James Dale Turner, Jr.
October 26, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

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October 26, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 24, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 23, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Rev. William D. Heaton, age 98 of Greenock, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023 in UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born August 31, 1925 in Osceola Mills, he was a son of the late Harry T. and Mary Grace (Burns) Heaton. He is survived by his loving wife, Ella Louise (Allen) Heaton, and his nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert E. Heaton.
William served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II with the 8th Fighter Control Squadron of the 5th Army Air Corps. Following the war, he attended Robert Morris University, earning a degree in business administration and accounting. While employed by the Crawford Furniture Manufacturing Corp. at their New Bethlehem plant, he attended the New Bethlehem First Methodist Church where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and received his call into full-time Christian ministry. While residing in New Bethlehem, William served on the Colonel Drake Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
William graduated from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and religion. He then attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore from one year, then went on to finish his theological education at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
While in Kentucky, William served as pastor of the Hazel Green Charge of the Methodist Church in the mountains of eastern part of the state. He then served the Owenton First United Methodist Church in Owenton, KY. Also at that time he conducted revival services in Kentucky and Ohio. While there, he also pursued studies in evangelism with the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.
Returning to the Western Pennsylvania Conference, he served churches at the Monongahela Circuit, the Curllsville Charge, the Mary S. Brown United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church in Pitcarin, the Jenny Lind/Shoemaker United Methodist Churches in McKeesport, and the McKeesport Hope/Belle Chapel United Methodist Churches. William retired from the active ministry in June of 1992.
While a member of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, he served as Vice Chairman of the Conference Board of Stewardship and on the former Pittsburgh East Board of Evangelism, and also served on several sub-district offices. Following retirement, William served the Highland Grove United Methodist Church in McKeesport as interim pastor then as associate pastor at the First United Methodist Church of McKeesport.
Following his years of pastoral ministry, he was employed by the Country Meadows Retirement Center at the South Hills Campus in Pittsburgh as chaplain of their Alzheimer’s unit. He was then hired by UPMC McKeesport as their Director of the Pastoral Care Department. That position was held until his 80th birthday when he and his wife Ella decided to (as Bill put it his eloquent fashion) “enjoy the remainder of life’s journey at a retired pace conducive to retired persons.” William and Ella attended Central Highlands Community Methodist Church.
October 23, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 19, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Walter B. Kozlowski, age 68 of McKeesport, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, MD. Born December 22, 1954 in Washington, PA, he was a son of the late Henry and Betty (O'Keefe) Kozlowski. A graduate of LaRoche College, Walter worked as a project manager for information systems for UPMC and also worked as a registered radiology technician and as a project manager for McKesson Co. of Pittsburgh. In his spare time, he enjoyed Jeeps, Legos, and Hallmark movies. Walter is survived by his wife of 46 years Cathy (Cole) Kozlowski; his twin sons Zachary Kozlowski of North Versailles and Leo (Lindsey) Kozlowski of Pittsburgh; his siblings Barbara (Bernard) Benson and Henry and Timothy Kozlowski; and also nieces and nephews.
October 19, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Joan G. (Guiher) Wise, age 90, of Forward Twp., passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at home. She was a member of Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church in Elizabeth Twp. A 1950 graduate of Bethel High School and a 1954 graduate of Waynesburg University, she was a former teacher in the Elizabeth Forward School District. She enjoyed square dancing, gardening and knitting. Born January 28, 1933 in Waynesburg, she was a daughter of the late Frank T. and Elizabeth (Galbraith) Guiher. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Thomas D. Wise; children, Jennifer Donaldson of Buena Vista, Beth (the late Kevin) Blanc of Bethel Park and Thomas (Maria) Wise of Chalfont; grandchildren, Crystal and Kelly Donaldson, Jeffrey (Brandy) Blanc, Amy Blanc, Blake (Ashley) Wise and Lauren Wise; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Frank Guiher of Cincinnati, OH. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother, William Guiher. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2 PM until the time of service at 4 PM in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Adam Stump officiating. Private burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Park in Pleasant Hills. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church, 100 Timothy Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com
October 18, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Dolores Crane, age 95 of Pleasant Hills, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 in Whitehall Borough Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born July 13, 1928 in Mount Morris, NY, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Helen Teetsel and wife of the late Vincent Crane. Dolores is survived by her sons David (Mary Ann Ginestra) Crane of Clairton and Jeff (Kimberly) Crane of Elrama; her grandchildren Anthony, Carina, Mitchell, and Marshall Crane; her great-grandchildren; her sister Shirley Acker of Rochester, NY; and also nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Randy Crane and her sisters Jackie and Lorraine.
October 18, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Dolores Victoria (Broskey) Evanchak, age 92, of Turtle Creek, formerly of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at LGAR Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was a member of St. Joachim and Anne Parish, St. Michael Church in Elizabeth Twp. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed her flowers and doing yardwork. Born July 28, 1931 in Uniontown, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Josephine (Pinkas) Broskey and wife of the late Thomas C. Evanchak. She is survived by sons, David M. (Suzanne) Evanchak of McKeesport, Edward (Betsy) Evanchak of Aliquippa and Brian (Susan) Evanchak of North Huntingdon; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one step great-grandson; also, nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 9:30 AM in St. Michael Church with the Rev. Thomas A. Wagner officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made in Dolores' name to LGAR Health & Rehabilitation Center, 800 Elsie Street, Turtle Creek, PA 15145. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
October 15, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 12, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Lillian Alberta (Hall) Gergley, age 90 of Jefferson Hills, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Born August 12, 1933 in Neville Island, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Winnifred (Brown) Hall. She was a former Secretary for US Steel Clairton Works in Clairton, a member of the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration in Elizabeth, a member the Eastern Star Lodge, formerly in Clairton, and card club. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John R. Gergley, Jr., who passed away October 17, 2016. She is survived by her daughters Linda (Mark) Withrow of Clairton, Donna Shaffer of Clairton, and Debra (Bill) Maurizio of Pleasant Hills; grandchildren Nathan J. (Athena) Withrow, Kaitlin D. (Dan) McKenzie, Ryan (Kate) Shaffer, Nico Maurizio, and Gabriella (Gabriel) Mezzaluna; great-grandchildren, Daniel Shaffer, Lillian Shaffer, Stanley McKenzie, and Willow Withrow; brother-in-law Michael (Joyce) Gergley of Glassport, sister-in-law Edna Hall of Wylie, TX; extended family/daughter #4 Valerie DeBellis; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Hall.
October 11, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 09, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Frances C. (Thomas) Martin, age 68, of McKeesport passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at Kane Community Living Center. Born February 8, 1955 in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Bernard and Elizabeth Thomas. She worked as a registered nurse at Jefferson Hospital, in Jefferson Hills.
October 09, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Richard J. Vapner, age 82 of McKeesport, passed away on Sunday October 8, 2023 in Southwester Nursing Center, West Mifflin. Born November 18, 1940 in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna (Filipovic) Vapner. A member of Unity Presbyterian Church in Greentree, Richard worked most recently for the US Department of Commerce's Census Bureau.
October 06, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
October 05, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Dana (Kadar) Yonek, age 65 of McKeesport and formerly of Clairton, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at UPMC East. Born May 28, 1958 in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Peter David Kadar and the late Diane Marie Runatz. She worked as a clerk for Shop-N-Save in McKeesport and was a former member of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Clare Site (Clairton).