Jul 21, 2013

Friendship Community Church member

Thelma R. “Sis” Newman Hamel, 88, of Washington, died at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, in Hixenbaugh’s Personal Care Home, Claysville, after being in failing health for several years.

She was born March 20, 1925, in Washington, a daughter of the late Alva Lewis and Etta Mae Lindley Clemens. She resided in the Washington County area all her life.

Mrs. Hamel was a member of Friendship Community Church in Washington.

She was also a member of Washington American Legion Post 175 Auxiliary.

Mrs. Hamel enjoyed traveling, playing bingo and preparing Sunday meals for her family.

She was employed by the former W.T. Grant Store and Snowy White Laundry and Dry Cleaners, both in Washington.

On July 4, 1942, she married Clyde Edward Newman, who died September 20, 1968. On July 28, 1978, she married Elmer Alfred Hamel, who died October 2, 2007.

Surviving are two daughters, Maryann, wife of Stanley Clutter, and Jane, wife of Paul Hancher, both of Claysville; four stepchildren, Scott, husband of Rose Mary Hamel of Cross Junction, Va., Terry, husband of Joyce Hamel of Bethel Park, David, husband of Mary Hamel of Miami, Fla., and Karen Klink of Washington; five grandchildren, Rodd R., Chad and Gretchen Clutter and Brian and Kevin, husband of Jennifer, Hancher; nine great-grandchildren, Rodd Ray, Tristan, Christan and Noah Clutter, Amanda, Danielle, Courtney, Nicholas and Samantha Hancher; two great-great grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; several stepgreat-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husbands, are two sisters, Elsie Beatty and Iverna Fritz, and four brothers, Robert, Floyd, Lloyd and Ralph Clemens.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of funeral and committal services, Tuesday, July 23, in Claysville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Meade Lacock officiating. Interment will be private in Claysville Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Amedisys Hospice, 2183 McClellandtown Road, Masontown, PA 15461. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Funeral Home Inc., Rogersville. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences at www.rushfuneralhomeinc.com.

Accountant was Air Force veteran

Richard P. Kotulak, 84, of Brandon, Fla., formerly of Bentleyville, died Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Brandon Regional Hospital.

He was born in Bentleyville September 15, 1928, a son of the late John and Anna D’Vorchak Kotulak.

Mr. Kotulak was a 1946 graduate of Ellsworth High School. He then worked for Bethlehem Colliers Co.

Mr. Kotulak graduated from Penn Commercial Business/Technical School.

He worked as an accountant for Beatty Motor Express and Womeldorf Trucking Co. and retired from Boccabelo and Son Construction. After retirement, he worked at Chippewa Golf Club as a starter.

Mr. Kotulak proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, being honorably discharged after serving at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville, S.C., during the Korean War. He served as a technical sergeant in the 375 Supply Squadron, 375 Troop Carrier Wing from October 15, 1950, to April 16, 1952.

On September 6, 1952, in Sts. Mary and Ann Roman Catholic Church in Marianna, he married Margaret Mihalek. They established their family in Bentleyville, where he attended Ave Maria Church. After retirement, they moved to Brandon, where he attended Nativity Church.

He enjoyed golf, fishing and, mostly, his family.

Mr. Kotulak was a member of National Slovak Society and life member of Sokols and American Legion.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Margaret Kotulak; a sister, Mildred Satina; and children Joyce Barthle and husband Len Barthle, Jennifer Kotulak and Richard John Kotulak; grandchildren Sherry Vaughn, Jeff Barthle, Garrett Yoder, Christine Kotulak and John Kotulak; and great-grandchildren Patience Bond, Nicholas Kotulak, Lucas Guzman and Luis Guzman.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a stepmother, Ruth Korfant; a sister, Alberta Kotulak; and infant sister Cecilia Kotulak.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1873 East Maiden Street, Washington.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in Ave Maria Church, Bentleyville, with the Rev. George Chortos as celebrant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela.

A guest book may be signed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church member

Darlene Brownfield Marcus, 59, of Washington, departed this life Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

Baptized at an early age in Bethlehem Baptist Church, she remained a member until she moved to Washington and later joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of the Rev. Richard White.

She was born December 20, 1953, in McKeesport, a daughter of the late James Oscar and Anna Mae Jackson Brownfield.

Surviving are a son, Vincent Brownfield; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild; siblings Norma Long, Reta Wright, Elizabeth Harris, Margaret McCullough, Janet Stinson, William Brownfield, all of McKeesport, Lelia Brownfield of Independence, Mo., and Linda Milton of Washington; a sister-in-law, Janice Brownfield and fiance Gary Drew, with whom she resided; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deceased are brothers James Brownfield Jr. and Meredith Brownfield and aunt Roberta Baker.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Tuesday, July 23, in Bethlehem Baptist Church, McKeesport, with the Rev. Earlene Coleman officiating. Professional services are entrusted to Robert A. Waters Funeral Home Inc., McKeesport.

Depression survivor cooked ethnic dishes

Margaret Katherine Slopek Pescho, 92, of Burgettstown, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2013, on her father’s birthday.

She was born January 16, 1921, in Slovan, a daughter of Joseph and Marie Nehr Slopek.

Mrs. Pescho was a survivor of the Depression and grew up never wasting anything.

She left her home from ages 13 to 15 to live and clean houses, along with her sister, Alma.

Mrs. Pescho lived with two different families who treated her like a daughter. One worked at the Hotel Webster Hall as a chef and taught her to cook many different foods and ethnic dishes. She loved Slovenian polkas, Tamburitzans, Greek food festivals and pastries. She was of German and Slovak descent. She cooked a well-balanced meal every day while raising her children. She loved to bake, giving away many of her treats to friends.

Mrs. Pescho was the last of her immediate family.

She was the mother of George (Linda) Pescho Jr. of Buffalo Village, Robert (Marianne) Pescho of South Euclid, Ohio, Joan (John) Casey of Cherry Valley, Karen (Jim) Cupit of Upper Darby and Greg Bidlow of Largo, Fla.; grandmother of Tony, Katie, Kathleen, Suzanne , Erin, Graham and Margaret and great-grandmother of Rian, Lana, Payton, Andrew, Evan and Maso. A great-granddaughter was born July 22, 2013.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are brothers Joseph, Julius, Edward, Steven, Charles and David; infant sister Helen Slopek; and half sisters Alma Mosch Windsheimer, Josephine Loucas and Mary Slopek. A best friend of 45 years, Amil Navoski of Cherry Valley, died in 2002.

Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Taucher Funeral Home, 23 Erie Mine Road, Burgettstown, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, with the Rev. Sue Petritis. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Burgettstown. For further information and condolences, please visit www.taucherfuneralhome.com.

Loved karaoke and fishing

Shirley A. Quattro, 67, of Aliquippa, formerly of Meadow Lands, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2013.

She was the beloved wife of John A. Quattro Sr.; devoted mother of Michael, Richard, Robert (Melanie) and the late Shelly Steele; loving stepmother of John A. II and Matthew Quattro; proud grandmother of Matthew, Michael, Summer, Harley, Tyler, Donovan and Cheyenne Steele and Isabella Quattro; and sister of Marilyn Onoffrey and John R. Jr. and Jeffrey (Sandy) Miller.

Mrs. Quattro loved karaoke and fishing.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills, where a funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. http://www.jeffersonmemorial.biz/