Today's obituaries
Fred C. Stoop
Former Sharon man lived in Parma Heights
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Fred C. Stoop, formerly of Sharon, died Sept. 12, 2001, in his home in Parma Heights.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Shirley Smith, at home; a son, David Stoop, South Carolina; two grandsons, Charlie and Matthew; a granddaughter, Jessica; and a sister, Mary, California.
His son, Fred Stoop Jr., preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held September 22, 2001, in Independence (Ohio) Presbyterian Church.
Katherine S. Sweitzer Starkey-Flynn
Homemaker had worked in Farrell and Sharon
Katherine S. Sweitzer Starkey-Flynn, Hermitage, formerly of Farrell and Sharon, died at 4:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage. She was 85.
Mrs. Starkey-Flynn was born March 28, 1916, in Accident, Md., to Charles H. and Clara Mae Feik Sweitzer.
She had worked at the former Ellwood Textile Co. in Farrell; and what is now Clepper Manor in Sharon.
A homemaker, Mrs. Starkey-Flynn was a Methodist.
Her first husband, Orval Starkey, whom she married in 1932, died in 1951. Her second husband, Albert Flynn Jr., whom she married in 1957, died in 1989.
Surviving are: two sons, Charles Starkey, husband of Evelyn, Edinburg; and James L. Starkey, husband of Vickie, Hermitage; a stepson, Albert Flynn, Masury; three daughters, Naomi "Nickie" Molasky, wife of Charles, New Middleton, Ohio; Janet Pitts, Jamestown; and Charlene Chizmar, wife of Daniel, Greenville; three stepdaughters, Mary Ann Gardner, wife of David, Atlanta; Virginia Simmons, wife of John, Baltimore; and Geraldine Miller, wife of James, Transfer; 19 grandchildren; 16 stepgrandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren.
Beside her first and second husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; a stepson, Edward Flynn; two grandchildren, Timothy Sovinsky and Jodie Starkey; an infant stepdaughter; five brothers, Wade, William, Jonas, Jake and Ernest Sweitzer; and three sisters, Mary Bright, Carrie Glover and Viola McCord.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 19 Jefferson Avenue, Sharon 16146; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
STARKEY-FLYNN
Katherine S. Sweitzer, 85, Hermitage, formerly of Farrell and Sharon.
Calling hours: 9 a.m. to time of service Thursday (10-11-01) in A.E. PUSTINGER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 1310 Idaho St., Farrell. Condolences may be e-mailed to pustinger@adelphia.net
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson, pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township, officiating.
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.
William 'Bill' J. Lapikas
Sharon Steel retiree worked for Elks, library in Sharon
William "Bill" J. Lapikas, 910 Waverly Ave. in Hermitage, passed away at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (10-6-01) in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, of heart failure. He was 61.
A lifelong area resident, Mr. Lapikas was born March 15, 1940, in Sharon, a son of Dominic and Elizabeth "Betty" Kuhn Lapikas.
Due to his mother's untimely death, he was raised by his grandparents, Josephine and Simon Lapikas.
Mr. Lapikas attended Sharpsville schools.
He retired after 28 years of service in the 60-inch Cold Roll Department of the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant; and later worked in the maintenance department of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 103 in Sharon. Most recently, Mr. Lapikas was employed by Shenango Valley Community Library in Sharon.
He was an active member of the Elks Lodge 103, where he served as a tiler; and belonged to the Italian Home Club in Farrell.
Mr. Lapikas was fond of animals and especially loved his cats.
His wife, the former Margaret "Peg" Seech, whom he married July 25, 1959, survives at home.
He is also survived by: two daughters, Christine E. Davis and her husband Randy, Lowell, Ind.; and Cindy A. Stefanak, Farrell, and her companion, Chuck Farley; and one son, Ken J. Lapikas and his wife Pauline, Jefferson Township.
Mr. Lapikas also leaves four grandchildren, Nicole and Andrew Lapikas; and Jacqulyn and Jessica Davis.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 247 S. Oakland Ave.; or Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 103, both Sharon 16146.
LAPIKAS
William "Bill" J., 61, of 910 Waverly Ave., Hermitage.
Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (10-9-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Memorial service at 7 p.m. by Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 103, Sharon. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (10-10-01) in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. William Calabrese, parochial vicar of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, officiating.
Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.
Orlando N. 'Art' DeSalvo
Orlando N. "Art" DeSalvo, 16 S. Ninth St., Sharpsville, died at 5 a.m. today (10-8-01) in his home. He was 84.
Obituary information was incomplete.
DeSALVO
Orlando N. "Art," 84, of 16 Ninth St., Sharpsville.
Arrangements will be announced by STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville.
Joseph W. Grodecki
Decorated WWII vet worked at WE, coached basketball
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday for Joseph W. Grodecki, Hermitage, formerly of Sherman Avenue in Sharon. He passed away unexpectedly at 9:34 a.m. Saturday (10-6-01) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following a brief illness. He was 75.
Mr. Grodecki was born March 19, 1926, in Pittsburgh, a son of Anthony and Selma Gratkowski Grodecki.
He was an alumnus of the Class of 1944 at Hickory High School in Hermitage.
Mr. Grodecki was employed by the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp., and belonged to the International Union of Electrical Workers.
He also belonged to St. Joseph's Church; and Slovenian Workingmen's Educational Club, both Sharon.
Mr. Grodecki coached the fifth and sixth grade intramural basketball team at St. Joseph's School in Sharon, including the 1964-65 championship season.
At one time, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed gardening.
He was also an Atlanta Braves fan and loved the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During World War II, Mr. Grodecki served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Crevalle and the USS Lacerta positioned in the Asiatic Pacific theater of operations. A decorated war veteran, he received American and Pacific Theater ribbons.
His second wife, the former Rozella Palumbo, whom he married Jan. 12, 1957, passed away April 14, 1993.
Mr. Grodecki is survived by: a daughter, Patricia A. Dolan, Brookfield; a son, Joseph W. Grodecki Jr., Mesa, Ariz.; two stepsons, Vern D. Bialko, Masury; and Keith A. Bialko, Canonsburg, Pa.; one sister, Theresa Lutz and her husband Joseph, Sharpsville; two brothers, Anthony and his wife Dee, Hermitage; and Leonard Grodecki and his wife Donna, Sharpsville; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Besides his second wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
In light of the recent American crisis, the family requests memorial contributions be made to American Red Cross, 247 S. Oakland Ave., Sharon 16146.
GRODECKI
Joseph W., 75, Hermitage, formerly of Sherman Avenue, Sharon.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday (10-9-01) 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 1 p.m. Wednesday (10-10-01) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with Monsignor William C. Karg, retired priest-in-residence at St. Stephen's Church, Oil City, as celebrant. Brief prayer service at 12:15 p.m. in the funeral home.
Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery, Hermitage, with full military honors by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex; and American Legion Post 432, Wheatland.
Arthur F. Davis
Sharon Steel retiree formerly of W. Middlesex was Mason
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Pa. -- Arthur F. Davis, Box 2113, Dushore, Pa., formerly of 752 Wheatland Road, West Middlesex, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, in Memorial Hospital, Towanda, after a short illness. He was 85.
Mr. Davis was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Farrell to Arthur Thomas and Sarah Kilgore Davis.
He retired in 1978 after 23 years from the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant, where he was a rigger.
Mr. Davis was a member of Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex; Free and Accepted Masons Kedron Lodge 389, West Middlesex; and Scottish Rites New Castle Consistory.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Elizabeth "Betty" Davis, whom he married June 20, 1955, at home; a daughter, Beverly Diane, wife of Fred Schaeffer, Cambridge Springs; three sons, Arthur T. Davis, Crystal Springs, Fla.; Dr. George Vermeire, Oreland, Pa.; and Dr. Calvin L. "Bud" Vermeire, Laporte, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Kerins; and a brother, Durwood Burt Davis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex, 3818 Main St., West Middlesex 16159.
DAVIS
Arthur F., 85, Dushore, Pa., formerly of 752 Wheatland Road, West Middlesex.
Calling hours: 7 to 9 p.m. today (10-8-01) in W. WAYNE CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex. Masonic service at 9 p.m.
Service: Funeral and committal service at 11 a.m. Tuesday (10-9-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. James Leuenberger, pastor of The Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex, officiating.
Burial: Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex.
Adam Wayne Clapper
Former local man lived in Ohio, was active in church
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Adam Wayne Clapper, Gahanna, Ohio, formerly of the Shenango Valley, died Saturday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2001, in Ohio State University Hospital. He was 29.
Mr. Clapper was born Sept. 29, 1972, in Columbia, South America. He was reared by Galen W. and Alice Adams Clapper.
A United States Air Force veteran, Mr. Clapper was employed as a telecommunications engineer with Quest Communications, Columbus.
He attended Karl Road Baptist Church, where he was active in many church activities and participated in athletics at the church, as well as in his local community.
Mr. Clapper was a generous, loving friend and father who loved the Lord.
Surviving are: his daughter, Kalli Nicole Eberhart Clapper, Sharon area; his mother, New Castle area; sisters and brothers; his Grandmother Adams, Pennsylvania; and many relatives and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Donations may be made in Adam's memory to the Marcy Zitron Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc., 6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 76, Columbus, Ohio 43229.
CLAPPER
Adam Wayne, 29, Gahanna, Ohio, formerly of the Shenango Valley.
Calling hours: 10 a.m. to time of service Tuesday (10-9-01) in RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, WORTHINGTON (Ohio) CHAPEL, 515 High St., Worthington.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.
Burial: Kingwood Memorial Park, Lewis Center, Ohio.
Alice K. Cochran
Obituary was published 10-6-01
Mrs. Cochran was born March 28, 1910 in Rocky Grove to John Clyde Kelly and Clarrissa Jolly Kelly. An incorrect surname for her father was given to The Herald.
Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Cochran was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles, James, Harold and Ira Kelly.
The Herald omitted the name of a brother.
The following obituary is being reprinted from Sunday to correct information given to The Herald.
John T. McGinnis
Purple Heart recipient worked for HUD for 25 years
John T. McGinnis, 310 Rexford Drive, Apartment 7, Hermitage, died at 1:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 77.
He was born Feb. 13, 1924, in Butler to John T. and Lillian McKee McGinnis.
Mr. McGinnis served in the Army during World War II as a sergeant and received the Purple Heart.
He was employed by the federal government for 25 years as an inspector for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C.
Mr. McGinnis was a member of the Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage.
He also belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars Hickory Post 6166 in Hermitage and was an avid NASCAR fan.
His first wife, Gilda A. Capriotti, is deceased.
Surviving are: his second wife, Emilia Anaya McGinnis, whom he married March 24, 1988, at home; three daughters, Michele Kloth and her husband Doug, New Berlin, Wis.; Patti Haggerty and her husband James, Encinitis, Calif.; and Erin Haley and her husband Dave, Rochester, Minn.; one son, John E. McGinnis and his wife, Paula, Dallas; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Clarence and Roy McGinnis; and Blaine McKee.
Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Notre Dame Fund, 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage 16148.
McGINNIS
John T., 77, of 310 Rexford Drive, Apartment 7, Hermitage.
Calling Hours: 3 to 5 p.m. today (10-8-01) in DONALDSON-MOHNEY FUNERAL HOME, 124 Main St., Sharpsville.
Service: Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Tuesday (10-9-01) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Monsignor John B. Haggerty, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage, with full military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Hickory Post 6166, Hermitage.
PREVIOUS DEATHS
Look in past days' obituary files to find the full obituaries
LEWIS
Mrs. Henry (Mamie Lee), 90, Coolspring Township, formerly of Farrell and Sharon.
Obituary was published 10-5-01
Calling hours: Noon to time of service today (10-8-01) in First Baptist Church, Darr Avenue and French Street, Farrell. Memorial rites at 11:30 a.m. by Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliation Miriam Chapter 47, Farrell. Friends may also call in the home of Annie B. Hughes, deceased's daughter, 204 Florida St., Farrell. Condolences may be sent by fax at (724) 347-1917 or by e-mail to shannonfhltd@netscape.net
Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. today in the church, with the Rev. Lowell T. Williams, pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Youngstown, officiating.
Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
Arrangements by WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland.
WAYNE
Mrs. Noel (Helen L. Simon) 81, of 269 Meadowbrook Road, Hermitage.
Obituary was published 10-7-01
Calling hours: Were 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. today (10-08-01) in HAROLD W. STEVENSON FUNERAL HOME, 264 E. State St., Sharon. Procession will leave funeral home at 10:40 a.m.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. today in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with Rev. William Calabrese, as celebrant.
Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
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