Obituaries by LocationHarry L. Williams, Dunbar
Harry L. "Bud" Williams, 82, of Dunbar (Little Summit), died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, in Allegheny General Hospital, North Side. He was born Nov. 24, 1917, in Coalbrook (Connellsville Township), a son of the late Harry S. and Myrtle Brooks Williams. Bud first worked as a coal miner for the Genuine Mine and then at Leisenring No. 3 mine. He then started the Williams' Concrete Block Co., and worked at that for several years, and then took a job as a caseworker for the Pennsylvania Auditor General Office in Harrisburg. Bud later became the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds and retired from there after 24 years of serving the people of Fayette County. He also was a former school board director for the former Dunbar Township schools. Bud was a member of the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret D. Knapp Williams; his children, Carol Johnson and her husband, Jim, of Dunbar, Jim Williams and his wife, Rosemary, of Dunbar and Debra Tomko and her husband, Jerry, of Dunbar; his grandchildren, Sydney Maybury, James B. Williams, Lori A. Richter, Courtney Jo Williams, Bryan Tomko and Andrew Tomko; his great-grandchildren, Matthew, Kaitlin, Megan and Allison Maybury, Wildie and Seth Richter and Cody Williams; his sisters, Laura Fulton of Vanderbilt, Elsie Bosley of Newtown, Betty Thompson of Connellsville, Agnes Coughenour of Connellsville, LaQuita Frankhouser and her husband, Regis, of Lemont Furnace, and Juanita Leapline of Bitner; his brothers, Wilbur W. "Kite" Williams and his wife, Jane, of South Connellsville, and Edward Williams and his wife, Bridget, of Lemont Furnace; his sisters-in-law Leatrice Williams of Lemont Furnace and Stephanie Williams of Connellsville; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Ruth Rhodes; and three brothers, Russell, Lloyd and Donald Williams. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Watson officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. Donations may be given to the American Heart Association, 253 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., Uniontown, Pa. 15401, in Bud's memory.
Edward Yagla, Connellsville
Edward Yagla, 76, of Connellsville, passed away Monday, Oct. 2, at Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown. He was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Dunbar, the son of the late John and Mary Yagla. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II and was Protestant by faith. He is survived by his wife, Asenath A. (May) Yagla; a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Cusick, and husband, Daniel, of Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh; two grandchildren, Hannah Cusick and Jack Cusick; a sister, Helen Zitney, of Vanderbilt; and two brothers, Stanley Yagla of Connellsville and John Yagla of Greensburg. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph, Frank and Henry Yagla, and two sisters, Stella and Jean Yagla. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, on Wednesday, from 2 to 9 p.m., where services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. with Rev. Donald Bowser officiating. Committal and interment will follow in Indian Creek Baptist Cemetery, Mill Run.
Fred D. Coughenour, Connellsville
Fred D. Coughenour, 67, of Connellsville, passed away at his home on Friday, Aug. 18, 2000. Friends will be received in the First Baptist Church at 301 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., at which time services will be held with Rev. Larry Hellein officiating. Committal and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to a church ministry fund to be established. BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Samuel E. Giles Sr., Dunbar
Samuel E. Giles Sr., 64, of Dunbar, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, in Harmon House Care Center, Mount Pleasant. He was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Connellsville, a son of the late Albert F. Giles Sr. and Minnie B. (Richter) Giles. Samuel formerly worked for Dunbar Borough Maintenance Department as a general laborer. He was Protestant by faith. He was a member of the American Legion Post 301, VFW Post 21 F.O.E. #493, Italian Independent Social Club, Independent Slovak Citizens Club, and the Dunbar Sons of Italy Club. He is survived by 10 children, John Giles and wife, Karen, of Dunbar, Amos Giles and wife, Christina, of Connellsville, Agnes Giles of Monarch, Samuel Giles Jr. and wife, Beverly, of Louisiana, Sadie Bloom and husband, Jim, of Dunbar, Annie Buzzelli of Dunbar, Jacqueline Perryman and husband, Harry, of Louisiana, Paula Brothers and husband, Richard, of Vanderbilt, Hazel Giles of Monarch, and Heather Giles of Leisenring; 27 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Hazel Chaney and Mabel Sanner, both of Connellsville, Minnie Bryner of Shadyside and Dorothy Hall of Virginia; and three brothers, Joe Giles of McKees Rocks and Jim and Paul, both of Indiana, Pa. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Annie (Watson) Giles (1981); two sons, Jackie and Paul Giles; two brothers, Pete and Albert Giles; and two sisters, Mary Means and Gladys McCormick. Friends will be received in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. the hour of the funeral, with the Rev. Lee Maley officiating. Interment will follow in Normalville Cemetery.
Elmer R. Shipley, Mill Run
Elmer R. Shipley, 79, of Mill Run, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, at his residence. He was born May 27, 1921, in Mill Run, a son of the late Charles and Catherine Hawk Shipley. He was a Protestant by faith. After being employed by the Rolling Rock Races and the railroad, Elmer spent the last 30 years farming. He is survived by four daughters, Catherine E. Ohler and husband, Gilbert, Theresa D. Curry and husband, Harry "Butch," Caroline J. Shields and husband, Bill, all of Mill Run, and Linda Garlitz Shipley Shallenberger and husband, Dave, of Connellsville; 11 grandchildren, two of whom Elmer raised from birth as his own, Edward E. Selinger and wife, Karrie, of Mill Run, and Craig M. Selinger and wife, Vicki, of Mill Run; Dennis Curry and wife, Jody, Scott Ohler, William "Billy" Shields, Shawna Shields, all of Mill Run, Darlah Shipley Hogan and husband, Ron, of Bullskin Township, David Curry and wife, Toni, of Melcroft, Lisa Curry of Connellsville, Holly Ohler Bryner and husband, Paul, of Normalville and Kendra Shields Lint and husband, Wilburt, of Ohio; 10 great-grandchildren, "Craigy," Dennis, Stefanie, Laurel, Dylan, Tommy, Austin, Hannah, David and William; one brother, Clyde Shipley and wife, Loretta, of Somerset and a sister-in-law, Agnes Shipley, of Mill Run. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy M. Fullem, in 1989; two sons, Jacob Dale Shipley in 1975 and an infant son, Dorsey Wayne Shipley; four brothers, Walter, Kenneth, Delbert and Carl Shipley; and one sister, Emma Jean Fullem. Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, today from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday until 1 p.m., the hour of service with Pastor Keith Solomon officiating. Interment will follow in Mill Run Cemetery, Mill Run.
George W. Roskos, Bullskin Township
George W. Roskos Jr., 79, of Connellsville (Bullskin Township), passed away peacefully late Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, at his home with his family. He was born Nov. 10, 1920, in Brownsville, a son of the late George W. and Anna Roskos Sr. George was a longtime resident of Bullskin Township and, prior to his retirement, he worked as a self-employed stone mason for several contractors in the area. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S. Army and was the recipient of the Bronze Star and fought in several battles, including: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and the Ardennes. George was also a member of the United Commercial Travelers and the Glencoe Sportsmen's Club. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gertrude Helen Butts Roskos; his sons, George W. Roskos III and his wife, Lavonna, Charles A. Roskos and his wife, Sandra, and James A. Roskos, all of Connellsville; four grandchildren, Gina Kintigh of Connellsville, Erick Roskos of Morgantown, W.Va., Heidi Hayden of Connellsville and Melissa Roskos of Connellsville, and five great-grandchildren, Kaiya, Katherine and Jacob Kintigh and Derek and Courtney Hayden; and a brother, Andrew Roskos of Warren, Ohio. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, John Roskos, and two sisters, Ann Moser and Mary Ruscheck. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today and Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Bruce Wilson, his nephew, officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. Military rites will be conducted by the Connellsville VFW and American Legion and Trotter American Legion Honor Guard.
Florence King, Champion
Florence King of Champion died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Arrangements are under the direction of the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 711 Melcroft, and will be announced when completed.
Charles E. Conner, Bradenton, Fla.
Charles Earl Conner, 79, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Connellsville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, in the Bay Pine VA Medical Center at St. Petersburg, Fla. Funeral arrangements are in charge of the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, and will be announced when completed.
Trudy D. Sparks, Indian Head
Trudy D. Sparks, 43, of Indian Head, died unexpectedly, early Sunday morning, Aug. 20, 2000, in the Highlands Hospital. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., Route 711, Melcroft, today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the St. RaymondŐs of the Mountain R.C. Church, Donegal, with Rev. John Harrold as celebrant. A committal service and interment will follow in the St. RaymondŐs Cemetery, Saltlick Township.
Samuel J. DeFlitch, Mount Pleasant
Samuel J. DeFlitch, 80, of Mount Pleasant, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, at home. Friends will be received at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mount Pleasant, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Michael W. Matusak as celebrant at St. Pius X RC Church, Mount Pleasant. Interment will follow in St. Pius X Cemetery.
William A. Craft Jr., Scottdale
William A. 'Wild Bill' Craft Jr., 70, of Pearl Street, Scottdale, died Friday evening, Aug. 18, 2000, in Oak Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Greensburg, where he had been a patient for the past two weeks. A memorial service celebrating BillŐs life will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME, INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, with the Rev. Jesse Flack of White officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the donorŐs favorite charity in memory of William A. Craft Jr. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Fay-West Home Health Nurses, especially Susan Swank, who was special to Bill, also to the staff of Oak Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their professionalism and courtesy extended to Bill and his family.
Michael Levine, Tarrs
Michael Levine, 68, of Tarrs, went to his eternal rest Monday, Aug. 21, 2000 at Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. He was born June 22, 1932, in Somerset, a son of the late John Sr. and Mary Labasky Levine. He was a student at the former Sewickly School and was an honorary life member of the East Huntingdon Township FiremenŐs Association. He was a Korean Conflict veteran, having served with the U.S. Army. Prior to retirement in 1976, he was employed as a welder by the former Walworth Foundry, South Greensburg. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Anna Marie Sobinsky Levine. His memory will be cherished by his family: sons, Robert M. Levine of Tarrs and James E. Levine and wife, Janet, of Ruffsdale; daughter, Lynda Levine of Tarrs; grandchildren, Samuel Grimm and Kaeli Levine; brother, Joseph Levine and wife, Pauline, of Ruffsdale; and four sisters, Mary Smith and husband, Joseph, of Belle Vernon, Margaret Kolar of Ruffsdale, Elizabeth Higgins and husband, Junior, of Madison and Catherine Sinnamond of Yukon. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, John Levine Jr. Friends will be received at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL HOME INC., Main Street, Mount Pleasant, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Father Michael W. Matusak officiating. Interment will follow in Madison Union Cemetery.
Harry Lee Stewart Jr., South Connellsville
Harry Lee Stewart Jr., 48, of South Connellsville, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Aug. 21, 2000. He was born May 9, 1952, in Connelllsville, a son of Harry L. and Mollie G. Porterfield Stewart of Connellsville. He was formerly employed at Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. for 24 years and then Williamhouse Corp. He was a Protestant by faith and member of the Apostolic Holiness Church in Connellsville. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen May McFadden Stewart to whom he was married 27 years; five sons, Jeffrey Lee, Jamie Alan, Jeremy David, Joseph Michael and Jack Aron Stewart; two daughters, Jeana Stewart and Jessica Lee Stewart, all of Connellsville; two sisters, Rosemary Pluck and her husband, Clarence of Hooversville, Pa. and Wendy Swank and her husband, Bill, of Scottdale; three brothers, Larew Stewart and his wife, Bonnie, Mark Stewart and his wife, Ruth, and Robert and his wife, Carol Stewart, all of Connellsville. Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday until 11 a.m. the hour of service with Pastor Terry Upton officiating. Interment will follow in Normalville Cemetery.
C. Earl Conner, Bradenton, Fla.
Charles Earl Conner, 79, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Connellsville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center at St. Petersburg, Fla. He was born March 27, 1921, in Connellsville, the son of the late Claude William and Helen Estella Clawson Conner. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II and also the Korean Conflict. He was a retired machine operator from the Steel Scaffolding Co. at Uniontown where he had worked for 22 years. He was a member of the Walter E. Brown Post 21 V.F.W. of Connellsville and also the American Legion. He was a member of the Braidentown Lodge No. 99 F&AM of Bradenton, Fla., the Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa and Sahib Temple Shrine. When living in Connellsville, he attended the Otterbein United Methodist Church. Surviving is his wife of 58 years, Dolores F. (Dolly) Reed Conner; three sons, Reed Conner and wife, Paula, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Ronald Conner and wife, Tanya, of Connellsville and Robert Conner of Atlanta, Ga.; three daughters, Renee Cox and husband, Allen, of Prattville, Ala., Rhonda Bohner and husband, Thomas, of Cave Creek, Ariz. and Robin Shultz and husband, Lonnie, of Connellsville; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, David Conner of Connellsville, George Conner of Baltimore, Md. and Ronald Conner of Sarasota, Fla.; and a sister, Bernice Conrad of Smithton. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Claude Francis Conner, Burton Conner, James Clark Conner, Clarence W. (Bill) Conner and Walter Randall Conner; and two sisters, Vera Schetrompf and Eleanor Francis. Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. David Brothers officiating. Committal and interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Military rites will be conducted at the Cemetery. King Solomons Lodge No. 346 F&AM will conduct a memorial ritual at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Winfield C. Hissem, Normalville
Winfield C. Hissem, 36, of Normalville, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000 as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Sept. 4, 1963, in Connellsville, a son of Beatrice Stahl Hissem of Normalville and the late A. Jay Hissem. He was a graduate of Connellsville Area High School. He was employed by the P.J. Dick Corporation as a construction worker, currently working at the Somerset Correctional Institution. He was a member of the Laborers Union Local No. 419 and he was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Delmar 'Redeye' Hissem. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gloria Skelton Hissem; two sons, Amos, at home, and Mark of Donegal; three daughters, Wendy and Sarah, at home, and Brianna of Donegal; one brother, James Hissem and his wife, Verna, of Normalville; six sisters, Joyce Frederick and her husband, Timothy, of Glenmore, Pa., Patty Lander and her husband, Bert, of Glen Rock, Pa., Linda Richter and her husband, Ray 'Pete,' of Normalville, Carol Shreve and her husband, Scott, of Normalville, Jayne Smith and her husband, Gary, of the state of Georgia and Beverly Keyser and her husband, Larry, of Scottdale; his mother-in-law, Dottie Upton of Scottdale; his father-in-law, Paul Skelton of Clinton; two brothers-in-law, Paul Skelton Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, of Owensdale and Kenneth Skelton and his wife, Ann, of Scottdale; one sister-in-law, Cindy Skelton of New Derry, Pa.; and a special first cousin, Dave Hissem of Spencer, Mass. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., Route 711, Melcroft, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor William Nicholson officiating. Interment will follow in the Snowball Cemetery, Cook Township.
