Nov 30, 2013

Loved watching NASCAR

Joseph A. “Buddy, Crazy Joe” Barskite, 67, went to be with his Lord Sunday, November 24, 2013.

He was a son of the late Joseph H. and Catherine Barle Barskite; loving and cherished brother of Francine “Huney” Weber of Washington, and Sandra Mellinger and Harry and Edward Barskite, all of Ginger Hill, and Lillian (Daniel) Rice of Sydney, Ohio; and nephew of Frances Barskite Vavasori of Monongahela.

Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Barskite was a 1964 graduate of Monongahela High School, where he played football.

He was dedicated to taking care of those needing help. He had a heart and a touch of gold. His smile and shiny blue eyes were taken from us way too soon.

Mr. Barskite was a helpful hand with the management at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, often filling many positions when needed.

He loved watching and attending NASCAR races, such as the Daytona 500. He loved to ski and golf. He hosted an annual golf outing for several years at Seven Springs.

Mr. Barskite was a member of Jones Mills Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6743.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at noon Sunday, December 1, in Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Arrangements by James F. Kutch Funeral Homes and Crematory, 433 Lincoln Highway, East McKeesport, 412-823-4054, www.kutchfuneralhome.org

Retired plumber and winemaker

Arthur “Peanuts” Bruno Jr., 82, of Washington, died Saturday, November 30, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

He was born May 5, 1931, in Washington, a son of the late Arthur Sr. and Valverdine Bruno.

Mr. Bruno was one of 10 brothers and sisters.

He was a 1948 graduate of Washington High School.

Mr. Bruno had worked as a master union plumber, out of Local 27 in Pittsburgh, for Chapman Corporation for 25 years, before retiring from Tomko Plumbing in 1989.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War as a tank gunner.

Mr. Bruno was a lifelong member of St. Hilary Catholic Church, and later became a member of Immaculate Conception Church. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus.

His hobbies included building and flying his remote control airplanes and making homemade wine. In 2004, he helped open and run A&M Wine Supplies, with his son-in-law, Matt Waters.

Mr. Bruno was a member of the Arms Club and Elks Lodge 776. He participated in dartball for Immaculate Conception and the Elks, until his recent illness.

His passion was his family, and most of all his grandchildren, and his dog, Izzy.

On June 25, 1955, he married the love of his life, Violet Ann Szwed, with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage this past year.

Also surviving, in addition to his wife, are two children, Jon Todd (Dana) Bruno and Lisa Bruno (Matt) Waters, both of Washington; four grandchildren, Zachary and Whitney Waters and Anthony and Nico Bruno; two brothers, William “Bill” Bruno of Indianapolis, Ind., and Alfred “Turk” Bruno of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Felicia “Felice” Dornberger of Dunkirk, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews of Washington and around the country.

Deceased are three sisters, Thelma “Chris” Dyson, Gloria Hall and Edith “Eddie” Morris and three brothers, Joseph, John and Tony Bruno.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

Member of First Assembly of God

Geraldine Cross, 91, of Waynesburg, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 9:24 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2013, in Golden Living Center, Waynesburg, after being in failing health for the past 13 months.

She was born September 13, 1922, in Metz, W.Va., a daughter of the late Wade and Dora Mae Estel Renner.

Mrs. Cross had been a resident of West Virginia most of her life, prior to moving to Waynesburg in December 2005.

She was a member of First Assembly of God in East View.

Mrs. Cross was a self-taught guitar player, playing professionally on Fairmont, W.Va., radio for several years, and had written and copyrighted several gospel songs.

She was a member of the lady quilters group of the Assembly of God for several years, and enjoyed the time with her family and grandchildren.

Mrs. Cross and her late husband owned and operated a beef cattle farm in West Virginia for several years.

On November 14, 1940, she married William Allison Cross, who died January 23, 2013.

Surviving are a daughter, Deborah Lynn, wife of Robert Brookover of Pentress, W.Va.; two sons, William, husband of Gwen Cross of Rogersville and Rick, husband of Kathy Cross of Waynesburg; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are a daughter, Carolyn Joyce Thomas, who died in 1992; a sister, Edna Burnett Lynch; and three brothers, Leroy, Harry Franklin and Thomas Rector Renner.

She was the last of her immediate family.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Rush Funeral Home Inc., Rogersville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, with Pastor Richard Ritenour officiating. Interment will follow in Wadestown Cemetery, W.Va.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Assembly of God, 4131 West Roy Furman Highway, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences at www.rushfuneralhomeinc.com.

1928-2013

Robert Joseph Gilbert, 85, of Hartsville, S.C., formerly of Joffre, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2013, in Florence, S.C.

He was born October 28, 1928, a son of the late Jacob and Mary C. Christy Gilbert.

Mr. Gilbert was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict.

He was a 1946 graduate of the Union High School.

Mr. Gilbert retired from Universal Cyclops in Pittsburgh and Talley Metals in Hartsville, S.C. After retirement, he worked at Manheim.

He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Carolina, a former member of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Bulger, a member of Darlington County Fire Department in South Carolina, active in the Lydia community and served as a scoutmaster for 15 years.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Loretta Gracie Gilbert of South Carolina; a son, Chris Gilbert and wife Shelia of Hartsville; three daughters, Lynn Parrotta and husband Sammy of Lower Burrell, Roberta Scott and husband Robert of Lynchburg, Va., and Lori Demas and husband Peter of Gibsonia; seven grandchildren, Lindsay, Bryan and Kristin Parrotta, Kelli and Jamie Scott, Betina and husband Matt Driggers and Matthew Demas; and a sister, Jean Castellino of Burgettstown.

Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, in St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Bulger, with the Rev. Bob Staszewski, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Florence.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 488, Bulger, PA 15019.

Served in Navy, active in his community

James Irvine Maguire, 92, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2013.

He was born December 6, 1920, in Camden, N.J.

Mr. Maguire grew up in Sewall, N.J., and was a graduate of Pittman High School, Mercersburg Academy and Princeton University.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict, retiring as a lieutenant commander.

In 1945, he married Elizabeth Updegrove, and subsequently raised a family of five children.

Mr. Maguire worked in purchasing for Alpha Portland Cement in Easton for more than two decades, while also serving on the board of the United Way and other community organizations. In 1967, he took a job with Mobay Chemical Company (now Bayer USA) in Pittsburgh and moved to Washington, while his wife, Betty and two children stayed at home. He was promoted to treasurer of Bayer and served in that capacity until he retired in 1984. After retiring, he spearheaded a small business administration retraining program based at Washington & Jefferson College designed to provide professional alternatives to members of the workforce affected by steel industry downsizing.

Throughout his career and long after retirement, he was active in the community. He was an East Washington Borough councilman, a member of the boards of many area organizations including the Washington Hospital, Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, W.Va., and United Cerebral Palsy of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and a long term volunteer at Washington Hospital. Behind the scenes, he was a staunch supporter of his wife’s beloved Duncan Miller Museum.

He leaves behind a daughter, Susan of Newton, Mass.; a son, Jamie and wife Xaiofang Li of Brookline, Mass.; a son, Tim and wife Sheridan of Nahant, Mass; a daughter, Martha and husband Oleg Simanovsky of Boston, Mass.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his treasured D+U coffee group.

Deceased, in addition to his wife, is a daughter, Jane.

Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, in First Presbyterian Church, 100 East Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301, with the Rev. L. Stephen Smith officiating. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family in Washington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to United Cerebral Palsy of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Washington Federal Square, 190 North Main Street, Suite 306, Washington, PA 15301.

Devoted to family

Paula K. Palone, 79, of Belle Vernon, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 24, 2013, in Monongahela Valley Hospital.

She was born June 7, 1934, in Nemacolin, a daughter of the late Paul and Pearl Sloboda.

In 1952, she married Ralph R. Palone, who passed away in 1997, after celebrating 45 years of marriage.

Mrs. Palone and her husband raised two children, son Dino R. Palone and wife Holly of Belle Vernon and daughter Karen Ealy and husband Robert of Fairfield, Idaho.

She lived the past 18 years in Gooding, Idaho, where she made many close friends.

Mrs. Palone was an assistant manager at Aspen Grove Assisted Living in Bellevue, until her retirement in 1997.

Her hobbies included traveling, going to the casino with friends, gardening, eating out, rockhounding and gold prospecting.

Mrs. Palone was a member of Gold Prospectors Association of America and was known to catch “Gold Fever” on occasion.

She was a wonderful cook who expressed her love for her family and friends in many delicious ways. Holidays will not be the same without her nut rolls and apricot horns. She will be remembered for her warmth, cheerful disposition and willingness to help anyone in need. She was devoted to her family, a strong spirit and never-failing sense of humor.

Deceased is her twin sister, Pearl Georgiana.

Surviving, in addition children, are a sister, Audrey Leyko of Westminster, Calif.; four grandchildren, Aimee Shepard husband Robert of Nampa, Idaho, Robin Somerville husband Michael of Jeannette, Joseph Palone and wife Donna of Lancaster, Calif., and Shannon Daniels and husband Lawrence of Oxnard, Calif.; six great-grandchildren, Hannah and Jacob Somerville, Sydney Palone, Hayley and Jayden Daniels and Olivia Shepard; many nieces and nephews; “adopted children” Quoi and Ba Van Ngo and their children Bobby and Annie; and Lee Ann Huckans of the state of California (mother of Joe and Shannon).

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Lesako Funeral Home.

Army veteran was avid bowler

Rollin “Pat” Patterson, 90, of Monongahela, died Friday, November 29, 2013, in Monongahela Valley Hospital.

He was born July 27, 1923, in Charleroi, a son of A.E. and Marjorie Wise Patterson.

Mr. Patterson was a 1942 graduate of Monongahela High School.

He was World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre.

Mr. Patterson retired with 26 years of employment from the former Daily Herald in Monongahela.

He was a member of First Christian Church in Monongahela.

During his lifetime, he was an avid bowler, golfer and enjoyed many camping trips with his family.

Surviving are a daughter, Lynn Martik and husband Keith of South Park; a son, Larry Patterson of Dunedin, Fla.; two granddaughters, Kristi Duffy and husband Kevin and Nicole Martik Hays and husband Josh; three great-grandchildren, Maya Lynn Hays and Brian and John Duffy; and a sister, Doris Hemminger of St. Mary’s, W.Va.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his wife, Edna Mae Patterson, who died May 8, 2005, and two brothers, Donald and Stanley Patterson.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 2, with the Rev. Gerald Demarest officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Monongahela Area Library, 813 West Main Street, Monongahela, PA 15063. Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.

Served in Army

William A. Teegarden Sr., 93, of Crucible, formerly of Rices Landing, died at 12:41 a.m. Saturday, November 30, 2013, in his home.

He was born April 28, 1920, in Rices Landing, a son of the late Hiram and Ennice Browder Teegarden.

Mr. Teegarden resided in Davistown from 1948 until 1965, and afterwards in Rices Landing for many years.

He was a member of Rices Landing United Methodist Church.

Mr. Teegarden served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of Brooks-Crago American Legion Post 816 in Rices Landing and Disabled American Veterans. He was a former member of American Legion Post 992 in Mt. Morris.

He worked construction most of his life and retired from R.G. Johnson Construction Company in 1980.

On February 11, 1943, he married Helen B. Kennedy, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, William A. Teegarden Jr. and wife Betty of Westerville, Ohio, Gerald D. Teegarden and wife Donna of Sunbury, Ohio, and Mark L. Teegarden Sr. and wife Vickie of Rices Landing; a daughter, Darlene Linderman and husband Calvin, with whom he made his home; 12 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are eight brothers, Glenn, Ralph and Ivan Teegarden, who died in infancy, George, Marion, Oliver and David Teegarden and Hiram S. Teegarden and two sisters, Hazel Rhodes and Virginia Wood.

Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, director, 300 South Vine Street, Route 88, Carmichaels, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, with the Rev. William A. Sulkosky officiating. Interment will follow in Hewitt Cemetery, Rices Landing, with military honors accorded by Cumberland American Legion Post 400, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 and the U.S. Army.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Amedisys Hospice, 2183 McClellandtown Road, Masontown, PA 15461. For additional information and to sign the guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.

Member of Upper Buffalo Church

Peter Paul Wussick, 89, of Washington, died Thursday, November 28, 2013, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.

He was born July 12, 1924, in Carnegie, a son of Nick Wussick and Mary Gurmack Wussick.

Mr. Wussick was a graduate of Hickory High School and was a farmer.

He enjoyed polka music and flea markets.

Mr. Wussick was a member of Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church.

On October 12, 1945, he married Norma Coneby, who survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Beverly (Curtis) Paul, Edna (Frank) Krakosh and Pamela (Harold) Russell, all of Washington; five grandchildren, Frank Krakosh, Tiffani Holmes, the Rev. Curtis Paul, Ashley Russell and Zachary Russell; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the last of his immediate family.

Deceased are four sisters, Rose, Stella, Annie and Katy; and three brothers, Nick, John and Mike.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, in Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Washington, with the Rev. Judy Mayer officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.