The Herald, Sharon, PA



Local news Wednesday, Dec. 12, 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

  • William L. Davis Jr., 51, of 1146½ Wallis Ave., Farrell.
  • Evadale Clara Spieker Fontana, 88, Coolspring Township.
  • Cindy Jo Twinkle Gill, 44, Greenville.
  • Stephen Richard Lukacs, 71, of 530 Butler Pike, Findley Township.


Today's obituaries
William L. Davis Jr.
William L. Davis Jr., 1146½ Wallis Ave., Farrell, died at 8:55 p.m. Monday (12-10-01) in University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He was 51.

Obituary information was incomplete.

DAVIS
    William L. Jr., 51, of 1146½ Wallis Ave., Farrell.
    Arrangements will be announced by WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland.


Cindy Jo Twinkle Gill

Greenville woman born in Maine was a Baptist

Cindy Jo Twinkle Gill, Greenville, died Monday morning, Dec. 10, 2001, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after an extended illness. She was 44.

Mrs. Gill was born Nov. 19, 1957, in Presque Isle, Maine, to Donald E. Keller and Avis R. Keller.

She was of the Baptist faith.

"Although you're gone, you will be with each of us forever. Rest in peace; your family loves you."

Mrs. Gill is survived by: her mother, Avis R. Clark, Greenville; her grandmother, Mable Heim, Stoneboro; a son, Donald E. Keller, Greenville; two daughters, Billie Jo Abbey Amon, Sharpsville; and Amanda Lee Amon, Sharon; a brother, Jeremy Youngtae Clark, Mercer; three sisters, Donna J. Subic, Mount Clemens, Mich.; Jodie S. Loosemore, Sharpsville; and Beverly A. Martin, Canada; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father.

GILL
    
Cindy Jo Twinkle, 44, Greenville.
    Calling hours: Noon to time of service Thursday (12-13-01) in ALEXANDER-McMULLEN FUNERAL HOME Inc., 3236 Main St., Sandy Lake.
    Service: Funeral service at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with the Rev. Tim Clark of Emmanuel Christian Church, New Vernon Township, officiating.
    Interment: Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.


Mary Goga

WE retiree was member of Holy Trinity Lutheran

A funeral service will be held Thursday for Mary Goga of 349 Mesabi St., Sharon. She passed away at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 83.

Born Oct. 30, 1918 in Sharon, Mary was a daughter of the late John Goga and Mary Grexa-Rokita Goga.

Mary attended schools in Sharon and retired in 1978 as a coil winder from the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp., after 40 years of service.

An active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hermitage, she was a former member of the church Dorcas Society. She also belonged to the Westinghouse Retirees Association and the Westinghouse Mixed Bowling League at Thornton Hall Lanes in Sharon.

Mary enjoyed flower gardening and her dog, Buffy.

Survivors include: one daughter, Mrs. Michael J. (Marlene) Santor, Poland, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph (Margaret "Peggy") Combine, Sharpsville; and Mrs. Lester (Ann) Racketa, Sharon; one brother, John A. Goga and his wife Carol, Sharpsville; two grandchildren, Mrs. Timothy (Stephanie A.) Kohlmeyer, Chicago; and Philip Paoletta, Pittsburgh; one great-grandson, John Paul Kohlmeyer; and one goddaughter, Mrs. Alan (Ruth) Porsch, Sharpsville.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by one brother, William D. Goga.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3325 Morefield Road, Hermitage 16148.


GOGA

    Mary, 83, of 349 Mesabi St., Sharon.
    Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. today (12-12-01) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage, with the Rev. Nancie Reeves, pastor, officiating.
    Interment: Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Hermitage.


Dorothy M. Moon Brainard Rice

Active Covenant Presbyterian member belonged to clubs

OBERLIN, Ohio -- A funeral service will be held Friday for Dorothy M. Moon Brainard Rice, Oberlin, formerly of 380 Rexford Drive, Hermitage. She died at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, in Welcome Nursing Home after an extended illness. She was 91.

Mrs. Rice was born April 2, 1910, in Sharon to Lewis E. and Mary S. Maxwell Moon.

A 1928 graduate of Sharon High School, in her younger years she worked for Reyer's Shoe Store and for the former Smith's and Davis Shoe stores, all Sharon.

Mrs. Rice was a member of Hermitage Woman's Club; Christian Women's Club; and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 242 in Sharon.

As a member for more than 50 years of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sharon, she was a former Sunday school teacher and a member of the Rho Sigma Sunday school class. Mrs. Rice also liked to lead Bible study groups in her home.

She enjoyed doing needlepoint.

Her first husband, George L. Brainard, died March 14, 1959. Her second husband, James Rexford Rice, whom she married Sept. 12, 1964, died April 3, 1983.

Surviving are: two daughters, Elaine C. Orr, wife of David, Oberlin; Sandra J. Lee, wife of Gary, Atlanta; a stepson, Jack Harrington, Warren, Pa.; a daughter-in-law, Jan Brainard, Indianapolis; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Besides her first and second husbands, Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by a son, Lewis R. Brainard, who died May 27 of this year; two sisters and five brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 263 E. State St., Sharon 16146.

RICE
    
Mrs. James Rexford (Dorothy M. Moon Brainard), 91, Oberlin, Ohio, formerly of 380 Rexford Drive, Hermitage.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in HAROLD W. STEVENSON FUNERAL HOME, 264 E. State St., Sharon.
    Service: Funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Friday (12-14-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Richard Herman, pastor, and the Rev. Joseph Hopkins, both Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sharon, officiating.
    Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


Evadale Clara Spieker Fontana

Ex-cook in Sandy Lake was nurse's aide in county home

Evadale Clara Spieker Fontana, Coolspring Township, died at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, in Woodland Place, Coolspring Township, after a brief illness. She was 88.

Mrs. Fontana was born June 30, 1913, in Hays, Pa., to August Henry and Clara Caroline Ertel Spieker.

She was employed as a cook at Steakhouse in Sandy Lake. Mrs. Fontana was also a nurse's aide at the former Mercer County Home.

She was a Protestant.

Her husband, John Baptist Fontana, whom she married Dec. 21, 1931, is deceased.

Surviving are: a daughter, Carolyn, wife of Jerry Phillippi, Mercer; a brother, Herman Spieker, Enon Valley, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Fontana was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Betty Lou Huff; a son, Peter Paul Fontana; two sisters, Zoetta Steinlechner and Alma Reagle; a brother, Clyde Spieker; a grandson, Peter Paul Fontana Jr.; and a granddaughter, Wanda Bentley.

FONTANA
    
Mrs. John Baptist (Evadale Clara Spieker), 88, Coolspring Township.
    Calling hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
    Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday (12-14-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Donald Ryland, pastor of Calvary Fellowship Chapel, Coolspring Township, officiating.
    Interment: Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester, Pa.


Stephen Richard Lukacs

Retired Sprint supervisor had worked at WE, Reznor

Stephen Richard Lukacs, 530 Butler Pike, Findley Township, died at 9:55 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, in UPMC Horizon, Greenville after a brief illness. He was 71.

Mr. Lukacs was born June 13, 1930, in Findley Township to Stephen and Nancy Hartt Lukacs.

He retired as a supervisor for Sprint. He previously worked for the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp.; Blacktown Telephone; and Reznor -- a unit of Thomas & Betts Corp., Mercer.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Lukacs was a member of American Legion Post 159; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6345, both Mercer.

He attended Trinity Presbyterian Church and belonged to the former Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1637, both Mercer.

Mr. Lukacs enjoyed gardening, lawn work, golfing, bowling and baseball.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Doris Stowe, whom he married Sept. 2, 1950, at the residence; four daughters, Vivian, wife of William Thompson, Sedro Wooley, Wash.; Pamela, wife of Richard Como, Grove City; Patricia, wife of Andrew Knause, Lancaster, Pa.; and Stephanie Bochy, Guys Mills; one son, Paul Lukacs, Duluth, Ga.; one brother, David Lukacs and his wife Shirley, Mercer; and 14 grandchildren.

Mr. Lukacs was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Larry Joseph Lukacs; two brothers, John and George Lukacs; and one sister, Helen Schell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 59 N. Crescent Drive, Hermitage 16148; or Mercer Area Library, 143 N. Pitt St., Mercer 16137.

LUKACS
    
Stephen Richard, 71, of 530 Butler Pike, Findley Township.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday (12-14-01) in the funeral home, with the Rev. William P. Crooks, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mercer, officiating.
    Interment: Carpenter Cemetery, Springfield Township.


Donald L. Snodgrass

Steel mill retiree, a Navy vet, was Greenville Elks member

Funeral service will be Thursday, (12-13-01) for Donald L. Snodgrass, 346 Hamburg Road, Hempfield Township. He died at 3 p.m. Monday (12-10-01) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville. He was 73.

Mr. Snodgrass was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Sharon to Stanley and Ethel Adams Snodgrass.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

Ms. Snodgrass retired in 1984 after more than 30 years as a millwright with U.S. Steel Corp., Youngstown.

He was a member of Benevolent and Protected Order of Elks Greenville Lodge 145; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3374, Hempfield Township.

The National Turkey Federation member was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Lena Barbarossa, whom he married Jan. 27, 1950; two daughters, Mrs. Rodney (Debbie) Chess and Mrs. Ronald (Cheryl) Swartz, both Greenville; a son, Wesley Snodgrass, Ormond Beach, Fla.; four sisters, Dorothy Snodgrass, June Snodgrass and Janet Hartley, all Greenville; and Janice Roberts, Atlantic; a brother, Wayne Snodgrass, Jamestown; and three grandchildren, Matthew and Kelly Swartz; and Shane Snodgrass.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Lyle, Dean, Edward, Verne and Everett Snodgrass; a sister, Jean Polley; and a nephew, Mark Roberts.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3168 E. State St., Hermitage 16148.

SNODGRASS
    
Donald L., 73, of 346 Hamburg Road, Hempfield Township.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-12-01) in LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 366-68 S. Main St., Greenville.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in the funeral home with Bill Snodgrass, his nephew, officiating.
    Burial: Committal service at Hadley Cemetery.

The following obituary is being reprinted to correct the maiden name of the deceased's mother given to The Herald, and The Herald's mispelling of the deceased's daughter's name.


Mary Annabelle Hewitt

Retired K-Mart personnel supervisor collected chickens

Mary Annabelle Hewitt of 93 Hewitt Road, West Middlesex, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family at 2:20 p.m. Sunday (12-9-01) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell, following a brief illness. She was 82.

Mary was born July 29, 1919, in Sharpsville to Bert and Martha Hilke Rummel.

She graduated from Sharpsville High School in 1937.

Mrs. Hewitt retired in 1989 after 35 faithful years of service as a regional personnel supervisor for K-Mart.

She was an avid collector of chickens of all kinds. She had articles written about her collection and put on programs for organizations, telling many interesting stories about her collection of chickens, too numerous to even count.

She was a wonderful, caring, giving and active person who enjoyed traveling. Her most recent trips were to Alaska with family and friends in June and to Minnesota with family in August.

She also enjoyed flea marketing, reading, playing cards with friends and playing bingo; baby-sitting her grandchildren, who gave her so much joy; and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Hewitt was a member of the West Middlesex Woman's Club; the Forget-Me-Not Garden Club; Endeavor Rebekah Lodge 367, Sharpsville; the Ladies Auxiliary unit of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233; and Degree of Honor Chapter 7, both West Middlesex; and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 156, Farrell.

She was also a lifetime member of the former Grace Reformed Church, Sharpsville.

Her husband, James LeRoy Hewitt, whom she married Aug. 16, 1940, preceded her in death on April 15, 1966.

Surviving are: two children, her son, William Roy Hewitt and his wife, Darlene, Tidioute, Pa.; and her daughter, Sandra Lee Hummel and her husband Terrence, West Middlesex; three brothers, Gilbert Lozier and his wife Virginia, New Wilmington; Donald Lozier and his wife Sara, East Sparta, Ohio; and Raymond Lozier and his wife Betty, Sharpsville.

Also surviving are: seven grandchildren, Mary Lou Kirk and her husband Shawn, Dale Hutchison, Danie Lynn Hewitt, Candace Wall, Billie Hewitt, Tamara Blanchard and Michelle Hewitt; and nine great-grandchildren, Billy McKee, Katlyn McKee, Heather Hutchison, Danielle Hutchison, Justin Hutchison, Jerod Hutchison, Arron Hutchison, Alexis Blanchard and Ashley Blanchard; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her very much.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Ezra Lozier; her brother, Blaine Rummel; and her sister, Dorothy Rummel Thompson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, 3524 W. 26th St., Erie 16506; the American Heart Association, 59 N. Crescent Drive, Hermitage 16148; or the March of Dimes.

HEWITT
    
Mrs. James LeRoy (Mary Annabelle), 82, of 93 Hewitt Road, West Middlesex.
    Calling hours: Were 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (12-11-01) and 10 a.m. to time of service today (12-12-01) in W. WAYNE CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex.


    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. today in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. John C. Kees, pastor of West Middlesex United Methodist Church, officiating.
    Burial: Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex.


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


BLACK
    
Mrs. Quincy Gordon (Florence Pearson), 95, of 600 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, N.C., formerly of Jackson Center.
    Obituary was published 12-11-01
    Calling hours: 10 a.m. to time of service Thursday (12-13-01) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
    Service: Funeral service at noon Thursday in the funeral home, with the Rev. William P. Crooks, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mercer, officiating.
    Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


FALLER
    
Mrs. Frank F. (Madge), 95, of 6867 Wood St., Brookfield.
    Obituary was published 12-11-01
    Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (12-12-01) in MADASZ FUNERAL HOME Inc., 6923 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (12-13-01) in the funeral home.
    Burial: Brookfield Township Cemetery.



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