MARIJA VAJDIC
Marija Vajdic, 95, of Steelton and formerly of Zagreb, Croatia, died Thursday, May 8, 2003 in her home.
She had been a member of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Parish, Steelton.
She was the widow of Thomas Vajdic. She was preceded in death by a grandson. She is survived by one son, Thomas Vajdic and his wife, Winifred with whom she resided; one daughter, Bozena Knezevic and her husband Slavko, Cincinnati, OH; one brother, Dragutin Marcus, Croatia; one granddaughter, two step-grandchildren; three step great-grandsons.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Graveside service and burial will be held on Monday, May 12, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Township. Viewing will be private. Arrangements by Wiedeman Funeral Home, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to Pinnacle Health Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
MILDRED CORDAS BOGDANOVIC
Mildred Cordas Bogdanovic, 83, of Virginia Beach and formerly of Steelton, died Friday, May 9, 2003, in Virginia Beach General Hospital.
She was a faithful Navy wife, and a member of St. Nicholas Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, Oberlin.
She was the widow of John Bogdanovic, and is survived by a daughter, Donna and her husband, Paul Lane-Osmore, with whom she lived; a sister, Anna Russell of Virginia Beach; a nephew, David Russell of Virginia Beach; and several additional nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, in St. Nicholas Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, 601 South Harrisburg Street, Oberlin. Burial in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. A viewing will be held from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday in the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to her church, 601 South Harrisburg Street, Oberlin, PA 17113.
PEARL I. McCARTNEY GRISSINGER
Pearl I. McCartney Grissinger, 70, of Lower Paxton Twp., died Friday, May 9, 2003 in Community General Osteopathic Hospital.
She was a retired payroll Specialist for Capital Blue Cross, Harrisburg and a member of Paxton United Methodist Church, Harrisburg.
She was the widow of Albert E. Grissinger, Sr. and is survived by 2 daughters, Linda Grissinger of Harrisburg and Pearl Sweger of Middletown; a son, Albert E. Grissinger, Jr. of Hummelstown; and 5 grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Paxton United Methodist Church, 3550 N. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg. Burial in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. Viewing will be from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 N. Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
PORFIRIO RODRIGUEZ
Porfirio Rodriguez, 75, of 31 N. 16th Street, Harrisburg, died Friday, May 9, 2003 in the Harrisburg Hospital.
He was a retired farmer in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
He is survived by a step-daughter, Elizabeth Vega of Vineland, NJ; one brother, Pedro Rodriguez of Harrisburg; two sisters, Gladys Rodriguez of Huntington, NY and Monserate Nieves of Camden, NJ.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003 in the Fackler-Wiedeman Funeral Home, 23rd and Derry Streets, Harrisburg. Burial in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. Viewing will be on Tuesday from 12 Noon to 2 p.m. in the funeral home.
MINNIE R. PUGLIESE
Minnie R. Pugliese, 81, of 31 Chestnut St., Steelton, died Sunday, May 11, 2003 in Harrisburg Hospital.
She was a retired Claims Clerk for Capital Blue Cross and a former member of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church and a member of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Parish, Steelton.
She was the daughter of the late Franciesco and Catina Buglio Pugliese.Surviving are three brothers, Guy Pugliese, New Cumberland, Ray A. Pugliese, Steelton and Gabriel Pugliese of San Antonio, TX; two nieces, JoAnn White and Mary Lou DeCarlo, both of Lehigh Acres, FL; and two nephews, Frank and Joseph Pugliese, both of San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Pugliese.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday in Prince of Peace-Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, with Rev. Samuel E. Houser as celebrant. Burial Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Twp. A viewing will be held from 9:00 until 10:30 am on Thursday in Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second St., Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Assn., Capital Region Unit, 1517 Cedar Cliff Dr., Camp Hill, PA 17011.
WILLIAM J. RIBEC
William J. Ribec, 77, of Steelton, died Monday, May 12, 2003 in Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
He was a retired steelworker from the Steelton Plant of Bethlehem Steel Corporation and a Navy Veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Lawrence Lodge No. 13, Croatian Fraternal Union and VFW Post 710, Steelton.
He is survived by two daughters, Cynthia L. Thompson, with whom he resided, and Jennifer L. Rutter; a son, William F. Ribec of Fishing Creek Valley; five grandchildren, Michael Swensson, Laura Mowers, Ashlee, Christian, and Patrick Ribec; two great-grandchildren, Bradley and Joshua Mowers; a sister, Francis Hubert of Linden, NJ; and a brother, Robert Ribic of Rutherford.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday in Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. There will be a private family viewing.
BARBARA ANN BACAK
Barbara Ann Bacak, 79, of Blue Ridge Haven East and formerly of Bressler, died Saturday, May 17, 2003 in the home.
She was a retired Housekeeper for the former Host Inn and Holiday Inn East, Swatara Township. She was a member of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Parish, Steelton; and was a former member of St. Lawrence and Bressler Clubs.
She is survived by one son, John A. Fortney and his wife, Daryl Ann of Chambers Hill; two grandchildren, Jacqueline Putt of Summerdale, and John A. Fortney, Jr., of Freemont, NH; and one great-granddaughter, Kayla Fortney.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Graveside services and burial will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 12 noon, in Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Township. There will be no viewing or visitation. Arrangements by Wiedeman Funeral Home, Steelton.
HELEN L. DECKMAN DEIBLER
Helen L. Deckman Deibler, 73, of 6300 Clearfield Street, Rutherford, died Wednesday, May 21, 2003 in Harrisburg Hospital.
She was a Registered Nurse at Blue Ridge Haven East, Harrisburg Hospital, and retired as a Nursing Supervisor from Dauphin Manor. She was a graduate of the former Steelton High School, and the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing class of 1950. She was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the Alumni Assn. of the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing. She enjoyed current events, sports, traveling, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Richard E. Deibler. Two daughters Karen M. and her husband Rodney L. Wagner, West Hanover Twp., and Carol A. and her husband Jeffrey G. Depew, Etters; one sister, Doris Mae Vergot, Harrisburg; 5 grandchildren, Justin S. and Joshua L. Wagner, Dylan R., Jeffrey G. II Depew and Amy R. George.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 in the Fackler-Wiedeman Funeral Home, 23rd and Derry Streets, Harrisburg with the Rev. Kester T. Sobers, III, her pastor, officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services in the funeral home.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Capital Region Division, 1517 Cedar Cliff Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 North Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
ROBERT P. WILT
Robert P. Wilt, Sr.,82, of Frey Village, Middletown, and formerly of Steelton, died Wednesday, May 21, 2003 in the Village.
He was born September 6, 1920, in Sunbury, PA, to his late parents, Irvin and Jenny Wilt. He was of the Lutheran faith, US Army Veteran of World War II, Retired Warehouseman for the Harrisburg Grocery Company and a member of the local Teamsters Union 776, Harrisburg.
He was a loving and caring husband and father, who worked extremely hard to provide for his wife and eight children. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Betty I. Stager Wilt and his six daughters and two sons; Freda Potteiger, Harrisburg, Donna Campbell, Marysville, Helen Bressler, Mechanicsburg, Robert, Jr., Marysville, Frederick, New Bloomfield, Gloria Keim, Harrisburg, Joy Meyers, Middletown and Robin Banks, Grantham; he was grandfather of 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and now is with his grandson Jeffery who passed away 13 years ago. He is also survived by nine brothers and sisters.
"You will be missed, but someday we will all be together again! We Love You!"
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fackler-Wiedeman Funeral Home, 23rd and Derry Streets, Harrisburg. Burial in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. A viewing will be held on Friday, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to Frey Village, 1020 North Union Street, Middletown, PA 17057 or Pinnacle Health Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
ELIZABETH A. SLATT KOSEVIC
Elizabeth A. Slatt Kosevic, 76, of Highspire School Apartments, 201 Penn Street, Highspire, died Saturday, May 31, 2003 in Harrisburg Hospital.
She was a retired supervisor for the equipment division of PA Department of Transportation and a former employee of Pomeroy's Department Store, Harrisburg.
She was a member of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, and a member of Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. She was an active member of St. Lawrence Lodge No. 13; Croatian Fraternal Union; a member and Past President of the Golden Hearts Club; Past President of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Council of Catholic Women; and St. Mary's 50+ Club. She was Chairperson of the Steelton High School Class Reunion of 1945 and St. Mary's Class Reunion of 1941.
She was the widow of Vincent A. Kosevic and is survived by a son, Vincent M. and his wife, Dori Kosevic of Highspire; a daughter, Marlene K. and her husband, Richard E. Brady of Harrisburg; two sisters, Mary Zugay of Highspire and Amelia Zlogar of Harrisburg; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Kimmey and Erika, Molly and Shane Brady; and several nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Middletown, with Rev. Louis P. Ogden as celebrant. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Twp. A viewing will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
BETTY MAE MECKLEY RICE
Betty Mae Meckley Rice, 84, of Villa Teresa Nursing Home and formerly of Steelton, died Thursday, May 29, 2003 in the home.
She was a member of the First Church of God, Highspire and its K.Y.B. Sunday School Class; Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 420, Steelton; Past President of the American War Mothers Chapter 55; former Secretary of the Auxiliary of the VFW Post 710, Steelton; lifetime member of the Women of the Moose Chapter 919, Steelton; former member of the West Side Mothers Club; Steelton River Rescue and Voiture 40 et 8 Club.
She was the widow of Charles S. Rice and is survived by a son, John F. Rice of Deland, FL; five daughters, Betty Frances Rice of Steelton, Sandra L. Lawyer of Grantville, Jane E. Keister and Leah R. Livingston, both of Harrisburg, and Fay E. Stickle of Middletown; a brother, Norman C. Meckley, Jr., of Steelton; a step-sister, Judy Biesecker of Middletown; 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton, with Rev. Cory L. Heikel, her pastor officiating. Burial in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Lower Paxton Twp. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday in the funeral home.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to Villa Teresa Nursing Home, 1051 Avila Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or the American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 N. Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
WILLIAM R. GASSERT
William R. Gassert, 88, of 239 Locust Street, Steelton, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003 in M.S. Hershey Medical Center.
He was a retired employee of the Tin Shop of Bethlehem Steel Corp., an Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 420, VFW Post 710 and United Steelworkers of American Local 1688, all of Steelton.
He was the widower of Margaret L. Ream Gassert and was preceded in death by his son, Bruce DeMarco. Surviving are two sisters, Geraldine Evans and Ada Schmiedel, both of Steelton; a grandson, Eric DeMarco of Harrisburg and several nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, in Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, with Rev. Kevin E. Hughes, Pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. A viewing will be held from 10 until 11 a.m., Monday, in the funeral home.
FRANK W. KOSTYAL
Frank W. Kostyal, 83, of 2612 S. Third Street, Steelton, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003 in the Holy Spirit Hospital.
He was a retired clerk in the roll shop of Bethlehem Steel Corp., an Army Veteran of World War II, and a member of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Parish, Steelton.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara C. Dujmic Kostyal; a daughter, Margaret Mary Arnold of Colorado Springs, CO; 2 sons, Frank A., and wife, Christine Kostyal of Camp Hill, and David A. Kostyal of Sayre; a brother, Joseph Kostyal of Wellsboro; three grandsons, Andrew, Matthew and Frank Kostyal; and a granddaughter, Sarah Kostyal.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, in Prince of Peace-Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, with Rev. Samuel E. Houser as celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, in Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to the memorial fund of his parish, 815 S. Second Street, Steelton, PA 17113.
ALBERT G. BRANCH
Albert G. Branch, 79, of 58 Beale Street, Oberlin, passed away Friday, June 6, 2003 in Harrisburg Hospital.
He was a retired Directorate for Administration at the former New Cumberland Army Depot, former Assistant to the Administrator of Dauphin Manor, and former Planning Officer for Dauphin County Emergency Management Service. He retired as a Court Crier for Dauphin County Judge Lawrence F. Clark, Jr.
He was a graduate of Swatara Township High School, attended Thompson Business College, Temple University and Penn State University. He was the former Chairman of the Dauphin Co. Republican Committee, Scout Master, Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, Vice Chairman of the District, Executive Board Member and Advisory Board Member of the Northeast Region of the Keystone Council Boy Scouts of America. He was Past President of Oberlin Lions Club and Treasurer of the Swatara Township Sewer Authority.
He was a member of Monumental A.M.E. Church, where he served as Class Leader, Steward, Director of Christian Education, Trustee, and Church School Superintendent for 50 years. He was a Prince Hall Mason and member of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of PA, Past Master of Paxton Lodge No. 16 F&AM, Past High Priest of Harris Chapter No. 26 Royal Arch Masons PHA, Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Holy Royal Arch Masons of PA, and Past Potentate of Himyar Temple No. 17, AEANOMS. He was a 33rd Degree and Last Degree Master Mason of the United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Northern Jurisdiction PHA.
He was a member of the Andrew Askins American Legion Post 479 for 50 years, Citizens Fire Co., Oberlin, Swatara Township Republican Committee, the Sertoma Club and was a Navy Veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Jean A. Jones Branch; a daughter, Donna E. Bauserman of Union Deposit; a son, Gary A. Branch of Oberlin; four sisters,Marzetta B. Roberts of Oberlin, Jeannette J. Perry of Inglewood, CA, Shirley J. Lomax of Jamaica, Queens, NY and Patricia A. Branch of Steelton; a brother, Marlin G. Branch of Newport; four grandchildren, Sherri L. Branch, Gary A. Branch, Jr., Ashley S. Walmer and Michael A. Branch; and six great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in Monumental A.M.E. Church, Second & Adams Streets, Steelton, with the Rev. Dr. Stanley Hearst, Sr., his pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, with full military honors. A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, in his church, where Masonic Services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Wiedeman Funeral Home, 357 S. Second Street, Steelton.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 202, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to his church, Second & Adams Streets, Steelton, PA 17113 or to the Boy Scouts of America, Keystone Council, 1 Baden Powell Lane, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.
