Jan 13, 2014

William T.S. Fitch, 76, of Washington, died Monday, January 13, 2014.

Arrangements are incomplete and are entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Washington. A full obituary will appear in a later edition.

Shop teacher was Mine 60 foreman

Frank C. Gagus, 67, of Somerset Township, Bentleyville, died Saturday evening, January 11, 2014, in his home.

He was born June 22, 1946, in New Eagle, a son of the late Frank and Elizabeth C. Ambrose Gagus.

Mr. Gagus graduated from Charleroi High School and received a bachelor’s degree in teaching from California University of Pennsylvania.

He taught shop at Weirton (W.Va.) High School. Later, he was a general foreman in the cleaning plant for Bethlehem Mines, Mine 60, in Somerset Township.

A jack-of-all-trades, he was a self-taught gunsmith, who enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a passion for gardening.

Surviving are his wife, Naomi L. Ash Gagus; two children, Lisa Putnak and Chuck Gagus, both of Bentleyville; a grandson; a sister, Mary Ann Tonini (Calvin Dils) of Belle Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are welcome from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, January 16, in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville 724-239-2255, where a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., with Pastor Max Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ALS Association, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Millvale, PA 15209. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.

Thatcher Vincent Giles was born a sleeping angel at 6:58 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, the son of Terry and Abby Hartley Giles. He was a beautiful baby boy who touched so many lives in such a brief time.

Thatcher was deeply loved and eagerly anticipated by his parents. “How very softly you tiptoed into our world, almost silently, only a moment you stayed. But what an imprint your footsteps have left upon our hearts.”

Left to cherish his memory are his grandparents, Terry and Cathy Giles and Robin and Peter West. Thatcher was their first grandchild.

Also left to mourn Thatcher’s passing are his great-grandmother, Lillian Frabell; his great-grandparents, Dick and Harriet Giles; uncles Thomas (Ashley) Giles, Dusten, Kris and Guy Hartley and David Pugh; great-aunts Linda Carrozza, April (Robert) Buchanan, Jodi (Michael) Bratton and Marci (Bob) Dever and Tami (Kurt) DeMarino; and great-uncle Dick Hartley. Thatcher also leaves behind his stepgreat-grandfather, Kenneth Ward, and his stepgrandmother, Michelle Hartley.

Thatcher was greeted in heaven by his grandfather, James “Hawke” Hartley; great-grandparents Thomas and Janice Frabell; and great-grandmothers Ruby Rizak and Elizabeth Montecalvo Hartley.

Funeral services were private and held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to Washington Hospital Foundation, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Please designate your donation for the Maternity Grief and Loss Program.

William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., Washington, handled the arrangements.

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

St. Alphonsus Church member enjoyed fishing

Marcella P. Herbst, 92, of McDonald, died Monday, January 13, 2014, in her home.

She was born August 3, 1921, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late John and Patranella Bush Navadauskas.

Mrs. Herbst was a homemaker and loved crafting, painting, sewing and word search puzzles. She enjoyed fishing and traveling with family to Maine and Florida.

She was a member of St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church, McDonald, and its Altar Society and Christian Mothers.

In 1938, she married Joseph Grohal, who died in 1970. On April 19, 1975, she married John A. Herbst, who survives.

Surviving are a daughter, Marcella “Moxy” (John Stanko) Grohal of Pittsburgh; a son, Joseph A. (Donna) Grohal of Fort Myers, Fla.; and a sister, Matilda “Tillie” Potetz of Pittsburgh.

Deceased are a son, Richard P. Grohal; three brothers, John Navadauskas, William “Bill” Navas and Anthony “Nave” Navadauskas; and two sisters, Valentina “Val” Gallon and Louise Campbell.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Nation Funeral Home Inc., 220 East Lincoln Avenue, McDonald. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 17, in St. Alphonsus Church, McDonald, with the Rev. Ben Vaghetto and the Rev. John Harvey concelebrating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, McKees Rocks.

Memorials are suggested to St. Alphonsus Church, 219 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, PA 15057. Condolences, photos and additional information are available at www.nationfuneralhome.com.

Ohio pharmacist graduated from Waynesburg College

Charles C. “Chuck” Jacobs, 84, of Grove City, Ohio, formerly of Cambridge, Ohio, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014, in Mt. Carmel Medical Center.

He was a 1947 graduate of Waynesburg College and a graduate of University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

Mr. Jacobs worked for Spillman’s Drug Store in Cambridge for 15 years and retired from Cambridge Psychiatric Hospital after 17 years.

He was a member of Grove City (Ohio) United Methodist Church. Chuck was an active member of the Masonic Bodies and a member of Cambridge Masonic Lodge 66 and past worthy patron of Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sally; his children, Joyce (Jeff) Hill, David (Suanne) Jacobs and Amy (David) Yerian; grandchildren Cody, Casey, Kelly and Clay Hill and Hayden and Avery Yerian; and great-grandson Easton Hill.

He leaves his granddogs, Seth and Tucker.

Friends may visit from 11 a.m. until time of funeral at 1 p.m. Thursday in Grove City United Methodist Church, 2684 Columbus Street, Grove City, with Pastor Dennis Miller officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. Friday, January 17, in Rosemont Cemetery, Rogersville.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Grove City United Methodist Church in his memory. Arrangements are under the care of Spence-Miller Funeral Home, Grove City, with a guest book at www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com.

Retired police lieutenant was born in Washington

Warren R. “Ray” Keener, 85, of Pinellas Park, Fla., passed away December 18, 2013.

Born in Washington, he moved his family to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1960.

He retired as a lieutenant from St. Petersburg Police Department in 1986. He then became an investigator for State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and later for Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board.

Mr. Keener was the current homeowners association president of Mainlands Unit 6.

His wife of 63 years, Lois Donel Keener, is deceased.

Surviving are children Raymond L. “Dutch” Keener (Crystal), Janice L. Keener and Richard S. “Dick” Keener; grandchildren Lynne Keener Allen (Chris) and Raymond “Scott” Keener (Tammy); and great-grandchildren Colton and Ashlyn Keener.

California woman was born in Roscoe

Ellen E. McDonald, 90, of California, died Sunday, January 12, 2014.

She was born Wednesday, September 19, 1923, in Roscoe, a daughter of the late Harry E. and Malinda Mae Cole Barton.

In addition to her parents, deceased are her husband, Raymond McDonald; brother Tom Barton; sister Anna May Barton; and a grandson, Ritchie McDonald.

Left to cherish her memory are five children, Dianna Rotta of Monongahela, Richard McDonald and wife Kathleen of Brownsville, Mary Ellen Muscavitch of Clarksville, Don McDonald and wife LuAnn of Brownsville and Raymond McDonald and wife Renee of California. Also surviving are four grandsons, two granddaughters, two stepgrandsons, a stepgranddaughter, six great-granddaughters, a great-grandson and a stepgreat-grandson.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, January 16, in Mariscotti Funeral Home Inc., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California, to honor Ellen and Raymond McDonald. The Rev. Jana Quisenberry will officiate.

St. Patrick Church member worked for Gimble’s

Stella A. Ozelski, 93, of Canonsburg, died Sunday, January 12, 2014, in her home.

She was born August 29, 1920, in Washington, a daughter of the late Stephen and Stefania Borkowski Kulla.

Mrs. Ozelski worked in candy sales for Gimble’s Department Store.

She was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, where she was a former member of its Christian Mothers and Guild. She was a member of Greater Canonsburg Senior Citizens and White Eagles. She enjoyed playing cards.

Surviving are two daughters, Dolores Wilson and husband Harry of Weirton, W.Va., and Debbie Hincy and husband Steve of Canonsburg; four grandchildren, Danielle Khory, Ryan Wilson, Michael Wilson and Christina Ver; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are her husband, Stanley Ozelski; a brother, Walter Kulla; and two sisters, Sophie Bernotas and Josephine Thomas.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director, where departing prayers will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, Peters Township.

Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.

Albert S. Paraska, 79, of New Jersey, formerly of Washington, died Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Washington. A complete obituary will follow in a later edition.

Retired U.S. Steel technician was WWII veteran

Ralph Rippel, 93, of Forward Township, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, Carroll Township.

Born May 15, 1920, in Forward Township, he was a son of the late William and Gertrude Tarr Rippel.

Mr. Rippel was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, a retired chemist technician at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works, where he worked for 33 years, a farmer and a member of the Pennsylvania Farmers Association.

Prior to working at U.S. Steel, he was a milk truck driver with Snee Brothers and later a self-employed milk hauler.

He joins his wife, the late Leah (Briscoe) Rippel.

Surviving are his daughter, Linda (Pastor John) Pipp of Fredericktown; his son, John F. (Janet) Rippel of Forward Township; his three grandchildren, John F. Rippel II of Washington, Jennifer L. (Christopher) Foegelle of Virginia Beach, Va., and Rachel Pipp of Forward Township; his great-granddaughter, Clara Foegelle; his four sisters, Margaret J. Tignanelli of Elizabeth Township, Minnie M. Lehman of Forward Township, S. Ruth McGowan of Eighty Four and Lois R. Laird of Bentleyville; his brothers, Albert P. “Bud” (Lucy) Rippel of Forward Township and Lawrence H. (Elsie) Rippel of Belle Vernon; nieces; and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, deceased are his sisters, Martha I. Briegel and Grace P. Rippel, and his brothers, Charles C. Rippel, William C. Rippel II, John Tarr Rippel and Christy “Tim” Rippel.

Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth, PA 15037, 412-384-4344. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor William Bailey officiating. Procession and burial will follow to Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Township.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Pittsburgh, 301 Grant Street, Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, and/or Boys Town McKeesport, in care of 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010. www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

Formerly of Avella

Ann F. Spencer, 93, of Pittsburg, Kan., formerly of Avella, died Friday, January 10, 2014.

All funeral arrangements are private and are under the direction of Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Washington.

Member of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church

Anna M. Supek, 90, of Manifold, South Strabane Township, died Friday, January 10, 2014, in Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, N.Y., with her loving family by her side.

She was born July 22, 1923, in Manifold, a daughter of Leon and Caroline Lajack Wojcuich.

During World War II, Mrs. Supek worked as an inspector at the defense plant in Dearborn, Mich. She also worked for Kress Box Co. and Home Laundry in Washington. Later, she managed Bard’s Dairyland in Washington Mall until its closing and retired in 1985 after 10 years of working in the dietary department of Washington Hospital.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Meadow Lands and its Christian Mothers and Guild and Rosary Society. She also belonged to Soroptimist Club of Washington, serving as club secretary.

On March 5, 1946, she married Raymond C. Supek, who died November 11, 1994.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Surviving are a daughter, Mary Ann Mataraza, who was the wife of the late Patrick Mataraza of Pine Bush, N.Y.; a son, Frank Supek and wife Toni of Manifold; five grandchildren, Jason Supek of Lemoyne, Ryan Supek of Herndon, Va., Patrick Mataraza (Lori) of Pine Bush, Ann Barron (Jason) of City Island, N.Y., and Michael Mataraza (Jessica) of Pine Bush; five great-grandchildren, Patrick Mataraza IV, Kaitlin Mataraza, Tessa and Jake Barron and Michaela Mataraza; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the last of her immediate family. Deceased are seven brothers, Walter, Frank, Raymond, Rudolph, Joseph, John and Andrew Wojcuich, and four sisters, Mary Bronczek, Barbara Wojcuich, Sophia Buhovechy and Frances Jindra.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 18, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with the Rev. Carmen A. D’Amico as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Disabled Veterans National Foundation, 1020 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

Avis woman was born in Washington

Lily Mull Warren, 85, of Avis, died Monday, December 30, 2013, in Susque View Nursing Home, Lock Haven.

Born October 19, 1928, in Washington, she was the daughter of the late George and Addie Mull.

Early in her life, she worked for Kress Box and Westinghouse Corp. and later retired from Modern Cleaners in Jersey Shore. She was a member of Haines City Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are her husband, John E.; son Alan D. (Nancy) and sister Pansy Reck of Houston; nephews Gary Mull (Karen) of Tidioute and Rusty Jeffers of Houston; and niece Trudy Kosey (Ronald) of Canonsburg.

Deceased are brothers Edgar, Donald, Earl and Wray and sister Josephine Jeffers.

A memorial service was held Monday, January 6, in Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore, with the Rev. Dennis Callahan officiating. Burial was in Jersey Shore Cemetery. www.welkerfuneralhome.com

Former pastor at Christian Missionary Alliance

The Rev. Roy Richard Wilson, 89, of Washington, died Sunday, January 12, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington.

He was born March 14, 1924, in Houston, a son of Raymond H. Wilson and Ruth E. Gray Wilson.

He was a graduate of Canonsburg High School in 1942 and Nyack College.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as an aviation machinist mate second class from 1942 to 1946. He received the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

The Rev. Wilson was an evangelist for eight years prior to becoming the pastor at Christian Missionary Alliance in Washington from 1961 to 1988. After retirement, he returned to being an evangelist. He enjoyed playing violin, singing and all music.

On August 11, 1946, he married Ella Maude, who died April 27, 2008.

Surviving are a son, the Rev. Richard (Jeanne) Wilson of Washington; two daughters, Rebecca (Michael) Markley and Jeanne (William) Moore, both of Washington; a sister, Lois Parker of Houston; 12 grandchildren, Erin (David) Dinch, Daniel (Lisa) Wilson, Nathan (Amanda) Wilson, Melanie (Lawrence) Lytton, Steven (Becky) Shoup, Rachel (Scott) Chunko, Onilee (Bill) Moore, Jonathan (Michelle) Markley, Ashlee (Zachary) Stringer, William Moore, Andrew Moore and Samuel Moore; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two brothers, Irvin G. Wilson and Robert A. Wilson as an infant, and a sister, Donna Jean Bailey.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 17, with Pastor Fred McCloskey. Burial will follow Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray.

Memorial contributions can be made to Washington City Mission, 84 West Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.

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