Obituaries Aug. 2
Retired heavy equipment operator was outdoorsman
James H. Longenette, 73, of New Eagle, died Wednesday, July 31, 2013, in Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Jefferson Hills.
He was born January 26, 1940, in Lincoln Hill, the son of the late Robert and Grace Butterfield Longenette.
Mr. Longenette was a member of St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela.
He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Local 66, having worked for Twilight Industries, Blacktop Paving and Sopko Contracting, from where he retired in 2002.
He was a member of Elrama Sportsman’s Club and a former member of Library Sportsman’s Club. He was very gifted in building things with his hands, and he loved to ride his motorcycle, fly model airplanes and go boating, hunting and fishing.
Surviving are his wife, Margaret Eileen Schwenk Longenette, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage April 27, 2013; two brothers, Robert Longenette of Bethel Park and George Longenette of New Freeport; brother-in-law Vincent Schwenk; two nephews, Brad L. Schwenk and Robby Longenette; and a niece, Kathy Fisher.
In addition to his parents, deceased are a sister, Ida Mae “Boots” Renner, and a nephew, Vincent Schwenk Jr.
Friends will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 3, with the Rev. William Terza as officiant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
The family asks memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society of Western Pennsylvania, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.
Claysville teen was loved by all who knew her
Sierra Jane Minor, 16, of Claysville, died Wednesday, July 31, 2013, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
She was born October 31, 1996, in Washington, a daughter of Janey L. West of Claysville and Ronald Minor of Prosperity.
Sierra had attended McGuffey schools and, at one time, also had attended Trinity schools.
She attended Beulah Baptist Church.
Sierra loved music, singing, dancing, animals and children. She was a thoughtful, kind and giving teenager, who loved life. She was loved by all who knew her.
Surviving in addition to her parents are two sisters, Traci (Robbie) Gareis and Terri Knox, and three brothers, Tory Minor, Adam (Maria) West and Joseph (Sarah) West, all of Washington; maternal grandparents, Barbara and Richard Barchesi of Waynesburg; maternal great-grandmother, Leona King of Claysville; nephews and nieces, Levi, Wyatt, Sienna and Bentley West and Robbie Jr., Max and Bella Gareis; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Deceased are her paternal grandparents, Elbert and Glenna Minor; maternal grandfather Charles Williams; and maternal great-grandfather Robert F. King.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 3, in Prosperity Community Center, 4578 ½ Prosperity Pike, Prosperity, PA 15329. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor. Condolences may be expressed at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
Transfiguration Church member served in WWII
Lawrence J. Pestino, 95, of Valley Inn, Monongahela, died Thursday, August 1, 2013, in Nevaeh Cove Personal Care Home, Charleroi.
He was born March 11, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of the late Joseph and Rose Schippacassi Pestino.
Mr. Pestino graduated from Ohio University with a degree in industrial relations and cost accounting.
A World War II veteran, he served four years as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in Northern Africa and India. Upon his return, he settled in Monongahela, the hometown of his loving wife of 59 years, Louise Anton Pestino.
Mr. Pestino worked in Donora at American Steel & Wire, the Western Pennsylvania Employment Office in Charleroi and later as the manager of personnel and public relations at Lee Norse/Ingersoll Rand Corp., Charleroi. In retirement, he also served as executive administrator of Carroll Township Authority.
A faithful member and past Eucharistic minister at St. Damian of Molokai Parish (Transfiguration Church) in Monongahela and was a member of Carroll Township American Legion Post 949.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Surviving are five children, Richard A. Pestino of Sparks, Nev., Joseph F. Pestino of Penfield, N.Y., Daniel J. Pestino and wife Cathy of New Eagle, Patricia A. Pestino and husband Timothy of Barrackville, W.Va., and Mary L. Augustine of Jefferson Hills; six grandchildren, Christopher J. Pestino, Amanda Pestino-Mavrakis and husband Marcus of Monongahela, Joshua R. Mallonee and wife Lindsey of Catlettsburg, Ky., Kathryn A. Mallonee of Barrackville, Evan L. Augustine and Elise Augustine of Jefferson Hills; a great-granddaughter, Marissa Mavrakis; a sister, Marie Pestino Anderson of Decatur, Ill.; and a nephew, John Anderson of Decatur. He also leaves behind his devoted cat, Callie.
Deceased are his loving wife of 59 years, Louise Anton Pestino, whom he met at Ohio University; a son, Lawrence A. “Laddie” Pestino, who died April 22, 1954; and a nephew, George Boynton of Connecticut.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Marshall Marra Funeral Home, 216 Chess Street, Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafuneralhome.com. A prayer service will begin in the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 8, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Transfiguration Church. Interment will be in Monongahela Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome and appreciated to Novaeh Cove Personal Care Home, 1039 4th Street Ext., Charleroi, PA 15022.