Dec 25, 2013

Served in Air Force, enjoyed fishing

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

He was born June 3, 1952, in Washington, a son of Rose Marie Elliott Baker of Beallsville and the late William Wilson Baker, who died November 22, 2013.

Mr. Baker was a 1970 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School.

From 1970 to 1977, he served with the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.

For many years, he was employed as an aide at Western Center in Canonsburg. Most recently, he worked as a manager at the Best Western Inn in Bentleyville.

A season ticket holder, he was an avid Pittsburgh Penguins fan and enjoyed fishing, hunting, the Pittsburgh Steelers, traveling and going on cruises.

On August 9, 1980, he married Deborah Clair, who survives. They celebrated 33 years of marriage.

Surviving, in addition to his mother and wife, are a son, Nathan Baker (Carrie) of Brownsville; a brother, Brad E. Baker of Beallsville; mother-in-law Patricia Clair of Fredericktown; two sisters-in-law, Cynthia Fray (Ronald) of Bridgeville and Brenda Anderson (Glenn) of Coal Center; and several nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind his dog and faithful companion, Buddy.

Deceased, in addition to his father, is his father-in-law, John G. Clair, who died December 6, 2011.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 28, with the Rev. Gary Gregg officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Hancock-McCune-Horne American Legion Post 705, Centerville.

A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Avid Steelers fan loved the ocean

Victoria Ann Carter Brinkman, 73, of Canonsburg, died Monday, December 23, 2013, in her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 23, 1940, in Washington, a daughter of the late Charles H. and Martha Smith Carter.

Mrs. Brinkman was a 1958 graduate of Washington High School and went on to work for Pennsylvania American Water for 35 years.

She loved the ocean, traveled to Hawaii and Washington state and especially loved visiting Nags Head, N.C. She was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins.

Mrs. Brinkman was a member of Washington Hospital Women’s Auxiliary for many years.

On March 13, 1993, she married Lawrence W. Brinkman, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jack D. (Sharon) Schultz II of Bellevue, Wash., and Brian C. Schultz of Washington; a daughter, Catherine Ann Duchess of Canonsburg; seven grandchildren, J.D. and Christian Schultz, Wray Schultz, Victoria, Veronica and Vanessa Duchess and Valerie (Terrell) McClain; a great-grandson, Kameron Brahler; and her first husband, Jack D. Schultz of Florida.

She leaves behind her furry friends, Brutus, Kiko, Bella and Ty.

Deceased are a son, Wray C. Schultz, who died in infancy, and a brother, Charles H. Carter.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 28, in Fairhill Manor Christian Church, 351 Montgomery Avenue, Washington, PA 15301, with the Rev. Michael Lehman officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, to Gentiva Hospice at www.gentiva.com, or McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, 150 North McDonald Street, McDonald, PA 15057. Condolences may be expressed and photos uploaded to www.familyremembers.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, director

1953 – 2013

James VanEman “Grady” 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 a 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 VanEman 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 may be made to FuneralBill.com. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

Because of an early press time, the deadline for submitting obituaries for publication Wednesday, January 1, is 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 31.

Wilma K. Farce, 96, of Mt. Morris, died at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, December 24, 2013, in Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.

Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Mt. Morris. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

Finleyville resident always willing to help

Joseph F. Judeikis III, 37, of Finleyville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 21, 2013.

He was the beloved son of Joseph F. Jr. and Marylee Judeikis; loving brother of Jennifer (Nathan) DeVine; uncle of Connor and Elsie DeVine; nephew of Janet (Norman) Armondino, Cathy (Richard) Diadamo and Louise Judeikis; and extended family and friends.

He leaves behind his faithful four-legged companion, Blue.

Mr. Judeikis was a field service tech/installer for Tri-State Lockers.

His hobby was being an extraordinary motorcycle mechanic.

Mr. Judeikis had a heart of gold and was always willing to help others.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Paul L. Henney Memorial Chapel, Bethel Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 28, in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Finleyville. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. View at www.henneyfuneralhome.com.?

Retired truck driver served in Army

William “Tom” Lowery, 66, of Washington, died at 5:35 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2013, in Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

He was born August 16, 1947, in Bristoria, a son of the late Kenneth and Ida Mae Maine Lowery.

Mr. Lowery attended West Greene High School and served in the U.S. Army as a corporal from 1966 to 1970 during Vietnam.

He was employed as a truck driver since 1970, working for Rush Trucking until he retired in 2011.

Mr. Lowery was a former member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4793 of Waynesburg.

He lived in Washington since 2006.

On June 22, 2002, he married Carolyne E. Dennis, who died November 19, 2013.

Surviving are two stepsons, Robert L. “Butch” Rush and Gary W. Rush, both of Avella; two brothers, Eugene (Patty) Lowery of Panama, Fla., and John Lowery of Charleroi; five sisters, Laura Milton of Blountsville, Fla., Sally (Ronald) Eddy of Waynesburg, Carol Donaldson of Waynesburg, Cindy (Larry) Kiger of Jollytown and Melissa Buffington of Akron, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are two sisters, Netty McDonald and Stella Cratty.

Friends and family will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Jerome A Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 28, with the Rev. Carl Tribett officiating. Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Avella. Full military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Bert C. Siders Post 643 of Avella.

Condolences can be expressed at www.stefkovichfuneralhome.com.

Beloved husband enjoyed hunting

Richard Frank “Rich” Mondik, 63, of Peters Township, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of Carla Ruhe Mondik; father of Eric Mondik; stepfather of Christine (Lee) Cunningham, Natalie Campeau and Christopher Campeau; grandfather of Kadin, Amir and Ronni; son of Stella Mason and the late Frank Mondik; and brother of Melanie (Robert) Tappe and his twin, Robert (Janice) Mondik.

Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Mondik was a retired auto body mechanic. He also worked at Crossroads Mower Center for 12 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, science, history and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28, in St. Benedict the Abbot Church, McMurray. Interment will follow in North Side Catholic Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

Please add and view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.

Member of St. Marcellus Church

Catherine B. Paluda, 97, formerly of Mather, died Tuesday, December 24, 2013, in Dover, Del.

For the past seven years, she had been living in Marquette, Mich., and Dover with her family.

She was born November 25, 1916, in Edna 2, Westmoreland County, a daughter of the late Matt and Barbara Gusic Grasha.

Mrs. Paluda previously worked as a switchboard operator at the former Greene County Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of St. Marcellus Roman Cathlic Church in Jefferson.

Mrs. Paluda was a member of the 500 Card Club for more than 50 years and was a member of Jefferson Senior Citizens Center.

She enjoyed bowling.

On November 17, 1935, she married Mike “Pap” Paluda Jr., who died November 5, 2003.

Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Latsko and husband Richard of Dover, with whom she had made her home since summer; a son, Michael L. Paluda and wife Judith of Marquette; seven grandchildren, Jeanne R. Latsko, Richard Latsko Jr. and Angela Latsko, Michael J. (Connie) Paluda, Kristin Lee Paluda, Megan (Dean) Olson and Patrick Paluda; seven great-grandchildren, Michael Earl Paluda, Kelsey Marie Paluda, Patrick Paluda, Payton Paluda, Daniella Paluda, Lexi Olson and Luke Olson; and a sister, Mary Gacek of Mather.

She leaves behind her beloved dog, Rusty.

Deceased are a sister, Anna Zugel, and seven brothers, Anthony Grasha, Matt Grasha, Rudolph Grasha, John Grasha, Joseph Grasha, George Grasha and Frank Grasha.

Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, December 28, in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. in St. Marcellus Roman Catholic Church, Jefferson, with Father J. Francis Frazer as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Waynesburg.

Condolences may be expressed at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.

Active member of North Buffalo Church

Barbara Erdene Paxton, 73, of Washington, died Monday, December 23, 2013, in Donnell House, Washington.

She was born March 24, 1940, in Washington, a daughter of Kenneth Albert Spragg and Wilda E. McElroy Spragg.

Mrs. Paxton attended Washington High School and was a homemaker.

She enjoyed watching and feeding the birds in her yard, crocheting, reading and ceramics. An avid bowler, she bowled on the Monday and Wednesday senior leagues at Route 19 Bowl as well as the Sunday Night Pin Busters.

Mrs. Paxton was a very active member of North Buffalo Presbyterian Church and Buffalo Grange.

On June 1, 1959, she married Robert Charles Paxton Sr., who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Victoria Lynn Paxton Bershok (Allen) of Canonsburg; two brothers, Kenneth A. Spragg (Denise) of Southview and Kevin A. Spragg (Kathy) of Canonsburg; a sister, Luetta Coral Spragg Jones; and two grandchildren, Arthur and Andrew Bershok.

Deceased are a son, Robert Charles Paxton Jr., who died April 26, 2007; a brother, Donald E. McElroy; a sister, Kim A. McCarty; and a brother-in-law, Albert Jones.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Saturday, December 28, in North Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Washington, with Pastor Gary Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in North Buffalo Cemetery, Washington.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 331 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301, North Buffalo Presbyterian Church, 175 Carlisle Road, Claysville, PA 15323, or Donnell House, c/o Hospice Care of Washington Health System, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.

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

Heinz retiree was beloved husband, loving father

Edward J. Poisel Jr., 70, of Bethel Park, formerly of McKeesport, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of Kathleen Kirsopp-Poisel and the late Nellie “Kitty” Gollings Poisel; son of the late Rosalia and Edward J. Sr.; loving father of Cheryl (Thomas) Mikolay of Washington and Michael Poisel of Chicago, Ill.; stepfather of Christinia (Harold) Chikuni of Upper St. Clair and Elizabeth Eslep of Finleyville; grandfather of Makayla, Johanna, Rebekah, Emma and Dexter; and brother of Sarah “Sally” Good, Daniel Poisel, Mary Ellen (Bruce) Renstrom, John (Cathy) Poisel, Sheila (Gene) Brady and the late Robert Poisel.

Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Paul L. Henney Memorial Chapel, 5570 Library Road, Bethel Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Finleyville. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, December 30, in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military honors will be accorded.

Mr. Poisel retired from H.J. Heinz in 2001.

He was past commander and secretary of American Legion Post 490 in Castle Shannon.

Donations may be made to American Legion Post 490, Scholarship Fund, 1008 Castle Shannon Boulevard, Castle Shannon, PA 15234. www.henneyfuneralhome.com

Retired certified public accountant

Gerald P. Uram, 77, of Washington, formerly of Monessen, died Monday, December 23, 2013, in Canonsburg Hospital.

He was born January 24, 1935, in Monessen, a son of the late Peter D. and Ann Eleanor Husko Uram.

Mr. Uram retired as a certified public accountant.

He was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Parish, Monessen.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, is his wife, Jean A. Uram.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Holly Uram of Bay Village, Ohio; a daughter, Kim Uram of Washington; and three grandchildren, Spencer, Josie and Lauren Uram.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Robert A. Billick Funeral Home Inc., Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue, Monessen, www.billicksfuneralhome.com, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 28, with Father Michael Crookston officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Valley Memorial Park, Donora.

Member of Ave Maria Parish

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

She was born July 6, 1921, in Bagley, a daughter of the late Boyd and Mary Koshar Kerns.

Mrs. Vinansky was a member of Ave Maria Parish in Bentleyville and the former St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cokeburg.

For 10 years, she worked at The Meadows racetrack.

She enjoyed flowers, gardening and visiting with her children and grandchildren.

In 1937, she married Michael Vinansky, who died December 13, 1981.

Surviving are a son, Robert R. Vinansky (Judith L.) of Fallowfield Township; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Vinansky of Scenery Hill, Robert M. Vinansky of Fallowfield Township, Jeremiah Sheets (Michelle) of Beallsville, Jenifer Keys (Rob) of Finley, Ohio, and Leigha Doerrer (Paul) of Alexandria, Va.; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bridget Kerns of Washington and Sarah Billups of Ellsworth; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are a son, Patrick Vinansky; two daughters, Kathy Sheets and Nancy Shaw; a grandson, Ronald Vinansky; four brothers, Felix, Charles, Bernard and John Kerns; and two sisters, Cecilia Blackburn and Mary (Sizemore) Capozza.

Debra Shaw was a good and helpful friend to Mrs. Vinansky.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where a prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 28, with the Rev. Edward Yuhas officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery.

A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.