Longtime church leader,
voluteer, community member
The Rev. Dr. John Roberts Rankin, 76, of Brownsville, part-time pastor of Roscoe Presbyterian Church, PCUSA, died Sunday, February 24, 2008, after a six-month battle with cancer, complicated by heart disease.
The Rev. Rankin graduated from Muskingum College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he received both his master's of theology and doctorate of ministry degrees.
He served in churches throughout the larger Pittsburgh area, having started as director of Christian education in Edgewood Presbyterian Church while starting his seminary training.
He then was ordained and served as the first pastor of the newly built Community Non-Denominational Church of Bradfordwoods.
Four years later, he was ordained into PCUSA and served at the former Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church, Hickory, now known as Hickory United Presbyterian Church. In 1968, he came to first serve First Presbyterian Church, California, from where he retired in 1997.
At the time of his death, The Rev. Rankin was in his 10th year of part-time ministry in Roscoe.
He was a church leader in Washington Presbytery, where he was a past moderator. He served as a member of council of both Presbytery and Synod of the Trinity. He was active in California Ministerial Association and in forming a united campus ministry to the California University of Pennsylvania community.
A leader in ecumenical activities and worship, he con-celebrated the liturgy at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, California, for seven years, when its priest was challenged with cancer. He did so with the approval of the local bishop and the encouragement of the PCUSA Synod Executive. He led a week of worship services in the multinational Anglican Church at St. Lawrence, Christ Church, Barbados, West Indies.
In his years of ministry, he was active in the communities. He served 20 years as a volunteer fireman in Bradfordwoods, Hickory and California. He was a member and former president of board of Center in the Woods, as it evolved to the regional facility it is today. He was past president and member of the Board of California Public Library and Washington County Children and Youth Services.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara Boyd Rankin; four children, Rebecca Eileen Rankin of Washington, John Alexander Rankin of Loganville, Ga., Elizabeth Kathleen Rankin McEvoy of New Gloucester, Maine, and Rachel Margaret Van Der Stuyf of Fishkill, N.Y.; and four grandchildren, Keaton Elizabeth and Carson Rhys McEvoy, Tommy Alexander Rankin and Finn Roberts Van Der Stuyf.
Also surviving are two sisters, Betty French of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Helen Hunter of McMurray.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is his brother, the Rev. Harry W. Rankin.
A memorial celebration titled, "The Life of Rev. John Rankin," is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in Center in the Woods, Route 88, between Brownsville and California.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to "Rev. John Rankin Memorial" at Roscoe Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 716, Roscoe, PA 15477; First Presbyterian Church, 303 Fourth Street, California, PA 15419; or Center in the Woods, 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville, PA 15417.
Arrangements are being handled by Novak Funeral Home, 515 Front Street, Brownsville, PA 15417. To sign the online guest book or to record a personal condolence, please log on to www.novakfuneralhome.net.
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LORINDA S. ARMSTRONG
Beaver resident,
retired caregiver
Lorinda S. (Lori) Armstrong, 55, of Beaver, died on her birthday, Sunday, February 24, 2008, in Friendship Ridge, Beaver.
She was born February 24, 1953, in LaPorte, Ind., a daughter of the Rev. Robert C. Armstrong of Eighty Four and the late Maudie Marion Hargis Armstrong.
She was a member of Chippewa Evangelical Free Church and Scleroderma Support Group.
Before her retirement, she was a personal caregiver in the health-care system.
Surviving, in addition to her father, are a brother, Gerald R. Armstrong of Clinton; and a sister, Diane M. Brosius of Beaver.
Deceased, in addition to her mother, is a brother, Bruce C. Armstrong.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m., the time of services, Wednesday, February 27, in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, Joseph P. Salandra, supervisor/owner, with the Rev. Matt Frey officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Eighty Four. Donations may be sent to Western Pennsylvania Scleroderma Support Group in her memory.
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JOSEPH L. HENDERSON
Allegheny Ludlum steelworker served with U.S. Air Force
Joseph L. Henderson, 68, of Houston, formerly of Washington, died Saturday, February 23, 2008, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.
He was born March 21, 1939, in Washington, a son of Chester Vernon and Dorothy Ellen Washington Henderson.
Mr. Henderson was a member of IBPO Elks of the World Washington Lodge and an avid Washington High School sports fan.
He was a steelworker for Allegheny Ludlum for 35 years and served with the U.S. Air Force.
Surviving are his wife, Pamela Patterson Henderson; three sons, Joseph Henderson Jr. of Washington, Brandon L. Patterson-Henderson of Houston and Phillip L. Patterson-Henderson of Canonsburg; six daughters, Rhonda Barnes of Washington, Cherise Gavin of Warren, Ohio, Jo A. Craig of Hiller, Amanda Cole-Deloatch of Newport News, Va.; Vesta Chandler of Washington and Jocelyn Henderson of Houston; two brothers, Robert and Bernard Henderson, both of California; a sister, Diane Woodward of California; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of services, Wednesday, February 27, in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
Visit www.sollon.com to view and leave online condolences.
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GEORGE PARISH
WWII veteran was
U.S. Steel Corp. retiree
George Parish, 81, of Finleyville, died Sunday, February, 24, 2008, in HCR ManorCare, McMurray.
He was born September 5, 1926, in Finleyville, a son of Joseph Sr. and Mary Spirak Parish.
Mr. Parish was retired as a boiler operator with U.S. Steel Corp., Clairton Works.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Mr. Parish was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Finleyville, American Legion Post 613 and Loyal Order of Moose 172, both in Finleyville, Arroas Haymakers Association 2531/2 in New Eagle and Slovak Club in Monongahela.
Surviving are two brothers, John and Paul Parish, both of Finleyville; a sister, Mary Koskoski of Finleyville; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are his wife, Irene Parish, who died in 1990; four brothers, Joseph Jr., Stephen Sr., Albert and William; and two sisters, Anna Snee and Margaret Wetzel.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Kegel Funeral Home Inc., Tim P. Kegel, supervisor, 3560 Washington Avenue, Finleyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 28, in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Finleyville, with the Rev. Robert J. Boyle as celebrant. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. American Legion Post 613 will conduct services at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Building Fund, 3609 Washington Avenue, Finleyville, PA 15332.
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ANDREW VARGO
WWII vet was avid gardener, McGraw Edison retiree
Andrew "Tucker" Vargo, 88, formerly of Oak Spring Road, Canonsburg, died Monday, February 25, 2008, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.
He was born Wednesday, October 15, 1919, in Canonsburg, a son of Charles and Veronica Potio Vargo.
Mr. Vargo served with the U.S. Army during World War II in European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Loyal Order of Moose and Polish National Union of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston.
Mr. Vargo was an avid gardener and enjoyed participating in soccer, softball and bowling.
Prior to retirement, he was a fork lift operator for McGraw-Edison.
His first wife, Anna Spudich Vargo, died June 4, 1981. He married Helen Diamond, who died April 19, 2000.
Surviving are a stepdaughter, Geraldine Fratoni of Burgettstown; and two sisters, Veronica Donnley of Canonsburg and Anna DeBlasio of Peters Township.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Frank Vargo.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7:30 p.m., the time of services, Wednesday, February 27, in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon supervisor, with honor guard chaplain officiating. Private burial will be held Thursday in Forest Lawn Gardens. Visit www.sollon.com to view and leave online condolences.
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JOSEPH EDWARD
PASTOROK
Survivor of Iwo Jima
Joseph Edward Pastorok, 83, of Washington, died Sunday, February 24, 2008, in Donnell House, Washington, following a lengthy illness.
He was born March 18, 1924, in Oakdale, a son of Stephen and Mary Bartosic Pastorok.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from April 7, 1943, until his honorable discharge as a corporal March 30, 1946. Mr. Pastorok served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was a survivor of Iwo Jima.
In 1987, he retired from Jessop Steel, where he had worked for 24 years and also worked for Pennsylvania Railroad for 23 years.
He enjoyed hunting, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Pastorok was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 927 and Marine Corps League.
On May 25, 1946, he married Virginia Agnes Kargle, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Joseph S. Pastorok of Washington; a daughter, Joyce Ann (Frank) Rath of Dumfries, Va.; four grandchildren, Tina, Anne, Kyle and Troy; and three great-grandchildren, Logan, Brialya and Landon.
Deceased are three brothers, John, Charlie and Steve; and four sisters, Jean, Ann, Helen and Mary.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Donnell House, Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.
William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington, is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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Additional information was received for the obituary of Lois Jean Clayton, published Monday. Also deceased are two brothers, Charles "Dig" Miller and Robert Miller.
She was the last of her immediate family.