Dec 14, 2013

Served in Air Force, enjoyed family

Robert A. Gayvert, 94, retired agricultural economist and resident of Charlotte, N.C., since 2006, died December 11, 2013.

He was born in 1919 in Washington, a son of the late Carl Werner and Ester Marie Larson Gayvert. Both of his parents immigrated to this country from Sweden before their marriage and were especially proud to be citizens of their adopted country. He was the fourth of five children, four sons and a daughter.

Mr. Gayvert attended Trinity High School and Washington & Jefferson College. In 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and served during World War II in the Panama Canal Zone, achieving the rank of master sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Forces 2512th Unit in Childress, Texas, in 1945.

He received a bachelor of science in agriculture from University of Florida in Gainesville and a master of science degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Mr. Gayvert served as a poultry marketing specialist in the cooperative extension service at University of Georgia for many years and later became a dairy marketing specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked until his retirement in 1983.

While living in Minnesota, he and his family enjoyed cross-country skiing and ice skating in the winter and canoeing lakes in the summer. After retiring, he and his wife returned to their home in the country just outside Athens, Ga., where he spent much of his time working outside, planting trees, shrubs and flowers. He was an avid gardener who took the greatest pleasure in creating beautiful landscapes and gardens around his homes. He especially loved roses, gladiolas, azaleas, dogwoods and lilies and was knowledgeable about a great variety of flowers and landscape plants, as well as vegetable gardening.

He was devoted to his wife of 69 years, Mary Lee Thomas Gayvert, and enjoyed his family, music, sports and keeping up with current events and politics. Family gatherings were always enlivened by discussions of these subjects and others, and by his colorful stories of growing up in the neighborhood of Goat Hill in Washington.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Mary Lee, are three daughters and a son and their families, Sigrid and Clate Sanders of Athens, Susan and Ted Coleman of Atlanta, Ga., Janet and Bruce Voelker of Charlotte and Robert Thomas and Barbara Gayvert of Fairport, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond Gayvert of Billings, Mont.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 20, in Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, Charlotte.

The staff of The Haven in Pineville showed loving care, attention and kindness to Mr. Gayvert.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. T.H. Robertson Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the family. www.throbertson.com

Served in Army, avid Steelers fan

Richard D. Lacks, 47, of Canonsburg, died Thursday, December 12, 2013, in Canonsburg Hospital.

He was born February 17, 1966, in Canonsburg, a son of Henry T. Lacks Sr. of Canonsburg and the late Anna Mae Thomas Lacks.

Mr. Lacks was a 1985 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and had worked as a plasterer.

He served with the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Lacks was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved his dog, Chip.

Deceased is a son, Richard Dewey Lacks.

Surviving, in addition to his father are his wife, Jacqueline Brown Lacks; a son, Richard Dewey Lacks Jr.; a stepson, Blayr Brown; two daughters, Unique Lacks and Glenda Isabell Lacks, both of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, H. Thomas Lacks of Washington, Lawrence Lacks of Eighty Four and Mark Lacks of Fredericktown; two sisters, Brenda Yarborough and Darlene Mathis, both of Canonsburg; two grandchildren, James and Hayley Lacks; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Tuesday, December 17, in Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Greenside Avenue, Canonsburg, with the Rev. Anita Lovell officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military rites will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902 Honor Guards.

Visit www.sollon.com to view and leave condolences.

1933 – 2013

Milton Buchanan Loffert, 80, of Midway, passed onto his heavenly resting place Friday morning, December 13, 2013, in his home.

He was born March 17, 1933, in Midway, a son of the late George U. and Sarah Buchanan Loffert.

In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving during the Korean conflict as an airplane mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1956, a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Loffert retired in 1995 after 35 years of service from US Airways, where he was an airplane mechanic.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and shooting guns.

He was a life member of National Rifle Association and attended First Baptist Church of Midway.

On December 27, 1957, he married his beloved wife of 56 years, Phyllis Dunbar, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Cynthia Frame and husband Robert of Bulger; a son, Douglas Loffert and wife Cheryl of Bulger; six grandchildren, Rebecca Loffert, Kaitlyn and Blake Frame, Ashley Dougherty and husband Chuck, Adam Miller and Morgan Parees; a great-granddaughter, Mallorie Miller; two brothers, George Loffert and wife Gloria of Killeen, Texas, and Wesley Loffert and wife Mim of Fayettesville, N.C.; a sister, Sally VanGorder and husband Jim of Jacksonville, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Robert Dunbar and wife Joyce of Bridgeville; an aunt, Anne Buchanan, wife of the late John of Clinton; several nieces and nephews; and his personal caregivers, Lisa and Jan, who gave him wonderful care along with the special people from Hospice Compassus.

To honor his wishes, there will be no public visitation and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to Hospice Compassus, 811 Washington Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106 and/or Alzheimer’s Association, 100 West Station Square Drive, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown 15021.

Joseph William Long, 90, of Washington, died Friday, December 13, 2013, in Donnell House, Washington.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

Avid fan of race cars and motorcycles

Ray Maioli, 71, of Bridgeville, died unexpectedly Thursday, December 12, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of Janet DeFelice Maioli for 39 years; son of the late Raymond and Clara Maioli; cherished father of Charmaine (Christopher) Houghton, Dawn Maioli and Ray (Lori) Maioli Jr. and stepfather of Suzanne Lewis, Suzette (Richard) DeFaveri, Susan (Donald) Hurney and Janet Gruda; loving brother of the late Bob Maioli, Dorothy (Albert) Stenzel, Ruth (Dominick) Massella, Tom (Susie) Maioli and the late Arthur Maioli; proud grandfather of Christopher, Matthew, Spencer, Landon and Logan Houghton, Amanda Maioli, Heather DeFaveri, Chance Hartman and Mario and Gregory Didiano; and great-grandfather of five. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Maioli was an avid fan of race cars and motorcycles. He was a collector of many things, hats being one of his favorites. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-3333, where a service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 17.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the organization of one’s choice.

View and send condolences at www.warcholfuneralhome.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. 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.

Beloved father, loved grandfather

Andrew “Andy” Senkinc, 88, of Houston, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2013.

He was born October 11, 1925, in Houston, a son of the late John and Anna Shimshick Senkinc.

Mr. Senkinc was the husband of the late Carol Sue Hatala Senkinc; beloved father of Pamela (Dan) Bornscheuer of Weirton, W.Va.; loved grandfather of Bliss Bornscheuer; brother of the late John and Frank Senkinc; brother-in-law of Lillian and Harriet Senkinc; uncle of JoAnn (Dave) Wolff; and cousin of Pauline Barbish.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Senkinc was employed by Canonsburg General Wood Crafting, where he worked as a cabinet maker and also a self-employed home builder.

He was a member of SNPJ 138 and Western Pennsylvania Button Box Club.

Mr. Senkinc loved playing the accordion, polka dancing, listening to music, going to Pirate games and watching sports. By far his favorite pastime was spending time doing absolutely anything with the light of his life, his baby doll, his granddaughter, Bliss.

Private services were held for family members and friends who celebrated his life with him when he was ill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to further his granddaughter Bliss’s education at www.gofundme.com/asenkinc. Arrangements are by Stathers Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 1222 Muldowney Avenue, Lincoln Place, 412-464-4377, www.stathersfuneral.com

Federal government retiree served in WWII

Charles Siegel, 86, of Canonsburg, passed away Friday, December 13, 2013, in Center for Compassionate Care, Mt. Lebanon.

He was born May 9, 1927, in Paterson, N.J., a son of Isaac and Ethel Sitter Siegel.

Mr. Siegel served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He had worked for more than 40 years for the federal government. He was an industrial engineer and served as a civil servant for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He also held engineering positions for the U.S. Postal Service and retired from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Mr. Siegel’s greatest concern was that he never became a financial burden to his family, for which he succeeded. His philosophy later in life was that the feelings of his family and friends were always more important than the facts.

Surviving are his wife, June Fronzuto Siegel; a son, Ronald D. (Darryl) Siegel of Canonsburg; grandchildren Charles S. Siegel of Waco, Texas, Patrick J. Siegel of Goshen, Ind., Sean Siegel and Heather Siegel of Anchorage, Alaska; great-grandchildren Kelsie Siegel of Waco, Marissa Siegel of Waco, Ethan Siegel of Goshen and Grace Siegel of Goshen; and a sister, Ruth Siegel Gametta.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a son, Richard C. Siegel; a grandson, Ronald D. Siegel Jr.; and a sister, Ida Siegel.

Arrangements are by Beinhauer-Bogan Funeral Home, Canonsburg, 724-745-5810. Services and interment are private.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 100 Liberty Avenue, Suite E-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Please view or add tributes at www.beinhauer.com.