Obituaries Sept. 24
Corrected information was received for the obituary of Mabel Elizabeth Garrett, published Monday.
A deceased son, Samuel Garrett, was misidentified.
First United Presbyterian Church member
George Johnson, 72, of Washington, formerly of Houston, died Saturday, September 21, 2013, in Washington Hospital.
He was born May 22, 1941, in Washington and resided with ARC of Pennsylvania since July 1982.
Mr. Johnson was employed by ARC Human Services in Meadow Lands and was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Houston.
He was the last of his immediate family.
Deceased is a sister, Margaret Johnson.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Wednesday, September 25, in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston. The Rev. Clarejean Haury will officiate, and interment will be private.
Condolences may be left at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.
Norwin Alliance Church member
Ruth H. Lauffer, 93, of North Huntingdon, died Sunday, September 22, 2013, in the home of her daughter in Eighty Four.
Born February 12, 1920, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late James and Anna Schneider Hemminger.
In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Lauffer worked for Gateway School District.
She was a member of Norwin Alliance Church, North Huntingdon, where she was an organizer of the Keen-Agers.
Mrs. Lauffer is survived by daughters, Ruth Ann Nicholls and husband Chuck of Eighty Four and Robin Joy Hanig and husband David of Ligonier; a mentored son, Chuckie Marks of Georgia; grandchildren Joy Lynn Van Cleve and husband Frank and Lauren Joy Hanig; great-grandchildren Kayla, Justin and Krista Huffman; and nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are her husband of 63 years, Woodrow “Woody” Lauffer; a son, Harry Wilson Lauffer; a grandson-in-law, Richie Huffman; and siblings.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, the time of service, in William Snyder Funeral Home, 521 Main Street, Irwin, with the Rev. Robert Daniels officiating. Interment will follow at Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Lauffer’s name to Keen-Agers of Norwin Alliance Church, 10585 Fairview Drive, Irwin, PA 15642.
Enjoyed bowling, swimming and family traditions
Rose Sabo Morosky, 92, of Richeyville, died Monday, September 23, 2013, in her home.
She was born January 23, 1921, in Monessen, a daughter of the late Kelly and Mary Beck Sabo.
Mrs. Morosky was a 1938 graduate of Brownsville High School. After graduation, she worked at Brownsville Distillery. In later years after raising her family, she was employed by Nemacolin Country Club, retiring in 1978 after 20 years of service.
She was a member of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Richeyville, for more than 60 years and its Catholic Daughters of America and Ladies Guild of the church.
Mrs. Morosky was also a member of the former Women’s Club of Richeyville, Ladies Bowling League of Richeyville and Ladies League at Gudac’s Lanes, Brownsville.
Beginning in her early childhood, she enjoyed swimming and continued the sport with the senior program at California University of Pennsylvania, where she made many dear friends.
Mrs. Morosky carried on a family tradition of annual trips to Kennywood that she began as a child, riding the train to Kennywood. She continued the family tradition by taking her children and, later, her grandchildren, to Kennywood every year, a tradition that continues to this day. Her favorite part of the trip was riding the Raging Rapids with her grandchildren.
On June 21, 1941, she married George J. Morosky Sr., who died June 2, 1984.
Surviving are three daughters, Judy (Jim) Saska of Waynesburg, Rosanne (Eddie) Rendulic of Bridgeville and Debby Morosky of Richeyville, her devoted caregiver with whom she made her home; 11 grandchildren, Jean Morosky of Lorain, Ohio, Bob (Deidra) Meyers and Andy (Beth) Meyers, both of Richeyville, Kristen (Chris) Howell of Solon, Ohio, Tim (Jennifer) Meyers of Mobile, Ala., Katie (Jeremy) Ulery of LaBelle, David (Robin) Raymond of Manchester, Jacob (Kristi) Raymond of Mesa, Ariz., Josh and Lucas Rendulic, both of Bridgeville, and Sarah Rendulic of Crofton, Md.; two stepgrandchildren, Beth (Jeremy) Gills of Biglerville and Matthew (Veronica) Saska of Glenshaw; a daughter-in-law, Linda Morosky of Lorain; a son-in-law, Dave Raymond of Bedford; two sisters-in-law, Betty Morosky of Richeyville and Pauline Sabo of West Brownsville; 22 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and caregivers Diane Spiker Johnston and Kathryn D. Newsom.
Deceased, in addition to her husband, are a son, George Morosky Jr.; a daughter, Kathy Raymond; a sister, Helen Matyi; and brothers Alex and Jack Sabo.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where a prayer service will be held 10:45 a.m. Thursday, September 26, with Deacon Thomas Raymond officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the St. Agnes Church, Richeyville, with the Rev. Edward Yuhas as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvery Cemetery, Coal Center. Guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
Monongahela man bred Maltese dogs
Harold Schiffer, 64, of Monongahela, formerly of Monroeville, died peacefully Saturday, September 21, 2013, in Mon Valley Hospital surrounded by family and friends.
He was born in Pittsburgh July 27, 1949, a son of Susan Garcia Socci, who resides in Monroeville, and the late David Socci.
Mr. Schiffer was employed as a foreman with USX Corp. McKeesport Works. He and his wife, Millie, bred Maltese dogs for many years; they were the light of his life.
He was very kind and enjoyed helping others in need.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 20 years, Mildred Daube Schiffer; a daughter, Deanna Mullins Schiffer of North Carolina; a son, David Schiffer of Monongahela; a mother-in-law, LaVerna Daube of Donora; three sisters, Linda Martin of Pitcairn, Elaine (John) Allen of California and Sandra (Mark) Kirby of Trafford; two brothers, Mark (Ann) Socci and David Socci, both of Monroeville; three grandchildren, Cassandra, Marleena and Nadia; and a brother-in-law, Randy Daube, and a nephew, Tristan Daube, both of Donora.
Also surviving are loving nieces, nephews and close friends.
Friends will be received 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in James A. Rabe Funeral Home Inc., 701 Thompson Ave, Donora, where a service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, September 26, with the Rev. Robert Hanna officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.
Member of First Church of the Nazarene
Phyllis Jean Squires, 73, of Waynesburg, died 10:15 p.m. Sunday, September 22, 2013, in the home of her daughter, Kaye.
She was born Saturday, September 23, 1939, in Morgantown, W.Va., a daughter of the late Joseph Charles Swihart Sr. and Loverna Madge Dunn Swihart.
Mrs. Squires was a graduate of University High School in Morgantown, Class of 1957.
She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, Waynesburg.
Mrs. Squires enjoyed sewing, genealogy, puzzles, playing cards and traveling the country. She was past queen of Red Hat Society in Greene County and hosted Good News Club in New York.
She worked as a seamstress at Darinka’s Bridal Salon in Morgantown.
Surviving are two daughters, Twyla (Kenneth) Haines of Mt. Morris and Kaye (John) Hartley of Ruff Creek; three sons, David Michael Kervaski of Waynesburg, Jeffrey Scott (Joey) Kervaski of Penrose, Colo., and Lowell Otto (Angela Bell) Squires of Ruff Creek; two sisters, Loverna Gilbert and Sierra Lanham, both of Morgantown; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, Joseph Charles Swihart Jr., Richard Rex Swihart and John Franklin Swihart.
Friends will be received 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Thursday, September 26, with the Rev. John Poling officiating, in Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Daryl L. Throckmorton, owner/director, 197 North Maiden Street, Waynesburg. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Point Marion. Information is available at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.
Veteran excelled in baseball
Carl Stuvek, 94, of Center Township, formerly of Waynesburg, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2013, in Heritage Valley Medical Center, Beaver.
He was born in Smock, September 13, 1919, the son of the late John and Anna Ziemba Stuvek.
Mr. Stuvek was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church.
He enjoyed sports and excelled in baseball, playing for Clyde Mine in the Greene County baseball league.
Mr. Stuvek proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radar man 2nd class on the USS PC 1122. He also worked for J&L Tin Mill, retiring as a metallurgist.
Surving is his loving wife of 62 years, Gloria Jean Stuvek, whom he married April 14, 1951. They were inseparable, and she was truly the love of his life.
Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, including those who lived in Carmichaels to whom he was especially close, Karen (Cliff) Harr, Tom (Trish) Stuvek, David Carl (Roxie) Stuvek, Barb (Oscar) Hathaway and Fred (Linda) Stuvek Jr. Mr. Stuvek was like a second father to them and has left them and their families with many wonderful memories.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his brothers, John, Fred and Stanley Stuvek.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Darroch Memorial Chapel, 2640 Mill Street, Aliquippa, where prayers will be offered 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 26, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Aliquippa. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township.
Additional information can be found at www.darrochfuneralhome.com.
Former Peters Township School District nurse
Mary Ellen Zitko, 64, of Washington, died Sunday, September 22, 2013, in Washington Hospital.
She was born December 14, 1948, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., a daughter of the late William and Bernice DeBruyne Thiron.
Mrs. Zitko was a graduate of Dominican High School in Detroit, Mich. She went onto study nursing at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, Mich., where she received her licensed practical nurse degree. Mrs. Zitko worked briefly as a nurse, before choosing to stay home to take care of her family. Prior to retirement in 2005, she worked as a school nurse in Peters Township School District.
She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Zitko was a loving and devoted mother and wife, valuing faith and family above all else in her life.
Surviving are her husband of 43 years, John R. Zitko; two sons, Matthew Zitko of Annapolis, Md., and John W. (Christa) Zitko of Hummelstown; a daughter, Beth (Bryan) Trax of McMurray; two brothers, Mark (Rita) Thiron of Grand Blanc, Mich., and Dan (Joni) Thiron of Greensburg, Ky.; a sister, Nancy Durbin of South Lyon, Mich.; six grandchildren, Ben, Grace, Olivia, Emma, Makenah and Ellen; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a grandson, Jonah Trax.
Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 26, in South Hills Bible Chapel, McMurray, with the Rev. Wayne Johnson officiating. All other services will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Zitko’s memory to Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, P.O. Box 339, Grantville, PA 17028 or www.catra.net, where her granddaughter, Emma, takes therapeutic riding lessons. Condolences may be expressed and photos uploaded at www.familyremembers.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director.