Local news
Sunday, Dec. 29, 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
Donald P. Bates GM retiree had worked 33è years as a driver Donald P. Bates, 355 Buena Vista, Vienna, was found dead on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in his residence of natural causes. He was 64. Mr. Bates was born July 29, 1938, in Hartford, to Charles L. Bates Sr. and Ruth Chilson Bates. He retired in 1999 from General Motors Lordstown (Ohio) car assembly plant, where he worked for 33èyears as a driver. Surviving are: one daughter, Tracy Lynn Kline, Pittsburgh; one son, Douglas P. Bates, Pataskala, Ohio; four brothers, Robert Bates, Hartford; Charles "Bud" Bates Jr., Cleveland; James "Reed" Bates, Southington, Ohio; and David Bates, Vienna. He was greatly loved by his four grandchildren, who survive. They are "Little Buddy," "Queenie," "Buddy" and "Chris."
BUTLER COUNTY -- Julia "Judy" Ann Potter, West Cooper Street, Slippery Rock, Butler County, died at 10:35 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in her residence after an extended illness. She was 64. Julia was born July 7, 1938, in North East, Erie County, to Donald Hovey and Ella King Hovey. An alumna of Denison University, Granville, Ohio, she was a well-liked and respected microbiologist at United Community Hospital, Pine Township, where she worked for 27 years. She was also an avid photographer and had a digital photography finishing business. Julia was a member of American Society for Clinical Microbiology and performed graduate work at Slippery Rock University. Surviving are: one daughter, Julia "Beth" Potter, Columbia, Md.; one son, J. Ted Potter and his wife Leena Isac, Penfield, N.Y.; her father, Donald Hovey, Corry, Pa.; and one granddaughter, Meena Isac Potter, Penfield. Julia was preceded in death by her mother; and a brother, King Hovey. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 19 Jefferson Ave., Sharon 16146; or Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, 555 Grant St., Suite 425, Pittsburgh 15219.
POTTER John B. Chase S. Py. man served in CCC, was well-known artist John B. Chase, of 4024 Wynwood Drive, South Pymatuning Township, died at 9:40 a.m. Saturday (12-28-02) in the intensive care unit of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 81. Mr. Chase was born Dec. 29, 1920, in Farrell, a son of John and Stephanie Siborski Ciechacki. An alumnus of Farrell High School, he earned an associate's degree from Penn State University Extension School of Engineering and Drafting in Sharon; and a bachelor's degree in business art from Youngstown State University. Mr. Chase was a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 705; Polish National Alliance Lodge 866; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, all Farrell; Sharon Westinghouse Retirees; and was a former member of Farrell University Club. He served for 2èyears in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Wellsboro, Pa., and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the combat engineers with the U.S. Army. He was later transferred to Ordinance. Mr. Chase was employed for more than 25 years at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp., retiring upon its closing. He was well known in the valley for his artistic abilities. He was a member of Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage. He is survived by: his wife, the former Mary L. Tosich, and his daughter, Paula L. Chase, both at home; a sister, Irene Niemiec, Sharon; two nephews, Paul Listopad, West Middlesex; Dr. Aaron Listopad, Sharon; and their families. Mr. Chase was preceded in death by an infant son, John J. Chase; his parents; his stepparents, who raised him, Joseph and Mary Voinar; one brother, Benjamin Ciechacki; and one sister, Jean Listopad.
CHASE Rev. Jonathan L. Ragster Sharon alum worked at General Electric The Rev. Jonathan L. Ragster, 842 Cedar Ave., Sharon, passed away at 3:04 a.m. Saturday (12-28-02) in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 43. Rev. Ragster was born Sept. 4, 1959, in Sharon, a son of Johnson Ragster and Etta L. Crim Ragster. An alumnus of Sharon High School Class of 1977 and American Baptist Theology School in Youngstown, he served as pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Pine Township. He also was a longtime employee in the Shop General of General Electric Co., Grove City and Pine Township. Rev. Ragster was a lifelong Shenango Valley resident and was an avid sports fan, especially basketball and football. He had Christian love for people of all races, nationalities and religions, as shown by the many college students who frequently attended his church. His wife, the former Cynthia Frieson, whom he married on Dec. 24, 1984, survives at home. Also surviving are: two daughters, Joslynn Ragster; and Cylena Ragster, both at home; his mother, Sharon; two sisters, Renee McCurdy, wife of Willie, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Brenda J. Layne, wife of Victor, Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Edwin R. Ragster, Sharon; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends, as well as the congregation of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Rev. Ragster was preceded in death by his father; and one brother, Gregory Ragster.
RAGSTER W. Clarence Hickman W. Clarence Hickman, Countryside Convalescent Home, East Lackawannock Township, died at 4:24 p.m. Saturday (12-28-02) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 90. Obituary information was incomplete.
HICKMAN Mildred B. Mohney Former area woman played and taught organ music BEAVER COUNTY -- Mildred B. Mohney, Beaver County, formerly of Pittsburgh and Barkeyville, died at 11:05 a.m. Dec. 27, 2002, in Trinity Oaks Care Center, Beaver County. She was 99. Mildred was born July 25, 1903, in Corsicana, Texas, to Thomas H. Birnley and Elmira "Ella" M. Hoffman Birnley. She played the organ in movie theaters and skating rinks and was a self-employed organ and piano teacher. Mildred was a former member of First Christian Church in Crafton, Pa. Surviving are: a sister, M. Genevieve Snyder, Beaver County; a brother, Francis W. Birnley and his wife Peg, Waynesboro, Va.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a half-brother, Robert Birnley.
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