Feb 3, 2014

Served in WWII, cherished his family

Hugo J. Berardi, 89, of Nemacolin, died at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2014, in his home.

He was born February 19, 1924, in New Alexandria, a son of the late Paul and Alexandria Valli Berardi.

Mr. Berardi was a graduate of Cumberland Township High School in Carmichaels, and resided most of his life in Nemacolin.

He served with the civilian conservation corps and the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 999th Army Air Force Base Unit and was trained as a tail gunner on B-29s.

After World War II, he began working at the Buckeye Coal Company Nemacolin Mine, where he retired March 2, 1981.

Mr. Berardi was a faithful member of Our Lady of Consolation Roman Catholic Church in Nemacolin, a former member of Holy Name Society of the Church and John F. Kennedy Memorial Council 3659 in Carmichaels.

He enjoyed vegetable and fruit tree gardening, photography, nature and playing his mandolin. His favorite musician was Perry Como. He cherished his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On August 20, 1944, in Fort Myers, Fla., he married Lena G. Roman, who died November 4, 1998.

Surviving are two sons, David V. Berardi of Alexandria, Va., and Hugo J. Berardi and wife Melodie of Carmichaels; two daughters, Maria B. Lawrence and husband Walter of Great Falls, Va., and Bernadette B. Kramer at home; six grandchildren, John Hunter, Paul Hunter, Christian Berardi, Morgan Berardi, Elaine Wood and Meghan Wood; eight great-grandchildren, Damon Hunter, John Hunter, Will Hunter, Keyonna Thomas, Tucker Zollars, Kyan Berardi-Stockett, Taylor Granata and Reagan Granata; a brother, Herman Berardi of Silver Spring, Md.; a sister, Loretta Slotnik of Gaithersburg, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, David Vincent Berardi and two infants, and three sisters, Lucille Hleovas, Mary Launi and Jean Weido.

Dr. Amy Diamond, caregivers Kymberly Michels, Pat Kennedy, Melodie Berardi, Christian Berardi, Jordan Kennedy, Barbara Bocchini, Barbara Maskil and Meghan Wood and Scott Marchezak and the staff at Amedisys Hospice took great care of Mr. Berardi.

Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, director, 300 South Vine Street, Route 88, Carmichaels, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 6, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. in St. Hugh Roman Catholic Church, Carmichaels, with the Rev. John M. Bauer, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Crucible. Military honors will be accorded by Cumberland American Legion Post 400, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 and U.S. Air Force. A vigil service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. For additional information and to sign the guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.

76-year member of First U.M. Church

Lilyan B. “Diddy” Blough, 88, of Houston, died Monday, February 3, 2014, in her home, with her family by her side.

She was born February 17, 1925, in Houston, a daughter of Frank “Jack” and Bessie Milligan Bedillion.

Mrs. Blough was in the first graduating class of Chartiers High School in 1943.

She was a 76-year member of First United Methodist Church of Houston.

Mrs. Blough was a member of Chartiers Township Senior Citizens and a charter member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department.

She enjoyed going to Cameron Wellness Center and casinos, playing cards, Bingo and traveling.

On December 10, 1942, she married Robert G. Blough, who died April 7, 2001.

Surviving are two children, Janice L. Bramer (David) and Robert C. Blough Sr. (Marianne), both of Houston; a son-in-law, James Ayres Sr. of Houston; eight grandchildren, Amy Turney, James Ayres Jr., Susan Pearson (Richard), Robert C. Blough Jr. (Danielle Borrelli), Julie Cantrell (Brooks), Derek S. Blough (Brittany), Douglas Ayres and Matthew Blough (Amanda); and 10 great-grandchildren, William Turney (Ashley), Benjamin Turney (Kayla), Robert C. Blough III, Kaitlynn Blough, Conrad Pearson, Luke Pearson, Conner Alder, Caiti Alder, Lilyana Pearson and Hannah Blough.

Deceased are a daughter, Judith Ayres; two sisters, Florence Bedillion and Ruth Arnold; and a brother, Charles Bedillion.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, with Pastor Max Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department, 2450 West Pike Street, Houston, PA 15342.

Condolences may be left by viewing the website at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

Beloved mother

Margaret C. Hartman Brecht, 97, of Carrick, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2014, surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of the late Henry G.; beloved mother of Janet (Mike) Shultz, Sandra (Ron) D’Ascenzo, Phyllis Simcho, Margie (David) Opacic and Henry (Denise); and sister of Wallace Hartman.

Also surviving are grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren

Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in John F. Slater Funeral Home Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, PA 15227, where prayers will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, February 6, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Benedict the Abbot Church, McMurray.

Please send condolences to www.johnfslater.com.

Served in U.S. Air Force for 20 years

Michael Derrico, 93, of Washington, passed away peacefully Friday morning, January 31, 2014, in Hawthorne Woods, South Strabane Township.

He was born May 18, 1920, in Loudonville, Ohio, and was raised in Washington, a son of the late Antonio and Carmela Bianca Derrico.

In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. In 1945, he was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. He returned to Washington and worked for Albert’s Meat Packing until 1946, when he re-enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and was a crew chief.

On September 5, 1958, he married Josephine Owen Taylor.

In 1960, his crew was transferred to Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio. In 1962, he was discharged with the rank of tech sergeant. After his discharge, he and his wife bought a farm in Charles County, White Plains, Md., where they built and operated a greenhouse. He worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Fort Belvoir, retiring in 1967.

When he was a young man, his cousin taught him to play the guitar. During his years in the service, he was always a member of a small band that entertained at various events. When he moved to Maryland, he joined a band that often entertained veterans at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, Md.

In 1995, his wife’s health started to decline. He took care of her at home until she died in 1998. He stayed in Maryland until June 2013, when he came back home and moved into Hawthorne Woods.

Surviving are nephew Samuel (Patricia) Osso, great-nieces Mindy (Richard) Earliwine and Lisa (David) Hasson, niece Virginia (John) Ullom, great-nephew John (Jodi) Alberta and niece Mary Ann Fox, all of Washington; great nephew Thomas (Barbara) Fox of Smithfield, N.C.; nieces Susan (David) Morgan of Washington and Lisa Fox (James) Hawranko of Pittsburgh; niece Margaret (John) Skariot of Washington; great-nieces Jennifer (Brandt) Bowman of Mt. Lebanon and Lisa Skariot of Pittsburgh; nephew Edward (Jill) Joseph of Allentown; great-nephew John Joseph; niece Michele Solomon of DuBois; great-nieces Tami Head of Biloxi, Miss., and Shelly (Lewie) Terrebone of Altoona; great-nephews John Solomon of Brookville and Joshua Solomon of DuBois; nephew David (Michele) Joseph of DuBois; great-niece Emily of DuBois; great-nephew Shaun Joseph of San Diego, Calif.; and several great-great-nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his wife, are two sisters, Elvera Osso and Valverdine Joseph; a brother, Arthur; three nephews, Samuel Osso Jr., Harry Fox and Anthony Solomon; and a niece, Rebecca Joseph.

The family will have a private service in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township, where his brother, Arthur, is buried. Arrangements are being handled by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

Beloved wife

Lucy Mankey Foeckler, 87, of Silver Spring, Md., passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

She was the beloved wife of Eugene P. Foeckler Sr.; mother of Eugene P. (Aileen) Foeckler Jr., Daniel (Meg) Foeckler, Father Christopher Foeckler MJ, Mary (Tim) Nauman and Michael (Kathy) Foeckler; grandmother of 15; niece of Jim and Bill McCullough of Washington; and daughter of the late George and Eva Mankey, formerly of Lone Pine.

Mrs. Foeckler was a 1944 graduate of Trinity High School and a 1948 graduate of Waynesburg College.

Following college, she was employed at Waynesburg Hospital and later in the Washington, D.C., area.

Relatives and friends were received in Collins Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial was held December 17 in Our Lady of Grace, Silver Spring. Interment was held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christendom College, Front Royal, Va.

Margaret Christy Homitz, 94, of Burgettstown, passed away Monday, February 3, 2014, in Asbury Heights, Pittsburgh.

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

Former registered nurse

Christine Anne “Teena” Fusco McDonald, 75, of Washington, formerly of Reynoldsville, died Sunday, February 2, 2014, in Consulate Health Care, North Strabane Township.

She was born October 12, 1938, in Reynoldsville, a daughter of the late Bernard Fusco and Viola Palaggo Fusco.

Mrs. McDonald was a graduate of St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at Locust Manor.

She was Catholic.

On October 25, 1959, she married John McDonald, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Steven (Anne) McDonald of Herndon, Va., and Scott (Laura) McDonald of Robinson Township, Allegheny County; a brother, Louis (Madeline) Fusco of Reynoldsville; a sister, Jacquelyn Bowers of Reynoldsville; and five grandchildren, Jordan, Erin, Ryann, Patrick and Alexandra McDonald.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, February 7, in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Those attending the Mass should go directly to the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Donnell House, Hospice Care of Washington Health System, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.

Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

James W. Renshaw, 90, of Eighty Four, died Monday, February 3, 2014, in Washington Hospital.

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

1941-2014

Virginia Anne Garritano Taucher, 72, a lifelong resident of Burgettstown, passed away Sunday evening, February 2, 2014, in her home.

She was born August 30, 1941, a daughter of the late Joseph and Adeline Napolitano.

A 1960 graduate of Union High School, she worked as a notary for State Farm Insurance in Burgettstown.

On June 20, 1964, she married Francis “Gene” Taucher, who survives.

Surviving, in addtion to her husband, are two sons, Frank Taucher and wife Anita of Palm Coast, Fla., and Tim Taucher and wife Lynn of Wexford; a daughter, Michele Ingram and husband Bart of Findlay Township; and three grandchildren, Maggie Ingram and Jack and Beck Taucher.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are two brothers, Romeo and Eugene Garritano, and two sisters, Lillian Morra and Elsie Bruno.

Friends will be recieved from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 6, in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Burgettstown, with the Rev. George Moneck, as celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Burgettstown Meals on Wheels, c/o the Burgettstown Senior Center, 200 Senior Way, Burgettstown, PA 15021.