Obituaries by Location
Florence E. King, Champion
Florence E. King, 87, of Champion, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000 in the Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. She was born Feb. 5, 1913, in Champion, a daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Nichol. She was a member of the County Line Church of the Brethern, Champion, and the Ladies Aid. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Elmer F. King Jr. in 1998; six sisters, Rebecca Montgomery, Nettie Slate, Irene King, Ella Pletcher, Margaret Tinkey and Sadie Delgross; and two brothers, Joseph and Will Nichol. She is survived by one son, Elmer King Jr. and his wife, Alberta, of Melcroft; two daughters, Mary Jane Pirl and her husband, Ross, of Champion and Betty Lou King, at home; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., Route 711, Melcroft, Pa. today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 12 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Barry Conn and the Rev. Kermit Jones co-officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Nebo Cemetery.
Luella Saylor, Connellsville
Luella Stillwagon Saylor, 88, of Connellsville, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2000, in EicherÕs Family Home, Normalville. She was born Feb. 26, 1912, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Frank and Cleveland (Paes) Stillwagon. Luella was a loving homemaker for many years. She was Protestant by faith and was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church, Connellsville. She is survived by seven children, Naomi Saylor Miller of Ravenna, Ohio, Frank Saylor and wife Mary of Connellsville, Paul Saylor and wife Audrey of Churchville, N.Y., James Saylor and wife Juanita of Connellsville, Ruth Saylor Rich and husband Donald of Connellsville, Mary Evans of South Connellsville, and John Saylor and wife Patty of Schulton, Pa.; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth Paes of Grindstone, Pa. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert J. Saylor (1987); four sisters, Edna Basinger, Caroline Lawver, Emma Springer and Frieda DeWitt; three brothers, Carl Stillwagon, Norman Paes and Charles Paes; two grandchildren, Susan Miller and Donald Rich, Jr. Friends will be received in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME, INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. the hour of the funeral service with the Rev. David C. Bashor officiating. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville.
Samuel E. Giles Sr., Dunbar
Samuel E. Giles, 64, of Dunbar, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, in Harmon House Care Center, Mount Pleasant. He was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Connellsville, a son of the late Albert F. Giles Sr. and Minnie B. (Richter) Giles. Samuel formerly worked for Dunbar Township Maintenance Department as a general laborer. He was Protestant by faith. He was a member of the American Legion Post 301, VFW Post 21, F.O.E. No. 3293, Italian Independent Social Club, Independent Slovak Citizens Club and the Dunbar Sons of Italy Club. He is survived by 10 children, John Giles and wife Karen of Dunbar, Amos Giles and wife Christina of Connellsville, Agnes Giles of Monarch, Samuel Giles Jr. and wife Beverly of Louisiana, Sadie Bloom and husband Jim of Dunbar, Annie Buzzelli of Dunbar, Jacqueline Perryman and husband Harry of Louisiana, Paula Brothers and husband Richard of Vanderbilt, Hazel Giles of Monarch and Heather Giles of Leisenring; 27 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Hazel Chaney and Mabel Sanner, both of Connellsville, Minnie Bryner of Shadyside and Dorothy Hall of Virginia; and three brothers, Joe Giles of McKees Rocks and Jim and Paul Giles, both of Indiana, Pa. Friends will be received in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME INC., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., the hour of the funeral with the Rev. Lee Maley officiating. Interment will follow in Normalville Cemetery.
Hubert S. Craig, New York
Hubert S. Craig, son of the late Marshall and Maude Craig, died Aug. 14, 2000, in New York. He was born in Connellsville Dec. 26, 1915. He was a graduate of Connellsville High School and the University of Southern California. He was a veteran of World War II and a former member of the Connellsville Christian Church; also a member of the Masonic Order. He is survived by two brothers, Robert L. Craig of Chester, Conn., and Richard S. Craig of Connellsville; a sister-in-law Virginia Craig of Riva, Md., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, James C. Craig. There will be no viewing or visitation. Interment will be private.
Fredrick W. Hart, Escandido, Calif.
Fredrick William Hart, 90, of Escandido, Calif., and formerly of McClellandtown, Fayette County, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2000, in Escandido. He was born Nov. 2, 1909, in McClellandtown, a son of the late Matthew and Henrietta Sandusky Hart. He had been a resident of Escandido, Calif., for the last 39 years, and prior to his retirement, he worked in maintenance for the Anaheim California School District. He is survived by his wife, Emma Pearl Marsden Hart; two daughters, Doris Marie Sleasman and her husband, Jack, of Mount Pleasant, and Thelma Lee Zallack and her husband, Bill, of Ranchita, Calif.; grandchildren, Dale Sleasman and his wife, Mona, of Connellsville, Bruce Sleasman and his wife, Anita, of Youngwood, Barry Sleasman and his wife, Nancy, of Connellsville, and Fred Sleasman of Mount Pleasant; six great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Lindsay, Charles, Nicole, Kaitlin and Paige Seasman; brothers, Matthew Hart of Bitner, Pa., Charles Hart of Juniata, Pa., William Hart of Santa Anna, Calif., Francis Hart of Uniontown, Robert Hart of Irvin, Pa., and Emmett Hart of Smock, Pa.; sisters, Irlean Dragan of Monessen, Lorraine Morgan of Finleyville, Pa., Margaret Erler of Perryopolis, Ethel Mae Ruck of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Christabell Branthoover of Monessen. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, James Hart, and an infant daughter. Services were held in California. Obituary information provided by the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC.
Rockwell V. Bigham, Connellsville
Rockwell V. Bigham of Connellsville passed away early this morning Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000, in Highland VA Hospital in Pittsburgh. Arrangements are under the direction of the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, and will be announced when completed.
James Joseph Bailey, Shelby Township, Mich.
James Joseph Bailey, 67, of Shelby Township, Mich., died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb West Hospital, Clinton Township, Mich. He was born May 15, 1933, in Connellsville. Mr. Bailey retired in 1993 from General Motors-EDS after 41 years of employment. He was a member of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. He also was a member of the Shelby Township Cable Commission for the past six years. He was a 1959 graduate of General Motors Institute, Flint, Mich. Mr. Bailey was a 1951 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, Connellsville. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith; two sons, Charles C. of Shelby Township, Mich. and James T. (Lori) of Clinton Township, Mich., a daughter, Susan (Kurt) Doll of Oxford, Mich.; six grandchildren; two sisters, Ann Bereiter of Connellsville and Mary Kay Scarry of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and two brothers, George and Tom Bailey of Connellsville. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Kathryn Bailey of Connellsville. Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, at Sullivan Funeral Home, Utica, Mich. and burial was in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, Mich. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation, 3990 John R St., Detroit, Mich. 48201-9983.
Clarence D. Barnhart
Clarence D. Barnhart, 44, of Connellsville, died early today, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000, at his residence. Arrangements are under the direction of the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side, Connellsville, and will be announced when completed.
Dorothy L. Bierhals
Dorothy L. Bierhals, 65, of Bethel Park, formerly of Scottdale, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 23., 2000, in the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Connellsville, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Alverda Kropp Sanner. Dorothy had been a resident of Scottdale since 1973 and had formerly worked as a waitress/cook for the Scottdale FiremenÕs Hall for many years. She was also a member of the Scottdale American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and she was a member of the Everson Evangelical Church of North America. She is survived by her loving children, Connie Shepley of Latrobe, Joseph Bierhals and his wife, Joyce, of Scottdale and Michael Bierhals of Youngwood; a brother, John Santmyer of Connellsville; her sisters, Nancy Macovitz of Austintown, Ohio and Mary Love and her husband, Donald 'Glenn', of Tarrs; a special friend, Frank Zoracki of Everson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, John B. Bierhals; a brother, Eugene 'Ray' Sanner; and a sister, Betty Jane Kessler. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. A committal service and interment will follow in Eutsey Cemetery. Donations may be given to the American Heart Association in memory of Dorothy.
Rockwell V. Bigham
Rockwell V. Bigham, Major U.S. Army Ret., 80, of Connellsville, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the graveside in Normalville Cemetery with the Rev. Sam Weible officiating. Anybody wishing to attend the memorial services is go directly to the Cemetery by 11 a.m. Interment will follow there. Military rites will be conducted at the Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the Carnegie Free Library, S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, Pa. 15425, or an animal shelter of oneÕs choice, in RockwellÕs memory.
Jane B. Emory
Jane B. Emory, 83, of Lemont Furnace, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000, in Frick Community Hospital. She was born April 2, 1917, in Smock, daughter of the late Clarence and Elma Woodward Ball. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, George Wilson Emory in 1986; a son, George F. 'Butch' Emory; a grandson, Paul Emory; and two sisters, Frances Porter and Ruth Zavada. Surviving are two children, Mrs. Samuel (Ruth) Feuster of Uniontown, Kenneth W. Emory and wife Carolyn of Lemont Furnace; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one brother, John (Joe) W. Ball of Middletown, Pa. Mrs. Emory was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church, and belonged to the Johanna Circle Class, the Ridgeview Grange, Bethelboro and the 313 CB Radio Club of Connellsville. Friends will be received in the DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME, Hopwood, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday until 11 a.m., the hour of the service with the Rev. Timothy McConville officiating. Interment will follow in LaFayette Memorial Park. Ridgeview Grange will hold services Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
Rodney Bryan Nicholson
Rodney Bryan Nicholson, 48, of West Leisenring, formerly of Connellsville, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000, in the Veterans Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born Aug. 9, 1952, in Connellsville, a son of Roy W. and Margaret Edwards Nicholson of Connellsville. He was a Protestant by faith. He was formerly employed at the Volkswagen Automobile Plant at New Stanton. He was presently self-employed in buying and developing rental properties. He had a special love for animals, especially his pet cats and dogs. He was a car enthusiast and greatly enjoyed restoring and rebuilding automobiles. Another of his hobbies and pastimes was finding pleasure by expressing his talent as an artist. He was a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter, Erica S. Basinger and her husband, John, of Scottdale; three grandchildren, Alexandra N. Nicholson, Amanda J. Basinger and Thomas M. Basinger, all of Scottdale; one sister, Wendy Henry and her husband, Kevin, of Connellsville; one brother, Kevin D. Nicholson and his wife, Diana L., of South Connellsville; the following nieces and nephews, Dallas and Travis Henry of Connellsville, and Leann and Jenna Nicholson of South Connellsville; and a loving and close companion, Ruth Totin of West Leisenring. Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME, 123 S. First St., West Side Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, the hour of service with Pastor Jeff Matas officiating. Interment will follow in Dickerson Run Cemetery. Military services will be held at graveside by members of the American Legion Post 301, VFW Post 21, and American Legion Post 762 of Trotter.
Zack H. Poorbaugh
Zack H. Poorbaugh, 67, of Mount Pleasant (Bullskin Township), died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville.
Leroy Wolfe, Dunbar
Leroy Wolfe, 70, of Dunbar, died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000, in the Uniontown Hospital. He was born Aug. 5, 1930, in South Connellsville, a son of the late Delmar G. Wolfe and Flora I. Bradley Wolfe Bloch. Leroy was a graduate of Connellsville High School with the Class of 1950 and had been a former employee of the former Rack Engineering Co. in Connellsville, where he worked as a storeroom clerk. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War and was a member of the Connellsville VFW No. 21. Leroy was a member of the Albright United Methodist Church in South Connellsville. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Reva J. Lind Wolfe; a son, Brian Lind Wolfe of Lemont Furnace; and a daughter, Leigh Ann Wolfe of Dunbar; two grandchildren, Brian Lind Jr. and Brittany Ann Lind, both of Dunbar, and nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert H. Wolfe. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Byron Tate Fulton officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in the Normalville Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the Cemetery by the Connellsville VFW and American Legion and Trotter American Legion Honor Guard.
Irene H. Campbell, Mount Pleasant
Irene Helen Sikora Campbell, 82, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, in Harmon House Convalescent Center, Mount Pleasant. She was born Nov. 30, 1917, in Mount Pleasant, a daughter of the late Valent William and Anna Gonda Sikora. She was a member of Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Mount Pleasant. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Martin A. Campbell, in I987; a grandson, Lewis Baker Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Joseph Thomas and Gregory Beckerleg; and two brothers, Joseph and Andrew Sikora. Survivors include a son, Thomas Martin Campbell and his wife, Darla, of Alverton, R.D.3; four daughters, Eleanor Scardina and her husband, Joseph, of Scottdale, Irene Baker and her husband, Lewis, of Southwest, Shirley Campbell of Mount Pleasant and Sandra Beckerleg and her husband, Ronald, of Mount Pleasant; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Steven Secorie and Theodore Sikora, both of Mount Pleasant; four sisters, Evelyn Kemmer, Eleanor Yezek and her husband, William, Genevieve Batchko and, Mercedes Isola and her husband, Virgil, all of Mount Pleasant. Friends, will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at GALONE-CARUSO'S, 204 Eagle St., Mount Pleasant. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Visitation RC Church with the Rev. Anthony W. Ditto as celebrant. Interment in Visitation Parish Cemetery, Mount Pleasant.
