Obituaries by Location
Nancy Cramer Allison
Nancy E. Cramer Allison, 57, of Masontown, Pa., a Certified Nursing Assistant, died Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2000, in Uniontown Hospital.
She is survived by seven children: Martin "Tony" Cramer and Rose Long of Uniontown, Pa., George Cramer of Smithfield R.D., Pa., John Cramer and Louise Showman of Connellsville, Pa., Timothy Cramer and his wife, Tammy, Mrs. Lannie (Gidget) Halbritter, and Stanley "Sam" Cramer all of Masontown, Pa., and Robert "Bobtail" Cramer and Robin Harbarger of Grays Landing, Pa.; 21 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a brother, Calvin Cramer of New Geneva, Pa.; a sister, Phoebe Hamilton of Bertha Hill, W.Va.; a brother-in-law, Paul Allison; several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, 502 Morgantown Street, Point Marion, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday until 11 a.m.
Jack Horner Bell
Jack Horner Bell, 81, a well-known resident of Hopwood, Pa., passed away Sunday evening, November 26, 2000, in Uniontown Hospital.
Arrangements will be announced by the Donald R. Crawford Funeral Home, Hopwood.
Donald R. Birr
Donald R. Birr, 70, of Uniontown, Pa., died Friday, November 24, 2000, in Laurel Ridge Center, Uniontown.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gaither Birr; children: Carolyn Birr of McKeesport, Pa., Judy Veshinfsky of Lake City, Pa., Catherine St. Denny of Rensselaer, New York, Virginia Hall, Walter Birr, Donald Birr Jr., and Robert Birr all of McKeesport, Pa.; a special family friend, Ted Dean of McKeesport, Pa.; nine grandchildren; brothers: Daniel Birr of Wichita, Kansas, and Alfred Birr Jr. of Clairton, Pa.; a sister, Elsie Birr Kynor of Whittier, California; nieces and nephews.
There will be no public visitation.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 28, at 11 a.m. in the William H. Craig Funeral Home Inc., 3000 Versailles Avenue, McKeesport, Pa. Inurnment will be private.
Robert W. Chambers
Robert W. Chambers, 77, a lifelong resident of Waynesburg, Pa., died Sunday, November 26, 2000, at his home.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret Keller Renner Chambers, whom he married August 5, 1978; his five children: Robert Chambers Jr. of Redwood City, California, Samuel R. Chambers of Fairmont, West Virginia, Regina Chambers Leathers of San Diego, California, Kevin D. Chambers and Eric P. Chambers both of Waynesburg, Pa.; three children acquired by marriage: Alan H. Renner of Waynesburg, Gary O. Renner of Aleppo, Pa., and Cathie D. Renner Slifko of Holbrook, Pa.; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Carol Chambers Cain of Waynesburg, Pa.
Family and friends will be received at the Behm Funeral Home Inc., 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, Pa., on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday until 10:30 a.m.
Anna Shenal Hruska
Anna A. Shenal Hruska, 85, of McClellandtown, Pa., died Friday, November 24, 2000, in Uniontown Hospital.
She was born July 2, 1915, in Westmoreland County, Pa., daughter of Peter Shenal and Sophia Kubina Shenal.
Mrs. Hruska was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary’s) Roman Catholic Church, Leckrone, Pa., and St. Mary’s Rosary Society.
She was also a member of Edenborn Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Fort Mason American Legion Post 423 Ladies Auxiliary, and Fayette County Salon 105 8/40.
Her husband, Edward J. Hruska, brothers, Paul, Pete, Joe, and Steve Shenal, and her parents preceded her in death.
She is survived four children: Edward J. Hruska Jr. and wife, Rhoada, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, Geraldine and her husband, Al Budesa, of Millville, New Jersey, William M. Hruska and wife, Elaine, of Masontown, Pa., and Fabian S. Hruska and wife, Sherry, of Fairchance, Pa.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers: John V. Shenal and wife, Eunice, of Martinsville, Virginia, and Andrew J. Shenal of Palmer, Pa.; three sisters-in-law: Almira M. Shenal of Uniontown, Pa., Catherine Shenal of Valley Stream, New York, and Josephine Shenal of Fort Myers, Florida; several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the HAKY FUNERAL HOMES INC., 515 North Main Street, Masontown, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, November 28, until 9:45 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held.
A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary’s) Roman Catholic Church, Leckrone, with Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Kawecki as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Leckrone.
The following organizations will hold services today: American Legion Post 423 Auxiliary at 3 p.m., Fayette County Salon 105 8/40 at 3:15 p.m., and Edenborn Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary at 3:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Parish Wake Service will be today at 8:45 p.m.
Visitation was also held Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and St. Mary’s Rosary Society recited the Rosary at 7 p.m.
Donice Ross Kershey
Donice T. Ross Kershey, 94, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2000, in Bouras Personal Care Home, Farmington, Pa. She had lived many years in Trotter, Dunbar Township, Pa.
She was born January 19, 1906, in West Virginia, daughter of Frank K. Ross and Mary Martin Ross.
Donice was a graduate of a State Normal School in West Virginia and retired as a Nurses Aide from Connellsville State General Hospital where she had worked for many years.
She was an avid bridge player and was interested in crossword puzzles and playing the organ.
She was a member of Connellsville Presbyterian Church.
Her husband, John P. "Yank" Kershey, died January 10, 1978. Also deceased are her parents and several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a brother, Burl Ross of Seth, West Virginia; a son, J. Ross Kershey and his wife, Sally, of Downingtown, Pa.; a daughter, Mrs. Donna Deane Korona and her husband, Raymond Korona, of Elyria, Ohio; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 East Green Street, Connellsville, Pa., on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 29, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Juengel officiating.
Committal and interment will follow in Bowman-Flatwoods Cemetery, Vanderbilt R.D.1, Pa.
Melvin E. Lerch Sr.
Melvin E. Lerch Sr., 74, of Vanderbilt, Pa., died Saturday, November 25, 2000, at 12:15 p.m. in South Hills Health System’s Jefferson Hospital.
He was born June 15, 1926, in York Run, Fayette County, Pa., son of Charles Lerch and Emma Jane Boyer Lerch.
Melvin was a Veteran of World War II who served with the United States Army, a retired Conductor from the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Railroad with 34 years of service, and a former member of Flatwoods Baptist Church.
A brother, Paul Lerch, a sister, Marilyn Lerch Dean, and his parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Betty R. Strickler Lerch; one son and four daughters: Melvin E. Lerch Jr. and his wife, Carol, and Barbara and her husband, Delbert Shahan, all of Vanderbilt, Pa., Beverly and her husband, William Rimel, of Dawson, Pa., Bonnie and her husband, Randall Warnick, of Smock, Pa., Belinda Heffern and Bruce Hixson of Vanderbilt; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and six sisters: Mrs. Virginia Tobul of Vanderbilt, Mrs. Gwendolyn Garee and her husband, William, of Geneva, Ohio, Mrs. Shelby Adams of Warren, Pa., Ms. Geraldine Lerch, Ms. Betty Lerch, and Ms. Arlene Lerch all of Vanderbilt.
Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME INC., 106 East Independence Street, Perryopolis, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, November 29, until 11 a.m., the hour of Service with Pastor Gary L. Alberding officiating.
Interment will follow in Bowman-Flatwoods Cemetery, Vanderbilt R.D.1, where Military Honors will be accorded by V.F.W. Goldstar Post 7023 and American Legion Post 752 both of Perryopolis.
James P. Melillo
James P. Melillo, 47, of Mount Pleasant, who was born in Kittanning, Pa., noted drummer with the band "Sunbrust" with whom he performed throughout the eastern seaboard, died early Saturday morning, November 25, 2000, in UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Pa.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Margaret Minor Melillo of Scottdale, Pa.; his wife, Dolores "Sissy" Frick Melillo whom he married January 16, 1987; his daughter, Angela Melillo of Norvelt, Pa.; his paternal grandmother, Angelina Buffone Melillo of Kittanning; brothers: J. Timothy Melillo of Middlefield, Ohio, Christopher J. Melillo and wife, Tina, William D. Melillo, and Michael A. Melillo and wife, Kristine, all of Scottdale, Pa.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received at the Robert B. Ferguson Funeral Home, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, Pa., today from 2 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday until 10:30 a.m.
Thomas C. Miller
Thomas C. Miller, 48, of Fairchance, Pa., died Saturday, November 25, 2000, in Beverly HealthCare, Uniontown.
He is survived by two daughters: Rosette Jean Miller Hixon and her husband, Charles Hixon, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Stephanie Miller Livingston of Uniontown, Pa.; stepdaughter, Gale Price; two granddaughters: Amanda Livingston and Rebecca Livingston; a brother, Lee Miller; and a sister, Leita.
Arrangements are under direction of the Andrew D. Ferguson Funeral Home Inc., 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, Pa.
Joseph Ptak
Joseph Ptak, 84, of Masontown, Pa., died Saturday, November 25, 2000, in Beverly Healthcare, Uniontown.
He was born October 31, 1916, in Bovard, Westmoreland County, Pa., son of Jacob Ptak and Mary Michalik Ptak.
He was a retired Coal Cutter from Gateway Mine and a 60-year member of United Mine Workers of America.
He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary’s) Roman Catholic Church, Leckrone, and The Holy Name Society.
His first wife, Catherine Balaban Ptak, brothers, John, Frank, and Albert Ptak, sisters, Frances Novasel and Sophia Kremposky, and his parents preceded him in death.
He was the last remaining member of his immediate family.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Savage Ptak, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the JOHN S. MAYKUTH JR. FUNERAL HOME, corner of Church and River avenues, Masontown, Pa., on Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, November 29, until 9 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held.
A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary’s) Roman Catholic Church, Leckrone, with Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Kawecki as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Leckrone.
Parish Wake Service on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Holy Name Society will recite the Rosary on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Margaret P. Shea
Margaret Pochatko Shea, 81, of Mount Pleasant who was born in Greensburg, Pa., died Friday, November 24, 2000, at her residence.
She is survived by a son, Robert Shea and his wife, Josephine, of Canton, Ohio; a daughter, Carole Shea with whom she made her home; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brothers: William Pochatko and his wife, Ruby, and Edward Pochatko and wife, Peg, all of Greensburg, Pa., and Martin Pochatko of Bovard, Pa.
Friends will be received in the Eugene G. Saloom Funeral Home Inc., 730 West Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Pa., today until 9:30 a.m.
