Obituaries by LocationJames W. Norman
James William Norman, Jr., 86, of Brownsville, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at 5:30 p.m. in Brownsville General Hospital. He was born Sept. 26. 1914, in Brownsville, a son of the late Martha and James Norman, Sr. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jaye Bailey Norman; a sister, Virginia Ruscoe; and a brother, Calvin Norman. Mr. Norman was a member of the First Baptist Church of Brownsville. He was a member of the Brownsville Lodge #60 F&AM, St. Omer's Commandery #7, and Knight's Templar, both of Uniontown; and the Syria Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Pittsburgh. He was a past advisory board member for the former Brownsville Assembly of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls where he received the Grand Cross of Color for distinguished service. Mr. Norman was a member of I.O.O.F Lodge #51, Brownsville, where he served as past noble grand and as secretary. He was a past president of the former Kiwanis Club in Brownsville. A U.S. Army veteran during World War II, he served as a 1st Lieutenant-ETO on Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion; he was a member of the A. Kramer-Axton American Legion Post #295, Brownsville. He was a member of the Brownsville Historical Society. He was a graduate of California State College and also from the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his master of arts degree in history. He was a member of Phi Alpha Theta National Honorary History Fraternity, Pi Gamma Mu the National Social Science Honorary Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Delta the National Honorary Forensic Fraternity. A history teacher for 18 years at Brownsville High School, he served as forensic director and debate coach where he won 16 consecutive state championships. His debate teams received National Honors in 1953 and 1955-1961. He then went on to be a history professor at California State College for 20 years where he was a member of the Emeriti Faculty Association. He was a member of the American Association of University Professors. Surviving are his daughters, Virginia "Ginny" Jane Norman of Brownsville, Jennifer Christen and her husband, Andrew, of suburban Philadelphia; a grandson, Norman Scott Christen of West Chester, Pa.; sisters, Irene Foltz of Reisterstown, Md., and Eleanor Kurtz of Destin, Fla.; and a brother, Robert Norman of Port Orange, Fla. The family will receive friends in CONFER FUNERAL HOME, 515 Front St., Brownsville, today from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 10 until 11 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted by the Rev. Gary R. McFadden of the House of Prayer, Smock. Burial will follow in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, Pa. Military honors will be accorded by Brownsville American Legion Post #295. Masonic services will be conducted tonight at 7:30 p.m. followed by Odd Fellow services at 8 p.m.
Walter J. Szolek
Walter J. "Shorty" Szolek, 71, of South Chestnut Street, Scottdale, died Monday evening, Nov. 6, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. He was born Dec. 14, 1928, in Everson, a son of the late George and Valeria Jankowski Szolek. Walter was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Everson, and a long-time member of the Scottdale community. He was a retired machinist with Scottdale Machine and Foundry, Everson, with 35 years of service. Walter previously had been employed by Fisher Body, West Mifflin. He was a veteran of the Armed Forces serving with the U.S. Army Air Corp in Japan for two years. Walter was a long-time member of the Scottdale Eagles and the Everson Polish American Club. He also bowled for several years with the Mixed Couples Bowling League with his late wife, Florence. Walter leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted daughter, Catherine Ann Muchow and her husband, Harold "Wally" W. of North Huntingdon; one granddaughter, Caitlin Muchow; brother, John "Jippy" Szolek of Everson; sister, Helen J. Eberharter of Scottdale; brother, Michael "Mickey" Szolek of Mount Pleasant; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife Florence P. "Vincenza" Pascaretti Szolek who died Aug. 23, 1993; brother, Joseph Szolek; two sisters, Catherine Czekaj and Veronica Szolek; and two infant siblings. Walter'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 Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph R.C. Church, Everson. Interment will follow in St. Joseph R.C. Parish Cemetery, Everson. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Joseph R.C. Church Cemetery Fund, in loving memory of Walter J. "Shorty" Szolek. A parish wake service will be held Thursday in the funeral home.
Walter J. Szolek, Scottdale
Walter J. "Shorty" Szolek, 71, f South Chestnut Street, Scottdale, died Monday evening, Nov. 6, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME, INC., 417, W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, and will be announced when completed. Visitation will begin Wednesday evening.
Ralph C. McCracken, Latrobe
Ralph C. McCracken, 85, of Latrobe, formerly of Mount Pleasant and East Huntingdon Township, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at Laurel Estates Inc., Latrobe. He was born Sept. 14, 1915, in Mount Pleasant, a son of the late Berle and Minnie Aller McCracken. He was a member of Reunion Presbyterian Church, Mount Pleasant. Ralph enjoyed gardening. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a steel worker for Duquesne Works. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer McCracken and a sister, Ruth McCracken Crosby. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leone Howell McCracken; two sons, David R. McCracken and wife, Kathy of Ithaca, N.Y., and Dennis J. McCracken and wife, Shirley, of Greensburg; a daughter, Leslie J. Zaronsky and husband, Clare "Bud" of Shawsville, Va.; five grandchildren, Denise Smith, Terri and Michael Zaronsky and Patrick and Amanda McCracken; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Wilbert McCracken of Mount Pleasant. A memorial service will be held in the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dennis J. Hoffman officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Mary Gray, Connellsville
Mary Gray, 57, of Connellsville died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, in Highlands Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, and will be announced when completed.
Madeline Eleanor Baker, Dunbar
Madeline Eleanor Baker, 77, of Dunbar, formerly of Connellsville, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at Highlands Hospital, Connellsville. She was born March 13, 1923, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late William and Mary Schomer. She was a member of the Dunbar Baptist Church and was a graduate of Connellsville High School and was a former secretary for the Columbia Gas Company for many years. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jack E. Baker; and her two children, Susan Ann Hastings and her husband William of Richmond, Va., and Scott Baker and wife Patricia of Dunbar; a sister, Mary Billie of Morgantown, W. Va.; and six grandchildren. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where a service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Rick Tuttle officiating. Committal and interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Uniontown.
Charles R. Grindle, formerly of Connellsville
Charles R. Grindle, 80, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Connellsville, died Oct. 28, 2000 at VAMC in Pittsburgh. He was born April 20, 1920, in Connellsville, a son of the late Archie Grindle and the late Edith Anderson. Mr. Grindle is survived by three daughters, one son and three brothers. At the request of the family, service and interment will be private. Arrangements are by GALONE-CARUSO'S in Mount Pleasant.
Ralph C. McCracken, formerly of Mount Pleasant
Ralph C. McCracken, 86, of Latrobe, formerly of Mount Pleasant and East Huntingdon Township, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at Laurel Estates Inc., Latrobe. A memorial service will be held in the EUGENE G SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mount Pleasant, at a day and time to be announced.
Bedey S. Shroyer, Mill Run
Bedey S. Shroyer, 72, of Mill Run, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. She was born Feb. 13, 1928, in Indian Head, a daughter of the late Marshall and Nannie Jane Fulton Snyder. Bedey was a lifelong resident of the Normalville area and was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Weimer of Normalville, Martha Dillinger and her husband, Lloyd, of Uniontown, and Carol and Robin Shroyer, both of Normalville; 14 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Henry Snyder of Indian Head, Richard Snyder and his wife, Ida, of Normalville, Jennie Marie Snyder of Indian Head, Russell Snyder and his wife, Jean, of Normalville, Mildred Flack and her husband, Mack, of White and Dorothy Snyder of Indian Head; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Robert Shroyer; a son, Marshall Shroyer; and a grandson, Robert Striner. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711, Melcroft, today from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 1 p.m., in the funeral home with the Rev. Timothy Beatty officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in the Normalville Cemetery.
Peter Chance Ulery, Hiller
Peter Chance Ulery, 91, of Hiller, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000, in the Skilled Nursing Unit of Brownsville General Hospital. Born Sept. 2, 1909, in Breakneck, he was the youngest child of the late William Frederick and Mary Jane Martin Ulery. Besides his parents and many brothers and sisters, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Emma Lenore Remington Ulery in 1985; and also by his son, Bruce R. Ulery on Oct. 7, 2000. Mr. Ulery was Methodist by faith. He was a 1928 graduate of the former South Brownsville High School, where he played football. Mr. Ulery was the owner of the former Duckpin Bowling Lanes in Brownsville. He was a member of the Garibaldi Senior Golf League, Uniontown and a former member of the Tri-County Horseshoe Leagues. A member of UMWA, he worked in the coke ovens and later worked for Dick Corporation in commercial construction. Surviving are his children, Carole Rinehart of Newton Falls, Ohio, Ronald Ulery and his wife Carol of Niles, Ohio, Fred Ulery and his wife Karen of Warren, Ohio and Rick Ulery of Newton Falls, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends in the CONFER FUNERAL HOME, 515 Front St., Brownsville, on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Paul E. Wilson Sr., pastor of the Brownsville United Methodist Charge. Burial will follow in LaFayette Memorial Park.
Earl L. Welker, Mount Pleasant
Earl L. Welker, 73, of Mount Pleasant, R.D.7, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. He was born Nov. 6, 1926, in United, a son of the late William E. Welker and the late Agnes Rebecca Sherrow Welker Dayton. Mr. Welker was a retired mechanic from the Helms Express Co. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and a member of the Mount Pleasant American Legion Post #446. He also was a member of the Mount Pleasant Church of God. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Genevieve Wilczynski in 1998, and Evelyn Welker in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Hilda Pritts Welker; a son, Lee R. Welker and his wife, Diane, of Mount Pleasant; a daughter, Marsha Ackerman and her husband, Kevin, of Mount Pleasant; and four grandchildren, Alicia and Monica Welker and Chad and Dustin Ackerman. Mr. Welker was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant. Additional viewing Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, in the Mount Pleasant Church of God with the Rev. Charles Yost officiating. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park Pennsville. Military rites will be conducted at the Cemetery by the American Legion Post #446 Honor Guard.
Eric Foster, Acme
Eric Foster, 87, of Acme (Bear Rocks), died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. He was born Aug. 3, 1913, in Lyon, France, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Foster. Mr. Foster had resided in the United States since 1958. Since 1971, he was employed as a designer of glass products for the L.E. Smith Glass Co. of Mount Pleasant. He was a veteran of the Free French Armed Forces, being involved in the liberation of Paris during WW II. He was an active member of the Mount Pleasant Historical Society. He was also a licensed pilot who enjoyed flying, and he was a member of the Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club. Eric was also a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mount Pleasant. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Philippe Foster. He is survived by his wife, Joan Brannen Foster; one daughter, Marie Domenique Foster-Brousse and her husband, Philippe of Paris, France; one stepson, Jeffrey Bolton and wife, Dawn of Dusseldorf, Germany; two grandsons, James and Terence Brousse; two stepgrandchildren, Courtney and Jamie Bolton; one brother, Brian Foster of Wundowie, Australia; and one sister, Thelma White of Hull, England. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Viewing will also take place on Monday from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., the hour of funeral services in the funeral home, with the Rev. Michael Matusak officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Joy Cemetery, Mount Pleasant Township.
Michael A. Molinaro, Connellsville
Michael A. Molinaro, 84, of 602 W. Fayette St., Connellsville, passed away at his brother Louis' home Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000. He was born June 11, 1916, in Connellsville, a son of the late Luigie and Maria A. Palladino Molinaro. He was owner and operator of Molinaro Tailor Shop for over 60 years. He was a veteran of WWII, a member of St. Rita's RC Church and past member of Joe Silvo Orchestra. He is survived by two sons, Louis A. Molinaro, Vienna, W.Va., and Michael S. Molinaro, Columbia, Md.; one daughter, Mrs. Geary (Patricia) Jeter, Chico, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Henry Molinaro, Louis Molinaro, both of Connellsville, and Salvatore Molinaro, South Bend, Ind.; and one sister, Gema Bennett, Connellsville. He was predeceased by his wife, Angeline A. Molinaro, Sept. 27, 1997; one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Guynn; an infant grandson; brothers, Carmen Sr., Orlando, Julius, Gaetano and Amedeo; and sisters, Anna Grace, Nathaline, Louise Molinaro and Carmela Marchewka. Friends are being received at the RICHARD KUCERA FUNERAL HOME, 127 E. Fairview Ave., Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at noon in St. Rita RC Church with Father Frank Lesniowski as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita's Cemetery. Parish wake service will be held in the funeral home Sunday at 8 p.m. Full military rites will be accorded at the Cemetery by the American Legion Post 301, VFW Post 21 and Trotter Legion.
Samuel Slate, Ruffsdale
Samuel Slate, 84, of Ruffsdale, formerly of Tarrs, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, in the Westmoreland Manor, Greensburg. He was born Nov. 30, 1915, in Mount Pleasant, a son of the late Patsy and Nettie Nichols Slate. He was employed as a laborer for many different business enterprises during his lifetime. He was a member of the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren and the AARP. Sam was also an avid baseball fan and fisherman. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Sharkey Slate; his second wife, Goldie Mae Thompson Slate; two brothers, John and Ralph Slate; and one sister, Helen Grossi. He is survived by one son, James Slate of Scottdale; five stepchildren, Marietta Platt of Ruffsdale, Dorothy Dallas of Louisville, Ky., William E. Boyd of Detroit, Mich., Shirley Giles of Detroit, Mich., and Freda Crabtree of Greenfield, Ohio; numerous stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Gillette of Warren, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Slate of Ruffsdale; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Sarah Seaton. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Henry Landis officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Tarrs.
Michael A. Molinaro, Connellsville
Michael A. Molinaro, 84, of 602 W. Fayette St., Connellsville, passed away at the home of his brother, Louis, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the RICHARD KUCERA FUNERAL HOME, 127 E. Fairview Ave., Connellsville.
