The Herald, Sharon, PA

Local news Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 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

  • Kenneth B. Kelly, 82, of 8099 Sharpsville Thompson Road, Masury.
  • Robert Nicholas Passalinqua, 64, of 1929 Woodside Drive, Hermitage.
  • Fred Spargo, 90, Grove City, formerly of Sharpsville and the Village of Leesburg.
  • Clifton E. Thurber, 65, New Bedford.



Today's obituaries
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Robert Nicholas Passalinqua
Kenneth B. Kelly
Clarence Ray 'Windy' Dawson
  Fred Spargo
Catherine C. 'Katie' Fustos
Clifton E. Thurber

Robert Nicholas Passalinqua
Hermitage man was bands member, taught music

Robert Nicholas Passalinqua, 1929 Woodside Drive, Hermitage, died unexpectedly at 6:33 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 64.

Mr. Passalinqua was born Aug. 9, 1938, in Taylor Township, Lawrence County, to Nicholas W. Passalinqua and Helen Ryan Passalinqua.

He was a graduate of New Castle High School Class of 1957 and played in the high school band.

Mr. Passalinqua served in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired in 1982 as manager of Society Bank in Boardman, Ohio.

He was a member of St. Anthony's Church in Sharon.

As a member of Local 27 of American Federation of Musicians in New Castle, Mr. Passalinqua played in several local bands as a drummer. He also taught music in Beaver Falls.

He was a very loving father and grandfather.

His wife, the former Barbara Prezgay, whom he married May 11, 1975, survives at home.

Also surviving are: two sons, Mark and his wife Lesley Passalinqua, Hermitage; and Matthew Passalinqua, also Hermitage; and his friend, Lindsay Mack, Farrell; two sisters, Loretta Coleluca, New Castle; and Mrs. Delbert (Diana Lynn) Rice, Riverside, Calif.; one brother, Anthony and his wife Isabelle Passalinqua, West Pittsburgh; four grandchildren, Luke, Ross, Mitchell and Evan Passalinqua; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Bernard Passalinqua.

PASSALINQUA
    
Robert Nicholas, 64, of 1929 Woodside Drive, Hermitage.
    Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (2-12-03) in JOHN A. PALISIN FUNERAL HOME, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage. Church prayer service at 7 p.m.
    Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Thursday (2-13-03) in St. Anthony's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor, as celebrant. Brief prayer 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.


Kenneth B. Kelly

Kenneth B. Kelly, 8099 Sharpsville Thompson Road, Masury, died at 9:35 a.m. Monday (2-10-03) in the intensive care unit of UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 82.

Obituary information was incomplete.

KELLY
    Kenneth B., 82, of 8099 Sharpsville Thompson Road, Masury.
    Arrangements will be announced by JOHN FLYNN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY Inc., 2630 E. State St., Hermitage.


Clarence Ray 'Windy' Dawson

Sharon Steel retiree was softball player, outdoorsman

A funeral service will be held Friday for Clarence Ray "Windy" Dawson of 916 Wallis Ave. in Farrell. He passed away at 11:56 a.m. Sunday (2-9-03) in the intensive care unit of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 75.

Mr. Dawson was born Nov. 13, 1927, in Coraopolis, Pa., to Albert and Winona Dawson.

He worked in the blast furnace of the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant, also serving as a grievance man. He retired in 1989 after 40 years of service.

He was a member of Croatian American Citizens Civic Club in Farrell.

Mr. Dawson loved softball and played on many championship teams through the years.

An outdoorsman and member of the National Rifle Association, he loved fishing, hunting and trap shooting, participating in the Grand American Trap Shoot in Vandalia, Ohio, for 25 years. Mr. Dawson also belonged to several sportsmen's clubs in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.

He was a member of Fraternal Order of Police Rose of Sharon Lodge.

His wife, Margaret Arlene Dawson, passed away Sept. 22, 2001.

Surviving are: three daughters, Frances Dawson, Wheatland; Susan Dawson, Sharon; and Tammy Dawson, New Castle; two sisters, Janice Zahn and her husband Carl, Dayton, Ohio; and Gloria Van Hook, Centerville, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Winona E. Dawson; and a brother, George A. Dawson.

DAWSON
    Clarence Ray "Windy," 75, of 916 Wallis Ave., Farrell.
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (2-13-03) 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 (2-14-03) in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Joseph E. Coniglio, pastor of Gentle Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, Hermitage, officiating.
    Interment: Castle View Memorial Park, New Castle.


Fred Spargo
Sharon Steel retiree was Leesburg church member

Fred Spargo, Trinity Living Center, Grove City, formerly of Sharpsville and the Village of Leesburg, died at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Trinity Living Center. He was 90.

Mr. Spargo was born Dec. 11, 1912, in Sharpsville to Bert Culver Spargo and Myrtle Findley Spargo.

He was a graduate of the former Fredonia High School Class of 1930, where he was a valedictorian.

Mr. Spargo retired from the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant and belonged to Leesburg Presbyterian Church.

His wife, the former Virginia Hayne, died Nov. 20, 1985.

Surviving are: six daughters, Arlene McCartney, Sharon; Laura Mae Jones and Donna Jean Spargo, both Tallahassee, Fla.; Jackie Runyon, Brockway, Pa.; Betty Grace Spargo, Colton, Calif.; and Norma Spargo, Las Vegas; three sons, William Spargo, Nampa, Idaho; Thomas Spargo, Boise, Idaho; and Fred Spargo, Brookfield; a sister, Frances Horton Joslin, Sharon; and a number of grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Mizner; and a granddaughter and a grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Leesburg Cemetery Association.

SPARGO
    
Fred, 90, Grove City, formerly of Sharpsville and the Village of Leesburg.
    Calling hours: Noon to time of service Thursday (2-13-03) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, VILLAGE OF LEESBURG, 1778 Perry Highway, Springfield Township.
    Service: Funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas Gomola, pastor of Leesburg Presbyterian Church, officiating.
    Interment: Leesburg Cemetery.


Catherine C. 'Katie' Fustos

Homemaker was doll

collector, watched news

Catherine C. "Katie" Fustos, Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage, formerly of Sharpsville, died at 5:25 p.m. Friday (2-7-03) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System of natural causes after an extended illness. She was 88.

Mrs. Fustos was born May 23, 1914 in Ronco, Pa. to Joseph Velkey and Veronica Derner Velkey.

She was a homemaker and was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sharpsville, for 50 years. She was a member of Bess Eckles Sunday school class and a member of the United Methodist Church Women's Society.

Mrs. Fustos was an avid doll collector and loved to watch the news.

She married to Alexander "Shagg" Fustos on Oct. 25, 1931; he died June 5, 1987.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. James (Shirley) Stafford, Sharpsville; Mrs. Richard (Betty) Atwood, Orlando, Fla.; Mrs. Robert (Ronnie) Faller, Sharpsville; one son, Mr. James D. Fustos and his wife Joan, Sharon; four brothers, Michael Velkey, Michigan; Thomas Velkey, Michigan; Andrew Velkey, Pensacola, Fla.; and Victor Velkey, California; several nieces and nephews; and 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Alexander E. "Bugs" Fustos; two sisters, Mary Kmetz and Margaret Palanski; and four brothers, Joseph, John, Albert and Steve Velkey.

FUSTOS
    Catherine C. "Katie," 88, of Nugent Convalescent Home, formerly of Sharpsville.
    Calling hours: Were 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday (2-9-03) in DONALDSON-MOHNEY FUNERAL HOME, 124 Main St., Sharpsville.
    Service: Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Monday (2-10-03) in the funeral home with the Rev. Lee Weber, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Sharpsville, officiating.
    Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Sharpsville.


Clifton E. Thurber
Retired truck driver

lived in New Bedford

Clifton E. Thurber of New Bedford passed away at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after an extended illness. He was 65.

Mr. Thurber was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Williamsfield, Ohio, to Frank E. Thurber and Vera Barnes Thurber.

Having grown up in the Adamsville area, Cliff was a self-employed truck driver for Ace Doran Hauling and Rigging in Youngstown, retiring in 1999 after 45 years of service. He belonged to Local 377 of the Teamsters union in Youngstown.

Mr. Thurber was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharon.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Lillian L. Chalupka, whom he married April 18, 1964, at home; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Debra L.) Campbell, New Wilmington; two sons, Timothy P. Thurber Sr., Mount Pleasant, N.C.; and Steven E. Thurber, at home; his mother, Vera Thurber, Adamsville; two sisters, Laura Thomas, Atlantic; and Clarissa Simpson, Greenville; two brothers, Frank Thurber, Richmond Heights, Ohio; and Roger Thurber, Adamsville; and four grandchildren, Brady Lee Campbell, Timothy P. Thurber Jr., Burdetta E. Thurber and Wayne S. Thurber.

He was preceded in death by his father; one sister, Lulu Thurber; and one brother, Wayne Thurber.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Regional Health System's Hospice Home Care, 490 N. Kerrwood Drive, Suite 204, Hermitage 16148.

THURBER
    
Clifton E., 65, New Bedford.
    Calling hours: Private. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
    Service: Private funeral service will be held today (2-11-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
    Cremation service provided by the funeral home.


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


CARRIER
    
Ralph, 95, Lake Road, Jefferson Township.
    Obituary was published 2-9-03
    Calling hours: Were Monday (2-10-03) 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. today (2-11-03) in the funeral home.
    Burial: Mount Washington Cemetery, Jefferson Township.


MARCUS
    
Helen L., 81, of 589 Cedar Ave., Sharon.
    Obituary was published 2-9-03
    Calling hours: 7 to 9 p.m. today (2-11-03) 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. Wednesday (2-12-03) in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Jeffrey Lucas, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Entombment in St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.


MENZ
Mrs. Thomas James (G. Irene), 77, of 1498 Mercer-West Middlesex Road, Lackawannock Township.

    Obituary was published 2-10-03
    Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (2-11-03) in W. WAYNE CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex.
    Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday (2-12-03) in the funeral home with the Rev. James Leuenberger, pastor of West Middlesex Presbyterian Church, officiating.
    Burial: Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex.


PEARCE
    
Mrs. Geoffrey (Rosemary), 70, of 31 Fennell Road, Shenango Township.
    Obituary was published 2-10-03
    Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (2-12-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Wake service at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Friends may e-mail condolences to: mcgoniglefuneralhome@infonline.net
    Service: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday (2-13-03) in Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex, with the Rev. Howard King, pastor, as celebrant.
    Burial: Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex.


PICCIRILLI
    
Erasmo "Razz," 98, of 75 Milliken Ave., Sharpsville.
    Obituary was published 2-10-03
    Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (2-12-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
    Service: Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Thursday (2-13-03) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Christopher C. Merry, pastor, as celebrant.
    Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.


RICHARDSON
    
Harold M. "Pug," 81, Hermitage, formerly of 44 Davis St., Greenville.
    Obituary was published 2-9-03
    Calling hours: 11 a.m. to time of service Wednesday (2-12-03) in BAIRD FUNERAL HOME, 14 Louisa Ave., Greenville. Service by Free and Accepted Masons Eureka Lodge 290, Greenville, at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at: Tyson@Bairdfuneral.com
    Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, with the Rev. Steven Stelle, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, Hermitage, officiating. Military honors by the Army Military Honor Guard, Pittsburgh Military District.
    Burial: Shenango Valley Cemetery, Greenville.


ROBINSON
    
Marietta (Mari) Jean, 44, of South Oakland Avenue, Sharon.
    Obituary was published 2-9-03
    Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. today (2-11-03) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to: McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net.
    Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday (2-12-03) in the funeral home, with Rev. John Bailey, pastor of New Life Baptist Church, New Wilmington, officiating.
    Burial: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.


THOMPSON
    
Mildred M., 77, of 569 Charlotte Drive, Hermitage.
    Obituary was published 2-9-03
    Calling hours: Were Monday (2-10-03) in J. BRADLEY MCGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to: McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net.
    Service: 11:30 a.m. today (2-11-03) in Covenant Presbyterian Church, East State Street, Sharon, with the Rev. Joseph M. Hopkins, associate pastor of New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, officiating.
    Burial: Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester.


    THURSTON


    
Mrs. David F. (Lillie Mae), 95, of 15 W. Connelly Blvd., Sharon.
    Obituary was published 2-8-03
    Calling hours: 11 a.m. to time of service today (2-11-03) 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 today in the church, with Superintendent Wilbert G. Hadden, church pastor, officiating.

Burial: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.

Arrangements by WILBERT L. SHANNON FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 33 Broadway Ave., Wheatland.



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