Thomas H. Pierce
Worked for Winnett Lumber
Thomas H. Pierce, 64, of Steubenville, Ohio, formerly of Washington and Greene counties, died at 3:35 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 1998, in the Trinity West Hospital, Steubenville, after a lengthy illness.
He was born June 21, 1933, in Washington, a son of the late Charles W. and Anna Louise Harter Pierce.
Mr. Pierce was a Korean War veteran and had been employed by the former Winnett Lumber Co. of Amity. He was also a Baptist.
Surviving are a daughter, Kathy Whitlach of Sycamore; two brothers, Robert Pierce of Ocala, Fla., and Richard Pierce of Avella; a sister, Sara E. Briggs of Aleppo; and two grandchildren.
There will be no visitation. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Jennie Dluski Sweetie
Member of Langeloth Presbyterian Church
Jennie Dluski Sweetie, 71, of Langeloth, died Wednesday, January 14, 1998, in Weirton Medical Center, Weirton, W.Va.
She was born November 23, 1926, in Langeloth, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Dluski.
Mrs. Sweetie was a member of Langeloth Presbyterian Church and Burgettstown Senior Citizens.
On August 26, 1950, she married John Sweetie in the Polish National Catholic Church, Canonsburg.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Linda Chipps of Toronto, Ohio, Cheryl Tressler of Springfield, Mass., and Johnette Garrison of Watauga, Texas; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ted Dluski in Florida; and a sister, Josephine McCollough in Poland, Ohio.
Deceased are two brothers, Walter and John Dluski; and a sister, Pauline Blair.
Alvin Neil Thomas
Former army man served in Germany, involved with WWII history
Alvin Neil Thomas, 58, of Red Fox Road, Hickory, died at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday January 13, 1998, in AUMC-Canonsburg. He had been ill since June of 1996.
He was born September 12, 1939, in Washington, a son of Mary Edna Neil Thomas of Washington and the late Raymond Howard Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was raised in Hickory and was a 1958 graduate of Hickory High School, where he held the WPIAL state title for the broad jump.
He enjoyed hunting and was involved in various history-related interests regarding World War II.
Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Army in Germany with an honor guard unit and military police.
He served as a policeman in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Md. for 11 years and was a part-time policeman in Mt. Pleasant Township, Hickory.
He was also employed at Vaughn Hamlin's Body Shop in Bridgeville. He received a commendation from George Wallace as a result of guarding him after an assassination attempt and from the police department for rescuing drowning victims from the Potomac River during Hurricane Agnes.
Mr. Thomas attended St. Hilary Church, Washington, was a social member of VFW Post 191 of Canonsburg and the Polaski Club of Washington, and was a member of American Legion Post 902 of Houston where he was past commander and held numerous offices.
On May 10, 1967, he married Bridget Theresa Bannon, who survives.
Also surviving, in addition to his mother, are a son, Patrick Neil Thomas at home; a brother, Raymond M. Thomas of Washington; two sisters, Mary Ann Ostovic of Washington and Betty Eileen Camden of Washington.
George W. Wagner Jr.
Former owner of the Butler Store in Burgettstown
George W. Wagner Jr., 88, of Burgettstown, died Tuesday, January 13, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born July 18, 1909, in Keystone, a son of George and Anna Mae Hofman Wagner Sr.
Mr. Wagner was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Burgettstown and was the oldest life member of the Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Department. He was the owner and operator of the Butler Store in Burgettstown for more than 40 years before his retirement.
Surviving are a daughter, Carole Dennis of Burgettstown; a granddaughter, Kelly Macik; four sisters, Alice Wagner Scott of Burgettstown, Ruth Wagner Pollon of Florida, Thelma Wagner Russell of Sturgeon and Anna Mae Spatharos of Ohio; two brothers, Ed Wagner of Florida and James Wagner of Paris; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are his wife, Wilma C. Wagner, who died August 9, 1991; and infant son, William Carl Wagner; and two brothers, Richard Wagner and Albert Wagner.
Paul Ankrom
Farmer was Army veteran
Paul Ankrom, 87, of Washington, died Friday January 16, 1998, in Washington Hospital's emergency room.
He was born January 7, 1911, in Waynesburg, a son of James and Rachel Grable Ankrom.
Mr. Ankrom was a farmer and builder and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was a member of Davidson United Methodist Church in Glyde.
Mr. Ankrom enjoyed hunting, sailing and fishing.
On September 17, 1932, he married Anna M. Wynkoop, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Floyd P. Ankrom of Washington, Dennis M. and Hallie S. Ankrom, both of Williamson, N.Y.; two daughters, Rae E. Garrison of Texas and Jo Ann Ankrom of North Carolina; three brothers, Earnest Ankrom of Finleyville, Theodore Ankrom of Eighty Four and Daniel Ankrom of Sarver; 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are six brothers and five sisters.
Kenneth Earl Blake
1987 inductee into Pa. Sports Hall of Fame
Kenneth Earl Blake, 73, of Fayette Street, Washington, died at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 1998, in Washington Hospital following a one-year illness.
He was born December 30, 1924, in Washington, a son of Earl and Olive Frances Buchanan Blake.
Mr. Blake was a graduate of Washington High School, January class of 1944.
He was formerly employed by McWreath Dairy for 32 years, Daily Juice Co. for five years and had been manager of the Elks Lodge in Washington for five years.
Mr. Blake was a member of BPOE 776, the Arms Club, Old Timers Baseball and Hobos. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 for basketball, was very active in Pony baseball, managed a World Series team, was involved in midget football and was active in all youth sports.
He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Elks Golf League.
On September 4, 1945, he married Lois Ann Nooky Seibert, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Kenneth R. Blake of Elyria, Ohio, and Ronald Herbie Blake of Washington; a sister, Thelma I. Levers of Washington; three grandchildren, Casey, Tom and Andy Blake; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a brother, Robert L. Blake, who was killed July 25, 1953, in Korea.
CORRECTION
In the obituary of Kenneth Earl Blake of Washington, published Saturday, his wife's name was listed incorrectly. Her name is Lois Ann "Mooky" Seibert.
Daniel J. Callahan
Carmichaels resident retired from G.E.
Daniel J. Callahan, 82, of Nemacolin Road, Carmichaels, died at 3 a.m. Friday, January 16, 1998, at home following a lengthy illness.
He was born August 8, 1915, in Charleston, W. Va., a son of James and Anna Callahan.
Mr. Callahan was a retired machinist for General Electric in Albuquerque, N.M.
He resided in New Mexico for 35 years, where he was a member of the Elks Club in Albuquerque, and lived for the past 12 years in Carmichaels.
Surviving are his wife, Etta Beagle Callahan, who he married March 13, 1975; two daughters, Gayle Pokomy of Lincoln, Neb., and Joan Hall of Goodlettville, Tenn; a son, Danny Callahan of Topeka, Kan.; a stepdaughter, Barbara Berry of Perkasie; a stepson, Ronald Workman of Lake Anna, Va.; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was the last of his immediate family.
There will be no funeral service or visitation. Mr. Callahan's body was donated to the Humanity Gifts Registry at Morgantown, W.Va.
Willard F. Crawford
Miner retired from Republic Steel, Fredericktown
Willard F. Crawford, 86, of Harborside Health Care Center, 27601 Westchester, West Lake, Ohio, formerly of Centerville, died at 3 p.m. Friday, January 16, 1998, in St. John's West Shore Hospital, West Lake.
He was born December 8, 1911, in Fayette City, a son of William and Mary Carpenter Crawford.
He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Deemston Borough.
Mr. Crawford was a retired miner from Republic Steel Corp., Fredericktown, and a member of UMWA Local 688 of Fredericktown, Deemston Grange 1372, IOOF Lodge 51 of Brownsville, where he was twice past Noble Grand, and a member of Pomona State and National Grange, Beth-Center Senior Citizens and Cuyahoga County Chapter Senior Citizens, Ohio.
In 1933, he married Irma Cleaver, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, W. Dale Crawford of West Lake; two grandsons, Robert D. and Kenneth W. Crawford; a granddaughter, Jeanne L. Samenuk; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the last of his immediate family.
Deceased are a son, Richard G. Crawford; a sister, Mayme Kammerer; and three brothers, Russell, Roy and Harold Crawford.
Fred Emerson Fonner
Served as medic in Korean War
Fred Emerson Fonner, 65, of Triadelphia R.D.2, W.Va., formerly of No. 2 Ridge, Dallas, W.Va., died Thursday, January 15, 1998, in Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, W.Va.
He was born August 25, 1932, in Prosperity, a son of Tom and Stella Brooks Fonner.
Mr. Fonner was a veteran of the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic.
He attended Dallas United Methodist Church.
He was formerly employed in construction and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
On January 27, 1968, in Cameron, W.Va., he married Clara Burkey, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Ronnie Fonner of Lancaster, Donnie Durbin and Fred Fonner II, both of Triadelphia, W.Va.; two daughters, Connie Puskar of Pennsylvania, and Lisa Scott of Dallas, W.Va.; three brothers, Thomas Fonner of Ocala, Fla., Herman Fonner and Marvin Lee Fonner, both of Dallas, W.Va.; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Martin and Norman Fonner.
Ted S. Malecki
Ironworker was usher at St. Patrick's for 40 years
Ted S. Malecki, 81, of 1001 Second Street, Canonsburg, died Thursday, January 15, 1998, at the home of his son in Snellville, Ga.
He was born February 1, 1916, in Pittsburgh, a son of Walter and Viola Olasfeski Malecki.
Mr. Malecki was a member of St. Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg, where he was an usher for more than 40 years.
He spent most of his life in the Canonsburg area, where he was a member of the White Eagles Lodge and P.R.C.U. Lodge.
Before retirement, he was an ironworker working out of Local 3 in Pittsburgh.
On May 22, 1943, he married Elizabeth B. Ladish, who died January 30, 1994.
Surviving are two sons, Ted M. Malecki of Snellville, Ga., and Bob Malecki of Pleasant Hills; three brothers, Edwin Malecki of Pittsburgh, George Malecki of Muse and Joe Malecki of Chicago, Ill.; a sister, Patricia Burns of Moon Township; three grandchildren, Ted Jr., Corinna Gebhard and Jaclyn Malecki; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a granddaughter, Dana Malecki.
Patricia L. McMullen
Canonsburg woman 25-year employee of Giant Eagle
Patricia Loudermilk McMullen, 47, of Locust Avenue, Canonsburg, died at 3:04 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 1998, in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh.
She was born March 16, 1950, in Wheeling, Ill., a daughter of Leola Margaret Cummins Loudermilk of Hammond, Ind., and the late William Carl Loudermilk.
Mrs. McMullen was a member of Friendship Community Church.
She was a graduate of Donald E. Gavit Junior-Senior High School in Hammond.
Mrs. McMullen was formerly employed as a cashier at Giant Eagle for 25 years.
On December 2, 1968, she married Kenneth L. McMullen, who survives.
Also surviving, in addition to her mother, are three sons, Noel I. McMullen and George W. McMullen, both of Washington and Kenneth Lenny McMullen of Canonsburg; three daughters, Lucy McMullen-Luzer of Houston, Karen A. Graham of Canonsburg and Margaret A. Murray of Cape May, N.J.; six brothers, Carl Edward of Griffith, Ind., Billy Joe of Munster, Ind., Jerry Dean of San Antonio, Texas, Gary Keith of Highland Ind., Douglas Leon of Bradenton, Fla., and Reggie Arlyn Loudermilk of Boulder City, Nev.; two sisters, Margaret A. Febles of Manchester, Tenn., and Myrna Arlene Williamson of Lansing, Ill.; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Hildegard E. Petek
Stamp collector and dealer was German war bride
Hildegard E. Vietze Petek, 82, of Rices Landing, died at 1 a.m. Friday, January 16, 1998, at home following a lengthy illness.
She was born March 16, 1915, in Lowenberg, Germany, a daughter of Oscar and Marie Vietze.
Mrs. Petek was Catholic.
She formerly lived in the Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring, Md. areas and owned a stamp shop in Maryland.
She was an avid stamp collector and dealer and a member of several stamp clubs around the United States and Germany.
On August 17, 1950, she married Frank Petek, who survives. Mrs. Petek was a war bride who met her husband in Germany during World War II.
Deceased are two sisters. Mrs. Petek was the last of her family.
Frank Pouillon
Coal miner was decorated World War II veteran
Frank Pouillon, 80, of Dilliner R.D.1, formerly of Mt. Morris, died Friday, January 16, 1998, in Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown W.Va.
He was born January 19, 1917, in Brownsville, a son of Frank and Maria Vandenbush Pouillon Sr.
On October 24, 1954, he married Edna Doris Gaskill, who survives.
He was employed as a coal miner for 42 years by the Dunkard Mining Co.
Mr. Pouillon served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during World War II. He earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
He was a member of the James T. Maxon American Legion Post 992, Mt. Morris; Disabled American Veterans 123, Waynesburg; and UMW District 4 Local 8776.
He was a member of the Taylorstown United Methodist Church.
Surviving are three daughters, Mildred Landers of Maidsville, W.Va., Vanessa Hagedorn of Core, W.Va. and Frankie Crider of Morgantown, W.Va.; and two grandchildren, Amanda Morgan Landers and Phillip Michael Hagedorn.
Deceased are four sisters, Selina Boken, Bernice Gurtis, Mary Sago and Margaret Kathleen Pouillon; and three brothers, John Pouillon, Edgar Pouillon and Isadore Pouillon.
He was the last of his immediate family.
Benjamin Tomassetti
Self-employed contractor worked for PHFA
Benjamin Tomassetti, 67, of Canonsburg, died at 10:08 a.m. Friday January 16, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born June 7, 1930, in Pittsburgh, a son of Jerome and Mary Seconda Tomassetti.
Mr. Tomassetti was a self-employed contractor and worked for Pennsylvania Housing Finance Association in Pittsburgh as a building inspector before retiring.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg.
He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of American Legion Post 902 of Houston, Claysville Sportsmen Club and Oswago Valley Rod and Gun Club of Millport.
He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and the company of many friends.
On February 2, 1952, he married Lorraine Donahue, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Jerome (Jerry) Tomassetti of Boynton Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Debbie Carosone of Canonsburg and Sandy Grudevich of Canonsburg; two brothers, Jerome Tomassetti Jr. of Canonsburg and Sidney Mastrangelo of Canonsburg; two sisters, Constance Richardson of Whittier, Calif., and Mary Milligan of Canonsburg; six grandchildren, Scott and Brad Carosone, Sarah and Marie Grudevich and Serena and Marco Tomassetti; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his stepmother, Cecelia Mastrangelo Tomassetti; and a brother, Frank Mastrangelo.
Sylvia Vogini
Former owner of Vogini Grocery, Monongahela
Sylvia Vogini, 104, of Howard Street, Monongahela, died Friday, January 16, 1998, in Betty White Personal Care Home in Centerville.
Mrs. Vogini was born August 17, 1893, in Italy, a daughter of Louis and Maria Niccolini.
She was a resident of Monongahela since 1907 and a member of Transfiguration Church of Monongahela.
She and her husband owned and operated the former Vogini Grocery Store at 4th and Chess Streets.
Her husband, John (Jack) Vogini, died in 1979.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary Vaccaro of Rostraver Township and Margaret Toretti of Monongahela; one son, John Vogini of Monongahela; five grandchildren, Catherine Vaccaro, Philip Toretti, Margaret Ann Toretti, Dr. Michael J. Vogini and Dr. John C. Vogini; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Ten brothers and sisters are deceased.
Mrs. Vogini was the last of her immediate family.
Josephine Watsula
Formerly of Washington
Josephine Macanza Watsula, 89, of Belleview, Fla., formerly of Washington, died Friday, January 16, 1998, at Leesburg Regional Hospital, Leesburg, Fla.
She had been living with her daughter, Veronica Simon.
She was born January 13, 1909, in Meadow Lands.
Surviving are four sisters, Edna Kowalski of Washington, Gertrude Hodor of Washington, Elizabeth Kozdra of Meadow Lands and Ann Skowvron of Houston; a brother, Ed Macanza of Houston; and several neices and nephews.
Deceased is her husband, Steve Watsula Sr., and a son, Steve Watsula Jr.
Helen B. Werton
Teacher retired from Belle Vernon District
Helen B. Werton, 76, of Belle Vernon, died Friday, January 16, 1998.
Born in Vestaburg, March 16, 1921, she was the daughter of August and Clara Gregg Bohn.
Mrs. Werton had lived in Belle Vernon since 1951. She was formerly of California, where she was a 1943 graduate of California State Teachers College. She retired in 1984 from Belle Vernon Area School District, where she taught for 22 years.
She was married to John Werton, who died in 1975.
Surviving are two daughters, Susan Baciak of Yukon and Jan Werton-Bruner of Charleroi; and four grandchildren, William and Jessica Baciak and Tyler and Andy Bruner.
Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, is a son, John Utterback, who died in 1980.
John P. Yorko
Coal miner was retired from Duquesne Light
John P. Yorko, 80, of Dilliner (Moffit) R.D.1, died Thursday, January 15, 1998, at his home.
He was born June 5, 1917, in Pittsburgh, a son of Samuel and Victoria Adamczyk Yorko.
Mr. Yorko was a member of St. Ignatius Church.
He was a coal miner, retired from Duquesne Light, Warwick Mine, and a member of UMWA Local 6310.
For 57 years, he was married to Christine Holder Yorko, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Paul K. Yorko of Aurora, Ohio, and John C. Yorko of Mobile, Ala; two daughters, Vicki Lignowski of Philadelphia and Cindy Jeffries of Mapletown; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four sisters, Regina Billetz of Carmichaels, Helen Koast of Dilliner, Mary Richards of Masontown and Christine Dmochowsky of Mapletown.
