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Stephen "Spike" Krivanich

October 02, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Stephen "Spike" Krivanich, 92, of Port Vue passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023. He was born in Pittsburgh on February 4, 1931 and was the son to the late George and Mary (Masich) Krivanich. He worked many jobs over the years, but retired as a CFS Salesman from Watterau, now known as SUPERVALU. Spike was a very proud Marine Veteran. He enlisted and served for a year before getting honorably discharged in 1949 - just to get re-drafted in 1950, where he then served another 2 years. He spent most of his life living in Port Vue - he volunteered as a Fireman, and was also a member, long ago, of the American Legion - Port Vue Post #447. He loved Bingo, casinos & playing scratch-off tickets. He loved spending time with his family and being with his grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

 
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Douglas Edward Gantt

October 01, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Douglas Edward Gantt, 56, of Buena Vista, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023. He was born February 24, 1967 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Durant and Eileen (Craine) Gantt. Douglas was a member of New Hope Assembly of God, Elizabeth Township. He was a Sandblasting Technician and was previously a member of the Painter's Union.

 
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Ronald "Ronn" P. Ultis

September 29, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Ronald “Ronn” P. Ultis, 76, of Irwin, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was born July 10, 1947 in Fairmont and was  the son of the late Andy and Velma (Geiger) Ultis  He was the husband of 38 years to the late Wilma S. (Shick) Ultis, who passed away May 30, 2020. Along with his late wife he was a member of member of the Irwin Eagles # 1671, the Irwin Moose Lodge 236, the Wendel Athletic Association, and the Italian Minor’s Society in Hahntown. Wilma and Ronn enjoyed riding their Sportster. Ronn was living in quiet retirement at the time of his passing.  He will be greatly missed.
 
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Donald Stanley Mient

September 29, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Donald Stanley Mient, 85, of Elizabeth Township, passed away Thursday, September 28, 2023. He was born May 7, 1938 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Poznick) Mient. He was a member of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish-St. Michael Church, Elizabeth Township. Donald was a retired Machinist for Westinghouse and was a US Army Reserve Veteran. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen "Kay" (Madden) Mient, sons, Donald J. (Maryann) Mient of Baldwin and David (Carol) Mient of Elizabeth Township, daughter, Kathleen (Alan) Ziegler of White Oak, grandchildren, Christopher (Brittny) Mient, Timothy (Lauren) Mient, Megan (Tyler) Hendricks, Matthew Mient, Lauren (Greg) Wilson and Benjamin Ziegler, great-grandson, Alan "Jack" Wilson, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Mient. 

 
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Macie L. Jackson

September 29, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Macie L. Jackson, 103, of Clairton, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023. She was born September 22, 1920 in Ozark, Alabama and was the daughter of the late Sisero Rowe and the late Melissa Flowers. She was the wife of the late Judge Jackson Jr., who passed away November 11, 2009. She is survived by her sons, Avanalist "Sonny" (Paula) of Clairton, and Bruce (the late Edna) Jackson of Wilkinsburg, grandchildren, Autumn, Dwayne, Avanalist, Steve, Aqaveon, Adonia, Kelli, Kevin, and Raymond, host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, just welcomed a great-great-great grandchild, Temon Jr., and many nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, Director. Condolences may be made at GilbertFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

 


Patricia Ann Bilak

September 28, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Patricia Ann Bilak, 85, of Elizabeth Township passed away in Lake City, FL., Tuesday, September 26, 2023. She was born March 1, 1938 in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late George and Helen (Spisak) Benich. She was the wife of 62 years to the late Michael Bilak, Jr., who passed away January 7, 2017. Pat was a member of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish - St. Michael Church, Elizabeth Township. She was also a member of the former Holy Trinity Church in McKeesport where she was a Eucharist Minister and member of the Christian Mothers. She had worked for the former J.C. Penney Company Catalog at Thrift Drug in Olympia Shopping Center and had previously worked for Tube City Beer Distributing Co., McKeesport. She is survived by her daughters, Karen (John) Shaver of Prospect, KY., Kathy Weis of Forward Township, Janice (Jerry) Padrta of Lake City, FL., and Barbara (Robert) Engle of California, PA, son, Tim (Kathy) Bilak of Elizabeth, grandchildren, Sarah Wilson, Steven Liesinger, Craig Liesinger, Nikki Racer, Kory Bilak, Kayla Bilak, Jonathan Bonnett, Jerry Padrta, Jenna Padrta, Hanna Engle and 6 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many beloved neices and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Bob Weis.

 
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Warren J. Dowling

September 28, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Warren J. Dowling, 93, of West Mifflin, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was born February 17, 1930 in Braddock and was the son of the late William C. and Mabel (Jones) Dowling. Warren was a retired Lab Technician at the former US Steel Research Lab in Monroeville. He was a US Air Force Veteran serving in the Korean War.

 
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Thomas Vincent Rost

September 24, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Thomas Vincent Rost, 96, of Greenock, surrounded by his loving family and transcended to the Lords house not made with hands passed away Saturday, September 23, 2023 at home. (The same day of the year that his mother died). Tom was born August 18, 1927 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Paul and Frances Ann (Regensburger) Rost. Tom was a member of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish- St. Michael Church, Elizabeth Township, American Association of Retired Persons, Elizabeth Township Senior Citizens and the Knights of Columbus. Tom is a veteran of World War II serving with the Navy ‘Seabee's’, the battleship U.S.S. Mitchell, and was based in the Philippines. Tom was co-owner of Rost Electric and was proud of the many hospitals, high schools and high rise office buildings in Pittsburgh that he wired as an electrician. Tom belonged to the IBEW Local 5 for 75 years! Tom loved his family and family outings, camping and travel, RVing, gardening, and boating. He built his own home in Greenock in 1952, a beautiful cabin at the Youghiogheny Lake which included a waterfall, paddle wheel and fountain that was built inside the two floors of the cabin. Once Tom retired from his electrical career, he then took on the project of building his daughter and son-in-law’s cherished home in Elizabeth Township.

 
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Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner

September 21, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner, 15, of Dravosburg, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2023. She was born April 24, 2008 in Oceanside, CA., and is the daughter of Carl Lee and Nenita (San Martin) Kalkbrenner of Dravosburg. Samantha was a sophomore and cheerleader at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport. She was a member of St. Thomas The Apostle Parish- St. Therese Church in Munhall where she was also an Alter Server and very active in the Youth Group. She was also a member of St. Agnes Church and attended St. Therese School. She was a volunteer at the Appalachia Work Camp and Portals of Fear Haunted School and loved to dance at Steel City Academy of Dance. Her mother was her favorite home cook chef.

 
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Deborah Ann (Brady) Ludwig

September 20, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Deborah Ann  (Brady) Ludwig, 62, of McKeesport, formerly of Elizabeth Township, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. She was born March 5, 1961 in Norfolk, VA., and was the daughter of David H. Brady, Sr., and Patricia Ann (Derdich) Brady of Elizabeth Township. She was the wife of the late James W. Ludwig, Jr., who passed away March 7, 2020. Deborah was a former Math Teacher at the Wilkinsburg Middle School. She was a 1979 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School. She attended Penn State University and was a graduate of Penn West Cailfornia.

 
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Tanner Edward Faircloth

September 17, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Tanner Edward Faircloth, 23, of Elizabeth Township passed away Friday, September 15, 2023. He was born March 4, 2000 in Pittsburgh, and is the son of Edward L. Faircloth, II., and Jacqueline J. (Withrow) Faircloth. Tanner had a huge heart, was a kind and gentle soul, and was always thinking of others before himself. He was also extremely witty, charming, naturally smart, and loving. He enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend and his family. He loved to take walks on the trail, collect rare coins, and enjoy nature. He excelled on the swim team in high school, enjoyed the time he had at Pitt and excelled there as well. He worked in high school as a lifeguard for White Oak pool, then eventually for UPS and Fedex, along with having his own Ebay business. He had a way of making an impact on everyone he met and his smile would light up the room.

 
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Lida Wilma Benyak

September 15, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Lida Wilma (Lojpersberger) Benyak, 92, of Liberty Borough, formerly of New Kensington, passed away Thursday, September 14, 2023. She was born in Johnson City, NY on May 19, 1931 and was daughter to the late Paul and Helen (Fabik) Lojpersberger. She graduated from Johnson City High School in 1949 and moved to New Kensington, where she worked for ALCOA Aluminum  Co. while remaining involved with Sokol, USA - Lodge #46; where she was a gymnast, taught classes, and performed in a Czechoslovakian Folk Dance Co. These groups brought her to meet the love of her life, Joseph Benyak. They got married on October 16, 1954 and were married for a wonderful 56 years before his passing in September, 2010. Her and Joseph had moved to Liberty Borough and Lida became an extremely active member of the Liberty Prebyterian Church for 66 years - from an attendance officer to the "Sunshine Lady," and various other activities, you could always count on Lida to be involved. She was also a member of the Liberty Senior Citizens and loved traveling with their whole group. While traveling, she found her favorite travel time was with her family to the beach. 

 
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Catherine “Kay” Chemsak

September 14, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Catherine “Kay” Chemsak (Utlak), AKA “Bubby”, 93, passed away at her home September 13, 2023 with her family by her side. Kay, who embraced life with a fun-loving and adventurous spirit, left this world with a legacy of laughter, joy, and cherished memories that will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She was born in Youngstown, PA on February 27, 1930 to the late Michael and Katerina (Orinchin) Utlak. Kay grew up with four brothers and three sisters. Her earliest memories include weekend train rides and bakery visits with her brother, which set the stage for her lifelong love of trains, travel and sweets. As a young adult, Kay embarked on a fulfilling journey that included a memorable chapter in Washington, D.C., where she worked for the FBI. It was during her time there that she had a chance encounter with J. Edgar Hoover in an elevator, a memory she often shared.  Upon leaving DC, she moved to McKeesport, PA and met her loving partner of 57 years, Andy Chemsak. There, they raised their kids Jean and David and treasured time with their grandchildren. One of Kay’s most endearing qualities was her ability to maintain a childlike magic even in old age. When visiting Disney World at age 90, she rode the Frozen ride with a look of pure joy on her face and was inspired to buy an Elsa doll to remember that experience. Kay's laughter was infectious and she often had a mischievous sparkle in her eyes when telling stories about her earlier life. She had a unique gift for making friends wherever she went, a testament to her welcoming personality. She was an avid BINGO player, enjoyed all types of crafts, loved to travel, and never passed up a good sing-along.  Most of all, Kay loved her family. She always looked forward to holidays and events where everyone was together, describing these fondly as “a lot of eating and loud talking.” 

 
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Thelma Woodene 'Woody' Bell Merriman

September 14, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

A generation of Post-Gazette readers knew who to turn to for the newest hot spots in Pittsburgh, what to wear to them and —- perhaps most importantly — what recipes and restaurants were on fire this week: Woodene “Woody” Merriman. A “legend” in the ranks of reporters and editors during her tenure from 1977 through 2005, Ms. Merriman took on many roles at the PG, including as restaurant and food critic, lifestyle editor and assistant managing editor.“With her no-nonsense, git-er-done style, Woody was a role model,” said Marlene Parrish, retired food writer for the PG. “Whatever the subject, she nailed it. Also an author and lifelong feminist, Ms. Merriman, who moved from Elizabeth Township to a retirement home in Chevy Chase, Md., 10 years ago, died on Aug. 19 of complications from an infection. She was 97. 

 
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Joseph Michael Hoagland

September 14, 2023 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Joseph Michael Hoagland, 32, of McKeesport, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at home. He was born January 24, 1991 in McKeesport and was the son of Debra A. Hoagland of McKeesport and the late Jeffrey J. Hoagland, who passed away May 2, 2022. Joseph enjoyed fishing, especially at Lake Emilie inside Renzie Park in McKeesport. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, Jeremy Hoagland; step-brother, Christopher (Stephanie) Hoagland; special sisters, Marissa and Jessica Boros; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and best friends, Stuart Mohamed, Jeffrey Furlong and Blaine Hilbert. There will be no visitation.  Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1638 Lincoln Way, White Oak (412) 672-6322 Troy J. Gilbert, Director. Condolences may be made at GilbertFuneralHomeandCrematory.com