James Patrick McLean
Retired Air Force jet pilot originally from Canonsburg
James Patrick McLean, of California state, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, at home.
He was born in Canonsburg and was a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and decorated jet fighter pilot, serving for 21 years.
Following his armed forces retirement, Mr. McLean was vice president, equipment management, of GATX Capitol in California state.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, JoAnn; five children, Kevin of Toronto, Canada, Patrick of Portland, Ore., Donna Veneziano of Washington, D.C., Kathleen Ortiz of San Ramon, Calif., and Kristine Benum of Seattle, Wash.; nine grandchildren; and two brothers, Thomas of El Paso, Texas, and Robert of Knoxville, Tenn.
Ann Orris
Formerly of East Millsboro
Ann Orris, 87, formerly of East Millsboro, died at 4 p.m. Monday, May 18, 1998, in Fayette County Health Care Center, Uniontown.
She was born December 1, 1910, in Brownsville, a daughter of George and Sophia Shiprock Bruich.
Mrs. Orris was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness of Brownsville.
Surviving are two sisters, Kay Ferugheli of New York City and Helen Crismara of Connecticut; a brother, Michael Bruich of Isabell; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers.
Betty Jane Seaman
1942 graduate of Washington High School
Betty Jane Seaman, 72, of East Prospect Avenue, Washington, died at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 1998, at Washington Hospital following a brief illness.
She was born May 21, 1925, in Washington, a daughter of John Robert and Anna Ella McMurdy Hart.
Mrs. Seaman was Presbyterian.
She was a 1942 graduate of Washington High School and prior to her retirement in 1985, she was a nurses aide at Western State School and Hospital (Western Center).
On January 20, 1951, she married John Alvin Seaman, who died November 29, 1974.
Surviving are four sons, Thomas Edward Seaman of Lancaster, Gary Wayne Seaman of West Alexander, Henry Kilburn of Kentucky and John Robert Kilburn of Washington; four daughters, Sherry Lynne Varner of Avella, Linda Darlene Stimpson of Washington, Carol Ann Boggs of Hazard, Ky., and Sue Dianna "Susie" Napier of Wooton, Ky; two brothers, Donald Hart of Eighty Four and William Hart of Somerset; three sisters, Anna Reed of Washington, Grace Elizabeth Selman of Washington and Mae E. Amon of Washington; 21 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are a grandson, Bobby Ray Day; a brother, John Robert Hart Jr.; and four sisters, Laura Belle Hart, Dorothy McNamara, Mildred Shoole and Mary Blackhurst.
Earl W. Baker
Retired from Ryan Homes Construction
Earl W. Baker, 80, of Peters Township, died Friday, May 1, 1998, at his home.
He was born March 26, 1918, in Pittsburgh.
Mr. Baker was a member of the Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church in Venetia and was a retired production manager from Ryan Homes Construction.
Surviving are his wife, Lily Voytenkoff Baker; three daughters, Gilberta DeBoe and Beverly Skiles Lowe, both of Carnegie and Peggy Ligons of Squirrel Hill; eight grandchildren, Ed, Debra and Lisa DeBoe, David and Damon Skiles, and Douglas, Frank M. and Marcie Ligons; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Margaret Vetter of Las Vegas, Nev.
Deceased are his first wife, Martha Niggel Baker; and three brothers, Elwood, Robert and Bern Baker.
Ralph John Berisford
Worked at Jessop Steel and Tyler Tube
Ralph John Berisford, 95, of Washington, died at 11:30 p.m Thursday, April 30, 1998, at Washington County Health Center, Washington following a lengthy illness.
He was born December 3, 1902, in Taylorstown, and was raised by his stepparents, Jerimiah and Edna Mae McKahan Berisford.
Mr. Berisford was a member of Calvary Temple Church, Washington, and had been employed at Jessop Steel until his retirement. He was a previous employee of Tyler Tube and Pipe Co.
He was a member of Washington Senior Citizens and Jessop Employees Club, and was a social member of Hawkins Post Home 927, VFW.
He was twice married. He was first married in 1924 to Martha Mae Huggins who died in 1955. On January 6, 1967, he married Myrtle Irene Main who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Robert Berisford of Washington; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Deceased are three sons, Donald, Ralph James and William J. Berisford; two daughters, Martha Berisford and Virginia Louise Kinsley; and twin daughters who died at birth.
Correction:
In the obituary of Ralph John Berisford, published Saturday, the date of the death of his first wife, Martha Mae Huggins, was listed incorrectly. She died September 21, 1961. Also, deceased are infant twin sons, not daughters.
Jessie M. Eimer
Former employee of RCA and Elish Cabinet
Jessie M. Eimer, 67, of Bentleyville, formerly of Cokeburg, died at 5:18 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
She was born February 20, 1931, in Ellsworth, a daughter of Ross Sr. and Flo Collins Boothe.
Mrs. Eimer was formerly employed at RCA in Meadow Lands and Elish Cabinet Co.
On February 26, 1955, she married Fred William Eimer, who died August 8, 1977.
Surviving are two sons, Fred Eimer Jr. and Allen Eimer, both of Cokeburg; a daughter, Michele Renee Eimer of Bentleyville; two brothers, Lawrence Boothe of Uniontown and Dale Boothe of Bentleyville; a sister, Shirley Palovich of Bentleyville; four grandchildren, Chad, Kristen, Kayla and Tara Eimer.
Deceased are a daughter, who died in infancy; and a brother, Ross Boothe Jr.
Her companion, Joseph Mance Jr., died September 14, 1997.
Opal M. Fabiszewski
Former Cokeburg resident
Opal Mikesell Frederick Fabiszewski, 89, of Brighton, Mich., formerly of Cokeburg, died Friday, May 1, 1998, in Brighton.
A complete obituary will be published in a later edition. Arrangements by Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville.
Donald Robert Malone
U.S. Navy veteran
Donald Robert Malone, 69, of Carlisle, S.C., formerly of Palm Desert, Calif., died Tuesday, April 28, 1998, in Carlisle.
He was born July 26, 1928, in Midway, a son of Donald B. and Clara L. Warnick Malone.
Mr. Malone was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy, and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His wife, Ruth E. Muller Malone, died November 26, 1997.
Surviving are three sons, Robin Malone of Carlisle, Danny Malone of Antioch, Calif., and Toby Malone of Pittsburg, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Linda Felix of California; four grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; and a brother, James Lloyd Malone of St. Petersburg, Fla.
A brother, Samuel Malone, is deceased.
Funeral arrangements were in Union, S.C.
Stanley J. Marosz
Employed by Fort Cherry School District
Stanley J. Marosz, 62, of R.D.1, St. John's Road, Colliers, W.Va., formerly of Canonsburg, died Thursday, April 30, 1998, in Weirton Medical Center. He had been ill for the past year.
He was born April 4, 1936, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Stanley C. and Anna Czarnecki Marosz, and had been a resident of Colliers the last 24 years.
He was a member of St. Genevieve Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg, where he attended grade school, and was a graduate of Canonsburg High School, class of 1954.
Mr. Marosz was formerly employed as an agent for Western and Southern Insurance Co., retiring in 1991 after 35 years. He was most recently employed by Fort Cherry School District until the time of his illness.
He was a member of the Bears Club, Meadow Lands, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, serving overseas as a member of the military police.
Surviving are his wife, Marguerite McGahan; two sons, Mark Marosz of Houston, Texas and Daryl Marosz of Parkersburg, W.Va.; a daughter, Cheryl Lucas of Follansbee, W.Va.; two stepchildren, Scott Slaven of Richmond, Va., and Pamela Bartolotto of Prosperity; 10 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a brother, James Marosz of Pittsburgh; four sisters, Eileen Fee of Long Island, N.Y., Joan Gravley and Carol Sobolewski, both of New Orleans, La., and Louise Rosspank of Schaumburg, Ill.
Mary Jane Moore
Retired from Woodville, Mayview State Hospitals
Mary Jane Moore, 68, of Franklin, formerly of Canonsburg, died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Franklin.
She was born January 25, 1930, in Canonsburg, a daughter of James William and Mary White Moore.
She spent most of her life in the Canonsburg area. Prior to retirement, she was a psychiatric aide at Woodville and Mayview state hospitals. She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose and was Presbyterian.
She was the last of her immediate family.
Surviving are a daughter, Sandra Tarr of Reno; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, James William and Edward Moore; and three sisters, Edith Knox, Ida Sueme and Margaret Armstrong.
Services and burial were in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg.
Arrangements were handled by Sollon Funeral Home Ltd.
Betty C. Morris
Member of Beth Israel Synagogue
Betty C. Morris, 95, of Washington, died Friday, May 1, 1998, in Kade Nursing Home, Washington.
She was born January 31, 1903, in Pittsburgh.
A homemaker, Mrs. Morris was a member of the Beth Israel Synagogue of Washington and attended schools in Squirrel Hill.
In 1960, she married Emmanuel Morris, who died March 16, 1982. She was previously married to Alex Z. Goldstein, who died August 1959.
Surviving are a daughter, Helen Ruth Berry of Kingsport, Tenn.; a stepson, Arthur Morris of Washington; a granddaughter, Susan Vermillion; and a great-grandson, Marcus Dykes.
She was preceded in death by several brothers and a sister.
Helen L. Webber
Loved to camp and travel
Helen Lorraine Webber, 65, of Okeechobee, Fla., formerly of McDonald, died April 19, 1998, in Columbia Raulerson Hospital, Okeechobee.
Born November 12, 1932, in Baltimore, Md., she was a daughter of the late Enos and Helen Fry.
Mrs. Webber, along with her husband of 45 years, John A. Webber Sr., loved to camp and travel. They had been three-year residents of Buckhead Ridge in Okeechobee.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, John A. Webber Jr. of San Antonio, Texas; two daughters, Wendy M. Webber of Washington and Susan R. Euler of Library; a brother, Edmond Fry of Baltimore; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Following cremation a memorial service was held April 24 in Okeechobee with Pastor Scott Leslie officiating.
Alberta Speer Zelt
Worked in the field of interior decoration
Alberta Speer Zelt, 92, of Roswell, N.M., died April 22, 1998, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.
She was born September 14, 1905, in Pittsburgh, to Dr. Albert Congdon and Harriet Weldin Coyle Speer.
On September 28, 1929, in Mercer, she married Wray Grayson Zelt Jr. Mr. Zelt is deceased.
Prior to moving to Roswell in 1991, she lived in Washington all her life, except during World War II when she joined her husband in Alamogordo, N.M. and San Rafael, Calif. In addition to her work as a homemaker, Mrs. Zelt occasionaly worked in the field of interior decoration.
Surviving is a daughter, Martie Zelt of Roswell.
Deceased are a son, Wray Grayson Zelt III; and three sisters, Elizabeth S. Voskamp, Helene Speer Sauers and Jessie Williams.
Jerry L. Alsup
Retired maintenance superintendent
Jerry L. Alsup, 65, of Thomas Campbell Apartments, Washington, died Tuesday, May 19, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
He was born June 11, 1932, in Fall Creek, Tenn., a son of the late Theodore and Laura Mount Alsup.
Mr. Alsup attended school in Tennessee and was a member of Loyal Order of Moose while residing in Tennessee.
He was Protestant and prior to his retirement in 1996, was maintenance superintendent at Thomas Campbell Apartments, Washington.
On February 11, 1967, in Florida, he married Irene E. Shores, who died April 18, 1997.
Surviving are a stepson, Paul Humphlett of Gainesville, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Florence Fisher of Washington; a brother, Ronny Alsup of Florida; five sisters, Allie Hackney, Nell Moore, Martha Oliver, Joann Tribble, all of Tennessee, and Jean Oliver of Florida; five stepgrandchildren, eight stepgreat-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, John, Patrick and Kenneth Alsup.
Correction
Incomplete information was provided for the obituary of Jerry L. Alsup, published Thursday. Mr. Alsup served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Also, a memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. June 5 at the Thomas Campbell Apartments in Washington.
Somer C. Beaver
60-year member of Peters Creek Baptist Church
Somer C. Beaver, 81, of Venetia, died Thursday, May 21, 1998, in his home.
He was a son of Anna Mae Empfield and Wilbert S. Beaver.
Mr. Beaver was a member of Peters Creek Baptist Church for more than 60 years.
Surviving are his wife, Doris J. Beaver; a daughter, Janice E. Cribbs of McMurray; a son, Gary L. Beaver of Prosperity; two brothers, George C. Beaver of Columbus, S.C., and T. James Beaver of Upper St. Clair; and four grandsons, Tim Cribbs, Ryan, Devon and Jordan Beaver.
Caldwell-Presto
Parents reside in Washington County
Twin sons of Jennifer Faye Caldwell of Claysville and Joshua D. Presto of Washington, were stillborn Monday, May 18, 1998, in Washington Hospital.
Maternal grandparents are Jim Caldwell of Washington and Brenda Baggus of Claysville. Paternal grandparents are Perry Presto and Debbie Wilson of Washington.
Private burial was Tuesday, May 19, in Washington Cemetery.
Rudy S. Gideon
Sunday school teacher from Carmichaels
Rudy S. Gideon, 89, of Carmichaels, died at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 1998, in Rolling Meadows care home in Waynesburg.
She was born March 1, 1909, in Wichita, Kan., a daughter of D.M. and Lucy Snider Stockdale.
Mrs. Gideon was a member of Greene Valley Presbyterian Church and served as a Sunday school teacher at the former New Providence (Glades) Presbyterian Church.
She lived in Carmichaels most of her life, where she graduated from Carmichaels area schools.
Surviving are a son, Richard R. Gideon of Pittsburgh; a daughter, Mrs. Franklin (Jane) Gray of Carmichaels R.D.2; seven grandchildren, Kelly Thornton, Jeffery R. Gray, Gregory M. Gray, Shawn E. Gray, Heather M. Gideon, Beth W. Gideon and Kathryn E. Gideo; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert M. Stockdale of Carmichaels, Charles E. Stockdale of West Newton and William C. Stockdale of Westerville, Ohio.
Deceased are her husband, Robert Gideon; and two brothers, James Stockdale, who died in infancy, and Fred Stockdale; and a sister, Helen Draper.
Jeffrey Allen Kempert
German resident formerly of Greensburg
Jeffrey Allen Kempert, 30, of Nuremberg, Germany, formerly of New Alexandria, died May 18, 1998, in Sud Klenikum Hospital, Germany, from injuries sustained in an accident.
He was born November 12, 1967, in Greensburg, a son of Larry Kempert of Greensburg and Susan Sumrall Kempert Stankewich of New Alexandria R.D.2.
Mr. Kempert was a 1986 graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and served in the U.S. Army.
Since his honorable discharge, he was a resident of Germany, where he attended classes at the University of Nuremberg and was the owner of several businesses.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his stepfather, Joseph Stankewich; his maternal grandparents, Byron J. and Mary Louise Sumrall of Greensburg, formerly of Waynesburg; a stepsister, Veronica Dzubak of Greensburg; two stepbrothers, Dennis and Dan Stankewich of Alaska; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A private service will be held at a later date.
Paul Kvartek
Member of Ave Maria Parish, Ellsworth
Paul Kvartek, 77, of Ellsworth, died Thursday, May 21, 1998, at Humbert Lane Health Care Center, Washington.
He was born October 23, 1920, in Leith, a son of John and Anna Spak Kvartek.
Mr. Kvartek was a member of Ave Maria Parish, Ellsworth, was a member of UMWA Local 1197, and was a member of Sokols.
He was retired from BethEnergy Mine No. 51, Ellsworth.
Surviving are a brother, Joseph Kvartek, of Ellsworth; and two sisters, Anna Palla of Ellsworth and Helen Matesek of Slovakia.
Deceased are two brothers, John and Andrew Kvartek; and two sisters, Mary Perchinsky and Margaret Kvartek.
Elsie M. Miller
Homemaker lived in Jefferson area
Elsie M. Miller, 82, of Jefferson R.D.1, died Tuesday, May 19, 1998, in Franklin Care Center, Waynesburg.
She was born June 15, 1915, in Grantsville, Md., a daughter of Lloyd and Adeline Bittinger Hetrick.
Mrs. Miller lived most of her life in Jefferson, where she attended Jefferson Church of the Nazarene.
She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her son, Larry Miller; and a grandson, Eric John Miller, both of Jefferson.
Deceased are her husband, Charles Miller; two sisters, Viola Redman and Myrtle Fox; and one brother, Clarence Hetrick.
Pierce W. Ross
Owned Waynesburg tractor business
Pierce W. Ross, 90, of 53 Woodland Avenue, Waynesburg, died at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 1998, in Braun's Personal Care Home, Waynesburg, following a two-year illness.
He was born February 5, 1908, in Waynesburg, a son of Frank and Grace Reynolds Ross.
Mr. Ross was a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church, Waynesburg, where he was a former member of the finance committee.
He worked for 35 years at J.F. Patterson International Harvester in Waynesburg. In 1969, he started Ross Tractor in Waynesburg, where he was owner-operator until selling the business to his son in 1993.
He was a former member of Waynesburg Elks Club 757 and a life member of the Loyal Order of Moose 461 of Waynesburg.
Mr. Ross enjoyed farming and raising cattle and hogs.
On December 17, 1931, he married Okel Gump, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Joseph W. Ross of Waynesburg; a grandson, Joseph W. Ross II of Waynesburg; two great-grandchildren, Lily and Colin Ross; and a sister, Cora Marie Carroll of Pinellas Park, Fla.
