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JOSEPH L. BERZINSKY
Joseph L. Berzinsky of Canonsburg died Saturday, September 13, 2008, in the home of his daughter and caretaker, Nancy Udodow.
He was born June 17, 1922, in Canonsburg, a son of Paul and Stella Sekula Brezezinski.
Mr. Berzinsky attended Canonsburg schools and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 26, 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater as a ship's cook first class on USS LCI (L) 63, Flotilla 5 and USS LCI 966. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with six stars, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense, Philippine Liberation with two stars, Good Conduct Medal and Philippine Independence Medal.
Mr. Berzinsky retired from McGraw-Edison, belonged to Knights of Columbus and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191. He also loved to polka.
Following the war, he went back to work at Celento's Department Store, where he fell in love with the boss's daughter, Regina Celento. They enjoyed 61 years together.
Surviving are their children, Thomas (Vanessia), Nancy (Steve) Udodow, Blaise (Anne) and Joanie Smith; grandchildren Jennifer (David) Altman, Valerie and Joseph Mazza, Katie Udodow, Michael, Samantha and Christopher Berzinsky and Clayton and Jamie Smith; stepgrandchildren Christie (Tom) Sterling and Shawn (Cyndi) Blackhurst; great-great-grandchildren Zachary and Alyssa Altman; stepgreat-grandchildren Sage and Carson Sterling; and two sisters, Lucille Luba and Sister Mary Cantilice of the Felician Order.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a daughter, Carolyn (Dennis) Mazza; two brothers, Anthony and William; and two sisters, Sophie Szalanski and Cecelia Tonsetic.
Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., 304 Pike Street, Canonsburg, Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the honor guards of VFW Post 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston.
***
ROBERT JAMES PERRY SR.
Avid swimmer, '93 Senior Olympics bronze medalist
Robert James Perry Sr., 85, died Sunday, September 14, 2008, in UPMC-Passavant hospital, following a sudden onset of acute leukemia.
He was born July 13, 1923, in Canonsburg, a son of John and Grace Perry.
Mr. Perry graduated from Canonsburg High School and Grove City College. A lover of his country, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945.
An avid swimmer, he was captain of his college team and also swam competitively later in life, setting several North Carolina state records and attaining national ranking as a senior citizen. He won countless medals, including a bronze at the 1993 National Senior Olympic Games in Baton Rouge.
Above all, Mr. Perry loved his family. He reveled in the festive company of friends and loved ones. His career as a salesman led his family to locales in Michigan, Kansas, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, with he and his wife most recently residing at Sherwood Oaks retirement community in Cranberry Township.
Surviving is his devoted and beloved wife of 61 years, Loleta Dodge, to whom he proposed on the coincidentally named party boat, "The Bob-Lo."
Also surviving are their three children, Priscilla Cromwell (Paul), Bob Jr. (Paulette) and Matt (Judy).
Affectionately known as "G-Pa," he will be remembered by his seven grandchildren, Eric Cromwell (Rebecca), Chad Cromwell (Terri), Libby DePalma (Tony), Hannah Perry, Levi Perry, Sam Perry and James Perry; and four great-grandchildren, Kate and Ellie Cromwell and Mya and Dylan Cromwell.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his siblings, David Perry, John Perry, Ruth Bell, Margaret Perry and Lola Douglass.
Friends will be received from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the time of service, Tuesday, September 16, in First United Methodist Church, 161 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, with the Rev. Keith Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Full military rites will be accorded by the combined honor guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1728 or at www.cancer.org.
Arrangements are entrusted to Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg (724-745-8120).
***
MARGARET L. CONNORS SHUTOK
Received Outstanding Teacher of America Award
Margaret L. Connors Shutok of Canonsburg passed away peacefully Saturday, September 13, 2008, in her home with her family by her bedside.
She was born November 2, 1921, in Lemont Furnace, a daughter of John and Mary Bainbridge Connors.
Mrs. Shutok was a 1939 graduate of North Union Township High School and a 1943 graduate of California State Teacher College with a degree in education. She taught for 36 years, starting in North Braddock Elementary School, then overseas in military schools. She taught kindergarten at Borland Manor Elementary from 1962 to 1984.
She was a member of Pennsylvania State Education Association and a life member of the Parent Teachers Association. In 1972, she received the Outstanding Teacher of America Award.
Mrs. Shutok served as president of Canonsburg Friends of the Library and Retired Officers Association Ladies. She held offices as program director, treasurer and vice president of the Military Wives Club of Oakdale. She also was a member of St. Patrick Church of Canonsburg, where she volunteered as a CCD teacher for many years. She was active as a den mother of Boy Scouts and a leader of Girl Scouts in Canonsburg.
Her hobbies included dancing, traveling and reading.
On August 19, 1947, she married Stanley J. Shutok, who survives.
Also surviving are her son, Richard J. Shutok of Oakdale; daughters Susan Duckworth of Canonsburg, Sharon Utlak of Midlothian, Va., Patricia Shutok of Canonsburg, Karen Overcashier of Eighty Four and Mary Lou May of Peters Township; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are four brothers, six sisters and her daughter, Kathleen, who died in infancy.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg (724-745-8120). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Wednesday, September 17, in St. Patrick Church. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
***
HELEN L. YORKO KOAST
Member of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church
Helen L. Yorko Koast, 87, of Moffitt, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2008, in Sundale Nursing Home, Morgantown, W.Va.
She was born April 17, 1921, in Poland Mines, a daughter of Samuel and Victoria Adamczek Yorko.
Mrs. Koast was retired from Houze Glass Corp. of Point Marion.
She was a member of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church and Point Marion American Legion Post 499 Ladies Auxiliary and was an avid bingo player.
Surviving are her son, John G. Koast Sr. and wife Janet of Davistown; a daughter, Carolyn Wiltrout and husband Edward of Scenery Hill; five grandchildren, John G. Koast Jr. and wife Belinda, Jennifer Galraza and husband Danny, James Koast, Edward Wiltrout Jr. and wife Sue and Amy Jones and husband Bill; and nine great-grandchildren.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband, John Koast; a brother, John Yorko; and three sisters, Regina Billetz, Mary Richards and Christine Dmochosky.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and until 9:15 a.m., when brief prayers will be held, Tuesday, September 16, in Louis E. Rudolph Funeral Home, Thomas B. Rudolph, funeral director and supervisor, 15 Main Street, Point Marion, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Bobtown, with the Rev. Lawrence V. Holpp as celebrant. Interment will follow in Wolf's Cemetery, Dilliner. Parish vigil service will be held at 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.
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CAROL V. WUYCHECK KNIESS
Carol V. Wuycheck Kniess, 74, of Washington, died Sunday, September 14, 2008.
Arrangements entrusted to Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, are incomplete.
A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.
***
GAYLORD DUANE ALLEN
Gaylord Duane Allen, 61, of Avella, died Sunday, September 14, 2008, in Donnell House, Washington, following a brief illness.
Arrangements are under the direction of William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A completed obituary will follow in a later edition.
Additional information and guest book are available online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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ELIZABETH M. LORCH SWEITZER
Baldwin Borough resident
Elizabeth M. Lorch Sweitzer of Baldwin Borough died Sunday, September 14, 2008.
She was the wife of the late Clifford M. Sweitzer; mother of James C. (Alma) Sweitzer; sister of Mildred Kohl, the late John Lorch and Mary Frobe; and grandmother of Lisa (Brian) Gierl and Kevin (Rebecca) Sweitzer.
Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Shelby and Austin Sweitzer.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in John F. Slater Funeral Home Inc. (412-881-4100), 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, where funeral prayers will be held at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Church, Pittsburgh. If desired, the family suggests contributions to Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330.
Please send condolences to www.johnfslater.com.
***
GLORIA ANN MILOCICH
Former Wash. Hospital aide enjoyed playing bingo
Gloria Ann Milocich, 70, of Eighty Four, died Saturday, September 13, 2008, in her home, after having been ill for more than two years.
She was born September 18, 1937, in Waynesburg, a daughter of Frank and Erma Chambers Zimmerman.
For seven years, Mrs. Milocich worked at Washington Hospital Extended Care as an aide and had once worked at Brockway Glass as a packer.
She was Methodist and enjoyed playing bingo, building puzzles and participating in activities at Washington Senior Citizens Center when her health permitted.
Surviving are her daughter, Evalena Mae Simmons of Eighty Four, with whom she made her home; brothers Frank Ralph Zimmerman of Waynesburg and Joseph Zimmerman of Rockwood; sisters Ella Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., Bertha Horvath of North Huntingdon and Barbara Sharp of Woodburn, Ore.; and grandsons Chad Wynn of Somerset and Jerrell Wynn of Eighty Four.
Deceased are two sons, Danny and Robert; two daughters, Cindy and Betty Ann; a great-grandchild, Destiny Ann Wynn; and two brothers, Charles Ray and David Russell Zimmerman.
At the request of the deceased, no public visitation or services will be held. Donations are suggested to Washington Senior Citizens Center, East Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301.
Additional information and guest book are available online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
***
PATRICIA SAWICKY
Patricia Sawicky, 67, of Marianna, died Sunday, September 14, 2008, in Washington Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in a later edition by Nichol Funeral Home, 1728 Main Street, Marianna.
***
ERVIN BAKER
Ervin Baker, 72, of Jefferson, died Sunday, September 14, 2008, in Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of Behm Funeral Home, Jefferson. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.
Joseph Bersinsky : 9/16/2008
Uncle Joe was always kind to us kids and we all remember him with love and his passing with sadness.
