Obituaries Dec. 13
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The Meadows employee enjoyed karaoke
John C. Bell, 50, of Washington, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013.
He was born March 2, 1963, in Pittsburgh, a son of Bernard Sr. and Helen Himes Bell.
Mr. Bell had worked as a taxi driver in West Palm Beach, Fla., for several years. He also worked as a security guard and most recently worked at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
He was a 1981 graduate of McGuffey High School.
Mr. Bell enjoyed hunting, fishing, video games, karaoke and country music.
Surviving are five sisters, Dorothy Wood (Dan) of West Brownsville, Terri Bell of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Annette Marcial (Nestor) of West Palm Beach, Karen Smith (Mark) of Dallas, Texas, and Wendy Main (Keanith) of Houston; two brothers, Bernard Bell Jr. (Ruth) of Prosperity and Jason Bell (Marcia) of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a sister, Crystal Kunkle, and a brother, Michael Bell.
All services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.
Dog trainer and dog safety instructor
Carol Ann Culp, 61, of Pittsburgh, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon, following a brief illness.
She was born September 19, 1952, in Washington, a daughter of Patricia Kervin Porter and the late Donald Porter.
A graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, she also attended Penn Commercial for two years.
She worked for the state Department of Public Welfare as a department supervisor for more than 30 years.
She was a member of Smithfield United Church of Christ.
As dog trainer, she participated in dog shows and had last been a dog safety instructor for the Humane Society, educating school students throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Surviving are two brothers, Ed (Mary) Porter of Centerville, Va., and Gregory (Jamie Reed) Porter of Washington; a sister, Coleen (Martin) Mehlmauer of Houston; two nieces, Elizabeth Porter and Patricia Porter; and two nephews, Aaron Mehlmauer and Daniel Porter.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 14. Burial will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.
Memorial contributions can be made to Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
HallMar mechanist
Leonard Ray Davisson, 61, died Tuesday, December 10, 2013, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.
He was born June 24, 1952, in Steubenville, Ohio.
Mr. Davisson worked as a mechanist at HallMar in Pittsburgh.
Surviving are his mother, Catherine Davisson; sister Patricia and husband John McUmar; brother Blaine and wife Marcy Davisson; and nieces and nephews Christina Mecannic, Heather Mecannic, Jesse Davisson, Tony Pharo and Patricia Okorn.
Deceased is his father, Gail Davisson.
There will be a private family service.
Loving mother, devoted wife
Geraldine Louise Cole Fell, 86 of Masontown, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born October 17, 1927, in Allison, a daughter of James Martin Cole and Sarah Ann Cummings Cole.
Mrs. Fell was the last member of her immediate family. Deceased are her parents; brothers James, Harold, Lawrence, Ralph and infant Douglas; and sisters Myrtle and Violet.
She was a loving mother and devoted wife whose greatest joy was time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She faithfully served God all of her life, and shared her faith teaching at Bible school for more than 40 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Carmichaels and Carmichaels Senior Citizens and an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates fan.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 62 years, Anthony Francis “Tony” Fell Jr.; their children, Jennie Helmantoler, Anthony F. Fell III and companion Kim Miller, Barbara Hennessey and husband the Rev. Daniel Hennessey; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Fell; grandchildren William Speelman and wife Terri, Daniel Speelman and wife Jennifer, Michael Speelman and wife Chris, Angela Marie Fell Barner and husband Joseph, Shawn Patrick Hennessey and wife Beverly and Daniel Hennessey Jr. and wife Beth; a stepgrandson, Doug Ealy and wife Susan; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Haky Funeral Home Inc., 515 North Main Street, Masontown, and 9 to 10 a.m., the time of service, Monday, December 16, with her son-in-law, the Rev. Daniel Hennessey, officiating. Entombment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park Mausoleum, Brier Hill.
Mrs. Fell received compassion and wonderful care by the nurses and caregivers of Amedysis Hospice. It is the family’s preference that contributions to Amedysis Hospice be made in Mrs. Fell’s memory.
Personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com.
W&J vice president was family man
Joseph B. “Joe” Leckie, 85, whose career at Washington & Jefferson College spanned more than 36 years, died at 1:55 a.m. Thursday, December 12, 2013, in his home.
He was born October 16, 1928, in Elizabeth, a son of the late Joseph F. and Elizabeth Brown Leckie.
Mr. Leckie was a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and elder.
He was a graduate of Elizabeth High School.
Mr. Leckie, a native of Elizabeth, graduated from Washington & Jefferson College, Class of 1950. Two years later, he returned to W&J, first as an assistant director of admissions and then as director of alumni affairs from 1953 to 1960.
In 1960, he joined the New York-based financial consulting firm of Marts & Lundy. Over the next four years, he worked with dozens of clients throughout the Northeast, helping run successful campaigns at several schools and colleges. In 1964, he returned to W&J as director of admissions and was named director of development four years later. In 1979, he was named vice president of development.
Dedicated to higher education and the future of W&J, Mr. Leckie helped raise more than $56 million in voluntary support for his alma mater and also recruited hundreds of freshmen. He had been honored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education with its distinguished service award. He also served his community as chairman of the Catawba District and a board member of Allegheny Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America. He also served as a member of the executive board of Greater Washington Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Leckie retired from W&J in 1993. He received the distinguished service award of W&J’s General Alumni Association during Homecoming 1993 and was awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree at W&J’s 1993 Founders Day as “an uncommon graduate whose vision, service and leadership had enriched the lives of all of those with whom he had been associated.”
Even though Mr. Leckie had time for all of the people he came in contact with and helped throughout his life, he always made time for his loving wife, children and grandchildren to be special in his life. He was definitely a family man. He enjoyed golf, traveling, spending time living in Washington and Florida and enjoying the special fun times of holidays and the many activities his grandchildren had been participating in, sometimes at the same time. It appeared as though Mr. Leckie always made time for everyone.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Lee Wonderling Leckie; children Scott (Patty) Leckie and Jim (Sherry) Leckie, both of Washington; a daughter, Susan (Bob) Harrell of Norfolk, Va.; and seven grandchildren, Kylie Leckie, Justin (Gina) Leckie, Lindsay Lehman (Matthew Wittman), Dr. Alexander Leckie, Ryan Leckie, Jessica Lehman (Dr. Arman Zijerdi) and Elizabeth Leckie.
A sister, Elizabeth Leckie, is deceased.
Friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Wilson at East Katherine avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 16, in Faith United Presbyterian Church, 900 East Beau Street, Washington, with the Rev. Jason Hefner officiating. The public is welcome. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Faith United Presbyterian Church, 900 East Beau Street, Washington PA 15301, or to Joseph B.’50 and Betty L. Leckie Endowed Scholarship Fund II. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.
Enjoyed working on cars, computers
Erik Stephen Matta, 33, of McDonald, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in Canonsburg Hospital.
He was born August 16, 1980, in Pittsburgh, a son of Stephen and Rachael Caldwell Matta of McDonald.
Mr. Matta was a graduate of West Allegheny High School and attended Community College of Allegheny College.
He was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church.
Mr. Matta enjoyed working on cars, computers and working in sales.
He also enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a brother, Daniel C. (Kimberly) Matta of Georgia; nieces Ashlynne, Alexandra and Audrie; and a number of cousins, aunts and uncles.
Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, December 14, in Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, 724-926-2800, Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Please sign a guest book at thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.
Homemaker enjoyed bowling, reading
Eleanor S. Messer, 84, of Bentleyville, died Tuesday, December 10, 2013, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.
She was born May 21, 1929, in Marianna, a daughter of the late Matthew and Mary Elovich.
Mrs. Messer was a 1947 graduate of West Bethlehem High School.
A homemaker, she enjoyed bowling and belonged to several area leagues. She also enjoyed reading and was an avid Steelers fan and followed the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Surviving are two sons, Clyde R. Messer Jr. (Barbara) of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Lt. Col. Kevin K. Messer (Laurie), U.S. Army retired, of Madison, Ala.; a daughter, Tracy L. McBride (Charles) of Eldersville; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marge Petroff of Bentleyville and Bonnie Turkaly of Vienna, Va.; three brothers, Joe Elovich of Hudson, Fla., Bill Elovich of Mentor, Ohio, and Bob Elovich of Kennewick, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is her husband, Clyde Ross Messer Sr., who died August 3, 1986.
In addition to her parents and husband, also deceased are two sisters, Jay Kissell and Agnes Ruhlman.
Funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bentleyville Public Library, 931 Main Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
Carnegie woman, formerly of Southview
Barbara Jean Page Morris, 64, of Carnegie, formerly of Southview, died Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
She was the mother of Lynn (Randi) Morris; grandmother of three grandsons; sister of Donald G. (Linda), Robert W. and Leonard C. Page; and aunt to a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Leo J. Henney Funeral Home, 323 Second Avenue, Carnegie, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 16. View at www.leohenneyfuneralhome.com.
Homemaker was angel collector
Romaine Brownlee Jackson Radosevic, 79, of Wheeling, W.Va., passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013, surrounded by her family, in Bishop Joseph H. Hodges Continuous Care Center, Wheeling.
She was born February 7, 1934, in Claysville, a daughter of the late Mary Jackson Piatt.
Mrs. Radosevic was a homemaker and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Wheeling.
She loved playing bingo, painting ceramics and traveling, especially cruises and going to Myrtle Beach. She enjoyed visiting and spending time with family. She collected angels and was always a giver and would do anything for anyone.
In addition to her mother, deceased are two sisters, Freda Tobin and Dorothy Samila, and a brother, Clarence Jackson.
Surviving are her loving husband of 61 years, John Radosevic Jr.; two daughters, Jeanne L. Blackmore and husband Orville of Wheeling and Lorraine “Sissy” Manifold and husband Myles Sr. of Dayton, Ohio; a sister, Olive “Babe” Morgan of Claysville; a brother-in-law, Steve Samila of Washington; six grandchildren, John Blackmore and wife Sheila of Bellaire, Ohio, Aaron Blackmore and wife Heather of Denver, N.C., Myles Manifold Jr. and Kitrina of Norman, Ind., Zach Manifold and wife Julia of Grove City, Ohio, Capt. Robert Manifold and wife Beth of Kathleen, Ga., and Kimberly Samila and husband Leslie of Pittsburgh; 11 great-grandchildren, Spencer, Jenet, Jeremiah and Cecilia Blackmore, Matthew, Brandon, Madison, David, Kennedy, Holden and Lucas Manifold; several nieces and nephews; and three goddaughters, Kathleen Samila, Michele Samila and Anita Westling.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 2 p.m., the time of service, Monday, December 16, in Kepner Funeral Home, 166 Kruger Street, Elm Grove, Wheeling, 304-242-2311. Interment will follow in West Alexander Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bishop Joseph H. Hodges Continuous Care Center, 1 Medical Park, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Personal condolences may be offered to the family at www.kepnerfuneral.com.
Cook was born in Westland
Ray Schweinebraten, 77, of Hunter Circle, Russellville, Ky., passed away Monday, November 18, 2013, in Logan Memorial Hospital, Kentucky.
He was born January 3, 1936, in Westland, a son of the late Raymond B. Schweinebraten and Fannie Haught Schweinebraten.
Mr. Schweinebraten was a cook for Ed’s Barbeque and the Colonial Inn.
He was Baptist.
Surviving are his special caregiver, Leigh Ann Yates; a sister, Elanor Donovan of Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held in Summers, Kirby and Sanders Funeral Home with Brother Jimmy Chapman officiating and burial in Maple Grove Cemetery, Russellville.
Licensed pilot was WWII Army veteran
Thomas Philip Sierzega Sr., 84, of Masontown, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in UPMC-Montefiore hospital, Pittsburgh.
A son of the late Karol and Karolina Curaj Sierzega, he was born August 23, 1929, in Bessemer (Masontown), where he lived his entire life.
Mr. Sierzega served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. He was in the 11th Airborne Division of the Army and parachuted into Japan at the age of 17, where he landed in Hiroshima shortly after the dropping of the atomic bomb.
Before joining the Army, he drove a milk truck for DeBolt Dairy.
After leaving the Army, he worked at Robena Mine.
For years, he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration at Morgantown Airport. Before retirement, he worked as a high voltage electrician for Cumberland Mines for 20 years, where he was president of Local 2300.
Mr. Sierzega was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his own plane when he wasn’t cruising the rivers in his boat.
He was a member of All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and Pal’s Club, all of Masontown.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Marie Margaret Hlatky Sierzega; a grandson, Tommy Sierzega; brothers and sisters Caroline Rossi, Stepan Gaza, Anne Dattoli, Julie Bennett and Edward Raymond Sierzega; a son-in-law, Andy Geary; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Sierzega.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Louise Anne Geary of Uniontown, Thomas Philip Sierzega Jr. and wife Debbie Watson of McMurray, Vivian Sierzega-Rouse and husband Michael Rouse of Woodbine, Md., Carl J. Sierzega and wife Deborah of Washington and Edward Raymond Sierzega of Hamilton, Va.; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sisters Josephine Bonessa of Masontown and Joyce Pisoni of Philadelphia.
Also surviving are many nieces and nephews who thought of him as their favorite uncle.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in John S. Maykuth Jr. Funeral Home, 7 River Avenue, Masontown, and until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 14, when a prayer service will be held in the funeral home chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Masontown site, (formerly All Saints), with the Rev. William G. Berkey as celebrant.
Interment follows in St. Agnes Cemetery, Masontown. Military rites will be accorded by Masontown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and American Legion Post 423.
Robert Dale Raymond “Smurf” Smith, 43, of Slovan, died unexpectedly Thursday, December 12, 2013, in his home.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in a later edition by Lee & Martin Funeral Home, Burgettstown.
Retired Mobay chemical maintenance worker
William J. “Bill” Tonini, 89, of Hannibal, Ohio, died Thursday, December 12, 2013, in his home.
He was born December 31, 1923, in Avella, a son of the late Louis and Bianca Damin Tonini.
Mr. Tonini was a retired maintenance worker for Mobay Chemical and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
In addition to his parents, deceased are a sister, Gloria Flannery, and a brother-in-law, Marty Flannery.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Dorothy Tonini; two sons, James P. Sweeny and Daniel (Janel) Sweeny; four grandchildren, Todd Sweeny, Marty Sweeny, Mark Sweeny and Dr. Erin Sweeny Siems; two great-grandchildren, Cooper Sweeny and Corin Sweeny; a sister, Velma Nodurft; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Michael Flannery, Kim Flannery Johnston, Jim Nodurft and Nancy Nodurft Donnely.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 16, in Harter Cemetery, Hannibal, with Father David Gaydosik officiating. Military services will be conducted by American Legion Post 760, Hannibal.
Memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 206 South Main Street, Woodsfield, OH 43793.
Arrangements are entrusted to Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory, New Martinsville, W.Va. Express sympathy at grisellfuneralhomes.com.