Feb 4, 2014

Former Washington resident

James A. Bellotti, 73, of Brandon, Fla., formerly of Washington, died Saturday, February 1, 2014, in his home.

He was born August 7, 1940, in Washington, a son of Frank Bellotti Sr. and Mary Caputo Bellotti, who are deceased.

Mr. Bellotti served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He started out working for Forbes Steel and worked his way up to general foreman. He worked for various steel corporations around the world for more than 40 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and was a race car driver for the National Racing Association.

Surviving are a son, Michael G. Bellotti of Meteriaie, La.; a brother, Frank (Carol) Bellotti of Washington; two sisters, Ursula (James) Brodnick of Houston and Diana Bell of Washington; two granddaughters, Michelle and Nicole Bellotti; a sister-in-law, Patti Lesko Bellotti Bell; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a brother, John Bellotti.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

McDonald man was self-taught musician

William A. “Bill” Bernhart, 83, of McDonald, died Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in his home.

He was born May 8, 1930, in Oakdale, a son of the late William J. and Mary Bartins Bernhart.

Mr. Bernhart was a graduate of McDonald High School and attended Mt. Union College on a football scholarship. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church and was a local business owner, until his retirement 20 years ago.

He enjoyed playing golf, working in the yard, doing crossword puzzles and listening to big band music. He was a self-taught musician, learning to play the trumpet and organ, and played in Bobbie Vinton’s father’s band as a trumpet player. Mr. Bernhart was a local historian of the McDonald area, and enjoyed communicating with people from all over through the internet. One would call him a “Renaissance Man.”

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Jackie Deliere Bernhart; son William Bernhart of Scott Township; granddaughter Rebecca Gregg of Lancaster; brother Robert (Carol) Bernhart of Mt. Lebanon; sister-in-law Linda Bernhart of Ohio; aunt Stella Williams of McDonald; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are a daughter, Doria L. Gregg, who died November 28, 2009, and a brother, Donald Bernhart.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, 724-926-2800. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 8, in St. Alphonsus R.C. Church, 219 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Alphonsus R.C. Church or American Cancer Society. A guest book is available at thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.

Enjoyed spending time with family

Mary E. Carlton, 73, of Midway, died Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.

She was born February 17, 1940, in Primrose, a daughter of the late Harvey E. and Mabel B. Wolfe Growden.

Mrs. Carlton was a homemaker. She was a member of Center United Presbyterian Church and enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Cheryl (late William) Bele of Bethel Park, David (Joanne) Carlton of Midway and Karen (Tim) Wolfe of Midway; grandchildren Christina Bele, Bruce and David Carlton, and Sarah, Adam, Tyler and Nathan Wolfe; great-grandchildren William and Diana Bele; brothers Merle (Claire) Growden, Donald (Rose) Growden and Robert (late Lorraine) Growden.

Deceased are her husband, Bruce T. Carlton, in 1983; a sister, Esther Bykens; and a brother, Raymond Growden.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, 724-926-2800, where service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 7. Interment will follow in Robinson Run Cemetery, South Fayette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Center U.P. Church, 110 Washington Avenue, Midway, 15060. A guest book is available at thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.

Proud member of the Masons

Robert T. Cooper, 69, of Washington, formerly of Eighty Four, passed away peacefully Monday, February 3, 2014, with his family by his side.

Born July 25, 1944, in Washington, he was a son of Ruth and the late Thomas Cooper; beloved father of Shaun (Amanda) Cooper of Washington and Kim (Helen) Cooper of Washington; brother of Dave Cooper; and cherished grandfather of Ethen and Ellie Cooper.

Deceased is his son, Bobby Cooper.

Mr. Cooper was a proud member of the Masons, Henry M. Phillips Lodge 337, for more than 30 years. He loved traveling and enjoyed dart ball, softball and dining out.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Friends are welcome for a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 6, in Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546.

View and sign the family’s guest book at www.cremationfuneralcare.com.

Loved spending time with grandchildren

Lillie H. Vreeland Deems, 76, of Clarksville, died Monday, February 3, 2014, in Southwest Regional Medical Center, Waynesburg.

She was born March 7, 1937, in Petersburg, Va., a daughter of the late Clyde H. Sr. and Nellie Rose Vreeland.

A homemaker, Mrs. Deems was a former member of the Clarksville Eagles, where she was known for her chicken wings and cole slaw. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and loved her cats.

Surviving are two daughters, Rose E. Cwierz (Stanley) of Clarksville and Ivie M. Addis (Tom) of Masontown; two sons, Albert F. Deems Jr. (Rhoda) of Thurman, Ohio, and Lawrence G. Deems of Fredericktown; 10 grandchildren, Christopher M. Cwierz, Amy J. Cwierz, Terri R. Deems, Tonya L. Blazer, Timothy Hayes, Michael Hayes, Ann Marie Deems, Jennifer Harper, Amy L. Hoyle and Richard Nesto; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Ivy Bates (Donald) of Jefferson, and Kathleen Deems of Clarksville; and several nieces, nephews and special friends.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband Albert F. Deems Sr.; daughter Laura N. Nesto; grandson Kevin Hayes; brother Clyde H. Vreeland; and brother-in-law Russell Deems.

Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 7, with Pastor John Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery, Beallsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Deems Family, c/o Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, PA 15313. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Jerry Dichak passed away Monday, February 3, 2014.

She was a daughter of Ruth and Lou Dichak. Daughter Kelly Dichak survives.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 8, in New Hope Church of Nazarene, Washington.

Daisytown resident

James A. Hartley Sr., 76, of Daisytown, died Sunday, February 2, 2014.

He was born Monday, July 26, 1937, in California, a son of the late Frank A. and Sarah Coking Hartley.

Left to cherish his memory are his six children, Darla Beaumont and husband Dennis of Brownsville, James Hartley Jr. and wife Debbie of Vestaburg, Frank Hartley Sr. and wife Martha of Barberton, Ohio, Richard Hartley and wife Natalie of Brownsville, Carolyn Staley and husband Russell of West Brownsville, and Jamie Elliott and husband David of Brownsville; brother Thomas Hartley Sr. and wife Louise; sisters Christine Armstrong, Ethel Brodak, Frances Volcheck and Shirley Harris and husband Edgar. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Lauren Beaumont, James Hartley III, Josh Hartley and wife Melissa, Frank Hartley Jr., Alyssa Hartley and fiancé Ryan Bulger, Angela Holp and husband Al Holp III, Rebecca Staley, Gabriel Elliott, and David Elliott Jr.; and six great-grandchildren, James A. Hartley IV, Christian Hartley, Nevaeh Hartley, R.J. Bulger, Aiden Hartley and Benjamin Hartley.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his wife, Ethel, on October 18, 2012; four brothers, Allen, Charles, Fred and Robert Hartley; and two sisters, Mary Jakubisn and Martha Chisler.

Friends will be received until 11 a.m. Wednesday in Mariscotti Funeral Home Inc., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 5, with the Rev. John Thomas officiating.

Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill.

1919 – 2014

Margaret Rita Christy Homitz, 94, of St. Thomas More Manor, Bethel Park, formerly of Burgettstown, passed away Monday morning, February 3, 2014, in Asbury Heights, Pittsburgh.

She was born July 4, 1919, in Joffre, the youngest child of the late Charles and Felicia Buccione Christy.

An avid reader, she was a librarian’s assistant for the Burgettstown Community Library, retiring at age 80.

She and her husband were owners of Tony and Marge’s Restaurant in Burgettstown; she was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers.

Surviving are her children, Charles Homitz and wife Emily of Houston, Judy DeLeo and husband Dan of Bethel Park, Kathie Scopel and husband Paul of Bethel Park, and Mary Margaret Pounds and husband Tom of Venetia; a son-in-law, Paul Hutchko; nine grandchildren, Rebecca Robertson and husband Michael, Beth Higgins and husband Gary, Paul and Megan Hutchko, Daniel and Cassidy DeLeo, Mike Scopel, Lee Peete and husband Alan, and Neil Pounds and wife Leah; and five great-grandchildren, Brennan Higgins, Ryder and Keller Peete and Aiden and Griffin Pounds.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband, Anthony John Homitz, who died November 3, 1974; a daughter, Felicia Hutchko; three brothers, Frank, Alfred and Avenear “Red” Christy; and two sisters, Mary Gilbert and Nell Christy.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Lee & Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, February 7, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Burgettstown, with the Rev. George Moneck, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Burgettstown.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Burgettstown Community Library, 2 Kerr Street, Burgettstown, PA 15021, and/or Grady’s All Stars, P.O. Box 113303, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, or by visiting gradysallstars.org.

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church member

Helen J. Jakubek, 85, of Strabane, passed away Sunday February 2, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington, following a brief illness.

She was born November 10, 1928, in Moundsville W.Va., a daughter of the late John and Josephine Kuplinski Moskavish. Mrs. Jakubek lived most of her life in Strabane and was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed for 40 years at the former Tiny Store.

On November 15, 1947, she married Albert M. Jakubek, who passed away August 18, 2004.

Surviving are three daughters, Barbara Jakubek, with whom she made her home, Teresa (Frank) Repanshek of Lebanon and Bernadette (Kathe) Dey of Heath, Ohio; a brother, Thomas Dubites of Ripley, W.Va.; five grandchildren, Jacob (Alissa), Zachary (Jennifer) and Rachael Repanshek, and Adam (Caree) and Brenton Dey; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are welcome from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 6, in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg, with interment to follow in St. Patrick Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research. To view or extend condolences, visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

St. Hilary Church member

Phyllis K. Lipinski, 78, of Washington, died Monday, February 3, 2014, in Evergreen Personal Care Home, Washington.

She was born January 25, 1936, in Washington, a daughter of Thomas “Click” and Belva G. Batson Knox.

Mrs. Lipinski was a graduate of Washington High School and a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church.

She was employed by Bell Telephone Co. as an operator and also worked as a card stocker with American Greeting Cards.

She enjoyed bowling, playing cards and bingo, puzzle books, reading and watching the Pittsburgh Pirates play.

On May 14, 1955, in Washington, she married Stephen P. Lipinski, who survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Bonnie (Michael) Cain and Debbie (Jim) Devore, and her son Tom (Cindy Simms) Lipinski, all of Washington; two grandchildren, Nicole Diseker and Brittany Perry; two great-grandchildren, Carson and Carter Perry; and four nieces and nephews.

Deceased is her sister, Virginia J. Paluda.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Hummell & 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, February 7, with Father Thomas O’Neil officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.

Family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of each donors choice. Messages of condolence may be left at www.hummellandjones.com.

Green Beret veteran

John Walter Maciag, 67, of Keene, N.Y., formerly of Waynesburg, died June 8, 2013.

He was born June 6, 1946, in Rome, N.Y., a son of the late William J. Maciag and Jessie Niegos Maciag.

Mr. Maciag was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Green Berets.

He worked as a coal miner while residing in Pennsylvania. He later moved to Keene, where he was employed as caretaker for The Uplands. He also worked as a cook for New Mark Diner and as chef for Steak and Seafood in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Surviving are a sister, Jacqueline Wilfson of Waynesburg; a brother, Dr. William J. Maciag (Marlene) of Stuart, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; his caregiver and friend, April Pator, along with Lauren Staut.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his grandparents, John F. and Frances Maciag, and Walter and Caroline Niegos; and a daughter, Heather Maciag.

Private cremation was held in New York. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 959 State Route 9, Mt. Royal Plaza, Queensbury, New York 12804, or 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.

Veteran loved baseball? and golf

Leasure Benjamin “Ben” McGinnis Jr., 67, of Bainbridge, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014, in Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Cecil on November 15, 1946, he was a son of the late Leasure B. McGinnis Sr., husband of Josephine, and the late Edna M. Campbell Tournay, wife of Alvin “Crow” Tournay.

Mr. McGinnis retired from the Aviation Brigade of the PA Army National Guard. Before he became a member of the National Guard, he served in the Marine Corps. for more than 10 years, including two tours during Vietnam.

In recent years, he was employed by Carter Lumber Company as an assistant manager, and also was the administrator of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, Middletown.

He was a 1964 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and a former member of the Muse Italian Club and Westland Sportsman’s Club.

Mr. McGinnis enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, but his two loves were baseball and golf.

Surviving are his loving wife of 23 years, Judith A. Antal McGinnis, whom he married August 18, 1990; a daughter, Michelle Lea McGinnis of Harrisburg; two stepchildren, Gina Brown of Canonsburg and Scott Swarrow, husband of Susan of Waynesburg; a brother, Gregory Tournay of Muse; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Nolan Swarrow of Waynesburg. A viewing will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday in Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 7, in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.

Veteran enjoyed singing in choir

James Raymond Renshaw, 90, of Eighty Four, died Monday, February 3, 2014, in Washington Hospital.

He was born March 31, 1923, in Monongahela, a son of Edgar and Helen Renshaw.

Mr. Renshaw was a graduate of Monongahela High School and served in the U. S. Marine Corps. He first worked as a motorman in Washington and then as a poultry farmer.

Mr. Renshaw was a member of Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir.

His first wife, Irene B. Azzo Renshaw, died in August 2000.

In 2001, he married Vivian Knight, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Robin Renshaw Sams of Alexandria, La.; stepdaughter Linda Wood Barr (Jim) of West Alexander; stepson Richard Wood (Margie) of Washington; daughter-in-law Mary Renshaw of Madison, Ala.; grandchildren Dr. Cassandra Sams (Ian Willoughby), James Andrew Sams, Erika Renshaw Sams (Keith Turner) and Renee Renshaw Williams (Sean); and a great-grandson, Jack Bryan Williams.

Deceased are a son, Gary James Renshaw; a stepson, Larry Wood; sisters Louise, Yvonne and Rose; and a brother, Edgar Renshaw Jr.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Friday, February 7, in Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Eighty Four, with Pastor Gary Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in Emmanuel Church Cemetery. Those attending the service should meet at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 480 Route 519, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.