Ruff Creek WWII veteran was retired insurace agent
Walter R. Christopher, 88, of Ruff Creek, died Friday, August 29, 2008, in Golden Living Center, Waynesburg.
He was born May 17, 1920, in Riverside, a son of Walter and Adna Haney Christopher.
He was a graduate of Brownsville High School.
On December 15, 1942, he married Jean M. Turner, who died September 2, 2003.
Mr. Christopher was a retired insurance agent and manager for American General Life Insurance Co.
He and his wife owned and operated Love's Interior Decorating in Waynesburg for 20 years. They retired in 1989 and moved to Ruff Creek.
Mr. Christopher was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army 398th Engineering Regiment in France, Belgium and Luxembourg and participating in the liberation of Paris.
He enjoyed visiting his friends from the war in Europe and raising and breeding American saddlebred horses.
Mr. Christopher managed Greene County Horseman's Association Annual show in Waynesburg for many years and was a past president of Interstate Horse Show Association.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg, American Legion Post 330, Veterans of Foreign Wars 4793, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and Chapter of the Four Chaplains.
Surviving are a daughter, Cathy Christopher of Ruff Creek; a brother, Harold Christopher of Greensburg; a sister, Ethel Downer of Brownsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a brother, Dale Christopher; and a sister, Eleanor Rebrovich.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 10 to 11 a.m., the hour of services, Tuesday, September 2, in Behm Funeral Home, 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, with Pastor Ted Cukryznski officiating. Interment will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, with military honors by American Legion Post 330, Veterans of Foreign Wars 4793 and Disabled American Veterans 123, all of Waynesburg. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behmfuneralhomes.net.
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PAUL R. HEFNER
Retired press operator was U.S. Army veteran
Paul R. "Rebel" Hefner, 81, of Belle Vernon, died at 7:48 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2008, in Mon Valley Hospital, Carroll Township.
He was born September 18, 1926, in Butchers Fork, W.Va., a son of Theodore and Mary Agnes Sandy Hefner.
Mr. Hefner was a resident of Belle Vernon for the past 50 years.
He was Protestant.
Mr. Hefner was a retired press operator from GM Fisher-Body, West Mifflin.
He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, where he served in the U.S. Army, and was a member of Monongahela Slovak Club.
Surviving are his wife, Darlene Martz Hefner, to whom he was married 11 years; five daughters and two sons-in-law, Carol and Keith Langford of Perryopolis, Roberta and Anthony "Neno" Strelecki of Allenport, Cheryl Thompson of Belle Vernon, Misty Conn of Connellsville and Charlotte Clark Lambert of Belle Vernon; two sons and daughter-in-law, Allan Clark Jr. of Belle Vernon and Jerry and Yvonne Clark of Fayette City; a brother and sister-in-law, George and Mary Ann Hefner of Belle Vernon; a sister, Thelma Flint of Monongahela; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two brothers, Lawrence "Bud" Hefner and Clyde Hefner; a son, Joseph (Leo) Clark; and an infant daughter, Baby Girl Hefner.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon (724-929-6183), where services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, with the Rev. Suzanne Currie of First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Online condolences will be accepted for the family at www.parzynskifuneralhome. com.
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EDITH C. KNOEDLER
Bethel Park woman was retired secretary
Edith C. Knoedler, 89, of Bethel Park, died Thursday, August 28, 2008, in Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
She was born April 26, 1919, in Gastonville, a daughter of Harry and Edith Phillips Carter.
Mrs. Knoedler was retired as a secretary with the former John Harris Amusement Co., owners of the Ice Capades, Pittsburgh.
She was a former member of Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, Venetia.
Surviving are a daughter, Barbara Peck of Bethel Park; a brother, Harry Carter of Finleyville; six grandchildren, Devon, Jessica, Jaclyn, John, Robin and Faith; and two great-grandchildren.
Deceased are her husband, Homer D. Knoedler, who died in 1983; and a son, Alan H. Knoedler.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Kegel Funeral Home Inc., Tim P. Kegel, supervisor, 3560 Washington Avenue, Finleyville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, with Pastor Brent Furlong officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills.
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KATHLEEN R. MCDOWELL
Kathleen R. McDowell of Butler, formerly of McDonald, died Friday, August 29, 2008.
Arrangements will be handled by Nation Funeral Home, McDonald. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.
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RUDOLPH MUCHECK
Canonsburg man was Navy Reserve veteran, avid bowler
Rudolph (Rudy) Mucheck, 73, of Canonsburg, formerly of Wheeling, W.Va., died Thursday, August 28, 2008.
He was born February 15, 1935, in Benwood, W.Va., a son of Joseph and Mary Anne Bozicevich Mucheck.
Mr. Mucheck was a graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Canonsburg.
Mr. Mucheck was a former employee of A.J. Weller, a Navy Reserve veteran and an avid bowler.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Margaret Carroll Mucheck; four daughters, Kimberlee Dobbs (Alan) of Sacramento, Calif., Judith Mucheck of Chicago, Ill., and Adriane Rooks and Kristen Rooks, both of Rapid City, S.D.; five grandchildren, Jessica Richens, Wanbli and Emily Rooks and DJ and Hunter Rooks; and a sister, Sandy Frasnelli (Lou) of Wheeling.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are two brothers, Joseph and George Mucheck.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, September 1, in St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Wheeling, with the Rev. James McGoldrick officiating.
Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be offered at www.altmeyer.com.
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ROBERT B. ROBERTS
1929-2008
Robert B. Roberts, 79, of Florence, Hanover Township, died unexpectedly and peacefully Thursday evening, August 28, 2008, in his home.
He was born May 9, 1929, in Pine Bank, Greene County, a son of the late Blaine "Pap" and Sara "Dossie" Cole Roberts.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as a military policeman in Anchorage, Alaska, where he once stood guard for President Eisenhower.
Mr. Roberts retired from LTV Steel in Aliquippa and was a member of Paris Presbyterian Church and the former Florence Presbyterian Church.
He enjoyed playing cards and the Pennsylvania lottery and was a champion croquet player.
Most especially, he enjoyed being with his loving family.
Mr. Roberts helped his wife with her volunteer work at Burgettstown Area Food Pantry and delivered Meals on Wheels.
On January 21, 1950, he married Jean Haines, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Robert L. Roberts and wife Tina of Plano, Texas, Ronald A. Roberts and wife Theresa of Burgettstown and Michael B. Roberts and wife Nancy of Raleigh, N.C.; two daughters, Beth Engel and husband William of Hickory and Anne Waters and husband Gary of Burgettstown; 10 grandchildren, Tammy Youngblood, Billy Engel, Matt Roberts, Laura Lawrence, Joshua Roberts, Bradley Roberts, Nate Roberts, Rian Roberts, Alexandra Thorne and Danielle Thorne; five stepgrandchildren, Heather Watson, April Barr, Julie Waters, Daniel Waters and Bernadette Waters; four great-grandchildren, Natasha Morris, Shawn Youngblood and Torian and Payton Korns; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and two brothers, Roy and Frank Roberts, and a sister, Sylvia Kent, all of Beaver.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a son, Timothy Roberts; six brothers, Ewing, Lawrence, John, Blaine Jr., Lloyd and Donovan Roberts; and two sisters, Evelyn Houser and Ruth Ann Masters.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 1, with the Rev. Dana Hiles officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Florence.
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FRANK L. SCEARS
Canonsburg man worked for Pa. Transformer
Frank L. Scears, 68, of Canonsburg, died Friday, August 29, 2008, in Washington Hospital.
He was born December 24, 1939, in Canonsburg, a son of Charles R. and Jessie Irene Cale Scears.
Mr. Scears had worked for many years with the former Pennsylvania Transformer and later Abex Corp. in Houston.
He enjoyed traveling, carpentry, horses, fishing, reading and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
On September 29, 1962, he married Dorothy J. Itzel, who survives.
Also surviving are three children, Juliana Baumgardner (David) of Canonsburg, Frank L. Scears Jr. of Canonsburg and Johnathan Scears of Harrisburg; nine grandchildren, Jackie Andrews and Amy and Chelsey Baumgardner, Emily Christ Pirnik-Scears and Ainsley Michael Scears and Cameron, Tyler, Brandon and Madison Scears; three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Lexie and Kaden Andrews; two brothers, Charles R. Scears (Barb) of Canonsburg and Larry W. Scears (Nancy) of Houston; four sisters, Eleanor Yarkosky of Strabane, Christine Bizzack of Ohio, Susie McGary (John) of Washington and Nina Almo of Eighty Four; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Clayton and Gary Scears; and a sister, Gale Marie Scears.
Friend will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 2. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. Obituary and condolences may be viewed online at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.
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MARY M. LUCAS SEMANCIK
Centenarian was devoted homemaker, loving mother
Mary M. Lucas Semancik, 100, of Pitt Gas, R.D.1 Clarksville, died peacefully Thursday, August 28, 2008, in White's Nursing Home.
She was born in Hecla, June 23, 1908.
Mrs. Semancik was a devoted homemaker and married for 69 years to her husband, Andrew J. Semancik , who is deceased.
Mrs. Semancik lived in Clarksville since 1928 and was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
She was the loving mother of six children, Margaret Husovsky of Hartford, Conn., Mary Teluch of Beallsville, Bette Donervitch of Pittsburgh, Andrew Semancik of Mentor, Ohio, Tom Semancik of Clarksville and Patrick Semancik of Cleveland, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was the beloved sister of Bette and Catherine Lucas of Youngstown, Ohio.
Deceased are siblings Anna Malanosky, Verna Shina and John Lucas.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Frank Burkus Funeral Home, 26 Mill Street, Millsboro, where funeral prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Monday, September 1, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas Catholic Church, Clarksville. A parish vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township.
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SHARON J. SEMENICK
Hickory woman, Mayview State Hospital retiree
Sharon J. Semenick, 52, of Hickory, died Friday, August 29, 2008, in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.
She was born August 23, 1956, in Washington, a daughter of Virginia (Jean) Ghelfi Semenick of Hickory and the late Charles Semenick Jr.
She was a retired psychiatric aide with Mayview State Hospital, who enjoyed fishing, boating, the Humane Society and traveling to Minnesota.
She loved her family and her dog, Twinkle.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are a daughter, Carrie (Vernon) Holley of Cecil Township; two brothers, Gary Semenick of Minnesota and Richard (Bonnie) Semenick of Florida; two sisters, Karen (Frank) Shinshasky of Hickory and Charlotte "Tina" Huchko of McDonald; a grandchild, Landon Kenrich Holley; two aunts, Ann Monticello of Avella and Margaret Semenick of Florida; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her father, are a brother-in-law, Charles Huchko; and two uncles, Johnny Monticello and Richard Semenick.
All arrangements will be private and entrusted to Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald (724-926-2800). Please sign the online guest book at www.thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.
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HAROLD D. SETHMAN
Harold D. Sethman, 79, of Millsboro, died Friday, August 29, 2008, in Washington Hospital.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.