Oct 31, 2013

Centerville Clinics retiree

Rose Virginia “Snook” Barr, 84, of Marianna, died Thursday, October 31 2013, in Washington Hospital.

She was born in Marianna November 11, 1928, a daughter of the late Valentine and Elizabeth Seidel.

Mrs. Barr was a 1947 graduate of West Bethlehem High School.

She worked as a switchboard operator for Marianna Scenery Hill Telephone Company for many years and retired from Centerville Clinics in 1989.

Mrs. Barr was a member of First Christian Church of Marianna, where she held the position of CYF. She was an auxiliary member of American Legion Post 744 of Marianna, and a Girl Scout and Brownie leader.

On June 3, 1951, she married Robert A. Barr, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage, before his death July 9, 2013.

Surviving are a daughter, Candace Rae Johnson of Marianna; three grandchildren, Steve Matiyasic (Susan), Devon Allen Johnson and Jennifer Rose Johnson Schrom (Andrew); and four great-granddaughters Stephanie, Chelsea, Emersen, and Drew. Deceased in addition to her husband and parents are a daughter, Penny Allen Barr; a son-in-law, John Johnson; two brothers, Valentine “Val” and Frank “Hank” Seidel; and two sisters, Elizabeth “Betts” Strickland and Ethel “Toots” Braden.

Family and friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1728 Main Street, Marianna, PA 15345, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 4, with the Rev. Dr. Gary Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in Horn Cemetery, Marianna. An online guest book may be viewed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com .

Enthusiastic, active supporter of Girl Scouts

Jane Ammerman Blanton passed gracefully from this life to the next, October 24, 2013, and is buried in Sharon Cemetery, Shelby, N.C.

She was born July 26, 1924, a daughter of Harold Elliott Ammerman and Edna Elizabeth Brush.

Mrs. Blanton grew up in Orange, N.J., where she made lifelong friends.

She enjoyed playing tennis, spent summers at the New Jersey beaches and loved attending the theater in New York City. She graduated from East Orange High School in 1942 and in 1946, graduated Phi Beta Kappa in math from Duke University. During World War II, she spent summers working in research facilities, including assembling parts for the Norden bombsight. She worked as a calculator at Bell Laboratories Research Labs in Murray Hill, N.J., after completing graduate studies at Rutgers University, where she also taught.

In 1951, she married Neil Blanton of Shelby. They spent the next 19 years in Washington, where they were active in First Methodist Church and in many civic organizations. Since her childhood, she was an enthusiastic and active supporter of Girl Scouts of America, first as a Girl Scout and then as a troop leader and in various volunteer leadership roles.

In 1970, the Blanton family relocated to Clifton Park, N.Y. where they added to their circle of friends and experiences. She joined the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church and was active in FISH volunteer services. She taught at Schenectady Community College and enjoyed tutoring students challenged in math.

In 1989, she and her husband retired to Washington and spent the remainder of their lives in the area. In addition to reconnecting with their longtime friends in Pennsylvania, they enjoyed family gatherings at the Outer Banks of North Carolina each summer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Neil.

Surviving are daughters, Patty (Bob) McConnaughe, of Pittsboro, N.C., Carol (Tom) Lutke, of Oxford, Miss., and Elizabeth (Jack) Goet, of Butler; and seven much-loved grandchildren, Adam McConnaughey, Jane, Emily and Tom Lutken and Andrea, Stephen and John Goetz.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to your local Girl Scout Council, local United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

Partner in Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse

Anthony Bologna, 77, of McMurray, surrounded by many loving family and friends, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013

He was the beloved husband of Mary (Hess) Bologna; loving father of Anthony Bologna Jr. of Aurora, Ohio, Vicki and husband, Sam LoPresti of Jefferson Hills and the late Matthew Bologna; dear brother of Vincent Bologna of Colliers, W.Va., Louis Bologna of Akron, Ohio, Ray Bologna of Moon Township and the late Joseph Bologna and Rose Marie Friday; and cherished brother-in-Law of Linda Scalise of Erie and Connie Shelby of Houston, Texas, and Susan Baux of Pittsburgh.

Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Mr. Bologna was the owner of Bologna Ford in Burgettstown and ventured into various aspects of the coal and energy industries. He was a longtime employee of Bologna Coal Company and a partner in Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse. He was also known as “The Wine Master.”

Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Beinhauers Funeral Home, 724-941-3211, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 4, in St. Benedict the Abbot Church, McMurray. Everyone is asked to please meet at church. Entombment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township, will be private. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Please add and view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.

Loved ceramics and hosting family dinners

Nora Alice Kerr Calvert, 97, of Washington, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.

She was born February 24, 1916, in Greene County, a daughter of William Ackley and Bertha Pearl Hewitt Ackley.

Mrs. Calvert was a server and a cook at Washington & Jefferson College; she also was a housemother for Phi Kappa Sigma and an aide at Washington Hospital and Kade Nursing Home. She last worked for John Wylie as a housekeeper and once worked at Red Bull Inn and Cozy Cottage.

She was a member of Enon Baptist Church.

Mrs. Calvert loved doing ceramics and just being her. She also loved working in her yard, hosting family dinners and spending time with all her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful baker and the best anyone could ask for.

Her first husband, William Lewis “Boss” Kerr, died in 1953 and her second husband, Fred Calvert, died in 1983.

Surviving are two sons, William Lewis (Fran) Kerr of Claysville and Dennis Ray Kerr of Amity; seven daughters, Patricia (Jack) Livingood of Brockport, Verna Wise of Washington, Norma Jean (Harold) Akews of Harrisburg, Peggy Crawford of Harrisburg, Darlene Breese of Prosperity, Debra (Eugene) Hatfield of Washington and Christy (Rick) Kirkwood of Washington; a sister, Margaret Thomas of Claysville; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a granddaughter, Doris Livingood; and a great-grandchild, Willie Kerr.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Home, 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 4. Burial will follow in Enon Cemeter, West Finley. 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 online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

Operator of Chess Coal Co.

Raymond N. Chess, 90, of Smithfield, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013, in his home.

He was born March 12, 1923, in Fairchance, a son of Joseph and Anna Chess Sr.

Mr. Chess was predeceased by his parents; loving wife of 70 years, Kathryn Marie French Chess, who died June 25, 2013; a son, Larry Chess; and a brother, Joseph Chess.

He was the owner and operator of Chess Coal Co., until his retirement.

Mr. Chess was a former Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow; former director of Gallatin National Bank and its successor banks; director and board member of Uniontown Hospital for many years; a member of Issac Walton League and the Fairchance Sons of Italy.

Surviving are his loving famiy, including three sons, Ray Chess and wife Nan of Smithfield, Robert Chess and wife Debbie of Smithfield and Dan Chess and wife Susan of Uniontown; 10 grandchildren, Lisa, Bart, Meagan, Paul, Craig, Kami, Todd, Robert Jr., Amy and Jason; eight great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Chess.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Dean C. Whitmarsh Funeral Home, 134 West Church Street, Fairchance and until 10 a.m., the time of service, Saturday, November 2, with the Rev. Robert J. Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery, Smithfield. Memorial contributions to the ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209.

A special bond was made with the caregivers and management of Twin Oaks Home Care and the staff of Fayette Home Health Care and Hospice and Observer-Reporter, particularily Greene County.

Oldest member of adult Tambiritzans

George Cizmek, 97, of Bentleyville, died unexpectedly, Monday, October 28, 2013.

He was born October 25, 1916, in Bentleyville, a son of the late Michael and Catherine Cizmek.

Mr. Cizmek was a 1937 graduate of Bentleyville High School.

For over 50 years, he owned and operated Cizmek Dry Cleaners in Bentleyville and Fredericktown, until his retirement in 1999. He also drove a school bus for Bentworth School District for many years.

Mr. Cizmek was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville, where he sang in the church choir for over 60 years; the oldest member of the CFU Lodge 354 of Cokeburg; and former member of Bentleyville Lions Club.

In 2012, he was the Grand Marshal of the Bentleyville Halloween Parade.

He enjoyed golfing, bowling, dancing with adult Tambiritzans, of which he was the oldest member, and traveling with his wife, Betty. He was an avid sports fan and exercised at the Mon Valley YMCA daily.

On July 1, 2006, he married Elizabeth “Betty” DeBusk Cizmek, who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Cynthia Jones (Ellis) of Park Rapids, Minn. and Darryl Cizmek of Odenton, Md.; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by several stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his first wife, Margaret Amos Cizmek, who died in 1955; his second wife, Susan Bury Cizmek, who died in 1995; a brother, Michael Cizmek; and five sisters, Ann Vinkovich, Mary Vinkovich, Helen Costa, Evelyn Davis and Margaret Cizmek.

He was the last of his immediate family.

Friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, with the Rev. Andy Scott officiating. Interment will be in Mon Valley Memorial Park, Donora. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville, P.O. Box 198, Bentleyville, PA 15314 or the Croation Fraternal Union Lodge 354, Cokeburg, PA 15324. An online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Enjoyed collecting bells

Mary Jo Durbin, 80, of Carmichaels, died at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2013, in Rolling Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Waynesburg.

She was born May 28, 1933, in Mannington, W.Va., a daughter of the late Leslie and Ada Gump Hayes.

Mrs. Durbin attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hundred, W.Va.

She was a social member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Carmichaels and Waynesburg and enjoyed collecting bells and playing small games of chance. Mrs. Durbin was the last of her immediate family.

Surviving are two sons, Tony L. Earnest and his wife Doris of Greensboro and Lloyd Wayne Earnest of Dilliner.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are eight brothers, Lester, Chester, Philip, Charles, Edward, Gale, James and Carl Hayes; and three sisters, Syny Gump, Marge Andrews and Charlotte Torch.

Arrangements are private and under the direction of Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966- 5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street, Route 88, Carmichaels. For additional information and to sign the online guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.

Teacher’s aide for Head Start

Lynda L. Griffin Jordan, 64, of Bobtown, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013, in Donnell House in Washington.

She was born in Hempstead, N.Y., November 19, 1948, a daughter of the late Robert and Ica Grace Ringer Griffin.

A graduate of Mapletown High School, she had attended Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Dilliner.

She formerly worked as a teacher’s aide for Children’s Head Start Program.

She was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by two children and their spouses, Craig Williams and Ann Labar of Dilliner and Lori and Jeff Pratt of Carmichaels; four grandchildren, Craig Jr., Morgan, Haleigh and Jeffrey; two sisters, with whom she was raised, Barbara Richard of Sykesville, Md., and Mrytle “Babe” Shaffer of Kettering, Ohio; and three other siblings, George Williamson of Louisiana, William Drake and his companion Susie Hayward of Utah and Donna Drake Mollo of New York.

Also surviving is her close friend, Carl “Buddy” Haines of Bobtown.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and until 10:30 a.m., the time of service, Saturday, November 2, in Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, Point Marion, with the Rev. Frank Menhart officiating. Interment follows in Wolf’s Cemetery, Dilliner. View the obituary online at www.herod-rishel.com.

Enjoyed music, puzzles and jewelry

Veronica Jean Morgan, 52, of Aliquippa, formerly of Washington, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013, in Kindred Hospital, Pittsburgh, following a brief illness

She was born June 19, 1961, in Washington, a daughter of Harry A. “Hezzie” and Veronica A. Manion Morgan of Washington.

Ms. Morgan was baptized in Immaculate Conception Church. She was a resident of Allegheny Valley School since 1966. She enjoyed music, puzzles and jewelry.

Surviving are a brother, Harry A. (Deborah) Morgan Jr. of Virginia Beach, Va.; three sisters, Loretta A. (John) Niemiec of Moundsville, W.Va., Elaine M. (Edward) Morascyzk of Washington and Catherine L. (Ed) Twele of Westminster, Colo.; 11 nieces and nephews; and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ms. Morgan was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Evan R. Morgan and Effie L. Morgan; and maternal grandparents, John E. Manion Sr. and Veronica M. Manion.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday 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 10 a.m. Saturday, November 2, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Lou Pascazi as celebrant. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Allegheny Valley School, 1996 Ewings Mills Road, Coraopolis PA 15108-3380. Online condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.

Frank Regish, 77, of Clarksville, died Thursday, October 31, 2013, in his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Greenlee Funeral Home, 42 Bank Street at Crawford Road, Fredericktown. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

Carl A. Rutan, 78, formerly of Waynesburg, died, October 22, 2013. He was a brother of Richard A. Rutan Sr. and Isabel Pettit, both of Waynesburg and Irene Morris of Holbrook; and several nieces and nephews.

Homemaker enjoyed canoeing, traveling

Mildred Lucille Stimpson, 89, of Washington, died October 27, 2013, in Paris, Texas.

She was born January 22, 1924, in Renova, a daughter of Saul Stroup and Virginia Irene Watcherson Stroup.

Mrs. Stimpson was a homemaker.

She was Methodist.

Mrs. Stimpson enjoyed knitting, reading, canoeing and traveling.

In 1950, she married Howard L. Stimpson Jr, who died April 1, 1997.

Surviving are two sons, Larry Lewis and Howard L. Stimpson III, both of Washington; a daughter, Linda L. Reyes of Paris; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Steve Stimpson; a sister Bernice Smith; and a grandson, David Comer.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the time of service Friday, November 1, in William G. Neal Funeral Home, 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens in McMurray. Additional information and guest book are available online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

Beloved husband, loving father

Bruce R. Yeager, 71, of Peters Township, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of Nola J. Yeager; loving father of Bruce R. (Sandy) Yeager, Denise (Dan) Ambrogi, Tricia (Jim) Dolanch and Melissa Smith McNally; cherished grandfather of Sydney, Lindsey, Athena, Anthony, Gillian, Garrett and Evan; and brother of Patti (Gar) Wiggs.

Mr. Yeager was the proud and successful owner of Allegheny Machine Tool Systems.

He was a longtime elder at Center Presbyterian Church and proudly served in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Yeager will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m Friday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 2, in Center Presbyterian Church, 255 Center Church Road, McMurray, PA 15317. Everyone please meet at church.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the church. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.