Obituaries by Location
Alice Siecinski
Connellsville
Alice Siecinski, 67, of Connellsville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg. She was born Nov. 15, 1933, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Albert C. Furtney Sr., and Alice Jones Furtney. Alice was Catholic by faith. She was a homemaker, who enjoyed spending time with her husband and her children and their families. Alice is survived by her loving husband, Frank Siecinski, to whom she was married 40 years on Oct. 14, 2001; three daughters, Diane Siecinski, Lisa Butts and her husband, Russell, all of Connellsville, and Amy Wilson and Curt Wilson of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, Joseph Siecinski and his wife, Angie, of Mount Pleasant, and Frank Siecinski and his wife, Kim, of Youngwood; the following grandchildren, Stefanie and Andrea Lowden, Mindi Wilson, Adam and Abigael Siecinski and Morgan and Zachary Siecinski; and two sisters, Genevieve Guerriero of Connellsville and Charlene Garcia of Florida. In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph (Tootie) Furtney, Albert C. Furtney Jr. and William Ringler; and a sister, Jeanie Ringler. Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. A prayer service will be held Friday, private and only for the family, with the Rev. Frank Lesniowski of St. Rita Roman Catholic Church officiating. Interment will be in Green Ridge Memorial Park and will also be private.
Ethel M. Hunker
Scottdale
Ethel Mae Hunker, 90, of Scottdale, passed away early Wednesday morning, Nov. 14, 2001, in Scottdale Manor and Rehabilitation Center, East Huntingdon Township. Ethel Mae was born Jan. 22, 1911, in Scottdale, daughter of the late Reese Davis and Ethel Guest Davis. Ethel Mae was a lifetime member of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Scottdale, and a graduate of Scottdale High School with the Class of 1931. Ethel Mae is survived by her loving children, Donald Hunker and wife Saundra of Scottdale, William Hunker and wife Donna Lee of Scottdale and Richard Hunker and wife Carole of Scottdale; nine grandchildren, Kim McClung of Scottdale, Eric Hunker and wife Diane of Delmont, Dean Hunker and wife Ranae of Okinawa, Japan, Dennis Hunker and wife Tabatha of Scottdale, Doug Hunker and wife Kim of Scottdale, Debbi Walter and husband Howard of Tarrs, David Hunker and wife Diane of Pittsburgh, Dale Hunker and wife Stephanie of Monroe, N.C., and Dee Graft and husband Gary of Scottdale; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; a brother, Harry E. Davis of Connellsville; a sister, Dorothy Bissell of Clarion; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Ethel Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy "Lee" Hunker on July 11, 1990; a great-grandson, Brady Walter; and a brother, Reese Davis. Family and friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, (724-887-5300/e-mail: fergfh@a1usa.net). Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Howard J. Rudisill officiating. Graveside committal services and interment will follow in the Scottdale Cemetery next to her late husband. Family suggests memorials to St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Scottdale, in memory of Ethel Mae Hunker. Love Lasts Forever!
J.R. "Doc" Espey
Vanderbilt
J.R. "Doc" Espey, 64, of Vanderbilt, formerly of Reagantown, passed away late Tuesday evening, Nov. 13, 2001, in Highlands Hospital, Connellsville. J.R. was born at Reagantown in East Huntingdon Township, Oct. 3, 1937, a son of the late Hugh Thurman and Audrice A. Davis Espey. J.R. was the longtime proprietor of Espey's Meat Market and noted operator of Espey's Cider Press at Reagantown. Years ago, he was employed at Westmoreland Dairy, prior to working with his father at the meat market. He especially enjoyed working around the butcher shop during deer season, providing a service to successful area hunters, both young and old. J.R. was an avid Dale Earnhardt #3 racing fan and loved to take cruises, travel and fish. He was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and a graduate of East Huntingdon High School. J.R. is survived by his loving family; his wife, Diana M. Graft Espey, whom he married on Jan. 25, 1985; his children, Joseph R. Espey Jr. and wife, Beth, Randy Espey and wife, Vicki, and Kisa Nelson and husband, Kelvin, all of Scottdale, R.D.1; four stepchildren, John Batronis and Kim of Dawson, Joe Batronis and wife, Tracy, of Adah, Jim Batronis and wife, Melissa, of Greencastle and Jeff Batronis and Tracy of Vanderbilt; six grandchildren, Sarah Espey, Joseph R. Espey III, Emily Espey, Rebecca Espey, Kelvin Nelson Jr. and Stephanie Nelson; six stepgrandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth "Liz" Dillinger of Scottdale, R.D.1; a nephew, Edwin Dillinger and wife, Joanne; a great-niece, Teri MacPhail; a great-nephew, Don Dillinger; and his special pet dog, Penny. In addition to his parents, J.R. was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Pamela Ann Espey, in 1987; two brothers, Hugh T. Espey Jr., in 1992, and Emerson Davis Espey, in 1994; an infant brother and sister; a brother-in-law, Roy Dillinger; and a sister-in-law, Rose Espey. Family and friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, (724-887-5300, e-mail: fergfh@a1usa.net). Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastors Charlie Yost and Herb Peterson co-officiating. Graveside committal services and interment will follow in Dickerson Run Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to: Leukemia Society, toll-free 800-726-2873. Love Lasts Forever!
Kathryn B. Piern
Greensburg
Kathryn B. Piern, 82, of Greensburg, formerly of Connellsville, died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001, at I.H.S. Mountain View, Greensburg. A daughter of the late Andrew and Gertrude (Hart) Fetsco. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for 44 years as a glass worker at Anchor Hocking Glass. She was a former member of the Dunbar Township Eagles and the Monarch Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by two sons, Donald "Skeeter" Piern and his wife, Anita, of Euclid, Ohio, and Frank Piern and his wife, Janet, of Irwin; numerous grandchildren; a sister, Theresa Schmidtke of Monarch; three brothers, Joseph Fetsco of Sun City, Ariz., Andrew Fetsco Jr. and Donald Fetsco, both of Monarch; and a sister-in-law, Betty Fetsco of Dunbar Township. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Fetsco. Friends will be received in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 until 10 a.m., the hour of the blessing service with the Rev. Father John Butler as celebrant. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville.
Paul H. Pitzer
Scottdale
Paul H. Pitzer, 79, of Arthur Avenue, Scottdale, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, in Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Jan. 4, 1922, in Shepherdstown, W. Va., a son of the late Harlan Samuel and Ruth Starr Pitzer. Paul was a 24-year member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Scottdale, where he served as an usher, chairman of Pastor-Parish Relations committee and a member of the church council. He was the owner and operator of Top Oil Co. of Norvelt for the past 24 years. Previously he had been employed by Pitney-Bowes Corp. as a branch manager and major account executor at various locations with 24 years service. Paul was a founding member of the VFW Post in Shepherdstown after World War II. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II in Baltimore, Md., Bainbridge, Md., Little Creek, Va., New York, AATB Arzew Algeria and served on the USS LST 357 and was a beachmaster for amphibious operations in Anzio and Normandy. He attained the rank of Signalman Second Class (T) USNR. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Normandy. Paul was a member of Burlington County District Council for the Boy Scouts of America in New Jersey. Paul leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Mary O'Dell Pitzer, whom he married July 18, 1947; his two sons, Paul D. Pitzer and wife Angelique of Scottdale and Glenn S. Pitzer and wife Lynn of Scottdale; six grandchildren, Heather Kolbasowski, Matthew, Paul T. (Ted), Thomas, Tim and Scott Pitzer; and his sister, Jane Rainone of Northfield, N.J. Paul's family will receive friends in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at which time visitation will be concluded. Those who desire to join his family for his funeral service are invited to attend Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, at 11 a.m. in Trinity United Methodist Church, Scottdale, with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Paul Morris, officiating. Committal service and entombment will follow in Middle Churches Cemetery, Mount Pleasant Township. In lieu of flowers, Paul's family suggests memorials be made to the World War II Memorial Fund, in memory of Paul H. Pitzer.
Albert M. Maceyko
Virginia Beach, Va.
Formerly of Mount Pleasant
Albert M. Maceyko, 89, of Virginia Beach, Va., formerly of Mount Pleasant, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, in the Sentara-Leigh Hospital, Virginia Beach, Va. Family and friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant, on Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Visitation RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Anthony Ditto as celebrant. A committal service and interment will follow in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Marie Ward Chesney
Dunbar
Marie Ward Chesney, 74, of Dunbar died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Friends will be received in Burhans-Crouse FUNERAL HOME, 28 Connellsville St., Dunbar, today 2 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 25, until 2 p.m., the hour of service, with Pastor Galen Winebrenner officiating. Interment will follow in Plum Creek Cemetery, Plum Borough.
William "Clayton" Basinger
Connellsville
William "Clayton" Basinger, 53, of Connellsville, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Friends will be received in the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held Sunday in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m. with Robert Chambers, minister, officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlick Cemetery, Bullskin Township.
Frances Mae Karfelt
South Connellsville
Frances Mae Karfelt, 90, of South Connellsville, went to her eternal rest suddenly Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, in Eicher's Family Home, Normalville. Born May 31, 1911, in Bullskin Township, Mae was a daughter of the late Jesse A. and Hattie (Laura) Wiltrout. She was a member of Albright United Methodist Church, South Connellsville. She will be sadly missed by her husband of 72 years, Aaron B. Karfelt; four sons, Ronald "Buck" Karfelt and wife Patricia Sue of South Connellsville, Leonard Dean Karfelt and wife Elaine of Greensburg, Edward Gerald Karfelt and wife Ethel Mae of Somerset and Donivon Joseph Karfelt of West Leisenring; a son-in-law, Jack H. Grimm of South Connellsville; a daughter-in-law, Dora Stull Karfelt of South Connellsville; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Wiltrout and wife Mary of Scottdale and Lewis Wiltrout and wife Betty Jean of Latrobe; and three sisters, Ella Jean Hixson of Connellsville, Gertrude Sanner and husband Homer of Connellsville and Betty H. Kreinbrook of Connellsville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Alfred Karfelt; a daughter, Gwenneth Joanne Grimm; four brothers, Howard, Earl, Kenneth and Jim Wiltrout; and two infant brothers. Friends will be received at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., 730 W. Main St., Mount Pleasant, today and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the Albright United Methodist Church Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Byron Tate Fulton officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
James "Milton" Porter
Scottdale
James "Milton" Porter, 60, of Scottdale, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Friends will be received in the Robert B. Ferguson Funeral Home, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel, Monday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Morris officiating. Interment will follow in the Scottdale Cemetery. Love Lasts Forever.
Geraldine Althea Fullem
Mt. Braddock
Formerly of Connellsville
Geraldine Althea Fullem, 92, of Mt. Braddock, formerly of Connellsville, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Nov. 23, 2001. Arrangements are under the direction of the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., Connellsville, and will be announced when completed.
