Dec 7, 2012 17 min read

Joseph Allan Brach

Avid Steelers fan loved hunting

Joseph Allan Brach, 45, of Meadow Lands, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in his residence, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born August 12, 1967, in Washington, a son of Arnold Brach and Pamela Volen Brach of Washington.

Mr. Brach was a 1986 graduate of McGuffey High School and worked as a truck driver for Golden Triangle Construction.

He was an avid Steelers fan and loved hunting, fishing, being outdoors and attending the Deerasic Classic every year.

On December 4, 1999, he married Marcia Allen, who survives.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are son, Tyler Brach; three daughters, Schyler Brach, Joesi Brach and Jaycie Brach; brother, A.J. (Missy) Brach; stepsister, Kathy (Tim) Krall of Washington; maternal grandmother, Doris Volen; mother-in-law, Shelley (Bud) White; father-in-law, Bob “Pap” (Mary) Allen; sisters-in-law, Laura Droboj, Robin Allen and Jeanie Allen; brother-in-law, Bobby Allen; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He also leaves behind his special dog, “Little G.”

Deceased are maternal grandfather, Joseph Volen and paternal grandparents, Mary and Frank Brach.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, December 10, in Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with Father Carmen D’Amico as celebrant.

Additional information and guest book are available online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

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June L. Hood

1927 – 2012

June L. Hood, 85, of Canonsburg, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in Townview Health and Rehabilitation Center, Canonsburg.

She was born March 12, 1927, in Washington, a daughter of James and Ruth Browning.

On April 21, 1951, she married John Hood, who died August 21, 2010.

Prior to her retirement, she worked as an assembler of mobile radio equipment.

Surviving are her half brother, David Ledger, and his wife, Patricia, of North Strabane; her sisters, Vera Horner and Barbara Mahramus, both of Houston; two grandchildren, James R. Kelly Jr. of Eighty Four and John Wesley Kelly of Warrenton, Mo.; and two great-grandchildren, Kalee Kelly and Jacob Kelly.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Lorene A. Kelly, and her brother, James Ledger.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director. Services will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 8. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray.

Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.

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Shirley A. Kelley

Richeyville resident

Shirley A. Kelley, 76, of Richeyville, died Thursday, December 6, 2012, in the Washington Hospital.

She was born January 31, 1936, in Washington, a daughter of the late Pete and Mary Ann Huzor.

Mrs. Kelley was a 1954 graduate of Centerville High School.

Surviving are son, George A. Kelley Jr. of Richeyville; grandson, Brandon Chicora of Richeyville; brother, Pete Huzor and wife Marianne; aunt, Josephine Makusenko of Richeyville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. Online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

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Steven Mark Lusher

Enjoyed spending time with his children

Steven Mark Lusher, 42, of Avella, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was born March 14, 1970, in Washington, a son of Jack W. Lusher Jr. and Joyce Kisner Lusher.

Mr. Lusher was a graduate of Trinity High School.

He worked at Washington County Health Center for 14 years as a cook and in the maintenance department.

Mr. Lusher enjoyed spending time with his children and was an avid hunter.

Surviving are three sons, Austin, Kultyn “Bub,” and Kaiden; daughter, Emaleigh; stepdaughter, Brittany Hewitt; and two sisters, Tammy Kowcheck of Avella and Wendy Dinch of Washington.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. The family suggests casual attire or camouflage dress.

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Edward J. Magayna

WWII veteran

Edward J. Magayna, 86, of Geneva, Ohio, formerly of Vestaburg, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in the Washington Hospital.

He was born October 5, 1926, in East Beth Township, a son of the late Max M. and Marty Katherine Cwierz Magayna.

Mr. Magayna was a 1944 graduate of Centerville High School.

He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Until his retirement, he worked for many years at J&L Steel in Pittsburgh.

He was a member of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Fredericktown, and the American Legion Hanson-Cole Post 391 of Fredericktown.

Mr. Magayna enjoyed golfing, horse racing and sports.

Surviving are two sisters, Louise Misenko (Ralph) of Mentor, Ohio, and Patricia Throckmorton of Geneva, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are brother, Max S. Magayna, and sister, Irene Biksey.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 42 Bank Street at Crawford Road, Fredericktown, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 11. Interment will be in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township. Guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

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George Mandus

Artist, architect, musician, teacher

George Mandus, 88, renowned, respected and well-loved artist, whose portraits of national and state leaders are displayed prominently at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta and the University of Georgia in Athens, as well as in other locations in the nation, died December 5, 2012, in his home in Atlanta, after a brief illness.

He was born in 1924 in Canonsburg, one of seven children of Martha and Steve Mandus.

Mr. Mandus attended the University of Pennsylvania before enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he flew PBY airplanes doing submarine search and rescue surveillance on both coasts between 1942 and 1946.

He graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla., and studied with leading portrait artists and was represented by Portraits Inc. of New York City. During that time, he completed portraits that went on display in New York, Chicago, Cape Cod, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. More recently, his portraits have been shown in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Canada as well as in Georgia.

Mr. Mandus spent most of his life in Georgia, where he was commissioned to paint portraits to commemorate the legacies of governors, judges, college presidents and other public figures. Some 50 of his works remain on display at the Georgia State Capitol and other state buildings. These works include portraits of George T. Smith, former Georgia Supreme Court justice, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House of Representatives, and Tom Murphy, speaker of the House of Representatives from 1977 to 2002.

In 1974, Governor Jimmy Carter commissioned Mr. Mandus to paint a portrait of civil rights leader and Nobel Prize winner the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. of Atlanta, which has been viewed by thousands of Georgia schoolchildren and adults. The likeness of Dr. King was the first portrait of a black American personage to go on display in the Georgia State Capitol.

Mr. Mandus painted two other notable black Georgians whose portraits are seen in the State Capitol. They are Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, the first Southern bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, whose influence helped reshape Georgia’s attitudes during Reconstruction, and Lucy Craft Laney, a pioneer in the field of education in Georgia.

On the national level, he painted a portrait of U.S. President Harry S. Truman that hangs in the Truman Library in Independence, Mo. He was slated to paint U.S. President John F. Kennedy before his untimely death in 1963.

Golfing legend Bobby Jones of Atlanta, the most successful amateur in his sport, was another of Mr. Mandus’ subjects.

Movie stars Robert Cummings and Jeanne Crain commissioned Mr. Mandus to create their likenesses.

Mr. Mandus conducted art classes at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta and taught students at his own studio in Atlanta for many years. He also was an architect who specialized in drawings of bridges.

Music was his second love and talent. He played several musical instruments, including the bagpipes, which he played with the John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums of Atlanta. His performances on the bagpipes included the opening ceremony of the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988, the Highland Games at Stone Mountain for many years and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

He and his immediate family had a second home in Santa Fe, N.M., where he continued to paint portraits of government figures and others who were fortunate enough to sit for him.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, the former Ann Fortson, daughter of longtime Georgia Secretary of State Ben W. Fortson Jr.; daughter, Mary Cade Mandus of Atlanta; son, Benjamin F. Mandus (Cheryl) of Gresham, Or.; grandson, Alexander G. Mandus (Aubrey) of Portland, Ore.; two sisters, Mary Springer of McMurray and Ann Smoke of Canonsburg; and many nephews and nieces.

Following cremation, family and close friends will pay tribute to Mr. Mandus at a memorial service to be held at a later date.

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Wilbur Earl Meeks

Member of Liberty U.M. Church

Wilbur Earl Meeks, 83, of Washington, died Tuesday, December 4, 2012, in Donnell House.

He was born March 11, 1929, in Washington, a son of the late Earl Wilbert and Dessie Anderson Meeks.

Mr. Meeks graduated from Trinity High School in 1947.

He worked as a roll processor at U.S. Steel’s Homestead Works and co-owned Pete and Wilbur’s Camper Sales.

Mr. Meeks enjoyed square dancing.

He was a member of Liberty United Methodist Church and F&AM Lodge 164.

In August 1950, he married Margaret Louise Laws, who died March 29, 2003.

Surviving are two sons, Roy Meeks of Washington and Dale W. (Pam) Meeks of Mesquite, Texas; brother, Paul “Punk” (Dorothy) Meeks of Washington; and four grandchildren, Justin and Dylan Meeks and Kalab and Travis Hannen.

Deceased is a daughter, Janet Lynn Hannen Bickus.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 10, with Pastor Lois F. Swestyn officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.

Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

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Grete Evens Miller

Grete Evens Miller, 67, of Canonsburg, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 6, 2012, in her home.

Arrangements are entrusted to Salandra Funeral Service Inc., 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120.

A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

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Anthony R. Sedmak

Cooper Industries retiree served in U.S. Army

Anthony R. “Pooch” Sedmak, 84, of Canonsburg, passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township, with his family by his side.

He was born October 18, 1928, in Strabane, a son of the late Joseph and Mary Kern Sedmak.

Mr. Sedmak served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War.

He lived his entire life in the Strabane and Canonsburg areas, where he was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

Prior to his retirement, he had been employed by the former Cooper Industries in Canonsburg.

Mr. Sedmak was a member of SNPJ Lodge 138 and KSKJ Lodge 153, both in Strabane.

He enjoyed gardening and grass cutting.

On August 7, 1954, he married Connie Ortuso, who died June 2, 2008.

Surviving are a son, Joseph A. (Karen) Sedmak of Houston; two daughters, Deborah Sedmak of Canonsburg and Melina (Brian) Nvicki of Bethel Park; four grandchildren, Kristen (Michael Imbrogno) Sedmak, Heather (Brian) Bielenberg, Jennifer Ackerman and Brian Novicki; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the last of his immediate family.

Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are two sisters, Mary and Justine Sedmak, and three brothers, Frank, Andrew and Joseph Sedmak.

Friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 1 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, December 8, in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, with the Rev. Richard Jones officiating. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Canonsburg. Full military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 902 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 combined honor guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

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Howard Smith

Howard Smith, 92, of Burgettstown, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in Ashland Samaritan Hospital, Ashland, Ohio.

Arrangements will be announced in a later edition by Lee & Martin Funeral Home, Burgettstown.

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Ronald L. Smith

Owner of Ron Smith’s Auto Repair

Ronald L. “Smitty” Smith, 53, of Washington, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in his home.

He was born October 2, 1959, in Washington, a son of Donald L. Smith and the late Freda Bell Thomas Smith.

Mr. Smith was a 1977 graduate of Trinity High School and then went to Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh to become an auto mechanic.

He owned and operated Ron Smith’s Auto Repair in Amwell Township for more than 30 years.

Mr. Smith was a member of Liberty United Methodist Church in Washington.

He enjoyed deer hunting, watching NASCAR, even getting to drive a NASCAR car in Charlotte in 2008, truck pulling, spending time with his pet German shepherd Rocky and his nieces and nephews, whom he treated like his children.

Surviving are his father, Donald L. Smith; four sisters, Beverley K. (John) Fox, Eva Jean (John) Markulik, Anna Jane (Tom) Westfall, Eleanor Bell Smith; brother, Harold W. (Amy) Smith; four nieces and nephews, Crystal Ann (Matt) Noecker, Paul Edward Westfall, Elizabeth Aubrey Smith, Luke Andrew Smith; great-niece, Aspen Anna Noecker; girlfriend, Rose Vescio; aunts, cousins, his Saturday night dinner gang and many friends.

Family and friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1873 East Maiden Street, Washington, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 10, with the Rev. Larry Wiltrout officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Condolences may be left at www.nicholfuneralhome.com.

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Mary Jeannette Gillogly Staggers

Jefferson resident was avid seamstress

Mary Jeannette Gillogly Staggers, 89, of Jefferson, died at 9 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in Southwest Regional Medical Center, Waynesburg.

She was born Friday, January 12, 1923, in Holbrook, a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Gillogly and Mary Elizabeth Scott Gillogly.

Mrs. Staggers was a member of Oakview United Methodist Church in Waynesburg, where she was the former pianist, Sunday school teacher and choir director.

She was an avid seamstress, having worked for several businessmen, as well as individuals over the years. She enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren and watching train movies with them. Years ago, she worked as a nanny for the Lively children.

On August 19, 1940, she married Russell N. Staggers, who died November 17, 1992.

Surviving are daughter and husband, Janet Dianne (Richard) Gaffney of Jefferson; two sons and their wives, Larry N. (Carla) Staggers of Euclid, Ohio, Lanny J. (Carol) Staggers of Charleroi; eight grandchildren, Brian Jones, Ronald Staggers, Russell Staggers, Kayla Staggers, Stacey Courtwright, Brett Staggers, Kena Hartzell, Bethann Sari; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter; two brothers, Jack Gillogly of Holbrook and William Gillogly of Aliquippa; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are two sisters, Hope Gump and Genevera Huffman.

There will be a greeting of friends from noon to 1 p.m., the time of the memorial service, Saturday, December 8, in Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Daryl L. Throckmorton, Owner/Director, 197 N. Maiden St., Waynesburg, with Pastor Ben Williamson and Dr. David Stains officiating. Burial will be private in Rosemont Cemetery, Rogersville, at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 7829 National Pike, Suite 2, Uniontown, Pa. 15401. Information available at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.

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Charles W. Townsend

Charles W. Townsend, 56, of Washington, died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, in his home.

Arrangements are being handled by Nichol Funeral Home, Washington. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

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John L. Trebel

Fort Pitt Bridgeworks machinist for 35 years

John L. Trebel, 99, of Johnstown, died December 6, 2012, in his home.

He was born November 16, 1913, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Sabatian and Theresa Dublecz Trebel.

Deceased are his wife, the former Rose Rotella; brother, Anthony Treble; and sister, Grace Woodhouse.

Surviving are sons Frank, married to Dianne Haverilla Trebel, of Johnstown and John M., married to Donna Gierl Trebel, of Waterloo, Iowa; grandchildren John, Terri, David, Darren, Kevin, Adrianne and Erin; and great-grandchildren Alex, Emily, Jack, Luke, Ashlyn, Kimberly, Lauryn, Addisyn, Morgan, Fox, Emma, Ryan, Katelyn, D.J., Audrey, Hannah and Sasha.

Mr. Trebel was a machinist for Fort Pitt Bridgeworks for 35 years.

He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Canonsburg, and on the committee to build the new St. Patrick’s Church and School. He also was a member of the Musicians Union, playing bass fiddle for many big bands in the Pittsburgh area during the 1930s. He also was an avid woodworker, dollhouse maker and clockmaker.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing or service. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Ave.. Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com.

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Barbara Joy VanTromp

Former Washington resident

Barbara Joy VanTromp, 60, of Bridgeport, W.Va., passed away in her home Wednesday, December 5, 2012, following an extended illness.

She was born September 18, 1952, in Washington, a daughter of the late John Menhart, who died when she was six years old, and the late Violet Navoy Sendeski. She was the stepdaughter of the late Joseph Sendeski.

Surviving are her loving and caring husband of 37 years, John A. VanTromp.

Also surviving are daughter, Kristin VanTromp of Clearwater, Fla.; son, Justin VanTromp and wife Ashley of Arlington, Va.; two sisters, Betty Lou Courson and husband Bo of McMurray and Valerie Parker and husband Frank Lock Haven; her only surviving aunt, Stella Filipowski of Norwin; and a cousin, Bill Gorrell and wife Barb of Michigan.

She was a member of Simpson Creek Baptist Church.

Mrs. VanTromp was a graduate of Trinity High School and Fairmont State College, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Joy, as she was called, was a schoolteacher. She began teaching in Columbus, Ohio, and later taught in Marion County, W.Va. Most of her career was spent in Harrison County, where she taught middle school in Shinnston, Gore, and Lumberport, W.Va. She also taught at Simpson Elementary and retired from Bridgeport Middle School in 2004, because of health problems. She had a strong passion for teaching and truly loved her students.

Condolences to the VanTromp Family may be sent to burnsidefh@burnsidefuneralhome.com.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 South Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, W.Va. Mrs. VanTromp will lie in state at Simpson Creek Baptist Church from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 8, where services will be held at 11 a.m. with Dr. C. Michael Hopkins presiding. Following the service, her request for cremation will be honored.

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Lillian M. Verner

1941 Trinity graduate

Lillian M. Verner, 89, of Washington, died Thursday, December 6, 2012, in her home.

She was born September 4, 1923, in Washington, a daughter of Ralph and Mary Kimmey Donaldson.

Mrs. Verner is a 1941 graduate of Trinity High School.

On November 21, 1942, she married Wesley F. Verner, who died January 26, 2004.

Surviving are two daughters, Peggy Verner of Washington and Connie Conaway of Canonsburg; three grandchildren, Jason Law (Heather) of Johnstown, Ohio, Jeffrey Law (Lara) of Naperville, Ill., and Jacqueline Rush of Canonsburg; a stepgranddaughter, Denise Law of Gilbert, Ariz.; and four great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a daughter, Janet Law; three brothers, Robert L., Wilbert and Ernest Donaldson; and three sisters, Agnes Stanley, Irene Nelan and Kathleen Donaldson.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 10. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.