Obituaries 08/27/2007

The Tribune-Democrat

August 26, 2007 06:38 pm

— Obituaries 08/27/2007

BRAWLEY – Ernest J.
BRAWLEY – Ernest J., 78, Johnstown, died Aug. 26, 2007, at the Allegheny Lutheran Home of Johnstown. Born July 10, 1929, in Cresson the son of the late Carl and Freda (Nischalke) Brawley. Survived by loving and devoted wife of 50 years, the former Elizabeth “Betty” Brusko; children, David J., married to the former Karen Koscelniak, Van Lear, Ky.; Patricia L., married to Thomas Walsh, Johnstown; Linda M., married to Donald Foust, Johnstown; Carol M., married to Barry Lemmert, St. Marys; and Dennis M., married to the former Gina Socey, Johnstown; and grandchildren, Patrick Walsh, Nichole, Anthony and William Foust, Sara Lemmert and Grace and Ella Brawley. Also survived by brother, Robert O. Brawley, married to the former Helen Shaffer, Johnstown; and beloved aunt, Minnie Fritz. Ernest was a 1948 graduate of the former Cresson High School and served in the U.S. Air Force for three years. He retired from Ward Trucking in 1993. Ernie was a former member of the Ferndale Lions Club where he served as president for one year and was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church where he served as superintendent of the Sunday school program for many years. He also was an avid gardener and enjoyed working outdoors. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., West Hills, 921 Menoher Blvd., where service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Don Sease officiating. Entombment, Grandview Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 111 Willow Street, Johnstown, Pa., 15901, in Ernie’s memory.

CHURCHEY – Ramona E.
CHURCHEY – Ramona E. “Monie,” 78, of Johnstown, died Aug. 24, 2007, at Windber Hospice. Born Sept. 23, 1928, in Johnstown, daughter of Walter and Mary Rosezetta (Carbaugh) Kauffman. Preceded in death by parents and infant sister, Betty Jane. Survived by loving husband of 59 years, Garfield Churchey Jr.; children, Robert “Gary” Churchey, married to former Carolyn Hecker; Walt, married to former Kathy McClelland; Patty, married to Kenny Kordell; and Wendy, married to Mark Koontz, all of Johnstown; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren and one on the way. Sister of Vivian “Pat” Deist, Johnstown, and Eugene Kauffman, married to former Betty Ann Rummel, Somerset. Member of Westmont Church of the Brethren. Former employee of Koch’s Ceramics and St. Rochus Church, where she enjoyed teaching and working with ceramics. Monie was a devoted wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. In keeping with Ramona’s wishes, there will be no public viewing. A private committal service will be held at the Grandview Mausoleum. Arrangements by John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave., Johnstown. For friends and family, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Westmont Church of the Brethren, 2301 Sunshine Ave., with Pastor Robert Rummell. The family suggests that those who wish may make memorial contributions to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Ave., Windber, Pa. 15963. Though gone from our sight, she will forever remain in our hearts ... ’til we meet again.

DALE – Connie L. (Labarko)
DALE – Connie L. (Labarko), 82, formerly of Johnstown, died Aug. 15, 2007, in Greenville, S.C. Born March 20, 1925, in Johnstown, daughter of Pasquale and Mary (Arabia) Labarko. Preceded in death by parents; and numerous brothers and sisters. Survived by children, James, Jack, David and Barbara; grandchildren, Michelle, Brandon, Travis, Kelly, and Kenzie; one great-grandchild; brothers, Albert, Patrick and Archie; and sister, Rose. She was a self-employed seamstress. Friends received from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, corner of Jackson and Locust streets. Graveside service at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony Cemetery, Rev. Leo F. Arnone. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family.

KEIPER – Merle W.
KEIPER – Merle W., 88, Johnstown, died Aug. 26, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Sept. 13, 1918, in Johnstown, son of the late Charles L. and Nora (Thomas) Keiper. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, the former Esther F. Reynolds, whom he married on June 1, 1943, while on leave. He is also survived by sons, Glenn W., married to the former Sonia Ashcraft, Duncansville; and Ronald E., married to the former Ruth Easton, Sterling, Va.; and grandchildren, Laurie and Cara, both of Harrisburg; Lindsay, Burlington, N.C.; and Seth, Sterling, Va. Merle served in the Pacific Theater, in the Army, during WWII, with the 242nd Engineer Combat Battalion as part of the medical detachment, and was awarded a Bronze Star. He was employed with Hallman Chevrolet for 30 years, then with Wagner Dodge. He is a member of the American Legion, and VFW Post 155, and a longstanding member of the Bowersdale United Methodist Church. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., downtown, 514 Somerset St., where service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Rev. Marjorie Kiefer officiating. Interment, Grandview Cemetery.

MOORE – Tami M.
MOORE – Tami M., 20, Windber, died Aug. 25, 2007, at home. She was born Aug. 29, 1986, in Johnstown, the daughter of Cris Moore and Helen (Claycomb) Moore. Preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Fred Claycomb. Survived by maternal grandmother, Violet Claycomb, New Paris; and mother, Helen M. Moore, Windber; twin sister, Toni L. Moore, and her fiance, Jared Mock, Salix; special niece, Paige. Also surviving is her friend, Mike Ruffing, South Fork. Friends received from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Jean H. Kinley Funeral Home, Beaverdale, where service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment, Dunlo United Methodist Cemetery.

MORRIS – Philip Thomas
MORRIS – Philip Thomas, 82, Johnstown, died Aug. 22, 2007, at Laurel Wood Care Center. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 205 Peelor St., Prospect, where Rev. Andrew W. Tilly will hold homegoing service at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Committal, Benshoff Hill Cemetery. Moskal Funeral Home, West End, is in charge of arrangements.

PETAK – Agnes R.
PETAK – Agnes R., 79, Johnstown died Aug. 24, 2007, at the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home. Born July 31, 1928, in Johnstown, the daughter of the late Mary Thiel. Preceded in death by husband, Rudolph John Petak and brother, Charles Thiel. Survived by daughter, Roselyn, wife of Barry Browne, Johnstown; son, Kenneth, Dilltown; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sister, Christine Neff and brother, William Thiel, both of Johnstown. Also survived by special friends at the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home and Hospice. Agnes loved spending time with her family and enjoyed playing bingo. She was a member of St. John Gualbert Cathedral, where family and friends will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday for a funeral Mass, the Rev. Clarence S. Bridges celebrant. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary Inc., West Hills, 921 Menoher Blvd. Inurnment, St. Francis Cemetery.

SAYLOR – Benjamin F.
SAYLOR – Benjamin F., 67, St. Benedict, died Aug. 21, 2007, at Altoona Hospital. Born May 30, 1940, in Spangler, the son of Clinton Telford and Elizabeth (Keough) Saylor. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Kathleen Kohan-Saylor. Survived by daughter, Justina Dunchack, St. Benedict; grandchildren, Alex Kathleen and Riley Jordan; brother, Henry (Carol) Saylor, Gambrills, Md.; and sister, LaRue (Leon) Withers, Matherville, Ill. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Formerly employed as an automotive salesperson for Switzler Buick. A U.S. Air Force veteran. Ben enjoyed golfing, hunting and woodworking. No viewing or visitation at the request of the deceased. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at St. Benedict Presbyterian Church, Pastor Marty Cartmell officiating. Inurnment, Fairview Cemetery, Patton. Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria, is in charge of arrangements.

WELLEN – William “Bill” R.
WELLEN – William “Bill” R., 88, Homer City, died Aug. 25, 2007, at home. Born March 19, 1919, in Homer City, son of the late Charles W. and Mabel (Hendrickson) Wellen. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Theola (Sullivan) Wellen; brothers, Donald, Richard and Thomas; sister, Louise and an infant sister. Survived by daughters, Kathryn, married to Dr. Frank Charney; and Mary, married to Dr. John Machella; grandchildren, Meghan and Brynne Machella, all of Johnstown. Also survived by brother, James, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing or service. Arrangements in care of C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City.

YEAGER – Clara A.
YEAGER – Clara A., 83, of Meyersdale, decided it was time to go home with the Lord on Aug. 25, 2007. Born Oct. 14, 1923, in Meyersdale, daughter of the late John and Lillian (Sipple) Dively. Preceded in death by husband, Myron Jesse Yeager; brother, John W. Dively Jr.; and sister, Margaret M. Laubach. Moved from Meyersdale to Detroit in 1942. In Detroit, she was employed at General Motors, Photographic GM Tech Center, from 1955 to 1970. Clara and her husband, Jesse Yeager, returned to Meyersdale in 1989. Surviving are two children, Brenda Curtis, Lansing, Mich.; and John (Carol) Yeager, of Dunedin, Fla.; brother, Albert Dively, North Fort Myers, Fla.; grandchildren, Wendy, and husband, Bob Johnson, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla; Christopher, and wife, Lori Curtis, Kankakee, Ill.; and Jason Yeager, Chicago; and great-grandchildren, Amy Johnson, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and Connor and Zachary Curtis, Kankakee, Ill. The family is very thankful to Barb Sipple – who made her laugh everyday – and Ruth Wedge, and the many relatives who watched over her all the time, also Susie Broadwater, her hairdresser. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the M. Ray Leckemby Funeral Home, Meyersdale, where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with Pastor James Smelley officiating. Interment, Meyersdale Area Union Cemetery. Family suggests that contributions may be made to Somerset Hospice, 1590 N. Center Ave., Somerset, 15501 or Amity United Church of Christ, Meyersdale.

Today's Funerals
BERKEBILE – Vernon “Fuzzy,” 1 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church. Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland.
BISCHOF – Mildred F., 10 a.m., Geisel-Devlin Memorial Chapel, Dale.
CEKELLA – Nora Fern, 11 a.m., Summit Chapel United Methodist Church. John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave.
DALEY – Eugene R., 10 a.m., St. John Gualbert Cathedral. Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street.
GRISIN – Michael Jr., 10 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Windber. Meek and Dalla Valle Funeral Home, Windber.
LYBARGER – Helen Virginia, 10 a.m., Third Brethren Church, Spring Street. Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Ave.
MILLER – James E., 11 a.m., the Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel, Conemaugh.
SMITH – Lee A. “Tony,” 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Alleghenies Chapel, Lilly. Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson.
SRAL – Miriam R. (Taranto), 11 a.m., Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria.
WOLFHOPE – Harry W. “Butch,” 11 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidman. Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home Inc., South Fork.