Local news
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
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.
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Today's death record
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Today's obituaries Frank Jacob White Sharon Steel retiree served in WWII, church, K. of C. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday for Frank Jacob White of 1104 Negley St., Farrell. He passed away at 7:02 a.m. Monday (4-15-02) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 79. Mr. White was born July 25, 1922, in Farrell, the son of Esquilio and Tomasina Fazio Bianco. After graduating from the Greenfield School in Mercer County, he attended the Shenango Campus of Pennsylvania State University, Sharon. Frank began his working years with the Frank Martuccio Co. in Farrell, where he was a truck driver. He later worked in Grove City for Cooper Bessemer. Later he was employed by Copperweld in Warren, Ohio, as well as for the City of Farrell as an equipment operator. The majority of Mr. White's working years were spent in the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant, where he was a blacksmith for 37½ years. He was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell. He belonged to their Holy Name Society, which selected him as their 1998 Holy Name Man of the Year. He also was a member and past president of the church's Bethany Club and was an usher for many years. Some of his memberships included Knights of Columbus Farrell Council 4003, where he currently was the Grand Knight. He also belonged to the fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus Sharon Assembly 960, where he served as Past Faithful Navigator. He belonged to United Steel Workers Union Retirees Local 1197, Sharon; and Farrell Auxiliary Police of Civil Defense. At one time, Mr. White was a member and past president of the Pargny Elementary School Parent Teachers Association in Farrell. He also was a Boy Scout Committee chairman of Troop 27 in Farrell. He was a life member of the Italian Home in Farrell and its Christopher Columbus Society. Frank served with the U.S. Army in Company F, 101st Cavalry Reconnaissance in the European Theater of operation during World War II. He was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, Farrell. He also was past member of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Camp Hunts Run, Cameron, Pa. Some of his hobbies included woodworking, fishing, metalworking, cooking and baking. His wife, the former Josephine Funair, whom he married June 28, 1947, in St. Anthony's Church in Walston, Pa., survives in St. Mary's Home in Erie. Also surviving are: his four daughters, Sister Mary Ann White, Sister of St. Joseph, of Erie; Mrs. Thomas (Tomasina) White-Shaw of Allegany, N.Y.; Mrs. Dennis (Darlene) White-Natale of Middlesex Township, Butler County; and Mrs. Mark (Patrice) Granatosky of Groton, Conn. He also leaves six grandchildren, Mary Alice Shaw Buffington; Christopher M., Elizabeth Ann and Jonathon White Natale; and Eve and Joseph Granatosky. He also leaves three great-grandchildren, Tyler L., Taylor J. and Tucker S. Buffington. He was preceded in death by his son, Frank G. White; his three sisters; and five brothers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Frank J. White Memorial Scholarship through the funeral home.
WHITE James J. Kunes Jr. Westinghouse retiree, WWII vet had lived in Hermitage BUENA VISTA, Colo. -- James J. Kunes Jr., 30870 County Road 356, Buena Vista, formerly of Hermitage, died at 11:37 p.m. April 12, 2002, in his residence. He was 77. Mr. Kunes was born Aug. 23, 1924, in Chicago to James J. Kunes Sr. and Sylvia Jandacek Kunes. The alumnus of Prentice (Wis.) High School received his bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater of operations. Mr. Kunes retired in 1982 with 34 years of service from Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp., where he was an electrical engineer. He was a former member of Hickory United Methodist Church, Hermitage. Surviving are: his wife, Lucille R. Kunes, whom he married May 25, 1947; one daughter, Mrs. Rick (Barbara) Jones, Seoul, South Korea; one sister, Lillian Dickinson, Ogema, Wis.; and one grandson, Nathan Jones, Buena Vista. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Glennis Mae Kunes; and a brother, Albert Kunes.
KUNES Marybelle I. Blair Homemaker born in Transfer belonged to Brookfield U.M. WARREN, Ohio -- Marybelle I. Blair of Gillette Nursing Home in Warren, formerly of Syme Street, Masury, died at 5 a.m. Sunday (4-14-02) in St. Joseph's Health Center. She was 95. Mrs. Blair was born Sept. 18, 1906, in Transfer to George and Anna Bartholomew Bloss. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Blair was a member of Brookfield United Methodist Church; Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 518; and the Daughters Club, both Hartford; and Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem Shrine 8, Sharon. Her husband, Evan Blair, whom she married in 1926, died in 1980. Mrs. Blair is survived by four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Richard Blair; a daughter, Maxine Barhoover; and a brother, Fred Bloss. Memorial contributions may be made to Richard Blair Scholarship Fund in care of McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave., McDonald, OH 44437.
BLAIR Frederick P. Hughes Insurance business retiree was active in church, politics Frederick P. Hughes of Farrell Terrace, Farrell, passed away at 2:05 p.m. Monday (4-15-02) in the home of his son in Girard, Ohio. He was 74. Mr. Hughes was born April 9, 1928, in Sharon, a son of Fred Koerber and Mary Ann King Koerber. A 1946 alumnus of Sharon High School, he retired in 1983 after more than 25 years as a staff manager for National Life Insurance Co., Sharon. Mr. Hughes was also an instructor for insurance agents in the Shenango Valley. He previously worked for the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant. He was an active member of St. Anthony's Church in Sharon, where he served as financial director and was the church sexton of its cemetery, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hermitage. He was a former member of the Farrell Kiwanis Club and belonged to American Legion Post 160, Farrell. Active in politics, Mr. Hughes served as treasurer for a number of candidates. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force for six years with the rank of sergeant in the South Pacific. His wife, the former Carmel Mae "Dolly" Palmer, whom he married Sept. 8, 1951, died Dec. 15, 1993. Surviving are: two sons, Patrick A. Hughes and his wife Rebecca, Austintown, Ohio; and Mark F. Hughes and his wife Connie, Girard; a special friend, Mary Ann Bonani, Hermitage; a sister, Effie Chapman, Campbell, Ohio; and three grandchildren, Stacy, Kelly and Chad Hughes. Besides his wife, Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by his parents; his adoptive father, Arthur Hughes; and one brother, Arthur Hughes Jr. Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Regional Health System's Hospice Home Care, 490 N. Kerrwood Drive, Suite 204, Hermitage 16148; or the Chapel Fund of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in care of St. Anthony's Church, 804 Idaho St., Sharon 16146.
HUGHES Michael 'Mick' James Pelles Vietnam veteran worked at Vanity Fair, CB&I, Trinity Michael "Mick" James Pelles, 1185 S. Keel Ridge Road, Hermitage, died at 11 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2002, in UPMC Montefiore, Pittsburgh, of cancer. He was 52. Mr. Pelles was born Jan. 1, 1950, in Sharon to Michael and Marguerite Swartz Pelles. He was a warehouseman for eight years for Vanity Fair at the Prime Outlets of Grove City, Springfield Township. Mr. Pelles previously worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron's former Hempfield Township plant; and Trinity Industries-Greenville Rail Car Division, where he was a welder for 18 years. He was a member of Unity Presbyterian Church in Lackwannock Township. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Pelles served from 1969-72 during the Vietnam conflict. Surviving are: a sister, Claudia, wife of William Mehocic, Bessemer, Lawrence County; a brother, Daniel Pelles and his wife Marilyn, Hermitage; three nieces, Marguerite Holliday; and Jennifer and April Eppinger; and two nephews, Donald and Daniel Holliday. Mr. Pelles was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents.
PELLES Ann Sember Sewall Ann Sember Sewall, 65 Hermitage Hills Blvd., Hermitage, died at 1:35 p.m. Monday (4-15-02) in St. Paul Homes, West Salem Township. She was 76. Obituary information was incomplete.
SEWALL Isabelle Hazel Glancy Former Masury scrap yard owner had 72 survivors A funeral service will be held Friday for Isabelle Hazel Glancy, 4175 Brockway Sharon Road, Burghill, formerly of 8165 Lorain St., Masury, and Hungry Horse, Mont. She passed away early Monday morning (4-15-02) in her home. She was 88. Mrs. Glancy was born July 19, 1913, in Akron to William Tracy and Bertha Dillinger Tracy. She attended schools in Masury, including eight years in Addison School. With her husband, she owned and operated a scrap yard on Davis Street in Masury. Mrs. Glancy also had a grocery store in Masury during World War II. She was a former member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 327, Sharon. Mrs. Glancy enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards and playing bingo. Her husband, Earl Glancy, whom she married Sept. 9, 1936, died Jan. 23, 1970. Surviving are: one daughter, Linda Brager, wife of Donald, Kalispell, Mont.; a son, Roy Coonce and his wife Marion, Burghill, with whom she lived; a sister, Florence Phillips, Brookfield; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, Mrs. Glancy was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Eleanor Golub; and nine brothers and sisters.
GLANCY Patricia Zeitler Patricia Zeitler, 356 Ellsworth St., Sharon, died at 11:45 a.m. Monday (4-15-02) in the home of her daughter in Fairfield, Conn. She was 69. Obituary information was incomplete.
ZEITLER Andrew Ratvasky Andrew Ratvasky, 1179 Idaho St. Extension, Sharon, died at 6:25 p.m. Monday (4-15-02) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 81. Obituary information was incomplete.
RATVASKY Robert 'Bob' M. Murrell WE retiree was active in church, community, GOP A funeral Mass will be held Friday for Robert "Bob" M. Murrell, 801 Lillian Drive, Hermitage. He passed away at 7:10 a.m. Monday (4-15-02) in UPMC Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was 84. He was born March 8, 1918, in Pigua, Ohio, to the late Charles Thomas and Ella Howard Murrell. He attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and graduated in 1936 from Sharon High School. An active member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, he was a member of the trustees and served on the executive committee. He was also a past chairman and instructor of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program at the church and was an alternate delegate of the Erie Diocese CCD. Bob was a leader in the religious discussion group at the church and was a past president of the Villa Maria High School Parents Club. Bob was chairman of the Hickory Community Affairs Committee through the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was also involved with the Shenango Valley Community Council and was a past secretary of the Hickory Township Civil Service Commission. He was a former member of the chamber board and was a co-leader of the Shenango Valley Adult Discussion Group. He was an instructor for the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce Class in Practical Politics and was a former secretary for Service Clubs of the Shenango Valley Bowling League. He was publicity chairman of the Mercer County Republican Committee. He was a member of the Elks National Foundation and a former vice president of the Mercer County Safety Council. He was also a member of the Sharon Westinghouse Retirees and Veteran's Association. He was a past member of the Shenango Valley Jaycee's, receiving the Key Man award in 1954. Active in the Republican party, he was a past chairman. In 1950, he served as president of the Mercer County Young Republicans and was a past president of the Sharon Kiwanis Club. He was a past chairman of the Central Catholic Bus Committee and was instrumental in starting a bus system for the parochial schools in the Shenango Valley. He was an instructor at the former Farrell campus of what is Edinboro University. He was employed by the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corp., where he started as a welder and retired as manager of production control after more than 39 years of service. Following his retirement, he began working at Castle Stationary in New Castle and Hermitage for a number of years and later at Erie Paints, Hermitage. Bob was a veteran of the United States Navy Construction Battalion, serving from 1943 to 1946 during World War II in the South Pacific. He and his wife owned and operated the former Murrell Secretarial Service and Murrell Printing, Hermitage. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, reading, the theatre and listening to Rush Limbaugh. Bob was a member of the Sharon American Legion Post 299, where he was recently honored as the oldest living past commander; and the Benevolent and Protected Order of the Elks Lodge 103. On June 14, 1941, he married the former Marie M. Madden in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon. She died Feb. 14, 2001. Surviving are: his two proud children, Ms. Margaret "Peggy" Murrell Brace, Edinboro; and Mr. Robert M. Murrell, Jr., Hermitage, and his former wife Patty; and three grandchildren, Abigaile, Jesse and Morgan Brace. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Aaron Brace; a sister, Genevieve Rosche; two half sisters, Adelaide McWhirter and Clara Knapp; and a half brother, Charles Edward Murrell.
MURRELL Richard 'Dick' J. Llewellyn Sharon Steel retiree was Corvette enthusiast Richard "Dick" J. Llewellyn of 465 S. Stateline Road, Sharon, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Monday, April 15, 2002, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after a brief illness. He was 68. Born April 8, 1934, in Sharon, Mr. Llewellyn was a son of the late Delmas and Nancy Campbell Llewellyn. Dick attended schools in Wheatland and Farrell and retired in 1982 from the cold roll department of the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant, after more than 30 years of service. The longtime member of the Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church was a member of Fraternal Order of Police, Sharon; and Sons of Italy Shenango Valley Lodge 875 in Sharon, where he participated in its bocce league. He was a Corvette enthusiast and enjoyed woodworking, gardening and canning. Mr. Llewellyn was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1953-1957. He loved spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, to whom he teasingly gave several nicknames. Survivors include: his wife, the former Margaret Jean Carroll, at home, whom he married Oct. 8, 1955; one daughter, Mrs. Randy (Faith Ann) Blatt, West Middlesex; two sons, Dan Llewellyn and his wife Sandy, Sharon; and Mark Llewellyn and his wife Gaye, Sharpsville; one sister, Mrs. Robert (Sally) Bogner, McDonald, Ohio; and seven grandchildren, Tyler and Brandon Blatt; and Ryan, Danielle, Marcus, Ross and Jacob Llewellyn. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
LLEWELLYN Kathleen M. Rissinger Decorated British WWII vet formerly lived in Hermitage BRYN MAWR, Pa. -- Kathleen M. Rissinger of the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown, Pa., formerly of Hermitage, died Thursday afternoon (4-11-02) in Bryn Mawr Hospital. She was 83. Mrs. Rissinger was born Sept. 21, 1918, in London to Alfred and Nellie Lawler Bush. During World War II, Kay served as a lieutenant in the Auxiliary Territorial Service of the British forces and dedicated herself to the defense of her beloved England and to the defeat of Hitler. In recognition of that service, Mrs. Rissinger was awarded the Certificate of Meritorious Service and Devotion to Duty. She was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh and was an avid Penn State football fan. Mrs. Rissinger enjoyed playing bridge, knitting and reading. She continues to be loved and cherished by her family, including her husband, John Rissinger; and her daughters, Patricia Almquist, Deborah Hirtle and Susan Tempest, to whom she dedicated her life. Mrs. Rissinger was blessed with four loving sons-in-law, Jan Ehrenwerth, Roger Almquist, Jonathan Hirtle and Douglas T. Tempest; and with nine wonderful grandchildren, Corey and Megan Ehrenwerth; Erik and David Almquist; Susan Kathleen, Diana and Katherine Clair Hirtle; and Kelly and Daniel Tempest. Her devoted sister, Pat Pickett, still lives in England. She was preceded into a better life by her daughter, Sally Ehrenwerth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Kathleen M. Rissinger to the Sally A. Ehrenwerth Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Box 9158, Boston, Mass. 02205.
RISSINGER Helen M. Baumgartner Good Shepherd member lived in Shenango Township Helen M. Baumgartner, 488 Pulaski Road, Shenango Township, died at 5 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2002, in UPMC Horizon, Farrell, after a short illness. She was 80. Mrs. Baumgartner was born June 27, 1921, in Sharon to Bernard Carbarry and Theresa Knapp Carbarry. She was a coil winder for five years with the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. Mrs. Baumgartner was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex. Surviving are: her husband, John Baumgartner Jr., whom she married April 15, 1950, at home; two daughters, Paulette Baumgartner, Shenango Township; and Mrs. Gary (Kathleen) Buskirk, Hermitage; two sons, Michael Smith and his wife, Irma, El Paso, Texas; and John D. Baumgartner and his wife, Marcia, West Middlesex; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Howsare Smith. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, 3613 Sharon Road, Box 226, West Middlesex 16159.
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