Theodore D. Phillips
Long haul truck driver from Waynesburg
Theodore D. Phillips, 58, of Waynesburg R.D.4, died unexpectedly at 8 a.m. Friday, February 13, 1998, at home. He was born September 9, 1939, in Waynesburg, a son of the late James William and Bertha Mae Ullom Phillips and had resided in the Waynesburg area most of his life. Mr. Phillips had attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Waynesburg. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a member of American Legion Post 330, VFW Post 4793 and was a life member of DAV Post 123, all in Waynesburg. Mr. Phillips was employed for more than 35 years as a coast-to-coast truck driver, having driven locally for Stoneking Trucking, Yost & Yost Pipeline, Hawks Trucking, and was last employed by Wade's Southwest Coal Haulers for approximately three years. He was a former employee of James Pettit, Holbrook. He made his home with Larry and Lisa Eddy of Waynesburg R.D.4 since 1991. Surviving are four brothers, Frederick Phillips of Holbrook R.D.1, Gerald Phillips of Bartow, Fla., Terry Phillips of New Freeport and James Phillips of Texas; a foster brother, Dennis Blour of Holbrook R.D. 1; a sister, Margaret "Dodie" Reel of Blacksville, W.Va.; his stepmother, Inez Jackson Phillips of Oak Forest; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert W. Polan Sr.
Retired from Trinity School District
Robert Wilson Polan Sr., 84, of Ashmore Avenue, Washington, died at 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 13, 1998, at the home of his son in Washington. He had been ill the past month. He was born May 22, 1913, in Washington, a son of Herbert and Mary Nixon Polan. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Polan was employed in the maintenance department of Trinity School District. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. On May 27, 1933, he married Pearl Eleanor "Jackie" Davis, who died May 6, 1989. Surviving are a son, Robert W. Polan Jr. of Washington; a brother, Melvin Polan of Susanville, Calif.; a sister, June Selvaggi of Washington; three grandchildren, Daryl and Robert Polan and Cheryl Bellendir; three stepgrandchildren, Tammy Main, Susan Hildebrand and Michael Shuba; and 13 great-grandchildren. Deceased are three brothers, Kenneth, George and Herman Polan.

Denzel P. Richardson
Clarksville barber and personal care home owner
Denzel Perry Richardson, 61, of Clarksville, died at 5 a.m. Friday, February 13, 1998, in Greene County Memorial Hospital. He was born February 21, 1936, in Washington, a son of the late William P. Richardson and Ochel A. Naylor Henderson, who died August 12, 1997. Mr. Richardson was a well-known barber for 30 years and for the past 17 years, owned and operated Richardson's Personal Care Home in Clarksville. He also worked as a self-employed plumber. He enjoyed photography, boating and spending time with his family. On January 27, 1977, he married Marietta Erickson, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Perri Waldvogel of Lockport, Ill., Raquel "Racket" Turnbull of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Jodie Richardson of Clarksville; three sons, J. Dee Richardson of Arlington, Texas, Dant Richardson of Beallsville and Eric Richardson of Clarksville; a stepdaughter, Sindy Staley of Washington; five grandchildren; four brothers, Jack Largent of Akron, Ohio, James Largent of New Salem, Ohio, Ronald Largent of Washington and Stewart Henderson of Charleroi; and a sister, Jean Russell of Clearfield. Deceased is a sister, Joanne Malson.

James Bloxsom
Former Finleyville resident worked for U.S. Steel Corp.
James Bloxsom, 81, of Ocala, Fla., formerly of Finleyville, died Friday, February 13, 1998, in his home. He was born February 28, 1916, in Pittsburgh, a son of James and Gertrude Henry Bloxsom. He was formerly employed in the management maintenance division of U.S. Steel Corp. Mr. Bloxsom was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Finleyville. He also was a member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge 337 F&AM of Monongahela, Pittsburgh Consistory, Syria Temple of Pittsburgh and BPOE Lodge 494 of Charleroi. Surviving are his wife, Wilda Binns Bloxsom; one son, Donald W. Bloxsom of Dover, Del.; one daughter, Jacqueline L. Farlow of Ocala, Fla.; one grandson, Lonny Troy Bloxsom of Wharton, N.J.; and one cousin. Deceased is one grandson.

Herman Brown
Retired from Equitable Life Assurance Co.
Herman Brown, 77, of Second Avenue, Monongahela, died Thursday, February 12, 1998, in Haven Crest Nursing Home, Monongahela. He was born October 10, 1920, in Donora, a son of Peter Brown Sr. and Lucretia Wilder Brown. He was a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Monongahela. During World War II, he served in the U.S Navy in the South Pacific. He was retired from Equitable Life Assurance Co. in Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, and was formerly employed by U.S. Steel's Donora Works. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Charlotte Parker Brown; one daughter, Dr. Patricia Brown of Boston, Mass; one son, Herman Brown Jr. of Rancho Mirage, Calif.; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Alford and Gregory and Kimberly Brown; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Peter Brown of Boston, Mass; two sisters, Hilda Lewis of Donora and Jenny Gibson of Muskegon, Mich. Deceased is one sister, Ethel Gibson Robinson.

Timmy Ray Caldwell
Washington man worked in construction business
Timmy Ray Caldwell, 29, of 89 Hawkins Street, Washington, died Saturday, February 14, 1998. He was born August 30, 1968, a son of William Caldwell Sr. of Waynesburg and Virginia Caldwell of Washington. Mr. Caldwell attended Wylie Avenue Elementary School and Trinity High School. He had worked in construction in Erie for Hershey Co. Mr. Caldwell enjoyed cars, trucks and dirt bikes. Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a daughter, Courtney Caldwell of Wilmington, N.C.; a son, Kyle Caldwell of Washington; a brother, Robert Caldwell of Scenery Hill; and grandmothers, Martha Throckmorton of Washington and Hazel Caldwell of Waynesburg. Deceased are both grandfathers, and a brother, William "Daniel" Caldwell, who died Saturday, October 25, 1997.
CORRECTION:
INCORRECT INFORMATION was provided for the obituary of Timmy Ray Caldwell, published Sunday. His father, William Caldwell Sr. is from Clarksville. His grandmother, Hazel Caldwell, is from Mather.

Julia Goga Cook
Member of St. Mary's Church of Cecil
Julia Goga Cook, 85, of Georgetown Road, Lawrence, died Saturday, February 14, 1998. She was born July 17, 1912, in Washington, a daughter of Michael and Anna Panchura Goga. She was a homemaker who spent most of her life in Lawrence. Mrs. Cook was a member of St. Mary's Church of Cecil and a former member of St. Elizabeth Church of Lawrence. She was employed by Canon-MacMillan School District in the cafeteria of Hills-Henderson school for several years. Surviving are three daughters, Dolores Nofsker of Raymond, Maine, Carol Wilson of Hopkinton, Mass., and Gloria Conley of Tazewell, Va.; one son, Henry Cook of Canonsburg; three sisters, Susan Kavolak and Helen Brytus, both of Wolfdale, and Jean Mason of Lawrence; her lifeflong companion, Joseph Gudac of Lawrence; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are her husband, Henry Cook; three brothers, Charles, Michael and John Goga; and one sister, Ann Cherokee.

Mildred Criss
Lived in Wadestown, W.Va.
Mildred Criss, 81, of Wadestown, W.Va., died Friday, February 13, 1998, in Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va. She was born May 6, 1916, in Wetzel County, a daughter of John E. and Rosetta Wright Criss. She was a member of The West Warren Baptist Church in Wadestown. Surviving are five sisters, Thelma Fordyce of Munhall, Wilma Whittaker of Wadestown, Katherine Moran and Freda Fordyce, both of McMurray, and Jean Schell of Mt. Oliver. Deceased are two brothers and two sisters.

Vera Harris
Florida woman was former resident of Strabane
Vera Irene Harris, 95, of Apopka, Fla., died Friday, February 13, 1998, in the Florida Living Nursing Home. She was born June 14, 1902, in Strabane, a daughter of William and Nettie Hewitt Hootman. Surviving are a son, Thomas W. Harris of LaGrange, Fla.; a daughter, Ruth Ann Richey of Apopka; three granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Edgar A. Hootman of Washington and Frank M. Hootman of Pittsburgh. Deceased is her husband, John H. Harris, who died in 1963.

Walter Haught
Washington man retired from Observer-Reporter
Walter Haught, 77, of Washington, died Friday, February 13, 1998, in Washington Hospital. He was born May 30, 1920, in Washington, a son of Albert H. and Katherine Bowers Haught. Mr. Haught attended Washington schools. Prior to his retirement, he was employed in the maintenance department of the Observer-Reporter newspaper. He was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. During World War II, he served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army. Surviving are a son, Randy Haught of Richeyville; a brother, Raymond Haught of Washington; three sisters, Ruth Russell and Grace Rathbone, both of Houston, and Edna Collar of Canonsburg; a grandson, Tyler Haught; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are three brothers, Earl, William and Clyde Haught.

Benjamin K. Haywood
Member of Elrama Sportmen's Club
Benjamin K. Haywood, 91, of Route 136, Eighty Four, died Saturday, February 14, 1998, in his home. He was born December 29, 1906, in Monongahela, a son of Abednego and Katherine Daniels Haywood. Mr. Haywood was a member of Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church of Eighty Four. He was a retired driller from Chartiers Natural Gas Co. He was a lifetime member of Elrama Sportmen's Club. Surviving are his wife, Mae Milhoan Haywood, with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage on June 24, 1997; one son, Benjamin H. Haywood of Eighty Four; one granddaughter, Pamela Bilich; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Eugene Haywood of Ginger Hill. Deceased is one grandson, Benjamin W. Haywood; three sisters, Catherine Gottselig, Elda Beazell and Grace Fitch; and three brothers, Harold, Carl and Bill Haywood.

Florence B. Rush
Former employee of Scenery Hill grocery store
Florence B. Rush, 81, of Waynesburg, formerly of Scenery Hill, died at 9:45 p.m. Friday, February 13, 1998, at Franklin Care Center, Waynesburg. She was born July 12, 1916, in Fayette City, a daughter of Lawrence and Mary Sickles Roush. She spent most of her life in Scenery Hill, where she was employed for 26 years at Doc Mowls Grocery Store. Mrs. Rush was a member of Scenery Hill United Methodist Church. Surviving are one son, Robert Rush of Millersburg, Ohio; three daughters, Joyce Robinson of Scenery Hill, Gail Waligora of Strongsville, Ohio, and Mary Barkey of Van Voorhis; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Deceased are her husband, Robert J. Rush, who died October 22, 1984; one grandson, Timothy Mark Robinson, who died October 22, 1980; one brother, Leroy Roush; and one sister, Evelyn Bell.

Anthony Stetcko
Member of UMWA Local 762, Vestaburg
Anthony Stetcko, 80, of Emory Road, Richeyville, died at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 15 ,1998, in Washington Hospital. He was born March 8, 1917, in Passaic, N.J., a son of Paul and Katherine Stetcko. Mr. Stetcko was a member of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church of Richeyville. In 1980, he retired as a miner from Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp.'s Mine No. 5. He was a member of UMWA Local 762 of Vestaburg and a former member of the Richeyville Volunteer Fire Department. On July 27, 1936, he married Helen Timko, with whom he had celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Elaine Stetcko Costello of Belle Vernon and Patricia Stetcko Vavrick of McKeesport; two granddaughters, Bridget Lee Costello and Alison Leslie Costello; and two grandsons, Ryan Christopher Vavrick and Justin Todd Vavrick. Mr. Stetcko was the last of his immediate family. Deceased are two brothers, Paul and Michael Stetcko; and one sister, Mary Stetcko.

Carl R. Stolze
Retired carpenter for Brookside Lumber Co.
Carl R. Stolze, 80, of McMurray, died Sunday, February 15, 1998, in Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg. He was born April 13, 1917, in Beadling, a son of Daniel and Myrtle Beadling Stolze. He was a retired carpenter for Brookside Lumber Co. Mr. Stolze was a member of Center Presbyterian Church of McMurray and Chartiers Lodge 297 F&AM. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a former member of the Peters Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Peters Township Lions Club. On June 22, 1940, he married Emmette McConnell, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Seddon Stolze of McMurray and Paul Stolze of Cecil; one brother, Daniel Stolze of Gastonville; and one sister, Matilda Cleary of McMurray. Deceased are two sisters, Betty Mills and Alma Stolze.

Edith Marie Taylor
Retired from Department of Welfare
Edith Marie Taylor, 79, of 54 North Morris Street, Waynesburg, died Sunday, February 15, 1998, in Greene County Memorial Hospital. She was born November 23, 1918, in Waynesburg, a daughter of James H. and Ruth Orndoff Taylor. For 42 years, Miss Taylor worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare as a receptionist in the Greene County Assistance Office in Waynesburg. She was a member of Fairall United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, and the Warrior Trail Association. Surviving are two brothers, James H. Taylor of Aston and Charles A. Taylor of Beckley, W.Va.; a nephew, Dr. Charles A. Taylor II; and two nieces, Holly Fox and Debbie Taylor.

Millie Tesznar
Member of St. Anthony Church, Monongahela
Millie Kesman Tesznar, 82, of Park Avenue, Monongahela, died Friday, February 13, 1998, at Haven Crest Nursing Home, Monongahela. She was born January 8, 1916, in Redstone, a daughter of John and Mary Kesman. Mrs. Tesznar was a member of St. Anthony Church in Monongahela and the American Association of Retired Persons in Monongahela. Surviving are one son, Phillip Tesznar of Monongahela; two daughters, Emily of Florida and Marie of Georgia; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Frances of Charleroi. Deceased are her husband, Frank Tesznar, who died in 1995; and a grandson, David Tesznar.

Betty J. Wingrove
Worked as meat cutter for Giant Eagle, Washington
Betty J. Wingrove, 70, of Cokeburg, died Sunday, February 15, 1998, in Washington at the home of her daughter, Nancy J. Waters. She was born September 24, 1927, in Washington, a daughter of James A. and Dora Beatty Fordyce. She attended Trinity High School and was a member of the Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in Washington. She was employed as a meat cutter by Giant Eagle in Washington for more than 20 years. She also did private duty work, caring for various elderly people in the Washington area. Surviving are two sons, Edward P. Kirn of Washington and Raymond L. Knox Jr. of Washington; one daughter, Nancy J. Waters of Washington; two sisters, Zella Weirich of Augusta, Ga., and Florence Fordyce of Washington; seven grandchildren, Edward P. Kirn Jr., Shannon M. Knox, Misty Blu Waters, Carrie R. Knox, Tammy Kirn, Malinda Truby and Erica J. Kirn; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are five brothers, Curtis, Wilbert, James, Howard and Paul Fordyce; and one sister, Ruth Pratton.