Claude Bainer
Ministered in the Ohio-Pennsylvania area
The Rev. Claude J. Bainer, 82, of Florida, died Friday, January 9, 1998.
He was born in Colby, Kan., and lived the last five years in the Florida area, and was a member of Good Samaritan Village Alliance Church.
The Rev. Bainer retired after 50 years in the ministry with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in the Ohio-Pennsylvania area.
Surviving are his wife, June R.; three daughters, Claudia Basiletti of Dover, Ohio, Deborah Bainer of Mansfield, Ohio, and Rebecca Jones of Lenior City, Tenn.; two sisters, Lois Ullom of Washington and Erma Saunders of Los Angeles, Calif.; a brother, Wayne Bainer of Washington; and three grandchildren.
A son, Mark, is deceased.
Burial is Friday, January 16, at Northlawn Memorial Gardens, Akron, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Claude J. Bainer Memorial Fund for Good Samaritan Village Health Care, 1550 Aldersgate Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34746.
Frances Pratt Dunn
Trinity graduate taught Sunday school
Word has been received of the death of Frances Pratt Dunn, 84, formerly of Lagonda, who died Friday, December 12, 1997, at Harbor City, Calif.
She was born February 2, 1912, in Waynesburg, the son of James B. and Estella Crayne Pratt. When she was 9, the family moved to West Union in Greene County. She graduated from Trinity High School and attended Penn Commercial College.
Mrs. Dunn was a longtime member of Bethel Presbyterian Church at Van Buren, where she taught Sunday school. She was employed at Lagonda School (now Joe Walker) and served as a PTA president there.
She married William H. Dunn of West Union in 1933. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in California in 1983. Mr. Dunn died in Hemet, Calif., in May of 1987.
The Dunns moved to Van Nuys, Calif., in January 1957. Mrs. Dunn was employed as a cafeteria manager for the Los Angeles School District. She retired to Hemet, where she was active in First Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Shirley D. Boren of Kansas City, Mo., and Linda D. Carmichael of Lomita, Calif.; one son, James H. Dunn of Reno, Nev.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie P. Miller of Mesa, Ariz., and a brother, Allen B. Pratt of Lagonda.
Deceased, in addition to her husband, are two sisters, Edith Miller and Edna Cowieson.
Both Mrs. Dunn and her husband were returned to Pennsylvania for burial in West Union Cemetery, where a graveside service will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 14, with Pastor George Crawford officiating.
Richard E. Gray
Formerly worked at Marianna Mine No. 58
Richard E. Gray Sr., 59, of Findlay Street, Washington, died at 11:40 p.m. Monday, January 12, 1998, at Humbert Lane Health Care Centre following a two-year illness.
He was born April 30, 1938, in Bellaire, Ohio, a son of Worley E. and Irene Pauline Sutton Gray.
Mr. Gray had formerly been employed by Marianna Mine No. 58. He was also a scrap dealer.
On November 23, 1960, he married Ethel Jean Deyell, who died April 23, 1992.
Surviving are three sons, Michael L. Gray Sr. of Prosperity and Richard E. Gray Jr. and Donald E. Gray, both of Washington; three daughters, Deborah K. Gray, Connie J. Thomas and Joyce A. Gray, all of Washington; three brothers, Raymond J. Gray of Washington, Edward H. Gray of Amity and Robert P. Gray of Washington; three sisters, Pearl Edgar of Marianna, Doris Moore of Scenery Hill and Mary Herrod of Waynesburg; 12 grandchildren, Michelle L., Michael L. Jr., Timothy A., Donald W., Heather L., Donna Jean and James D. Gray, Troy E. and Cory E. Thomas, James E. Garber, Donald E. Gray Jr., and Tommy E. Currie; and one great-grandchild.
CORRECTION
Incorrect information was provided for the obituary of Richard E. Gray, published Wednesday. Two names, Heather Davis and Tommy E. Currie, were incorrectly listed as grandchildren. They are stepgrandchildren. Also omitted were three other stepgrandchildren, Tracy Endler, Melissa McKinney and Randy McKinney Jr.
Theodore Houston
Retired caseworker from Pa. Dept. of Welfare
Theodore "Ted" Houston, 72, of Wind Ridge, died Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at Greene County Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
He was born on February 19, 1925, in Cameron, W.Va., a son of Robert Burns and Ferne Hughes Houston.
Mr. Houston, a graduate of Richhill Township High School, was a retired case worker for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, working at the Greene County Assistance Office in Waynesburg.
He resided most of his life in Greene County, attended the Fairview United Methodist Church in Wind Ridge and was a member of Corinthian Lodge F&AM, McConnellsville, Ohio.
Surviving are a sister, Aldene Houston Polen of Wind Ridge; two nephews, Robert Polen of Wind Ridge and Scott Polen of Graysville; and a niece, Cindy Peterlee of Delmont.
Deceased are two brothers, Robert Burns Houston Jr. and J. Pat Houston; and a sister, Betty Mayme Houston.
Junior Dennis Iams
Originated Dennis and the Country Lads
Junior Dennis Iams, 74, of Washington, died at 5 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at Washington Hospital following a four-month illness.
He was born December 23, 1923, in Washington, a son of William B. and Anna E. Green Iams.
Mr. Iams was Protestant and had been employed for several years by Jessop Steel and was last employed by Martin Refuse as a security guard.
For a period of seven years he had a group called Dennis and the Country Lads.
He enjoyed horseshoe pitching, music, was an avid guitar player and was involved in hunting and fishing.
He was a member of Washington Horseshoe Club and Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.
Mr. Iams had served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific Theater During World War II with Co. A of 726th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, and was the recipient of the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Arrowhead and World War II Victory Medal.
On November 4, 1985, he married Bette May Iams, who died August 3, 1997.
Surviving are a son, Terry Denny Iams of Washington; a stepdaughter, Kay Beck of Washington; two brothers, Elmer Iams of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Oscar Iams of Washington; two sisters, Martha Dille and Emma Moore, both of Washington; four stepgrandchildren; and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
Deceased are three brothers, James, Harry and Bill Iams; and three sisters, Ethel Glendenning, Leona Iams and Margaret Wise.
Kenneth W. LeMasters
Letter carrier for 20 years
Kenneth Wayne LeMasters, 54, of New Freeport, Garrison R.D.1, died at 8 p.m. Monday, January 12, 1998, in his home. He had been ill since April 1997.
He was born August 31, 1943, in Jollytown, a son of George Washington and Mildred Bryner LeMasters.
Mr. LeMasters had lived in Garrison the past 40 years and was a member of the Grandview Methodist Church at Garrison.
He was employed as a letter carrier in the New Freeport area for 20 years prior to his retirement in 1995.
Surviving are a daughter, Denise LeMasters of New Freeport R.D.1; two brothers, Robert L. LeMasters of New Freeport R.D.1 and Donald E. LeMasters of Sycamore; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Deceased is a brother, George W. LeMasters Jr.
Edward J. Rogers
Greene County resident
Edward J. Rogers, 84, of Dilliner R.D.1, died 4:43 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 1998, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born September 30, 1913, in Greene County, a son of Moss and Arlie Frances Bowen Rogers.
Mr. Rogers lived his entire life in Greene County.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews.
Deceased are three sisters, Nellie B. Foley, Plessia K. Rogers and Georgia V. Fox.
Robert Francis Scena
Retired coal miner
Robert Francis Scena, 66, of Dague Road, Brownsville, died at 8 a.m. Friday, January 9, 1998, at his home.
He was born March 9, 1931, in Philadelphia, a son of Frank F. and Matilda Scena.
Mr. Scena retired from U.S. Steel's Maple Creek Mine in 1994.
He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1951 to 1955.
He was a member of Centerville American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign War and United Mine Workers of America.
He was married to Angela Menzel Scena, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Denise Mays of Columbus, Ohio; a son, Robert M. Scena of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three grandchildren, Amanda Mays, Stacey Swader and Kayla Mays; two brothers, Frank Scena and Arthur Scena, both of Philadelphia; and a sister, Barbara of Florida.
Deceased is a sister, Virginia Scena.
Services were held in Fredericktown.
Frances Tremmel
Coordinator for the Scarlet R Foundation
Word has been received of the death of Frances Shuba Tremmel, 67, of East Brunswick, N.J., who died December 30, 1997, at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Division.
She was born October 5, 1930, in Glen Dale, W.Va., a daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Shuba. She had lived in East Brunswick since 1969.
Mrs. Tremmel was coordinator for the Scarlet R Foundation at Rutgers University for 22 years and also served four years in the Air Force.
Surviving are her husband, Lawrence J.; two sons, Kevin of Atlanta, Ga., and Larry J. Jr. of East Brunswick; a daughter, Denise Tremmel Cobos of Atlanta; two brothers, Stanley Shuba and Edward Shuba, both of Houston; and a granddaughter, Nicole Tremmel.
Deceased are two sisters, Mary Grudevich and Anna Shuba.
Burial was January 3, 1998, in Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fran Tremmel Memorial Fund, in care of the Scarlet R Club, 7 College Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Helen M. Ballentyne
Member of Meadow Lands United Methodist Church
Helen M. Ballentyne, 83, of Hazelwood Drive, Washington, died at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at home. She had been in declining health the last 3-1/2 years.
She was born June 26, 1914, in Meadow Lands, a daughter of Robert L. and Edith Clark Moore.
Mrs. Ballentyne attended Canonsburg High School and was a graduate of Trinity High School. She was a member of Meadow Lands United Methodist Church.
On April 2, 1937, she married Robert J. Ballentyne, who is deceased.
Surviving are a son, Robert J. Ballentyne Jr. of Washington, with whom she made her home; a brother, Joseph Moore of Eighty Four; a sister, Katherine M. Hall of Aliquippa; three grandchildren, Robert J., Kimberly K. and Karrie L. Ball; and a great-grandson, Thomas C. Wilt.
Deceased is a great-grandson, Ryan M. Wilt.
Margret J. Benedict
Longtime resident of Monongahela
Margret Joyce Benedict, 90, of Meade Street, Monongahela, died Wednesday, January 14, 1998, at home.
She was born May 7, 1907, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Patrick and Bridgette Kennedy Joyce.
Mrs. Benedict was a resident of Monongahela for most of her life, where she was a member of Transfiguration Church and its Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
She was a member of Monongahela Chapter and National Chapter of the AARP, former member of Monongahela Valley County Club and BPOE Lodge 455 Ladies Auxiliary.
Her husband, Joseph J. Benedict, died July 3, 1976.
Mrs. Benedict was the last of a family of six children.
Surviving are a daughter, Joyce A. Belan of Columbus, Ga.; two sons, Coleman J. Benedict and Thomas S. Benedict with whom she lived; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
John R. Cantaral
Former WWII veteran and steel worker
John R. Cantaral, 75, of West Pike Street, Houston, died Wednesday, January 14, 1998, in Kade Nursing Home, Washington.
He was born April 9, 1922, in Washington, a son of Maurice and Margaret Mull Cantaral.
Mr. Cantaral was a veteran of World War II, having served with the Marine Corps in the Pacific, and had been a steel worker.
Surviving are two sisters, Mary Margaret Huffman and Erma LaVella, both of Washington; and a brother, Paul Cantaral of Washington.
Deceased are his first wife, Dorothy Ann McCarty; his second wife, Edna Knupp; and three brothers, Walter, James and Raymond Cantaral.
Services and interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Leanora A. Chome
Retired LPN at Woodville and Mayview hospitals
Leanora A. "Rusty" Chome, 69, of McDonald, died Wednesday, January 14, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
She was born June 21, 1928, in Library, a daughter of Sofie Peyton Hickson and the late Richard Hickson.
Mrs. Chome was a graduate of Midway High School class of 1946.
She worked as a licensed practical nurse for Woodville and Mayview state hospitals for 271/2 years before retiring in 1983.
She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star of McDonald Chapter 119 where she had served as warder.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda Romestan of Brilliant, Ohio; a brother, Roy Hickson of Gainesville, Fla.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She made her home with John Harris of McDonald.
Michael Danchik Sr.
Coal miner was Richeyville barber for 24 years
Michael "Barber Mike" Danchik Sr., 80, of Old National Pike, Fredericktown, (Centerville Borough), died at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born February 2, 1917, in Universal, a son of Daniel and Mary Danchik Sr.
Mr. Danchik retired in September 1985, after 171/2 years as a coal miner for A.T. Massey Co.'s Vesta No. 5 Mine. He also worked at J&L Steel's Vesta No. 4 Mine and was a member of UMWA Local Union 762 of Vestaburg.
He served in the U.S. Army during 1937-41, joined the Merchant Marine and served in the South Pacific, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean before being discharged in 1949.
He was a barber in Richeyville for 24 years and was a member of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Richeyville.
He enjoyed fishing.
On July 28, 1951, he married Dorothy Timko, who survives and with whom he celebrated their 46th anniversary.
Also surviving are two daughters, Michelle Kessinger of Hagerstown, Md., Arleen Fedel of Canonsburg; a son, Michael Danchik Jr. at home; six grandsons, Darrell Bolen Sr., Jason, Matthew and Brian Marquart and Amber and Sarah Danchik; a great-grandson, Darrell Bolen Jr.; and a brother, Daniel Danchik Jr. of Annapolis, Md.
Deceased is a brother, Fred Dancheck.
Regina R. Farrell
Registered nurse formerly of Midway
Regina R. Farrell, 78, of Washington, formerly of Midway, died Wednesday, January 14, 1998, in Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington.
She was born September 28, 1919, in McDonald, a daughter of Charles and Clara Daniels Kennedy.
Mrs. Farrell was an officer of the 1937 Class of McDonald High School and president of her nursing school class at Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing.
She was a registered nurse, working for Pittsburgh Hospital in East Liberty and then for the Allegheny County Department of Public Health in Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Farrell was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Washington, and formerly attended St. Ann in Bulger and St. Alphonsus in McDonald.
On September 6, 1941, she married John R. Farrell, who died January 22, 1984.
Surviving are two sons, Robert K. Farrell of Cheswick and Michael J. Farrell of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Patricia Johnson of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Margaret Fulmer of Washington; a brother, Raymond Kennedy of Lorraine, Ohio; and 12 grandchildren.
Deceased are six brothers, Gerald, Walter, Charles, Harold, Ralph and Glenn Kennedy; and two sisters, Genevieve Meehan and Mabel Bennett.
Lois R. Frank
Attended Western Pa. School for Deaf
Lois R. Frank, 80, of Fayette Street, Washington, died at 3:22 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 1998, in Washington Hospital following a four-month illness.
She was born January 17, 1917, in Washington, a daughter of Charles and Rose Haines McNeely.
Mrs. Frank attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh as a child.
She was a homemaker and attended Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Swissvale since 1964, where she was a member of its Women's Missionary League.
On June 7, 1942, she married Ralph H. Frank, who survives.
Also surviving are a niece, Dawn Dille Weaver of Waynesburg; a nephew, Paul H. McNeely III of Washington; and several nieces and nephews by marriage.
Deceased are two sisters, Wilma Dille and Beverly M. Euler; and a brother, Paul H. McNeely II.
Lillian M. Gema
Worked for township election board for 50 years
Lillian M. Gema, 81, of McDonald, died Tuesday, January 13, 1998, in AUMC-Canonsburg.
She was born August 24, 1916, in Primrose, a daughter of Engenore and Minnie Storm DerBoven.
Mrs. Gema was a member of St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church of McDonald and worked on the Mt. Pleasant Township election board for 50 years.
Her husband, Joseph Gema, died in 1992.
Surviving are a daughter, Dianne Gema, at home; two sisters, Bealvh Burgess of Coraopolis and Elizabeth Moletta of Clearwater, Fla; and several nieces and nephews.
Two sisters, Ola Augustine and Elide Swoger, are deceased.
Philip A. Joseph
Musician and Cooper Industries retiree
Philip A. Joseph, 71, of 374 Grace Avenue, Canonsburg, died Tuesday, January 13, 1998, in AUMC-Canonsburg.
He was born October 27, 1926, in Canonsburg, a son of Sam and Beatrice Altif Joseph.
Mr. Joseph spent his entire life in Canonsburg and was a member of First Methodist Church of Canonsburg, the Musicians' Union and USW Local 3968.
He played guitar with the International Button Box and Circle Four and was a ham radio enthusiast. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 40 years as a machinist for Cooper Industries of Canonsburg.
On August 9, 1948, he married Dorothy Lawther, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Daniel Philip Joseph and John Anthony Joseph, both of Canonsburg and Robert Harrison Joseph of Washington; a daughter, Donna Jean Hopkins of Canonsburg; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Mitchell Joseph and Edward Joseph; and one sister, Virginia Svitek. He was the last of his immediate family.
