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Roberta Sarah Bender
ë58 WMHS graduate worked at Wal-Mart
Roberta Sarah Bender of 180 Concord Road, Hermitage, passed away at 10:24 p.m. Monday evening, Sept. 2, 2002, in her residence. She was 61.
Born December 7, 1940, in Lackawannock Township, Mrs. Bender was a daughter of the late Robert Samuel McConnell and Theda Laverda Jennings McConnell.
A graduate of West Middlesex High School Class of 1958, she was presently employed as a cashier at Wal-Mart.
Mrs. Bender was a member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.
Survivors include: her husband, Charles J. Bender Jr., whom she married May 30, 1981; two daughters, Stephanie Dobay Williams, Hermitage; and Melanie E. Allen and her husband Joseph, Pittsburgh; one stepdaughter, Tina Marie Giles and her husband James; and one stepson, Anthony M. Bender, all Elysburg, Pa.; three sisters, Kathryn I. Craig, Lexington Park, Md.; Evelyn J. Higbee and her husband Richard, Fredonia; and Susan E. Long, Mechanicsville, Md.; and five grandchildren, Erica Dobay, Sarah and Joshua Williams, Grace Robison and Olivia Giles.
In addition to her parents, Roberta was preceded in death by an infant sister, Karen McConnell.
BENDER
Mrs. Charles J. (Roberta Sarah) Jr., 61, of 180 Concord Road, Hermitage.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (9-5-02) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Friday (9-6-02) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with the Rev. Jason Glover, parochial vicar, as celebrant.
Interment: St. Maryís Cemetery, Hermitage.
Donna Mae Durniok
Jamestown woman was active at St. Michaelís
Donna Mae Durniok of 838 E. Jamestown Road, Jamestown, who was residing at The Ridgewood at St. Paul Homes, 339 E. Jamestown Road, West Salem Township, died at 1:48 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, in St. Paul Homes. She was 69.
Mrs. Durniok was born Dec. 15, 1932, in Pittsburgh to Paul Trimble and Elsie Bunny Trimble.
She was an active member of St. Michaelís Church in Greenville; and was a member of the Womenís Guild of St. Margaretís Church, Jamestown.
Mrs. Durniok was a 1950 graduate of South Hills High School in Pittsburgh.
She was a devoted mother and member of her church.
Surviving are: two daughters, Mrs. Terry (Lynne A.) Onufer, Mars, Pa.; and Mrs. Douglas (Beth E.) Williams, Pittsburgh; three sons, A. Wayne Durniok Jr., Grove City; Brian P. Durniok, Jamestown; and Christopher S. Durniok, Greenville; and eight grandchildren.
Mrs. Durniok was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Dorothy Dugan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of St. Michaelís Catholic School, 86 High St., Greenville 16125.
DURNIOK
Donna Mae, 69, of 838 E. Jamestown Road, Jamestown.
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. today (9-4-02) in BAIRD FUNERAL HOME, 14 Louisa Ave., Greenville; member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes and International Order of the Golden Rule. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to Baird@infonline.net.
Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (9-5-02) in St. Michaelís Church, Greenville, with Monsignor Andrew Karg, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Michaelís Cemetery, Greenville.
Tisher Lee
Farrell hospital retiree_was housekeeper
Tisher Lee of West Middlesex died at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, 2002, in her home of acute leukemia. She was 88.
Mrs. Lee, originally from Eastlake, Ala., was born Jan. 3, 1914, a daughter of Wiley Johnson and Anna Jones Johnson.
A 1934 graduate of Farrell High School, she was an X-ray aide for what was then Shenango Valley Osteopathic Hospital in Farrell, retiring in 1984. After a 25-year career at the hospital, now known as UPMC Horizon, Mrs. Lee worked for many years as a private housekeeper in the Shenango Valley area.
She lived in West Middlesex from 1950 until January 2002, at which time she resided with her son, Andrew, and his family in Darnestown, Md., until May of this year. Mrs. Lee then returned home to be with her son, Wesley, in West Middlesex, residing there until her departure.
She was a member of Greater Morris Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Farrell and previously belonged to Twin City Elks Lodge 187, Farrell. She was also a member of the NAACP; and the Frontiers Club.
Mrs. Lee enjoyed gardening, exercising and walking, and expanding her knowledge through reading, especially black history and alternative medicines.
Survivors include her two sons, Andrew Lee, and his wife Geraldine, Darnestown; and Wesley Lee, and his wife Joyce, West Middlesex.
She also leaves four grandchildren, Andrew Lee III, Crystal Lee, Wesley Lee Jr. and Alexander Lee; and one great-grandchild.
A remembrance celebration honoring Mrs. Lee will be announced at a later date.
Helen Sekerak
Obituary was published 9-3-02
Ms. Sekerak is also survived by a nephew, Henry Klein and his wife Jane, Mountain Top, Pa. A brother, John Sekerak, and a sister, Martha Klein, are deceased.
The family provided additional information.
SEKERAK
Helen, 76, New Wilmington, formerly of Mertz Towers, Sharpsville; and Hamilton Avenue, Farrell.
Obituary was published 9-3-02
Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. today (9-4-02) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Rosary recited at 3:30 p.m. by the Altar Rosary Society of St. Annís Church, Farrell; with Panachida service at 4 p.m. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. Thursday (9-5-02) in St. Johnís Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Sharon, with Monsignor Michael Polanichka, pastor, as celebrant. Brief prayer service at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
Interment: St. Johnís Cemetery, Hermitage.
Concetta ëConnieí E. Rosati
Homemaker retired as school cafeteria worker
Concetta E. "Connie" Rosati of 1046 Fruit Ave. in Farrell passed away at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. She was 87.
Born February 25, 1915, in Farrell, Mrs. Rosati was a daughter of the late Francesco and Maria Alfana Siciliano.
A lifelong area resident, she attended Farrell area schools and retired in the late 1980s from Farrell Area School District, where she was employed as a cafeteria worker for more than 15 years.
She was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Farrell and the Altar Rosary Society of the former St. Anthony De Padua Church.
She was a volunteer with the Parent Teacher Association at St. Adalbertís School and enjoyed bowling.
Connie was very devoted to her family and enjoyed spending time with them, particularly her great-grandchildren and her great-nieces and -nephews.
In 1940, she married Louis Rosati Sr. He preceded her in death in July 1965.
Survivors include: one son, Louis E. Rosati Jr. and his wife Karen, Farrell; a granddaughter, Chris Cannone and her husband Nick; and two great-grandsons, Anthony and Nicholas Cannone, all Farrell; two sisters-in-law, Eva Siciliano, Farrell; and Lucy Siciliano, Youngstown; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, two sisters, Theresa Fornelli and Stella Fragle; and two brothers, Jay and John Siciliano, preceded her in death.
ROSATI
Mrs. Louis (Concetta "Connie" E.) Sr., 87, of 1046 Fruit Ave., Farrell.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday (9-5-02) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral Mass with time to be announced on Friday (9-6-02) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.
Interment: St. Anthonyís Cemetery, Hermitage.
Mary Lou Weber
Mary Lou Weber, 146 Shenango St., Sharpsville, died at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday (9-3-02) in her home. She was 59.
WEBER
Mary Lou, 59, of 146 Shenango St., Sharpsville.
Arrangements will be announced by DONALDSON-MOHNEY FUNERAL HOME, 124 Main St., Sharpsville.
Richard N. Voorhees
GC man, WWII veteran_ran lumber business
Richard N. Voorhees, 33 Dogwood Lane, Pine Township, formerly of Warren, Ohio; and Fenelton, Pa., died at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002, in his residence after a four-month illness. He was 76.
Mr. Voorhees was born Nov. 10, 1925, in Warren to Norman Franklin Voorhees and Doris May Hunk Voorhees.
He retired as co-owner and operator of Voorhees Hedrick Lumber Co. in Fenelton after 23 years of service.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Voorhees served with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 82 in Warren and was an avid fisherman.
He had a love for his family and friends and was named Honorary Dad/Grandfather of Dogwood Lane.
Mr. Voorhees also served as a volunteer for United Community Hospital in Pine Township.
His wife, the former Norma P. Nelson, whom he married Aug. 22, 1947, died on Oct. 5, 2000.
Surviving are: four children, Paula Alexander and her husband Ralph; and Ellen Beck and her husband Pete, all Moneta, Va.; Beverly Swartzlander and her husband Mike, Dublin, Ohio; and Norman R. "Hank" Voorhees and his wife Susan, Grove City; one sister, Jeanette Johnson and her husband Lee, Atlanta; and 10 grandchildren.
Besides his wife, Richard was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Voorhees Memorial Fund, 33 Dogwood Lane, Grove City 16127.
VOORHEES
Richard N., 76, of 33 Dogwood Lane, Pine Township, formerly of Warren, Ohio; and Fenelton, Pa.
Calling hours: None.
Service: Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday (9-7-02) in East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City, with the Rev. David Maitland, family friend, officiating.
Interment: Woodland Cemetery, Grove City.
Arrangements by CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
Marlowe W. Johnson
Thiel music director_was active in community
Dr. Marlowe W. Johnson of 206 Lynwood Drive, Hempfield Township, died at 2:16 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon, Greenville. He was 77.
Dr. Johnson was born March 4, 1925, in Fergus Falls, Minn., to Julius P. Johnson and Alma Leines Johnson.
Dr. Johnson completed the requirements for a bachelor of arts degree in music from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., in 1949, under the tutelage of Paul J. Christiansen. After studying composition at the University of California at Berkeley, he received a master of music degree from the University of Michigan in 1951, and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1968.
Dr. Johnson was informed by Thiel College President Lance A. Masters on Aug. 26 that Thiel College was awarding him an honorary doctor of music degree for not only his length of service, but also for the tremendous impact that Dr. Johnson had on the lives of his students and the many thousands who attended Thiel College concerts during his tenure as director.
Drafted out of his freshman year at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., in January 1944, he completed three courses of basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, after which he earned certification in an eight-week course in a U.S. Army school in Aberdeen, Md., as a small-arms mechanic.
He was assigned to service as a chaplainís assistant, serving in the Third Army under the direct command of General Patton in Germany, until he was sent to Tokyo in the same capacity in 1945. Honorably discharged a sergeant T4 in 1945, he resumed his studies at Concordia College.
Prior to joining the Thiel faculty as an assistant professor of music in 1953, Dr. Johnson was chairman of the department of music at Clifton (Texas) College. As founder and director of the Thiel Choir, the young and energetic professor actively recruited students in the residence halls and fraternity houses. The Thiel Choir began in 1953 as a 48-voice choir and developed into an a cappella choir that had national and international acclaim and gained a reputation as one of the finest college choirs in the United States.
The choir conducted its first week-long tour of western Pennsylvania in 1955. During its 1957 tour, the choir sang on the CBS radio program, "Great Choirs of the Country." In 1958, the choir made its initial appearance in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Thiel Choir conducted its first European tour in 1963, culminating in a performance before the Lutheran World Assembly in Helsinki, Finland. Over the next 20 years, the choir would continue two annual traditions that Dr. Johnson began -- the Christmas Festival for the campus and Greenville community; and week-long annual spring tours in the United States, as well as four additional tours of western Europe, including visits behind the Iron Curtain.
Under his direction, the choir made seven recordings, which have been made into compact discs. Proceeds from the sale of these CDs added to the Marlowe W. Johnson Endowment Fund for Choral Music, which provides scholarships for students in the Thiel Choir. This endowment fund was started at the 30th reunion of Thiel Choir alumni in 1983.
The love of choral music that he instilled in his students resulted in the founding of the Thiel Alumni Choir in 1980 by alumni of the Thiel Choir. Dr. Johnson conducted this group from 1996 until 2001, during which time the tradition of an alumni choir concert as part of the annual Homecoming activities was begun. He also directed the Thiel alumni choirs, which sang during tours of South Wales in 1992 and in the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993.
Dr. Johnson was named associate professor of music in 1962 and professor of music in 1969. He directed the Thiel Choir from 1953 until 1984 and served as chair of the department throughout his tenure at Thiel. He was named professor emeritus of music in 1987.
A composer and arranger of numerous choral compositions, he has also been the author of several articles in national music magazines. He was the arranger and accompanist for the Apple-Tree-O, a local performing group.
Dr. Johnson was involved in the community as a member of the Greenville Rotary Club since 1959, serving as its president; and in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenville, where he had served on the director-of-music steering committees; the worship and music committee; and directed and sang in the church choir. He also served on the Community Concert Board, was a member of the Greenville Orpheus Club and was guest conductor for high school district choral festivals. He served as a member of the Western Pennsylvania-West Virginia Synodís Worship and Music committee and instructed the synod choral festivals to help with the usage of the Service Book and Hymnal when it was introduced in 1958. He was interim choral director at First Presbyterian Church, East State Street, Sharon, and was director of choral music at First Methodist Church, Sharon, for 22 years.
His interest in airplanes led to his membership in the Experimental Aircraft Association and the building of a Lancair two-seater airplane. Due to his illness, Dr. Johnson donated his bi-plane to Crossroad Ministries of Alabama.
His wife, the former Rae J. Weiss, a 1959 graduate of Thiel College, whom he married Sept. 4, 1949, survives at home.
Also surviving are: two daughters, Lori R. Liszka, Greenville; and Mrs. William (Wendy K.) Ross, Meadville; a son, Dr. Bruce W. Johnson, San Diego; a brother, Daryl D. Johnson, Two Harbors, Minn.; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial gifts may be made in Dr. Johnsonís name to the Endowment for Sacred Music at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, 1 Trinity Place; or the Marlowe W. Johnson Endowment Fund for Choral Music, Thiel College, both Greenville 16125.
JOHNSON
Marlowe W., 77, of 206 Lynwood Drive, Hempfield Township.
Service: So as to be able to include the Thiel Alumni Choir, the members of which live across the country, the memorial service is being planned for 4 p.m. Sept. 29, 2002, in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Penn Avenue and Clinton Street, Greenville.
Calling hours: Family will receive friends immediately after the service in the church lounge.
Inurnment: Cremains in the Columbarium of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville.
Arrangements by LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN FUNERAL HOME, 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville.
Frances L. Wilson Fischer
Former Sharon woman lived in California
LOS ANGELES -- Frances L. Wilson Fischer, Los Angeles, formerly of Sharon, died at 3:30 p.m. PST on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2002. She was 88.
Mrs. Fischer was born May 19, 1914, in Elwood, Ind.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Robert W. Wilson and Georgia Anna Douds Wilson; loving wife of the late Coe S. Fischer; and cherished sister of the late Ella Mae Wilson, Robert B. Wilson and John C. Wilson.
She is survived by: two daughters, Brenda M. White and her husband Russell, Sepulveda, Calif.; and Linda M. Sawicki and her husband Mark, Pasadena, Calif.; a son, Coe W. Fischer and his wife Lynda, Ligonier, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Rebecca L. Hanzes, Coe B. Fischer, Ian E. Fischer, Ursula Schenk, Steve Schenk, Dana White and Colyn C. Fischer; five great-grandchildren, Christopher Hanzes, Ashley Hanzes, Cora Fischer, Emma Rose White and Joseph Schenk; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Conejo Mountain Chapel. Interment will follow in Mount Conejo Memorial Park, Camarillo, Calif.
William E. DeCapua Jr.
Ex-councilman. school director sold insurance
CARLISLE, Pa. -- William E. DeCapua Jr., Camp Hill, former City of Farrell councilman and school director, died Monday morning, Sept. 2, 2002, in Manor Care Nursing Home after an extended illness. He was 78.
Mr. DeCapua was born Sept. 16, 1923, in Sharon to William and Victoria Dorulla DeCapua, who are both deceased.
He was a 1943 graduate of Farrell High School and worked as an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance Co. for 30 years. He also worked for nine years for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an auditor for the Auditor Generalís Office.
Mr. DeCapua was a member of Farrell City Council for four years and a school director for the Farrell Area School District for 10 years. He was a charter member of the Farrell Wolves Club.
He also held offices and was a member of other organizations, including Farrell Kiwanis Club, the Italian Home Club, Christopher Columbus Social Club, New Deal Club and the AFL-CIO.
Mr. DeCapua was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Camp Hill.
He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for three years during World War II.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Mildred Strobel, Camp Hill, whom he married Sept. 6, 1948; a daughter, Linda DeCapua Rhen, Elizabethtown, Pa.; and a granddaughter, Maureen, now living in Houston.
Besides his parents, his brother, Conrad DeCapua, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, Box 266, Enola, PA 17025-0266.
DeCAPUA
William E., 78, Camp Hill, Pa., formerly of Farrell.
Calling hours: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday (9-6-02) in MYERS-HARNER FUNERAL HOME, 1903 Market St., Camp Hill.
Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Friday (9-6-02) in Church of the Good Shepherd, 3435 Trindle Road, Camp Hill.
Entombment: Rolling Green Memorial Park, Camp Hill.
PREVIOUS DEATHS
CROMARTIE
Mattie Lou, 70, of 1014 Hamilton Ave., Farrell.
Obituary was published 9-3-02
Calling hours: 11 a.m. to time of service Friday (9-6-02) in Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, 1825 Roemer Blvd., Farrell. Condolences may be sent by fax to (724) 347-1917 or by e-mail to ShannonFHLtd@netscape.net
Service: Funeral service at noon Friday in the church, with Superintendent Wilbert G. Hadden, pastor, officiating.
Burial: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.
Arrangements by WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland.
RUEBERGER
Robert, 63, of 1980 S. Hermitage Road, Hermitage.
Obituary was published 9-3-02
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday (9-5-02) in JOHN A. PALISIN FUNERAL HOME, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage. Church prayer service at 6:30 p.m.
Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Friday (9-6-02) in St. Anthonyís Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, Order of Friars Minor, pastor, as celebrant. Brief service at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
Burial: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hermitage.
Arrangements by THOMAS S. PODLEYON FUNERAL SERVICES, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage.
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