Georgia resident
Benson H. Antill, 90, of Jesup, Ga., died Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
Deceased are a brother, Clarence Antill, and a sister, Virginia Alta Corder.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home, Jesup, are handling funeral arrangements.
****
MARSHALL T. COMPTON JR.
Marshall T. Compton Jr., 44, of Claysville, formerly of West Mifflin, died unexpectedly Monday, March 3, 2008, as a result of a work-related accident in Beaver County.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Michael H. Heinrich Funeral Home, Claysville.
****
CHERYL LYNN GAYDOS
Coraopolis resident,
St. Patrick Church member
Cheryl Lynn Gaydos, 60, of Coraopolis, formerly of Washington and Canonsburg, died unexpectedly Monday, March 3, 2008, in her home.
She was born October 17, 1947, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Dilbert Daniel and Jeannette Bartlebaugh Reebel.
While living in Canonsburg, Mrs. Gaydos was a member of St. Patrick Church.
She was an intravenous nurse in Washington Hospital.
On April 25, 1970, she married John Gaydos Sr., who died August 22, 1944.
Surviving are two sons, Jonathan Gaydos of Carnegie and Laurence Gaydos, with whom she made her home; a daughter, Heather Gaydos of Los Angles, Calif.; a stepson, Roger J. Gaydos of McDonald; two stepdaughters, Charlotte Soster of Naples, Fla., and Deborah Keller of Ft. Myers, Fla.; a sister, Diana (James) Sherrow of Carnegie; a granddaughter, Meghan Gaydos; and 10 stepgrandchildren.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Church. Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society.
****
DENNIS C. GIBBONS SR.
Longtime St. Hilary Church member, past scoutmaster
Dennis C. Gibbons Sr., 57, of Washington, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in his home, following a three-and-a-half-year illness.
He was born March 12, 1950, in Cresson, a son of Pearl Bertram Gibbons of Cresson and the late Fred Gibbons.
Mr. Gibbons earned his associate's degree from Penn State University and attended University of Pittsburgh Electrical Engineering Program.
He was a longtime member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church in Washington.
Mr. Gibbons also was past Cub scoutmaster of Pack 1014 at St. Hilary Church.
He was a member of MEMMA Mining Equipment Maintenance.
Mr. Gibbons enjoyed hunting and playing golf, especially with his sons.
He also enjoyed spending time with friends and his dog, Sassy.
Mr. Gibbons was a Steelers and Penn State football fan.
He was employed as a salesman over the years by Reliance Electric and Rockwell, for whom he sold motor repair products.
In 2000, Mr. Gibbons retired as an electrical department manager with Consol Energy, after 28 years of service.
On April 22, 1972, in Ashville, he married Leona Beiswenger, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Dennis Jr. and his family, Jenn, Chris, Sydney and Kody of Washington; Brett and wife Brandy Gibbons of Upper St. Clair; and Gregg Gibbons of Washington; a sister, Louise and husband Sonny Shaffer of Cresson; two brothers, Thomas Gibbons of Dallas, Texas, and James and wife Becky Gibbons of Hookstown; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Dale D. DeAngelo Funeral Home, 1290 Jefferson Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, 320 Henderson Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. Thomas D. O'Neil as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society or Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301.
Online condolences and guest book are available at www.deangelofuneralhome.com.
****
WALTER HAROLD HOPPER
Air Force pilot, retiree
was WWII veteran
Walter Harold "Skip" Hopper died Wednesday, January 16, 2008, in Greenville, S.C.
He was born April 20, 1922, in Canonsburg.
Mr. Hopper was a gentle man with a distinguished record of service to his country. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force after an exciting 23-year career as a pilot who traveled the world. He flew B-24 bombers during World War ll with the 375th Bomb Squadron in China-Burma-India Theater, which was assigned to 308th bombardment group.
After the war, he served as a pilot in Berlin Airlift and as a test pilot. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he worked in the aircraft industry for Ling-Tempco-Vought, located in Donaldson Center.
He had a heart of gold, a quick wit, a ready smile and a story for all who would listen.
Mr. Hopper loved a good cigar, a good story, his family, his dog, Freebie, and his Plymouth Baracuda.
He touched many lives and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving is a large and loving family, including his wife, India P. Hopper of Greenville; daughter Susan Hopper Foster and husband Jim and son Sam Hopper, all of Greenville; a son, Lin Hopper of Clifton, Texas; stepdaughters Sheryl Penny and Kathie Kulikowski; grandchildren Nate Hopper, Katie Jackson, Ashley F. Kirkpatrick, Sam and Ben Foster; great-grandchildren Kailyn, Abbie and Jacob Hopper, Will Jackson, Trey and Mason Kirkpatrick; nephews Jeffrey Hopper and David Hoon; nieces Mary Jane Hopper Podboy, Sallie Hopper, Jackie Hoon Hnat, and locally, Donna Hoon Reynolds of Canonsburg.
Deceased is his wife, Enid Redman Hopper; a stepson, Gary Kulikowski; and a brother, Jack Hopper.
Memorials may be made to Greenville Humane Society or to Open Arms McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, S.C.
****
DOROTHY JEAN MASON
Houston resident
Dorothy Jean Mason, 77, of Houston, died at 1:20 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, in Donnell House, Washington.
She was born July 13, 1930, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Martin Addison and Marion McPerson Milligan Sr., and lived most of her life in Houston and Canonsburg areas.
Mrs. Mason was Protestant.
Prior to her retirement in 1992, he had been employed in the accounting department of Washington County Housing Authority.
On November 2, 1950, she married James E. Mason, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, James E. (Pamela) Mason Jr. of Sycamore and Robert Scott (Ellen) Mason of Albany, N.Y.; a daughter, Kathryn Ann (Phillip) Cholak of Bowie, Md.; 10 grandchildren, Erica, Amy, Clay, Lauren, Sarah, Christian and Elias Mason and Phillip, Amanda and Christopher Cholak; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the last of her immediate family.
Deceased are three sisters, Mary Margaret "Bo" Bails, Saundra "Saunie" Frederick and Kathryn Marion (Kay) Lawrence; and two brothers, Charles William (Bill) Milligan and Martin Addison "Bud" Milligan Jr., who died February 11, 2008.
At the request of the deceased, there was a private family visitation and services in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, with Pastor Floyd C. Marasco officiating. Interment was in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Donnell House or Hospice Care of Washington Hospital.
****
DONALD REED PELISSERO
Georgia resident
formerly of Monongahela
Donald Reed Pelissero, 54, of Acworth, Ga., formerly of Monongahela, died unexpectedly Friday, February 29, 2008, in his home.
He was born April 12, 1953, in New Eagle, a son of Betty Jane Beveridge Pelissero of Monongahela and the late August Pelissero, who died April 22, 1999.
Mr. Pelissero was a 1972 graduate of Monongahela High School.
While residing in Monongahela, he and his brothers operated Pelissero Brothers Home Builders.
In 1986, he moved to Georgia, where he was owner of Don Pelissero Home Improvement, located in the Atlanta area, for the past 21 years.
He was devoted to his family and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and motorcycling.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife, Stacey Lynn Negro Pelissero, with whom he celebrated 17 years of marriage; two sons, Chase Reed and Cole Reed Pelissero, both at home; three brothers, Ronald (Grace) Pelissero of Gainesville, Ga., James (Debbie) Pelissero of Monongahela and Robert (Dianna) Pelissero of Houston; a sister, Suzanna Kibler of Monongahela; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, with the Rev. Joseph Feltz officiating. Committal services and interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Don Pelissero Memorial Fund, 5824 Oak Leaf Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30087.
****
ANNABELLE NEDROW RAFFERTY
1922-2008
Annabelle Nedrow Rafferty, 85, of Dilliner, died Friday, February 29, 2008, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
She was born August 24, 1922, in Uniontown, a daughter of Harold Ray and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Moser Nedrow.
Her husband, Edward P. Rafferty, died March 21, 1996.
Surviving are five children, Judy Daugherty, Shawn Rafferty, Terry Rafferty, Siobhan Byrne and Erin Miller; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two brothers, Ewing "Bud" Nedrow and Harold "Pete" Nedrow; and a grandson, Randy Byrne Jr.
There will be no public viewing and arrangements for a memorial service will be made at a later date. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers or food, please make memorial contributions to Alzheimer's Association-Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, 100 West Station Square Drive, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (www.alzpa.org or 1-800-272-3900).
For additional information and to sign the online guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.
****
JOSEPH P. TOMSIC
Former member
of St. Patrick's Church
Joseph P. Tomsic, 91, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., formerly of Strabane, died Sunday, March 2, 2008.
He was born March 19, 1916, in Strabane, a son of Michael and Gertrude Hreber Tomsic.
Mr. Tomsic was an ironworker for Local Union 3 and later owner and operator of Anchor Motel in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
He was a former member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg.
Mr. Tomsic was a former member of Knights of Columbus Council 3291 of Canonsburg and member of KSKJ St. Jerome's Lodge 153 of Strabane.
One October 1, 1938, he married his beloved wife of 69 years, Ann M. Moscovic, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Joseph (Barbara) Tomsic; a daughter, Carol (John Michalek) Joseph; a son, Gregory (Kathleen) Tomsic; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Agnes Bostjancic and Dorothy Lesko; two brothers, John and Frank Tomsic; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two sisters, Mary Pleskovich and Josephine Verholtz; and a brother, Michael Tomsic.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, where a blessing service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, followed by a noon Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg.
****
GARY B. WARD
Avid Steelers, NASCAR fan was truck driver
Gary B. "Dudie" Ward, 53, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, formerly of Houston and Florida, died Saturday, January 19, 2008, in St. Croix Hospital, after a brief illness.
He was born June 13, 1954, in Canonsburg Hospital, to Nora Jane McWilliams Ward and the late Wilbur R. Ward.
Mr. Ward spent most of his life driving a truck.
He was an avid Steelers fan and NASCAR fan.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his sisters, Kathy Flood of Georgia, Kim Crow of Canonsburg and Kelly Polan of Washington; two nieces; and a nephew.
He will be sadly missed by "His Boy," his faithful companion, Rockey.
He also is survived by his son, Joshua R. Ward.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Canonsburg.