Obituaries
Catherine F. Gray Catherine F. Gray, 84, of Waynesburg, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, in her home.
She was born April 21, 1924, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Bower Dolanch.
On June 23, 1947, she married George Lee Gray, who died October 29, 1996.
Mrs. Gray worked at her family’s restaurant at Thomas for several years and also had worked as a telephone switchboard operator for Bell Telephone in Pittsburgh.
A former resident of Lippencott, for the past nine years she lived in Waynesburg, where she was a member of First Baptist Church.
For several years, she worked in the pre-school department of First Church of the Nazarene in Waynesburg. Mrs. Gray also served on the election board in Morgan Township for many years.
Surviving are two daughters, Jacqueline K. Gray of Waynesburg and the Rev. Darlene G. (Ronald R.) Hann of Canonsburg; two grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Dolanch of Canonsburg.
She was the last of her immediate family.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are a sister, Margaret Bushmire, and six brothers, Peter, Andrew, George, Frank, Albert and Kenneth Dolanch.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Waynesburg.
Theodore Hard
Theodore Hard, 83, of Sykesville, Md., formerly of Mt. Morris, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, in Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville.
Mr. Hard was a missionary for Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church for many years.
Richard Dale Harter Sr.
Richard Dale (Dick) Harter Sr., 59, of Washington, died at 8:18 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2009, in Canonsburg General Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born April 15, 1949, in Waynesburg, a son of the late Harvey and Margaret Savage Harter.
Mr. Harter served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1970 in Korea and later was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves having been discharged in March 1975.
He worked for the former Maggi Construction as a truck driver and mechanic.
Mr. Harter enjoyed working on tractors and going to tractor pulls and loved spending time with his grandson.
On July 12, 1968, he married Jo Ann “Dolly” Yesenchak, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Richard (Linda) Harter Jr. of North Pole, Alaska; a daughter, Holly A. Harter of Washington; two grandchildren; two brothers, Harold “Jack” (Marsha) Harter of Prosperity and Paul (Dorothy) Harter of Confluence; his mother-in-law, Mary Yesenchak of Muse; and several nieces and nephews.
Henry Knight
Henry Knight, 90, of Clarksville for the past 60 years, passed away surrounded by his loving family Saturday, March 14, 2009, in the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Lawrence Heeter of Ravenna, Ohio, where he had been lovingly taken care of for the past 18 months.
He was born June 13, 1918, in Brownsville (Pike Mine Patch), a son of Henry and Olive Shipley Knight.
Mr. Knight was a coal miner for nearly 50 years and was a proud member of United Mine Workers of America for 70 years.
Surviving are five sons, Charles (Tuffy) and wife Joyce of Vidalia, Calif., Francis (Coker) and wife Maxine of Streetsboro, Ohio, James of Corry, Henry (Ron) and wife Stephanie of Scotts Valley, Calif., and Russell and wife Debbie of Washington; three daughters, Carole and husband Lawrence of Ravenna, Gail Efaw and husband Jim of Sycamore and Linda Engleman and husband Donald of Southlake, Texas; a brother, Harold “Bo” and wife Trudy of Wilder, Ky.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Deceased are his wife of 68 years, Virginia Craggs Knight, who passed away November 9, 2007, and two sisters, Thelma Banky and Elizabeth (Libby) McVicker.
Mr. Knight’s family considered Carole, Lawrence and their family to have taken special, loving care of both Henry and Virginia Knight, as did Brian Heeter, who kept a watchful, caring eye over his great-grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Clarksville Christian Church, P.O. Box 705, Clarksville, PA 15322, or a charity of one’s choice.
James Richard Williams
James Richard Williams, 58, of Carmichaels, died Saturday, March 14, 2009, in his home.
Dorothy M. Bates
Dorothy M. “Dot” Bates, 87, of Waynesburg, formerly of Wind Ridge, died at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Greenery Special Care Center, Canonsburg.
She was born September 17, 1921, in Masontown, a daughter of Charles Edward and Anna Mae Balsinger Bates.
Miss Bates was a resident of Wind Ridge, Richhill Township area, from 1950 and until moving to Waynesburg in 1999.
She was a member of Crabapple Community Church, where she formerly served as song leader for more than 40 years, a primary Sunday school teacher, church treasurer for more than 20 years and church janitor for several years.
Surviving are two sisters, Maggie, wife of Simon (Tim) Hillen of Waynesburg and Gladys, wife of Eugene Stoner of Canton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are a sister, Mildred Matusky, and four brothers, William A., Charles R., David C. and Donald Bates.
Eunice E. Cox
Eunice E. Turner Cox, 85, of Fredericktown, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in her home, surrounded by loving family.
She was born May 20, 1923, in Brownsville, a daughter of Thomas and Martillie Turner.
Mrs. Cox was a homemaker, and her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family. Her independent nature and fun-loving ways endeared her family and friends.
She will be missed by her beloved pet, Taco Bell.
She was the wife of the late James Cox; loving mother of Carole (Walter) Payton of Clarksville, Patricia (Donald) West of Fredericktown, Sandara (Michael) Glemzua of Fredericktown, Jacqueline (Robert) Nester of Ozark, Ala., Audrey (Timothy) Smith of Goshen, Ind., Susan Hollis of Washington, Anthony Bowser of Morgantown, W.Va., Linda Chamber of Carmichaels and the late Carl William Bowser Jr.; proud grandmother of 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson; sister of Marcella Garnett, Mary Ellen Hager, William, Dewey and Thomas Turner and the late Myrtle McKnight; and aunt of several nieces and nephews.
She also leaves her best friend and caregiver, Zelda.
Jesse A. Hunnell
Jesse A. “Babe” Hunnell, 94, of Ruff Creek, died at 5:35 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Respicenter West, Waynesburg.
He was born in Rogersville, a son of Jesse Wesley and Ella Tustin Hunnell. He resided in Rogersville and Waynesburg prior to moving to Ruff Creek in 1957.
Mr. Hunnell enjoyed raising cattle and sheep, hunting raccoons and the time he spent watching his grandchildren as they matured to adults.
He was employed as a pipe fitter with Welders and Fitters Local 798 in Tulsa, Okla., for more than 45 years, prior to retiring in 1978.
On June 6, 1936, he married Myrtle Irene Davis, who died March 2, 1998.
Surviving are a son, Delmont A. (Monty), husband of Lois Hunnell of Ruff Creek; two grandsons; a stepgranddaughter; and a stepgreat-granddaughter.
Deceased are two brothers, Ross “Jum” Hunnell and Hice Stewart.
He was the last of his immediate family.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice, 102 South Main Street, Masontown, PA 15461.
Madelyn Virginia Sonafelt Wandel
Madelyn Virginia Sonafelt Wandel, 96, of Connellsville, died Monday, March 16, 2009.
She was born September 8, 1912, in Marianna, a daughter of William and Carrie Ring Sonafelt.
Mrs. Wandel was a graduate of Springdale High School Class of 1930 and Indiana State Teachers College in 1934.
She taught business for 36 years at Connellsville High School, Dunbar Township High School and Connellsville Area High School, retiring in 1978.
Mrs. Wandel was a member of Order of Eastern Star, PSEA, Retired Teachers Association and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
She was a resident of Sunshine Estates for the last five months.
Surviving are a son, Gary Wandel and wife Patty of Connellsville; a daughter, Millie Burns and husband Jim of Waynesburg; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband of 54 years, Lewis Walter Wandel, who died in 2000; mother and father-in-law, Walter and Mildred Wandel; and sisters Ethel LeFevre, Edith Sonafelt, Mildred Strauss and her twin, Evelyn Chambers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to a charity of one’s choice.
Merle M. Hannigan
Merle M. “Midge” Hannigan, 84, of Carmichaels, died Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
She was born August 3, 1924, in Besco, Fayette County, a daughter of Harry Russell Rager Sr. and Anna Mae Carr Rager.
Mrs. Hannigan was a homemaker and a member of United Methodist Church, Carmichaels.
On June 23, 1946, she married James Hannigan, who died October 14, 1982.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Clarence Rager and Harry Rager, and two sisters, Elda Fowler and Kathryn Johnson.
Stella Zappone Dikun
Stella Zappone Dikun, 82, of Dry Tavern, died Monday, March 16, 2009, in Washington Hospital.
She was born December 14, 1926, in Crucible, a daughter of Sinibaldo and Cora Cremenes Zappone.
Mrs. Dikun was a homemaker and lived in Dry Tavern for more than 55 years with her husband.
She was Presbyterian.
On September 26, 1946, she married Mike Dikun, who survives.
Also surviving are three children, Criselda Krause and husband Charles of Dry Tavern, Mickey Dikun and wife Terry of Dry Tavern and Terri Stolze and husband Bob of Carmichaels; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Margaret Ferea of Fredericktown.
Deceased are five sisters, Virginia Ohler, Mary Ohler, Pearl Palone, Josephine Carmella Bainbridge and Carmella’s infant twin sister, and nine brothers, Russell Zappone, Domenick Zappone, James Zappone, Joseph Zappone, Charles Zappone, George Zappone, Carl Zappone, Frank Zappone and Roy Zappone.
Junior Jenkins
Junior (Gail) Jenkins, 81, of Core, W.Va., died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born June 24, 1927, near Sutton, W.Va., a son of Van and Clara Crites Jenkins.
Mr. Jenkins was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War.
He was a retired Monongalia County school bus driver and a farmer.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Lois A. Shriver Jenkins. They were married August 28, 1955.
Also surviving are two sons, Charles Van Jenkins and his wife, Paula, of Core, W.Va., and Glenn Allen Jenkins and his wife, Lynn, of Lilburn, Ga.; a daughter, Janet Gayle Coen and her husband, Harold, of Core; five granddaughters; a great-granddaughter; and a sister, Irene Bell of Spraggs.
In addition to his parents, deceased are a brother, Orvil Jenkins, and two sisters, Lucy Jones and Linda Andrenock.
He was a kind and loving husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa and will be missed by all who knew him.
He loved animals, whittling and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed sharing his memories about the children who traveled to school on his bus and memories from his time spent in the Army.
Olga Zappone
Olga Zappone, 78, of Crucible, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in her home.
She was born April 25, 1930, in Ronco, a daughter of Charles and Agnes Koloneczny Stasko.
Mrs. Zappone was a homemaker and Catholic.
On December 27, 1990, she married Russell Zappone, who died February 1, 2004.
Surviving are five brothers and sisters, Joseph Knapp of Durham, N.C., John Stasko of Bedford, Ohio, Harry Stasko of New Freedom, Anna Richardson of New Freedom and Edward Stasko and wife Marie of Philadelphia; three nieces; four nephews; and a great-niece.
Lily Strosnider Esra
Lily Strosnider Esra, 89, of Carmichaels, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
She was born June 10, 1919, in Republic, a daughter of William and Bertha Elizabeth Mitchell Strosnider.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Carmichaels.
Deceased are her parents; her husbands, Earl Coughenour and George Esra; a son, Daniel Coughenour; and her brothers and sisters.
Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Elfrieda Coughenour of El Paso, Texas; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
Mildred Pettit Lapping
Mildred Pettit Lapping, 95, of Waynesburg, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, in Golden Living Center, Waynesburg.
She was born in Kiefer, Okla., a daughter of Bert Chauncey Pettit and Ethel May Pettit. She resided in Oklahoma for the first ten years of her life.
In 1931, she graduated from Waynesburg High School. She then received a teaching certificate from Waynesburg College, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1944. She taught in the public schools of Greene County for 17 years.
Mrs. Lapping was a 65-year member of Washington Street United Methodist Church in Waynesburg, where she attended as long as her health permitted. She taught the John Wesley Sunday school class for many years and was a member of the Fidelus Class. She served two terms as president of WSCS and held several other church offices.
She was a 62-year member of John Corbly Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was an active member until recent years. She had served as regent, recording secretary and chaplain.
Mrs. Lapping was a former member of Greene County Retired Teacher’s Association and Waynesburg Senior Citizens.
Surviving are three sons, John Allen Lapping of Binford, N.D., Richard B. Lapping of Waynesburg and Philip L. Lapping of Graysville; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Bert Cecil Pettit of Fairbanks, Alaska; three sisters, Violet M. Nagy and Bonnie LaNelle Overson, both of The Villages of Lady Lake, Fla., and Mary Margaret Pettit of Swarts; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a sister, Geraldine Hugus.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity of one’s choice.
Leo L. Hughes
Leo L. (Bud) Hughes of Glenmoore, formerly of Waynesburg, died quietly Sunday, March 15, 2009, in his home.
He was born June 15, 1927, in New Freeport, a son of Donald and Mildred Fonner Hughes.
After graduating from Waynesburg High School in 1947, where he was a starter on both football and basketball teams, Mr. Hughes attended Waynesburg College, having starred for four years on the football team. He garnered Associated Press All-State honors in 1950 and 1951. Upon graduation from college, Mr. Hughes signed a contract to play football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but an injury prevented a professional career.
He accepted a position as an engineer with Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Corp. and moved east to Chester County in 1952. He retired as regional general manager in 1990 after 38 years of dedicated service to the company.
While still in high school, Mr. Hughes enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served with the 33rd (Special) Naval Construction Battalion, having served primarily in the Philippine Islands. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Waynesburg to finish high school.
An avid and accomplished athlete and sportsman, Mr. Hughes enjoyed hunting both near his home and in Potter County. He participated with amatuer softball teams and bowling and continued with his love of golf well after his retirement. A founding member of Upper Uwchlan Mens Club, an organization that financially supported youth athletic activities, he was an active coach of youth baseball from Little League through American Legion teams.
He was a 50-year member of both Mt. Pickering Lodge of Free Masons and of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served many years on the board of trustees at Windsor Baptist Church in Eagle.
Deceased is a son, Bradley Hughes, formerly of Chester Springs.
Surviving are a son, Craig Hughes of Pittburgh; a daughter, Carol Hughes of Exton; seven granddaughters and two grandsons; his wife, Elizabeth Frame Hughes of Glenmoore; a brother, James Hughes of Washington; and four sisters, Betty Hudson of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Lesetta Adamson of Waynesburg, Thelma Lemmon of Uniontown and Donna St. Clair of West Farmington, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Windsor Baptist Board of Missions Fund, Box 596, Uwchlan, PA 19480.
Paul V. Cummins
Paul V. Cummins, 79, of Waynesburg, died at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
He was born Monday, August 19, 1929, in Whiteley Township, a son of Charles C. Cummins and Neva Ross Cummins.
Mr. Cummins enjoyed farming and hunting. He also raised short horn cattle.
He worked for several years as a mechanic at the former Waynesburg Block. He also worked as a mechanic for Jeanne Roush at Roush Auto in Mt. Morris and for Roberts and Shaffer Construction Co.
On December 22, 1950, he married Shirley E. Williams, who died June 25, 2004.
Surviving are three daughters and their spouses, Linda and James Watson Jr. of Holbrook, Judy and Frank Hutchinson of Jefferson and Crystal and Darin McNett of Waynesburg; two sons and their spouses, Robert V. and Kim Cummins of Meadow Lands and Stephen P. and Paula Cummins of Spraggs; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Jane Eisiminger of Waynesburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are three sisters, Helen Shriver, Sarah Cumpston and Mary Atkinson; and a brother, Charles Cummins.
Mike J. Krupinsky
Mike J. Krupinsky, 90, of Greensboro, died at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in his home.
He was born August 10, 1918, in Grays Landing, a son of Joseph and Mary Baloga Krupinsky.
Mr. Krupinsky lived in the Greensboro area all of his married life. He retired in 1980 from Duquesne Light Warwick Mine after 45 years of service and was a member of United Mine Workers of America Duquesne Light Local 6310.
A member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Greensboro, he assisted in the building the church, where he also was a former member of Holy Name Society and served as an usher.
Mr. Krupinsky enjoyed nature and square dancing and his hobbies of weaving rugs and woodworking. He cherished his family, especially his grandchildren.
On July 18, 1942, he married Irene Urban, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Dr. Joseph M. Krupinsky and wife Diane of Bismarck, N.D.; two daughters, Anna Marie Watson and husband James of Tamarac, Fla., and Diane Danko and husband William of Greensboro; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the last of his immediate family.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a grandson, Joseph Watson; four brothers, George and John A. Krupinsky and two infant brothers; and four sisters, Mary Berdar, Kate Lengal, Anna Sleyzak and Sue Roskos.
Edward Leroy Wright
Edward Leroy Wright, 74 of Connellsville passed away March 16, 2009 at his home. He was born August 4, 1934 in Baxter, W.Va., a son of the late Russell Leroy Wright and Sarah E. Youst Wright of Waynesburg.
Edward was a retired truck driver having worked for Atlas Railroad.
He is survived by five sons, Larry Leroy Wright; Michael Wright; Rodney Blaine Wright; Daniel Wayne Wright; and Terry Lee Wright; two step-sons, Robert Lee Horsley and Charles Dean Horsley; two step-daughters, Betty Pequeno and Cindy Slonecker; several grandchildren; his mother, Sarah E. Wright; brothers, Elza B. Wright and wife Elizabeth; Frank E. Wright and wife Dolly; and a sister, Ethel Louise Gump.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth A. (Davis) Horsley Wright on April 1, 1999.
Jane E. Kalafsky
Jane E. Kalafsky, 91, of Oakhurst, N.J., formerly of Mather, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, in Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, N.J.
She was born August 12, 1917, in Duquesne, Allegheny County, a daughter of Edward and Anna Marshall Cox.
Mrs. Kalafsky was a 1935 graduate of Mapletown High School.
She was a homemaker and lived in Greensboro until 1946, Mather until 1965 and Pittsburgh until 2001, when she moved to New Jersey.
Mrs. Kalafsky attended Luther Memorial Church in Tinton Falls, N.J. She was a former member of Jefferson Presbyterian Church, Parkwood United Presbyterian Church in Allison Park and Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 135, Waynesburg.
On September 18, 1935, she married Frank M. Kalafsky Sr., who died May 10, 2003.
Surviving are a daughter, Marion Kay Kalafsky of Tinton Falls; a daughter-in-law, Paula K. Kalafsky of Oakhurst; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Katherine Ives of Pittsburgh and Grace Trew of Lower Burrell.
Deceased are a son, Frank M. Kalafsky Jr.; a daughter, Frances J. Kalafsky; two sisters, Betty Tanner and Goldie Cox; and two brothers, Charles Cox and Glen Cox.
Raymond Dale Kerr
Raymond Dale Kerr, 57, of South Park, formerly of Washington, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, in UPMC-McKeesport Hospital, following a brief illness.
He was born April 29, 1951, in Waynesburg, a son of the late Raymond M. and Virginia Burge Kerr.
Mr. Kerr was a 1969 graduate of Trinity High School and a 1973 graduate of Grove City College. He served in the U.S. Air Force and lived throughout the United States.
He owned and operated McCoy Apple Orchard in Aliquippa for several years before moving to South Park. Prior to his illness, he was a mortgage broker for Omega Financial of Carnegie.
On December 27, 2003, he married Cindy S. Herman, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Capt. Raymond Edward (Emily) Kerr, currently stationed in Guam; a daughter, Crystal Joy Kerr of Coraopolis; stepchildren Ryan, Alyssa and Cheyenne Herman, all of South Park; a brother, Glenn R. (Cindy) Kerr of Washington; and a sister, Linda K. Kotzbauer of Cranberry Township.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is an infant brother.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Cecelia Cihon Yoskovich
Cecelia Cihon Yoskovich of Masontown died Friday, March 20, 2009, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va., after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Nemacolin, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Antoletz Cihon.
Mrs. Yoskovich was a 1947 graduate of Cumberland Township High School in Carmichaels and resided in Masontown since 1954.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Leckrone, where she participated in the church prayer group as long as her health permitted.
On August 28, 1954, she married Martin Yoskovich, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Martin J. Yoskovich and wife Janice of Carmichaels; a daughter, Cheryl R. Shaw and husband Joseph of Brownsville; two grandchildren; a brother, Dr. William P. Cihon and companion Georgeann Smith of Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters-in-law, Josephine (Jay) Cihon of Gates Mills, Ohio, and Isabel Cihon of Mentor, Ohio; a brother-in-law, Corwin Nielson of Tucson, Ariz.; and several nieces, nephews and many cousins in Poland.
Deceased are four brothers, Adam Cihon, who died in infancy, Joseph Cihon, John Cihon and Steve Cihon, and four sisters, Anna Cihon, who died in childhood, Margaret (Marge) Mrazek, Mary Hurtuk and Helen A. Longshore Nielson.
Clifford E. Donaldson
Clifford E. Donaldson, 80, of Carmichaels, died at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, in his home, with his family by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 16, 1928, in Edgewater, Ala., a son of William and Nettie Kesterson Donaldson.
Mr. Donaldson was a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served during the Korean conflict and Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of master gunnery sergeant.
After serving his country, he worked as a caseworker for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Assistance in Waynesburg, then worked at Nemacolin Mine for about 12 years. He later worked as a courier for Community Bank in Carmichaels.
He and his wife, Anna Jean Hughes Donaldson, owned and operated an antique store in Carmichaels for several years in the late 1970s. The couple were married August 4, 1951, and Mrs. Donaldson died February 22, 2009.
Mr. Donaldson enjoyed gardening, and his hobby was repairing clocks and watches.
He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Nemacolin Local 6290.
Surviving are three sons, Mark C. Donaldson of Martin, Jeffrey J. Donaldson and wife Terri of Carmichaels and David E. Donaldson, his caregiver at home; two daughters, Bette Jo Helmick and husband Jerry of Carmichaels and Laura J. Horwath and husband Joseph of Uniontown; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Donaldson and wife Ginnie of Gulf Shores, Ala., and James “Buck” Donaldson of Birmingham, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are a son, William Arnold Donaldson, who died in infancy; a daughter, Mary Ann Donaldson; four brothers, Larry Donaldson, Harold Donaldson, Robert Donaldson and William “Lefty” Donaldson; and two sisters, Betty Hood and Frances Nay.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Cumberland American Legion Post 400 Building Fund, 205 East George Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320-1203.
Marian Shaffer Bortz
Marian Shaffer Bortz, age 92, of Uniontown, Pa., died peacefully Friday, March 20, 2009, in her home with her loving family by her side.
Born December 28, 1916, in Terra Alta, West Virginia, Marian was the daughter of Parley C. Shaffer and Pansy Teets Shaffer.
Marian was a member of the class of 1934 of the former North Union High School and a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church and the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Bortz Jr., and brothers, Homer R. Shaffer and Luther C. Shaffer.
Marian is survived by three sons: George H. Bortz III and wife Debra of Hopwood, Pa., Richard S. Bortz and wife Kathie of Waynesburg, Pa., and Paul H. Bortz, Sr. and wife Vicki of Uniontown, Pa.; one daughter Jane Johnson and husband Gary of Uniontown, Pa.; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one nephew and a long time caregiver and friend, Barbara Salitrik; and appreciation to all the other caregivers.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations may be made in Marian’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Edward V. Oberlechner
Edward V. Oberlechner, age 80, of Fairchance, Pa., died on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at home.
He was born June 27, 1928, in Smithfield, Pa., the son of William and Marie Oberlechner.
He was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, Marie Oberlechner, one son, Donald McClanahan, four brothers, George Oberlechner, Tony Oberlechner, William Oberlechner and Steve Oberlechner, and two sisters, Clara Hainzer and Fannie Ryiczek.
Surviving are: his wife of 61 years, Annie McClanahan Oberlechner; five children: Russell Oberlechner and his wife Linda of Uniontown, Pa., Nancy Nosky and her husband Patsy of Fairchance, Pa., Linda Biller and her husband Duane of McClellandtown, Pa., Connie Burd and her husband Dave of Waynesburg, Pa., and Mary Harris and her husband Charles of Brownsville, Pa.: 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Dorothy McClanahan of Uniontown, Pa.