Today's obituaries
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Robert L. Ifft
Korean War vet was school director, township official
Robert L. Ifft, 340 N. Perry Highway, Coolspring Township, died at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday (1-21-03) in United Community Hospital, Pine Township, after surgery. He was 74.
Mr. Ifft was born Nov. 23, 1928, in Vandergrift, Pa., to Harold M. Ifft Sr. and Margaret Hettenbaugh Ifft.
He retired in 1992 after 25 years from Central Petroleum Co. in Cleveland. He was former district manager of Robert Ifft Excavating & Landscaping Co.
Mr. Ifft was a member and former deacon of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mercer.
The alumnus of Grove City High School was a former Coolspring Township supervisor. He also was a member of Mercer Area School Board and president of Findley Township Cemetery.
He was an avid hunter, bowler and golfer.
The U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6345, Mercer; and the American Legion; and a former Mercer Moose.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Jean Berringer, whom he married June 12, 1958, at home; a daughter, Mrs. John (Valerie) Frederick, Reading, Pa.; a sister, Eleanor Harker, Erie; two brothers, Harold M. Ifft Jr., Leesburg; and Theodore Ifft, Hyattsville, Md.; and two grandchildren, Jessica and Jared Frederick.
His parents and two brothers, John and James Ifft, preceded him in death.
IFFT
Robert L., 74, of 340 N. Perry Highway, Coolspring Township.
Calling hours: 1 p.m. to time of service Friday (1-24-03) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
Service: Memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. William P. Crooks, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mercer, officiating.
Burial: Findley Township Cemetery.
Myrtle L. Fritz
Homemaker helped
in operation of family farm
Myrtle L. Fritz, St. Paul Home, 339 E. Jamestown Road, West Salem Township, formerly of 158 Heckman Road, Delaware Township, passed away peacefully at 6:35 a.m. Tuesday (1-21-03) in the nursing home. She was 85.
Mrs. Fritz was born March 17, 1917, in Fredonia, a daughter of the late Leonard and Mollie O'Connor Rose.
She married Ralph S. Fritz on Nov. 11, 1939. He preceded her in death Feb. 2, 1999.
She was a homemaker and had also assisted her husband in the daily operation of the family farm that they had in Delaware Township.
She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Delaware Township. Prior to her marriage, she had attended and graduate from beauty school in Erie.
She is survived by a daughter, Janet Micsky and her husband, Paul, Greenville; a son, Carl Fritz and his wife, Mary Jane, Jonesboro, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Paula Marie Murray, Russ Micsky and Matt Micsky; and three great grandchildren, Debra Micsky, Dakota Murray and Joshua Micsky.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a twin brother, Merrill Rose; two brothers, R. Laverne Rose and Crell Rose; and one sister, Viola Kemm.
FRITZ
Mrs. Ralph S. (Myrtle L.), 85, West Salem Township, formerly of 158 Heckman Road, Delaware Township.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday (1-23-03) in ROBERT L. SNYDER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 169 Second St., Fredonia; and 10 a.m. to time of service Friday (1-24-03) in St. John's Lutheran Church, 10 Beil Hill Road, Delaware Township.
Service: Funeral and committal service at 11 a.m. Friday in the church with the Rev. Ronald Harbaugh, pastor, officiating.
Interment: Delaware (Township) Cemetery.
William W. Kosko
CB&I retiree was member
of Hubbard commission
William W. Kosko, 72, formerly of Hubbard, died in his home in New Port Richey, Fla., on Jan. 4, 2003.
Mr. Kosko was born in Hubbard on Feb. 27, 1930, the son of Wesley and Esther Zeh Kosko.
He graduated from Hubbard High School and Fenn College of Engineering, now Cleveland State University.
He was a mechanical engineer and an engineering manager for Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. for 30 years, working in Naperville, Ill., and many other locations in the United States and overseas, including Japan and Latin America.
Upon retirement, he resided in Las Vegas before returning to Hubbard in 1984. He moved to Florida in 1998.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Shirley Dingman, whom he married in Hubbard in 1950; a daughter, Marcia Kosko, Oldsmar, Fla.; a son, Gary, Bend, Ore.; two sisters, Sophie Balzic and Helen Dubyak, both Hubbard; and two grandchildren, Ryan and Kimberly, both Bend.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Anthony and John; and a sister, Nellie Paduchik.
After retiring, he served as a member and chairman of the Hubbard Township Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years and was an engineering consultant. He enjoyed golf and hobby farming.
He was a member of West Middlesex Wesleyan Methodist Church and Free and Accepted Masons Kedron Lodge 389, West Middlesex; Shrine Egypt Temple of Tampa, Fla.; Scottish Rite of Tampa; and American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.Christean Sanders Pugh
Farrell High graduate
lived in Florida
TAMPA, Fla. -- Christean Sanders Pugh, 3515 Beechwood Blvd., Tampa, formerly of the Shenango Valley, passed away Jan. 18, 2003, in her home. She was 50.
Mrs. Pugh was born Sept. 22, 1952, in Mobile, Ala., to Felix and Earnestine Waller Sanders.
She was a Farrell High School alumna.
Surviving are: a daughter, Keisha Rhett, Tampa; a son, Joe Pugh, Tampa; three sisters, Dorothy Timpson, Susie Alston and Doreatha Hartley, all Fayetteville, N.C.; seven brothers, Lee Sanders, John Sanders, William Sanders and Willie Sanders, all Pennsylvania; Calvin Sanders, Fayetteville; Roosevelt Sanders, Tulsa, Okla; and Robert Sanders.
PUGH
Christean Sanders, 50, of 3515 Beechwood Blvd., Tampa, Fla.
Calling hours and service: Noon Thursday (1-23-03) in East Point Assembly of God, 5337 Garden Lane, Tampa, Fla., with Pastor Don R. White officiating.
Burial: Orange Hill Cemetery, Tampa.
Arrangements by HARMON FUNERAL HOME Inc., 5002 N. 40th St., Tampa.
Charles Edward White
Sharpsville grad was retired pilot who served in 2 wars
KAILUA, Hawaii -- Charles Edward White, 456 Iliaina St., Kailua, died at 11:50 p.m. Sunday (1-19-03) in his home after an extended illness. He was 79.
Mr. White was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Canton, Ohio, to Charles C. and Grace Scanlon White.
The Sharpsville High School alumnus served as a U.S. Air Force pilot in World War II and the Korean conflict.
He was a pilot for 37 years for Hawaiian Airline, retiring Jan. 9, 1983.
Mr. White was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Kailua.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Eleanor Dos Santos, whom he married Aug. 19, 1946; three daughters, Sandra, Susan and Jennifer; two sons, Thomas and Richard; seven sisters, Kathleen Kimmel, Bonita Springs, Fla.; Jeannette Paoletta Morreale and Betty Lou Fess, both Sharpsville; Elaine Urchek, Cortland; Eileen Puhl, Hermitage; Nancy Scott, Sarasota, Fla.; and Rita Smith, Sharon; three brothers, James "Pat" White, Hermitage; Eugene White, Nashville, Tenn.; and Kenneth White, Ferris, Texas; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
A son, Patrick; and his parents preceded him in death.
WHITE
Charles Edward, 79, of 456 Iliaina St., Kailua, Hawaii.
Calling hours: None.
Service: Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday (1-25-03) in Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, with the Rev. Jason A. Glover, parochial vicar, as celebrant.
Burial: In Honolulu, Hawaii.
Anna Jayn 'A.J.' Cowan
Sharon native was longtime Lawrence County teacher
Anna Jayn "A.J." Cowan, of R.D. 4, County Line Road, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, died at 7:45 a.m. Friday (1-17-03) in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, of injuries received in a fall at her home the previous week. She was 70.
She was born Jan. 25, 1932, in Sharon, to George F. and Marie Clementson Von Strohe.
Prior to her graduation from Sharon High School in 1949, she was active in Girl Scouts, the Julia Buhl Girls' Club and in youth groups at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon.
Mrs. Cowan was an accomplished pianist.
She graduated from Westminster College in 1953 and belonged to the Theta Upsilon sorority.
Mrs. Cowan was a teacher at Wilmington Area Schools in Lawrence County for 25 years and, prior to that, taught at Laurel Elementary and New Castle schools.
After retirement, she volunteered at Shenango Presbyterian Home and tutored at New Wilmington Elementary School.
She belonged to Eastbrook Presbyterian Church in Lawrence County, where she was a Sunday school teacher, a youth group leader and a church deacon and sang in the choir.
Surviving are: her husband, Jerry J. Cowan, whom she married Dec. 5, 1981, at home; four daughters, Karen (Mrs. Andrew) Clark, Cleveland; Wendy (Mrs. Steven) McPherson, Brookville, Pa.; Tawnee (Mrs. David) Hunter, New Wilmington; and Amy (Mrs. Richard) Crawshaw, Evans City; three stepdaughters, Kathy (Mrs. Fred) Mazzanti, Ellwood City; Sue (Mrs. Donald) DiFrischia, New Castle; and Jane (Mrs. Kenneth) Erickson, Fayetteville, N.C.; a stepson, Joe Cowan, Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Mairy Jayn Woge, Hermitage; and Frances Jayn Cranmer, Mechanicsville, Va.; 12 grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren and one great-grandchild; and her ex-husband, Jacob N. Bakuhn.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eastbrook Presbyterian Church, State Road, Eastbrook; or New Wilmington Elementary School library, 450 Wood St., New Wilmington 16142.
COWAN
Mrs. Jerry J. (Anna Jayn, "A.J."), 70, of R.D. 4, County Line Road, Slippery Rock Township.
Calling hours: Were 10 a.m. until time of service Monday (1-20-03) at Eastbrook Presbyterian Church in Eastbrook. Were also Sunday (1-19-03) at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
Service: Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. David Hunter, Mrs. Cowan's son-in-law, and the Rev. Jean Gomola, church pastor, officiating.
Burial: Castleview Memorial Gardens, New Castle.
Elizabeth 'Libby' A. Best
Sugar Grove woman, angel collector worked at Blazon
Elizabeth "Libby" A. Best, 103 Goetsch Road, Sugar Grove Township, died at 4:50 p.m. Monday (1-20-03) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville. She was 70.
Mrs. Best was born May 18, 1932, in Putneyville, Pa., to Paul R. and Edith G. Kammerdiener Lorigan.
She graduated in 1949 from Union High School in Rimersburg and was an assembler for 14 years with Blazon Corp. in Jamestown.
Mrs. Best previously was employed by Rusco Corp. of Cochranton.
She attended Greenville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Hempfield Township.
Mrs. Best was a collector of all kinds of angels.
Surviving are: her husband, Herbert A. Best, whom she married July 28, 1951; two sons, Peter N. Best and his wife, Trina, Adamsville; and Paul W. Best, Greenville; her mother, Greenville; one sister, Lois J. Switzer, Connoquenessing, Pa.; and three brothers, Paul R. Lorigan, Oil City; and Donald E. Lorigan and Harry L. Lorigan, both Greenville.
She was preceded in death by her father and one daughter, Lois Marie Best.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
BEST
Mrs. Herbert A. (Elizabeth "Libby" A.), 70, of 103 Goetsch Road, Sugar Grove Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (1-22-03) in LOUTZENHISER-JORDAN FUNERAL HOME, 366-68 S. Main St., Greenville.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (1-23-03) in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Douglas, senior pastor of Greenville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Hempfield Township, officiating.
Burial: Shenango Valley Cemetery, Greenville.
Dorothy A. Sheatz
Dorothy A. Sheatz, 2571 Mercer St., Sandy Lake, died at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday (1-21-03) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville, after a brief illness. She was 84.
Obituary information was incomplete.
SHEATZ
Dorothy A., 84, of 2571 Mercer St., Sandy Lake.
Arrangements will be announced by SCOTT A. BLACK FUNERAL HOME, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro.
Gilbert G. 'Jake' Laird
GATX retiree, WWII vet managed drum, baton corps
Funeral service will be Friday for Gilbert "Jake" Laird, 32 Hermitage Hills Blvd., Hermitage. He passed away at 5:10 p.m. Monday (1-20-03) in the home of his daughter. He was 80.
Mr. Laird was born March 15, 1922, in what was then Hickory Township.
Jake was a 1940 alumnus of Hickory High School, Hermitage.
He retired as a pipe fitter in 1987 from the former General American Transportation Corp.'s Tank Car Division, Masury, where he worked for 47 years.
Mr. Laird was a member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township.
He and his wife, Evelyn, were instrumental in organizing and managing several drum and baton corps in the Shenango Valley during the 1960s. Among those were the Sharon Deb-U-Tots, Sharon Deb-U-Teens, the West Middlesex Co-eds and the Wheatland Commanders.
They also helped manage the Deb-U-Letts.
A U.S. Army veteran, he served as a sharpshooter during World War II. During his tour of duty, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star and the Victory Medal.
Mr. Laird was an avid bowler, belonging to several leagues at Hickory Bowl, Hermitage, and Thornton Hall Lanes, Sharon.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Dorothy Dermond, whom he married Nov. 2, 1974; two daughters, Denise Moore, Hermitage; and Dianna Kilgore and her husband, Roger, Hermitage; one son, James Laird, West Middlesex; one stepson, Gary Hinkson and his wife, Carol, Hermitage; eight grandchildren, Jami and Jennifer Kilgore Cidila, Hermitage; Christopher and Kelly Cole, North Brunswick, N.J.; Amy Kilgore, Owens Mills, Md.; Alison and Michelle Moore, Hermitage; and Gary Hinkson, Hermitage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Evelyn Mae Thompson Laird, whom he married May 24, 1942; five brothers, Paul, Taylor, Leonard, Ralph and Edward Laird; two sisters, Esther McGowan and Mildred Pears; and one stepson, Terry Hinkson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 2090 Mercer-West Middlesex Road, West Middlesex 16159.
LAIRD
Gilbert "Jake," 81, of 32 Hermitage Hills Blvd., Hermitage.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday (1-23-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday (1-24-03) in Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 2090 Mercer-West Middlesex Road (Route 318), Lackawannock Township, with the Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson, pastor, officiating.
Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
PREVIOUS DEATHS
Look in past days' obituary files to find the full obituaries
CAMPMAN
Albert H. Jr., 74, of 29 Hamilton Ave., Wheatland.
Obituary was published 1-21-03
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (1-22-03) and 10:30 a.m. to time of service Thursday (1-23-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. David J. Henderson, pastor of Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church, Wheatland, officiating.
Internment: Reickert Church Cemetery, Pymatuning Township.
FRIEDNAMER
Mrs. John C. "Jack" (Florence Elizabeth DuRell), 96, of 900 Dogwood Lane, Hermitage.
Obituary was published 1-21-03
Calling hours: None.
Service: Memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday (1-24-03) in West Middlesex Presbyterian Church, 3082 Main St., with the Rev. John Hicks, retired minister, officiating.
Burial: Cremation.
Arrangements by JOHN A. PALISIN FUNERAL HOME, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage.
KUHNS
Edmund L., 74, of 169 Brook Drive, Brookfield.
Obituary was published 1-21-03
Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today (1-22-03) in MADASZ FUNERAL HOME Inc., 6923 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield.
Service: Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (1-23-03) in St. Bernadette Church, 7808 Locust St. S.E., Masury, with the Rev. John Lody, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: Private.
MILLER
Mrs. Edward T. (Rita M.), 84, of 2186 Flint Drive, Hermitage.
Obituary was published 1-21-03
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (1-22-03) 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 10 a.m. Thursday (1-23-03) in St. Joseph Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, with the Rev. Marc Stockton, parochial vicar, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Rose's Cemetery, Hermitage.
POLLACK
Joseph M., 76, O'Brien Memorial Nursing Home, Brookfield, formerly of Sherman Avenue, Sharon.
Obituary was published 1-21-03
Calling hours: Were 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday (1-21-03) in A.E. PUSTINGER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 1310 Idaho St., Farrell. Vigil service was at 6:45 p.m. Condolences may be e-mailed to pustinger@adelphia.net
Service: Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. today (1-22-03) in St. Ann Church, 601 Fruit Ave., Farrell, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, Order of Friars Minor, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Ann's Cemetery, Hermitage.
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