The Herald, Sharon, PA

Local news Tuesday, Dec. 10, 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

  • Paul Vincent Coyle, 77, formerly of Fenelton, Butler County; and Mercer.
  • Helen Ruth Gawne, 89, of 642 E. Butler St., Mercer.
  • Helen E. Boyd Halpin, 83, Hellam Township, York County, formerly of Levittown, N.Y., and Sharpsville.
  • Mary Lou Heckathorn, 71, of 1554 Mercer-New Wilmington Road, New Wilmington.
  • Mike Senay, 85, of 3016 Burbank Ave., Youngstown, formerly of 415 Hull St., Sharon.



Today's obituaries
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Helen E. Boyd Halpin
Helen Ruth Gawne
Paul Vincent Coyle
  Mary Lou Heckathorn
Elinor L. 'Tillie' Moore
Mike Senay

Helen E. Boyd Halpin
Former Sharpsville resident had stepbrothers here

YORK, Pa. -- Helen E. Boyd Halpin, Hellam Township, York County, formerly of Levittown, N.Y., and Sharpsville, died of natural causes at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2002, in Memorial Hospital. She was 83.

Mrs. Halpin was born June 18, 1919, in Sharpsville to Frank S. Boyd and Bertha Bell Boyd.

A 1937 graduate of Sharpsville High School, she was a retired chief telephone operator at Nassau County Medical Center in New York.

Mrs. Halpin was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Red Lion, Pa.

Her husband, James D. Halpin, is deceased.

Surviving are: a daughter, Cheryl A. Angelo, York; a son, James H. Halpin, Freeport, N.Y.; a sister, Eleanor Staup, Phoenix; two stepbrothers, Harold McCracken, Mercer; and Donald McCracken, Sharpsville; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Wachter.

Private funeral services were held at the convenience of the family. A cremation was held in York.


Helen Ruth Gawne
77-year church member worked for fire department

Helen Ruth Gawne, 642 E. Butler St., Mercer, died at 5:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in her residence after an extended illness. She was 89.

Mrs. Gawne was born May 11, 1913, in Findley Township to Claude Wright and Anna Moyer Wright.

For 45 years, she was a dispatcher for East End Fire Department and was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of East End Fire Department.

As a member for 77 years of Mercer United Methodist Church, Mrs. Gawne belonged to the 50 Plus Club and was twice elected Woman of the Year.

She was a member of the Best In Town Card Club.

Her husband of 70 years, Edward Ellsworth "Toad" Gawne, whom she married Aug. 2, 1932, survives at the residence.

Surviving besides her husband are: two daughters, Doris Louise, wife of Jack Flickinger; and Marjorie M., wife of Jack Gills; and a half sister, Betty Meade, all Mercer; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gawne was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Merle Mae Thompson; and a great-granddaughter, Jessica Flickinger.

GAWNE
    
Mrs. Edward Ellsworth "Toad" (Helen Ruth Wright), 89, of 642 E. Butler St., Mercer.
    Calling hours: 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer, and 10 a.m. to time of service Wednesday (12-11-02) in Mercer United Methodist Church.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church with the Rev. David M. Davis, pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Hugh D. Crocker, minister of visitation, officiating.
    Interment: Findley Township Cemetery.


Paul Vincent Coyle

Retired mason, bricklayer belonged to Mercer church

BUTLER -- Paul Vincent Coyle, formerly of Fenelton, Butler County; and Mercer, died at 10:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in Sunnyview Home. He was 77.

Mr. Coyle was born May 14, 1925, in Fenelton, a son of the late John C. and Maud Rodgers Coyle.

He was a retired mason and bricklayer, having worked for various masonry contractors through the bricklayers union in the Philadelphia area for more than 15 years and in the Mercer County area.

Mr. Coyle had been an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Mercer, where he served as a volunteer worker at their fish fry fund-raising dinners and with the parish cemetery; as well as more recently at St. John Roman Catholic Church of Coylesville in Fenelton.

He was also a life honorary member of Knights of Columbus Council 4270, Mercer; AARP, a retired person's organization; and the Bricklayers Union of Western Pennsylvania, with Local 17 in Sharon.

For many years, Mr. Coyle was a Christmas bell ringer volunteer for the Salvation Army in the Mercer and Sharon areas.

A veteran of the Korean conflict, he had served with the U.S. Army.

Surviving are two sisters, Adelaide Borden, Butler; and Mrs. William (Collette) Byrne, Upper Darby, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Mr. Coyle was preceded in death by three brothers and seven sisters.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hospice Program of Butler Area Visiting Nurses Association, 154 Hindman Road, Butler 16001; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

COYLE
    
Paul Vincent, 77, formerly of Fenelton, Butler County; and Mercer.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in St. John Roman Catholic Church of Coylesville, 455 Clearfield Road, Fenelton, with the Rev. Louis Pascazi, pastor, as celebrant.
    Interment: Parish Cemetery, Coylesville.


Mary Lou Heckathorn

White Chapel member

enjoyed quilting, crafting

Mary Lou Heckathorn of 1554 Mercer-New Wilmington Road, New Wilmington, died at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. She was 71.

Mrs. Heckathorn was born Dec. 8, 1931, in Hickory Township, Lawrence County, New Castle, to Paul M. McConnell and Lois Louise Kildoo McConnell.

On Feb. 1, 1952, she married Howard Donald Heckathorn. He survives at their residence.

She was a member of White Chapel United Methodist Church, Wilmington Township.

Mrs. Heckathorn was a quilter and crafter during her lifetime.

She is also survived by: a son, Mark H. Heckathorn, New Wilmington; a daughter, Margaret "Peggy" Miller and her husband John, West Middlesex; two brothers, Paul M. McConnell and his wife Doris, New Castle; and Richard L. McConnell and his wife Katherine, Salem, Ohio; two grandchildren, Eric Guy and his wife April, Sharon; and Tiffany Cameron and her husband Jeff, New Wilmington; two stepgrandchildren, Tim Miller, West Middlesex; and Tina Fletcher, Albuquerque, N.M.; one great-grandchild, Cole Cameron; and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

Mrs. Heckathorn was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Glenn McConnell.

HECKATHORN
    
Howard Donald (Mary Lou), 71, of 1554 Mercer-New Wilmington Road, New Wilmington.
    Service: Memorial service at 11 a.m. Dec. 12, 2002, in West Middlesex United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. John C. Kees officiating.
    Arrangements by SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.


Elinor L. 'Tillie' Moore

Former Sharpsville woman

was active in First Baptist

A funeral service will be held Thursday for Elinor L. "Tillie" Moore, Hospitality Care Center, Hermitage, formerly of Sharpsville. She died at 10:19 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon, Farrell, after an extended illness. She was 79.

Mrs. Moore was born Aug. 14, 1923, in Sharpsville to Edwin and Charlotte Crum.

Elinor graduated in 1942 for Sharpsville High School. On May 23, 1947, she married the late William H. Moore Jr.

She worked at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. during the war and, after raising her family, worked at the former Little Guys and Dolls in Hermitage.

Elinor was an active member of First Baptist Church in Sharpsville and a member of Penn-Ohio Blind Association.

Surviving are: three daughters, Carol Walker and Cherol Stapleton, both Florida; and Connie Schenker, Sharpsville; a brother, Paul Crum, Youngstown; and seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, William Moore Jr., she was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Ruth Crum.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 185 Union Ave., Sharpsville 16150.

MOORE
    
Mrs. William (Elinor L. "Tillie") Jr., 79, Hermitage, formerly of Sharpsville.
    Calling hours: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in STEVENSON-WEBB FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1142 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville. Condolences may be e-mailed to webb@surf724.net
    Service: Funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Thursday (12-12-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Wayne Sutton, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sharpsville, officiating.
    Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Sharpsville.


Mike Senay
Sharon Tube retiree was

C-R church, club member

YOUNGSTOWN -- Mike Senay, 3016 Burbank Ave., Youngstown, formerly of 415 Hull St., Sharon, died at 2:55 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in St. Elizabeth Health Center. He was 85.

Mr. Senay was born Nov. 22, 1917, in Sharon to John Senay and Mary Palchock Senay.

He retired in 1982 after 25 years at Sharon Tube Co. as a coupler.

He was a member of St. John's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Sharon. He also belonged to American Carpatho-Russian Citizens and Social Club in Sharon, for which he was a trustee and former vice president.

An Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Senay served in Europe and previously belonged to American Legion Post 162, Sharpsville.

His wife, the former Betty Yankovich, died March 31, 1981.

Surviving are: his companion, Alice Pryzbylski, at home; two sons, Ronald J. Senay, Sharon; and Michael J. Senay, Brookfield; three grandchildren, George, Chase and Sarah Senay; and two sisters, Anna Newcomb, Worcester, Mass.; and Mary Wilson, Sharon.

Besides his wife, Mr. Senay was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Dennis Senay.

SENAY
    
Mike, 85, of 3016 Burbank Ave., Youngstown, formerly of 415 Hull St., Sharon.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in LEIPHEIMER-TOMON FUNERAL HOME, 1246 Roemer Blvd., Farrell. Panachida service at 8:30 p.m.
    Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in the funeral home with Monsignor Michael Polanichka, pastor of St. John's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Sharon, officiating.
    Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery, Hermitage.


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


BEGGS
    
Harold, 93, Grove City, formerly of Sandy Lake.
    Obituary was published 12-9-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in ALEXANDER-McMULLEN FUNERAL HOME Inc., 3236 S. Main St., Sandy Lake.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Galen "Joe" MacDonald of Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church officiating.
    Interment: Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.


CHISHOLM
    
LeRoy W. "Chiz," 84, of 1660 Kimberly Road, Hermitage.
    Obituary was published 12-9-02
    Calling hours: Were Monday (12-9-02) in HAROLD W. STEVENSON FUNERAL HOME Inc., 264 E. State St., Sharon.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. today (12-10-02) in Central Christian Church, Hermitage, with the Rev. C. Charles Eckles, pastor, officiating.
    Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
    Arrangements by JOSEPH P. BRASHEN FUNERAL SERVICE, 264 E. State St., Sharon.


MOROCCO
    
Mrs. Joseph (Alice), 86, of 414 Indiana Ave., Farrell.
    Obituary was published 12-9-02
    Calling hours: 6 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in LEIPHEIMER-TOMON FUNERAL HOME, 1246 Roemer Blvd., Farrell. Rosary service at 8:45 p.m.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant. Brief service at 10 a.m. in the funeral home.
    Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.


NICKLIN
    
Mrs. John B. (Margaret Jane "Jennie" Thompson), 91, of 211 Nicklin Road, Pine Township.
    Obituary was published 12-9-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 3076 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert McCreight, pastor of Tower Presbyterian Church, Grove City, officiating.
    Interment: Crestview Memorial Park Inc., Pine Township.


SINGLETON
    
Mrs. Jack W. (Elizabeth C.), 66, of 413 Indiana Ave., Farrell, formerly of Stateline Road, Masury.
    Obituary was published 12-8-02
    Calling hours: Were 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (12-9-02) in MADASZ FUNERAL HOME Inc., 6923 Warren-Sharon Road, Brookfield.
    Service: Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. today (12-10-02) in St. Anthony's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, Order of Friars Minor, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Brookfield Township Cemetery.


SPENCER
    
Mrs. Jack W. (Boneta "Bonnie" R. McDeavitt), 82, of 491 N. Liberty Road, Liberty Township.
    Obituary was published 12-9-02
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (12-10-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
    Service: Funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (12-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. John K. Jefferis, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Grove City, officiating.
    Interment: Crestview Memorial Park, Inc., Pine Township.



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