Jan 27, 2014

Vietnam veteran

Robert R. Backus, 68, of McDonald, died Sunday, January 26, 2014, in his home.

He was born June 22, 1945, in Rome, N.Y., a son of the late Robert E. and Susan G. Disburger Backus.

Mr. Backus was employed as a mechanic with US Airways for 35 years and was a school bus driver for Monarch Bus Co.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

Surviving are his children, Catherine “Missy” Backus of McDonald, Robert W. Backus of Bridgeville and Donya McGinnis of McDonald, and grandchildren Connor McGinnis and Ian Backus.

Deceased is his wife, Catherine R. Ditto Backus, in 2009.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, in Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, where a funeral service will be held at 8 p.m. Interment will be held at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 1120 G. Street NW Suite 700, Washington D.C. 20005.

Please sign the guest book at thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.

U.S. Air Force veteran

Michael Eugene Bell, 28, of Palestine, Texas, was born June 21, 1985, and passed away January 24, 2014, due to injuries sustained in an auto accident.

He was a graduate of Westwood High School, Class of 2003.

Mr. Bell was an U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan.

He worked for Champion Well Service out of Palestine.

Deceased are his father, Gary Bell; brother Beau Powell; his “Grumpy,” Jeff Powell II; granddad Edward Bell; and grandmother, Juanita Warren.

Surviving are his sons, Alex and Aiden of Palestine; mother Wanda Bell and stepfather Tim Brockett of Lake Jackson, Texas; sister Renee Varney of Erie; grandmother Cereta Powell; dearest love, Kendall Hensler; three nieces; two nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home, Palestine. Military graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, in Roselawn Park, Palestine, with Paul Jones officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home. View the obituary online at www.herringtonfuneral.com.

Monessen resident loved the outdoors

Robert J. Brovey, 71, of Monessen, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014, in Mon Valley Hospital.

He was born February 25, 1942, in Bentleyville, a son of the late Robert and Kathryn Mayer Brovey.

Mr. Brovey was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Monessen, and the Pro Golfers Association.

He loved the outdoors, spending time with his family hunting, fishing and playing golf.

Surviving are his wife, Tena Pascaralla Brovey; daughters and sons-in-laws Lisa and Joe Kovach of Coal Center, Traci and Mark Toth of Webster, Robbi Lynn and David Wright of Mt. Morris; a son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Noelle Brovey of Monessen; six grandchildren, Jessica Kovach, Myrrhella Wright, Avenna Wright, Cammi Kovach, Mark Andrew Toth and Daylore Wright; two sisters, Anita Schiccitano of Fredericktown and Cindy Errico of the state of New York; and mother-in-law Minnie Pascaralla of Monessen.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Rhome Funeral Home Inc., 1209 Grand Boulevard, Monessen. A blessing service will be held at noon Friday, January 31, in the funeral home with Father Michael Crookston officiating.

Huge Pirates fan was St. Patrick Church member

Mary Falcione, 99, passed away peacefully at 9:25 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2014, in TownView Health and Rehabilitation Center, Canonsburg, following a brief illness.

She was born April 1, 1914, in Wolfdale, a daughter of the late Pompelio and Theresa Steffanucci Maggi.

Mrs. Falcione lived most of her life in Canonsburg, where she was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers and Guild.

She was a homemaker and member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Canonsburg 1211, TOPS and Canonsburg Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

Mrs. Falcione was an opera lover, who had season tickets for the Pittsburgh Opera, and a huge Pittsburgh Pirates fan. She enjoyed playing cards and was an avid bowler, who was a member of various Canonsburg leagues.

On October 7, 1935, she married Carl S. Falcione Sr., who passed away May 8, 1998.

Surviving are three sons, Carl S. (Audrey) Falcione Jr. and Ronald (Patricia) Falcione, both of Canonsburg, and Dennis (Jeanette) Falcione of Warren, Ohio; a sister, Julia Palleria of Eighty Four; 12 grandchildren, Scott (Debbie), Craig, Carla and Clark (Teresa) Falcione, Lisa (David) Lash, Paula (Kevin) Dudley, Dean (Linda), Mark (Brenda), Carl III (Danielle), Jason (Allison), Trento (Holly) and Janelle Falcione; 17 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her husband and parents, are two sisters, Amelia DiMuzio and Rose Comito; five brothers, Carl, Glen, Frank, Raymond and James (Trento) Maggi; a grandson, Matthew Allen Falcione; and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Marcishak.

Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where departing prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg, followed by interment in St. Patrick Cemetery. The Christian Mothers and Guild will recite the rosary at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Falcione’s memory to TownView Health and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barr Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317. To extend or view condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

Erma Falcocchio, 87, of Muse, passed away Monday, January 27, 2014, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and entrusted to Salandra Funeral Service Inc., 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

Edward C. Mark, 91, of Millsboro, died Monday, January 27, 2014, in Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville.

A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

Enjoyed country music and crossword puzzles

Pauline Cline McClelland, 88, of Burgettstown, passed away Monday, January 27, 2014, in Weirton (W.Va.) Medical Center.

She was born July 5, 1925, in Weirton, a daughter of the late John A. Cline and Lou Sippia Johnson.

Mrs. McClelland retired from Weirton Steel Corp. as a crane hooker.

She enjoyed country music and crossword puzzles.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband, Thomas McClelland; nine brothers and sisters, Harold, Nellie, Ernest, Charles, Watson and Neil Cline, Ruth Yacos, Mildred Craig and Maria Slack; and three grandchildren.

Surviving are her husband, Homer Pierce of Burgettstown; three sons, Jerry Lee (Shirley) McClelland of Toronto, Ohio, Thomas “Butch” McClelland of Steubenville, Ohio, and Randy (Eileen) McClelland of Slovan; a daughter-in-law, Martha Diamond of Follansbee, W.Va.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-granchildern; a sister, Rudy Lawhead of New Cumberland, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., the time of funeral service, Wednesday, January 29, in James Funeral Home, 1245 Main Street, Follansbee, 304-527-1717, with Pastor Michael Browning officiating. Interment will follow. Please add or view condolences at www.chambersandjames.com.

Retired first sergeant of the U.S. Army

James W. Sims III, 56, of Venetia, died Saturday, January 25, 2014, in his home.

He was born June 11, 1957, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late James W. Jr. and Constance Magee Sims.

Mr. Sims was retired as a first sergeant with the U.S. Army.

He was a member of Mingo Rod & Gun Club in Finleyville.

Surviving are two sons, Johnathan Sims of Clinton Township, Mich., and Michael Sims of Harrison Township, Mich.; two daughters, Maria Behnke of St. Clair Shores, Mich., and Elizabeth Sims of Harrison Township; a brother, Jerry Sims of Pittsburgh; and three grandchildren.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a brother, Jeffrey Sims.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no public visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Michigan.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kegel Funeral Home Inc., Finleyville, Tim P. Kegel, supervisor.

Donora resident was passionate about animals

Edna Ann “Annie” Smith, 59, of Donora, died Saturday, January 25, 2014, in Monongahela Valley Hospital.

She was born January 25, 1955, in Washington, a daughter of the late Roy and Doris Clemons Simmons.

Ms. Smith was a 1973 graduate of Ringgold High School, Monongahela division.

At the time of her death, she was employed at the Residence at Hilltop in the housekeeping department and had a passion for animals.

Surviving are four sons, Rick Smith and wife Kim, Michael Smith and wife Heather, all of Monongahela, Jeffrey Smith and wife Meghan of Philadelphia and Patrick Smith of New Eagle; two grandchildren, Aimee and Brett Smith; and two brothers, David Hall and wife Nancy of Oil City and Tom Simmons and wife Debbie of Confluence.

In addition to her parents, deceased is stepfather Harry McDonald.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 30, in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela. Following visitation, there will be a memorial service held at 8 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Raymond Ursin officiating.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Washington County Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.

Loved her family, church and community

Mary A. Solomon, 71, of Canonsburg, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 26, 2014, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.

She was born March 4, 1942, in Canonsburg, a daughter of the late Fred and Agnes Jacobs Solomon.

Ms. Solomon was a lifelong member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where she was an active choir member for many years. She also taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Her positive attitude and hard work ethic made her endeared by many. She showed unwavering support for those she loved, and will be remembered for her kindness and charity.

Ms. Solomon loved music, dancing, shopping, baking, teddy bears and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She also adored her faithful dog, “Malti Firebird Fluff.”

She owned many sports cars, but Trans Ams and Camaros were her favorites.

Ms. Solomon was a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School’s first graduating class in 1960 and continued to serve on the reunion committee as treasurer.

PNC Bank employed her for 33 years, most recently as a financial services advisor. She was also recording secretary for Canonsburg Borough for 38 years. Following her retirement from PNC, she worked for Liberty Tax Service for the past two years.

Surviving are her companion of 43 years, Theodore “Dude” Green Sr.; a son, Donald (Doreen) Zimak of McDonald; and a daughter, Mary (Stephen) McDonald of Waxhaw, N.C. Also surviving are a sister, Estella (Nelson) Porter of Washington; four grandchildren, Jessica and Donald A. Zimak and Brittanie and Brian Wudkwych; and two nephews, Brian N. Porter and Daniel Solomon.

Deceased is a brother, Michael Solomon.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Mario L. DeAngelo Funeral Home at 194 East College Street in Canonsburg. Additional viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, January 31, in the funeral home followed by a funeral service to be held at 11 a.m. in Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Tom Ribar officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Washington County Humane Society at 1527 Route 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330.

TRIPIL personal care aide enjoyed music and dancing

Nichole Alyse Marie Whitlock, 25, of Washington, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, in Washington Hospital.

She was born October 20, 1988, in Washington, a daughter of Shawna Whitlock.

Ms. Whitlock was a 2007 graduate of Washington High School and attended Penn Commercial.

She was employed as a personal care aide at Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living.

Ms. Whitlock helped raise many of her nieces and nephews and loved spending time with them. She also enjoyed music, dancing and spending time with her friends.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are three brothers, Phillip Whitlock, Daurice Whitlock and Corey Whitlock; two sisters, Lashai (Loren Harris) Whitlock and Tailur Jones, both of Washington; maternal grandparents, Noah Jackson and Antoinette Whitlock; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hour of services, Thursday, January 30, in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, with Pastor Debra L. Mason officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Condolences may be expressed and photos uploaded to www.familyremembers.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor and Lawrence K. Donovan, director.

Additional information has been received for the obituary of Larry Zink, published Monday.

A brother, Ronald Zink, is deceased.