Apr 13, 2013

Charles D. Alderson Jr., 71, of Canonsburg, passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 12, 2013.

He was born April 25, 1941, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Charles and Josephine Malinak Alderson.

On March 31, 1963, he married Margaret Fortunato Alderson, who survives.

Mr. Alderson was a retired assistant superintendent for Port Authority Transit.

He was an avid golfer and loved his two dogs.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two children, Rosemarie Tinneville and Vince Alderson; two grandchildren, Addie and Andrew Alderson; two sisters, Faye (Paul) Warchol and Patty (the late Howard) Foltz; a brother, Richard Alderson; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are a son, Mark Alderson; a brother, Wesley Alderson; and a sister, Bonnie Bell.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-3333. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg, with the Rev. John J. Batykefer as celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. Memorials may be made in the memory of his son, Mark, to American Cancer Society. View and add condolences at www.warcholfuneralhome.com.

Joan B. Burrows, 79, of Washington, died Saturday, April 13, 2012, in Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.

She was born April 16, 1933, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late William G. and Grace Adams Burkett.

Mrs. Burrows was a 1951 graduate of Washington High School and a 1956 graduate of Penn State University.

She was a member of Christian Bible Fellowship Church in Canonsburg.

Mrs. Burrows loved theology and Bible study.

On August 14 1955, she married William A. Burrows Jr., who died December 27, 2011.

Surviving are two sons, Dave Burrows (Kathy) and Mark Burrows (Melissa), both of Washington; two daughters, Elisabeth Wheatley (John) of Claysville and Deborah Graham (William) of Carlisle, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Christian Bible Fellowship Church, Canonsburg, where services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, with the Rev. Andrew Cobucci officiating. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Christian Bible Fellowship Church. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

John C. Felton, 82, of Cherry Valley, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, April 13, 2013, in his home.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Lee and Martin Funeral Home, Burgettstown. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

Homer H. Garrison, 70, of Greensboro, died Friday, April 12, 2013, in his home.

He was born August 20, 1942, in Monongahela Township, Greene County, a son of the late Ira Ross and Hester Stout Garrison Sr.

Mr. Garrison was a graduate of Mapletown High School and was a social member of Cumberland American Legion Post 400 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels.

He drove a school bus and worked as a bus mechanic in Southeastern Greene School District and later drove coal trucks in the local area.

Mr. Garrison worked on his family farm and enjoyed hunting, gardening and camping. He was locally known for his ability to roast chickens at community gatherings.

Surviving are his best friend and companion, Judith A. Henderson; a brother, Dallas Garrison of Uniontown; a sister, Anna Eggers of Carmichaels; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, Ross Garrison Jr., George M. Garrison and Larry Garrison, and four sisters, Ivy Knecht, Ocie Eggers, Agnes Sloneker and Carrie Swecker.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside service at 2 p.m. Monday, April 15, in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township, with the Rev. Gary Cobert officiating. Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, director, 300 South Vine Street, Carmichaels, is in charge of arrangements. For additional information and to sign the guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.

Mary Louise McCurdy, 86, of Berkeley Hills, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in the love of her family and caregivers in Rockynol Assisted Living, Akron, Ohio.

She was born October 26, 1926, a daughter of the late John and Lually Stickle, formerly of Washington. She grew up in Brookline along with her brother, Bill.

A graduate of Southside High School, she went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she met and fell in love with her husband of almost 60 years, Ted McCurdy, of Ben Avon. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

Life as a college graduate and married woman began in May 1948. A dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many, she leaves all who knew her well with beautiful memories. Every day of her life was an opportunity for a special occasion. Her door was always open, her table always beautifully set for the season, her kitchen stocked. Her greatest joy was sharing her intelligence, creative talents and sense of humor with family and friends.

Mrs. McCurdy was a member of Memorial Park Presbyterian Church and Twig and Blossom Garden Club and lent her abilities to numerous community organizations.

Surviving are a son, Tim McCurdy (Carol) of Coudersport; a daughter, Marcia Wolff of Akron; grandchildren Lindsay Zedonek (Mark) of Pittsburgh, Kyle McCurdy of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Matthew McCurdy of Coudersport; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Wrenshall of Avalon and Norine Lucas of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

The staff of Rockynol and Visiting Nurse Services Hospice provided loving care for her.

Friends will be received from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Simons Funeral Home Inc., 7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, where a celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society or National Parkinson Foundation.

Her family expressed this sentiment in memory of Mrs. McCurdy: When I think of you, a smile finds a place in my soul. I truly know the sun and moon dance on water. Words become poems, and the world is a better place.

Evelyn Julian Morgan, 96, of Washington, died Saturday, April 13, 2013, in Kade Nursing Home, Washington.

Arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd, Washington. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

Dolly Maxine McFadden Ottena, 81, of Bridgeville, died Friday, April 12, 2013.

Arrangements are incomplete and are entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.

George Jerome Pecharka Sr., 81, of Canonsburg, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2013.

He was born September 22, 1931, in Muse, a son of the late John Joseph and Julia G. Stelmach Pecharka.

Mr. Pecharka was a lifelong, devout believer in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and joins him now in paradise. He was a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Meadow Lands and the Holy Name Society, from where he received a lifetime award. He was very proud of his Slovak heritage and remained fluent in the Slovak language.

Mr. Pecharka was a retired machinist, the founder and sole owner of the George Pecharka Co. and was co-owner of Houston Tool and Die. He was a “machinist’s machinist” whose clients sought him for the superior skill and creativity he used to precisely craft parts and tools for area industries. Many of these pieces were unique prototypes, which he invented. He trained his sons at his Canonsburg machine shop, guiding each to provide the highest levels of care and quality in their chosen professions. Prior to the establishment of his machine shop, he had served as an efficiency expert at the former Pennsylvania Transformer, and as apprentice, journeyman and master machinist at Canon Tool and Kmet Machining.

He began his career as a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, from which he apprenticed at the Washington National Airport.

Mr. Pecharka had been an avid deer hunter and antique trader who enjoyed crossword puzzles and flea marketing.

On July 30, 1951 he married his beloved wife, Ruth Joan Nestor, who passed away October 8, 2009.

Surviving are seven sons, George J. (Janet) Pecharka Jr. of Meadow Lands, Robert Pecharka of Canonsburg, John Pecharka of Houston, David (Kathy) Pecharka of Robinson Township, Richard Pecharka of Canonsburg, Christopher Pecharka (Tracy Ranelle) of Dana Point, Calif., and Joseph (Carolyn) Pecharka of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was affectionately known to his family as “Bear.” He was the last of his immediate family.

Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are three brothers, John, Edward and Paul Pecharka, and three sisters, Ann Sobolewski, Rose Potocnak and Margaret Pecharka who died in Infancy.

Friends and family are welcome 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, where departing prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 18, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with the Rev. Carmen D’Amico as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Canonsburg. The Holy Name Society of Miraculous Medal will recite the Rosary at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

Yvonne “Brecky” Brechbill Rameas, 75, of Venetia, died Friday, April 12, 2013, in Allegheny General Hospital.

She was born February, 27, 1938, in Midland, a daughter of the late Samuel G. and Dorothy Suica Brechbill.

A graduate of Sewickley Nursing School, she received her bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University and her master’s degree from California University.

Mrs. Rameas was a dedicated registered nurse for 55 years and served as an educator, counselor, nurse patient advocate and sight-seeing tour planner.

She was a deacon at Thomas Presbyterian Church and a member of Peters Creek Historical Society.

Mrs. Rameas was the beloved wife for 40 years to the late Samuel Rameas; loving mother of Stacie Rameas-Michael (Richard Michael) and Samuel B. (Susan) Rameas; “Baba” of Chloe, Noah, Caitlin and Natalie; and sister of Juanita, Sam, Ivan and the late Dorothy.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, in Thomas Presbyterian Church, Eighty Four, with the Rev. Peggy Shannon officiating. Interment will be held in Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery, Pleasant Hills. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Thomas Presbyterian Church or Peters Township Historical Society. Please add tributes at beinhauer.com.

P. Terry Zaken, 64, of Washington, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013, in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Oakland.

He was born July 11, 1948, in Hendersonville, a son the late Stephen and Julia Lazor Zaken.

Mr. Zaken served as lance corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps, during the Vietnam War, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and a Purple Heart.

He worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years.

Mr. Zaken was Russian Orthodox.

He lived most of his life in Hendersonville and Washington. He was a former member of the Bears Club in Meadow Lands, a member of the White Eagles in Canonsburg, American Legion Post 902 of Houston and former commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 of Canonsburg from 1994 to 1995 and 2010 to 2011, where he was a life member. He was a life member of VFW Honor Guard and Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.

Mr. Zaken was an avid golfer, hunter and a loyal St. Louis Cardinals and Steelers fan. He was manager of his grandson’s Pinto Youth baseball team, who won the 2012 championship. His happiest times were spent with his grandchildren, who always called him “DiDi.”

On June 20, 1981, he married his beloved wife, Marlane Svitek, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Christopher Paul Terry (Heather Jenkins) Zaken of Houston and Todd Patrick (Jennifer) Zaken of Washington; three grandchildren, Camden, Hannah and Colin Zaken; three sisters, Valeria (Michael) Kelleher of Wilton, Maine, Bernadette (George) Halley of Lawrence and Stephanie Teatino of Hendersonville; an aunt and uncle; a niece, Jamie Svitek, who considered him a second father; and many nieces nephews and cousins.

Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where services will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, with the Rev. Joseph Oleynik officiating. Interment will follow at 10 a.m. in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guard VFW Post 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston. To view or send condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.