Obituaries by LocationLeonard D. Stankiewicz
Leonard D. Stankiewicz, 60, of Chestnut Street, Indiana, formerly of Everson, died Sunday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2000, in Indiana Hospital, Indiana. He was born in Mount Pleasant, May 12, 1940, a son of the late Raymond J. Stankiewicz, who died June 8, 1987, and Sarah L. Skilone Stankiewicz, who died Feb. 21, 1982. Leonard was a member of St. Joseph R. C. Church of Everson and a graduate of Scottdale High School, class of 1958. He was a former employee for the May Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Leonard is survived by his two devoted brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond J. Stankiewicz Jr. and his wife Marlene (Nebesny) of Indiana, Pa. and Kenneth E. Stankiewicz and his wife Cheri (Slonecker) of Scottdale; an aunt, Sister M. Imelda Stankiewicz, S.H.G. of Pittsburgh; three nieces; one nephew; a daughter, Debbie; and a son David. Leonard's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME, INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by his funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph R. C. Church, Everson. Interment will follow in St. Joseph R. C. Parish Cemetery, Everson. Leonard's family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Leonard D. Stankiewicz.
Brian K. Liston, Dunbar
Brian K. Liston, 29, of Dunbar, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, at home. Friends will be received at the BURHANS-CROUSE FUNERAL HOME, 28 Connellsville St., Dunbar, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday until noon the hour of service with Pastor Lee Maley officiating. Interment Maple Summit Cemetery.
Leonard Stankiewicz, formerly of Everson
Leonard D. Stankiewicz, 60, of Chestnut Street, Indiana, formerly of Everson, died Sunday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2000, in Indiana Hospital, Indiana. Leonard's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME, INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, today from 5 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by his funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph R. C. Church, Everson. Interment will follow in St. Joseph R. C. Parish Cemetery, Everson. Leonard's family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Leonard D. Stankiewicz.
Edward M. Bennett Sr., Connellsville
Edward Matthew Bennett Sr., 80, of 204 S. Eighth St., Connellsville, passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Uniontown Hospital. Friends are being received in the RICHARD KUCERA FUNERAL HOME, 127 E. Fairview Ave., Connellsville, today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. where a blessing service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. A funeral Mass follows at 10 a.m. in St. Rita RC Church, Connellsville, with the Rev. Father Frank Lesniowski and the Rev. Father Kenneth Molinaro, C.S.C., as celebrants. Interment will follow in St. Rita Cemetery. St. Rita's Parish wake will be held in the funeral home today at 8:30 p.m.
Mary Margaret Chernitsky, Dunbar
Mary Margaret Chernitsky, 86, of Dunbar died Monday evening Sept. 18, 2000, at her residence. Funeral arrangements, under the direction of the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, will be announced when completed.
Violet J. Bottomley, Mill Run
Violet J. Bottomley, 80, of Mill Run died suddenly Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at her home. She was born Oct. 9, 1919, in Mill Run, a daughter of the late Raymond and Rebecca Rugg Miner. Violet was a long time resident of Mill Run and was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church in Mill Run. She was a Sunday School teacher in the church for over 30 years. She was also a member of the Mill Run Grange, the Mountain Crafts Club and was a former Den Mother of the Cub Scouts and also was involved in 4-H. Violet is survived by her loving sons, Alan D. Bottomley and his wife, Gloria of Mill Run, R. Dewayne Bottomley and his wife, Linda of Rockwood and William H. Bottomley and his wife, Linda of Mill Run; five grandchildren, Shawn Bottomley of Dunkirk, N.Y., Beth Bottomley of Hagerstown, Md., Megan Bottomley of Mill Run, Melinda Bottomley of Mill Run and David Bottomley of Rockwood and a great-grandchild, Damien Bottomley; three sisters, Sybil Beck and her husband, Carl of Indian Head, Cora Hyatt of Sheridan Ill., and Cosey Brothers and her husband, Clyde of Connellsville. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her hsuband, Charles E. Bottomley in 1994; two sisters, Rachel Peck and Ina Nicholson and two brothers, Ted and Raymond Dale Miner. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. John Davis officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in the Indian Creek Baptist Cemetery, Mill Run.
Willis L. Witherite, Greensburg
Willis L. Witherite, 84, of Greensburg died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000 in the Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Jan. 4, 1916, in Connellsville, a son of the late Willis A. and Cora Jane Shawley Witherite. Prior to his retirement in 1981, he had been employed by the former Hagan Ice Cream and Milk Co. of Uniontown, later by the Country Belle Co-operative Farms and lastly by the Fayette Frozen Food of Uniontown. During his employment, he had managed dairy stores in Waynesburg and Brownsville and also in Fairmont and Morgantown, W.Va. Willis was active in his community by volunteering as the Director of Business Development with the former Go Greesburg Community Development Corp.; he had volunteered with the Meals-on Wheels, making deliveries in Pleasant Unity for many years. He was very active and founded the AARP Chapter No. 3897 and served as its first President, he also was one of the founders of AARP Chapter No. 4729 and had actively volunteered with Operation Santa Claus since its inception. He was a member and former Elder and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg; Westmoreland Lodge No. 518 F. & A.M. in Greensburg and the A.A.S.R. Valley of Pittsburgh. Willis was a former member of the Greensburg Kiwanis Club. He is survived by his wife, Martha Downs Witherite; a son, Richard Lee Witherite and his wife, Linda of Yoakum, Texas; two daughters; Kathryn Jane Gazze and her husband, Edward of Dover, Del. and Carole Ann Hayden and her husband, Dale of Wexford; eight grandchildren, Amy and Michael Witherite, Kristen Dungan, Chris, Kimberly and Rebecca Gazze, Nicole and Mark Hayden; two great-grandchildren, Rachel and Madeline Dungan and a sister, Mabel Witherite Uber of Sarver. Friends will be received at the BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, today from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg with the Rev. James H. Nash officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenridge Memorial Park, Connellsville. Should friends desire, memorials may be placed with either Redstone Highlands, 6 Garden Center Drive, Greensburg or with the First Presbyterian Church, 300 South Main St., Greensburg. Members of Westmoreland Lodge No. 518 F.& A.M. and Philanthropy Lodge No. 225 F.& A.M. will meet at the funeral home today at 7 p.m. to hold Masonic services.
Mary Belle Jones, Scottdale
Mary Belle Jones, 87, of Scottdale, passed away early Monday morning, Sept. 18, 2000, in Harmon House Convalescent Center, Mount Pleasant. Mary Belle was born Sept. 7, 1913 in Upper Tyrone Township, Fayette County, a daughter of the late Albert and Dora Belle Herrington Ansell. Mary Belle formerly worked as decorator with L.E. Smith Glass Co. of Mount Pleasant. She was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Chruch where she was a member and past president of the FRS Class and Secretary of Circle Five. She was also a graduate of Scottdale High School with the class of 1932. Mary Belle is survived by her loving and devoted family, her daughter, Carole Hixson and her husband, Ronald of Scottdale, R.D. 1; her son, Larry "LJ" Jones of Scottdale; a granddaughter, Robyn Roth and husband, Timothy of Scottdale; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Jenna Roth and a great-grandson, Tyler Scott Roth; a sister, Ida Mae McCausland of Washington, Pa.; a brother, William A. Ansell and wife, Dorothy of Scottdale and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary Belle was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence O. "Deacon" Jones in 1984 and a son, Vernon Allen Jones in 1954. Family and friends will be received at the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale (724-887-5300/e-mail, rferg@a1usa.net) today from 2 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with her pastor, the Rev. Joseph A. Hajdu officiating. Private interment will follow in the Scottdale Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 203 Market St., Scottdale in memory of Mary Belle Jones.
Angeline M. Baird, Scottdale
Angeline M. Mercurio Baird, 95, of Kingview Road, Scottdale, Upper Tyrone Township, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, in Westmoreland Manor, Greensburg. She was born Aug. 21, 1905, in Scottdale, Upper Tyrone Township, a daughter of the late John and Orlando Leone Mercurio. Angeline was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Scottdale, and a member of the Catholic Daughters of Americas Court Lambing #314. She was also a member of the Scottdale Sons of Italy Ladies Lodge. Angeline leaves to cherish her memories her sister, Helen Aiello and her husband, Sebastian "Busty" of Scottdale; and a number of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Baird, who died July 7, 1983; four sisters, Theresa Morrocco, Jennie Mercurio, Mamie Maglieri and Rose Lamanna; and three brothers, Frank, Michael and Dominic A. Mercurio, who died March 2, 1988. Angeline's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by her funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist RC Church, Scottdale with her pastor, the Rev. Leonard W. Stoviak, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist RC Parish Cemetery, Scottdale. A parish wake service will be held Friday at 7 p.m., and the Catholic Daughters of Americas will recite the rosary Friday at 2 p.m., both in the funeral home.
Caroline Goretsky, Leisenring
Caroline (Greaff) Goretsky, 78, of Leisenring, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, in Little Summit. She was born Nov. 1, 1921, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Joseph and Hazel (Stillwagon) Greaff. Caroline was a graduate of Connellsville High School Class of 1937. She worked several years at Anchor Hocking as a bottle selector. Later, she worked as a loving homemaker for her family. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Connellsville. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Harry A. Goretsky; four children, Ms. Barbara Gordon of Leisenring, Mr. John Goretsky and wife Ruth Ann of Little Summit, Mrs. Dolores Bezilla and husband Benny of Stow, Ohio, and Mary Ann Nicholson and husband Mark of Little Summit; 10 grandchildren, Lorie, Amy and Chad and wife Stacy Gordon, Carrie Ann and Jessica Rhea Goretsky, Danielle, Kelly and Erin Bezilla, Candy and Eric Brown; a sister, Gertrude Wiltrout of South Connellsville; also several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and William Greaff; and one sister, Nellie King. Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME, INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, where a funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Monte Holland officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Connellsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to your favorite charity.
Joshua Fant, Hunker
Joshua Fant, 47, of Hunker, died Thursday morning, Sept. 21, 2000, in his home. He was born April 25, 1953, in Connellsville, son of Charlotte Price Fant of Hunker and the late Thomas L. Fant. Joshua was a member of the United Baptist Church of Connellsville and a graduate of Connellsville Area High School and was presently employed with Allegheny Power Co. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two sisters, Shirley Ouzts of Springhill, Fla., and Linda Fant of Camp Hill, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Friends will be received in the United Baptist Church in Connellsville on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m., where funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Howard Amos officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Dunbar, under the direction of the MURIEL E. LANTZ FUNERAL HOME, 297 E. Main St., Uniontown.
Freda M. Miller, Uniontown
Freda M. Miller, 72, of Uniontown, formerly of Connellsville and Monongahela, died Thursday Sept. 21, 2000, in the Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Jan. 31, 1928 in West Virginia, a daughter of the late Hayward C. and Myrtle G. Moweary Baker. She is survived by one daughter, Freda Bush and her husband John of Donora; four grandchildren, Kimberly Martin, Christina Heilman and husband Timothy, Pamela Carson and her husband Darren and Melanie Bush; four great-grandchildren, Jessica and Freda Heilman and Samantha and Joshua Carson; two brothers, James Wiltrout and his wife Delores of Mill Run, Gerald Wiltrout and his wife Cora of Normalville; two sisters, Betty Wiltrout of Connellsville, R.D. 2 and Joan Tomko of Somerset; one half-brother, Clyde Wiltrout Jr. of Michigan; and her niece Donna Lou Wilt of Uniontown with whom she resided; and numerous other nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband, Franklin "Bud" Miller in 1986; an infant son; and two sisters, Lucille Reed and Velma Jean Shroyer. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, on Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Barry Witt officiating. Additional viewing will be held in the chapel of the Monongahela Valley Memorial Park from the time of arrival at approximately 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at which time the committal service will be held. Entombment will follow in the memorial park mausoleum.
Bernice L. Smith, Connellsville
Bernice L. Smith, 74, of Connellsville, passed away Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, in Highlands Hospital. She was born June 21, 1926, in Renovo, Pa., a daughter of the late Saul Charles and Virginia Watcherson Stroup. She was a Protestant by faith and attended the Central Fellowship Church in Connellsville. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church in North Bend, Pa., where she resided for many years prior to her moving to this area. She is survived by her first husband, Donald L. Summerson of Dover, Pa.; three sons, Jeffery L. Summerson and his wife, Connie, of Connellsville, Terry W. Summerson and his wife, Mary L., of Fairmont, W.Va., and Charles S. Smith and his wife, Marsha, of Lock Haven, Pa.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mildred L. Stimpson of Connellsville. She was predeceased by her second husband, James E. Smith, in 1976. A memorial service will be held for Bernice L. Smith on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at 11 a.m. in the Central Fellowship Church, 316 N. Arch St., Connellsville. The Rev. Ray Keefer will officiate the service. The family invites all friends and acquaintances to attend the services of Bernice L. Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville.
Mary I. Squirek, 81, of Lemont Furnace, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, at the Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown. She was born in Youngstown, Pa., April 23, 1919, the daughter of the late Martin and Anna Pasierb Peshko. She is survived by a son, Stanley J. Squirek Jr. and his wife Cecelia of Hopwood; and a daughter, Mary Ann Tesauro and her husband, Jan F., with whom she made her home; seven grandchildren, Tina Stefano and her husband, Pat, Lisa Stasko and her husband, Ron, Joseph Squirek and his wife Nancy, Jamie Blaney and her husband, Roger, Steve Squirek, Nicole Tesauro and Jon Tesauro; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, William Peshko of Lorain, Ohio and two sisters, Mildred Kret of Maple Heights, Ohio and Blanche Kollar and her husband, William, of Lemont Furnace and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Joseph Squirek Sr. on April 8, 1982; six brothers, Michael, Steve, Joseph, Stanley, Walter, and John Peshko and a sister, Lillian Gallis. She was a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church, St. Joseph Christian Mothers, and Happy Helen's Club. Mary was also one of the earliest and active members, joining in 1956, the Catholic War Veteran's Auxiliary Post 1669 where she has held many offices and was the Past Welfare Officer and had served in that capacity for many years. Friends will be received in the DOLFI FUNERAL HOME, 136 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, today from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday until 9 a.m. at which time a blessing service will be held followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joesph R.C. Church, with the Rev. Fr. Alexander J. Pleban as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's R.C. Cemetery. St. Joseph Christian Mothers will recite the rosary Sunday at 3 p.m. Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary ritual will be held Monday at 8:30 a.m.
John R. Szczepanski (Stepansky) Sr., Mount Pleasant
John R. Szczepanski (Stepansky) Sr., 64, of Maple Heights, Ohio, formerly of Mount Pleasant, died Thursday Sept. 21, 2000, in the South Pointe Hospital, Warrenville Heights, Ohio. He was born Jan. 25, 1936, in Mount Pleasant, son of the late Leo and Verna Gorecki Stepansky. He lived in Cleveland for 45 years and was retired from the Ford Motor Company. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan, a coin collector and a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene L. Shaffer Szczepanski in 1996 and a son, Davad Alan Szczepanski in 1983. He is survived by a son, John R. Szczepanski Jr, of Greenboro, Ohio; a doughter, Mrs. Edward (Cynthia) DePrins of Aurora, Ohio; one grandson, Daniel; one brother, Thomas Step of Mount Pleasant; and two sisters, Mrs. Henry (Cecilia) Lewandowski of McClure and Mrs. William (Leona) Bilik of Norvelt. Friends will be received in the LUTHER J. GRIMM FUNERAL HOME, Mount Pleasant, Sunday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Sunday at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Matusak officiating. Private interment will be held in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
