The Herald, Sharon, PA



Local news Friday, Nov. 16, 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

  • Rosario Costa, 81, of 701 Crowder Ave., Sharon.
  • Marcella E. "Connie" Grimm, 66, of 3192 N. Park Ave. Ext., Warren, Ohio.
  • John Sember, 73, of 797 Hartford Road, South Pymatuning Township.


Today's obituaries
William R. Ruffo Sr.
Midget grid league organizer formerly worked at GATX

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday for William R. Ruffo Sr. of 1326 Wakefield Drive in Hermitage. He passed away peacefully at 12:10 a.m. Thursday (11-15-01) in his residence following an extended illness. He was 71.

Mr. Ruffo was born on March 4, 1930, in Sharon, a son of Anthony and Mary Barretta Ruffo.

He was a 1948 alumnus of Sharon High School, where he was a four-year standout letterman in football. In his senior year, he was captain of the varsity team.

He was employed by General American Transportation Corp.'s former Masury plant for more than 20 years. He had also worked for the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. as a coil winder for 10 years.

Mr. Ruffo was instrumental in forming the Shenango Valley Midget Football League in the early 1960s. He was a football and basketball referee for both the Pennsylvania Interscholastic and the Ohio High School Athletic associations.

He served with the United States Navy from 1948-50, and later served as a United States reservist.

At one time, Mr. Ruffo enjoyed both hunting and golfing, but most recently loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities.

He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7599 in Reynolds.

His wife, the former Patricia M. Green, whom he married Oct. 21, 1950, survives at home.

Also surviving are: five sons, William R. Ruffo Jr., Sharpsville; David P. Ruffo and his wife Jan, Culpepper, Va.; Terry E. Ruffo and his wife Amy, Grove City; Timothy J. Ruffo, Hermitage; and Christopher M. Ruffo and his wife Wendy, Sharpsville; two sisters, Mrs. Lloyd (Eleanor) Ross, Sharon; and Mrs. Frank (Delores) Kompas, Sharpsville; 10 grandchildren, Lana and Chelsea Ruffo; David, Danielle and Jimmy Ruffo; Anthony and Kami Ruffo; and Tim, Sam and Jake Ruffo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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

RUFFO
    
William R. Sr., 71, of 1326 Wakefield Drive, Hermitage.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (11-16-01) 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 11 a.m. Saturday (11-17-01) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Monsignor John B. Hagerty, pastor, as celebrant. Brief prayer service at 10:15 a.m. in the funeral home prior to leaving for the church.
    Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.


Rosario Costa

Sharon Steel retiree served in Italian Army in WWII

Rosario Costa, 701 Crowder Ave., Sharon, died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, in his residence of natural causes. He was 81.

Mr. Costa was born Feb. 1, 1920, in Sicily, Italy, to Carmel and Paulina Toma Costa.

He immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island and settled in Farrell in 1951.

A World War II veteran, Mr. Costa served in the Italian Army.

He retired after 30 years of working in various positions at the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant.

Mr. Costa was a Catholic and a member of the Italian Home Club in Farrell.

He loved to garden and enjoyed going out to dinner with his caregiver, Helen Shafer, who survives in Farrell.

His wife, the former Lena Vasconi, preceded him in death.

Besides his wife, Mr. Costa was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Josephine; and a brother, Pavolino "Paul" Costa.

COSTA
    
Rosario, 81, of 701 Crowder Ave., Sharon.
    Calling hours: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday (11-18-01) in STEPHEN J. SHERMAN FUNERAL HOME, 2201 Highland Road, Hermitage.
    Service: Funeral service at 9 a.m. Monday (11-19-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. John R. Boeckman, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Farrell, officiating.
    Burial: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.


John Sember

John Sember, 797 Hartford Road, South Pymatuning Township, died at 6:47 p.m. Thursday (11-15-01) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 73.

Obituary information was incomplete.

SEMBER
    John, 73, of 797 Hartford Road, South Pymatuning Township.
    Arrangements will be announced by DONALDSON-MOHNEY FUNERAL HOME, 124 Main St., Sharpsville.


Marcella E. 'Connie' Grimm

'54 Brookfield grad, Packard retiree had brother in Farrell

WARREN, Ohio -- Marcella E. "Connie" Grimm, 3192 N. Park Ave. Ext., Warren, died of cancer at 7:11 p.m. Tuesday (11-13-01) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 66.

Mrs. Grimm was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Sharon to Phillip Conti Sr. and Ralphella Manzi Conti.

The 1954 graduate of Brookfield High School had attended Youngs-town Business College. She came to Warren in 1963.

Mrs. Grimm retired in 1997 from Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Warren, after 41 years as an inspector.

She belonged to St. William's Church, Champion, Ohio; and had been involved in numerous charitable fund-raisers.

Mrs. Grimm enjoyed cooking, traveling, country western music and shopping.

Surviving are: her husband, Richard C. Grimm, whom she married June 8, 1963; two sons, Richard C. Grimm II and Timothy J. Grimm, both Cortland; three brothers, Donald Conti, Farrell; and Ralph Conti and Phillip Conti Jr., both Canfield; a sister, Anne Curtin, Hubbard; and two grandchildren.

Her parents; two brothers, Thomas and David Conti; and a sister, Marcellina Conti, preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. William's Church, 5411 Mahoning N.W., Warren 44483.

GRIMM
    
Mrs. Richard C. (Marcella E. "Connie"), 66, of 3192 N. Park Ave. Ext., Warren, Ohio.
    Calling hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday (11-18-01) in PETER ROSSI & SON MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1884 North Road N.E., Warren, and 9 a.m. to time of service Monday (11-19-01) in St. William's Church, 5411 Mahoning N.W., Warren.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Monday (11-19-01) in the church with the Rev. Michael Smar, pastor, as celebrant.


Catherine Mazyck

Farrell woman was active in Bethlehem Baptist Church

A funeral service will be held Monday for Catherine Mazyck, 1010 Beechwood Ave., Farrell. She died at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday (11-14-01) in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh.

Mrs. Mazyck was born Nov. 17, 1931, in Yatesville, Ga., to Grant Edge and Elnore Calhoun Edge.

As a 25-year member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sharon, she belonged to the church Spiritual Counsel, the Mothers Board and the Deaconess Board. Mrs. Mazyck was also a former member of the church Usher Board and Youth Department.

Her husband, Edward N. Mazyck, whom she married July 19, 1954, died Oct. 18, 1992.

Surviving are: two daughters, Rachine Mazyck and Peggy L. Mazyck, both Sharon; three sons, Billy Mazyck and Kenneth N. Mazyck, both Farrell; and Timothy L. Mazyck, Howland, Ohio; three sisters, Lorene Shaffer, Dayton, Ohio; Josephine Funny and Betty Brown, both Summerville, S.C.; two brothers, Curtis Edge, Summerville; and Larry Edge, Waterboro, S.C.; and six grandchildren.

She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Mazyck was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Cynthia Mazyck; and a brother, Douglas Edge.

MAZYCK
    
Mrs. Edward N. (Catherine), 1010 Beechwood Ave., Farrell.
    Calling hours: 10 a.m. to time of service Monday (11-19-01) in Bethlehem Baptist Church, Sharon.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday in the church, with the Rev. Leon Avery Jr., pastor, officiating.
    Burial: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.
    Arrangements by J.E. WASHINGTON FUNERAL SERVICES Inc., 1059 Hamilton Ave., Farrell.


Phyllis A. Herbick

WE retiree aided Red Cross, served in First Presbyterian

Funeral service will be Monday for Phyllis A. Herbick, 1966 Rettig Drive, Hermitage. She died at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 74.

Mrs. Herbick was born July 6, 1927, in Sharon to Clarence W. and Hazel Mangold Wick.

The 1945 graduate of Sharon High School retired in 1982 after 37 years of service to Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. as a service analyst.

Mrs. Herbick served as an elder and deaconess at First Presbyterian Church, Sharon, where she was an active member for 62 years. She also was a Sunday school teacher for many years and a dedicated bazaar worker.

She and her second husband, Andrew Herbick, whom she married in 1984, were active with the American Red Cross and its blood drives throughout the Shenango Valley.

Surviving besides her husband Andrew are: three stepdaughters, Mrs. Robert (Elise) Flowers, Bethel Park; Mrs. Dennis (Teresita) Urig, Sheffield, Ohio; and Diana Przybylowitz, Lorain, Ohio; seven stepsons, Mark Herbick, Sharon; Dr. William Herbick, Johnstown, Pa.; Terrence Herbick, Bridgeville, Pa.; David Herbick, Chevy Chase, Md.; Aaron Herbick, Cranberry Township, Butler County; and Ralph V. and Charles M. Diaz, Lorain; and 19 grandchildren.

Her first husband, Raphael Diaz, whom she married in 1979, died in 1981. She also was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St., Sharon 16146.

HERBICK
    
Mrs. Andrew (Phyllis A.), 74, of 1966 Rettig Drive, Hermitage.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (11-18-01) 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: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday (11-19-01) in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Glenn Hink, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Sharon, officiating.
    Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


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


KRVAR
    
Mrs. George (Jean I.), 76, of 39 Cathedral Drive, Farrell, formerly of Fredonia.
    Obituary was published 11-15-01
    Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today (11-16-01) 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: Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (11-17-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. John R. Bailey, pastor of New Life Baptist Church, New Wilmington, officiating.
    Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.


TURJAN
    
Mrs. Paul C. (Frances) Sr., 92, of 3453 Sample Road, Hermitage.
    Obituary was published 11-15-01
    Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today (11-16-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Wake service at 7 p.m. Friends may also e-mail condolences to: McGonigleFuneral Home@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday (11-17-01) in Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Hermitage, with the Rev. David G. Subu, pastor, officiating.
    Interment: St. John's Cemetery, Hermitage.


WELTON
    
Mrs. Hugh E. (Mary Jean Campbell), 75, of 58 Daugherty Road, Pine Township.
    Obituary was published 11-14-01
    Calling hours: 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (11-16-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (11-17-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. David L. Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Grove City, officiating.
    Interment: Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township.



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