1922 - 2007

Joseph Rash Jr., 85, a resident of Presbyterian Senior Care, Washington, formerly of Burgettstown, died Wednesday evening, August 1, 2007.

Mr. Rash was born February 5, 1922, in Langeloth, a son of Joseph and Kathryn Krynock Rash.

He was a 1940 graduate of Union High School, Burgettstown.

On December 30, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army, serving in Europe and the Battle of the Bulge with the 820th Tank Destroyer Battalion of the 106th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945.

Mr. Rash retired in 1969 from Climax Molybdenum, Langeloth, where he was a mechanic.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Burgettstown.

Mr. Rash was a life member of Burgettstown Veterans of Foreign Wards, a member of Knights of Columbus and Burgettstown Council 3440.

His wife, Teresa E. Sedlar Rash, whom he married February 15, 1947, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, died August 8, 2004.

Surviving are three daughters, Teresa Brown of Tracy, Calif., Peggy Rash and husband Scott Icard of Elkview, W.Va., and Judy Rash and husband Elliot Simon of Philadelphia; three granddaughters, Amber Brown and Jil and Janet Simon; three sisters, Mary Kuzyck of Atlasburg, Kathryn Blehi of Burgettstown and Anne Anestis of McDonald; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, are a granddaughter, Sarah Brown; and a brother, John Rash.

Friends will be received from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Lee & Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, August 6, in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Connolly, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment with full military rites accorded by Slovan/Burgettstown VFW and American Legion Honor Guard will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Burgettstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Rash's memory to Presbyterian Senior Care Foundation, 835 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301.

Joseph A. DeRocco

Joseph A. DeRocco, 70, of Washington, formerly of Monessen, died Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Mr. DeRocco was a general contractor for PennDOT for many years and later was employed by Washington County in the maintenance department until his retirement.

He was an avid singer in the area and entertained at various nursing homes and other entertainment venues.

Donald Robert Putran

Chartiers-Houston grad, horse groomer at Meadows

Donald Robert Putran, 67, of Freeport, died Sunday, July 22, 2007, in Armstrong Health Center following a brief illness.

He was born September 20, 1939, in Pittsburgh, a son of John and Ann Pavella Putran.

Mr. Putran graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School and had been employed as a horse groomer at the Meadows Race Track for 25 years.

He was Catholic.

On June 5, 1965, he married Janice Martin, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Donald R. Putran of Meadowlands; three daughters, Tracy and Lori Putran, both of Meadowlands, and Christina Carr of McMurray; a sister, Geraldine Ingold of Winchester, Va.; and a grandson, Craig Rugg.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Inurnment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.

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

In the obituary for John T. Preston published Thursday, the services were incorrectly listed. It should have said friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 3, in Lee & Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Ave., Burgettstown, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 4, with the Rev. Douglas Keith, pastor, Atlasburg Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Donna Lee Debbis DeVitis

Donna Lee Debbis DeVitis, 48, of Waldorf, Md., formerly of Canonsburg, died Thursday, August 2, 2007, in South Maryland Hospital Center, Clinton. Arrangements are being handled by Sollon Funeral Home Ltd. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

In the obituary of Charles R. Shultz published Thursday, corrected information was received. A surviving son, Charles R. Shultz Jr., is from Mather.

Andrew David Rockovich Sr.

Dynamet machinest, enjoyed his family

Andrew David Rockovich Sr., 68, of Muse, died Thursday, August 2, 2007, in his home.

He was born Wednesday, November 23, 1938, in Muse, a son of Joseph and Mary Hickowski Rockovich.

Mr. Rockovich attended Trinity High School, graduated from Penn Commercial and received his bachelor of science degree in accounting at Robert Morris University.

He was a lifelong Muse resident and former member of Muse Presbyterian Church.

Prior to caring for his family, he had worked as a machinist for Dynamet in Meadowlands. His family was his pride and joy. He was loved by all who knew him.

On May 11, 1966, he married Valerie Weishner, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Andrew David Rockovich Jr. and wife Darla of Canonsburg, and Dillon A. Rockovich of Muse; two daughters, Melinda V. Rockovich and fiancé Chris Daugherty of Muse, and Allison V. Stauffer and husband, John of Glen Burnie, Md.; a brother, Joseph Luke Rockovich of Reno, Nev.; two grandchildren, Andrew David Rockovich III and Carley Ann Rockovich; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul (Shadow) Waldkins and Richard Waldkins.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no public viewing or services. Arrangements entrusted to Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg. Visit www.sollon.com for additional information and online condolences.

Paul Edward Cowell

Taylorstown VFD member, tool collector

Paul Edward Cowell, 57, of Taylorstown, died Wednesday, August 1, 2007, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, after a courageous battle with heart disease.

He was born August 28, 1949, in Washington, a son of the late Robert Paul Cowell and Emily Scott Cowell, Taylorstown, who survives.

He was a member of Taylorstown Christian Church.

Mr. Cowell was a 1968 graduate of McGuffey High School and was a laborer.

He was a life member of Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Department where he had served as president and captain and was a member of the Washington County Firemen's Association.

Mr. Cowell enjoyed playing baseball in his youth, working on cars, hunting, fishing and collecting tools.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his fiancée, Peggy Kiger; two sisters, Shirley Kemp of Bethany, W.Va., and Patricia Lewis of Shelby, Ohio; a brother, Lynn (Kena) Cowell of Avella; five nieces, Amanda, Courtney and Brooklyn Cowell, Jackie (Andy) Lewbke and Lori (Kevin) Stone and a nephew, Jonathan (Renee) Cowell; two great-nieces, Madison Cowell and Hannah Stone; and two great-nephews, Joshua and Jeremiah Stone.

Deceased in addition to his father are two brothers, Gene and Norman Cowell.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Michael H. Heinrich Funeral Home, 219 Main Street, Claysville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 6, with the Rev. James Linn officiating. Interment will be in Claysville Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of the donor's choice. A guest book is available at www.heinrichfuneralhome.com.

Dale Walls

Enjoyed his family, square dancing, horseback riding

Dale Walls, 79, of Waynesburg, died Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

He was born March 28, 1928, in Core, W.Va., a son of Arlie and Martha Moore Walls.

On April 24, 1948 he married Marjorie Kiger Walls, who survives.

Mr. Walls was a retired operating engineer with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132 of Huntington. He had also worked as a cattle truck driver for Harker and a United Mine Worker of America construction worker.

He raised beef cattle and horses for many years and enjoyed square dancing and horseback riding. Most of all, he loved and enjoyed his family.

Mr. Walls resided most of his life in Whiteley Township where he was a member of Claughton Chapel United Methodist Church.

He was a supporter of 4-H Baby Beef Club, a member of Waynesburg Lodge 153 Free and Accepted Masons and Scottish Rite bodies in Uniontown and Pittsburgh.

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Trudy and husband Douglas Montgomery of Waynesburg, Teresa and husband Scott Jones of Morgantown, Douglas Walls of Waynesburg, Tracy and husband John Carte of Charleston, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Natalie and husband Ralph Wilson, Alyssa Walls, Meghaan Renner and Benjamin Jones; a great-grandson, Emerson Wilson; and three sisters, Noreen Spitznogle of Irwin, Loreen Lightfoot of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Neva Kriner of Goshen, Ind.

Deceased are four brothers, Learnie Walls, Robert (Tom) Walls, Claude Walls and Russell Walls; a sister, Lieulla Copeland; a half brother, Oscar Ammons; and two half sisters, Otey Eddy and Alma McCord.

Friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from noon to 1 p.m., the hour of services, Saturday, August 4, in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, Chuck Behm, director, with the Rev. Paul M. Hampton officiating. Waynesburg Lodge 153 F&AM will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Interment will be in Fairview-Kiger Cemetery in Whiteley Township.

Evelyn Mae Sandusky

Brownson House program director, nursery school teacher

Evelyn Mae (Evie) Sandusky, 85, of State College, died on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in Fairways at Brookline.

She was born November 3, 1921 in Manifold, a daughter of Earl and Blanche Lee.

On July 25, 1942, she married the late Art Sandusky of Washington.

Mrs. Sandusky was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

Together, they ran a small business and spent the majority of their life running the Brownson House, where she served as a nursery school teacher, basketball coach and program director. Her favorite moments were participating in sports, recreational activities, taking care of others and her home, Penn State football, Second Mile Kids, Special Olympians and entertaining family and friends.

Surviving are her son, Jerry and wife Dottie; six grandchildren and their spouses, Ray and Kim Sandusky, E.J. and Maureen Sandusky, Kara and Andy Werner, Jeff and Karen Sandusky, John and Kia Sandusky, Matt and Jill Sandusky; nine great-grandchildren, Grace, Ryan and Shane Sandusky, Christian and Ellie Werner, Andi Sandusky, and Amber, Jenna and Austin Sandusky.

Deceased are six brothers.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, State College, with the Rev. Eric Shafer officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 8 in Washington Cemetery, with Dr. David Felty officiating. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a presentation in the Brownson House where the family will greet visitors and celebrate Mrs. Sandusky's life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brownson House, 1415 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301 or The Second Mile, 1402 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801.

W. Carl Moore

W. Carl (Barney) Moore, 80, of New Freeport, died Thursday, August 2, 2007, in his home. Arrangements are being handled by Behm Funeral Homes Inc., Waynesburg. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.

Edward A. Yanovick Sr.

Edward A. Yanovick Sr., 79, of Galion, Ohio, died July 31, 2007, in Seasons Retirement Community, after a battle with cancer. Arrangements by Richardson-Davis Funeral Home, Galion, Ohio, 419-468-1424.

Connie Jean Beckett

Resident of Carmichaels

Connie Jean Beckett, 56, of Carmichaels, died August 1, 2007, in her home, surrounded by her family. She had bravely fought cancer since January.

She was born August 13, 1950, in Erie, a daughter of the late Kenneth Edwards and Jean Edwards, of Pittsburgh, who survives.

Mrs. Beckett was married to Raymond L. Beckett.

Surviving in addition to her mother and husband, are a son, Jeffrey A. Pesarsick and wife, Erika of Uniontown; a sister, Diann Sarver and husband, Howard of Pittsburgh; a brother, Jamie Peckham of Raleigh, N.C.; three nieces, Tina Hoops, Amy Hersh and Christina Coffey.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, the hour of service in Lesako Funeral Home Inc., Paul M. Lesako, funeral director supervisor, 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels.

Burial will be in Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels.

Donations may be made to Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road, Erie, PA 16506 or to Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.