Mar 8, 2014

Retired machinist, enjoyed history

Kenneth Earl Elliott, 78, of Amity, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 6, 2014.

He was born October 19, 1935, in Amity, a son of the late Lester Earl and Sarah Frances Hatfield Elliott.

Mr. Elliott was the 1953 valedictorian graduate of Trinity High School. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Army Mobile Radar Unit for three years.

He was employed as a machinist at Reliance Electric in Washington, where he retired after 37 years. He then worked with his wife in the mail room at the Observer-Reporter Publishing Co.

The most important aspect of his life was his faith in Jesus Christ, which he lived and shared with everyone he met. He attended Grace Brethren Church in Washington.

Mr. Elliott enjoyed history, especially Civil War, and family history. He was a lifelong farmer and loved his dogs.

On March 16, 1974, he married Joan Hall Elliott, with whom he shared 37 years of marriage, until her death in 2011.

Surviving are two sons, Kenneth B. (Brian) Elliott of Washington and William L. (Melissa) Elliott of Plum Borough; sister Lucy Mae Elliott of Amity; brother John (Genell) Elliott of Kingsport, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1873 East Maiden Street, Washington. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Chosen People Ministries, 241 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022, www.chosenpeople.com.

A guest book may be signed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com.

“Rainbow the Clown”

Carla Jean Fritch, “Rainbow the Clown,” 62, of Burgettstown, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 7, 2014. As her final gift on Earth, she was an organ donor.

She was born June 24, 1951, a daughter of the late James and Josephine Persiani Harris.

A 1970 graduate of Union High School in Burgettstown, she studied to be a dental hygienist.

Mrs. Fritch attended Eldersville United Methodist Church, where she taught preschool, which led her to graduate from Clown College in Buffalo, N.Y., which started a long and passionate career as a clown and entertainer.

She traveled extensively to conventions and performed in England and at the annual Easter egg hunt at George H.W. Bush’s Whitehouse and every Tuesday she would perform at the Texas Roadhouse Kid’s Night in Steubenville, Ohio, where she would make balloon animals and paint faces. She entertained at numerous birthday parties, celebrations and community functions within the area and was the Easter Bunny and Mrs. Claus for the Burgettstown Community Library.

When she was not performing as “Rainbow the Clown,” she enjoyed camping with her family.

In 1972, she married her husband, John W. Fritch, who survives.

Also surviving are two children, Christopher John Fritch of Cochranton and Christina Jean Runkel and husband Ryan of Steubenville; five grandchildren, Selena Fritch, Santino, Carmina and Angello Chiovitti and Tyler Fritch; two sisters, Lori Calvert and husband John of Washington and Penny Webber-McGill and husband John of Aliquippa; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents, are two sisters, Rowena Hoge and Jamie Buzzard.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.

Because of her love and support of the library, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Burgettstown Community Library, 2 Kerr Street, Burgettstown, PA 15021.

Beloved husband, loving father

Lloyd B. Goodwin, 81, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Jefferson, Greene County, died peacefully Friday, March 7, 2014.

He was the beloved husband of the late Marlene Speicher Goodwin; son of the late Norman and Stella Orndoff Goodwin; loving father of L. Todd Goodwin and Jodi (Bruce) Goodwin Beemer, both of Pittsburgh; brother of the late Earl Goodwin, Raymond Goodwin, Katherine Snyder and Ross Goodwin; and beloved “PopPop” of Jackson and Jordan Beemer.

Mr. Goodwin served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He was employed for 25 years as a welfare fraud investigation agent with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Inspector General.

Devoted to his family, he will be remembered as an impeccably dressed, quintessential gentleman who always had a smile.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Simons Funeral Home Inc., 7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11. Interment will be held in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township.

Contributions may be made to North Hills Christian Church, 778 Thompson Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

Member of First Baptist Church

Barbara Jo Johnson, 82, of Chester, W.Va., formerly of Washington, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014, in East Liverpool City Hospital, Ohio.

She was born January 2, 1932, in Fly, Ohio, a daughter of the late Richard and Florence Campbell Talbott.

After graduating from New Matamoras High School, in Ohio, she graduated from Ohio Valley General Hospital.

Mrs. Johnson worked as a registered nurse at Washington Hospital.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Washington, where she enjoyed helping with the children in Sunday School, many of whom lovingly called her “Grandma Barb.”

Mrs. Johnson enjoyed quilting and crocheting.

On September 12, 1959 she married Harold “Sam” W. Johnson Jr., who died January 1, 2006.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda Bergman of Washington; three sons, H. Wayne Johnson III and wife Betty of Houston, Texas, Daniel Andrew Johnson of Houston and Gregory Scott Johnson and wife Jennifer of Chester, W.Va.; two brothers, Richard Talbott of New Matamoras and Alan Talbott of Athens, Ohio; two sisters, Donna Sue Lutz of Woodsfield, Ohio, and Emily Holdenreid of Rockville, Md.; five grandchildren, A.J. Bergman and wife Kristina, Casey Bergman, Morgan Johnson Sommers and husband Rob, Serena Hunsberger and Tyler Johnson; and a great-grandchild, August Bergman.

Deceased are two brothers, Robert and Charles Talbott, and a sister, Mary Bragg.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.

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

U.S. Army veteran enjoyed time with family

William Curtis Kidd, 85, of Burgettstown, Cross Creek Township, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington.

He was born September 16, 1928, in Steubenville, Ohio, a son of the late Charles Raymond and Mabel Katherine Cunningham Kidd.

Prior to retirement, he was employed by Columbia Gas Transmission Corp.

Mr. Kidd was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War.

He was a member of Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder and trustee and served on the cemetery board. He was a member of Burgettstown Senior Citizens and Jefferson Township Historical Society.

Mr. Kidd enjoyed deer hunting, but most especially, spending time with his family.

Surviving are a son, Bruce (Tirney) Kidd of Burgettstown; a daughter, Diana (Dave) Kuhar of Ballwin, Mo.; and two grandchildren, Jason Kuhar of Columbia, Mo., and Brianna Kidd of Burgettstown.

Deceased are his wife, Jacqueline Byers Kidd, and brother Robert Kidd.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in Taucher Funeral Home, 23 Erie Mine Road, Burgettstown, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, with Pastor Gary Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Cross Creek Cemetery with full military rites accorded by Burgettstown-Slovan Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to Washington Health System Hospice Care, The Washington Hospital Foundation, 55 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15031.

For further information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.taucherfuneralhome.com.

Member of Holy Rosary Church

Dolores “Ann Louise” Marinelli, 82, of Muse, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 8, 2014, in the home of her daughter in Champion, with her loving family by her side.

She was born December 13, 1931, in Muse, a daughter of John Sr. and Viola Meir O’Hare.

Mrs. Marinelli lived her life in Muse, where she was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Altar Society.

She was a homemaker who was employed at the former RCA plant in Canonsburg, and for more than 30 years at Salandra Funeral Home.

Mrs. Marinelli was a member of Muse Independent Women and was known for her meatballs at Muse Independent Club and the fish she breaded for the Friday fish fries for many years. She was also a member of the GOL in Muse, CIC in Cecil and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 in Canonsburg.

She enjoyed visiting The Meadows Casino and was a true people person who had a warm smile, kiss and hug for everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her.

On July 23, 1955, she married Mario “Butch” Marinelli, who passed away March 21, 2004.

Mrs. Marinelli leaves behind to cherish her memory a son, Mario (Lori) Marinelli of Pleasant Hills; a daughter, Belinda (George) Tayvinsky of Champion; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Giavonna and Marco Marinelli and Ian Godfrey; a son-in-law, Gerald D. Godfrey of Cecil; two brothers, William O’Hare of Muse and Robert O’Hare of Canonsburg; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are a beloved daughter, Anastasia M. Godfrey, who passed away September 6, 2013; two sisters, Mary Catherine O’Hare and Ellen Howe; and brothers Patrick, John Jr., James, Robert, Donald and Leo O’Hare.

Friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 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 departing prayers will be recited at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, Muse, with the Rev. George T. DeVille, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Church Cemetery, Cecil.

To view or extended condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

Member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Charles L. McKinley, 84, of Burgettstown, formerly of Washington, died Friday, March 7, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington.

He was born November 26, 1929, in Erie, a son of the late Lloyd A. and Ella J. Henry McKinley.

Mr. McKinley owned and operated American Breeders Service, where he assisted area farmers with their livestock needs for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1987.

He had been a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glyde.

Mr. McKinley enjoyed watching football and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are a son, Larry McKinley (Melissa) of Scenery Hill; a brother, George McKinley (Beverly) of Erie; three grandchildren, Brandon Miller (Marla), Ryan McKinley and Eric McKinley; three sisters-in-law, Linda Schultz and Joann Schultz, both of Scenery Hill, and Grace McVay (Jim) of Labelle, Fla.; his longtime companion, Helen Baloga of Burgettstown; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his wife, Audrey Schultz McKinley, who died May 2, 1984; a daughter, Joyce McKinley; a grandson, Travis Miller; two sisters, Doris Graya and Sarah Knight; two brothers, Raymond and Clarence McKinley; and two brothers-in-law, Edward L. Schultz and Arleigh Schultz.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, with the Rev. Peter Asplin officiating. Interment will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Glyde.

A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Cheryl Raineri, 69, of McDonald, died Friday, March 7, 2014.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Nation Funeral Home, McDonald.

A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.