Kay L. Briggs, 74, of Hickory, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, in Consulate Health Care, formerly Tandem, in North Strabane Township.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in a later edition by McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston.
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REV. SHIMER E. DARR
WWII vet, 24-year pastor
of Grace Brethren Church
The Rev. Shimer E. Darr, 86, of Greenville Township, Meyersdale, died Monday, July 14, 2008, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland, Md.
He was born January 21, 1922, in Ryot, Bedford County, a son of Howard C. and Cydney McDonald Darr.
A graduate of Kantner Elementary, Stoystown High School and Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., Mr. Darr was a veteran of CCC Camps in Rockwood, Mt. Rainier in Washington, Priest River, Idaho and Glen Rock.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from December 6, 1941, to November 10, 1945, having served in Africa in May 1942, and with the Free French in their drive from Ft. Lamy, French Equatorial Africa to Tripoli against Field Marshal Rommel. He then served in North Africa following the invasions of Casa Blanca, Oran, Algiers, Bizerte and Tunis and also in the training of the 82nd Airborne Division and subsequent invasion of Sicily. Mr. Darr was involved in dropping of spies in North Africa prior to the invasions and served in the transportation of officials at Cairo and Terheran Conferences. Returning to the U.S., he was involved in ferrying B-24s to Australia. Decorations include American Defense, Good Conduct, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, African-Middle East Medal and European Medal.
Mr. Darr was employed by Pennsylvania Turnpike construction at New Baltimore, Allegheny Tunnel, Bedford and Breezewood. He also worked at Bethlehem Steel, C&G Coal Co., Battery and Electric Corp. and Sears Roebuck & Co. in Johnstown and Warsaw, Ind.
He was a longtime ham radio operator, W3TZM, graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in 1961 and pastored at Grace Brethren Church in Washington for more than 24 years and Center Independent Church in Garrett for 9 years. He later served 11 years as Camp Albryoca caretaker and continued to supply pulpits until his death.
Surviving are a son, William E. Darr and wife Joan of Warsaw, Ind.; a daughter, Doris Valentine of Meyersdale; grandchildren Michael Darr, Dr. David Darr, Jason Valentine, Steven Valentine and Marc Valentine; and great-grandchildren Emily, Rachel, Adam, Caleb and Catherine Darr, Ty and Sam Prentice and Giovanni Valentine.
Deceased are his wife of 58 years, Helen L. Shaffer Darr, who died August 5, 2003; brothers Ritten, Michael, Homer and Harry Darr; and sisters Ruth Pyle, Fern and Pauline.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Price Funeral Home, Meyersdale. Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, in Summit Mills Grace Brethren Church, Myersdale, with the Rev. Ronzil Jarvis officiating. Interment will follow in Center Church Cemetery, Summit Township, Garrett.
Arrangements by William Rowe Price Funeral Home Inc., Meyersdale.
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Additional information was received for the obituary of ANNA C. DEBELAK, published Wednesday.
The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, in Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., Avella.
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DOROTHY DONNAN DUNCAN
Tucson humanitarian
began showers program
Dorothy Donnan Duncan, beloved mother, friend and humanitarian, died Friday, March 28, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz., following a brief illness.
She was born February 29, 1920, in Washington, a daughter of Alvan E. and Adah Griffiths Donnan.
Mrs. Duncan's ideals and guiding principles revolved around improving the human condition.
In 1972, she made her home in Tucson, Ariz., where she began a showers program for homeless people and worked countless hours in the soup kitchen. She was a woman of few words, yet those words provided much comfort, laughter and happiness. She aided the lives of many, was an inspiration and will be remembered for her gentle spirit and transcendent beauty. She truly was an apostle of peace and will be deeply missed.
Surviving are her children, Adah, Jim, Beta, Andy, Franny, Martin, Jesse and Sydney, all of Arizona, and Amy and Gloria of Ohio; 20 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Deceased are her husband, James Edwin Duncan III; sisters Adah Lindquist and Frances Spiegel; and a brother, John Donnan.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in Washington Cemetery chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd St., Tucson, AZ 85713. Mention the showers program.
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LAWRENCE HORATIO LAURO
1924-2008
Lawrence Horatio Lauro, formerly of Washington, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
Surviving are his wife, Beverly; daughters Lynne Bestic (Bill) and Laraine Schorr (Fred); a son, Dr. William Lauro (Melissa); and six grandchildren.
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PHYLLIS MAE LINDLEY
Loving wife, mother
and grandmother
Phyllis Mae Lindley, 66, of Graysville, died at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2008, in her home, after being seriously ill since October 2007 with a cancer-related illness.
She was born February 20, 1942, in Cameron, W.Va., a daughter of William Albert and Mary Mae Dunn Cunningham, and had been a resident of the Wind Ridge area for several years prior to moving to Graysville in 1975.
Mrs. Lindley was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church in Wind Ridge.
She was a partner in the former Kimmel and Lindley Meat Shop in Graysville and was a self-employed beautician in Graysville from 1986 until retiring in 2000.
On March 1, 1975, she married Donald Elias Lindley, who survives.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are two sons, Scott, companion of Pam Parry of Wind Ridge, and Kevin, husband of Crystal Whipkey Lazear Campbell of Wind Ridge; a daughter, Kelly, wife of Eric Bedilion of Sycamore; a brother, James, husband of Shawna Cunningham of Moundsville, W.Va.; a sister, Wilda, wife of Jack Mason of Moundsville, W.Va.; two sisters-in-law, Rexie Cunningham of Weirton, W.Va., and Carla Cunningham of Moundsville, W.Va.; six grandchildren, Trevin and Brock Bedilion, Randy Strawn, Jonathan Ross and Christopher and Sierra Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are two brothers, Paul and Jeff Cunningham.
Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday in Rush Funeral Home Inc., Rogersville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, with the Rev. Linda Shaw officiating. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Harmony Presbyterian Church, PO Box 15, Wind Ridge, PA 15380. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences at www.rushfuneralhomeinc.com.
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NORMAN JOSEPH
MEGYESY
Retired Sears salesman, Army vet enjoyed music
Norman Joseph Megyesy, 79, of Washington, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, in his home, following a two-year illness.
He was born January 14, 1929, in Washington, a son of John and Ida Brown Megyesy.
He graduated from Trinity High School in 1947 and was a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church.
On April 12, 1951, he entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged April 3, 1953. He then was transferred to the Army Reserves, serving until his honorable discharge in May 1957.
Mr. Megyesy was a salesman in the appliance department at Sears for 22 years, retiring in 1991. He formerly worked at Western Southern for 11 years and most recently at Ivy Green Florist.
He loved music and participated in chorus and band and enjoyed playing piano and writing music.
Mr. Megyesy enjoyed golf and hunting with his sons and son-in-law and spending time with his grandchildren.
On August 12, 1950, he married Dolores Schultz, who survives.
Also surviving are four sons, Timothy (Claire) Megyesy of Crafton and William (Kathy) Megyesy, Daniel (Barbara) Megyesy and Robert (Brenda) Megyesy, all of Washington; a daughter, Sharon (Robert) Zigerelli of Scenery Hill; a sister, Ida (Ben) Ruscielli of Philadelphia; two brothers, John (Rose) Megyesy of Connecticut and Clarence (Mona) Megyesy of Meadow Lands; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Deceased is a grandson, Adam Clark.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, 320 Henderson Avenue, Washington, with Father Thomas D. O'Neil as celebrant. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175, American Legion. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice, c/o Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.
Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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Corrected information was received for the obituary of CORA MILLER, published Wednesday.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice, c/o Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.
Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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HILDA PLUT
Homemaker, member of
Beth-Center Senior Citizens
Hilda Plut, of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly of Fredericktown, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, in her home.
She was born in Black Diamond, a daughter of the late Victor and Margaret Frederick Pezzoni Sr.
A homemaker, Mrs. Plut was a former member of Beth-Center Senior Citizens of Vestaburg, where she always was busy volunteering.
In her younger years, Mrs. Plut was an avid bingo player, attending five to seven bingo games a week. She also enjoyed playing poker.
Her husband, Joseph Plut, died March 4, 1977.
Surviving are a son, Joseph P. Plut (Beverly) of Cleveland, Ohio; four grandchildren, Cynthia Plut, Joseph Plut, John Michael Plut and Debra Plut; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and two nieces.
Deceased, in addition to her husband, are two brothers, Jack and Victor "Pal" Pezzoni.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, with the Rev. Paul Grunebach officiating. Interment will follow in Beallsville Cemetery.
An online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
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LLOYD ALLEN ROSS
Laborer for Franklin Twp. Road Dept. enjoyed farming
Lloyd Allen Ross, 70, of Waynesburg, died Sunday, July 13, 2008, following a lengthy illness.
He was born August 5, 1937, in Marianna, a son of William E. and Margaret Swihart Ross.
Mr. Ross was a laborer for Franklin Township Road Department.
He enjoyed playing cards, farming and buying and selling at auctions.
Mr. Ross was Methodist.
Surviving are three sons, Lloyd (Dora) Ross Jr., Michael (Heather) Ross and Joseph (Chiquila) Ross, all of Waynesburg; two stepdaughters, Angel Provence and Cheryl Amos, both of Waynesburg; three brothers, Laurence (JoAnn) Ross and Fred (Sandy) Ross, both of Washington, and William (Eleanor) Ross of Florida; five sisters, Mary (Herbert) Matthews of Uniontown and Marian Miller, Jean (Harold) Moore, Peggy (Delmar) Unrue and Darlene (James) Brown, all of Washington; five grandchildren, Chawney, Gabrielle, Tiffany, Hunter and Ava; and six stepgrandchildren.
Deceased is a brother, Ronald Ross.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.
Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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RAE NICHOLS RUSH
Homemaker, member of Spraggs UM Church
Rae Nichols Rush, 78, of Waynesburg, died at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, in Golden Living Center, Waynesburg, after being in her usual health.
She was born Wednesday, August 7, 1929, in Wenatchee, Wash., a daughter of Jesse Gordon Nichols and Ethel Foughty Nichols.
Mrs. Rush was a member of Spraggs United Methodist Church and was a homemaker.
Her husband, Floyd Rush Jr., whom she married November 14, 1952, died September 6, 1982.
Surviving are three daughters, Sharon Rush and husband Alex Santoro of Mountainview, Calif., Linda and husband Richard Raymont of Waynesburg and Connie and husband Larry Neal of Provo, Utah; two grandchildren, Kathy Loughner and Zachary Chapman; and a great-grandchild, Madison Loughner.
Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Daryl L. Throckmorton, owner/director, 197 North Maiden Street, Waynesburg, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, with the Rev. Kathy Higgins officiating. Burial will follow in Pursley Baptist Cemetery, Wayne Township, Greene County.
Additional information is online at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.
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JOHN N. VICTORIA
20-year owner
of Western Edge Seafood
John N. Victoria, 53, of Washington, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, in UPMC-Shadyside hospital, Pittsburgh, following a brief and courageous battle with lymphoma.
He was born September 8, 1954, in Monessen, a son of Lawrence A. Victoria of Margate, Fla., and Ruth Vlasich Victoria of Monessen.
Mr. Victoria was a 1972 graduate of Monessen High School and owner of Western Edge Seafood Inc. for 20 years.
For the past 25 years, he was heavily involved in the Washington recovery community. He also was an avid reader and golfer and was a wonderful husband and father.
On May 25, 1996, in Wheeling, W.Va., he married Lesley Phillips, who survives.
Also surviving are daughters Ashley Victoria of Claysville and Alexandra Victoria of Washington; a son, Adam Victoria of Washington; two brothers, Lawrence (Nancy) Victoria of Boca Raton, Fla., and Nazareth (Jill) Victoria II of Coal Center; and several aunts, 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 Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, in Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Washington. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be directed to Sunlight Club, E. Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301, or to a charity of one's choice.
Condolences may be made at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director.
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STANLEY GEORGE ZABETAKIS
Stanley George Zabetakis, 86, formerly of Burgettstown, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, in his Florida home.
Surviving are his wife, Kay; three sons; and seven grandchildren.
Full obituary may be viewed at www.suncitycenterfuneralhome.com.