Nov 3, 2013

Member of NRA enjoyed hunting, fishing

Joe Ball, 55, of Ellsworth, died unexpectedly of natural causes Saturday, November 2, 2013, while hunting in North Bethlehem Township.

He was born October 3, 1958, in New Eagle, a son of Jacqueline “Jackie” Zumpetta Ball of Ellsworth and the late Joseph J. “Hoppy” Ball, who died June 23, 2009.

A graduate of Bentworth High School, he attended Mon Valley Career and Technology Center in Charleroi for welding.

He worked for H.P. Starr Lumber in Ellsworth.

A member of National Rifle Association, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are a sister, Sherry Jaras (husband Tony) of Port Washington, Ohio; a brother, Thomas F. Ball of Ellsworth; a niece; and a nephew.

He also leaves behind his faithful companion, Spike.

Friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.

Allegheny Ludlum retiree was coin collector

Patrick McGahan, 75, of Washington, died at 8:05 p.m. Thursday, October 31, 2013, in Donnell House, Washington.

He was born December 23, 1937, in Washington, a son of the late James J. and Evelyn Swart McGahan.

Mr. McGahan was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and attended Notre Dame.

He was employed as a steelworker at Jessop Steel, which later became Allegheny Ludlum, from where he retired.

Mr. McGahan was a coin collector, avid reader, enjoyed playing chess, jigsaw puzzles and liked to watch sci-fi on television.

He was a member of the Coin Collecting Club, Ulysses.

Mr. McGahan served in the U.S. Army.

Surviving are a brother, James (Amy) McGahan Jr. of Lancaster; three sisters, Geraldine Murphy of Washington, Marguerite Marosz of Washington and Linda (James) Lawrence of Las Vegas, Nev.; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Wilson at East Katherine avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director. A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.

Homemaker enjoyed family

Patricia C. Thistlethwaite, 78, of Waynesburg, died Friday, November 1, 2013, in Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

She was born September 6, 1935, in Cumberland Township, Greene County, a daughter of the late Clyde C. and Ethel Green Clark.

She was a 1953 graduate of Cumberland Township High School.

On May 24, 1954, she married John D. Thistlethwaite, who died October 8, 2005.

Mrs. Thistlethwaite was a homemaker and dairy farmer. She enjoyed her family, spending time outdoors and jigsaw puzzles.

She was a member of Church of Christ in Paisley.

Surviving are two daughters, Vicki Rerko (Andrew) of Monroeville and Pamela Moon of Monessen; a son, David W. Thistlethwaite (Tammy) of Waynesburg; seven grandchildren, Megan and Kelly Rerko, Nathanael and Ethan Moon, Angela Brozik and Cortney and Kasey Thistlethwaite; a great-grandson, Levi Brozik; and a sister, Lorena Ciez of Uniontown.

Deceased are five sisters, Elnora Weaver, Velma Helsley, Arlene Donham, Jeanette Renner and Doris Rinehart; and five brothers, Harold, Stanley, Frederick, Larry and Ronald Clark.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, with the Rev. Richard E. Bowser officiating. Interment will be in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township.

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

Meals on Wheels volunteer

Ed Van Eman, 77, of South Fayette Township, died Sunday, November 3, 2013, in his home.

He was born in Canonsburg, a son of the late James J. Van Eman and Katherine Wallace.

Mr. Van Eman was the beloved husband of Connie Northart; father of Scott of Pittsburgh and Becky Ryan (Steve) of Tampa, Fla.; stepfather of Susan Pistillo (Tony) of Glen Burnie, Md., and Amy Greene (Phillip) of Charlotte, N.C.; grandfather of Cole and Quinn Ryan and Michael Pistillo; and brother of the late James and Charles and Kathryn Couy.

He graduated from Canonsburg High School in 1954 and Carnegie Tech in 1958.

After 42 years of service, he retired from U.S. Steel.

During retirement, he volunteered for Bridgeville Meals on Wheels and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

He was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-3333. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, in Bethany Presbyterian Church, Bridgeville. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Bethany Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 740 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017, or the charity of one’s choice. View and send condolences at www.warcholfuneralhome.com.