January 17, 2023 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Elizabeth (Betty) Marie Andriko (née Evanish), 97, died January 17, 2023.
Born November 15, 1925 in Turtle Creek, PA to Nicholas and Catherine Evanish, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis Andriko, Sr., whom she married in 1950, her parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
Betty was involved for many years with Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Christian Mothers, and frequently volunteered at St. Joseph Parish in Duquesne, PA. She made lifelong memories and friendships working in a pharmacy for 45 years, first at Ayres Pharmacy in McKeesport, then at Penn Taft Pharmacy in West Mifflin, finally retiring at age 87. She lived 70 years in her own home, spoiling her cat, spending time with neighbors, and completing hundreds of word puzzles. She remained active even after moving to New Kensington to live with her son.
Betty was outgoing, generous, caring, and funny. She is survived by her son Louis (Susan) Andriko, Jr.; grandchildren MaryElizabeth (John) Andriko-Moore, Kathryn (Joseph) Morosky, both of Pittsburgh, PA; and Michael (Jessi) Andriko, of Elkins, WV. She dearly loved her great-grandchildren, Sabine Andriko-Moore and Nikola Andriko, and was eagerly looking forward to meeting another great-grandson due in April.
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December 14, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Robert T. Messner, of Blackridge, formerly of McKeesport, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at age 84. He was the beloved husband of Anne Messner for more than 50 years; loving father of Megan Warren (Peter), of Baltimore, and Michael Messner (Lauren), of Fox Chapel; and proud grandfather of Ellen Kraai, Cecelia Messner, Walter Kraai and Grayson Messner. Bob was born and raised in McKeesport, the son of Thomas and Cecelia Messner. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and then practiced law for more than 50 years, first with a Pittsburgh law firm, then as general counsel for G.C. Murphy Co. and Dollar Bank. Bob was a historian with particular interest in the French and Indian War. After his retirement, he worked to fund and create the Braddock's Battlefield History Center, which opened to the public in 2012. In 2018, Bob donated the Center and its exhibits to Fort Ligonier, which continues its operation. He was dedicated to historical preservation through writing, lectures, consulting and serving on the board of several non-profits. Bob was also an Army veteran and commanded an intelligence unit in Korea.
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August 29, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Wayne Ernest Bostak, age 75, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away on August 24, 2022. He was born on September 12, 1946 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania the son of Ernest Otto Bostak and Virginia White.
Wayne was a letter carrier in Altamonte Springs, FL for 33 years. He was a proud US Army veteran. He was also an avid sports fan; particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pirates; and he loved to watch his granddaughters play softball. His was a life well-lived for his God and his country.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ann (Simmons) Bostak; sons Brian (Emily) Bostak, and Chad Bostak; grandchildren Madison, Meagan, and Joshua Bostak; and sister Ginny (Paul) Novak.
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August 16, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Phillip Lee Snyder, 83, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin passed away on August 12, 2022, at Willow Brooke Senior Living.
At Phillip’s request, no services will be held. Instead, the cremains will be spread in Florida with a memorial service held in Pennsylvania at a later date.
He was born on December 31, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA. Phillip was the son of Rex Edward Foster and mother Nada Verdella Townsend. He later married Cheryl Lynn Hankins Snyder who preceded him in death.
He was an over-the-road truck driver during his working career. He honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1959 – 1963.
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July 23, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Doris Jane McClymont Walker of Goshen, Kentucky, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died peacefully in her home on July 20, 2022. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of fifty- two years, P. Duane ("Dewey") Walker, and her dear and only sibling, Edna Mae Hannen.
Doris was born in Coulter, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on December 17,1931, to the late Richard and Lillian Lyons McClymont. She very much identified with being "a little girl of the 30's," with her strong sense of values and her very frugal ways. Upon graduating from McKeesport High School in 1949, Doris became a legal secretary. (She held treasured, lifelong memories of all the years she spent running to catch the train from her sleepy little coal mining town of Coulter, into downtown McKeesport for school and work.) It was while working as a legal secretary that she met Dewey, and they married in 1959.
As Doris and Dewey started their family, there were significant moves for Dewey's career. All the while, Doris filled the role as primary caregiver to their three children, yet still found time for volunteerism: teaching Sunday school, using her secretarial skills to type large print reading materials for the visually impaired and also learning Braille. Years later, Doris discovered her love for painting and became a decades-long student at the Schrodt Art Studio in Louisville, completing many vibrant and beautiful oil paintings. She was so pleasantly surprised and honored the year she won a blue ribbon at one of the Studio's Art Shows!
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July 02, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Patricia A. Martin McKissick, a native of McKeesport; an educator and loving spouse, mother and grandmother, died Friday, July 1, 2022, at home in Murrysville, Westmoreland County. She was 80.
A graduate of McKeesport schools, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. McKissick began her career teaching in the elementary grades in McKeesport. She continued her life-long teaching of children as a Peace Corps Volunteer and primary school teacher in Iran. Upon return to the U.S., Patricia was active in St Martin’s Episcopal church and was an instructor in early childhood development at Community College of Allegheny County. Late in her career, Patricia returned to the Middle East, where she taught refugees in the Anglican church near her home in Cairo, Egypt.
Accomplished in a variety of cuisines – from Ukrainian and Italian cooking, to Persian, she was also a fervent advocate for food safety.
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June 07, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Sharon E. Piergrossi, 74 of Fayette City, PA, formerly of Greenock PA, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
She was born October 5, 1947 in McKeesport, PA, daughter of Wilbert Jackson and Kathryn Ammon Jackson.
Sharon was retired from Mt. Vernon Personal Care Home in Elizabeth Twp where she was the Kitchen manager. She was a fantastic cook and loved to feed her family with her many treats. Sharon loved spending her time taking care of her dogs and feeding the hummingbirds in the summer.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, James Piergrossi, daughter, Sherri L Eley and husband James of Fayette City and son, James Piergrossi and wife Tori of Kingsville, MD.; two brothers, William Jackson of Dravosburg, Pa. and John Jackson and wife Cynthia of Ohio.; three grandchildren, Ashley Eley, Kayton Biddison and William Werneke. Also survived by three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
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May 28, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Our dear mother, Judy (Judith Anderson Freund) Beisswenger, passed away on May 27, 2022 at the age of 78. She was a wonderful woman with many friends in the Pittsburgh, PA, area and in Nashville, TN.
Judy was born July 2,1943 to Ernie and Doris Anderson of McKeesport, PA, and is survived by her siblings, David Anderson of St. Augustine, FL, and Joan (Sam) Patterson of Lancaster, PA. She graduated from McKeesport High School, Slippery Rock State College (where she was a founding sister of the Delta Zeta sorority) and Penn State University. She taught and substituted in business and English at McKeesport High School for many years.
Judy married fellow teacher John Freund in 1966 and is survived by their four children and grandchildren, Carol (Rick) Taylor (Samuel, Amanda, and Ruby), of Nashville, TN, David (Suzanne) Freund (Tarrah, Zachary, and Robyn) of Butler, PA, John (Janice) Freund of Raleigh, NC, and Ruth (Jason) Bacher (Aubriella and Madilynne) of Butler, PA. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was proud to serve as President of the Women’s Association of the Builder’s Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. She worked very hard on the development of the scholarship fund. In 2005 Judy married Don Beisswenger in Nashville and became very involved in advocacy for the homeless and also volunteered for over ten years at Vanderbilt 100 Oaks and was pleased to serve on the advisory board of Vanderbilt Hospital. She greatly loved her step-children, grandchildren, and their families.
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May 26, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Janice H. (DeLozier) Washko of Hempfield Twp., formerly of Duquesne, age 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Born the daughter of the late Vincent DeLozier and the late Marietta (Scanlon) DeLozier. Beloved wife of John Washko for 56 wonderful years. Loving mother of Tom (Colleen) Washko of North Huntingdon and Lynn (Cyndi) Washko of Hempfield.
Cherished grandmother of Katie (Scott) Thompson, Kelly (fiancé Tom Dillon) Washko, Rhiannon (Donny) Beseny, Dennison (Jen) Williams, and Samantha Williams. Special G-G of James Wray-Williams. Sister of the late Vincent DeLozier.
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May 06, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, Edward Fencik, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 96.
Edward was born on July 5, 1925 in Port Vue, PA to George and Mary (Gavula) Fencik, Slovak immigrants from Austria-Hungary. He had four brothers and two sisters. They were a hard-working family. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the US Navy, joining three of his brothers for service in WWII. He was deployed to Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, where he requested to go seaborne and was assigned as a pharmacist’s mate to the USS Texas battleship, participating in the invasions at Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
After returning from war Edward married on July 11, 1947 his high school sweetheart, Garnett Miller. Together they happily raised a daughter Cathy, and a son Don. He became a design draftsman in the engineering department at the U.S. Steel Irvin Works Plant, where he worked until retirement. His drafting skills, lettering, and penmanship were superb.
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April 25, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Diane Virginia (Hornfeck) Cote's soul left her physical body Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Leesburg, Fla. Her spirit lives on in her two children, five grandchildren, two surviving sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, and her friends and extended family who knew her and loved her. Fiercely independent and resilient, Diane lived her life on her terms. Born in McKeesport to Leonard and Virginia Hornfeck in November of 1947, Diane grew up in the McKeesport neighborhood of 10th Ward and graduated from McKeesport Senior High School.
She was adventurous, unafraid, and able to put down roots wherever her path in life took her. She could pack her life in her car and make it anywhere. She was kindhearted and welcoming. She made everyone feel included and loved. She was generous with what she had, even when it was very little. She was a hardworking, selfless, single mom with an eternal spring of unconditional love. She found joy in music, and for some time she was the lead vocalist of the jazz band, the Billy Phillips Quintet.
She could never pass up a stray dog or cat on the side of the road. She came to be an unabashed advocate for the protection of animals and the environment. She wasn't afraid to use her voice for good and gave to nearly every charity that asked and signed every petition for causes she felt strongly about. She was a compassionate and patient caregiver who provided end-of-life care for her father and older sister. She loved her career as a realtor and felt so proud of her work in that field, especially of the help she provided military families in the Pensacola area.
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April 19, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Barbara (Flaherty) Funk, 74 of Mars, PA, formally of White Oak, PA, passed away on April 14, 2022, at her home.
A 1966 graduate of McKeesport High School and the Douglas Business School prior to starting at her career at the Sears, Roebuck and Company at the Eastland Mall. Following the store closure, Barb went to work for the Fort Pitt Steel Casting Company (Christy Park) until she took a position at UPMC Oakland as an Administrative Assistant before resigning to care for her mother. Barb retired from Pribanic & Pribanic Law Firm (White Oak). She was a member of St Kilian’s Catholic Church in Cranberry, Pa.
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April 09, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
William “Bill” Fekety, age 68 of Clairton, Pennsylvania, passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. He was born on August 1, 1953, one of two children of William Eugene Fekety, Sr. and Barbara Ellen (King) Fekety.
Bill was a graduate of Clairton High School class of 1971. He served in the U. S. Air Force as a communications specialist retiring after 20 years of service. During his military service he served in Germany and Belgium. After his military career, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service.
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April 09, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
On Sunday, April 3, 2022, Garnett Ruth Fencik, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away at the age of 95.
Garnett was born on January 5, 1927 in McKeesport, PA to Wilbert and Blanche (Hitchens) Miller. She graduated from high school, where she met her lifelong soulmate, Edward Fencik, whom she married on July 11, 1947 after he completed service in WWII. Together they happily raised a daughter Cathy, and a son Don. She was a devoted housekeeper and hospital aide.
Garnett was an excellent cook, homemaker, and carer during times of sickness. She liked crocheting and created beautiful afghans, that she enjoyed giving to others. She showered her family with affection, gifts, and went with them often on places to see, things to do, and vacations. She taught and instilled very early in her children the values of a good life, treating others with kindness and respect, the importance of a good education, and a love of books. Her family, friends, and all who knew her will remember her joyfulness, and her kind, compassionate, and helpful spirit. She will be missed greatly.
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March 21, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: Obituary
Dennis Grantz, of Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, died Saturday, March 19, 2022. He was 71.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elaine (Stahurski) Grantz; two children, son Bradley and daughter-in-law Katherine Grantz of Falls Church, Virginia and daughter Lindsey and son-in-law David Papier of Pittsburgh/Brentwood, England (United Kingdom); three grandchildren, Whitney, Sofia, and Lena Grantz; and many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was employed in banking and the financial services sector for 35 years, he retired from Harvest Financial in 2008. He was a 1969 graduate of the Kiski Area High School and a 1973 graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the bowling team.
He was a past president of the West Jefferson Hills Chamber of Commerce; a past treasurer and baseball coach for many years of the Elizabeth Township Athletic Association; and, for 45 years, a member of the Pleasant Hills Rotary Club where he was a past president, Rotarian of the Year, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Holy Family Polish National Catholic Church in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
His interests included Pirates baseball, Penn State football, politics, voraciously reading newspapers, and doting on his granddaughters.
Originally of Parks Township (Armstrong County), Pennsylvania, Dennis was the son of Edna (Lee) and Wesley Grantz.
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