Nov 19, 2013

U.S. Navy veteran

Charles “Chas” W. Ballein, 84, died November 15, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

He was born in Somerset Township May 4, 1929, to the late Addison and Hazel Keenan Ballein.

Mr. Ballein attended Union Independent Grade School and was a 1946 graduate of Trinity High School.

He was a 66-year member of Operating Engineers of Pittsburgh Local 66. He worked as a heavy equipment operator from 1947 until his retirement in 1997, with the exception of the years he served in the U.S. Naval Amphibious Construction Battalion No. 2 (SeaBees), during the Korean conflict. In those years, he saw service in Greenland and the Caribbean area as a bulldozer operator.

Following his discharge from the military, in addition to being employed on many construction projects, he operated a farm in the Bentleyville area until he ceased that line of endeavor in the 1970s, with the explanation that “there had to be an easier way to lose money than by farming.”

Known for his collecting of and for his extensive knowledge of antique equipment and machinery, which he shared with his friends, he also had a great love of dogs, especially Weimaraners, which were his constant companions. He, along with his wife, Laura, was very involved with the rescue and placement of the breed.

Mr. Ballein also brought pedal-power tractor pulls for children to Southwestern Pennsylvania in the 1980s.

He was a member of Davidson Methodist Church, the National Pike Steam, Gas and Horse Association, Historical Construction Equipment Association, the former American Legion Post 897 of Glyde, SeaBee Veterans of America Post X3 of Pittsburgh and National Rifle Association.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Laura, are sons, Charles of Greensburg, Fred and his wife, Geri, of Bentleyville and John and his wife, Stephanie, of Blacksburg, Va.; stepchildren Tina Zediker and her husband, William, of Bentleyville, Chris Watson and his wife, Jamie, Randy Watson and his wife, Chrissy, and Chad Watson and his wife, Mandy, all of Scenery Hill; a sister, June Sacco of Bel Air, Md.; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a daughter, Barbara Gatten; and brother-in-law, William Sacco.

Acting on the wishes of the deceased, there will be no viewing, and a private entombment will take place in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. However, the family invites all of his friends and anyone who knew him to an informal gathering from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 22, in the Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department social hall for a celebration of his life and an exchange of memories between people who knew him.

The deceased expressed a wish that anyone desiring to make a memorial contribution should do so to Fayette Friends of Animals (No Kill), P.O. Box 1282, Uniontown, PA 15401, 724-245-7815.

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

Daniel R. Berry, 30, of Washington, died unexpectedly Monday, November 18, 2013.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in a later edition by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.

U.S. Army veteran was retired coal miner

Frank Anthony “Sinno” Bogden, 67, of Waynesburg, formerly of Davistown, died Monday, November 18, 2013, in his home.

He was born March 29, 1946, in Crucible, a son of the late Alexander and Anna Balog Bogden.

Mr. Bogden was a graduate of Carmichaels High School.

He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and was a member of American Legion Post 400 in Carmichaels.

On April 5, 1969, he married Patricia Morris Bogden, who survives.

Mr. Bogden was a retired coal miner. He worked in Consolidated Coal Humphrey No. 7 Mine, and was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1058.

He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Waynesburg.

Mr. Bogden enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of National Rifle Association, Mt. Morris Sportsman Club, Waynesburg Sportsman Club and Marianna Sportsman Club.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 44 years, are three sons, Frank Bogden Jr. (Mary) of Morgantown, W.Va., Brian Bogden (Lisa) of Mt. Morris and Brad Bogden (Amy) of Asheboro, N.C.; five grandchildren, Madison, Brian Jr., Rocky, Brianna and Lynol Bogden; a brother, Edward Bogden of Rices Landing; three sisters, Shirley Mutton of Missouri, Clara Seeno of Las Vegas, Nev., and Louise DeCreval of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are two brothers, Alexander “Sonny” Bogden and Phillip “Bobo” Bogden; and five sisters, Gertrude Gongolski, Delores Aftanas, Josephine Woodhall, Frances Gardner and Dorothy Luzio.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 22, with the Rev. Richard J. Thompson officiating. Interment to follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township. Graveside military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 400 and the U.S. Army.

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

World War II veteran loved working his farm

Frank J. Habe Jr., 92, of Canonsburg, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in Greenery Specialty Care, Canonsburg.

He was born September 21, 1921, in Marianna, a son of Frank J. Sr. and Anna Zigon Habe.

Mr. Habe had worked for Pittsburgh Coal Co. in Lindley Mine and for Beth Energy Mines in the Wilson Shop and the mine.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army in Europe. He received several medals, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars.

Mr. Habe loved working his farm, where he raised mink, sheep and beef cattle. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoying hunting, fishing and trapping. He had his private pilots license and enjoyed flying.

He was a member of United Mine Workers.

On May 8, 1964, he married Frances Rohrich, who died September 12, 2000.

Surviving are a daughter, Rebecca Washabaugh (Robert) of Canonsburg; three grandchildren, Emily Anestis (Ron), Samuel Washabaugh (Tera) and Amber Habe; a great-grandson, Jacob Anestis; a daughter-in-law, Linda Habe; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three sons, Charles, Kenneth and Daniel Habe; three brothers, Ed, Fred and Robert Habe; and a sister, Matilda Hunter.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Friday, November 22, in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, with the Rev. Clarejean Haury officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

Artist enjoyed fishing, boating

Robert Edgar Hummell Jr., 72, of Washington, died Monday, November 18, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

He was born November 18, 1941, in Washington, a son of Robert E. Hummell Sr. and Anna Weaver Hummell.

Mr. Hummell was a graduate of Canonsburg High School and attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for two years.

He worked as a graphic artist and printer at Western State, as well as several other local printing companies, and worked for William G. Neal Funeral Homes for eight years. He was a very talented artist who enjoyed fishing and boating, and was a member of Washington Horseshoe Club.

In 1987, he married Bernice Tarsia Hummell, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Robert E. (Mary) Hummell III of Newport News, Va., and Dan (Dee) Lobozzo of Orlando, Fla.; two daughters, Vicki (Jeff) Rifgon of Canonsburg and Jennifer (Steve) Szalkay of Pittsburgh; a brother, Thomas “Sandy” (Mary Ellen) Hummell of Washington; a sister, Carol Belaz of Washington; and five grandchildren, Danielle, Dominic, Nicholas and A.J. Lobozzo and Seth Szalkay.

Deceased is a son, Rick Lobozzo.

Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m., the time of service, Thursday, November 21, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.

Memorial contributions can be made to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 525 Fairway Drive, Washington, PA 15301.

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

Mary Golubofsky DeSanto McGraw, 84, of Burgettstown, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in Country Meadows, Bridgeville.

Arrangements are incomplete and in the care of Taucher Funeral Home, Burgettstown. A complete obituary will be announced in a later edition.

Loved her family and her church

Louise Monsour Moore, 81, born in Washington to Domett and Annie Monsour October 23, 1932, passed away November 15, 2013.

She loved her family and her church. She enjoyed her home at the lake and her friends at Nugent’s Canal Yacht Club.

Surviving are her daughters, Barbara (Rob) Ruhl and Deborah (Carl) Merendo; a son, Jack (Kimberly) R. Moore Jr.; grandchildren Robbie, Jamie, Micky, Anne Louise, Beth, Jack Patrick, Dominic, Carly, Elle and Taylor; and great-grandchildren Hailey, Daniel, Nick, Phoebe Louise, River and Marley Louise.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband, Jack R. Moore Sr.; a grandson, Timmy Ruhl; a brother, Joe Monsour Sr.; and sisters Mae Sims and Jennie McMurry.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Newcomer Funeral Home, 3047 Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday in St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1450 East Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, with the Rev. Phyllis Heffner officiating. A committal service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23, in Greene County Memorial Park, 1003 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg.

First Washington Parking Authority director

Mildred Louise “Midge” Pacilla, 93, of Washington, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in Humbert Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre.

She was born August 3, 1920, in Washington, a daughter of Albert Spragg and Hazel Richmond Spragg.

She was the Trinity High School’s 1938 May Queen.

Mrs. Pacilla was the first Washington Parking Authority director, an office clerk for the Washington Police Department, member and former president of Business and Professional Women’s Foundation and former member and president of Democratic Women.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.

On November 8, 1938, she married Valentine Pacilla, who died March 5, 1990.

Surviving are a son, Richard Pacilla of Washington; two grandchildren, Valerie Espino of Tucson, Ariz., and Laura Austin of Washington; and a great-grandchild, Mitchell Coderre.

Deceased are a brother, Robert Spragg; and two sisters, Margaret “Peg” Volter and Betty Jacobs.

At the request of the deceased, all services will be private. Arrangements are being handled by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.

Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1100 Liberty Ave, Suite E201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

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

Washington resident was former social worker

Robert P. Romero, 62, of Washington, died unexpectedly November 18, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

He was born in Boston, Mass., November 29, 1950, a son of Benjamin and Helen Cotter Romero.

Mr. Romero was formerly a social worker at the St. Francis Medical Center, Pittsburgh. He was active with the National Disability Organization ADAPT and very active with Sons of the American Legion, where he was formerly a commander.

Surviving are his wife, Laura Wingreen of Washington; a daughter, Julie “Button” Romero of Glenshaw; three stepsons, Jason, Kyle and Nigel Glozier; a sister, Anita (James) Stanis of Scenery Hill; stepmother Zoe Romero of Morgantown, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Hummell and Jones Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, Thomas W. Hummell, supervisor, Douglas M. Jones, funeral director, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 22. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Sons of the American Legion, 168 Park Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.hummellandjones.com.