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HOWARD LAWRENCE AYRES
Howard Lawrence "Bud" Ayres, 70, of Houston, died Sunday, October 26, 2008, in Canonsburg General Hospital.
He was born January 24, 1938, in Canonsburg, a son of Earl M. and Virginia Foster Ayres.
Mr. Ayres was a 1955 graduate of Hickory High School.
He worked for 20 years in the payroll department for the former McGraw-Edison Power Systems in Canonsburg.
Mr. Ayres served with the U.S. Air Force from March 1960 until August 1963, spending much of that time stationed in Germany.
Surviving are two sisters, Barbara Dellorso of Washington and Nancy Ufolla, with whom he made his home; four brothers, Thomas Ayres (Debra) of Cleveland, Ohio, Joseph Ayres (Barbara) of Canonsburg and James Ayres (Judith) and David Ayres, both of Houston; a niece, his caregiver, Virginia Ufolla; and several other nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 29. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military services will be accorded by American Legion Post 902 of Houston and Veterans of Foreign War Post 191 of Canonsburg honor guards. Obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.
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BETTY LOU GUSIC BENTZ
Homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking
Betty Lou Gusic Bentz, 83, of Prosperity, died Sunday, October 26, 2008, in her home.
She was born December 19, 1924, in Weston, W.Va., a daughter of Herbert and Pearl Olive Black Hersman.
Mrs. Bentz was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping and country music. She also enjoyed baby-sitting kids in Prosperity.
She was Presbyterian.
Surviving are her husband, Robert J. Bentz; a son, Robert J. (Candice) Bentz Jr. of Prosperity; two daughters, Sheila K. Miller of Melrose Park, Ill., and Debbie Gusic (Charles) of Claysville; six grandchildren, Janeen, Danyell, Joshua, Cody, Bobby and Chase; and two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Julia.
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 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, with Pastor Linda Mankey officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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FRANCES L. BONI
1923-2008
Frances L. Boni, 85, of Burgettstown, died Monday morning, October 27, 2008, in Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington.
She was born March 21, 1923, in Slovan, the youngest daughter of Gabriel and Mary Litwin.
Mrs. Boni was a graduate of Union High School in Burgettstown.
She was employed by G.C. Murphy Co. in Burgettstown.
Mrs. Boni was a member of the Burgettstown Senior Citizens Center, where she taught ceramics and crafts.
She did landscape paintings, oil painted sepia photographs and enjoyed crocheting.
Mrs. Boni's husband, Dino R. Boni Sr., passed away July 18, 1998.
Surviving are four sons, Dino R. Boni Jr., M.D., and his wife Carolyn of Avella, William J. Boni and his wife Bernadette of Burgettstown, Robert M. Boni and his wife Becky of Burgettstown and Edward C. Boni of Burgettstown; a daughter, Bonnie Lou Rankin and her husband Jerry "Wes" of Avella; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are a brother and five sisters.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 30, with the Rev. Dominic Sgro officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Florence. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Burgettstown Senior Citizen Center, 200 Senior Way, Burgettstown, PA 15021, and/or Burgettstown Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Burgettstown, PA 15021.
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Additional information was received for the obituary of THELMA V. WATSON DAVIS, published Monday. Surviving is a daughter, Wanda Watson of Delaware. Deceased is a daughter, Julia Mae Watson.
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Additional information was received for the obituary of WILLIAM E. FATIGATI, published Monday. He will be buried in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Canonsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and Houston American Legion Post 902 Honor Guard will provided military honors.
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MARGARET HANLEY
Member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church
Margaret (Peggy) Hanley, 82, of Canonsburg, died Monday, October 27, 2008, in Canonsburg General Hospital.
She was born January 27, 1926, in Canonsburg, a daughter of Angus and Alice McKenery Campbell.
Mrs. Hanley graduated from Canonsburg High School, Class of 1944.
She was a switchboard operator for the former Western Center.
Mrs. Hanley was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
She lived her entire life in Canonsburg.
On October 11, 1950, she married Edward Hanley, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Edward J. (Wendy) Hanley of Tiffin, Ohio; a daughter, Sheree (James) Klaric of Chesapeake, Va.; and five grandchildren, Christopher, Jessica and Casey Klaric and Drew and Alison Hanley.
Deceased is a sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Podrasky.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. There will be no visitation Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, October 31, in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.
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FRANK WRAY HARRIS
Judson Wiley and Sons employee for 40 years
Frank Wray Harris, 79, of Amwell Township, died Saturday, October 25, 2008, in Washington Hospital.
He was born December 26, 1928, in Washington, a son of Russell Matthew and Alberta Johnson Harris.
Mr. Harris was a truck driver for Judson Wiley and Sons for 40 years.
He was a member of Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Company, where he was a former treasurer and a member of the dartball league.
Mr. Harris enjoyed fishing and woodworking.
On August 9, 1948, he married Daisy R. Sprowls, who died July 15, 1994.
Surviving are a son, James L. (Patricia) Harris of Eastlake, Ohio; a daughter, Judy L. Harris of Washington; and two grandchildren, Lucas E. Harris and Nathaniel J. Harris, both of Eastlake.
Deceased are an infant daughter, Lois Gay Harris, and a brother, James R. Harris.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 30, with the Rev. Kenneth Schott officiating. Burial will follow in West Finley Cemetery. Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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ROBERT M . LEMLEY
Army veteran was master carpenter
Robert M. (Bob) Lemley, 81, of Mt. Morris, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2008, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born May 4, 1927, in Core, W.Va., a son of Jesse Raymond Lemley and Helen Alice Moore Lemley.
After graduating from Clay-Battelle High School, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany from 1945 until 1948.
Following an honorable discharge, he began a career as a carpenter/builder with his father, building homes, and later with South Side Lumber Co. as a cabinetmaker. He continued his work with Baker and Coombs Construction, Encon Corp. and Greer Limestone. During the course of his career, he obtained the title of master carpenter.
His handiwork can be seen throughout the area in such places as Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, many West Virginia University buildings, Greer Mansion in Monongalia County, W.Va., and Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle.
He attended Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle for many years, where he held a position of trustee.
A union member, he was recognized for his talents in the carpentry trade with the Golden Hammer Award.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Laura Haines Lemley of Mt. Morris; a son and spouse, Dr. Heath and Paula Lemley of Morgantown; grandchildren Connor, Sydney, Wade and Collin Lemley, all of Morgantown; a sister, June Minor and husband Francis of Mt. Morris; and several nieces and nephews, Randal Minor and wife Janine Breyel and their children of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., Sandy and Todd Osecky and their children of Mt. Morris and Larae Minor and husband Adam Phipps of Waynesburg.
Friends were received Monday in Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, Morgantown. Additional visitation will be held while he lies in repose from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of services, Tuesday, October 28, in Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle, with pastors Fred Tomlinson and Milford Waters officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove (W.Va.) Cemetery.
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Additional information was received for the obituary of BEULAH W. LEONARD, published Sunday. Omitted were a surviving brother, Robert Lee Gaines of the state of Washington, and a deceased son who died in infancy. A deceased great-grandson's name is Michael L. Gray III.
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NORMA I. BRUMLEY MAGDICH
Former Allison resident enjoyed crocheting, sewing
Norma I. Brumley Magdich, 79, of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Allison, died at 4 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospice, Halls, Tenn.
She was born May 28, 1929, in Fayette County, a daughter of James Thomas and Genevieve Irene Hawkins Brumley.
Mrs. Magdich attended West Park Baptist Church in Knoxville as long has her health permitted.
She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and quilting.
On January 31, 1948, she married Louis Magdich, who died January 6, 2004.
Surviving are a daughter, Marlene J. Settle and husband Lawrence of Knoxville; three brothers, James Brumley and wife Mary of Brunswick, Ga., and Roy Brumley and David Brumley and wife Ella, both of Greensboro; four sisters, Delores Bogovich and husband Joe of Akron, Ohio, Mary Lou Nitsche and husband Klaus of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Judy Whipkey of Greensboro and Sandy Szerenski and husband Tom of Masontown; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a brother, Thomas Brumley.
Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Yoskovich Funeral Home (724-966-5500), Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street (Route 88), Carmichaels, where a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 31, with the Rev. Kenneth A. Haines officiating. Interment will follow at Monongahela Hill Cemetery, Mapletown. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7333. For additional information and to sign the online guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.
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JOSEPH A. PIKULSKI
WWII-Korean War veteran was career Army officer
Joseph A. Pikulski, 91, of Washington, died peacefully, surrounded by his immediate family and caregivers, Saturday, October 25, 2008, in Southminster Place of Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington.
He was born November 2, 1916, in Carnegie, a son of George and Sophia Delamata Pikulski. His childhood years were spent in the Burgettstown area.
On February 7, 1942, he married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Krocsko, who survives. He first walked her home when she was 12 years old, and they had been inseparable partners since then.
Mr. Pikulski was a professional soldier for 23 years, during which time he held a variety of command and staff positions in the United States, Germany, Japan and Korea. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939 and rose to the rank of major. He served in both World War II and the Korean conflict. Major Pikulski earned a Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, United Nations Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He retired from active duty in 1962.
Following his retirement from the military, he worked as an electronics technician at Princeton University until 1980.
Since that time, he had lived in Washington, where he remained active in Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 927 and Retired Officers' Association.
He enjoyed gardening, bowling, mall walking and handyman projects.
Mr. Pikulski was a member and elder of Third United Presbyterian Church, Washington.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a sister, Agnes Backner of Washington; two brothers, Bernard (Patricia) of Burtonsville, Md., and Edward of Garwood, Texas; a niece, Rosemary (Ed) Guna of McMurray; and several other nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Leonard and Theodore, and two sisters, Marian Mrockowski and Mildred Bennett.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, with Pastor Gary Gibson officiating, and where military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175. Private burial will be held in Grandview Cemetery, Florence. Memorial donations may be made to Family Hospice, 50 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh PA 15243 (412-572-8800), or to a charity of one's choice. Additional information and guest book are online at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
