The Herald, Sharon, PA



Local news Wednesday, June 27, 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

  • Bertha Eleanor Amy, 84, West Salem Township, formerly of 111 Strawberry St., Mercer.
  • Russell E. Bowser, 73, of 3294 Kennard Road, Atlantic.
  • Elizabeth Cathcart, 63, of 3571 Sharon Road, West Middlesex.
  • Naomi Massaro, 78, of 376 Wheeler Place, Sharon.
  • Violet Ozog, 82, of 915 Indiana Ave., Farrell.


Today's obituaries
Bertha Eleanor Amy
Retired secretary sang in church, had lived in Mercer

Bertha Eleanor Amy, West Salem Township, formerly of 111 Strawberry St., Mercer, died at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday (6-26-01) in St. Paul Homes, West Salem Township, following an extended illness. She was 84.

Miss Amy was born Aug. 29, 1916, in West Salem Township to John I. and Pearl M. Lockard Amy.

A 1934 alumna of Mercer High School, she was chief clerk of the selective service draft board during World War II. For four years, Miss Amy worked in the registration office of Mercer County Courthouse and with the Board of Elections.

She retired as a secretary from the former Coal Associates in Greenville, and previously worked for 21 years at the former C.J. Semple in Mercer.

As a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer, Miss Amy sang in the church choir for 32 years.

Surviving are: two sisters, Marjorie Ryder, Mercer; and Clara Johnson, State College, Pa.; three nieces, Mrs. John (Amy) Urey, Mrs. Steve (Susanne) Suchora and Mrs. Steven (Lori Ann) Kenny; and six nephews, William Ryder; John T. Amy; Wayne, Robert and Jelless Hubbard; and Thomas Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Lauretta Hubbard; a brother, Harold Amy; and two nephews, John Ryder and Terry Johnson.

AMY
    
Bertha Eleanor, 84, West Salem Township, formerly of 111 Strawberry St., Mercer.
    Calling hours: 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
    Service: Funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday (6-29-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. F. Stanley Keehlwetter, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Mercer, officiating.
    Interment: Shenango Valley Cemetery, Greenville.


Violet Ozog

Violet Ozog, 915 Indiana Ave., Farrell, died at 3:08 a.m. today (6-27-01) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. She was 82.

Obituary information was incomplete.

OZOG
    Violet, 82, of 915 Indiana Ave., Farrell.
    Arrangements will be announced by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Russell E. Bowser

Retired farmer owned Atlantic trucking business

ATLANTIC -- Russell E. Bowser, 3294 Kennard Road, Atlantic, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2001, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was 73.

Born June 17, 1928, in Fairview Township, Butler County, Mr. Bowser was a son of Joseph C. and Mary Crissman Bowser.

He married Twila Mae Kuhn on May 9, 1946, in Grove City. She preceded him in death on March 14, 1995.

Russell worked for nine years at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. and retired after 13 years from the former Greenville Steel Car Co. He was also a dairy farmer which he fully enjoyed from 1957 to 1976. Following retirement, Mr. Bowser became owner and operator of the former Bowser Trucking in Atlantic, from which he retired in 1982.

He was a member of West Unity Community Church of Harrisville.

In addition to his wife Twila, Mr. Bowser was preceded in death by a son, Robert W. Bowser; his parents, Joseph and Mary Bowser; a sister, Beatrice Bowser Chraska; and four brothers, Elmer L., Thomas C., Charles L. and Joseph L. Bowser.

He is survived by his stepmother, Hazel Bowser, Grove City; a daughter, Sally Bowser Watkins, Fort Worth, Texas; three sons, Glenn E., Paul L. and John R. Bowser, all Atlantic; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to UPMC Horizon Hospice, 125 N. Main St., Greenville 16125.

BOWSER
    
Russell E., 66, of 3294 Kennard Road, Atlantic.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Friday (6-29-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Charles G. Polley, Greenville retired pastor, officiating.
    Interment: Prairie Cemetery, Harrisville.


Valentina Walzer

Homemaker was born in Ukraine, lived in Farrell

A private service will be held Friday for Valentina Walzer of 1223 Negley St. in Farrell. She passed away on Tuesday morning (6-26-01) in her home following an extended illness. She was 81.

Mrs. Walzer was born on Dec. 20, 1919, in Stanislavo, Ukraine, a daughter of Kuzma and Oxana Schwaiko Lysenko. She immigrated to the United States in 1948.

A homemaker, she was a member of the former Farrell United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Walzer enjoyed both sewing and gardening.

Her husband, Anthony S. Walzer, whom she married on Oct. 20, 1948, survives at home.

She is also survived by two daughters, Stephanie Walzer Fink of Fombell, Beaver County; and Adele "Dolly" Walzer of Sharon; and one son, Anthony Walzer of Bemidji, Minn.

She also leaves two grandsons, Zachary and Jason; and two great-granddaughters, Megan and Ashleigh.

A sister and a brother in the Ukraine preceded her in death.

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

WALZER
    
Mrs. Anthony S. (Valentina), 81, of 1223 Negley St., Farrell.
    Calling hours: None.
    Service: A private service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (6-29-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Emily A. Byrd, pastor of Oakland Avenue United Methodist Church, Sharon, officiating.
    Burial: Cremation.
    Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Mary E. Peters

Ex-volunteer at Greenville hospital was active in church

A funeral service will be held Friday for Mary E. Peters, West Salem Township, formerly of 81 Leech Road, Sugar Grove Township. She died at 12:20 p.m. Monday (6-25-01) in St. Paul Homes, West Salem Township. She was 98.

Mrs. Peters was born April 6, 1903, in Pittsburgh to Samuel E. and Sara R. Noel Uber.

She was a 1924 alumna of what is now Slippery Rock University, formerly Slippery Rock Normal School.

Mrs. Peters belonged to Greenville Hospital Auxiliary and participated, before moving to St. Paul Homes, as a volunteer mender, helping residents at St. Paul's with sewing and clothing repairs.

As a member of Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ in Greenville, she was active with church dinners and in the Friendship Circle Sunday school class.

Her husband, Lloyd A. Peters, whom she married Aug. 31, 1926, died March 4, 1972.

Surviving are: two daughters, Mrs. Harrison "Buster" (Sally M.) Smith, Greenville; and Mrs. Robert (Joanne "Jackie") Miller, Conneaut, Ohio, and Venice, Fla.; one son, Kenneth L. Peters, Ventura, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Noel A. "Pete" Peters; and two brothers, Noel and Frank Uber.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Ridgewood, 339 E. Jamestown Road, Greenville 16125, in memory of Mrs. Peters.

PETERS
    
Mrs. Lloyd A. (Mary E.), 98, West Salem Township, formerly of 81 Leech Road, Greenville, Sugar Grove Township.
    Calling hours: 10 a.m. to time of service Friday (6-29-01) in the Anderson Parlor of Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ, Greenville. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to Baird@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral service at noon Friday in Anderson Chapel in the church, with the Rev. Philip J. Garner, pastor, officiating.
    Burial: Shenango Valley Cemetery, Greenville.
    Arrangements by BAIRD FUNERAL HOME, 14 Louisa Ave., Greenville.


Naomi Massaro

Sharon homemaker was '41 graduate of Farrell High

Interment will be held in Oakwood Cemetery in Hermitage for Naomi Massaro, 376 Wheeler Place in Sharon. She passed away at 2:20 p.m. Monday (6-25-01) at UPMC Horizon, Farrell. She was 78.

Mrs. Massaro was born Dec. 8, 1922, in Farrell, a daughter of the late Arthur and Ruth Cole Bender.

She was a 1941 alumna of Farrell High School.

A homemaker, Mrs. Massaro enjoyed gardening, card playing, reading and watching movies in her home.

Her husband, Albert Massaro, whom she married Sept. 3, 1946, died April 16, 1991.

Surviving are: two daughters, Diana Boyle and Marta Massaro, both Sharon; two sons, Albert Massaro, Pulaski; and Carl Massaro, Sharon; a sister, Dorothy Shutt, Hermitage; three brothers, Arthur Bender, Madison, Ohio; and Kenneth and Alan Bender, both Espyville; four granddaughters, Laura Osland, Shauna Morris, Audrey Duncan and Holly Kostoff; seven great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Homer Bender.

MASSARO
    
Mrs. Albert (Naomi), 78, of 376 Wheeler Place, Sharon.
    Calling hours: None. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: None.
    Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.
    Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Elizabeth Cathcart

Elizabeth Cathcart, 3571 Sharon Road, West Middlesex, died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday (6-26-01) in her home. She was 63.

Obituary information was incomplete.

CATHCART
    Elizabeth, 63, of 3571 Sharon Road, West Middlesex.
    Arrangements will be announced by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Grace M. Kajma Fritch
Obituary was published 6-26-01

Among those preceding her in death was a son, David Fritch, who died in 1971. Additional information was given to The Herald.

FRITCH
    
Mrs. John (Grace M. Kajma), 78, of 800 Linden St., Sharon, formerly of Farrell.
    Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today (6-27-01) in A.E. PUSTINGER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 1310 Idaho St., Farrell. Rosary service at 5:30 p.m. by St. Adalbert's Prayer Group. Condolences may be e-mailed to pustinger@adelphia.net
    Service: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in St. Adalbert's Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, Order of Friars Minor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Pine View Cemetery, Niles, Ohio.


David Andrew McQuiston

Ex-Hermitage man managed government-funded projects

SAN DIEGO -- A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday for David Andrew McQuiston, a researcher and ceramics engineer of 227 Tennessee Ave. NE, Washington, D.C., formerly of 848 Woodlawn Drive in Hermitage, his boyhood home. He died June 19, 2001, in San Diego. He was 47.

David managed projects funded by the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Baltimore and the Office of Naval Research in San Diego. He was also a master carpenter and custom homebuilder in Seattle.

In addition to his other accomplishments, he was a proficient swimmer and award-winning scuba diver. He was also an expert marksman and archer.

He enjoyed jazz, reading, building model rockets with his son and spending time with his two children.

He was the beloved husband of Cathy Wasem, Washington, D.C.; and the loving father of William Andrea Wasem McQuiston, Washington, D.C.; and a daughter, Morning Star Williams, Waianae, Hawaii. He was the son of the late Lee Venezie McQuiston of Sharon. Besides his wife and children, he leaves his father, Glenn McQuiston of Hermitage; three sisters, Melinda Swanson, San Jose, Calif.; Margaret Wilkins, Renton, Wash.; and Louise Manoukian, West Warwick, R.I.; and one brother, Glenn McQuiston Jr., Seattle.

His paternal grandparents were Myrtle Mason and George Ralph McQuiston of Sharon. His maternal grandparents were Andrea and Rose Venezie of Avellino, Italy and Ellwood City.

Born in Sharon, Mr. McQuiston was an alumnus of Hickory High School in Hermitage and earned a bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. While a full-time student, he was the maintenance supervisor of a crew of five in the upkeep of a nine-building, 11-acre private school campus in Seattle.

David worked in the construction contracting business for 16 years and for 10 years, from 1981-91, was the sole proprietor of Perfection Enterprises, Baltimore.

He worked for Ceramic Composites Inc. in Baltimore from 1995-2000. From July 2000 until his death, David worked for Trex Enterprises Corp. in Lihue, Hawaii; and San Diego. His projects, scientific presentations, publications and contributions were numerous and varied. At Ceramic Composites, he helped develop an advanced vitrification system for high level nuclear waste, and in July 1996 presented a paper on "Generic Low-Cost Fabrication Technologies for Advanced Rocket Thrusters" to the 32nd Joint Propulsion Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. At Trex, he was currently working on a new process for improving the parts used in semi-conductor fabrication equipment.

A sailor, Mr. McQuiston sailed sailboats from the Century Club at Pymatuning Dam.

He was affectionate, friendly and was known for his constant, ready smile.

"Here he lies where he longed to be; home is the sailor, home from the sea, and the hunter, home from the hill." -- Robert Louis Stevenson.

McQUISTON
    
David Andrew, 47, of 227 Tennessee Ave. NE, Washington, D.C., formerly of 848 Woodlawn Drive, Hermitage.
    Calling hours: 9:30 a.m. to time of service Friday (6-29-01) in MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME Inc., 200 Fountain Ave., Ellwood City.
    Service: Memorial Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Friday in Holy Redeemer Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Worship Site, Fourth Avenue, Ellwood City, with the Rev. Mark Thomas as celebrant.
    Burial: Locust Grove Cemetery, Ellwood City, followed by a memorial luncheon in St. Agatha's Worship Site, Fifth Avenue, Ellwood City.


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


JOHN
    
Eugene, 90, of 697 Barkeyville Road, Pine Township.
    Obituary was published 6-26-01
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Friday (6-29-01) in Church of the Beloved Disciple, Grove City, with Monsignor Edward J. Zeitler, pastor, as celebrant.
    Interment: Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township.


MINNER
    
Mrs. James Russell (Audrey Jayne Bilger), 80, of 517 S. Mercer Ave., Hermitage, formerly of Pulaski Township, Lawrence County.
    Obituary was published 6-26-01
    Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. today (6-27-01) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. B. Edward Boyd, former pastor of Pulaski United Methodist Church, officiating.
    Interment: Neshannock Cemetery, New Wilmington.
WHITE
    
Mrs. Nicholas (M. Jane), 85, of 643 Methodist Road, Hempfield Township, formerly of Grove City and Hartstown.
    Obituary was published 6-26-01
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (6-27-01) in BAIRD FUNERAL HOME, 14 Louisa Ave., Greenville. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to Baird@infonline.net
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in St. Michael's Church, Greenville, with Monsignor Andrew Karg, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: St. Michael's Cemetery, Greenville.
ZAPPA
    
Mrs. Felix (Sugar), 78, of 742 Indiana Ave., Farrell.
    Obituary was published 6-25-01
    Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. today (6-27-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Rosary recited at 7:45 p.m. by the Rev. Donald E. Berdis. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. Thursday (6-28-01) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with Rev. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant. Brief prayer service at 12:15 p.m. in the funeral home prior to leaving for the church.
    Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.



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