Florence J. Bigusiak
MEADVILLE, Pa. - Florence J. Bigusiak, 86, died Tuesday at Wesbury Methodist Community, Meadville, after a long illness.
Born April 24, 1915, in Linesville, Pa., she was a daughter of Jess and Pauline (Bash) Money.
She marriage Steven Bigusiak on Aug. 1, 1934.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Linesville, where she taught Sunday School for more than 40 years. She was devoted to her family and her grandchildren, whom she raised.
Survivors include a daughter, Roslynn Pearl Brown of Pittsburgh, Pa.; three grandchildren; Joanne Rhoads and Tasha Brown of Meadville and Gary Humes Jr. of Linesville, and two sisters, Josephine C. Petersen and Eva Gehr of Ashtabula, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb., 26, 1997; four brothers, Norman, Grant, Mark, and Orin Money; and two sisters, Rose Peck and Dorothy Bullis.
A service was held Jan. 18 at the William H. Houghton Funeral Home, Linesville, Pa. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Meadville, Pa.
Rhonda L. Guseman
LINESVILLE, Pa. - Rhonda L. Guseman, 41, of Porter Road, Linesville, Pa., died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, Pa.
She was born Jan. 4, 1981 in Warren, the daughter of Robert K. Guseman of Andover and the late Virginia M. (Kiefer) Guseman.
She was formerly of Andover and had lived in Linesville for the past 10 years.
She was a 1979 graduate of Pymatuning Valley High School in Andover.
She worked for a number of years at the Miller Memorial Nursing Home in Andover until 1993 when she retired because of a disability.
She attended the Linesville Baptist Church and enjoyed crafts and collecting knick knacks.
Survivors include her fiancee, Tod M. Gillette of Linesville, Pa.; a son, Kyle S. Gillette of Linesville, Pa.; her father, Robert K. Guseman of Andover; four brothers, David L. Guseman of Grand Forks, Nev., Danny T. Guseman of West Columbia, S.C., Dennis R. Guseman of Espyville, Pa. and Donald P. Guseman of Andover; four sisters, Roberta A. Becker of Cleveland, Becky L. Boggs of Andover, Renee M. Bowman of Little Hocking, and Ramona S. Dott of Espyville, Pa.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Andrea Gillette; and her mother.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Baumgardner Funeral Home, 134 Prospect St., Andover, with the Rev. Thomas E. Seiple officiating.
Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Andover.
Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Kidney Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Henry A. Kozlowski
MEADVILLE, Pa. - Henry (Polka Hank) A. Kozlowski, 81, died Monday, Aug. 19, 2002, at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community following a long illness.
He was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Pittsburgh's West End neighborhood, to John and Veronica Mattela Kozlowski.
Mr. Kozlowski served in the U.S. Navy in the 1940s and was awarded the Purple Heart for his courageous efforts after his ship was attacked and sunk by the Japanese.
He marriage Genevieve Baranowski Aug. 2, 1940, and they lived in Pittsburgh until Oliver Iron and Steel closed in 1957. They moved to Espyville, Pa., at Pymatuning Lake, where Mr. Kozlowski had built his cottage.
Mr. Kozlowski's first wife died in 1985, and he marriage Regina C. Strasser June 3, 1986, at Our Lady, Queen of the Americas Church in Conneaut Lake, Pa. They lived in Espyville, Pa., then Conneaut Lake, and then Meadville, Pa.
He did construction work in Cleveland for a number of years, and then worked for Rockwell International in Ashtabula for 11 years.
When Rockwell closed, Mr. Kozlowski started to explore his Polish heritage and his music. He was known as Polka Hank and was well versed in music. He sang tenor in his church choir at Guardian Angels several years ago. He carried that to Pymatuning, where he and his son Jack had a radio show in Linesville, Pa. Later at the Meadville radio station, he would play his happy polka music for family and friends.
Mr. Kozlowski traveled to Cleveland, Erie and Pittsburgh to gather polka bands for his annual Polka Blast at St. Philip Social Center in Linesville, Pa. He was always putting on benefit dances for St. Philip Church in the '70s and '80s, where he provided his own special kielbasa. These dances were instrumental in helping Linesville and North Shenango townships' ambulance services.
He was a member of the Linesville American Legion, a lifetime member of DAV and a member of Polish Falcons, West End-Pittsburgh, and Polish National Alliance, Chicago.
Survivors include his wife, Regina of Meadville; a daughter, Janet Carpellotti of McKees Rocks, Pa.; sons David E. Kozlowski of Pittsburgh, Jerry Kozlowski of Linesville, and Jack E. Kozlowski of Espyville; a stepson, Kenneth E. Strasser of Port Richey, Fla.; brothers John Kozlowski of Pittsburgh and Barty Kozlowski of Oakland, Calif.; a sister, Mary Biedzinski of Pittsburgh; grandchildren Jeffrey Kozlowski, Jennifer Bowman, Jason Kozlowski, Christian Kozlowski, Ryan Kozlowski, Ashley Kozlowski, Nickie Carpellotti and Frank Carpellotti; six great-grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jenny; brothers Stanley, Frank and Joe Kozlowski; and sisters Laura Stiner and Helen Kozlowski.
Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Agatha's Church, 353 Pine St., Meadville, officiated by the Rev. Gregory Passauer. Burial will be in Our Lady, Queen of Americas Cemetery, Conneaut Lake, Pa.
Visitation is 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Harold W. Coleman Jr. Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville, Pa. A prayer vigil will be held at 3 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Howard Mullen
ESPYVILLE, Pa. - Howard "Rick" Mullen, 57, of Pecan Drive in Espyville, Pa., died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, at his home.
He was born Oct. 8, 1944, in Meadville, Pa., the son of Howard A. and Frances (Myers) Mullen, and had been a lifelong area resident.
He was a Navy veteran, and worked as a laborer for South Shenago Township, Pa., for many years. He enjoyed wood-carving and fishing.
He marriage the former Patricia Money on Nov. 19, 1971.
Survivors include a daughter, Jackie Major of Pensacola, Fla.; a son, Eric Mullen of Mountain Home, Idaho; five sisters, Alvis Smith and Robin Jesse, both of Linesville, Pa., Kay Klimek of Fort Pierce, Fla., Cindy Taylor of Conneautville, Pa., and Chris Slozat of Espyville, Pa.; and granddaughters Katie and Leentje.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, on Oct. 21, 1999.
Service is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Baumgardner Funeral Home, 134 Prospect St., Andover.
No calling hours will be observed, and burial of cremated remains will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Clarence J. O'Keefe
ESPYVILLE, Pa. - Clarence J. O'Keefe, 88, of Crom Road, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at his home.
He was born Aug. 4, 1913, in Monroeville, Pa., to Patrick and Mary (Thornton) O'Keefe. He previously lived in Turtle Creek, Pa. and lived in Espyville, Pa. for the last several years. He marriage Virginia M. Chilcoat Aug. 20, 1938.
Mr. O'Keefe was a machinist at Westinghouse Corp. in Pittsburgh for 51 years, retiring in 1977.
He enjoyed fishing, golfing and gardening.
Survivors include his wife Virginia of Espyville, Pa. and son Robert D. O'Keefe of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Harry and Edward O'Keefe.
Funeral is 11 a.m. Friday at Baumgardner Funeral Home, 134 Prospect St., Andover. Burial will follow in Espyville Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
James L. McKain
SPRING CITY, Pa. - James L. McKain, 63, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at the Phoenixville Hospital, where he had been a patient for 10 days after suffering a lengthy illness.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of James and Elsie (Lago) McKain.
Mr. McKain had resided in Spring City, Pa., for the last 20 years.
He was an U.S. Army career veteran for 25 years. Mr. McKain first served in the medical corps, then with military intelligence, then in a photography laboratory and finally with the Defense Investigative Services.
He was last employed as a civilian with the Spring-Ford School District in the custodial department from 1988 until his retirement in 1994.
Mr. McKain received the following decorations and citations while serving in the U.S. Army: Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal.
He was a member of the Thomas W. O'Connor Post 602 American Legion in Spring City, Pa., where he served as chaplain and post historian. Mr. McKain also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6341, Royersford, Pa., a life member of the Liberty Steam Engine Fire Co. No. 1, Spring City, Pa., and Royersford Lodge 585, Free & Accepted Masons, Royersford, Pa.
Survivors include his mother, Elsie of Ashtabula; his wife, Nancy (Slaughter); a daughter, Kelly L. Keller of Boyertown, Pa.; three sisters, Janice Oliver, Diana Faust and Denise Hanson, all of Ashtabula; and two granddaughters, Anna Marie and Emily Rose Keller.
A service was held Friday at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, with the Rev. Robert M. Latshaw of Parker Ford Church of the Brethren officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. McKain's memory to The Thomas W. O'Connor Post 602, American Legion in care of The Youth Welfare Fund, 25 N. Main St., Spring City, Pa., 19475.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Shalkop-Grace Funeral Home, Inc., 135 Bridge St., Spring City, Pa.
Marie Kohler
LINESVILLE, Pa - Marie Kohler, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, at the Rolling Fields Nursing Home, Conneautville, Pa., after a long illness.
She was born May 9, 1915, in New York, N.Y.; the daughter of Chester and Rose (Lizalek) Yannelli.
She was of the Catholic faith and enjoyed many years of faithful volunteer work at the Linesville Active Aging Center and playing in the Good Tyme Band.
Mrs. Kohler was a lifelong cosmetologist and owned Kottingham Beauty Salon, Cleveland.
Survivors include her daughter, Marie Singer of Rock Creek; a sister, Rose Yochum of Euclid; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, on Sept. 4, 1988.; a daughter, Carole Lavo; an infant grandson, Jeffery Singer; a sister, Helen Verhovec and brother, Emil Yannelli.
Service is 1 p.m. Thursday at the William H. Houghton Funeral Home, 127 Conneaut St., Linesville, Pa., with the Rev. John Barwin of St. Philip's Church, Linesville officiating. Burial will be in Lenox Center Cemetery, Lenox.
No calling hours will be observed.
