The Herald, Sharon, PA

Local news Friday, Sept. 13, 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

  • Martin W. Aley, 49, of 468 Beatty School Road, Salem Township.
  • I. Jean Troy Opitz, 72, Grove City, formerly of Sandy Lake.


Today's obituaries
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Martin W. Aley
  I. Jean Troy Opitz

Martin W. Aley
Active Calvary Fellowship member was draftsman

Martin W. Aley, 49, of 468 Beatty School Road, Salem Township, went home to be with the Lord a 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, after having suffered a massive stroke.

He was born in Grove City on June 8, 1953, a son of the late Clarence R. and Lois June Donnell Aley Sr.

On Aug. 21, 1976, he married Pennie Raylene Ferguson, who survives.

He was employed as the head draftsman at Clark Building Systems of Clark, where he had been employed for 12 years.

He was a member of the Calvary Fellowship Chapel, Coolspring Township, where he was active as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and congregational song leader.

He enjoyed golfing and bowling and was an avid hunter. He was a devoted husband and father who loved his family very much. He also enjoyed attending local stock car races in the area.

He is survived by his wife; four daughters, Connie Raylene Ansell and her husband, Christopher, of Mercer; and Melinda Raynae Aley, Tiffany Rayanne Aley and Ashlee Elizabeth Ann "Moo" Aley, all at home; two sons, Benjamin Wayne Aley and Jeremiah Thomas Aley, both at home; a sister, Jane Ferguson, Fredonia; a foster sister, Evalena Nay, Fredonia; three brothers, Clarence R. "Bob" Aley Jr., New Carlisle, Ohio; and Lonnie P. Aley and Steve D. Aley, both Fredonia; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, William "Billy" Aley.

The family has suggested that memorial tributes may be made to the Aley Children, in care of Calvary Fellowship Chapel, 1033 N. Perry Highway, Mercer 16137.

ALEY
    
Martin W., 49, of 468 Beatty School Road, Salem Township.
    Calling hours: 2 p.m. to time of service Sunday (9-15-02) in Calvary Fellowship Chapel, 1033 N. Perry Highway (Route 19), Coolspring Township.
    Service: Funeral service at 5 p.m. Sunday in the church with the Rev. Donald Ryland, pastor, officiating.
    Interment: Hadley Cemetery.
    Arrangements by ROBERT L. SNYDER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 169 Second St., Fredonia.


I. Jean Troy Opitz

Retiree lived in GC, had worked in Sandy Lake

I. Jean Troy Opitz, 72, of Grove City, formerly of Sandy Lake, died Wednesday night, Sept. 11, 2002, in Butler (Pa.) Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

Mrs. Opitz was born May 10, 1930, in Sharpsville to Elmer T. and Nellie Mae Orr Wygant.

She attended Rocky Grove schools and was a 1948 graduate of the former Sandy Lake High School.

She married Richard J. Troy on July 1, 1949. He preceded her in death June 6, 1984.

On April 22, 1989, she married Bruce Opitz, who survives.

Mrs. Opitz was employed by the former Hovis Furniture, Sandy Lake. She worked for Cressler's Drug Store before retiring in 1993 from Mercer County State Bank, both Sandy Lake.

She was a member of Lakeview United Methodist Church, Sandy Lake Township; Order of the Eastern Star Stoneboro Chapter 110 and the friends card club.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Paul (Ruth) Woods, Sandy Lake; Lou Ann Morrison, Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Mrs. Doug (Shirley) Pickens, Stoneboro; a brother, Joseph Wygant, Sharpsville; four grandchildren, Paul Woods; Annie Morrison; and Gabriele and Briana Kinney; one great-grandchild; three stepdaughters, Melinda McKeel, Northfield, Minn.; Jane Waxenfelter, Grove City; and Nancy Newman, West Middlesex; and nine stepgrandchilden, Juliana and Tyler McKeel; Benjamin, Laura and Timothy Waxenfelter; Sarah Mason; and Samuel, Daniel and Erica Newman.

In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Woods; a sister, Ruth Watson; and three brothers, Cleon, Tom and Clayton Wygant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the J. Kevin Woods Scholarship Fund, in care of Slippery Rock University, 14 Maltby Drive, Slippery Rock 16057.

OPITZ
    
Mrs. Bruce (I. Jean Troy), 72, Grove City, formerly of Sandy Lake.
    Calling hours: 7 to 9 p.m. today (9-13-02) and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday (9-14-02) in ALEXANDER-McMULLEN FUNERAL HOME Inc., 3236 Main St., Sandy Lake.
    Service: Funeral service at 2 p.m. Sunday (9-15-02) in the funeral home with Pastor Larry Corner of Lakeview United Methodist Church, Sandy Lake Township, officiating.
    Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.


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


DESSAW
    
Mrs. Gene (Idella), 69, of 73 Mercer Ave., Wheatland.
    Obituary was published 9-11-02
    Calling hours: 11 a.m. to time of service today (9-13-02) in WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland. Also call at Rochelle Pickens, her daughter, 323 Lincoln Ave., Farrell. Condolences may be sent by fax to (724) 347-1917 or by e-mail to shannonfhltd@netscape.net
    Service: Funeral service at noon today in the funeral home with Elder Harvey L. Shaw, pastor of House of God -- Keith Dominion, Columbus, Ohio, officiating.
    Entombment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.


GIANGIULI
    
Joseph A., 95, of 1503 Jackson Ave., New Castle.
    Obituary was published 9-12-02
    Calling hours: Were 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (9-12-02) in WILLIAM F. & ROGER DeCARBO FUNERAL HOME Inc., 926 Cunningham Ave., New Castle.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. today (9-13-02) in St. Vitus Church, 910 S. Mercer St., New Castle, with the Rev. John D. Petrarulo, pastor, as celebrant. A funeral procession will leave at 9:30 a.m. today from the funeral home.
    Burial: Castle View Mausoleum, New Castle.


GRAHAM
    
Walter G., 69, of 550 N. Perry Highway, Coolspring Township.
    Obituary was published 9-12-02
    Calling hours: Were 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday (9-12-02) and 10 a.m. to time of service Friday (9-13-02) in St. John's Lutheran Church, Greenville-Mercer Road, Delaware Township.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. today (9-13-02) in the church with the Rev. Ronald L. Harbaugh, pastor, officiating.
    Entombment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
    Arrangements by CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.


HARTIS
    
Nick, 75, of 276 Sunset Blvd., Hermitage.
    Obituary was published 9-12-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today (9-13-02) in SAMPLE-O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME Inc., East State Street at North Oakland Avenue, Sharon; member of Selected Independent Funeral Home and the International Order of the Golden Rule. Trisiagon prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to Sample@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral services at noon Saturday (9-14-02) in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1007 Washington Ave., Farrell, with the Rev. Ignatios Apostolopoulos, pastor, officiating. Processional for the funeral will form at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
    Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.


HERRMANN
    
Paul John, 72, of 815 Buckeye Drive, South Pymatuning Township.
    Obituary was published 9-12-02
    Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. today (9-13-02) in STEPHEN J. SHERMAN FUNERAL HOME, 2201 Highland Road, Hermitage. Rosary will be said by Knights of Columbus Sharon Council 684 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. Saturday (9-14-02) in St. Joseph Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, with the Rev. Christopher C. Merry, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: St. Rose's Cemetery, Hermitage.


KIRILA
    
Margaret "Maggie," 85, of 1353 Churchill Hubbard Road, Youngstown, formerly of Brookfield.
    Obituary was published 9-12-02
    Calling hours: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today (9-13-02) in MADASZ FUNERAL HOME Inc., 6923 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield.
    Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. today in St. Bernadette Church, 7808 Locust St. S.E., Masury, with the Rev. John Lody, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Brookfield Township Cemetery.


ODEM
    
Justice Alayna, 7 weeks, 1450 Parke Drive, Apartment 1D, Hermitage.
    Obituary was published 9-11-02
    Calling hours: In the home of Linda F. Chambers Odem, her grandmother, 1445 Parke Drive, Apartment 1D, Hermitage. Condolences may be sent by fax to (724) 347-1917 or by e-mail to shannonfhltd@netscape.net
    Service: Private service for the family Saturday (9-14-02) in WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland, with the Rev. Raymond O. Brown, pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Masury, officiating.
    Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage.


PUSKAR
    
John Allen, 60, of 63 Pullam Drive, Shenango Township.
    Obituary was published 9-11-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (9-13-02) in W. WAYNE CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex.
    Service: Private funeral service in the funeral home with the Rev. Donald Wilson, pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township; and the Rev. James P. Leuenberger, pastor of West Middlesex Presbyterian Church, officiating.
    Burial: Cremation.



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