The Herald, Sharon, PA



Local news Friday, May 25, 2001 newsie
These are the top stories in today's print edition. Pick up a copy on the newsstand or contact us for convenient home delivery.

Summaries of the week's news appear in the Sunday edition. These current and past weekly chronologies are online as are day-by-day links to past stories and deaths.



Today's death record

  • Louis J. Christiansen Sr., 87, of 7 Tanglewood Drive, Hempfield Township, formerly of Pearl River, N.Y.
  • Norman H. Keeler, 65, of 1319 Roemer Blvd., Farrell.
  • Edward Syslo, 84, of 1803 Powers Ave., South Pymatuning Township.
  • ,


Today's obituaries
Louis J. Christiansen Sr.
Hempfield Twp. man served during WWII in Panama

Louis J. Christiansen Sr., 7 Tanglewood Drive, Hempfield Township, formerly of Pearl River, N.Y., died at 9:50 a.m. Thursday (5-24-01) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville. He was 87.

Mr. Christiansen was born Aug. 7, 1913, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Louis and Anna Keenan Christiansen.

An alumnus of Brooklyn Area High School and Brooklyn Technical College, he was founder and from 1978 to 1993, chief executive officer of Fire Districts Insurance Co. of Spring Valley, N.Y. Mr. Christiansen was previously employed for 49 years by Continental Insurance Co. of New York, N.Y.

He was a member of St. Michael's Church in Greenville, and St. Margaret Catholic Church, Pearl River.

Mr. Christiansen was actively involved in the volunteer fire departments in the State of New York. Elected fire commissioner in Pearl River in 1964, he served in that position until 1989.

An Army veteran, Mr. Christiansen served during World War II in Panama, achieving the rank of master sergeant.

His wife, the former Myrtle M. Burns, whom he married on June 14, 1937, died in December 1983.

Surviving are: a son, Louis J. Christiansen Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, Greenville; a sister, Dorothy Chandler, Townsend, Md.; and three grandchildren, Katie, Keenan and Shawn Christiansen.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arthur Christiansen; and a sister, Eleanor Freuwirth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of St. Michael's School, 85 N. High St., Greenville 16125.

CHRISTIANSEN
    
Louis J. Sr., 87, of 7 Tanglewood Drive, Hempfield Township, formerly of Pearl River, N.Y.
    Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today (5-25-01) in LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 366-68 S. Main St., Greenville.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday (5-26-01) in St. Michael's Church, Greenville, with Monsignor Andrew H. Karg, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Rosehill Cemetery, Linden, N.J.


Robert E. Deal

Sharpsville native was design engineer, WWII Army capt.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Robert E. Deal, Winter Haven, formerly of Sharpsville, passed away on Jan. 25, 2001, in Winter Haven from complications after surgery. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Deal, a Sharpsville native, married Rebecca Smith of Greenville.

They had two daughters and lived in Sharpsville where Robert worked for Sharpsville Steel Fabricators as a design engineer. The company later became Shenango Inc. and he was transferred to Pittsburgh.

He and his second wife, Zelma Rasel of Washington, Pa., lived there for a number of years and operated a small antique shop in addition to his regular job.

When he retired, they returned to Sharpsville and later moved to Winter Haven, He remained interested in antiques as a collector, made reproduction furniture and repaired antique clocks.

He reconnected with members of his Army unit and traveled to reunions throughout the United States. Robert was a captain in the Army and served in World War II in Africa, Sicily and France. He was also in charge of displaced persons at Dachau, Germany. Robert and several Army friends recently traveled to Italy and visited places in which they had served during the war.

Also deceased are two sisters, Ellen Ferguson and Harriet Clark.

He is survived by his brother, John Deal; daughters Carla Connelly and Deborah Palmer; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering in Sharon Country Club, 1030 Forker Blvd., Buhl Farm park, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, to share memories of Robert.


Norman H. Keeler
Farrell man was Marine veteran of Korean conflict

Norman H. Keeler of 1319 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, died at 11:11 p.m. Wednesday (5-23-01) in his home. He was 65.

Born June 21, 1935, in Canonsburg, Pa., Mr. Keeler was a son of the late Norman H. Keeler Sr. and Sylvia Guadagni Keeler.

He attended Farrell schools and retired in 1985 after more than 15 years of service at Youngstown Building Materials as a cement mixer driver. He and his wife also owned and operated for 20 years the Sombrero Inn in Farrell.

Mr. Keeler was a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean conflict.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 160; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286; and Italian Home Club, all Farrell.

Mr. Keeler enjoyed traveling and home improvement projects.

On June 1, 1970, he married the former Betty J. Dignall, who survives him at home.

Other survivors include: his mother and stepfather, Sylvia and George Burich, Farrell; three daughters, Darla Keeler, Hartselle, Ala.; Mrs. Douglas (Sylvia) Ruffo, Irwin, Pa.; and Valerie Schmidt, Oil City, Pa.; one son, Papillon Keeler, Spring Lake, N.C.; four sisters, Mrs. Frank (Donna) Egercic, Farrell; Mrs. William (Judy) Emerich; and Mrs. Larry (Georgia) Thacker, both Chandler, Ariz.; and Mona Burich, California; two brothers, Donald Keeler, Wheatland; and Randy Burich, Farrell; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; and a son, Dominic Keeler.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Regional Health System's Hospice Home Care, 490 N. Kerrwood Drive, Suite 204, Hermitage 16148.

KEELER
    
Norman H., 65, of 1319 Roemer Blvd., Farrell.
    Calling hours: Private. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: Private.
    Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Jack H. McDougal

Marine vet served in Vietnam and had been a craneman

A funeral service will be held today for Jack H. McDougal, 1162 Harry Ave., Sharon. He died at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday (5-23-01) in his home after an extended illness. He was 57.

Mr. McDougal was born Jan. 26, 1944, in Sharon to Jack and Jean McMath McDougal.

A craneman, he was employed by the former Valley Mold and Iron Corp., Hubbard Township; and the former Shenango Steel Inc., Sharpsville.

A Marine veteran, Mr. McDougal served during the Vietnam conflict and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Hickory Post 6166, Hermitage; American Legion 162, Sharpsville.

Surviving are: two sons, Troy McDougal, Pittsburgh; and Jason McDougal, New Castle; a brother, Edward McDougal, Hermitage; a companion, Charlotte Means; and a grandson, Tyler.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert McDougal.

McDOUGAL
    
Jack H., 57, of 1162 Harry Ave., Sharon.
    Calling hours: 5 p.m. until time of service today (5-25-01) in STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville.
    Service: Funeral service at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home, with the Rev. John S. Lynch, pastor of St. Bartholomew Church, Sharpsville, officiating.
    Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.


Bob and Martha Jane Morrison

MORRISON
    
Bob, 66; and Martha Jane, 90, formerly of Sandy Lake.
    Service: The children of Bob and Martha Jane Morrison invite you to share in a memorial service at 10 a.m. June 2, 2001, in Lakeview United Methodist Church, 1472 School Road, Sandy Lake Township, with the Rev. Larry Corner, pastor, officiating. A luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. in Grantham's Landing, 1738 Georgetown Road, Sandy Lake.
    Interment: Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township, preceded by graveside service.


Grace A. Robison

Was oldest local member of Catholic Daughters

A funeral Mass will be held Monday for Grace A. Robison, Hermitage, formerly of Riverview Manor and Lorain Street, both Sharon. She passed away at 12:26 a.m. Thursday (5-24-01) in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage, of natural causes. She was 93.

Mrs. Robison was born July 12, 1908, in Sharon, a daughter of Edward and Mary Ann Walsh Wrynn.

She was an alumna of the former St. Scholastic Academy in Sharon.

A homemaker, Mrs. Robison belonged to Church of the Sacred Heart, and was the oldest member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 507, both Sharon.

Her husband, Louis L. Robison, whom she married April 20, 1927, passed away on June 7, 1970.

Surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Elmer (Maureen) Hecker of Girard, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Joann Rodgers and Karen Kukuda; three brothers, Raymond, Dennis and Edward Wrynn; and three sisters, Kathryn Sigler, Dorothy English and Eleanor Cowan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Sacred Heart, 40 S. Irvine Ave., Sharon 16146.

ROBISON
    
Mrs. Louis L. (Grace A.), 93, Hermitage, formerly of Riverview Manor and Lorain Street, both Sharon.
    Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (5-29-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday (5-30-01) in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, with the Rev. Daniel J. Kresinski, pastor, as celebrant.
    Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.


Roberta 'Bobbie' A. Russell

Farrell woman worked as inspector at Delphi Packard

A funeral service will be held Saturday for Roberta "Bobbie" A. Russell, 133 Shenango Blvd., Farrell. She died Tuesday (5-22-01) in her home. She was 55.

Mrs. Russell was born Feb. 22, 1946, in Fitz Henry, Pa., to Robert D. Baker and Beatrice Lash Baker.

An alumna of Youngh High School in Fitz Henry, Pa., she was an inspector, having worked for 31 years at Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Warren, Ohio.

Mrs. Russell attended Friendship Baptist Church in Farrell and was a member of Local 717 of International Union of Electricians.

Surviving are: two sons, Thomas Russell and his wife Alisa of East Spencer, N.C.; and Anthony Russell, Sharon; a daughter, Marika Russell, Pittsburgh; three brothers, Robert Baker Jr., Farrell; Jerome Baker, Greensburg; and Charles Johnson, Portland, Ore.; a sister, Darlene Griffin, Cleveland; and six grandchildren, Shayna Marks, Hermitage; Robert Russell, Farrell; Aundray and Payton Russell, East Spencer; Shay-ana Motton Russell, Hubbard; and Jasmine Russell, Pittsburgh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, William and John Baker; and a sister, Evette Baker.

RUSSELL
    
Roberta "Bobbie" A., 55, of 133 Shenango Blvd., Farrell.
    Calling hours: 3 to 6 p.m. today (5-25-01) in WASHINGTON FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1059 Hamilton Ave., Farrell; and 11 a.m. until time of service Saturday (5-26-01) in Second Baptist Church, Farrell.
    Service: Funeral service at noon Saturday in the church, with the Rev. Joseph Davis, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Farrell, officiating.
    Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


Frank L. Shacklock
Obituary was published 5-23-01

Among those preceding him in death was a sister, Margaret Filer. Additional information was given to the funeral home.


Edward Syslo
Retired steelworker was staff sergeant in Battle of Bulge

Edward Syslo, 1803 Powers Ave., South Pymatuning Township, died at 10:19 a.m. Thursday (5-24-01) in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 84.

Mr. Syslo was born Feb. 19, 1917, in Glen Jean, W.Va., to Adolph and Katherine Laszczyk Syslo.

He retired as a steelworker from the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant.

An Army veteran, Mr. Syslo served as a staff sergeant for the First Company of the 291st Infantry Regiment with the 75th Division in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

Surviving are: a stepdaughter, Mrs. Willard (Margaret) Morris, Henderson, Nev.; and two sisters, Anna Bishop, North Port, Fla.; and Helen Fiscus, Sharpsville.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Agnes and Frances Syslo; and seven brothers, Rudolf, Ludwick, Wilhelm, Raymond, Henry, Arthur and Adolf Syslo.

SYSLO
    
Edward, 84, of 1803 Powers Ave., South Pymatuning Township.
    Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday (5-29-01) in STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville.
    Service: None.
    Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.


PREVIOUS DEATHS
Look in past days' obituary files to find the full obituaries


SHACKLOCK
    
Frank L., 80, of 245 Southwinds Drive, Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Sharpsville.
    Obituary was published 5-23-01
    Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (5-25-01) in STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville.
    Service: Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (5-25-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Thomas Frederick, pastor of Sharpsville Church of the Nazarene, officiating.
    Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


SMITH
    
Edith Irene, 55, of 18 Kolsky Drive, West Middlesex.
    Obituary was published 5-23-01
    Calling hours: None.
    Service: Memorial service at 2 p.m. today (5-25-01) in Bethlehem Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Plum Street, Sharon, with the Rev. Edward Daily, pastor, officiating.
    Burial: Cremation.
    Arrangements by W. WAYNE CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex.


SONOGA
    
Mrs. Julius (Olga), 89, of 340 A St., Sharon.
    Obituary was published 5-24-01
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today (5-25-01) in SAMPLE-O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME Inc., East State Street at North Oakland Avenue, Sharon. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to Sample@infonline.net
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday (5-26-01) in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, with the Rev. Daniel J. Kresinski, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.


WILLIAMS
    
Edward J., 82, of 10579 Florida St., Aurora, Ohio, formerly of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and Sharpsville.
    Obituary was published 5-22-01
    Calling hours: 11:30 a.m. to time of service Tuesday (5-29-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@Infoline.net.
    Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home, with Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, Order of Friars Minor, pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Sharon, officiating.
    Burial: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.



Go to TOP // Previous days' headlines for 2001 // 2000 // 1999 // 1998 // 1997
Herald Local news // Herald Home page


.
Questions/comments: online@sharon-herald.com
For info about advertising on our site or Web-page creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com
Copyright ©2001 The Sharon Herald Co. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or retransmission in any form is prohibited without our permission.