projects to needy people.
He retired from the Witco Corp. in Petrolia as foreman of the pipe shop after more than 30 years.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II in Europe and was a Jeep and armored tank driver with Gen. George Patton.
He was a Protestant.
He was a member of the Roy Calvin McGinnis VFW Post 7073 of Parker.
He is survived by a son, Raymond Luchkiw of Leland, N.C.; two daughters, Patricia Parker of Petrolia and Rebecca Yough of Chicora; a sister, Katherine Biffaretti of Washington, D.C.; five brothers, Pete Luchkiw of Prospect, William Luchkiw of Lyndora, and Basil, Al and Robert Luchkiw, all of Butler; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sons, two brothers and two sisters.
LUCHKIW - A committal service for Andrew Luchkiw, who died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia. His grandson, the Rev. Jon Gerhard, will officiate. Burial will follow the service.
Military honors will be accorded at the Cemetery by the ceremonial squad of the Roy Calvin McGinnis VFW Post 7073 of Parker.
Arrangements are being made by the RICHARD D. HILLIS FUNERAL HOME, Petrolia.
