The Tribune-Democrat
August 22, 2007 08:11 pm
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COPPOLA - Estelle
COPPOLA - Estelle T. (Neri), 92, Palm Bay, Fla., formerly of Coal Junction, died Aug. 21, 2007, in Palm Bay. Born Jan. 30, 1915, in Jenners, daughter of the late Antonio and Maria (Bignardi) Neri, Coal Junction. Also preceded in death by husband of 56 years, Enrico A. "Henry" Coppola, on April 12, 1999; sisters, Jennie Neri, Angelina Brescia, Pearl Oldren and Jean Thompson; and brothers, Dominic "George," Archille "Kelly" and Dwight "Bunny" Neri. Survived by daughter, Betty Jane, married to Joseph Rogers, Palm Bay; granddaughter, Michelle (Rogers), married to David Smith, Palm Bay; brothers, Lewis Neri, Jennerstown, and Anthony Neri, married to former Joyce Owen, Coal Junction; sister-in-law, Annabelle Neri, Gray; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. At the age of 15, Estelle moved to New York City and worked there all of her adult life. In the early years, she worked in the defense plants during World War II, but the job she enjoyed the most was working for Paramount Pictures while Francis Ford Coppola made the "Godfather" movies. Estelle and Henry retired in 1983 and moved back to Pennsylvania. After Henry's death, she moved to Florida to be near her daughter and granddaughter. Estelle will be remembered as a "special lady" who always took pride in her appearance and loved pretty things, but especially loved her family. Member of All Saints Catholic Parish. Viewing from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Funeral Home -- Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell, where vigil for the deceased will be held 6 p.m. Friday. Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at All Saints Chapel, Acosta, the Rev. Father Justin A. Ratajczak, OFM, Conv., celebrant. Committal, Mount Carmel Cemetery, near Jennerstown. In lieu of flowers, please make a Mass offering in memory of Estelle.
EVANS - John
EVANS - John, 83, 6200 Darwin Court, Raleigh, N.C., died Aug. 20, 2007, at Wake Med Hospital, Raleigh. John was born in Johnstown to the late Joseph O. Evans and Loretta Evans. He married Olga Komara on July 10, 1948. John retired with 33 years of service with State Farm Insurance. John loved traveling and golfing, and was a member of Windber Country Club, the VFW and American Legion. John was awarded the Bronze Star in the European Theater of World War II. Member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Funeral services were held in Raleigh. Surviving are wife, Olga Evans; son, Craig Evans, Wake Forest, N.C., and his wife, Roxann; daughter, Stephanie Hubbard, Cooper City, Fla., and her husband, Kevin; granddaughters, Natalee and Emilee; sisters, Catherine Lovette, and family, and Rebecca McAnany, and family; and brother, Joseph Evans, and family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR), 1759 R St., Northwest, Washington D.C. 20009. Online condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.mem.com.
GAYLOR - Russell
GAYLOR - Russell R., 62, Johnstown, died Aug. 22, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Sept. 28, 1944, in Johnstown, son of the late John G. and Elvira (Purazo) Gaylor. Survived by loving wife, the former Gail Weible; son, Robert M., married to the former Bridget Morder, Johnstown; grandson, Zseth Gaylor; and stepgrandchildren, Jessica Heinlein and Krystal, wife of Kevin Shaffer. Retired dispatcher for Penelec. Member of First Russian American Federation, Slovak Education Club and St. Therese Catholic Church, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, the Rev. Bernard Karmonocky. Committal, Grandview Mausoleum. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street, where vigil service will be held Friday.
GJURICH - Samuel
GJURICH - Samuel, 81, Edgewood, died Aug. 20, 2007. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Moskal Funeral Home, West End, where the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Dejan Obradovic will hold Panachida at 7 p.m. Thursday. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. Committal, Grandview Mausoleum. Menoher Post 155 VFW Ritual Team will conduct graveside services.
HYNES - Regis
HYNES - Regis F. Sr., 91, formerly of Cambria City, died Aug. 20, 2007, at Presbyterian Home, Johnstown. Born May 17, 1916, in Johnstown, son of John J. and Sara (Crossen) Hynes. Preceded in death by parents; wife, the former Anna Krisko; twin sister, Rita Keim; and all of his sisters and brothers, namely: Elizabeth Simsie, Mary Euen and Richard, Danny, Thomas, John and Corneleus Hynes. Survived by these children: Ann A., widow of William Zalesky, Johnstown; Rita, wife of Richard Peschock, North Huntingdon; Regis F. Jr., married to the former Christine Hribar; Mary, wife of Felix Tomkosky; and Alicia, wife of Foster Garrison, all of Johnstown; Terrence, married to the former Barbara Varner, Hanover; and Dennis, married to the former Rochelle Hribar, Johnstown; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Retired structural painter foreman for Johnstown Plant, Bethlehem Steel Corp. Member of St. Columba Catholic Church, where funeral will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday by the Franciscan Friars, OFM, Conv. Committal, Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street, where vigil for the deceased will be held Friday.
JAKELL - John
JAKELL - John R. "Tim," 72, Johnstown, died Aug. 21, 2007, at Laurel Wood Care Center. Born Aug. 15, 1935, in Johnstown, son of the late John and Luella (Williamson) Jakell. Survived by brothers and sister, Edwin C., New Port Richey, Fla.; Elsie J. Jakell, St. Augustine, Fla.; and Dick, South Park. Member of Roxbury St. Paul's United Methodist Church, NRA and Upper Yoder Township Volunteer Fire Company, where he served as past president, fire chief for 18 years and was currently a trustee. He was an avid fisherman. Retired employee of U.S. Post Office. Army and Navy veteran. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave., where service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, the Rev. Wayne D. Sedei. Interment, Grandview Cemetery.
LANTZY - L. Richard
LANTZY - L. Richard, 48, Johnstown, died Aug. 21, 2007, as a result of an assault. Born Aug. 18, 1959, in Indiana. Preceded in death by father, two brothers and one sister. Survived by mother, Harriett; cousin, Jim Robinson; five brothers; four sisters; and many nieces and nephews. He was employed by Grandview Cemetery. Family and friends received from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bence-Mihalcik Funeral Home, 965 Philadelphia St., Indiana. Interment is private.
MARTIN- Richard
MARTIN- Richard E., 54, Cumming, Ga., passed away Aug. 9, 2007. Richard was born April 22, 1953, to his parents, John and Louise Martin, in Spangler. He attended Bishop Carroll High School and University of Steubenville in Ohio, where he graduated in 1975. Richard had resided in the Atlanta area since 1975. Survivors include sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and John Petro, Southlake, Texas; nephew, Mark Petro, and niece, Susan Nixon, both of Indianapolis; close friend, Joan Martin, Decatur, Ga.; and several other relatives and close friends. A celebration of life gathering will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Highland Tapp in Virginia Highlands, Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association or to the charity of your choice. Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory, Cumming, is in charge of arrangements.
McNAMARA - Betty
McNAMARA - Betty, 104, Allegheny Lutheran Home, Johnstown, died Aug. 20, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born April 9, 1903, in Johnstown, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Nagy) Bakos. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Thomas R. McNamara "Dooley"; 12 brothers and sisters; and last sister was Margaret Palko, who died June 28, 2007. Former bookkeeper for Forest Lawn Cemetery and a former member of the Hungarian Reform Church, Cambria City. Friends received from 9 a.m. Saturday until time of service at 11 a.m. by her nephew, the Rev. John Palko at Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street. Interment, Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Allegheny Lutheran Home, 807 Goucher St., Johnstown, Pa. 15905 or to a charity of your choice in memory of Betty McNamara.
MYERS - Alvin
MYERS - Alvin D., 74, Johnstown, died August 21, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born July 15, 1933, in Johnstown, son of the late Clarence and Dora (Carney) Myers. Preceded in death by wife, the former Doris G. Ryan, and grandson, Eric Weingartner. Survived by these children: Deborah, married to Tim Clark, Rockwell, N.C.; David, married to the former D. Diane Swansiger, Sterling, Va.,; and Diane Weingartner, Johnstown. Also survived by six grandchildren. Alvin retired from the Bethlehem Steel Corp. after 32 years of service and was an Army veteran with the 11th Airborne Division. Alvin was employed at Benshoff Hill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hindman Funeral Homes -- Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Ave., Johnstown. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren. Interment, Benshoff Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
PAPUGA - Agnes
PAPUGA - Agnes M., 81, Johnstown, passed away Aug. 20, 2007. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Henderson-Makuchan Funeral Home, Conemaugh. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Friday at Assumption Church of the BVM.
RIEK - Joseph
RIEK - Joseph George, P.E., 61, Granby, Conn., passed away Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, at Hartford Hospital. He was born in Johnstown on March 26, 1946, son of the late Arthur W. and Petronilla Riek. Joseph served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a professional engineer and president of Riek Engineering Inc. A licensed pilot, his greatest joy was flying his home-built airplane that took him 32 years to build. He is survived by his wife, Mary Riek; a son, Christopher J., and his wife, Karen Riek, Medford, Mass.; a daughter, Kerry Anne Riek, Wilmington, Del.; a brother, Allen A., and his wife, Samrong Riek; a niece, Kathleen S. Seacatt; and a nephew, Nuam Arthur Riek, all of Dayton, Ohio. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia Society, 300 Research Parkway, Suite 310, Meriden, Conn. 06450. Hayes-Huling -- Carmon Funeral Home, Granby, has care of arrangements.
ROBERTS - Richard
ROBERTS - Richard L. "Rick," 58, Steubenville, Ohio, formerly of Jenner Township, Somerset County, died Aug. 21, 2007, in Steubenville. Born April 26, 1949, in Somerset, son of Clair H. and Esther V. (Shaulis) Roberts. Preceded in death by father, April 9, 1999, and daughter, Jennifer L. Roberts, Jan. 13, 2004. Survived by mother, Jenner Township; son, Michael, married to former Maria Baem, Fremont, Ohio; daughter, Jessica, married to SFC Jeffrey Baker, Columbus, Ohio; grandson, Cole Baker; and granddaughters, Olivia Baker and Chelsea Roberts. Brother of Arthur J., York; Jeffrey L., married to former Joy Thomas, Tridelphia, W.Va.; Brenda E. Roberts, Jenner Township; and Brian A., married to former Joyce Bittlebrun, Jenner Township. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and former wife, Gail (Eller) Lash, Ashtabula, Ohio. U.S. Navy veteran of Vietnam War. A 1967 graduate of former Jenner-Boswell High School. Millwright for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. Member of USWA. Viewing from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hoffman Funeral Home -- Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell, where service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, the Rev. Gary W. Anderson officiating. Interment, Beam Cemetery, near Gray, with military honors by Somerset County Honor Guard. Donations in Rick's memory may be sent to Valley Hospice, 380 Summit Ave., Steubenville, Ohio 43952.
TANASE - James
TANASE - James A., 77, Old Conemaugh Borough, died Aug. 21, 2007. Born May 19, 1930, in Johnstown, son of Angelo and Sadie (Pingtella) Tanase. Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Sylvester "Buster" and Henry; and half- brother, Frank Sciotto. Survived by fiancee, Dolores Rubal; sister, Josephine Tanase, with whom he resided; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Tanase and Katie Tanase; and many nieces and nephews. A 1950 Graduate of Greater Johnstown High School. Retired from Bethlehem Steel Corp. after 34 years in Gautier Division as a crane operator. Member of Greater Johnstown High School Alumni Association, Notre Dame Club Central PA, Union Social Club, Johnstown Football Club and Retired Men's Club. Life member of St. Clare of Assisi Church, formerly St. Anthony's, where funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the Rev. Leo F. Arnone. Friends received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, corner of Jackson and Locust streets. Committal, St. Anthony Cemetery.
WALUKAS - Maulvine
WALUKAS - Maulvine "Molly", 85, Southmont, died Aug. 22, 2007, at home. Born Oct. 29, 1921, in Tars, Westmoreland County, daughter of the late Anthony and Freda (Dhary) Abraham. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony J. Walukas, in 1968; sisters, Josephine, Catherine, Emma and Roseline; and brothers, George, Thomas and Alex. She is survived by her longtime companion, Paul Mauthe; sisters, Geraldine, wife of Nicholas Safina, and Pauline Rose, both of Johnstown; nieces, Dorothy Rose Polke, Bernetta Rose Chicarell and Janice Sramanek; and nephews, Gary McLoota and Joseph Safina. Molly formerly was employed at Glosser Brothers, and a loyal member of St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 111 Alberta Ave., where friends will be received Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and the Trisagion prayers will be sung at 8 pm. Saturday. Trisagion prayers will begin at 10 a.m. at the church with the funeral service to follow, the Very Rev. Father Donald Shadid officiating. Interment, Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Antiochian Building Fund, in Molly's memory. Arrangements by Picking-Treece-Bennett, West Hills.
WILL - Phyllis
WILL - Phyllis L., 88, Stadium Street, Berlin, died at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, at home. Mrs. Will was born in New Baltimore, Somerset County, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1919, the daughter of the late Sylvester and Elizabeth (Fochtman) Leonard. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Baltimore. Phyllis was the wife of Harold F. Will, whom she married on July 9, 1940. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter, JoAnn Hickey, Bedford; son, Don, husband of Norma Jean (Smith) Lynch, New Baltimore; daughter, Dorothy Ann, wife of Buster Schrock, Winchester, Va.; daughter, Sandra L., wife of Lewis Little, New Baltimore; daughter, Marge E., wife of Kerry Claycomb, Berlin; son, Gary F., husband of Margery (Landis) Will, Berlin; daughter, Christine M., wife of John Santichen, Johnstown; daughter, Lynn C.; and daughter, Auda, Berlin. She also is survived by 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers, Hubert and Bruce; sisters, Vera Glessner, Dorothy Lynch and Helen Murphy; and also Jim Lynch and Katie Keller. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, with Father Allan Zeth, celebrant. Committal service will be held at St. John's Cemetery. Friends are invited to call Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Mickle-Geisel Funeral Home, Schellsburg, where a vigil for the deceased will be held in Thursday. Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneral.com.
Today's Funerals
BITTLEBRUN - Eleanor J. (Reitz), 11 a.m., Benscreek Lutheran Church. Hoffman Funeral Home -- Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell.
FARABAUGH - Dorothy A., 11 a.m., St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carrolltown. Stevens Funeral Home Inc., 146 N. Main St., Carrolltown.
HELIS - Sabina M. Therese (Mascuch), 10 a.m., St. Francis Catholic Church. Moskal Funeral Home, West End.
URBASSIK - William J., 11 a.m., Henderson Funeral Home, East Hills.
WILK - Ronald Thomas, 10 a.m., St. Aloysius Church. Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson.
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