Obituaries March 14
Navy veteran
John David Arbuckle, 66, of Washington, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in his home.
He was born December 31, 1947, in Washington, a son of the late John W. and Frances J. Noyes Arbuckle.
Mr. Arbuckle was a 1964 graduate of McGuffey High School. He attended General Motors Institute and was a graduate of West Virginia Northern Community College.
He was a coal miner at Mine 58 for Marianna-Beth Energy, then studied respiratory therapy and was employed by West Virginia University Hospital and, finally, Southwest Regional Hospital in Waynesburg.
Mr. Arbuckle was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during the Vietnam War.
On December 24, 1986, in Washington, he married Deborah Dunn Ralston, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, John E. (Michelle Stepp) Arbuckle of Marianna; a daughter, Tina (David) Cunningham of Starkville, Miss.; a stepson, Christopher (Jennifer Johns) Ralston of Washington; a stepdaughter, Rebekah (Todd Hryckowian) Ralston of Pittsburgh; a sister, Jean (Robert) Westerman of Washington; and six grandchildren.
All services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to University of Pittsburgh’s Alzheimer Disease Research Center, UPMC Montefiore, Suite 421 West, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582.
Condolences may be expressed at www.familyremembers.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, and Lawrence K. Donovan, director
1925-2014
Elizabeth Baisley passed away peacefully Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Golden Acres, Simi Valley, Calif.
She was born July 23, 1925 in Canonsburg.
Mrs. Baisley resided the majority of the last 10 years with her grandson, Christopher Worstell, wife Jennifer and their children, Courtney, Dakota and Derek in Moorpark, Calif., and most recently with daughters, Patricia Morrow (husband Charles) and Janette Amatangelo (husband Raymond) and their daughter, Alicia of Moorpark, and then Golden Acres in Simi Valley.
She attended Penn Commercial and worked at WJPA, where she met her husband, Edward, who was a U.S. Navy recruiter at the time, and married June 4, 1948. Together they started a cable television company in Canonsburg, where they resided until their retirement and moved to Eighty Four, with winters spent in Fort Myers, Fla.
Following her husband’s passing in 1987, she continued spending winters in Florida, thanks to a dear friend, Rowene Loffert. She also remained active in Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, did volunteer work at Canonsburg Hospital, was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening and walking with friends.
Mrs. Baisley’s life was dedicated to her family.
Also surviving are granddaughter Cheryl; grandsons Jim (Kerry) and Chuck (Yolanda); nine great-grandchildren; brother Isaac Leon (Patricia); sister Mary Solomon (Michael) and her children and grandchildren; and children and grandchildren of her deceased sister.
Deceased is a sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Jiggs Cavasinni.
The family is thankful for the care that TLC Hospice of Moorpark and Golden Acres in Simi Valley provided to Mrs. Baisley.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 16, in Perez Family Funeral Home, Moorpark. Plans are undetermined for an additional service to be held in Pennsylvania.
Served in Marine Corps
Richard A. Caltuna, 54, of California, formerly of Denbo and Marianna, died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in his home.
He was born January 5, 1960, in Washington, a son of the late Carl and June Doolin Caltuna.
Mr. Caltuna was a 1977 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School and was a graduate of Penn Commercial with a degree in electronics.
From 1977 to 1979, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was a member of Victory Club in Denbo and Allenport Rod and Gun Club.
Mr. Caltuna enjoyed westerns and history.
Surviving are three children, Chad Sumey (Trish) of Merrittstown, Carl Caltuna of Denbo and Alyssa A. Caltuna of Aspinwal; a grandson, Doug Sumey; a brother, Michael Caltuna (Cathy) of Lone Pine; two sisters, Carla Zec (Gary) of Dry Tavern and Lisa Caltuna of Mather; his former wife, Denise Caltuna of Denbo; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private and under the direction of John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
Enjoyed gardening, wildlife
Bernice “Bernie” I. Weaver Micjan, 78, of Coal Center, died Monday, March 10, 2014, in Washington Hospital.
She was born September 19, 1935, in West Pike Run Township, a daughter of the late Clyde and Ruth Hawkins Weaver.
Mrs. Micjan was a 1954 graduate of California Area High School.
For the last 17 years, she was employed by McDonalds in Bentleyville. She was previously employed by Foodland in Charleroi, the Five and Ten in Charleroi and Clover Farm Store in Bentleyville.
She was a member of Miner’s Club of Richeyville and Cokeburg Moose Lodge 1629.
Mrs. Micjan enjoyed gardening, mowing her grass, wildlife and the outdoors. She especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, Maddie. Their special bond made them inseparable.
On October 25, 1966, she married Gerald S. Micjan, who died December 25, 2010.
Surviving are a son, Shawn Micjan (Stephanie) of Coal Center; a granddaughter, Maddie Micjan (Jackie Cline); a brother, Robert Weaver (Olga) of Coal Center; a sister, Nellie Sutch (Wayne) of Coal Center; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mike and Barb Micjan Sr.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her parents and husband, are brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Dolores Sheets.
Services will be private and under the direction of John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
Corrected information was received for the obituary of Samuel Reese, published Thursday.
Surviving is a grandchild, Sydni Davis.
U.S. Army vet, retired truck driver
James Benjamin “Ben” Shirk, 84, of Baldwin, formerly of Ruff Creek, died at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in his home.
He was born Friday, July 12, 1929, in Ruff Creek, a son of the late Ewing Shirk and Levina Dunn Shirk.
Mr. Shirk was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ruff Creek.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War. He as a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4793 of Waynesburg.
Mr. Shirk worked was a truck driver for Hawkins Contracting and then later for Caruso Asphault Paving as a truck driver for 29 years, retiring in 1992.
On January 4, 1954, he married his wife, Ruby Jean Johnson Shirk, who died March 4, 2001.
Surviving are a daughter, Vicki J. (Kent) Bassler of Whitehall; a son, William E. (Kathy) Shirk Sr. of Patton; four grandchildren, Bill E. Shirk Jr., Jeff (Katie) Shirk, K.J. Bassler and Neko Bassler; a sister, Sue (Robert) King of Clearwater, Fla.; two brothers, Donald L. (Nellie) Shirk of Waynesburg and Charles E. Shirk of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, March 15, in Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Daryl L. Throckmorton, Owner/Director, 197 North Maiden Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370, with Rev. William Parker officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery, Ruff Creek.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 685 Washington Road, Prosperity, PA 15329, or Anova Home Healthcare Services, 1580 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon, PA 15012.
Information is available at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.
Member of Holy Rosary Church
Frederick A. Skolyak, 66, of Washington, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Canonsburg Hospital, following an extended illness.
He was born November 17, 1947, in Washington, a son of the late Joseph and Josephine Fedis Skolyak.
Mr. Skolyak was a 1968 graduate of Trinity High School.
He was employed at Mac Plastics and Falcon Plastics.
Mr. Skolyak was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Muse.
He enjoyed traveling around the area with his beloved wife of 36 years, Mary Ann Kubacki Skolyak, who he married June 25, 1977. Mrs. Skolyak survives.
Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Skolyak was the last of his immediate family.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are three brothers, David, John and Robert Skolyak.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday 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. Saturday, March 15, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Muse, with the Rev. George T. DeVille, as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Woodruff Memorial Park, North Strabane Township.
To view or extend condolences please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.
1948-2014
Darlene Stoffa, 65, of Carmichaels, died unexpectedly at 1:41 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in her home.
She was born December 12, 1948, in Palmer, a daughter of the late Edward W. and Bertha E. Hiles Davis.
Mrs. Stoffa was a 1967 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School and resided in the Carmichaels area most of her life.
She owned and operated a beauty shop in Carmichaels for about 20 years.
On June 12, 1971, she married Ronald L. Stoffa, who survives.
Also surviving are a brother, George E. Davis and wife Lena of Carmichaels; a sister, Barbara Herrington and husband Ralph of West Elizabeth; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a daughter, Candice Renee Stoffa, who died in childhood, and two brothers, Donald Davis and James Davis.
There will be no public viewing. Family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside committal of her cremains at 2 p.m. Monday, March 17, in Aklin Burial Park, Penncraft, with the Rev. John M. Bauer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370. For additional information and to sign the guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.
Enjoyed entertaining, loved cooking
Kevin A. Stotka, 48, of Brownsville, died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in UPMC-Mercy hospital, Pittsburgh.
He was born February 28, 1966, in Brownsville, a son of the late Edward R. and Nellie Marie Suba Stotka Sr.
Mr. Stotka was a 1984 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School and received his bachelor of science in nursing from Waynesburg University, where he was president of his nursing class, graduating in the top 10 of his class. He was named to the Who’s Who of College and University Students. He also attended California University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Theta Xi fraternity.
He enjoyed entertaining. He loved cooking and his dog “Baby.”
Surviving are five brothers, Chuck Stotka (Elizabeth) of Irwin, Stanley Stotka and Edward R. Stotka Jr. (Loretta), both of Vestaburg, Timothy Stotka of Lowhill and Keith P. Stotka (Georgie) of Rices Landing; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Monday, March 17, in Greenlee Funeral Home, 42 Bank Street at Crawford Road, Fredericktown, with Rev. Paul Grunebach officiating. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.
Theodore William Takacs Sr., 70, of Donegal Township, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in UPMC-Shadyside hospital.
Arrangements are incomplete and entrusted to Hummell and Jones Funeral Home Inc., Washington. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.