Jan 21, 2014

Chartiers H.S. wrestler, California businessman

Frank R. Betonte, 80, of Escondido, Calif., died Wednesday, January 8, 2014, in his home.

He was born December 24, 1933, in Houston, a son of the late William and Daisy Betonte.

He grew up in Strabane and graduated in 1951 from Chartiers High School, where he lettered in wrestling.

Mr. Betonte moved to Los Angeles County, Calif., to attend Compton College.

His early work making signs prompted him to start his own printing and sales business, Spectrum Business Forms, which he worked to grow until his retirement.

Mr. Betonte had a love for people and his favorite pastime, golf. He was a member at Mountain Meadows Golf Club and, more recently, the Men’s Club at Castle Creek.

He will be remembered and loved for his funny personality, sweet words and actions and genuinely loving presence.

Surviving are his wife, the former Doris Burke, son Gregg and wife Cathy and daughter Dani Kline and husband Eric, all of California; grandchildren Bailey and Brett Kline and Taylor Betonte; and brothers William of Cortland, Ohio, and Donald “Rick” of Strabane.

A memorial was held at Tuscany Hills Resort in Escondido.

Coal Queen candidate was 33-year FDA employee

Sondra Titus Croftcheck Brown, 76, of Cranberry Township, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 18, 2014, in her home with her loving family by her side.

She was born in Carmichaels, a daughter of the late Thurman and Mary Smith Titus. She grew up in Carmichaels and graduated from Cumberland Township High School. She was a faithful member of North Way Christian Community in Wexford.

She worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency for 33 years. During her employment with the FDA, she received many awards for her service to the agency and farmers.

She was also the manager of Studio 19 Dance Complex, her daughter’s dance studio in Cranberry Township. After retirement, she was an employee of Prudential Preferred Realty.

In 1954, she was the first Coal Queen candidate representing Cumberland Township High School, now known as Carmichaels Area High School.

Deceased are her husbands, Thomas J. Croftcheck and John H. Brown, and beloved daughter, Terri Lynn Croftcheck Gresko.

Surviving are a son, Thomas (Cindy) Croftcheck, and a daughter, Tammy (Chris) Croftcheck Tallarico. She was the amazing grandmother of Gianna (Jim) Thomas, Nicholas (Dawn) Gresko, Rachelle (Gary) Giles, Regina Gresko, Michael Gresko, Thomas Gresko, Dylan Croftcheck and James Parey and great-grandmother of Hannah and Taylor Giles and Amelia and Nathan Thomas. Another great-grandchild, Harris, is expected in June.

Also surviving are a half brother, Thurman Kenneth Titus; a stepsister, Barbara F. Aspey; special cousins Beverly Morton Tekavec Dunlap and Glenda Titus Simmons; and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 25, in North Way Christian Community, 12121 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090. A luncheon celebration will follow. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Good Samaritan Hospice, 3500 Brooktree Road, Wexford, PA 15090, or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were entrusted to Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home Inc., 1509 Fifth Avenue, Arnold, PA 15068, JohnPaul Bertucci, supervisor.

To leave a condolence, visit www.giunta-bertucci.com.

Railroad worker had affinity for local history

John Ralph Cummins Jr, 59, of Cecil, died Saturday, January 18, 2014, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.

He was born May 25, 1954, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late John R. Sr. and Ann McEndree Cummins.

He enjoyed traveling, photography, carpentry and woodworking. He had an affinity for local history and traced his family roots back to early Cecil Township settlers.

Mr. Cummins worked as a track inspector and machine operator for Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad and formerly Norfolk-Western Railroad.

Surviving are his mother, Ann Cummins; a daughter, Bethany Cummins of Midway; three sisters, Carol Cummins of Penn Hills, Susan (Dennis) Deighan of Cecil and Cindy Cummins of Crafton Heights; a brother, Jim Cummins of Virginia; and a few nieces and nephews. He was formerly married to Kimberly Cummins Mindek of McDonald.

Friends will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, January 25, in Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services, 3378 Millers Run Road (Route 50), Cecil, where a service of remembrance will follow at 8 p.m. with Pastor Gary Chorpenning officiating.

Interment will be in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory.

Additional information was received from the obituary of Goldie I. Vincenti DiCio, published Tuesday. The Christian Mothers of St. Patrick Church will say the rosary at 3 p.m. Thursday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., Canonsburg.

U.S. Navy veteran served in WWII, Korean War

Fred Folkens Jr., 88, of McDonald, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014, in the home of his daughter in Washington.

He was born July 16, 1925, in Canonsburg, a son of Fred Sr. and Jennie Dykstra Folkens.

Mr. Folkens had worked for McGraw Edison and Cooper Power Systems in Canonsburg from 1952 until his retirement in March 1988.

He was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific from October 1943 until June 1946. He received the Asiatic Pacific Medal with five stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Theater Medal and Victory Medal. He served again during the Korean War from April 1951 until August 1952.

Mr. Folkens was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Canonsburg, and American Legion Post 902, Houston.

On October 12, 1948, he married Doris Mae Hall, who died June 15, 1992.

Surviving are two children, Jacquelyn Guthrie (Dennis) of Washington and Larry J. Folkens of Burgettstown; a granddaughter, Melissa Pannett (Nick); a great-grandson, Simon Pannett; two sisters, Jenny Lancaster of Los Angeles, Calif., and Tressa Roupe of Washington; a brother, Thomas Folkens of Florence, Ky.; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are two sisters, Catherine Engel and Florence Colteryahn, and two brothers, Boyd and Joseph Folkens.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 25, with the Rev. Gary Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Full military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 191 and American Legion Post 902 combined honor guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Amedisys Hospice, 275 Meadowlands Boulevard, Washington, PA 15301.

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

Gene Michael “Mike” Giles, 56, of Millsboro, owner of Country Fresh Market and Fredericktown Produce, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2014.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Frank Burkus Funeral Home, Millsboro, and will be announced in a later edition.

Andrew D. Kalnicky, 91, of Fallowfield Township, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 20, 2014, in his home.

Family and friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Leonard M. Pavlic Funeral Home, 235 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi.

A complete obituary and service arrangements will be published in a later edition.

Devout member of First Baptist Church

Mary Ann Porter of East Washington died Saturday, January 11, 2014. She lived in East Washington all her married life.

She was born in Canonsburg, a daughter of the late Alexander and Catherine Sinclair.

Mrs. Porter attended Canonsburg area schools and went on to Washington & Jefferson College.

She worked in the legal department of the Social Security office until her marriage May 5, 1939, to William C. Porter, who died October 19, 1988.

She was a devout member of First Baptist Church and taught in the adult Sunday school. For many years, she was an avid volunteer for many organizations in the community. Not only did she serve her church as an officer, but she was the first woman to hold the deaconate’s vice chairman post. As a member of Current Events Club, she served in all offices except treasurer.

Surviving are a daughter, Marianne C. Porter, and a grandson, Sean Swanwick, both of Philadelphia; a sister, Evangeline MacDonald of Malvern; five nieces; and three nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, Dr. S.G. Sinclair, Mitchell Sinclair and John K. Sinclair, and three sisters, Julia Lightholder, Sally Ruck and Helen Stann.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, in First Baptist Church, Washington, with the Rev. Steve Dunlap officiating. All other services will be private.

Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director

Insurance agency owner was active in community

Edward Lee Schultz, 77, of Scenery Hill, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014, in UPMC-Shadyside hospital, Pittsburgh, after a year-and-a-half-long battle with leukemia.

He was born April 5, 1936, in Scenery Hill, a son of the late Frank C. and Lilly Nicholls Schultz.

Mr. Schultz was a 1954 graduate of Ellsworth High School and a graduate of DeVry Technical Institute.

He was a Vietnam-era veteran, serving from 1958 to 1964 in the U.S Army’s 326th Army Engineers Construction Battalion with the rank of specialist fourth class.

A self-employed entrepreneur, he owned and operated Ed Schultz Insurance Agency, Bentleyville, for 42 years. He received the Regional Service Award in 1982 and the Company Service Award in 1985 from Nationwide Insurance Co.

He also was the tax dollector for North Bethlehem Township for more than 40 years and president and chief executive officer of ELS Inc. He started his career at Scott Motors in Washington as an auto mechanic.

Mr. Schultz was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Glyde; former member and past president of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council; a member of Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 237 of Beallsville, Lodge of Perfection of Uniontown, Consistory of the Valley of Pittsburgh and Syria Temple AAONMS; 50-year member and past president of Scenery Hill Lions Club; and past district treasurer for Lions Club District 14M.

He also was a member of Turkeyfoot Sportsmen’s Association in Confluence, Austin-Costello Sportsmen’s Association in Potter County, Ellsworth Sportsmen’s Association and Pennsylvania Steam, Gas and Horse Association; and president of Scenery Hill Cemetery Association.

Mr. Schultz served on the board of directors of Bentleyville Telephone and Cable Co. He was a member and past president of National Road and Heritage Park Association, for which he was instrumental in gaining funding for the renovation of many national landmarks in the Washington and Fayette County areas; a member of the former Glyde American Legion Post 897 and Marianna American Legion Post 744; former emergency management coordinator for North Bethlehem Township for 18 years; former member of the American Heart Association board of directors, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, former vice president for Washington County and chairman of the awards committee of American Heart Association; and was instrumental in the success of Scenery Hill Troop 1416 Boy Scouts of America.

He enjoyed collecting and working on antique cars, antique tractors and farm equipment. He also enjoyed motorcycling, especially with his sons, hunting, fishing, shooting, gardening, camping and spending time with his granddaughter, Lilly, who was the light of his life. He was a true people person who loved life and never met a stranger twice.

On August 26, 1967, he married Linda K. Taylor, who survives.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Edward W. Schultz of Scenery Hill and Jason L. Schultz, F.D., of Beallsville; a granddaughter, Lilly Ann Schultz of Scenery Hill; a sister, Grace McVay (Jim) of Labelle, Fla.; sister-in-law Joann Schultz of Scenery Hill; brother-in-law Charles McKinley of Burgettstown; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a sister, Audrey McKinley, and a brother, Arleigh Schultz.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Scenery Hill, with the Rev. Peter Asplin officiating. Interment will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Scenery Hill. Full military rites will be accorded graveside by Marianna American Legion Post 744 and Centerville American Legion Post 705.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Capitol Campaign Building Fund, in care of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 21 Church Street, Scenery Hill, PA 15360. Lions Club services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Retired Cooper Systems accountant served in WWII

Howard F. Weller, 89, of North Strabane Township, died Monday, January 20, 2014, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.

He was born September 15, 1924, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Von and Elsie Fulton Weller.

Mr. Weller served his country as a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, a charter member of Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department and 50-plus-year member of Chartiers F&AM Masonic Lodge.

Prior to retirement, he was an accountant for Cooper Systems for 35 years.

Mr. Weller was the last of his immediate family. Deceased are two brothers, Von C. Weller Jr. and Glenn C. Weller.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Rhodes Weller; a daughter, Janet Herb of Cummings, Ga.; two sons, Jay Weller and wife Christina of Canonsburg and Scott Weller and wife Rhonda of Peachtree City, Ga.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and cousin Carol Mickle.

At the request of the family, there will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township, with full military rites accorded by the combined honor guards of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902. A celebration of Mr. Weller’s life will be held from noon to 1 p.m., the time of memorial services, Saturday, January 25, in Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church. Friends and family are asked to meet at the church at 112 West Pike Street, Canonsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name are requested to Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director. Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.