Local news Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003 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 Samuel Frederick 'Fred' Weber Wolf Creek man worked for Harrisville company Samuel Frederick "Fred" Weber, a lifetime resident of 2737 Scrubgrass Road, Wolf Creek Township, died at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, following a brief illness. He was 53. Mr. Weber was born July 14, 1949, in Grove City to Donald Reed Weber and Sara Velma Baker Weber. He was employed at Allegheny Mineral in Harrisville, where he operated a crusher for 35 years. Mr. Weber was a Presbyterian by faith. His hobbies included farming and country music. His wife, the former Mary Kathleen "Kathy" Ryan, whom he married June 12, 1971, survives at home. Also surviving are: two sons, Daniel Frederick Weber and his wife Bonnie; and Douglas Michael Weber, all Grove City; three grandchildren, Ashley Weber, Sarah Montgomery and Cody Montgomery; his mother, Velma Weber, also Grove City; two sisters, Ruth Buckley, wife of Donald E., Sandy Lake; and Nancy Minor, wife of Robert G., Jackson Center; and four brothers, D. Richard "Dick" Weber and his wife Mary Ellen; Charles A. Weber and his wife Janet; John W. "Pete" Weber and his wife Shirley; and James E. "Ed' Weber, all Grove City. Mr. Weber was preceded in death by his father. Memorial contributions may be made to Wolf Creek Township Community Park, 566 Stoneboro Road, Grove City 16127. Checks are payable to Wolf Creek Township.
WEBER Hazel Foster Weaver Mercer woman retired from Grove City company Hazel Foster Weaver, 425 N. Pitt St., Mercer, died at 1 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, in Countryside Convalescent Home, East Lackawannock Township, following an extended illness. She was 72. Mrs. Weaver was born May 22, 1930, in Leesburg Station, Springfield Township, to Samuel Covert Foster and Beulah Hanna Foster. She attended Leesburg School and graduated from Mercer High School as well as the former Shenango Valley Commercial Institute in Sharon. Mrs. Weaver retired after 25 years of employment with Satec Systems in Grove City and previously worked for Shenango Furnace/Penn Mold in Sharpsville. She was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Mercer and was an associate Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed bowling and traveled frequently. Her husband, Thomas John Weaver, whom she married Jan. 30, 1974, died Oct. 19, 1951. Surviving are: three daughters, Diane Bissell Butterfield; and Judy, wife of Bernard Pyle, all Mercer; and Linda, wife of Thomas Combine, New Wilmington; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, Mrs. Weaver was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Floyd and Earl Foster; and a sister, Helen Mellon.
WEAVER Thomas B. Smithyman Jr. Joy Cone supervisor was decorated vet, Scout leader A funeral Mass will be held Monday for Thomas B. Smithyman Jr., 1023 Brandywine Drive, Hermitage. He passed away unexpectedly at 12:15 p.m. Thursday (2-20-03) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 55. Mr. Smithyman was born Nov. 25, 1947, in Pittsburgh, a son of Thomas and Patricia Kelly Smithyman. He was a 1965 graduate of South Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, now called Seton-LaSalle High School. As a 1969 alumnus of Pennsylvania State University, State College, Mr. Smithyman earned a bachelor's degree in general arts and sciences. Following his marriage, he moved to the Shenango Valley area. For the past three years, he was maintenance supervisor for Joy Cone Co. in Hermitage. He previously was employed for 30 years at National Uniform Service/United Service Co., Youngstown. A decorated Army veteran, Mr. Smithyman served as a sergeant during the Vietnam conflict, having been awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a former scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 1 at St. Joseph's Church in Sharon. For his participation and outstanding leadership by a Catholic in scouting, he was awarded the Bronze Pelican by Bishop Michael Murphy. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church. His wife, the former Rosanne Stabile, whom he married July 19, 1969, survives at home. Surviving besides his wife are: his son, Thomas B. Smithyman III and his wife, the former Colleen M. Beckovich; his parents, Thomas and Patricia Kelly Smithyman; three sisters, Mrs. David (Susan) Przenkop, Mrs. Kenneth (Mary Frances) Duttine and Mrs. Michael (Patricia) Napeirkowski; and two brothers, Raymond Smithyman and his wife Pamela; and James Smithyman, all Pittsburgh; and his father-in-law, John Stabile, Hermitage. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Michele Smithyman; and his mother-in-law, Mary Stabile. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lisa Smithyman Memorial Scholarship Fund; or the Endowment Fund of St. Joseph's School, both 760 E. State St., Sharon 16146.
SMITHYMAN Frederick Gemmell Kilroy Scotland native co-owned, owned Sharon company Frederick Gemmell Kilroy of 69 Flowers Ave., Sharon, passed away at 2 a.m. Thursday (2-20-03) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after having fought a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 64. Mr. Kilroy was born July 16, 1938, in Glasgow, Scotland, a son of William and Ellen Gemmell Kilroy. He was educated in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in January 1955. Mr. Kilroy co-owned Sharon Roofing and Heating Co. with his brother-in-law, Quinten Magargee, from 1967 until 1987. From 1987 to the present, Mr. Kilroy was owner and operator with his sons of the business. He was a member of Church of the Sacred Heart; and the Sons of Italy, both Sharon. Some of his hobbies were crossword puzzles, bird watching, gardening and woodworking. A veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy. His wife, the former Mary Lee Muresan, whom he married Oct. 21, 1961, in Church of the Sacred Heart, survives at home. He also leaves: three sons, Frederick C. Kilroy Jr. and his wife Chari Lynn, Hermitage; Michael W. Kilroy and his wife Nicole M., Sharpsville; and John T. Kilroy and his wife Dawn M., Hermitage. He also leaves: two sisters, Jean Foster, Scotland; and Kay Dzik, England; and four grandchildren, Leighanne L. Kilroy, Christopher F. Kilroy, Allie N. Kilroy and Andrew M. Kilroy. Besides his brother-in-law and partner, he was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.
KILROY Viola Mae Parkinson Pearce Marshall Packard retiree formerly lived in Sharon A funeral service will be held Monday for Viola Mae Parkinson Pearce Marshall of 4857 Sharpsville Road, Fowler, formerly of 149 Logan Ave., Sharon. She passed away at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage. She was 82. Mrs. Marshall was born Jan. 24, 1921, in Sharon to Joseph Parkinson and Zettie Mae VonValkenburg Parkinson. Mrs. Marshall attended Sharon High School and was a mold operator for Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Warren, Ohio, for 36 years, retiring in 1987. She also had replaced her first husband, Charles Pearce, at General American Transportation Corp.'s former Masury plant during his tenure in the Army during World War II, when he served as an X-ray technician for 3èyears. She enjoyed working with her daughters in her business. She also enjoyed traveling with a companion, as well as her son and daughter-in-law. She spent winters in Florida with her sister. Mrs. Marshall was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sharon; and belonged to Local 717 of IUE-AFL-CIO. Her husband, Holmes F. Marshall Jr., whom she married in March 1955, passed away in February 1980. Surviving are: her best friend and companion, Robert H. Davis, Fowler; her daughter, Mrs. Stanford (Gail) Stroupe, Warren, Ohio; three sons, Robert Pearce and his wife Young Joo, Herndon, Va.; Richard "Dick" Pearce and his wife Marlene, Brookfield; and Thomas Marshall and his wife Cynthia, Sharon; one sister, Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Zimmerman, Sarasota, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Christopher, Donegal, Shannon and Deanna Pearce; Rachelle Pearce Coley; Patricia Mitcheltree Carpec; and Barbara Mitcheltree Black; four stepgrandchildren, Paula Kovacs, Ruth Kovacs Mills; and Thomas and Edward Stroupe; nine great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one stepgreat-great-grandchild. Besides her husband, Mrs. Marshall was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Charles and Clarence Parkinson.
MARSHALL Martha M. Yeoman Sharon woman served VFW, worked at WE, for doctor Martha M. Yeoman of Stambaugh Avenue in Sharon passed away at 9:47 p.m. Thursday (2-20-03) in the intensive care unit of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. Mrs. Yeoman was born in Sharon, a daughter of Andrew Palko and Elizabeth Roskos Palko. She was a Farrell High School alumna. Mrs. Yeoman was employed by the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. as an office clerk for 11 years. Later she worked as an office receptionist for Dr. Leonard J. Lenhart, D.C., for eight years, retiring in 1977. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Sharon. Mrs. Yeoman was active in the community and served as president to the following organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 5286, Farrell; Mercer County Council; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary District 28. Mrs. Yeoman was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend to all she touched. She knew that in life a smile or a simple measure of generosity would make all the difference. She will be sadly missed by her family, adopted families and her friends that she loved so dearly. Her husband, George L. Yeoman, whom she married Jan. 24, 1942, passed away April 8, 1979. She leaves: a daughter, Linda Brown and her husband Richard, Aica, Hawaii; a son, Larry Yeoman and his wife Leslie, Sharon; a sister, Marie Lindars, Ontario, Calif.; two grandchildren, Karen Walker and Nicholas Yeoman; one great-grandson, Jayme Walker; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
YEOMAN John Lloyd Titus GATX retiree was active in church, as musician John Lloyd Titus, 986 Christy Road, Hermitage, passed away at 1:45 p.m. Friday (2-21-03) in Clepper Manor, Sharon. He was 94. Mr. Titus was born June 27, 1908, in Sharpsville, a son of John M. Titus and Erie Seibel Titus. Lloyd retired in 1974 from General American Transportation Corp.'s former Masury plant, where he was an office worker for more than 30 years. Following his retirement, he was employed by Frazier Livery Service in Sharon. He was also a funeral director's assistant for many years at J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home in Sharon. Lloyd was an active member, as well as the oldest living member, of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Hermitage, where he was a lay reader, served on vestry and was choir director for 30 years. Music was Lloyd's passion and he was well-known in the area as an accomplished musician. He began his musical career in high school directing the First Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville choir and orchestra and playing the violin and mandolin. Over the years, he played bass with many local bands including Bill Blank, Lee Leali, Benny Jones, Phil King, and Joe Cann and the Swinging Seniors. He also played violin with Shenango Valley Community Orchestra and was a life member of Local 187 of American Federation of Musicians, now Local 27. He enjoyed the outdoors, attending concerts and walking in his neighborhood, as well as in Buhl Park. His wife, the former Martha Burns, whom he married July 16, 1934, in Mercer, died Oct. 17, 1994. Surviving are: one daughter, Darla J. Renner and her husband Robert Renner Jr., West Middlesex; two sons, John "Jack" Titus and his wife Connie; and Timothy "Tim" Titus and his wife Nancy, all Hermitage; nine grandchildren, Alisa Vassen, Denise Webster, Tina Holt, Allison "Chris" Wheeler, Tiffany Titus, Michael Renner, and Todd, Jon and David Titus; 16 great-grandchildren; and a caregiver, Patricia Stoner. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Erie "Babe" Baker; and two brothers, Frank "Clair" Titus; and Francis Titus. Memorial contributions may be made to Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 5130 E. State St., Hermitage 16148.
TITUS Russell Weaver Russell Weaver, 4021 Wynwood Drive, South Pymatuning Township, died at 7 a.m. Friday (2-21-03) in UPMC Horizon, Greenville. He was 74. Obituary information was incomplete.
WEAVER Miriam A. Smiley Active Greenville St. Mike's member had family here ERIE -- Miriam A. Smiley, Erie, formerly of 35 E. Stewart Ave., Greenville, died at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, in ForestView Nursing Home, Erie. She was 67. Mrs. Smiley was born Dec. 2, 1935, in Sharon to John Hohman and Ann Davies Hohman. A graduate of Sharon High School and St. Francis School of Nursing in New Castle, she was a teacher's aide and office manager for 15 years at St. Michael's School in Greenville. As an active member of St. Michael's Church in Greenville, Mrs. Smiley volunteered at the church and school. She was also an active volunteer in the Greenville community. Her husband, Walter E. Smiley, whom she married Feb. 23, 1956, died Aug. 29, 2000. Surviving are: four sons, W. Scott Smiley, Cape Coral, Fla.; Michael S. Smiley and Jeffrey J. Smiley, both Erie; and James R. Smiley, Grove City; one sister, Patricia Formichella, Sharon; two brothers, Paul Hohman, Phillipsburg, Pa.; and Mark Hohman, Hermitage; and seven grandchildren.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Smiley was preceded in death by her parents; one son, John J. Smiley; one brother, John J. Hohman; and one infant sister, Mary Hohman.
Mrs. Walter E. (Miriam A.), 67, Erie, formerly of 35 E. Stewart Ave., Greenville.
Ruth E. Petras Retired Sharon beauty shop owner lived in Masury Ruth E. Petras of 479 Brookfield Ave., Masury, died at 10:30 p.m. Thursday (2-20-03) in Masury following a brief illness. Mrs. Petras was born in Vanderbilt, Pa., a daughter of Joseph and Lucy Conte Ritch. She was a graduate of Brookfield High School and a member of Church of the Sacred Heart in Sharon. Mrs. Petras was the owner and operator of Ruth's Beauty Shop in Sharon for more than 20 years before retiring. In her spare time, Ruth enjoyed flowers and gardening. Her husband, Edward F. Petras, whom she married Aug. 17, 1936, died March 11, 1996. Survivors include one brother, James Ritch, Masury. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Paul, Michael, Anthony, Nicholas Ritch and Joseph Ritch Jr.; and two sisters, Rose Dubrasky and Mary Davies. Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Regional Health System's Hospice Home Care, 490 N. Kerrwood Drive, Suite 204, Hermitage 16148.
PETRAS Mary Zbell Homemaker was Elks Club worker, had daughter here Mary Zbell, Grove City, formerly of Campbell, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 1 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in Grove Manor, Grove City. She was 89. She was born Oct. 31, 1913, in Campbell, Ohio, a daughter of John and Maria Djurik Meleg. She was a resident of Campbell until 1989. Mr. Zbell worked for the Elks Club in Youngstown in the dietary and maintenance departments. She was an avid homemaker and loved to cook, garden and help her children. She also served in the maintenance department for many years at Christ Community Church, formerly First Baptist Church, in Campbell. She was a member of the Lydia Circle and was a young people's sponsor at the church. Mrs. Zbell was devoted to family and will be sadly missed by her children: Lydia Kohlmeyer, Wheaton, Ill.; Patti Zbell-Henry, Mercer; and Kenneth Zbell, Michigan City, Ind.; two sisters, Helen Ocarz, Campbell; and Betty Newhouse, McDonald, Ohio; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Zbell; two sisters, Ann Shramo and Susan Bosak; a brother, Joseph Meleg; and her parents, John and Maria Meleg.
ZBELL Thomas Mitchell 'Mitch' Acker High school class officer had grandmother here COUDERSPORT, Pa. -- Thomas Mitchell "Mitch" Acker, Coudersport, died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 19, 2003, in his home. He was 17. Mitch was born April 3, 1985, in Coudersport, a son of David and Linda Allen Acker. Mitch was a senior at Coudersport High School, serving as vice president of his senior class. He enjoyed music and sports. In addition to his parents, he is survived by: three brothers, Aaron Acker, Pittsburgh; John Acker, Missoula, Mont.; and Jacob Acker, at home; his paternal grandmother, Helen Acker, Sharon; his maternal grandparents, Ernestine and Robert Allen, Denver, Colo.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Judge Albert Acker. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
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