Obituaries
Lois A. Kolat Wydo Lois A. “Nana” Kolat Wydo, 56, of Carmichaels, formerly of Uniontown, died at 7:25 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2009, in her home, with her loving family by her side.
She was born October 9, 1952, in Uniontown, a daughter of the late Andrew K. and Agnes T. Gregor Kolat.
Mrs. Wydo was a 1970 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School and a 1996 graduate of Laurel Business Institute.
She resided in Carmichaels since 1975.
Mrs. Wydo was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Crucible.
She enjoyed baking and gardening. She also enjoyed her faithful pets, Spotty and Peanut.
The pride and joy of her life were her seven grandchildren.
Surviving are two daughters, Brandi Wydo-Streit and husband Edward A. and Jamie Wydo Childs and husband John Dennis, both of Carmichaels; seven grandchildren; a sister, Carol Kolat Morris and husband K. Robert of Uniontown; and two nieces, Wende and Kelly Morris.
Also surviving is the father of her children, James Wydo.
Kenneth W. Christopher
Kenneth W. Christopher, 92, of Carmichaels, died at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in Washington Hospital.
He was born March 17, 1917, in Khedive, Cumberland Township, a son of Charles H. and Sylvia Pearl Ewart Christopher.
Mr. Christopher was a 1936 graduate of Cumberland Township High School and attended Penn Commercial until 1940.
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Air Forces for more than four years. After World War II, he was employed by J. Claude Smith Plumbing and Heating, Aklin Lumber Co., Keystone Auto and Transit Co. and in 1984, retired from First National Bank of Carmichaels, now known as Community Bank N.A.
He was a charter member of Carmichaels Lions Club and Cumberland American Legion Post 400. He served as treasurer and trustee for Greene Valley Presbyterian Church of Carmichaels and as financial secretary for Nemacolin Citizens Club for 17 years. From 1963 until his passing, Mr. Christopher served as secretary-treasurer for the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Carmichaels.
On November 11, 1944, he married Della Patterson, who died January 19, 2001.
Surviving are a stepson, Joel Gunnels of Park City, Kan.; two grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Albert Vernon Christopher, who died in infancy, and Clarence D. Christopher; and a sister, Ila Moredock.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Memorial Fund at Greene Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 363, Carmichaels, PA 15320.
Elmer Everett Bennett
Elmer Everett Bennett, 61, of Morgantown, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in his mother’s home in Spraggs with his family by his side.
He was born August 14, 1947, in Elk Garden, W.Va., a son of Carolyn Harvey Bennett of Spraggs and the late Elmer E. Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years during the Vietnam War.
He retired from West Virginia University Physical Plant with more than 25 years of service.
Surviving are a son, Bobby Bennett; a daughter, Janie Phillips; sisters Joann Wagner and Betty Bennett, both of Morgantown, and Sue Lewis of Spraggs; brothers James Bennett of Wana, W.Va., Ritchie Bennett and Donnie Bennett, both of Morgantown, Ival Martin of Masontown, Michael “Dee” Martin of Morgantown and William Martin of Birmingham, Ala.; and eight grandchildren.
Deceased, in addition to his father, are an infant sister and a brother, Ernest Bennett.
William Riggle
William (Bill Jr.) Riggle, 67, of Merry Lynn Lane, Benwood, W.Va., died Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling, W.Va.
He was born April 26, 1942, in Clarksville, W.Va.
Mr. Riggle was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was a retired electrician from Ormet.
Mr. Riggle was a life member of the National Rifle Association and attended First Church of God in McMechen, W.Va.
Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Fran Riggle; a daughter, Angela Riggle of Pennsylvania; a son, Charlie (Gwyn) Clayton of Fayette, Maine; a daughter, Kim McDiffitt of San Antonio, Texas; sisters Mary Lou (Happ) Rudolph of Jefferson and Sharon (Chuck) Zimmerman of Waynesburg; a brother, Tom Riggle of Jefferson; his stepmother, Freda (George) Pyle of Jefferson; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Deceased are his parents, Bill Riggle and Millie Patterson Sokol.
Joseph Kendralla
Joseph “Peanuts” Kendralla, 77, of Greensboro, Cabbage Flats, died unexpectedly at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Southwest Regional Medical Center, Waynesburg.
He was born November 20, 1931, in Penn Pitt, Monongahela Township, a son of John Sr. and Anna Sheba Kendralla.
Mr. Kendralla was a 1950 graduate of Mapletown High School.
He resided in Monongahela Township all of his life.
Mr. Kendralla worked for Duquesne Light Warwick Mine for 41 years and retired October 1, 1991, as third shift mine foreman.
He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Greensboro, American Legion Post 423 in Masontown and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6303 in Greensboro. He was an avid supporter of West Virginia University football, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mapletown Maples and enjoyed playing golf. Mr. Kendralla was a former member of Greensboro Hunting and Fishing Club.
Mr. Kendralla was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
On June 20, 1953, he married Rose Frammartino, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Debbie Henry and husband Rod of Carmichaels and Rita L. King and husband Rocky of Dilliner; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank (Mitch) Kendralla and wife Rosemarie of Aliquippa; a sister-in-law, Josephine Kendralla of Dilliner; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, Joseph Kendralla, who died in childhood, John Kendralla Jr. and Edward Kendralla; and two sisters, Mary Johnson and Ann Trenz.
H. Richard Simms
H. Richard Simms, 80, of Aleppo Township, Greene County, died at 1:15 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2009, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
He was born April 18, 1929, in Aleppo Township, a son of Timothy and Thelma Wright Simms.
Mr. Simms resided in Aleppo Township all his life.
He was a 1947 graduate of Aleppo High School.
Mr. Simms had been a self-employed farmer all his life, as long as his health permitted.
He was first married to Carol Wright of Washington. He later married and divorced JoAnn Elizabeth Barnhart, who died August 4, 1998. For several years, he was a companion of the late Ruth Null.
Surviving, in addition to his first wife, are a daughter, Janet, wife of David Wood of Southington, Ohio; two sons, Michael, husband of Teresa Simms of Waynesburg, and John Kevin Barnhart of Washington; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Simms was the last of his immediate family.
Anna A. Madias
Anna A. Madias, 96, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Waynesburg, died peacefully Saturday, June 13, 2009, at home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born December 7, 1912, in Edenborne, a daughter of Frank and Mary Bilpu Balaban. She and her brother, Frank, were raised by Steve and Mary Balaban of Uniontown.
On August 28, 1939, she married George M. Madias, who died October 7, 1968. Mr. Madias was the owner of Jimmies Lunch in Waynesburg for many years.
Mrs. Madias was a member of Immaculate Conception St. Joseph Parish in Pittsburgh.
She resided in Waynesburg for more than 40 years. She was active in Waynesburg Senior Citizens Center for 20 years, where she was a member of the bowling team and was one of “the quilters” who made the quilts used for fundraising. She also was a green thumb gardener, winning many blue ribbons at local fairs for her flower and vegetable entries.
Mrs. Madias was always a devoted mother and homemaker. She loved cooking and sewing for her family. Although her later years had some memories stolen by Alzheimer’s disease, she never forgot her favorite prayers, reciting them daily in three different languages. She led a simple yet meaningful life, always polite and showing love and kindness to all.
She was the adored mother of Maryann Madias Guerra (Michael) of Pittsburgh.
Also surviving are two grandchildren; a sister, Frances Plava (George) of Gates; a brother, Steve Balaban (Helen) of Maryland; a sister-in-law, Margaret Balaban of Harrisburg; several nieces and nephews; and several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Deceased are her loving daughter, Christine Madias Kapottas; a sister, Mary Grubach (Joseph); and six brothers, Frank Balaban (Mary), John Balaban (Margaret), Thomas Balaban, Edward Balaban (Rose), Louis Balaban (Irene) and Bill Balaban.