Retired Claysville bus driver enjoyed woodworking

Robert Martin Balser Jr., 79, of Claysville, died Saturday, May 10, 2008, in Canonsburg General Hospital, following a six-month illness.

He was born June 5, 1928, in Washington, a son of Alma Chase Dunkle of Claysville and the late Robert Martin Balser Sr.

Before retiring, Mr. Balser was a bus driver for Greyhound Bus Co.

He was a member of Roadside Chapel and enjoyed woodworking.

On September 24, 1967, he married Patricia Camp Miller, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Thomas Edward (Dana) Miller of Washington, Martin Robert (Stacey) Balser of Middleburg and Gary (Rosie) White of Texas; two daughters, Cathy (Thomas) Thompson of North Lima, Ohio, and Tammy (Tim) Dawson of Weirton, W.Va.; a brother, Fred (Barb) Balser of Crystal River, Fla.; a sister, Jane Boyd of Claysville; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a sister, Ann, and a grandson, Drew Miller.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, with the Rev. Mary Sprowls officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

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TERRY ELLEN BEDARD

Avid bowler enjoyed slot machines

Terry Ellen Bedard, 74, of Edgewood, Md., died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, in Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, Bel Air, Md.

She was born in Cuddy, a daughter of Malachi David and Lucy Elizabeth Trigg Boldon.

She lived in Germany, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Maryland.

An avid bowler, she loved slot machines and enjoyed all games.

Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Eugene Bedard of Edgewood; two sons, Kenneth Bedard of Suffolk, Va., and Jeffery Bedard of Perryville, Md.; three daughters, Donna Bedard of Edgewood, Cheryl Bedard of Beltsville, Md., and Jeannie Bedard of Edgewood; a brother, Donald (Virginia) Boldon of Fort Washington, Md.; a sister, Ora Christine (Bill) Bowen of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren, Katrina Bedard of Edgewood, Keshia Bedard of Germany, Jennarose Bedard of Perryville, Md., and Jordan Bedard of Edgewood; and two great-grandchildren, Keasia Goodman and Kiana Saunders, both of Edgewood.

In addition to her parents, deceased are three brothers, Malachi D., Wayne B. and Franklin D. Boldon; and three sisters, Mildred L. Dobbs, Almira L. Terrell and Clara E. Bush.

Contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21211.

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ALICE M. CHAPMAN

February 3, 1920 - May 9, 2008

Alice Marie Chapman, 88, of Washington, died Friday, May 9, 2008, in Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington, following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born February 3, 1920, in Washington, a daughter of Thomas K. and Anna Williams Burke.

Mrs. Chapman was a 1938 graduate of Washington High School.

For many years, she worked elections in Washington at Precinct 73.

She enjoyed playing cards and, over the years, belonged to several ladies' card clubs. She and her husband, Jim, enjoyed going to sales at Hezzy Reese's Red Barn in Amwell Township. Mrs. Chapman enjoyed occasional trips to Florida to visit two of her daughters. Her life was devoted to and centered around her family in Washington. She looked forward to and loved cooking holiday meals. She will be greatly missed by those who were close to her.

Mrs. Chapman was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church, Washington.

In 1960, she married her husband of 47 years, James R. Chapman, who survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Nancy L. (Thomas J.) Grant of Key Largo, Fla., Carol S. Enoch of Miami, Fla., and Beverly J. Vankirk of Washington; two grandchildren, Clifford M. Vankirk II of Washington and Christopher J. Vankirk (Nancy J.) of Scenery Hill; a great-grandchild, Clifford M. Vankirk III of Washington; two nephews; and a cousin.

Deceased are her first husband, George E. Enoch; and a sister, Kathryn L. Merchant.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, in Immaculate Conception Church, with Father William Feeney as celebrant. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery.

Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

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MARJORIE L. CHUBA

Houston resident was Bell Telephone operator

Marjorie L. Chuba, 74, of Houston, died Friday, May 9, 2008, in Washington Hospital.

She was born July 19, 1933, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Richard and Laura Mawhinney Gray.

Mrs. Chuba was a 1951 graduate of Canonsburg High School.

She worked as an operator for Bell Telephone.

Mrs. Chuba enjoyed being with her family and taking care of her grandchildren.

On July 17, 1957, she married William Chuba, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Richard Chuba (Carolyn) of McDonald and Chris Chuba of Canonsburg; a daughter, Laurie Agostinelli (Philip) of Houston; five grandchildren, Briane, Chelsea and Philip Josh Agostinelli and Ryan and Christopher Chuba; a brother, Norman J. Gray (Barbara) of Canonsburg; and two sisters, Katherine Drivas (Nicholas) of Burbank, Calif., and Georgia Mace of Houston.

Deceased are a brother, Edward L. Gray, and a sister, Pauline Miller.

At the request of the deceased, all services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston. Obituary and condolences may be viewed online at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

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JAMES CZENZEK

James Czenzek, 79, of Washington, died Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Piatt & Barnhill Funeral Home. A full obituary will appear in a later edition.

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LETHA M. KUGH

Additional information has been received for the obituary of Letha M. Kughn, published Saturday. A son-in-law, Sam Fox, survives.

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NICK J. NIKAS

Decorated Army colonel was born in Canonsburg

Nick J. Nikas, U.S. Army colonel, died March 15, 2008, in Fairfax (Va.) Inova Hospital, because of complications from a fall in his home.

He was born September 29, 1923, in Canonsburg.

Mr. Nikas received a bachelor's degree in economics from University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in computer science from American University and George Washington University.

He served during World War II, Korea (7th Cavalry Regiment) and Vietnam. He served overseas in Austria, Japan, Greece and Germany.

His awards included three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Ribbons, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Service Medal of Greece and War Cross of Greece. Col. Nikas was inducted into the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Ga.

Upon retirement in 1975 from the Pentagon, where he served in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, he joined SDC as a system engineer. He also worked for BDM.

Mr. Nikas was a member of St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, AHEPA 438, Army-Navy Country Club and Military Officers Association of America.

Surviving are his wife, Nadia, whom he married March 4, 1948; a daughter, Victoria Ross of Dallas, Texas; a son, Nick Jr. of Front Royal, Va.; and two brothers, George Nikas and family of Florida and Dr. Peter Nikas and family of North Strabane Township.

Services will be held at a time to be announced Thursday, May 15, in St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, Va. Immediately following the funeral ceremony, there will be a reception in the church hall. Interment will be in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church.

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JUDITH ANN NOVELLY

Senior geologist

Judy Novelly, 47, of La Crescenta, Calif., formerly of Burgettstown, lost her courageous battle against breast cancer on April 7, 2008.

She was born June 12, 1960.

Mrs. Novelly graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and was employed by Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena, Calif., for the past 17 years.

She enjoyed reading, gardening, needlework and collecting antiques. Above all, she was devoted to her family.

Surviving are her parents, John J. and Rosemary J. Shaw of Burgettstown; and her beloved husband, Philip Novelly, whom she married May 16, 1987, and a daughter, Grace Anne Novelly, both of La Crescenta.

Also surviving are three sisters, Rosemary (Paul) Mulcahey of Cecil and Cindy Shaw and Laura (Tim) Seech of Burgettstown; two brothers, John Shaw of Fayetteville, Ga., and Ed (Amy) Shaw of Bulger; three nieces, Rosemary A. Mulcahey, Katie and Allison Shaw; three nephews, Johnny Shaw, Timmy Seech and Max Shaw; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was a caring and loving mother to Grace and a wonderful wife, sister, daughter and friend.

A funeral Mass was held April 11 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Montrose, Calif., with Monsignor John K. Foley officiating.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Burgettstown, with the Rev. Robert Connelly.

Contributions can be made in her name to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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LEON B. PLAISTED

Former Claysville church trustee enjoyed woodworking

Leon B. Plaisted, 92, a 53-year resident of Claysville, formerly of Portville, N.Y., died Friday, May 9, 2008, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.

He was born June 28, 1915, in Eldred, a son of Leon and Mary Alger Plaisted.

Mr. Plaisted was a member of First Baptist Church, Claysville, where he had served many years as a trustee.

He worked as a driller for Williams Brothers in Bradford, until his retirement in 1979.

Mr. Plaisted was a member of Masonic Lodge in Portville and enjoyed woodworking, reading and doing crossword puzzles.

On April 3, 1938, in Mansfield, he married Leah W. Cooper, who survives. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.

Also surviving are a son, Martin L. Plaisted of Bulger; and two grandchildren, Martin L. Plaisted Jr. and Jonathan L. Plaisted.

Deceased are two sisters, Julia Hicks and Mabel Moore.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church, 317 Main Street, Claysville, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, with the Revs. David Coleman and Rick Bruckner co-officiating. Interment will follow in West Alexander Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26, Claysville, PA 15323.

A guest book is online at www.heinrichfuneralhome.com.

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WILLIAM THOMAS RODGERS JR.

ABATE member was avid Steelers fan

William Thomas (Bill) Rodgers Jr., 48, of Milner, Ga., formerly of Canonsburg, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, from injuries he received in a motorcycle accident.

Mr. Rodgers was born February 9, 1960, in Pennsylvania, a son of Susan Rodgers and the late William Rodgers Sr.

He was Protestant.

Mr. Rodgers was a 1978 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and a graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He was a member of Griffin Moose Lodge, Windwalkers and ABATE of Georgia. He was an avid Steelers fan.

He was honored by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2004 for his March of Dimes fundraising efforts.

Mr. Rodgers was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Teresa Rodgers of Milner; a son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Wanda Cleveland; a grandson, Alex "Little A" Cleveland Jr.; his mother, Susan Rodgers; a brother, Robert B. Rodgers; two sisters, Wendy M. Wise and Becky S. Duritza; a grandmother, Edna McCullough; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 135 North Jefferson Avenue, Canonsburg. A reception will follow in Jessop Club, Washington. Attendees are requested to wear black and gold and bring their Terrible Towels.

Memorial donations may be made to March of Dimes for the benefit of children in his memory.

Condolences may be left to the family online at www.haistenmcculloughfuneralhome.com.

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EVELYN M. USHER

Formerly of Clarksville

Evelyn M. Usher, 74, formerly of Clarksville, died Monday, May 5, 2008.

Children Connie (Chris) and Harry (Patty) survive.

Visitation: 10 a.m. to noon, time of service, Monday, May 12, Burkus Funeral Home, Millsboro.