Dec 19, 2013

Owned Bongiorni Meats in Hickory

Margaret Bongiorni, 92, of Spring, Texas, formerly of Burgettstown, died Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in her home.

She was born February 20, 1921, in Burgettstown, a daughter of the late Martin and Mary Pompe.

Prior to retiring, Mrs. Bongiorni, along with her husband, Dominec, owned and operated Bongiorni Meats in Hickory. Upon relocating to Florida, they owned and operated the Hialiah (Fla.) Motel.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church in Spring and its Over 55 Club.

Mrs. Bongiorni enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for friends and family.

Surviving are a son, Dominic Bongiorni of Spring; daughters Mary Margaret Schwach of Shelby Township, Mich., and Marcia Ann (Michael) Podlucky of Algonquin, Ill.; a sister, Virginia “Jean” Maslyk of Burgettstown; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are her husband, Dominec Bongiorni, who died April 29, 1999; two brothers, Martin and John Pompe; two sisters, Mary Delfrate and Hannah Vietmeier; and a son-in-law, Kenneth Schwach.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Taucher Funeral Home, 23 Erie Mine Road, Burgettstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, December 23, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Burgettstown, with the Rev. George Moneck, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

For further information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.taucherfuneralhome.com.

World War II veteran was member of Carpenters Union

William Dezack, 87, of McMurray, died Thursday, December 19, 2013, in Country Meadows, South Fayette Township.

He was born October 31, 1926, in Canonsburg, a son of Kifor and Barbara Braticak Dezack.

Mr. Dezack served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

He was a member of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church of Canonsburg, where he did maintenance work. Prior to retirement, he worked as a carpenter in the construction industry and was a member of the Carpenters Union.

Surviving are his wife, Joan Dezack; a daughter, Linda Dezack (Charles Ranson) of McMurray; two nieces, Carol Gray Yapsko of Sewickley and Lynn Watson of Washington; and a nephew, William Nossker of Raymond, Maine.

Mr. Dezack was the last of his immediate family.

Deceased are four brothers, Joseph, John, Mike and Stephen Dezack; and three sisters, Helen Randal, Mary Olynik and Ann Gray.

Visitation, services and burial in Forest Lawn Gardens will be private. A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church at a date and time to be announced.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director. Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.

Former Canonsburg man was retired coal miner

Aldon M. Edwards Sr. of Nashville, Tenn., formerly of Canonsburg, went home to be with his Lord Friday, December 13, 2013.

He was born in Revere to parents William and Maude Edwards.

Mr. Edwards was educated in the Bentleyville public school system.

On July 13, 1997, he married Lillie B. Edwards, who survives.

While residing in Nashville, he was a member of Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. Edwards was a proud retired coal miner, working many years for Bethlehem Mines.

He enjoyed playing pool, shooting darts and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Maurice Edwards of Harrisburg; two daughters, the Rev. Aundréa Thomas of Nashville and Erika (Chris) Kurzawa of Pittsburgh; 23 grandchildren, including Juanita and Gabriel Edwards of Pittsburgh, whom he adopted and helped raise; 23 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Parilee Edwards of Charleston, S.C.; three brothers-in-law, Eugene (Gwen) Lockridge, Bobby (Princess) Lockridge and James (Beverly) Lockridge, all of Nashville; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Deceased are two sons, Aldon Edwards Jr. and David Coleman; a sister, Gertrude Edwards; and two brothers, Glenn and William Edwards.

A public viewing will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday in the chapel in Smith Brothers Funeral Directors Inc., Nashville. A family visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of funeral service, Saturday, December 21, in Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, 1004 South Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, Tenn., with Pastor Howard E. Jones Jr.

Known for sense of humor, quick wit

Elizabeth J. Hall, 77, formerly of Crucible, died at 2:10 a.m. Thursday, December 19, 2013, in Kade Health and Rehabilitation Center, Canton Township.

She was born March 22, 1936, in Glassport, a daughter of the late Andrew M. and Helen E. Olenicheck Martina.

She was a graduate of Glassport High School and resided in Crucible most of her life.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Crucible, and was active with the Parents Teachers Association while her son attended Crucible Elementary School.

She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. She had a great sense of humor and all who knew her appreciated her quick wit. She was a dedicated and loving single mom.

Surviving are a son, Glen Hall and wife Alison of Pittsburgh; a granddaughter, Ashley E. Hall; a brother, Joseph F. Martina; and several nieces.

Family and friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street (Route 88), Carmichaels, where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of the Resurrection in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Crucible, with the Rev. John M. Bauer as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

For additional information and to sign a guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.

Webster veteran valued family time

Andrew J. Pugliesi, 66, of Webster, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born in Brownsville April 24, 1947, he was a son of the late Andrew and Margaret Regal Pugliesi.

Mr. Pugliesi worked as an electrician at USX-Clairton from 1966 to 1982 and at M&K Electric Monongahela from 1984 to 1990 and retired from Merit Contracting Inc. in 2010.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed the Cruising with Celebrity cruise. He really enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and son.

Mr. Pugliesi was a member of Church of St. Anne in Rostraver and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47, Uniontown.

He served in the U.S. Army as an SP4 from 1966 to 1968 and was discharged in 1972.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra L. Schimonsky Pugliesi; a son, Andrew J. Pugliesi Jr. of Webster; two daughters, Angela M. (Shawn) Walters of Belle Vernon and Danielle R. Pugliesi of Webster; four grandchildren, Scott A. Shetterly, Andrew “A.J.” Shetterly, Destyni L. Henry and Dustin R. Pugliesi; mother-in-law Rose Schimonsky of Brownsville; sisters and brothers-in-law Patty (Henry) Bittner III of Uniontown, Rosie (Mark) Rambo of Uniontown, Roileen Schimmel of New Salem, Lei (John) Perozich of Pittsburgh and Lyn Crabb of Pittsburgh; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his father-in-law, Roy Schimonsky; brother-in-law, Bill Crabb; future son-in-law Mark Baxter; and nephew Zachary “Rambo” Johnson.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in James C. Stump Funeral Home Inc., 580 Circle Drive, Belle Vernon/Rostraver Township, 724-929-7934, www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 23, with the Rev. James Tringhese officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Monongahela Valley Memorial Park, Donora.

Vet was devoted husband, father, grandfather

John Sminko, 86, of Monongahela, died Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in Monongahela Valley Hospital.

He was born December 1, 1927, in Monongahela, a son of George and Anna Pascoe Sminko.

Mr. Sminko was a 1945 graduate of Monongahela High School and was Orthodox.

A U.S. Navy veteran, he served during World War II and was a member of American Legion Frank Downer Post 302 of Monongahela.

Mr. Sminko retired from Combustion Engineering in East Monongahela.

He was a hard-working man in his younger days and enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, boating, fishing and spending time on the Monongahela River. Mr. Sminko will be remembered for his friendly personality. He loved talking to people and reminiscing about times in the past.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Above all, he cherished his time with his granddaughters, Sarah and Rachel, whom he dearly loved.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Claire Turic Sminko, daughter Shelly and beloved son-in-law Rob Hetzler and granddaughters Sarah and Rachel, all of Monongahela; sister Shirley Huber of Bentleyville; brother-in-law Michael Turic and wife Maria of Elmira, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his loyal companion, Sadie.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are four sisters, Mary Wiliuszis, Ann Simon and Helen and Irene Kramer.

Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 21, with the Very Rev. Edward Pehanich officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. Panachida services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

The family suggests contributions in Mr. Sminko’s memory be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.