Dec 23, 2013

William W. Baker Jr., 61, of Beallsville, died Monday, December 23, 2013, in his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

Victoria Ann Carter Brinkman, 73, of Canonsburg, died Monday, December 23, 2013.

Arrangements are incomplete and have been entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc. A full obituary will appear in a later edition.

Houston resident

Mary Jane Buckels of Houston died Monday, December 23, 2013, in The Pines of Mt. Lebanon.

She was born in Houston, a daughter of Jesse and Elmetta Buckels.

Ms. Buckels was a member of Central Assembly of God Church, Houston.

Surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deceased are a brother, William Buckels; and two sisters, Helen Fay Buckels and Betsy A. Enman.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to noon, the time of service, Thursday, December 26, in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, with the Rev. Todd Stemple officiating. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

1953 – 2013

James VanEmon Burgess, 60, died unexpectedly Sunday, December 22, 2013.

He was born July 13, 1953, in Canonsburg, a son of Eugene Burgess and Joyce Webster Burgess.

Mr. Burgess was a 1971 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School, where he wrestled and competed in the state championship.

He was a mechanic and worked for Ron’s Garage, Al Rogers Garage, and most recently, Donella’s Body Shop.

Surviving are a son, James VanEmon Curtis of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother, Christopher (Krisanne) Burgess of Chartiers Township; two sisters, Deborah Woods of Washington and Elizabeth (Richard) Jenkins of Fredericktown; many nieces and nephews, Rosylen, Christine, Joshua Fedd, Staff Sgt. Patrick, Benjamin, Shad and Brittany Burgess and Wayne Schmidt; and a girlfriend, Darlene Roble.

Deceased is a brother, Martin G. “Skippy” Burgess.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, December 28, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.

Memorial contributions can be made to FuneralBill.com.

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

U.S. Air Force veteran

Stanley E. Cree, 82, of Waynesburg, died at 1:08 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013, in his home in Bruceton Mills, W.Va., surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born January 5, 1931, in Jefferson (Khedive), a son of the late Evelyn Ewart Cree.

Mr. Cree worked as a crane operator in construction, and at 43, retired from physical labor to begin enjoying the fulfilling things of life on his family farm, including his pet donkey, two goats, competing in tractor pulling and riding his motorcycle.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1954 at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

On December 29, 1962, he married Willa A. Dodge, who died May 17, 2013.

Surviving are a brother, Richard L. Cree and wife Sue of Carmichaels, and many family and friends including Mindi and Donny Bowser, with whom he made his home in Bruceton Mills, Donald Bowser of Nemacolin, Tom Casuccio of Bruceton Mills, Bill Kofina of Washington, Joann Kelley of Waynesburg, Tom Graham, a continuous friend who he met at Lackland Air Force Base, of Ligonier and Bob Campione, with whom he rode motorcycles, of Morgantown, W.Va.

He also leaves behind his pets, Jake, Mindy, Brosco and Tye.

Deceased is a sister, Loretta Grable.

Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m., the time of funeral service, Thursday, December 26, in Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street (Route 88), Carmichaels. The Rev. Bruce R. Judy will officiate. Private interment will take place Friday in Blacksville Cemetery, Blacksville, W.Va.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

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

Beloved wife, loving mother, grandmother

Irene D. Brazell DeRoss, 86, of Pittsburgh, peacefully passed away Sunday, December 22, 2013.

She was the beloved wife of the late Delvin DeRoss; loving mother of Jeffrey (Karen) DeRoss, Irene (Dan) Winters, Colleen (Brian) Cadman, the late Paulene, Paulette, Delvin Jr., and Chris DeRoss; grandmother of nine; and great-grandmother of four.

Funeral arrangements are by Beinhauers, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., the time of service, Thursday, December 26, in the funeral home. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.

Please add or view tributes at Beinhauer.com.

Enjoyed baby-sitting granddaughters

Susan Marie Miklic, 57, of Washington, died Sunday, December 22, 2013, in UPMC-Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh.

She was born August 14, 1956, in Washington, a daughter of the late James, W. Miller II and Cora May Vester Miller.

Ms. Miklic was a 1974 graduate of Trinity High School. She attended classes at Bradford School of Business and continued to take classes in computer technology and business. She worked in several positions, including medical billing, and buying positions, most recently for Caterpillar (formerly DBT). She was very good with using the computer, doing slideshows, résumés and other computer work for friends and family.

Ms. Miklic attended North Buffalo Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the junior choir and taught at Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed and volunteered for the Washington County Fair and was active in 4-H.

She was the Washington County Dairy Princess in 1973.

Ms. Miklic was enthusiastic about many things, most importantly her children and grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed baby-sitting her granddaughters. She enjoyed gardening, crafting and decorating for holidays, especially Christmas. She also enjoyed and loved her pets.

She was a great support for a number of friends when they went through difficult illnesses.

Surviving are three children, David L. Miklic II, Matthew G. Miklic (Jamie) and Jennifer L. Miklic; two granddaughters, Addison Leigh and Ashtyn Grace; four siblings, James W. Miller III, Robert W. Miller, Lisa C. Hamilton and Karen L. Liggett; and several nieces and nephews, all of Washington.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, and from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Friday, December 27, in North Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Claysville, with Pastor Gary Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in West Alexander Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.

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

U.S. Army veteran

Arduino “Archie” Paci, 86, of Dry Tavern, died of natural causes Tuesday, December 17, 2013, surrounded by his family, at his son’s home in Milton, Ga.

He was born June, 18, 1927, in Millfred Terrace, a son of Franceso and Marcia Schiavoni Paci.

Mr. Paci was a graduate of East Bethlehem High School.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1945 and was a member of the Fredericktown Legion for more than 60 years. After returning from military service, he attended trade school on the G.I. Bill and trained as a carpenter.

Mr. Paci worked for Millsboro Lumber before starting out on his own as an independent carpenter/home builder for more than 30 years.

He was a resident of Dry Tavern for more than 50 years, where in lived in three different houses that he built.

Mr. Paci was known for his great sense of humor and his hearty laugh, and many of the people he worked for became great friends. His hobbies included working on his 1928 Dodge, which he owned for more than 40 years, refurbishing and playing player pianos and tending to his garden. His favorite poet was Robert Service and he was particularly fond of “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” which was often recited at his annual Baccala Party.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Kathleen Kurtz Paci; three children, Frank (Frances) Paci, Mary (Rod) Paci MacDougall and John (Valerie) Paci; and six grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Walter Paci; a brother, Mario Paci; and sisters Giuditta “Judy” Burless and Elda Amberik.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

Enjoyed crocheting,reading, fishing and shopping

Beverly R. Plute, 59, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 22, 2013, in Donnell House, Washington, following a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Her loving family was by her side.

She was born November 3, 1954, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Joan Thielet Demski of Lawrence and the late Edmund S. Demski Sr., who passed away September 1, 2002.

Mrs. Plute was a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and was Catholic. She lived her entire life in Lawrence and was last employed in the imaging department of Interform Corp.

Mrs. Plute enjoyed crocheting, reading, fishing and shopping.

On May 5, 1973, she married Bryan W. Plute, who survives.

Surviving, in addition to her husband and mother, are four daughters, Casie (Ken Slaby) Foutz, Shelby McCowin and Brianna (Yadin) Collins, all of Lawrence, and Devin (Tim) Goroncy of Scenery Hill; eight grandchildren, Logan, Izabella, Evan, Hayleigh, Jorja, Brayden, Bruce and Paisley; three brothers, John (Sandy) Demski of Cecil, Mike (Margaret) Demski of Lawrence and Bill (Roxanne) Demski of McKeesport; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her father, are a brother, Edmund S. Demski Jr., who passed away March 12, 2008; a sister, Elaine Demski, who passed away February 6, 1986; and a niece, Kerry Joan Demski, who passed away March 20, 1986.

Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 28, with Pastor James O’Brien officiating. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to V. Foundation, 106 Tower View Court Cary, NC 27513, or www.jimmyv.org.

To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

Jessop Steel retiree proud of children, grandchildren

Sam Romano, 83, of Washington, died Friday, December 20, 2013, in UPMC-Shadyside hospital, Pittsburgh, after a brief illness.

He was born October 4, 1930, in Washington, a son of the late Felix and Lucretzia Allowatt Romano.

Mr. Romano was a 1948 graduate of Washington High School and went on to be a grinder at Jessop Steel. He then was part-owner of Crescent Hills Coal Co. Inc., from where he retired in 1982.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Korean War.

He was an avid Steelers fan and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Romano was a member of Alpine Lodge, Washington, where he ran bingo for more than 50 years, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion, Washington Pulaski Club and Washington Lodge 776 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

He was married to the former Beverly Ann Shook for 53 years. Mrs. Romano survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Stanley (Barbara) Romano and Samuel F. Romano, and two daughters, Shawn (Ben) Trapuzzano and Colleen (Jimmy) Mancini, all of Washington; a sister, Joanne (Mike) Kolycheck of Washington; seven grandchildren, Emily, Katie and Samuel Trapuzzano, Marie and Mario Romano and Savanna and Olivia Mancini; three stepgrandchildren, Benjamin (Lauren) Trapuzzano, Michael (Janet) Trapuzzano and Ashley Trapuzzano; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, Frank, Anthony and Dominic Romano; and two sisters, Teresa Urso and Frances Zacour.

Friends were received from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, where a blessing service was conducted at 12:15 p.m. Monday, December 23, with the Rev. Carmen A. D’Amico officiating. Interment followed in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township, where Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion accorded full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Veterans Administration at www.volunteer.va.gov or to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at www.givetochildrens.org. Condolences may be expressed at and photos uploaded to www.familyremembers.com.

Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director.

Margaret Vinansky, 92, of Eighty Four, died Sunday, December 22, 2013, in Kades Skilled Care, Canton Township.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

Alma Jean Ware died Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

Surviving are a daughter, Aldonna R. Wylie; a brother, Warren Timothy Towler (Kimberly); a sister, Cozetta E. Newring; a grandson, Brandon M. Wylie; and a host of other family and friends.

Family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the family-owned Wylie Funeral Homes P.A. of Baltimore County, 9200 Liberty Road, Randallstown, Md. A wake will be held at 10 a.m., followed by funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 27, in Timothy Baptist Church, 1214 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore, Md. Internment immediately following. Inquires at www.wyliefh.com.