Debra Ann Lewis
Member of Bentleyville Methodist Church
Debra Ann Lewis, 44, of Ellsworth, died Friday, June 12, 1998, Washington Hospital following a lengthy illness.
She was born February 18, 1954, in North Charleroi, a daughter of Rose Erdley Merashoff of Ellsworth and the late William Merashoff.
She was a member of Bentleyville Methodist Church.
Surviving are one son, Don Don Lewis, who lived at home; one daughter, Deanna Lewis, also at home; one brother, William J. Merashoff of Ellsworth; and one sister, Donna Gorby of Cokeburg.
She was engaged to be married to Charles McKeta of Ellsworth.
Deceased is one brother, Richard Paul Merashoff.
Gladys E. Riggle
Homemaker was member of First United Methodist Church
Gladys Elizabeth Riggle, 97, of 2812 Banchory Road, Winter Park, Fla., died Thursday, June 11, 1998.
Born in Washington County, she moved to Central Florida in 1962 coming from Centerville. She was a former Clermont, Fla., resident for 30 years.
She was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clermont.
Surviving are two daughters, Dorothy R. Underwood of Winter Park, Fla., and Betty M. Minear of Aiken, S.C.; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday, June 15, in Clermont with Dr. Richard Bordin officiating. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Clermont.
Mero Joseph Capo Jr.
Beautician owned Mero Capo Jr. Coiffures
Mero Joseph Capo Jr., 54, of Shirls Avenue, Washington, died at 4:30 a.m. Monday, June 15, 1998, in Washington Hospital after a three-year illness.
He was born January 25, 1944, in Washington, a son of Mero Joseph "Moon" and Mary Theresa Gshinsky Capo Sr. of Washington.
Mr. Capo was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.
He was a 1962 graduate of Washington High School and was self-employed as a beautician and owner of Mero Capo Jr. Coiffures.
He was a member of the Independent Club, Archaeological Society and Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
On May 11, 1985, he married Theresa A. Slapikas, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Mero J. Capo III of Economy Borough; a daughter, Jeannine Marie Romano of Washington; a brother, Denis A. Capo of North Canton, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Micah, Mark, Amanda, Nicholas and Nathan.
Mike Chverchko
Mike Chverchko, 83, of Washington, died Thursday, June 11, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born July 3, 1914, in Burgettstown, a son of George and Mary Chverchko.
Mr. Chverchko lived in Avella from childhood until 1970.
He worked for 22 years at the Avella Coal Washer and was a member of the Avella Area School Board for many years.
He retired in August 1976 from Washington Steel, where he worked in the shipping department.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Jennie Estfonie Szczepanik, whom he married November 23, 1939, at St. Michael Church in Avella.
Also surviving are a sister, Ann Chverchko of Washington; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased are four brothers, George, John, Joseph and Andrew; and a sister, Mary Yerina.
Private services were held Monday, June 15, officiated by the Rev. Floyd Marasco. Interment was in West Point Cemetery, Avella. Donations may be made to the Hickory Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Township, Main Street, Hickory.
Albert A. Colbert Sr.
Florida man retired from Russell Industries
Albert A. Colbert Sr., 81, of Barefoot Bay, Fla., died Friday, June 12, 1998, at his residence following a brief illness.
He was born August 6, 1916, in Braddock, and had been a resident of Barefoot Bay for the past 13 years since moving from Lantana, Fla.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Colbert was employed for 18 years as superintendent for Russell Industries Corp. of Bridgeville.
He was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church in Lake Worth, Fla.
Surviving are his wife, Lillian; four sons, Albert A. Jr., Harry E., William J. and George F. Colbert, all of Pittsburgh; two daughters, LaRue L. Genest of Melbourne, Fla., and Carol Alisesky of Cecil; two brothers, George Colbert of Turtle Creek and James McAdams of Pittsburgh; a sister, Anna May Wymer of Pittsburgh; and 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, in First Christian Church in Canonsburg. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Barefoot Bay Community Fund Inc., P.O. Box 779-186, Barefoot Bay, FL 32676 or Holmes Hospice Inc., 1900 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, FL 32909 or the First Christian Church, 120 Anderson Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317, in memory of Mr. Colbert.
Mary L. DiDomenico
1939 graduate from Canonsburg High School
Mary Louise "Dolly" Fenimore DiDomenico, 77, of Westmont, Ill., formerly of Canonsburg, died June 6, 1998, in her home.
She was born April 1, 1921, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Dominick and Mary Lamantla Fenimore.
Mrs. DiDomenico was a homemaker and was Roman Catholic.
She was a 1939 graduate of Canonsburg High School and was a Gray Lady at Canonsburg Hospital when she resided in the area.
On October 30, 1943, she married John DiDomenico of Bridgeville, who survives.
Also surviving are two brothers, Pete Fenimore of Washington and Leonard Fenimore of Johnstown; three sisters, Cynthia Zelinsky of Eighty Four, Toni DaPra of Canonsburg and "Babe" Fenimore Jorgenson of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
Anna B. Haines
Waynesburg woman was telephone operator
Anna B. Haines, 49, of 111 Thompson Gardens, Waynesburg, formerly of Oak Forest, died at 7:18 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 1998, in Greene County Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 31, 1948, in Waynesburg, a daughter of the late Wylie D. Bateson Sr. and Margaret Kerr Bateson.
Mrs. Haines was a 1967 graduate of West Greene High School and prior to her illness worked as a telephone operator for ALLTEL.
She resided most of her life in Oak Forest and Waynesburg, and was a member of the Women of the Moose Chapter 888, Waynesburg, and the Ladies Auxiliary of James T. Farrell Post 330 of the American Legion.
Surviving are a daughter, Tammy L. Clark of Waynesburg R.D.3; a grandson, Russell T. Clark Jr.; four sisters, Joetta Reed of Oak Forest, Margaret Zollars of Waynesburg, Lynette Richards and Denise Hawk, both of Jefferson; four brothers, David Bateson of Elkhart, Ind., Kermit Bateson of Homer City, Phillip Bateson of Mesa, Ariz., and Stanley Bateson of Washington.
William J. Hart
Duncan Glass national board member
William J. Hart, 83, of Washington, died Monday, June 15, 1998, at home.
He was born December 12, 1914, in the Hart's Mill homestead in Amwell Township, a son of George D. and Bessie F. Fetherlin Hart.
Mr. Hart was a 1933 graduate of Trinity High School and had been employed for more than 41 years at the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp.'s Allenport plant before retiring in 1977.
He was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glyde, where he served as financial secretary on the Church Council for many years.
Mr. Hart was a member of National Duncan Glass Society, serving on the board. He enjoyed farming, flea markets and yard sales.
On March 11, 1939, he married Evelyn Walters, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, James D. Hart of Amity; two daughters, Judy H. Osborne of Washington and Debra K. Hart of Bradenton, Fla.; three sisters, Anna Ames, Nellie Devore and Peg Wilson, all of Washington; four grandchildren, Jeff, Jill and Doug Osborne and Kristena Hart Minutolo; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Roy C. and George D. Hart; three sisters, Olive Mowl, Dorothy Ulery and Gladys Phillips.
Frank Mentus
Miner for 40 years at J&L's Shannopin Mine
Frank Mentus, 84, of Bobtown, died at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 1998, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg R.D.2.
He was born June 22, 1913, in Allison Park, a son of Michael and Mary Wyda Mentus.
Mr. Mentus was Roman Catholic.
He worked more than 40 years for J&L Steel at the Shannopin coal mine in Bobtown, retiring in 1975, and was a member of United Mine Workers Union Local 6159.
His wife, Anne Zick Mentus, died January 3, 1977.
Surviving are three daughters, Marge Gruseck of Glenshaw, Cathy Cain of Mt. Morris and Carole Salosky of Bobtown; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a nephew and two nieces.
Deceased are two brothers, John and Fred Mentus. Mr. Mentus was the last of his immediate family.
Dorothy Ann Raber
Former Waynesburg resident was Methodist
Dorothy Ann Raber, 79, of Streetsboro, Ohio, formerly of Waynesburg, died at 4:55 a.m. Monday, June 15, 1998, in Community Care Center, Alliance, Ohio.
She was born December 15, 1918, in Waynesburg, a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth Kern Wise.
Mrs. Raber was a housekeeper and attended Streetsboro United Methodist Church. She was a resident of Waynesburg prior to moving to Streetsboro in 1981.
Surviving are two daughters, Sarah Leyman of Fort McCoy, Fla., and Nancy Kiger of Streetsboro; two sons, John Raber of Morgantown, W.Va., and Donald "Abbie" Raber of Blacksville, W.Va.; a sister, Wilma Wise of Washington; three brothers, Allen Wise of Palatka, Fla., Robert Wise of Eldersville and Gerald Wise of Fairborn, Ohio; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Deceased are her husband, Don Raber, who died in 1970; a son, Robert Raber; two sisters, Ruth Johnston and Olive Hannen; and four brothers, Donald, John, Edward and James.
Elizabeth Staley
Brownsville resident retired from NYC bank
Elizabeth Staley, 72, of 310 Cadwallader Street, Brownsville, died Sunday, June 14, 1998, at home.
She was born January 12, 1926, in River Seam, W.Va., a daughter of Ernest and Clara Kepen Petti.
Mrs. Staley was a member of the Jehovah Witnesses Congregation in Centerville.
She was a retired employee of CitiBank of New York City.
Surviving are a daughter, Rosemary Rivers of Orange Park, Fla.; four grandchildren; a sister, Marguerite Pasqualucci of Cokeburg; and a brother, Domenick Petti of Atwater, Ohio.
Deceased are a son, Paul Ernest Staley; and a brother, Ernest Petti Jr.
There will be no public visitation and interment will be private in Beallsville Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Greenlee Funeral Home, Beallsville.
William R. Yeater
Cameron, W.Va., resident WW II veteran
William Russell Yeater, 75, of Cameron R.D.5, W.Va., died Monday, June 15, 1998, in Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, W.Va..
He was born August 19, 1922, in Marshall County, W.Va., a son of William L. and Ethel Mae Grandon Yeater.
Mr. Yeater was Protestant.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired from Fort Henry Transmission Co., Elm Grove, W.Va.
Surviving are his wife, Thelma Whipkey Yeater; a daughter, Susan Wright of Hopewell, Va.; four sons, John L., William C., R. Michael and Joseph E. Yeater, all of Cameron; and 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Joan Williams
Member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Joan Williams, 52, of Fallowfield Township, died Sunday, June 14, 1998, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, Carroll Township.
She was born November 2, 1945, in Monongahela, a daughter of the late Steve and Frances Kowaliszyn Bosdosh.
Mrs. Williams was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Charleroi.
Surviving are two sons, Stephen Williams of Fallowfield Township and Shawn Williams of Mt. Pleasant; a daughter, Amber Williams-Hughes of Fallowfield Township; and eight grandchildren.
Deceased are a sister, Anna May Bosdosh; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services and interment will be private.
Charles P. Angotti
Member of Transfiguration Church in Monongahela
Charles P. Angotti, 83, of Forward Township, Monongahela, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Haven Crest Nursing Home, Carroll Township.
He was born March 26, 1915, in Elizabeth, a son of Anthony and Rose Angotti.
Mr. Angotti was a member of Transfiguration Church in Monongahela.
He was formerly employed at Combustion Engineering in East Monongahela, and at Carlow & Patton Trucking Co. in West Mifflin. He was a retired bus driver with the Mt. Lebanon school district for 15 years. After retirement, he was a part-time bus driver for Mon Valley Catholic High School.
Surviving are his wife, Jennie Caprio Angotti, with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage on October 29, 1997; a son, Anthony Angotti of Monongahela; two grandchildren, Leslie Koziel and Anthony Angotti; and one great-granddaughter, Taylor Lynn Koziel.
Mr. Angotti was the last of his immediate family.
Mary K. Bailey
Member of St. Albert's Roman Catholic Church
Mary K. Bailey, 68, of Uniontown, formerly of Palmer, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in Uniontown Hospital.
She was born December 9, 1929, in Crucible, a daughter of Michael Zgela and Mary Rozinko Zgela Zoretich.
Mrs. Bailey was a member of St. Albert's Roman Catholic Church, was a 1947 graduate of German Township High School and was a former member of the Palmer Pioneers.
Surviving are her husband, LeRoy Bailey; a daughter, Gloria L. Nalepka of Gates; two sons, Gerald L. Bailey of Jefferson and Lee Bailey of Raleigh, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Edward and Amanda Nalepka, Ariel, Gina, Rosalee, Benjamin, and Rachel Bailey; a sister, Anna Marie Zoretich Varga of Parma, Ohio; two brothers, Regis Zoretich of Parma Heights, Ohio, and Eugene Zoretich of Royal.
Deceased are her stepfather, Joseph Zoretich; three brothers, Joseph Zgela and Frederick and Peter Zoretich; and an infant sister, Antoinia Zoretich.
Robert Coleman
Charleroi High graduate worked for TYK America
Robert Coleman, 31, of Wheatley Road, Charleroi, Fallowfield Township, died Monday, June 15, 1998, at his home.
He was born January 14, 1967, in Charleroi, a son of George Edward and Josephine Viola Myers Coleman of Bristol, Tenn.
Mr. Coleman was a 1985 graduate of Charleroi High School and was a press operator for TYK America in Large.
On June 22, 1991, in New Salem, he married Mary L. Wheatley, who survives.
Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are two children, Robert Lee and Brittany Catherine Coleman, both at home; four brothers, Joseph and George Coleman both of Daisytown, James Coleman of Bristol, Tenn., and Michael Coleman of Blountville, Tenn.; paternal grandmother, Ann Coleman of Charleroi; maternal grandmother, Josephine Myers of Charleroi; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Deceased are his paternal grandfather, George Coleman; and his maternal grandfather, James Myers.
Lola M. Fox
Caregiver and homemaker
Lola M. Fox, 63, of Granville, W.Va., formerly of Waynesburg, died at 1:50 a.m. Monday, June 15, 1998, at her home.
Mrs. Fox was born May 3, 1935, in Dickenson, W.Va., a daughter of the late Edward and Suzie Patterson Mullins.
She was a caregiver for the elderly and was a homemaker.
Surviving are four daughters, Carol Woolridge and Donna Woolridge, both of Oregon, Connie Rutan of Waynesburg and Stacey Beach of Jakes Run, W.Va.; six sons, Clyde Woolridge of Baltimore, Md., Wayne Woolridge of Cumberland, Md., Jack Woolridge of Hagerstown, Md., Joe Fox and Alfred Fox, both of Waynesburg, and Jeff Fox of Holbrook; two brothers, Simon Mullins of Charleston, W.Va., and Joe Mullins of Salem, Va.; and nine grandchildren.
Deceased is her husband, Clyde W. Fox, who died January 8, 1980.
Claude W. Frishette
Navy veteran retired from American Electric Power
Claude W. Frishette, 78, of Moundsville, W.Va., died Monday, June 15, 1998, in Wheeling, W.Va.
He was born April 3, 1920, in Charleston, W.Va., a son of Forrest R. and Idell Bolden Frishette.
He was a retired employee of American Electric Power. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He was married to Edith K. Thaxton, who is deceased.
Surviving are a son, Bill Frishette of Carroll, Ohio; two daughters, Judy Wright of West Alexander and Jan Pest of Moundsville; a sister, Eva King of Sun Valley, Calif.; nd eight grandchildren.
Frances Bexfield of St. Clairsville, Ohio, was his special friend.
Deceased are an infant son and daughter; and a sister, Pauline Lovell.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Milton J. Gudac
Member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church
Milton J. Gudac, 92, formerly of Alexander Avenue, Strabane, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg.
He was born February 2, 1906, in Victoria, Mich., a son of John and Josephine Doric Gudac.
Mr. Gudac had resided in the Strabane and Canonsburg area for the past 70 years.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg, and was also a 70-year member of the SNPJ Lodge in Strabane.
Mr. Gudac was a coal miner and worked in the Hills-Henderson mine, retiring in 1968.
On June 15, 1938, he married Helen Graytock, who died in 1989.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, John, Steve and Joe Gudac; and two sisters, Rose Droplick and Jenny Rosman.
Mary G. Hough
Telephone operator at old Auld Hotel
Mary G. Hough, 90, of North Main Street, Washington, formerly of Malone Ridge Road, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
She was born May 3, 1908, in Washington, a daughter of Harry and Viola Baldwin Gorby.
Mrs. Hough was employed as a telephone operator at the old Auld Hotel for many years.
She has been a member for 69 years at the First United Presbyterian Church. She was active in the Women's Federation, Ladies Aide Society and the Proudfit Bible Class and she enjoyed arts and crafts.
On June 12, 1929, she married Sheldon S. Hough, who died June 16, 1987.
Surviving are five grandchildren, Sharon L. Lemley, Judy L. Caldwell, R. Matthew Hough, Beth A. Boehm and Jami L. Smith; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are a son, Robert D. Hough; a daughter, Doris H. Hickman; and a brother, John Gorby.
Wilbur W. Landay
Owner of Taper's Jewelry Store
Wilbur W. Landay, a Washington businessman for more than half a century and a lifelong member of Beth Israel Congregation, died at 10:15 p.m. Monday, June 15, 1998, in Mt. Macrina Manor, Uniontown, following a lengthy illness.
He was in the jewelry business on Washington's West Chestnut Street for 51 years, eventually buying Taper's Jewelry Store in 1956, which he operated until his retirement in 1996.
Mr. Landay, of East Beau Street, Washington, was born in Washington on February 10, 1914, a son of Abraham H. and Annetta H. Samolsky Landay.
His great-grandfather, Nathan Samuels, was a founder of the Beth Israel Congregation that first held Jewish services in the Samuels' home more than a century ago. Mr. Landay was proud of his family's association with Beth Israel and often pointed out that Nathan Samuels brought his niece, Zelda, from England to marry the new congregation's first rabbi, Jacob Goldfarb, who served the Jews of Washington for 50 years.
Mr. Landay graduated in 1933 from Washington High School.
He served in the U.S. Army, 61st Air Service Squadron, 45th Service Group, from 1942 to 1945, earning the rank of technical sergeant. He served campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines. Mr. Landay received the Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal.
For many years, Mr. Landay headed Beth Israel's Chevra Kadisha (burial society) taking care of the ritual of Jewish burials for the congregation's members.
Mr. Landay also was a member of LOOM 22; Washington Lodge 164, F&AM; and B'nai B'rith Men.
On December 28, 1947, Mr. Landay married the former Dorothy Greenberg, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Dr. Alan Landay, an international AIDS researcher of Oak Park, Ill., and attorney David Landay of Moon Township; four grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathan, Kara and Paige Landay; and a brother, Nathan Landay, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Deceased is a sister, Edith Ruth Landay.
Douglas Stoneking
Owner of Stoneking Pipe and Steel
Douglas James Stoneking, 66, of Burton, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at West Virginia University Hospital.
Mr. Stoneking was born March 28, 1932, in Mannington, a son of the late William Spencer and Maria Jones Stoneking.
He was Protestant, and was a self-employed trucker and owner of Stoneking Pipe and Steel.
Surviving are his wife, Minnie Ross Stoneking of Nettle Hill; two sons, Charles (Chuck) Stoneking of Holbrook and William (Bill) Stoneking of New Freeport; one sister, Florence Byard Toothman of Farmington; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Patricia Stoneking was his companion for 20 years.
Deceased are two brothers, George Jones and Everett Stoneking; and two sisters, Laura Moore and Pauline Morgan.
Lillian Throckmorton
Red Cross worker
Lillian K. Throckmorton, 86, of Clearwater Beach, Fla., who maintained a summer home in Rogersville until 1990, died at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 1998, at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Fla., after a short illness.
She was born June 27, 1911, in Rogersville, a daughter of Samuel Reese and Alice Crouse Throckmorton.
She graduated from Waynesburg High School in 1930 and attended Waynesburg College.
She worked as a caseworker in Harrisburg for the Department of Welfare in the 1930s. Following that, she entered service as chairman of Red Cross Safety Services with board membership. She was executive director of the local Red Cross chapter from 1942-1944.
She joined the staff of the National Red Cross in 1944 and worked stateside. In 1952, she was relocated to southern Japan, then to Tokyo as Red Cross field director services to the Armed Forces for two years. She was in charge of all Red Cross operations and social services for the personnel of the Armed Forces.
In 1959, she was director of the blood bank program in Washington, D.C., and by 1962, she was stationed in a military hospital at Fort Jackson, S.C., and later at Fort Gordon and Fort Benning, Ga.
In 1964 ,she served as a Red Cross hospital field director between South and North Korea. In 1974, she went to Okinawa and was stationed at an Army hospital. With more than 30 years of Red Cross service to her credit, she returned to the U.S. at the end of 1975 and retired to Florida and Pennsylvania.
Surviving is one sister, Barbara J. Dean of Rogersville; four nieces; and 14 grand-nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two sisters, Ruth Throckmorton of McDonald, who died January 22, 1998, and Helen Throckmorton, who died in infancy.
Eddie Witosky
Graduate of Canonsburg High served in Coast Guard
Eddie Witosky, 67, of Erie, formerly of Canonsburg, died Monday, June 15, 1998, at his home.
He was born January 22, 1931, in Canonsburg, a son of Charles "Chick" Witosky of Erie and the late Loretta Popiolkowski Witosky.
Mr. Witosky was a graduate of of Canonsburg High School and served in the Coast Guard.
Surviving are his wife, Fran Witosky; a daughter, Lori of Erie; five sons, Paul, Gary, Ronnie, David and Bobby Witosky, all of Erie; two brothers, Bernie Witosky of West Mifflin and Donnie Witosky of South Carolina; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services and burial are Thursday, June 18, in Erie.
Irena Bonham Ames
30-year teaching career began in Amwell
Irena Bonham Ames, 88, of Redstone Court Condominiums, Washington, formerly of Eighty Four R.D.2, died at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in her home.
She was born March 2, 1910, in Amity, a daughter of Barnett A. and Cora Huffman Bonham.
In 1939, she married C. E. (Gene) Ames, who died in 1983.
Mrs. Ames was a graduate of Trinity High School and California Normal School (now California University of Pa.). Her 30-year teaching career began in a one-room schoolhouse in Amwell Township. She taught at Independent and Peters Township, retiring in June 1971, after teaching elementary school for 15 years in the Canon-McMillan School District.
She was a member of the Pennsylvania Retired Teachers Association and a lifelong member of Mt. Herman Baptist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Janet Cursi of Leesburg, Va., and Ghyneth Rowdon of Sterling, Va.; six grandchildren, Christopher and Cara Cursi and Beverly, Barbara, Kenneth and Douglas Rowdon.
Deceased are a sister and two brothers.
Virginia Kirby
Canonsburg homemaker
Virginia Kirby, 81, of Canonsburg, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Kirby was born on December 18, 1916, in Canonsburg, a daughter of John and Mary Smith Beppler.
On August 10, 1937, she married Leon Kirby, who survives.
Also surviving are two brothers; two grandchildren, Anita Janchenko of Washington and Gary Janchenko of Monongahela; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a daughter, Virginia Janchenko; a sister; and two brothers.
Services and interment are private.
James Graham Moore
McGraw-Edison retiree was WW II veteran
James Graham Moore, 80, of Canonsburg, died Wednesday, June 17, 1998.
He was born a son of Roy E. and Effie Graham Moore.
Mr. Moore retired as service manager for McGraw-Edison and was a World War II veteran, serving with the Seabees in Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and AARP Chapter 1354.
Surviving are his wife, Audrey M. Moore; a daughter, Shareen Ludwin of Washington; a son, James G. Moore of McMurray; two grandchildren, Davis S. Ludwin and Kimberly J. Peel of Washington; and a sister, Betty Brown of Martinez, Ga.
Robert George Parrish
Decorated WW II veteran from Carmichaels
Robert George Parrish, 86, of Carmichaels, died Wednesday, June 17, 1998, in Brownsville General Hospital.
He was born January 22, 1912, in Kitsmiller, Md., a son of George and Abby G. Morehead.
Mr. Parrish was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and American Legion Post 400 of Carmichaels.
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater, receiving the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars. He served with the 16th Evacuation Hospital from September 1942 to October 1945.
Surviving are a daughter, Margaret Jean; a brother, Allan E. Parrish of Anaheim, Calif; and two sisters, Dora "Dot" Swartz and Elsie Huzela, both of Carmichaels.
Deceased are two brothers, Kenneth and Howard Parrish; and two sisters, Ada Watson and Ruth Cosgrove.
Despina O. Pihiou
Member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church
Despina Orfanon Pihiou of 416 Gladden Road, Canonsburg, died Wednesday, June 17, 1998, in the Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg.
She was born April 15, 1932, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of Evangelina Stoukas Orfanon and the late Vasilios E. Orfanon.
She was a lifelong resident of Canonsburg, where she was a member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church.
She graduated from Canonsburg High School in 1952.
Mrs. Pihiou had worked at RCA for 30 years until its closing. She then worked at Sarris Candies for 10 years.
She is survived by two sisters, Virginia Hanjorgiris of Bridgeville and Diana Halkias of Charleston, W. Va.; a brother, Emanuel V. Orfanon of Birmingham, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is her husband, Sam N. Pihiou, who died March 6, 1998.
Raymond E. Potter
Amity resident employee of Charleroi auto dealer
Raymond E. Potter, 69, of Amity, formerly of Fairhope, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at his home.
He was born January 28, 1929, in Altoona, a son of Thomas Nathan and Hazel Coleman Potter.
Mr. Potter attended Altoona area schools, lived in Fairhope from 1966 to 1994, and had been employed for more than 29 years at Davies Ford in Charleroi.
He was a member of Company G, 110th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1953 to 1994, while living in Altoona.
Since 1981, he was a member of the Christian Center Church in Belle Vernon, where he served as Sunday school treasurer and sound room supervisor. He was also a member of the Ellsworth Sportman's Club and was an avid fisherman and Pittsburgh Pirates fan.
Surviving are a daughter, Karen Lowden of Amity; a son, Randy Potter of Donora; two brothers, Gene Coleman and Ken Potter, both of Altoona; a sister, Patricia Kelly of Altoona; two grandsons, Ray Thomas Lowden III and Jonathan James Lowden; and several nieces and nephews.
Jessie Rafail
Waynesburg resident was homemaker
Jessie "Tubbie" Rafail, 78, of Mt. Morris Star Route, Waynesburg, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.
She was born February 5, 1920, in Waco, Texas, a daughter of Estandilido Cervantes and Maria Perez Cervantes.
Mrs. Rafail was a homemaker and a former resident of Uniontown. She resided in Waynesburg since 1950.
She was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Waynesburg, the Shrine of St. Jude in Detroit, Mich., and St. George's Maronite Church in Uniontown.
On May 22, 1941, she married Francis G. Rafail of Waynesburg, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, John Rafail of Hermitage, Paul Rafail of Plymouth, Mich., and Jude Rafail of Pitt Gas; two daughters, Judy Giddens of Cochran, Ga., and Gloria Cleveland of Waynesburg; 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Frances Galvan of Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are several brothers and sisters.
Grace Seal Sessi
Member of Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church
Grace Seal Sessi, 75, of Hamilton, Va., died Monday, June 15, 1998.
She was born June 9, 1922, in Lock Four.
Mrs. Sessi spent most of her life in Eighty Four where she was an active member of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, devoting many years of service in women's organizations, doing committee work and singing in the choir.
Surviving are two daughters, Marsha S. Sylvester of Hamilton, Va., and Karen Stafford of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; two sisters, Joan Ebersberger of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Constance Formhals of Mesa, Ariz.; one brother, Joseph Seal of Mesa, Ariz.; one stepsister, Dorothy Squires of Pittsburgh; and three grandchildren, John E. Sylvester and Will and Faith Stafford.
Deceased are her husband of 29 years, Edward A. Sessi.
At the request of the deceased there will be no viewing. Interment in Monongahela Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20, will be followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church in Eighty Four. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania Vocational Rehab Center, 1323 Forbes Avenue, Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Robert J. Smith
Former Air Force chief master sergeant
Robert J. Smith, 66, of Jefferson Borough, died Wednesday, June 17, 1998.
He was the son of Helen Zerambo and the late Steve Smith.
Mr. Smith retired after 40 years of service as chief master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force. He was the commissioner of the Route 51 slow pitch softball league. He had retired from J.B. Roerig Pfizer as a pharmaceutical sales representative after 30 years. He was inducted into the Roerig Pharmaceutical Hall of Fame in 1992 in New York City.
Mr. Smith was a member of GBU and a Jefferson Hospital Volunteer.
Surviving are his wife, Felicia Zgorliski Smith; three daughters, Cynthia Coughenour, Kristin Kempa and Lori Folino; a sister, Irene Manduzio; and two grandchildren, Alexa Coughenour and Nicole Folino.
Katherine L. Bell
Member of St. Patrick Church of Canonsburg
Katherine L. Bell, 83, of 109 Belmont Avenue, Canonsburg, died Wednesday, June 17, 1998, in her home.
Born January 3, 1915, in Royal, she was a daughter of Sam and Theresa Marasco Rotella.
Mrs. Bell was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of Canonsburg and the Christian Mothers of the church. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Canonsburg Court 1121 and the KSKJ St. Jerome Lodge of Strabane.
On June 26, 1939, she married Joseph R. Bell, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Joseph R. Bell Jr. of Wexford and Charles E. Bell of Mt. Lebanon; a daughter, Kathy Bell-Roskowski of Canonsburg; six grandchildren, Eileen, Julia, Duke and Robin Bell and Joni and Adam Roskowski; two brothers, Joseph and Paul Rotella, both of Canonsburg; and two sisters, Mary Campbell Diaz of Washington and Rose Trebel of Canonsburg.
Deceased are two brothers, Sam and John Rotella; and a sister, Ann Stinespring Hutchinson.
Bertha May Brown
Lifelong area resident
Bertha May Horton Brown, 98, of 517 Ash Street, Canonsburg, died Thursday, June 18, 1998, in the Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg.
She was born on May 28, 1900, in Chartiers Township, a daughter of Oliver and Lena Vogel Horton.
Mrs. Brown was a lifelong area resident, who did housekeeping work in the Canonsburg area. She was Protestant.
She made her home with Louis and Mary Ann Gayarski since 1954.
Deceased are her husband, Robert Brown, who died in 1954; a son, Robert Brown; two brothers, James and Earl Horton; one sister, Marie Koroshes; and one grandson, Russell Brown.
She was the last of her immediate family.
Robert T. Dobbin Sr.
Former field engineer and prisoner of war
Robert T. Dobbin Sr., 78, of Canonsburg, died Thursday, June 18, 1998, at Allegheny University Hospitals, Canonsburg, after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Dobbin was born Sepember 27, 1919, in Muse, a son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Armstrong Dobbin.
He lived most of his life in Canonsburg and was a member of St. Patick Roman Catholic Parish and VFW Post 191. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a prisoner of war.
Prior to his retirment, Mr. Dobbin was a field engineer at the former Pennsylvania Transformer Co. and McGraw-Edison Power Systems, both in Canonsburg.
His first wife, Hannah Pirt Dobbin, died December 9, 1967.
On November 11, 1982, he married Barbara H. Dobbin, who survives.
Also surviving is one daughter, Delores "Dolly" Vinton of Branson, Mo.; one son, Robert T. Dobbin Jr. of Canonsburg; two stepdaughters, Carol Ann Thornburg of Millersville, Md., and Barbara Dewitt of Canonsburg; one stepson, Robert Humble of Dallas, Texas; three sisters, Agnes Livolsi, Theresa Aggers and Catherine Barringer, all of Houton; one brother, Frances Dobbin of Washington; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several neices and nephews.
Deceased are two sisters, Mary Jane Coburn and Elizabeth Weippert; one brother, Thomas Dobbin; and one stepson, Mark Humble.
