Loved raising and training horses
Kenneth George Ashcraft, 52 years, 8 months and 25 days old, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012.
He was born May 8, 1959, in Charleroi, son of Clarence and Virginia Sickles Ashcraft.
On February 14, 2003, he married Amy Puskarich. They made Bristow, Okla., their home since 2010.
Mr. Ashcraft was a member of American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Rifle Association and Bristow Christian Center.
He loved raising and training his horses. He also enjoyed hunting and was very involved with Cowboys for Christ, BAM Revivals and Harley-Davidson. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Surviving, in addition to his mother in Pennsylvania, are his wife, Amy of Bristow; three sisters, Ginny Grace Kisiday, Karen E. Mankey and Nancy McMurdy and husband Jay; a brother, Terry C. Ashcraft and wife Linda; 10 nephews, Timmy Williams, Michael Kisiday, Matthew Kisiday, James Knicely, Terry Ashcraft Jr., Thomas Ashcraft, Justin E. Mankey, Joshua R. Mankey, Terry K. Foster and Timothy D. Foster; three nieces, Bonnie Petros, Rebecca S. Miller and Kerrianne A. Donavan; and 16 great-nephews and nieces.
Deceased, in addition to his father, is a brother, Russell Shay Ashcraft.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, in Bristow Christian Center, with the Rev. Wayne Gemmill officiating. Condolences may be made at www.hutchinsmaplesfhuneralhome.com.
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Wallace E. Bails
Navy veteran, longtime Sears service technician
Wallace E. “Butch” Bails, 73, of Finleyville, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Kindred Hospital, Oakdale.
He was born November 9, 1938, in Canonsburg, son of the late W. Edward and Helen Castor Bails.
Mr. Bails was retired after being employed for more than 30 years as a service technician with Sears Roebuck and Co.
He served in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Bails was Presbyterian.
He enjoyed bowling and his dog, Shawn.
Surviving are his wife, Joan Tyman Bails; a daughter, Kimberly Schindler and husband Greg of Houston; a sister, Karen Westcott of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Thursday, February 9, in Kegel Funeral Home Inc., Tim P. Kegel, supervisor, 3560 Washington Avenue, Finleyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330.
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George J. Esper
Career journalist worked for AP, Pittsburgh Press
George J. Esper, 79, of Braintree, Mass., a native of Uniontown, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, February 3, 2012.
He was born September 16, 1932, in Uniontown, son of the late Michael and Marsha Barkette Esper.
Also deceased are two brothers, Joseph Esper and Mike Esper Jr., and four sisters, Ann Mullen, Jeanette Surgenor, Frieda Nypaver and Catherine Coughenour.
Mr. Esper was an accomplished journalist and special correspondent with the Associated Press for more than 40 years. He began his career as a reporter with the Herald-Standard and later the Pittsburgh Press, covering stories and events all over the world.
He will be deeply missed by his loving family, and many friends.
Surviving are three sons, Michael Esper and Thomas Esper, both of Boston, and George Esper and wife Sarah of Fountain Valley, Calif.; former wife Nancy Ha of Fountain Valley; three grandchildren, Zowie Esper, Sarah Esper and Emma Esper; a brother, Thomas Esper of Uniontown; a sister, Rose Jabour of South Bend, Ind.; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 9, the time of service, in Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home Inc., 603 North Gallatin Avenue Extention, Uniontown, followed by a divine liturgy at 10 a.m. in St. George Maronite Catholic Church, Six Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown, with the Rev. Father Nadim Helou as celebrant. Interment will be held in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown. The parish rosary and Ghinnaz service will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to WVU Foundation Inc., WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism, Martin Hall, 1511 University Ave., P.O. Box 6010, Morgantown, WV 26506 and journalism.wvu.edu.com. Personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com.
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Rose Ann Grosso
Member of St. Patrick Parish, SNPJ
Rose Ann Grosso, 72, of Strabane, died Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Donnell House, Washington.
She was born July 30, 1939, in Lawrence, daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Solomon Procacina.
On August 1, 1959, she married Jerry Angelo Grosso Sr., who died June 17, 1994.
Mrs. Grosso was a member of St. Patrick Parish and Christian Mothers. She was a life member of SNPJ.
She enjoyed traveling, shopping, polkas and her cat, Chogye.
Prior to retirement, she worked as a psychiatric aide for Western Center and Mayview State Hospital.
Surviving are three sons, Jerry A. (Michelle) Grosso Jr. of Canonsburg, Joseph A. (Andrea) Grosso of North Strabane Township and Christopher Grosso of Berryville, Va.; a brother, Richard (Mary Lou) Procacina of Carnegie; four grandchildren, Chad Grosso, Justin Grosso, Daniel Grosso and Andrew Grosso; fiancé Robert Coen; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her husband and her parents, are a brother, Joseph Procacina, and a sister, Marie O’Neal.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor and Phillip L. Sollon, director, where departing prayers will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 9, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg, with the Rev. John Batykefer officiating. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Donnell House, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301. Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.
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Arthur Kowell
Navy vet, avid sportsman, friend to many
Arthur “Art” Kowell passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 17, 2011, in his home.
He was born April 9, 1922, in Homestead, son of the late Frederick and Barbara Kowell.
Mr. Kowell was a 1940 graduate of Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, and a 1943 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College.
He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve training program at Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill., receiving his commission as a junior officer. He served his country on D-Day, Omaha Beach, as the skipper of a landing craft tank. Following this duty, he served as a Russian interpreter in London, England. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.
In his career, he “wore many hats.” He was an assistant basketball coach and business accounting instructor at Salem (W.Va.) College, an insurance salesman, a field manager for Ford Motor Co. and owner and operator of Kowell Ford in Cumberland, Md., for 20 years. In 1983, he moved west to be with his sons and their families; he served as salesman and office manager in the automobile field in Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Albuquerque, N.M. He returned east and was office manager for his nephew at Jim Bedillion’s State Farm in Uniontown. Upon his retirement, he moved to Bellmead in Washington.
Mr. Kowell was an active and avid sportsman. He played high school basketball, coached by the renowned Paul Brown in Massillon. He was a proud member of the Washington & Jefferson basketball team that went to the semi-finals of the NIT tournament at Madison Square Garden. He was a good softball pitcher for the former Third Presbyterian Church and a member of its champion dartball team, both coached by his father-in-law, Ralph Burt Sr. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He was very competitive, whether in sports, using the computer or playing cards.
His greatest joy in life was his love for his family and friends. In 1943, he married Elinor Burt, who survives. They would have celebrated their 68th anniversary December 27, 2011, in Arizona and California with their immediate family.
Also surviving are his two beloved sons, Dr. Arthur “Cork” (Jeannette) Kowell of Pacific Palisades, Calif., and David (Dee Dee) Kowell of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; grandsons Damon (Trudy) Kowell of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Andrew (Marsha) Kowell of Palo Alto, Calif., and Alexander (Lisa) Kowell of Chicago, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Daniel L. Kowell of Palo Alto and Sage Anne Kowell of Jackson Hole; beloved sisters Mildred Ivan of Massillon, Olga Kollman of Highland Park, Ill., and Katherine “Kotchy” Kowell of Chicago.
He was truly blessed with his love and shared activities with his nieces and nephews, including the families of Jim, Jack and Tom Ivan, “Skip” and Fred Kowell, Betty and Jim Bedillion, Don and Laura Burt, Dan and Delores Burt, Harold and Valerie Burt, Jack, Pat, Mary and Ralph Burt IV and Suanne and Chip Sardi. Other nieces and nephews include John (Susan) Lusher, Hal (Ruth) Lusher, Bill Lusher, Michael (Robin) Kollman, Steve (Barbara) Roach, Alexander Carerra and Martha, Suzanne and Brett Kimberland. He also leaves special friends Fred Bird, Byron Smialek, Gary Gibson and the Bellmead staff.
A great joy and honor for him was serving as the best man for his grandson, Damon’s, wedding to Trudy, beneath the Wedding Tree in Grand Tetons, Wyo., in 2005.
A gregarious fellow, he was proud of his heritage, his family and his achievements. He was a staunch friend to many.
Mr. Kowell was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, Kiwanian’s in Maryland and a Lambda Chi brother. A faithful Presbyterian, he served as an usher, deacon and Sunday school teacher.
The family will hold a celebration of his life in the spring at a time and place to be announced later. Memorials and condolences may be sent to Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington. Arrangements are entrusted to Hummell and Jones Funeral Home, Washington.
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Patricia E. Denny Mucho
26-year cancer survivor
Patricia E. “Patty” Denny Mucho, 70, of Bentleyville, died Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Donnell House, Washington.
She was born June 22, 1941, in Bentleyville, daughter of the late William and Margaret Callahan Denny.
Mrs. Mucho was a 1959 graduate of Bentleyville High School.
She was a member of Bentleyville Presbyterian Church and Independent Club of Bentleyville.
Mrs. Mucho was a 26-year cancer survivor. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, baking, crossword puzzles, reading and playing with her cat, Frisbee.
Surviving are a son, Joseph F. Mucho Jr. (Tina) of Ellsworth; a daughter, Robin R. Mucho of Bentleyville; two grandchildren, Joseph F. Mucho III and Jamie Mucho; two brothers, Robert Denny of Weatherford, Texas, and Richard Denny of Kathleen, Ga.; and four sisters, Shirley Carson of Ravenna, Ohio, Jackie Peltz of Mentor, Ohio, Nancy Nick of Grindstone and Bonnie Schoeneman of Mantua, Ohio.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband, Joseph F. Mucho Sr., who died December 5, 1999; a brother, William Denny; and a sister, Peggy Bostich.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 9, with the Rev. Andy Scott officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division Inc. Southwest Region, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15305-4620. Guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
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Nello Mungai
Nello Mungai, 91, of Hickory, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in his home.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.
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Michael Merle Olson
WWII veteran was retired coal miner
Michael Merle Olson, 94, of Canonsburg, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Canonsburg General Hospital.
He was born October 2, 1917, in Vestaburg, son of the late Theodore and Helen Patrick Olson.
Mr. Olson served in World War II as a merchant marine.
He was a Jehovah’s Witness.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a coal miner.
Mr. Olson was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and was an avid gardener.
Surviving are his wife, Gladys Pompei Olson; two sons, David (Deborah) Olson of McDonald and Richard (Marilyn) McClain of Hickory; three daughters, Beth Olson of Canonsburg, Miriam Lash-Crimin of Arizona and Patty McClain of Illinois; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Joseph Gaborich and Sam Olson, and two sisters, Helen Martin and Josephine Raymond.
There will be no public visitation and services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director. Please visit www.sollon.com to view and leave condolences.
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Thelma B. Sansone
Member of McDonald Presbyterian Church
Thelma B. Sansone, 91, of Oakmont, formerly of McDonald, passed away comfortably Saturday, February 4, 2012, surrounded by her family.
She was born February 13, 1920, in McDonald, daughter of the late Albert and Mary Boynes.
Mrs. Sansone was a member of McDonald Presbyterian Church, formerly Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Cecil Senior Citizens.
Surviving are a daughter, Anna Marie (Jack) Hurst; grandchildren John (Jill) Hurst, Deborah (James) McKelvey and James Hurst; and five great-grandsons, Jack and Evan Hurst and Conor, Rory and Holden McKelvey.
Deceased are her husband, Samuel Paul Sansone; three brothers, Carl, Martin and Albert Boynes; and two sisters, Josephine Riddile and Betty Boynes.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Thomas-Little Funeral Service Inc., 314 West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 9. Interment will follow in Robinson Run Cemetery, McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation to Heritage Hospice, 356 Freeport Street, Suite 200, New Kensington, PA 15068; or Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Please sign the guest book at www.thomas-littlefuneralservice.com.
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Margaret A. Schmitt
Retired C-M teacher was traveler, photographer
Margaret A. Schmitt, 90, of Houston, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Presbyterian Medical Center, Washington.
She was born March 10, 1921, in Broughton, daughter of the late Charles and Anna Hundertmark Schmitt.
Miss Schmitt was a 1939 graduate of Canonsburg High School and a 1943 graduate of California Teachers College, now California University of Pennsylvania.
She was retired from Canon-McMillan School District, where she had been a second grade and special education teacher.
Miss Schmitt was a member of Washington Camera Club, Jefferson Historical Society, Cal Gals, an alumni association of California graduates, and local Beta Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
She was an avid photographer and loved to travel. She had visited more than 104 different countries, many more than once.
Miss Schmitt was a member of Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are a sister, Alice M. Dukes of West View, and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a brother, Charles.
At the request of the deceased, services and interment will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. The family suggests memorial contributions to Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church, 502 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington, PA 15301. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.
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Helen L. Kolaczynski Simonelli
1928 – 2012
Helen L. Kolaczynski Simonelli, 83, of Palm Beach, Fla., formerly of Canonsburg, passed away Friday, January 27, 2012, in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center.
She was born July 10, 1928, in Washington, daughter of the late Metro and Anna L. Stufura Kopcha.
Mrs. Simonelli lived most of her life in Canonsburg. She belonged to GBU Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Eagles Lodge and Moose Lodge, all of Canonsburg. In 2005, she relocated to Palm Beach to be closer to her children.
On October 10, 1948, she married her first husband, Francis “Frank” Kolaczynski, who passed away August 3, 1973. On May 17, 1980, she married her second husband, Joseph Simonelli, who passed away January 30, 1989.
Surviving are a son, Robert M. (Heather) Kolaczynski and a daughter, Margaret (Tom) Greer, both of Palm Beach; eight grandchildren, Kelli (John) Pritchard of Asheville, N.C., Robert M. Kolaczynski Jr. of Pittsburgh, Travis R. Kolaczynski of Palm Beach, Tyler J. (Allison) Kolaczynski of Palm Beach and Haley E., Jenna A., Jake A. and Jamisyn A. Kolaczynski, all at home; two great-grandchildren, Evander Pritchard and Ryann Kolaczynski; two sisters, Mary Parshall of Washington and Anna Razor of Cleveland, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two brothers, Frank and Mike Kopcha.
Friends are welcome from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., the time of a blessing service, Wednesday, February 8, in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. To view or add condolences please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.
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Mary Ann Simpson
Washington homemaker enjoyed reading
Mary Ann Simpson, 71, of Washington, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township, after being in declining health for the past two years.
She was born March 14, 1940, in Sewickley, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Wagurak Nesta.
A 1957 graduate of Aliquippa High School, she was a homemaker and had once worked at General Mould Plastic Corp.
Mrs. Simpson enjoyed reading and the library, gardening, flowers, children and her cat.
She was Catholic.
On July 22, 1961, she married William J. Simpson, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Laurie (Pat) Devine of Grove City and Linda (John) Tripoli of Washington; a brother, Danny Nesta of Ambridge; three grandchildren, William James Tripoli, Ryan Patrick Devine and Tyler Patrick Devine; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a sister, Danette Nesta; a grandchild, Roman Gabriel Tripoli; and an aunt and uncle, Evelyn and Anthony Pascuzzi, who raised her.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 9, in Washington Cemetery chapel, with Pastor Tim Lindsay officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Citizens Library, 55 South College Street, Washington, PA 15301; or ViaQuest Hospice, 612 Park Avenue, Monongahela, PA 15063. Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.
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Joshua Riley Snyder
Lance Cpl. Joshua Riley Snyder, USMC, 20, of Mt. Morris, died at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2012, in the home of his parents.
Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Mt. Morris.
A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.
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Betty Biddle Stockdale
Betty Biddle Stockdale, 88, of Monroeville, formerly of West Newton, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Independence Court, Monroeville.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Yoskovich Funeral Home, Carmichaels.
A complete obituary will appear in a later edition.
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David L. Willham Sr.
Carmichaels resident worked as truck driver
David L. Willham Sr., 67, of Carmichaels, died Monday, February 6, 2012, in his home.
He was born June 29, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, son of the late Edgar and Betty Willham.
On April 29, 1994, he married Kathy Bane, who survives.
Mr. Willham was a truck driver for Hough Supply Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.
He loved his dogs, J.J., Cinnamon and Angel.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are five sons, David L. Jr. (Shelly) of Reedy, W.Va., Bryan (Bonnie) of Grafton, Ohio, Richard (Debbie) and Christopher, both of Elyria, Ohio, and James of Carmichaels; two stepsons, William Cross and Michael Cross, both of Elyria; six grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; two sisters, Marilyn DeWille and Peggy Ardner; a half brother, Edwin Willham; and a half sister, Kathy Wallace, all of Cleveland.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a twin brother, Danny.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Lesako Funeral Home Inc., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels, PA 15320, Paul M. Lesako, director/supervisor.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. www.lesakofuneralhomeinc.com
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