RSS | 
Twitter
| 
Be a fan!
HOWARD IRWIN MCKINNEY
was ordained minister
Howard Irwin "Babe" McKinney, 78, of Washington, died Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Washington Hospital, following a brief illness.
He was born May 26, 1930, in Washington, a son of Willard and Alberta Birch McKinney.
Mr. McKinney was a 1949 graduate of Trinity High School and was employed by Jessop Steel for 36 years.
He was a member of the 40th Infantry Division, serving during the Korean conflict.
Mr. McKinney was a member of The Word of Faith Church, Washington. He was an ordained minister of All Faith Church Mission and a pastor at Wolfdale Chapel. He also worked with Christian Outreach.
He loved reading his Bible, working on small engines and his German shepherds.
On July 10, 1954, he married Roxie Brown, who survives. They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage.
Also surviving are his son, Howard L. "Hug" (Deena) Mc-Kinney of Hickory; two daughters, Debbie McKay and Darlene (Ricky) Johnson, both of Washington; and six grandchildren, Christopher N. Collins, Edward H. Kraf, Jared and Rachel Johnson and Jaden and Joshua Mc-Kinney.
Deceased is a brother, Willard (Barney) McKinney.
Friends will be received from 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 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, with Pastor Keith D. Eggert officiating. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
***
MARY ALICE BLAKEWAY MOUNTS
Member of East Buffalo Presbyterian Church
Mary Alice Blakeway Mounts, 89, of Washington, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, in her home.
She was born September 5, 1918, in West Alexander, a daughter of Elmer Ellsworth Blakeway and Lillian Martin Blakeway Farabee.
Mrs. Mounts was a member of East Buffalo Presbyterian Church and its Presbyterian Women.
She attended schools in East Finley Township and Borger, Texas.
A homemaker, Mrs. Mounts previously worked at Weber's National Store and Ramada Inn, both of Washington, for many years.
She was a former member of Dames of Malta and enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren and reading.
On August 27, 1938, in West Alexander, she married Robert L. Mounts, who died June 24, 1989.
Surviving are two daughters, Mona (Ronald W.) Thompson of Washington and Linda (Ray) Edgar of Monroeville; four grandchildren, Ronald L. (Pam) Thompson, Tracy (Chuck) Warden and Eric and Erin Edgar; and four great-grandchildren, Dalton and Connor Thompson, Brenden Edgar and Weston Warden.
Deceased, in addition to her husband, are two brothers, John and Raynor Blakeway; a sister, Margaret Phillips; three stepbrothers, Herman, Arthur and Harry Farabee; a stepsister, Mildred Wood; and a half brother, Clifford Farabee.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Michael H. Heinrich Funeral Home, 219 Main Street, Claysville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, in East Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Washington, with Pastor Linda Mankey officiating. Interment will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to East Buffalo Presbyterian Church or Humane Society of Washington County.
A guest book is available at www.heinrichfuneralhome.com.
***
LOUIS PRADETTO
WWII Army vet retired from Climax Molybdenum
Louis Pradetto, 81, of Burgettstown, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, in Weirton (W.Va.) Medical Center.
He was born November 7, 1926, a son of Castullo and Martha Pradetto.
Mr. Pradetto worked at various jobs, including mining at Francis Mine stripping operation, construction work on the railroad and as a salesman for a bakery. He still is remembered by many as "Lou, the Baker Man".
He also was employed in the maintenance division at Climax Molybdenum in Langeloth. During his employment, he was chairman of the safety committee and was on the negotiating committee for the union, retiring in 1986.
Mr. Pradetto was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in the Philippine Islands with the 93rd Bombardment Squadron.
His volunteer efforts to the youth and community have been numerous. Mr. Pradetto was a certified coach for Youth Bowling Association at Steel Valley Lanes in Weirton. He was involved in the special education bowling program in Washington and served on the fastpitch softball league committee.
In 1990, he was the recipient of the Good Egg Award, which is presented annually by Burgettstown Community Library to the person who has helped make Burgettstown a special place.
Following his retirement, he was active in the redevelopment of Burgettstown Community Park and maintained the facility until health issues forced him to give up his duties just this year.
Mr. Pradetto was a volunteer in selling 50-50 tickets for Burgettstown Junior/Senior High School's basketball and wrestling programs.
On April 19, 2008, he was presented with the Roy Gillespie Memorial Award at the Tri-County Athletic Directors Coach of the Year banquet in recognition for his contributions to youth sports in the area.
On July 12, 1948, he married Irene Pescho, who died June 17, 1997.
Surviving are his children, Cathy Dalfol of Burgettstown and Ron (Linda) Pradetto of Jacobsburg, Ohio; a sister, Catherine Nunez of Avella; two grandchildren, Bob (Jerrica) Dalfol and Jeff Dalfol, both of Weirton; and three great-grandchildren, Breanna, Tyler and Zachary Dalfol.
Deceased, in addition to his wife, are two sisters, Mary Pradetto and Anne Sarish; and an infant grandson, Domenic Pradetto.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Taucher Funeral Home, 23 Erie Mine Road, Burgettstown, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 31, with the Rev. Robert Connolly officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Florence, where full military rites will be accorded by Burgettstown-Slovan Veterans of Foreign Wars. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Burgettstown Athletic Association or Burgettstown Youth Baseball.
***
WAYNE C. TROPECK SR.
Climax Molybdenum employee enjoyed bowling, fishing
Wayne C. Tropeck Sr., 55, of Langeloth, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, in his home.
He was born April 4, 1953, in Canonsburg, a son of Charles J. and Pauline Gibson Tropeck of McDonald.
Mr. Tropeck was a 1971 graduate of Fort Cherry High School and worked for Climax Molybdenum in Langeloth.
He was a member of United Steelworkers of America, Polish Club of Slovan and Owls Club of Joffre.
He enjoyed bowling and fishing.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a son, Wayne C. (Holly) Tropeck Jr. of Avella; a daughter, Nicole L. Tropeck of Washington; three brothers, David D. Tropeck of New Cumberland, W.Va., and Terry L. and Robert J. Tropeck, both of McDonald; two grandchildren, Garett and Lilly Tropeck; and three nephews.
All services are private and under the direction of Nation Funeral Home Inc., McDonald.
