Albert E. Yelinek
Operated own sanitation business
Albert E. Yelinek, 72, of Carmichaels, died Wednesday, January 7, 1998, at home.
He was born August 9, 1925, in Denbo, a son of John and Anna Oporsil Yelinek.
Mr. Yelinek worked on the river for 18 years, and he operated his own sanitation business. He recently worked as a watchman for Greene County parks department.
He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II.
Mr. Yelinek was a member of the St. Hugh Church, Carmichaels; VFW Post 3491; the American Legion Post 400; former Rotary Club of Carmichaels; and was director of King Coal Association.
He was an 18-year member of the Carmichaels Volunteer Fire Department, served on Carmichaels Borough Council and was a Democratic committeemen.
On June 4, 1949, he married Mary Babyak Yelinek, who survives.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Barbara Glendenning of Nemacolin and Sandra Behanna of Davis, W.Va.; a sister, Nellie Stefl of East Liverpool, Ohio; two brothers, Frank Yelinek of Fayette City and Steve Yelinek of Centerville; and four grandchildren, Daniel II and Tanya Sherepita, John Albert and James Michael Glendenning.
Deceased are four sisters, Helen Lamb, Thelma Freed, Elizabeth and Emily Brozovic; a brother, Joseph Yelinek, who was killed in action during World War II; and a son who died in infancy.
Elwood Bungard
Cameron, W.Va., resident
Elwood "Woody" Bungard, 77, of Cameron R.D.5, W.Va., died Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glendale, W.Va.
He was born October 6, 1920, in Georgetown, Greene County, a son of Harrison and Louie Martin Bungard.
Surviving are his wife, Leighla M. Tedrow Bungard; a daughter, Bonnie Hennen of Cameron; two sons, Rex Bungard of New Martinsville, W.Va., and Richard Bungard of Moundsville, W.Va.; three sisters, Virginia Pugh of Akron, Ohio, Ruth Duff of Lorain, Ohio, and Juanita Vath of Georgetown; a brother, Roy Bungard of Cameron; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Deceased is a brother, John P. Bungard.
Andrew Bozic
Monongahela man was retired machinist
Andrew Bozic, 84, formerly of Fifth Avenue, Monongahela, died Monday, June 29, 1998, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, Carroll Township.
He was born November 11, 1913, in Manown, a son of Lukaand Gizella Demek Bozic.
Mr. Bozic was a retired machinist. He had worked for the former Liggett Spring & Axle Co. of East Monongahela.
He was a member of Transfiguration Church and Monongahela AARP.
Surviving are his wife, Rosa Maria Pala Bozic, with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage on February 6, 1998; two daughters, Veronica Harbaugh and Victoria Peltier, both of Sykesville, Md.; a son, Joseph Bozic of Monongahela; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two sisters, Rose Widmer and Christine Guydan.
Jean Cammuso
Former Canonsburg resident
Jean Cammuso, 92, formerly of 129 Greenside Avenue, Canonsburg, and Pittsburgh, died Monday, June 29, 1998, in South Hills Convalescent Center.
Ms. Cammuso was born May 26, 1906, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Angelo and Mary Pagliano Cammuso.
She was a homemaker and attended St. Genevieve Worship Site of St. Patrick Parish of Canonsburg.
Surviving are three nieces, Florinda "Dolly" McCarthy, with whom she made her home since 1986, Edith Verrico and Rose Mary Shinshansky.
Ms. Cammuso was the last of her immediate family.
Deceased are four sisters, Angeline Minicucci, Mary Perrone, Ann Rotonto and Rose Cammuso.
Juanita M. Cochran
Retired longtime director of HeadStart
Juanita Mosley Cochran, 72, of Sumner Avenue, Washington, died at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Humbert Lane Health Care Center, Washington.
She was born June 22, 1926, in Bessemer, Ala., a daughter of James and Ada McCallahan Mosley.
Mrs. Cochran was a member of John Wesley United Methodist Church, Washington.
She was a graduate of Washington High School and earned an associate degree in administration and early childhood education from California State University.
Mrs. Cochran served as director of Community Action Southwest HeadStart program, retiring in 1992 after 29 years of service.
She was a former member of the NAACP and Citizens with Critical Concerns.
Surviving are two sons Jacques A. Cochran of Frederick, Md., and Maurice J. Cochran at home; a brother, James Mosley Jr. of Pacoima, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Nckisha Cochran and Justine Cochran.
Deceased are a brother, Herman McCallahan; and two sisters, Anna Mae Lawson and Helen Davis.
Margaret A. Hartley
Member of Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church
Margaret Alice Hartley, 84, of Brightwood Nursing Home, Follansbee, W.Va., formerly of Wellsburg, W.Va., died Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Brightwood Nursing Home.
She was born March 23, 1914, in Washington, a daughter of Arthur and Margaret Stockdale Majors.
Mrs. Hartley was a homemaker and a member of Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Independence.
Surviving are a daughter, Ruth Davis of Follansbee; a son, James Hartley of Conneaut; a sister, Opal Closser of Largo, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Deceased are her husband, Cecil Hartley, who died in 1984; three sons, Robert, Blaine and David Hartley; a brother, Bill Majors; and two sisters, Iris Nelson and Gladys McKlosky.
William A. Kight
Retired toolmaker was World War II veteran
William A. Kight, 72, of 422 Bluff Street, Canonsburg, formerly of Erie, died Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Allegheny University Hospital-Canonsburg.
He was born November 2, 1925, in Ford City, a son of Alex and Georgia Santrock Kight.
Mr. Kight lived for 40 years in Erie, where he was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
Mr. Kight was a retired toolmaker and a member of Jefferson College Historical Society in Canonsburg.
On November 2, 1948, he married Betty Wolfe, who died February 12, 1988.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda L. Kight, with whom he made his home; a son, William A. Kight II of Smyrna, Del.; a stepson, Thomas Ruf of Erie; two grandchildren, Joshua and Jason Kight; three stepgrandchildren, Debbie Meahl, Tammy McFarland and Thomas Ruf Jr.; a sister, Barbara Keller of Erie; and a brother, Jack Kight of Spartansburg.
Deceased are two sisters, Loretta and Sally Kight; and a brother, Richard Kight.
Arrangements are being handled by Kloeker-Wood Funeral Home, 25th and Sassafras streets, Erie.
George Kover Sr.
Worked for American Zinc and J&L Steel
George Kover Sr., 83, of Slovan, died Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born April 15, 1915, in Monongah, W.Va., a son of Vida and Anna Persachian Skover.
Mr. Kover was employed by American Zinc in Slovan for 16 years. In 1977, he retired from J&L Steel in Aliquippa.
Mr. Kover was a lifetime member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and had been past president of the Slovan Chapter.
On May 15, 1937, he married Mildred Meto, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, John Kover of Atlasburg and Victor Kover Sr. of Slovan; two daughters, Lillian Rogers of Los Angeles, Calif., and Betty Nadine Bogo of Avella; a brother, Steve Skover; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are a son, George Kover Jr., who died August 18, 1996; and two grandchildren, Christopher Bogo and Tracy Jo Rogers.
Mary Lahosky Mrock
Worked for Bell Telephone from 1950 to 1958
Mary Victoria Lahosky Mrock, 65, of 4061 Dividend Drive, Washington, died Monday, June 29, 1998, in Presbyterian Medical Center, Washington.
She was born October 27, 1932, in Washington, a daughter of Leo T. and Mary Ann Kulmoski Lahosky.
Mrs. Mrock was a homemaker and a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Washington.
She was a 1950 graduate of Washington High School and had been employed by Bell Telephone from 1950 to 1958.
She was married to Lloyd J. Mrock, who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Timothy Mrock of Washington; two daughters, Victoria Lynn Lofstead of Bethel Park and Deborah Susan Mrock of Washington; four grandchildren, Timothy Lucas, Matthew and Kayla Mrock and James Robert Lofstead; two brothers, Leo A. Lahosky of Washington and Robert J. Lahosky of Monroeville; and several nieces and nephews.
Thomas J. Nye
Riverman for U.S. Steel's Clairton Works
Thomas J. Nye, 86, of Union Township, died Monday, June 29, 1998, in his home.
He was born October 27, 1911, in Union Township, a son of John J. and Mary S. Dawson Nye.
Mr. Nye was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a retired riverman, working for U.S. Steel's Clairton Works.
He attended Mingo Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are two sisters, Elizabeth Bianchi of New Eagle and Mary McDowell of Peoria, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Sara Bearl Schaal
Gift wrapper at Kaufmann's, South Hills
Sara Bearl Schaal, 75, formerly of Canonsburg, died Tuesday, June 30, 1998, in Manor Care Nursing Center, McMurray.
She was born June 15, 1923, in Washington.
Mrs. Schaal was Presbyterian and was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175.
She worked as a gift wrapper at Kaufmann's Department Store, South Hills Village.
Surviving are four grandchildren, Nicole Shuman and Dwayne, Justin and Philip Adams; and one great-grandchild.
Deceased are a son, Michael Adams; and a brother, James Vankirk.
All services for Mrs. Schaal are private.
Edward P. Stoner
Retired miner from Waynesburg
Edward P. Stoner, 79, of 432 Arbor Court, Waynesburg, died at 4:45 p.m. Monday, June 29, 1998, in Franklin Care Center, Waynesburg.
He was born March 24, 1919, in Latrobe, a son of Lem Stoner and Marie Zitterbart Stoner McDowell.
Mr. Stoner retired in 1974 as a coal miner for Buckeye Mine and was a member of UMWA Local 6290.
He was a member of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Waynesburg.
Surviving are his wife, Lena L. Odorico Stoner, whom he married May 27, 1947; a daughter, Patricia Kazee of Waynesburg; a son, John Edward Stoner of Downers Grove, Ill.; and three grandchildren, Christopher and Tyler Stoner and William Kazee.
Deceased are four brothers, Francis, Glenn and George Stoner and Elmer Joe McDowell. Mr. Stoner was the last of his immediate family.
Donald M. Zimmer
Security guard at Star Lake Amphitheater
Donald M. Zimmer, 35, of Robinson Township, formerly of Burgettstown, died Friday, June 26, 1998.
He was born December 7, 1962, in Mt. Lebanon, a son of William J. and Patricia M. Carroll Zimmer.
Mr. Zimmer was a security guard at Star Lake Amphitheater, Burgettstown.
Surviving are his wife, Sheree Alvarez Zimmer; a daughter, Sydney H. Zimmer; and two brothers, William J. Jr. and Robert J. Zimmer.
Services and interment were held in Carnegie. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 10 Duff Road, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235.
Arnold Battaglini
Member of American Federation of Musicians
Arnold Battaglini of Brownsville died Wednesday, July 8, 1998, in Brownsville General Hospital.
He was a son of the late Charles and Laudomia Ciccerelli Battaglini.
Mr. Battaglini was a member of the BPOE of Brownsville and the American Federation of Musicians.
Surviving are his wife, Rosemary Nobel Battaglini; three sons, A. Robin Battaglini of Clifton, Va., Dennis W. Battaglini of Winona, Minn., and Kris O. Battaglini of Milton, Del.; five grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond Battaglini of Florida.
Deceased are five sisters and two brothers.
Harold Closser
Member of Bates Fork Baptist Church, Sycamore
Harold Closser, 95, of 214 1/2 Center Street, Elkins, W.Va., died Tuesday, July 7, 1998.
He was born October 11, 1902, in Waynesburg, a son of Henry M. and Sadie Thompson Closser.
Mr. Closser was a graduate of Waynesburg High School.
He was a pipeline foreman for Equitable Gas Co. for many years, retiring in 1969.
Mr. Closser was a member of Bates Fork Baptist Church in Sycamore and attended Harts Chapel Church in Elkins, where he was active in the ministry of both churches for many years.
Surviving are a son, William Closser of Placitas, N.M.; a daughter, Sara Natali of Deltona, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are his wife, Catherine Hoge Closser, who died in 1933; a daughter, Barbara Donald; a brother, Ernest Closser; and two sisters, Anna Closser and Mary Milliken.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg, with the Rev. Larry Douglas officiating. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Randolph County Unit of the American Cancer Society, 105 Wilson Lane, Elkins, WV 26241.
David P. Dennler
Received Carnegie Hero Fund Commission medal
David P. Dennler, 55, of Hickory, died at 7:43 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born December 31, 1942, in Pittsburgh, a son of Evelyn Roberts Dennler of Pittsburgh and the late Frank J. Dennler.
Mr. Dennler was owner and operator of The Woodworks of Hickory.
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission in Pittsburgh awarded a Carnegie medal in recognition of an outstanding act of heroism to Mr. Dennler. He saved Eric M. Smith from drowning May 30, 1983, in Parkersville. Eric, 7, was caught in a rolling boil of water after the rowboat in which he was riding went over a dam and overturned in Slippery Rock Creek. Mr. Dennler walked to the top the dam and reached for Eric, but he too went over the dam. Maintaining a hold on Eric, Mr. Dennler tried unsuccessfully to swim from the turbulent water. Two men entered the creek and, with the aid of Eric's boat, pulled Eric and Mr. Dennler from the water. Mr. Dennler was unconscious. Both recovered in a hospital.
In 1987, Mr. Dennler married Barbara L. Gapinski, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, David Dennler Jr. of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Linda Trischler and Barbara Elias both of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter, April Wisniewski of Boise, Idaho; a brother, Frank J. Dennler Jr. of Pittsburgh; a sister, Cathy Costello of Pittsburgh; three grandchildren, Adam, Mark and Matthew Trischler; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a sister, Beatrice Caye.
Rene F. Gouirand
Retired from former Chartiers Cinder Block Co.
Rene F. Gouirand, 93, formerly of 211 North Haft Street, Houston, died Thursday, July 9, 1998, at Country Meadows, Bridgeville, where he resided.
He was born February 19, 1905, in Cuddy, a son of George and Louise Duplan Gouirand.
Mr. Gouirand was a retired truck driver for the former Chartiers Cinder Block Co.
On October 30, 1929, he married Leona J. Michaux, who died April 15, 1979.
Surviving are one son, Robert Gouirand of Washington; one daughter, Dolores Fee of Windham, Ohio; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Deceased are a son, George F. Gouirand; five brothers, George, Roger, Emil, Edmund and Clarence Gouirand; and two sisters, Elsie Gevaudan and Jane Stanka.
Nicholas White Sr.
Accordionist taught and played in many local bands
Nicholas White Sr., 86, of Houston, died at 3:37 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 1998, in Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness.
He was born December 19, 1911, in Kiev, Russia, a son of Michael and Narpina Chechekova White.
Mr. White had lived in Houston most of his life. He was a 1931 graduate of Canonsburg High School.
Prior to his retirement, he had been employed as a reactor operator at Koppers Chemical, formerly American Cyanamid, in Bridgeville.
He was an accomplished accordionist who taught and played in many local bands, including the Jolly Nite Hawks in the 1930s and the Rhythm Airs in the 1970s.
He was a member of Musicians Local 509, where he had served as past president. He became an honorary life member of Tri-County Federation of Musicians Local 592.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
On April 21, 1933, he married Mary V. Gaydos, who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Nicholas J. White of Canonsburg; one daughter, June Chambers of North Huntingdon; one sister, Ann Gasper of Strabane; five grandchildren, Mike, Terry and Nick White and George and Sandra Chambers; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
David O. Carl
Owner of Carl's Market in Thornville, OH
David O. Carl, 88, of Plain City, Ohio, formerly of Worthington and Thornville, Ohio, died Thursday, July 9, 1998, at his son's residence.
He was born September 20, 1909, in Mt. Pleasant Township, a son of Otto and Ella Bowman Carl.
Mr. Carl was the owner of Carl's Market for more than 19 years in Thornville and was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio.
Surviving are a son, David Carl of Plain City; and three grandchildren, Michael, Kristen and Stephen.
Deceased are his wife, Emily Fuller Carl, who died May 8, 1998; and two sisters, Mary Milliron and Florence Caldwell.
Private services were held. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 1220 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235.
William J. Fazio Sr.
Monongahela man retired from Sealtest Dairy
William J. Fazio Sr., 90, of Monongahela, died Friday, July 10, 1998, at The Residence at Hilltop, Carroll Township.
He was born June 17, 1908, in Pittsburgh, a son of Frank Antonio and Teresa Vivalaqua Fazio.
Mr. Fazio retired from Sealtest Dairy Foods in 1972, after 29 years.
He was a member of St. Anthony's Church in Monongahela, a member of B.P.O. Elks, Monongahela Lodge 455 and its golf league and the Milk and Ice Cream Salesmen, Drivers and Dairy Employees, Local Union 205 of Pittsburgh.
He was involved with the Senior Citizens Center in Monongahela and was an avid card player and golfer.
Surviving are a daughter, Patricia A. Solomon of Burgettstown; two sons, Frank A. Fazio of Monroeville and William J. Fazio Jr. of South Park; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Fazio is the last of his immediate family.
Deceased is his wife, Lena Barbero Fazio.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Memorial Fund, 225 Park Avenue, Monongahela, PA 15063.
Deenya C. Hallo
Taught at Trinity North and W.Va. schools
Deenya Caldwell Knicely Hallo, 42, of Bethel Park, died Thursday, July 9, 1998, at her parents' home in Hickory.
She was born April 2, 1956, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Gerald and Carol Cowden Caldwell of Hickory.
Mrs. Hallo was a learning support teacher at Trinity North Elementary School in Washington, and taught for Berkeley County schools in West Virginia.
She attended Hilltop Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, was a member of Westminister Presbyterian Church, Bethel Park, and a former member of East Buffalo and Hickory United Presbyterian churches.
Mrs. Hallo was an honor student and received a bachelors degree at West Liberty College, W.Va., and a masters degree in special education at California University of Pennsylvania.
She was formerly married to Isaac Knicely, whom she married July 1, 1978. On June 27, 1992, she married Richard Hallo, who died March 9, 1995.
Surviving in addition to her parents, are two sons, Joshua and David Knicely, both of Bethel Park; a daughter, Bethany Knicely, of Bethel Park; three sisters, Dawn McElhaney of Morgantown, W.Va., Ruth Caldwell Petrisko of Duquesne and Diane Flynn of Canonsburg; a niece and a nephew.
Deceased is a brother, Bradley Caldwell.
Richard H. Heath
Former Eighty Four resident was electrician
Richard H. Heath, 68, formerly of Eighty Four, died Friday, July 10, 1998, in Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Township.
He was born August 10, 1929, in Midland, a son of Milton and Clarice Peck Heath.
Mr. Heath was a member of View Crest Reformed Presbyterian Church in Eighty Four and was a former deacon and Sunday school teacher.
He graduated from Louisville High School in Kentucky and attended Pittsburgh Business School.
Mr. Heath was employed as a sign service electrician with Pittsburgh Outdoor Advertising Co. and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He formerly served as manager of Mt. Lebanon Drive-in Theater at Donaldson Crossroads.
Surviving are a daughter, Terri Lynn Heath-Goroncy of Scottdale; two grandsons, Theodore Michael and Timothy Lee Goroncy; a brother, Milton P. Heath of Everett, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a brother, Leonard Heath.
Thelma C. Johnstone
Sewickley resident was Duncan Miller etcher
Thelma Claudine Morgan Johnstone, 72, of Sewickley, died Thursday, July 9, 1998, in Sewickley Valley Hospital.
She was born December 20, 1925, in Byesville, Ohio, a daughter of William and Marie Willis Morgan.
Mrs. Johnstone was a member of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church in Coraopolis and was a former social member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Sewickley.
She etched glass at the Duncan Miller factory in Washington and also worked as a cook at Select Food Market in Sewickley.
Surviving are a son, Keith A. Johnstone of Sewickley; a daughter, Maggie M. Wojtarowicz of Independence; one grandchild, Cassie Wojtarowicz; a great-grandchild; and a sister, Norma Cole of Houston.
Deceased are her husband, Robert M. Johnstone; and a sister, Dorothy Yaquinto.
Opal D. Miller
Member of Claysville Christian Church
Opal D. Miller, 92, of Elm Street, Claysville, formerly of Washington R.D.5 and Thomas Campbell Apartments, Washington, died at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 1998, in Presbyterian Medical Center, Washington.
She was born June 12, 1906, in Richhill Township, Greene County, a daughter of Jesse James and Mary Jane Irey Davis.
Mrs. Miller was a homemaker, a member of Claysville Christian Church and a graduate of Claysville High School.
On September 15, 1926, she married Gaylord Francis Miller, who died July 30, 1997.
Surviving are a granddaughter, Glenda C. McCoy of Carnegie, and a grandson, Gary G. McCoy of Mansfield, Ohio.
Deceased are a daughter, Faye I. Davis; four brothers, Kenneth, Wylie, Vernon and Lloyd Davis; and two sisters, A. Claire Clutter and Leora McCann.
Bryan L. Blair
Retired from Waynesburg Milling Co.
Bryan L. Blair, 83, of Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg, died Friday, July 10, 1998, in Greene County Memorial Hospital, Waynesburg.
He was born December 9, 1914, in Wind Ridge, a son of J.L. and Marie Antoinette Lollar Blair.
He was a lifelong resident of Waynesburg, where he was a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church, Lodge 153 F.&A.M., Elks Lodge 757 for more than 54 years and the Waynesburg Rotary, where he had served as president. Mr. Blair also was a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was employed by Waynesburg Milling Co. prior to his retirement.
His wife, Beulah Blair, died in 1985.
Mr. Blair made his home with Virginia McCoy.
Surviving are a daughter, Jean Blair Negley of Huntingdon; a son, James B. Blair of Stillwater, Okla.; four grandchildren, Bryan G. Negley, James S. Negley, Dwight I. Blair and Tristan L. Blair; three brothers, Charles Blair of Waynesburg, John Blair of Carmichaels and Dwight Blair of Florida; and two sisters, Elizabeth Blair Booth of Waynesburg and Alfretta Lemley of Florida.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are three brothers, Scott Blair, Lloyd Blair and Weeden Blair; and a sister, Martha Smith.
