The Herald, Sharon, PA

Local news Wednesday, May 15, 2002 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

  • Hilda S. Clark, 87, Boardman, Ohio, formerly of Woodside Drive, Hermitage.
  • Tina M. Darden, 86, of 117 Florida St., Farrell.
  • Rocco A. DelFratte, 72, of 18 S. 12th St., Sharpsville.
  • Diane Fiore-Popa, 42, of 1511 Cullinan Ave SE, Masury.
  • Virgil L. Hovis, 80, Garden Avenue, Grove City, formerly of Slippery Rock and Harrisville.
  • Emil G. Hudak, 87, New Castle, formerly of Shenango Boulevard, Farrell.
  • Florence E. Bancroft Guiler Kristyak, 90, of 3226 S. Main St., Sandy Lake.
  • John H. Magner Jr., 80, of 1 Eastwood Drive, Hempfield Township.
  • Regina Patterson, 28, of 678 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon.


Today's obituaries
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Virgil L. Hovis
Diane Fiore-Popa
Hilda S. Clark
Emil G. Hudak
John H. Magner Jr.
  Tina M. Darden
Florence E. Bancroft Guiler Kristyak
Regina Patterson
Rocco A. DelFratte
Emma F. Billioni

Virgil L. Hovis
Retired plumber, active in church, was league golfer

Virgil L. Hovis, Garden Avenue, Grove City, formerly of Slippery Rock and Harrisville, died at 12:41 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was 80.

Mr. Hovis was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Greenville to Clyde B. and Myrtle H. Martin Hovis.

He was a plumber for Renick Brothers of Slippery Rock, retiring in 1984.

As a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church in Harrisville, Mr. Hovis was a former trustee and served on various church committees.

He also belonged to Local 47 of Plumbers & Steamfitters union.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Hovis served during World War II and was a former member of American Legion Post 852 in Harrisville.

He was also a past member of various area golf leagues.

Surviving are: his wife, the former June K. Riddle, whom he married April 4, 1942, at the residence; a daughter, Connie L. Branch, Keller, Texas; three sons, Harvey L. Hovis, Millville, N.J.; Bruce E. Hovis, Smyrna, Del.; and David C. Hovis, Plain Grove, Lawrence County; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Ralph (Mable) Fritz, Sheakleyville.

Mr. Hovis was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Presbyterian Church, Box 406, Harrisville 16038.

HOVIS
    
Virgil L., 80, Garden Avenue, Grove City, formerly of Slippery Rock and Harrisville.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in JAMISON FUNERAL HOME, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday (5-17-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. John C. McElwain, pastor of Harmony Presbyterian Church, Harrisville, officiating.
    Burial: Prairie Cemetery, Harrisville.


Diane Fiore-Popa

Ohio psychologist, Masury woman was '78 Hickory grad

Diane Fiore-Popa of 1511 Cullinan Ave SE, Masury, died at 7:05 a.m. Monday (5-13-02) in her home. She was 42.

Mrs. Fiore-Popa was born April 7, 1960, in Sharon, a daughter of Jerry and Julia A. Kulka Martino.

A 1978 alumna of Hickory High School in Hermitage, Diane furthered her education by earning a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Thiel College in Greenville and a master of arts degree in psychology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

She was employed as a psychologist at Youngstown Developmental Center in Mineral Ridge, Ohio.

Diane attended Hubbard (Township) Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed singing and reading her Bible.

Survivors include: her husband, Robert C. Popa, whom she married June 9, 1994; and three children, Angela Marie Fiore, Daniel Paul Fiore and Abby Lorin Fiore-Miller, all at home; two stepchildren, Nicole R. Lawrence, Sharon; and Daniel R. Popa, Farrell; one brother, the Rev. Dr. David Martino, Winfield, Pa.; two sisters, Kathleen Bowers, Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and Carolyn Marino, Richmond Heights, Ohio; and one stepgranddaughter, Keirsten L. Lawrence.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Dominic Fiore.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hubbard (Township) Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive SE, Hubbard 44425.

FIORE-POPA
    
Diane, wife of Robert C. Popa, 42, of 1511 Cullinan Ave. SE, Masury.
    Calling hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday (5-16-02) and 10 a.m. to time of service Friday (5-17-02) in MADASZ FUNERAL HOME Inc., 6923 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, with the Rev. L. Frank Willoughby Jr., pastor of Hubbard (Township) Church of the Nazarene, officiating.
    Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


Hilda S. Clark

BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Hilda S. Clark, Boardman, formerly of Woodside Drive, Hermitage, died Tuesday morning (5-14-02) in Shepherd of the Valley skilled nursing center. She was 87.

Obituary information was incomplete.

CLARK
    Hilda S., 87, Boardman, Ohio, formerly of Woodside Drive, Hermitage.
    Arrangements will be announced by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE MEMORIAL HOME Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.


Emil G. Hudak

NEW CASTLE -- Emil G. Hudak, formerly of Shenango Boulevard, Farrell, died at 7:15 a.m. today (5-15-02) in St. Francis Skilled Nursing Center. He was 87.

Obituary information was incomplete.

HUDAK
    Emil G., 87, formerly of Shenango Boulevard, Farrell.
    Arrangements will be announced by JOHN A. PALISIN FUNERAL HOME, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage.


John H. Magner Jr.

John H. Magner Jr., 1 Eastwood Drive, Hempfield Township, died at 8:44 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon, Greenville, after an apparent heart attack. He was 80.

Obituary information was incomplete.

MAGNER
    John H. Jr., 80, of 1 Eastwood Drive, Hempfield Township.
    Arrangements will be announced by LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 366-68 S. Main St., Greenville.


Tina M. Darden

Tina M. Darden, 117 Florida St., Farrell, died at 10:33 p.m. Monday (5-13-02) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 86.

Obituary information was incomplete.

DARDEN
    Tina M., 86, of 117 Florida St., Farrell.
    Arrangements will be announced by WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland.


Florence E. Bancroft Guiler Kristyak

Sandy Lake homemaker was published jingles writer

Florence E. Bancroft Guiler Kristyak of 3226 S. Main St., Sandy Lake, died at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in her home after a period of failing health. She was 90.

Mrs. Kristyak was born April 6, 1912, in Farrell to John T. and Winifred J. Egan Bancroft.

She attended parochial schools in Farrell and, in her earlier years, worked for what is now Reznor -- a unit of Thomas & Betts Corp., Mercer.

A homemaker, Mrs. Kristyak loved to garden and was an avid reader. She enjoyed writing and was published for jingles she had written.

Mrs. Kristyak was of the Catholic faith and was a member of Northeast Mercer County Democrat Club, where she served as publicity director.

Her first husband, John M. Guiler, preceded her in death in 1934. She married Matthew N. Kristyak on Sept. 4, 1943. He preceded her in death Feb. 1, 1998.

Survivors include: two daughters, Fay M. Hartsfield, Copperas Cove, Texas; and Sharon E. Boughner, Cochranton; one son, Charles J. Guiler and his wife Hazel, Mercer; one brother, William Bancroft, Sharon; six grandchildren, Nancy Corbett, Teresa Horchler, Susan McCandless and Mark Guiler, all Mercer; and John Hartsfield and Ronda Hartsfield, both Copperas Cove; and 11 great-grandchildren, Josh, Allison and Derek McCandless; Dane and Collin Corbett; Zachary and Ethan Horchler; and Nicholas and Nate Guiler, all Mercer; and Eric and Shane Michael Hartsfield, both Copperas Cove.

Besides her first and second husbands, Mrs. Kristyak was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Hunter and Mary Bancroft; three brothers, Thomas and Kenneth Bancroft; and Edward Bancroft, who died in the Korean conflict; and two aunts, Catherine Bahen and Marie Sweeney.

Memorial contributions may be made to Crawford County Hospice, 448 Pine St., Meadville 16335.

KRISTYAK
    
Mrs. Matthew N. (Florence E. Bancroft Guiler), 90, of 3226 S. Main St., Sandy Lake.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in SCOTT A. BLACK FUNERAL HOME, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday (5-17-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. LaMounte Sayers, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Cochranton, officiating.
    Interment: With committal service in Find-ley Township Cemetery.


Regina Patterson

Regina Patterson, 678 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, died unexpectedly at noon Tuesday (5-14-02) in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 28.

Obituary information was incomplete.

PATTERSON
    Regina, 28, of 678 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon.
    Arrangements will be announced by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.


Rocco A. DelFratte

Ex-Sharpsville police chief was Korean War Army vet

Rocco A. DelFratte, 18 S. 12th St., Sharpsville, died at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System after an extended illness. He was 72.

Mr. DelFratte was born Oct. 15, 1929, in Sharpsville to Joseph and Sylvia DeAngelis DelFratte.

He was a police officer in Sharpsville for 32 years, having served 10 years as police chief.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. DelFratte served as a staff sergeant during the Korean conflict and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6404; and American Legion Post 162, both Sharpsville; and Mercer County unit of Disabled American Veterans.

As a member of St. Bartholomew's Church in Sharpsville, he belonged to the Holy Name Society.

Mr. DelFratte was also a member of Mercer County and Northwest Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police associations; Ducks Unlimited; Sharpsville Booster Club; Sharpsville Beagle Club; and Sharpsville Volunteer Fire Department.

He was an avid hunter and bowler.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Theresa Iorio, whom he married May 16, 1953, at home; a daughter, Carol DelFratte, Liberty Township, Trumbull County; a son, Thomas DelFratte and his wife Mimi, Erie; three stepgrandchildren, Paul, Chrissy and Stephen; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Eddie and Lucas; two sisters, Mary Peto, Sharpsville; and Antonette Dalbo, Follansbee, W.Va.; three brothers, Guy DelFratte, Sharpsville; and Joseph and James DelFratte, both Hermitage; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. DelFratte was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lena Lisi; and two brothers, August DelFratte Sr. and Albert DelFratte.

DELFRATTE
    
Rocco A., 72, of 18 S. 12th St., Sharpsville.
    Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville.
    Service: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday (5-17-02) in St. Bartholomew's Church, Sharpsville, with the Rev. John S. Lynch, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.


Emma F. Billioni

Former local woman, WE retiree, invented Spoon Trays

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A funeral service will be held Thursday for Emma F. Billioni of Parkview Residential Care Home, Santa Clara, formerly of Lyle Drive, Hermitage; and Lafayette Street, Sharon. She passed away at 4:52 p.m. Thursday (5-9-02) in the emergency room of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center campus. She was 89.

Born March 10, 1913, in Sharon, Mrs. Billioni was a daughter of the late Ignatci and Ursula Gorisek Franko.

Emma attended Patagonia schools and retired in 1978 from the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. as a switchboard operator.

She was a member of Church of the Sacred Heart in Sharon and the Slovenian National Benefit Society.

One day in 1945, Emma went shopping in downtown Sharon, looking for a spoon rest to place on her stovetop while cooking, only to discover after some time of research that no such product existed. Her ingenuity proved useful as she was able to design, patent, form a company and sell the first of the now familiar Spoon Trays, something most homemakers find helpful in their kitchens.

Survivors include: one son, Carl V. Billioni and his wife Phyllis, San Jose, Calif.; and a nephew, Gary Franko, Hermitage.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ignatius Franko, Albert Franko, and William Franko; and two sisters, Marie Williams and Angela Franko.

BILLIONI
    
Emma F., 89, Santa Clara, Calif., formerly of Lyle Drive, Hermitage; and Lafayette Street, Sharon.
    Calling hours: 1 p.m. to time of service Thursday (5-16-02) 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 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with the Rev. William G. Rice, parochial vicar of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, officiating.
    Interment: Private for Mrs. Billioni's family in Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.


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


CAPOZZOLI
    
Mrs. Frank (Drusiana 'Teresa'), 99, of 500 Beechwood Ave., Farrell.
    Obituary was published 5-14-02
    Calling hours: 6 to 9 p.m. today (5-15-02) in LEIPHEIMER-TOMON FUNERAL HOME, 1246 Roemer Blvd., Farrell.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, with the Rev. Donald Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.
    Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.


JAROCKI
    
Mrs. Peter J. (Ann M. Deluchie), 83, of 731 Indiana Ave., Farrell.
    Obituary was reprinted, 5-13-02
    Service: Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. today (5-15-02) in St. Adalbert's Church, Farrell, with the Rev. John R. Boeckman, pastor, as celebrant.
    Arrangements by A.E. PUSTINGER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 1310 Idaho St., Farrell. Condolences may be e-mailed to pustinger@adelphia.net


MIJAVEC
    
Alexander Wilford Sr., 74, New Bedford-Pulaski area.
    Obituary was published 5-14-02
    Calling hours: 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (5-15-02) in WASKO FUNERAL HOME, 216 Coitsville Road, Campbell, Ohio.
    Service: Funeral service at 9:15 a.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in the funeral home and 10 a.m. Thursday in St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, New Bedford, with the Rev. McCaffery, pastor, officiating.
    Burial: St. James Cemetery, New Bedford.


WELLER
    
Mrs. Joseph Thompson, 84, of 308 N. Center St., Grove City.
    Obituary was published 5-14-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (5-16-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Funeral service at 9 a.m. Friday (5-17-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. John K. Jefferis, senior pastor; and the Rev. W. Stephen Morse, associate pastor, both of Grace United Methodist Church, Grove City, officiating.
    Burial: Emlenton (Pa.) Cemetery.



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