Nov. 18
Robert C. Biers Sr., 88, of Houston, passed away Friday, November 16, 2012, in his home, surrounded by family.
He was born December 12, 1923, in McDonald, a son of the late Homer and Adolphine Benard Biers.
Mr. Biers served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a coil winder for McGraw Edison.
He was a member of American Legion Post 902.
Mr. Biers enjoyed golf, bowling and fishing. He also enjoyed playing a vast array of musical instruments. He especially took pride in his creative woodworking.
Surviving are a son, David (Jeanne) Biers of Houston; three daughters, Linda Spencer (Joe) Golick of Prosperity, Michelle (Ron) Pabian of Meadow Lands and Sandra Biers Wheeler of Houston; grandchildren Robert III and Renae (Palmer) Biers, Greg, Jason and Jeremy Spencer, Terri (Kotsis) Bo and Mandy Biers, Jennifer (Maloy) and Mel Hatfield and Robert Jr. and Katie Wheeler; many great-grandchildren; a niece, Anita; and a nephew, Butchie.
Deceased are his wife, Helen DeLeuze Biers; two sons, Robert Jr. and James F.; and a brother, Homer Biers.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, with the Rev. Catherine Peternel officiating. Full military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to leave condolences.
Michael Patrick Byrne, 52, of Marianna, died Friday, November 16, 2012, in his home in his wife’s arms, after fighting a short battle with cancer.
He was born September 17, 1960, in Washington, a son of Robert Charles Byrne and Gloria Jean Irey Byrne.
Mr. Byrne grew up with his mother and brothers in Marianna. He was a 1978 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School.
He worked as a machinist for Washington Tool, Daco and, most recently, Atlas Metal Conversions.
Mr. Byrne enjoyed going to the mountains, especially in the fall to see the changing leaves, Halloween and carving pumpkins, classic car shows, socializing in Marianna, his Irish heritage and, most of all, spending time with his family and friends.
He shared more than 31 years of marriage and memories with his wife, Julie A. White Byrne.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Candace Nicole (Jason) Johnson and Michelle Leigh (Matt) Kinsey; a son, Joshua Michael Byrne; two brothers, Charles H. Byrne and John E. Byrne; five grandchildren, Emily, Mylee, Nathan, Owen and Tom Tom; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are his mother, Gloria Jean Irey Byrne, and a brother, Robert W. Byrne.
He leaves behind his beloved dog, Auggie-Doggie.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1728 Main Street, Marianna, PA 15345, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 20. A guest book may be signed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the funeral home.
Roberta G. “Bobbi” Sanders Cettin, 82, of Bobtown, passed away Friday, November 16, 2012, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
She was born September 3, 1930, in Maidsville, W.Va., a daughter of the late John and Rose Nestor Sanders.
Mrs. Cettin was a member of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Bobtown and, for many years, was very active in cooking for all church dinners and all fundraising activities.
In 1947, she was awarded an academic scholarship to West Virginia University from the United Mine Workers of America.
Surviving are her husband of 62 years, John A. Cettin, they loved each other dearly since they were 15 years old; two daughters, Patti Cettin Hess and husband George of Michigan and Aimee Beth Cettin-Wolfe and fiance Michael Piatkowski of Michigan; two sons, Joe Cettin and wife Patti of Bluefield, W.Va., and Danny Cettin of Michigan; four grandchildren, Michael Hess and girlfriend Sue McWain, Benjamin Hess and wife Kelly, John Richard Cettin and Ian Wolfe and fiancee Meggan Jacobs; four great-grandchildren, Abigail Hess, Mia Hess, Nathan Hess and Toby Hess; and numerous siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was expecting the birth of a fifth great-grandchild.
Friends will be received from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday and until 9:15 a.m., the time of service, Monday, November 19, in Louis E. Rudolph Funeral Home, Thomas B. Rudolph, director/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 be private. A parish vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.
The Rev. Dorothy Helen Chamberlain, 90, of Waynesburg, died Friday, November 16, 2012. She went home to be with Jesus.
She was born April 2, 1922, in Carmichaels, a daughter of the late Glady and Alice Shroyer Ewart.
The Rev. Chamberlain was a 1940 graduate of Carmichaels High School.
On April 12, 1940, she married Edward Chamberlain, who died in November 1979.
She served for 40 years in evangelism and music ministry with the Church of the Nazarene. She was also an ordained elder of Church of the Nazarene.
The Rev. Chamberlain was known for her keen sense of humor and her impersonations of Minnie Pearl.
Surviving are a son, the Rev. Donald E. Chamberlain of Butler; a daughter, Janet Cole Carmichaels; four grandchildren, Helen McMahan of Bradford, Donna Zimmerman of Somerset and Corrie Austin and Carl Cole, both of Carmichaels; and five great-grandchildren, Donald McMahan, Johnny McMahan, Brittany Harrell, Cameron Miller and Aiden Dillard.
Deceased is a great-grandson, Brandon Miller.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Tuesday, November 20, in First Church of the Nazarene, 115 Deerfield Lane, Waynesburg, with the Rev. John M. Poling officiating. Burial will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township. Memorial contributions may be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at www.ncm.org. Condolences may be offered at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
Mark Allan Filbey, 33, of Steelton, formerly of Jefferson, died Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in his home.
He was born November 20, 1978, in Washington, a son of Charles Allan Filbey of Jefferson and Mary Metts of Florida.
Mr. Filbey was a graduate of California University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and also earned an associate’s degree in computer technology.
He was a full-time student and worked part time at FYE.
Mr. Filbey enjoyed playing the trumpet, guitar and other musical instruments. He also enjoyed a wide spectrum of music and movies. He had a love for animals, especially his cat, Dimmu.
He was engaged to Amy M. Baker of Steelton, who survives.
Also surviving, in addition to his fiancee and parents, are his stepparents, David Metts of Florida and Cynthia A. Filbey of Jefferson; three stepsisters; and three stepbrothers.
Deceased are his grandparents, Charles and Frances Filbey and Lloyd and Margart Dobbins.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, with the Rev. John Dorean officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Dauphin County Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Condolences may be expressed at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
Albert J. Giocondi Sr., 87, of Star Junction, passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2012.
He was born September 22, 1925, in Star Junction, a son of the late Giacoma and Maria Giocondi.
Mr. Giocondi was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.
He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Giocondi was employed by Clairton Steel Mills and Pepsi Bottling Co. of Pittsburgh. He also was a Teamster and a member of Sons of Italy, Kecksburg.
Surviving are two sons, Albert Giocondi Jr. and wife Dolores of Carmichaels and Gino Giocondi of Star Junction; two daughters, Betty Abbott and husband Bud of Smock and Donna Hager of Star Junction; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Giocondi Sr.; and a sister, Delmira “Mimi” Buretz.
Deceased are his parents and his wife, Rosella.
The staff in Anna Lisa’s Personal Care Home was caring and loving.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Blair-Lowther Funeral Home Inc., 305 Rear Independence Street, Perryopolis, PA 15473, where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, November 19, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Hedwig’s Roman Catholic Church, Smock. Father James Petrovsky will serve as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Hedwig’s Cemetery, Smock. Graveside military rites will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Star Post 7023 and American Legion Post 752, both of Perryopolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to Alzheimer’s Foundation, 322 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10001.
William F. Morris II, 79, of Waynesburg, died Friday, November 16, 2012.
Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in Behm Funeral Home Inc., 182 West High Street, Waynesburg. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.
Jordan Michele Petras, 21, of Washington, died Saturday, November 17, 2012, in the Washington Hospital emergency room.
She was born March 2, 1991, in Mt. Lebanon, a daughter of Jim and Debbie Massengill Petras.
She enjoyed the water and swimming, meeting new people and socializing. She loved the rides at Kennywood and had an infectious smile.
Surviving are parents Jim “Sleeper” and Debbie Petras of Washington; two brothers, Chad (Bev) Petras of Indianapolis, Ind., and Adam Petras and fiancee Maddie of Bridgeville; her maternal grandfather, Ed Massingill; numerous aunts and uncles; and many cousins.
Deceased are her maternal grandmother, Leslie Massengill, and paternal grandparents Frank and Cecilia Belfiore Petras.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Tuesday, November 20, in Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services, 3378 Millers Run Road, Route 50, Cecil. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or the family.
Cheryl Renee VanShuren, 42, of McKees Rocks, died Saturday, November 10, 2012, after a lengthy illness.
She was born March 27, 1970, in Washington.
Surviving are her husband, Clyde Bennett of McKees Rocks; a son, Michael Frazier of McKees Rocks; her parents, Charlotte Donaldson Howard (David) of Avella; two sisters, Michelle Greene of Pittsburgh and Valerie VanShuren of Avella; a niece, Danielle Wilson of Pittsburgh; and a nephew, Ray Wilson of Pittsburgh.
There were no viewing and all other arrangements are private. Ball Funeral Chapel, 600 Dunster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15226, 412-343-1506.
Martha A. McKinley White, 88, of Elizabeth Township, formerly of Pleasant Hills, died Thursday, November 15, 2012, in Jefferson Regional Hospital, Jefferson Hills, with her loving family by her side.
She was born March 16, 1924, in Monongahela, a daughter of the late William L. and Margaret S. Hamilton McKinley.
Also deceased are her husband, Gilbert D. “Whitey” White Sr.; a brother, William L. McKinley Jr.; and a sister, Margaret Lillico.
Surviving are a daughter, Martha A. Fabry and husband John of Fairchance; a son, Gilbert D. White Jr. of Elizabeth Township; a granddaughter, Erin L. Schumacher and husband Dr. Stephen of Upper Arlington, Ohio; grandson Christopher “C.J.” Fabry of Jefferson Hills; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Elizabeth Schumacher; two sisters, Jane Wright of Washington and Pat DeSantis of Trinity, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home, 1701 State Route 51, Large, Jefferson Hills. She was a member of Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, 199 Old Clairton Road, Pleasant Hills, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, with Pastor Sharon Stewart officiating. Everyone please meet at the church. Entombment to follow in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills. Memorial contributions may be made to Clelian Heights School, 135 Clelian Heights Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601. Professional funeral services have been entrusted to Goldsboro-Tomi Funeral Home and Cremation Service Inc., 21 East Church Street, Fairchance, PA 15436, John M. Fabry, supervisor. Condolences may be made at www.goldsboro-tomi.com.
Early Deadline
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the deadline for submitting an obituary for publication Nov. 22 is 2 p.m. Wednesday.