April 06, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Pauline Novak, 97, of North Huntingdon, died Sunday April 4, 2021, at home. She was born March 10, 1924 in McKeesport, a daughter of the late George and Anna Hopey and was also preceded in death by her son Gregory Novak. Prior to retirement she owned Novak’s Personal Care Home and Novak’s Beauty Salon and had attended John Lesko Beauty School. She was also employed by J&L Steel in Port Vue, the Coca Cola Bottling Co, McKeesport Hotel, Modern Lunch, Chestnut Inn, Minerva Bakery, and was a volunteer at McKeesport Hospital and at the local election polls. She is survived by her children Dennis Novak of North Huntingdon, and Marie (Paul) Polacek of Greensburg; also nieces and nephews.
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April 06, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Victoria Lynn (O’Barto) Sam, 63, of North Huntingdon, passed away quietly, surrounded by family, after a heroic battle with kidney disease, Sunday April 4, 2021.
She was born June 6, 1957 in Tampa, FL, a daughter of the late Anthony and Alma (Churchfield) O’Barto who raised her from the age of nine months after her mother’s unexpected death. In addition to her parents and grandparents she is preceded in death by her nephew Rick Paulus and her grandparents-in-law Jeff and Jean Lewis. She lived an amazing life and touched so many lives as a school bus driver, transit driver, hair stylist, and amazing person and friend.
She will always be remembered for her generosity and good humor. She was a positive person and never complained. She will be missed by all.
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April 06, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Rochelle L. Hager, age 31, of Waterville, Maine, formerly of White Oak, PA and Vero Beach, FL, died tragically on Monday, March 29, 2021. She was born November 30, 1989 in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Dean and Sandy (Bendinelli) Hager of White Oak. She was known as “Shelly” to family and “Roe” to her TikTok friends.
Her infectious smile is what made people gravitate towards her. She was a huge advocate for helping others with addiction and had been clean for over 10 years. She liked to say “it takes zero dollars to be kind”. She graduated from La Cordon Bleu Culinary School and loved working in the restaurant industry.
She worked at the Antonelli Event Center and the Jacktown Ride and Hunt Club in North Huntingdon before moving to Maine to be the Executive Chef at the Woodlands Senior Community. She is preceded in death by her grandfather Lido F. Bendinelli and her pet dog Keylo.
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April 03, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Darryl D. Granata Sr., age 74, of North Huntingdon, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He was born September 29, 1946 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Salvatore and Margaret Granata. He was a longtime member of St. Agnes, and then the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Irwin.
He worked for over 25 years as a loan office at Union National Bank before working the rest of his career at Hamilton Buick in finance, sales and as inventory manager before retiring.
He is survived by his children Darryl (Diane) Granata Jr. of North Huntingdon and Kimberly (Bruce) Jennings of Irwin; grandchildren Jacob (Fiancé Megan Watts) Granata, Brittany (Avery) Sandor, Vicki Jennings, Amber Jennings, Christopher (fiancé Lauryn Gianotti) Granata; Dominic Granata and Olivia Granata; great granddaughter Aubree; and brother Frank (Joy) Granata of Atlanta, Georgia.
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April 03, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Richard "Dick" Keith Pealstrom, 93, passed away on Tuesday March 30, 2021. He was born in Holland, Michigan on October 11, 1927, but spent the majority of his childhood in Rock Island, Illinois where he graduated from Rock Island Senior High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy in September 1945. He graduated from two Navy radio communications schools and served as a communication technician in radio intelligence both on the island of Guam and at the Naval Intelligence Headquarters in Washington, DC, until his discharge in October, 1948.
After his service, he attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he received a BS degree in mathematics and worked as an Admission counselor at the University until his graduation. He then travelled to Wilmerding, PA, where he started working at the Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO). It was here that he met his wife of 65 years, Lois “Audrey” Pealstrom, on a blind date. He retired from WABCO after 35 years as Manager, Advertising & Sales Promotion. He was well known for his creative ad campaign for painting the COBRA brake shoes red, and the Secret Order of the Red Cobra for his sales team.
While employed, he also served on the Board of Directors of the WABCO Federal Credit Union and was elected President of the Association of Railway Advertising Managers, an international organization. Upon retirement, he continued to stay active. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the George Westinghouse Museum Foundation and served in several offices for the twenty years of its existence.
He was also a founding elder of the West Hempfield Presbyterian Church, where he was the Chairman of the Building Committee for their first edifice. In recent years, he was able to discuss his Navy work and became a member of the US Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association. Dick and Audrey shared a love of history by volunteering at the Westmoreland County Historical Society where they assisted in organizing and cataloging collections.
In his spare time, he was an avid golfer (shooting his age at age 88), a creative and talented wood-worker, an enthusiastic collector of eagle figurines, and a voracious reader with a love of learning. His family always looked forward to his unique homemade birthday cards and Christmas gifts.
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March 20, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Marvin R. Berk, 90, of White Oak, died Monday March 15, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. He was born October 11, 1930 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Samuel W. and Lottie Berk. Marvin retired as the third generation owner and operator of Berk’s Menswear, North Huntingdon, a business started by his grandfather in downtown Irwin in 1917 and currently owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Berk family.
He was a longtime member and past president of the Norwin Rotary Club and actively involved in other civic organizations such as the Norwin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Township Association of Businesses. Marvin was instrumental in organizing the Foothills Football Classic, displaying the area’s top high school football talent as a way to give an opportunity for scholarship exposure and promotion of the Norwin area.
He was a graduate of Irwin High School where he was class Valedictorian, received a master’s degree from Penn State University, and served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict.
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March 20, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Robert E. Hodder, 86, of North Huntingdon, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He was born on November 24, 1934 in East McKeesport.
Bob was an outstanding, multisport athlete at East McKeesport High School, graduating in 1952. After graduating he became an avid fast-pitch softball player for several teams in McKeesport and Greensburg. His teams competed on a local and national level and even competed in several world fast-pitch tournaments. He played for over 20 years, finally retiring from the game at age 44.
He was a 43-year employee of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, starting in their fledgling computer science program and working his way up into various leadership positions until retiring in 1996. At the time of his retirement he was then the longest-tenured employee of Westinghouse. He was an unabashed Anglophile who while employed by Westinghouse spent time living and working in England. This allowed him to indulge in his favorite sport, English football. He shared a passion with his son and grandson for Liverpool FC and loved to watch their matches together.
He was a long-time member of Christian Life Church in Trafford where he was an elder. He was also a teacher at Christian Life and worked with various youth groups.
In retirement, he enjoyed weekly lunches with his many friends and also loved nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren. He was always in attendance at his grandkid’s games, school events, recitals, plays, and musicals, regardless of where, when, or how boring.
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March 11, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Gilbert J. Pearsol, 75, of North Versailles, passed away, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. He was born May 11, 1945 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Frank and Jane (Jenkins) Pearsol, and in addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Vera Jane Jones.
Gilbert was a member of Mary Mother of God Parish, formerly St. Robert Bellarmine Church, East McKeesport where he was active as a reader and lay minister. He worked as auto mechanic for over 45 years at various car care centers including Dean Honda, Langston Subaru, Smail Acura, Spitzer Toyota, and most recently he owned and operated Gil’s Collectables, White Oak, specializing in sports memorabilia.
Gilbert volunteered for the East Allegheny Athletic Assoc., where he was a little league coach for the Ann McKay baseball team. He loved spending time with his family, taking trips to Disney World, and greatly enjoyed all of his grandchildren.
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March 05, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Walter G. Moffat, age 88, of Irwin, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021. He was born February 20, 1933 in Braddock, a son of the late Paul and Alice (Wells) Moffat. He was an Army veteran that served during the Korean Conflict and then went onto become Vice President of B.W. Otterman Lumber Company before becoming a charter bus driver in his retirement. For 55 years, he was an active member of the Suburban Community Church in Irwin. After his Army motor pool experience, Walt always owned a Jeep and was a founding member of the Triangle Jeepers of Pittsburgh and helped start the East Coast 4 Wheel Drive Association. In addition to Jeeps, building and flying airplanes was a lifelong pursuit.
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March 02, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Catherine M. Kelly, 89, of North Huntingdon, formerly of McKeesport, died Sunday February 28 2021. She was born May 10, 1931 in Rochester, NY, the daughter of the late James and Mae (Ewald) Cronk and was also preceded in death by her husband Charles E. Kelly Sr. and her adopted parents Milton and Ada Worbois.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Manor, where she was a former member of the church sewing club and the hospitality committee. She volunteered for the Westmoreland County Food Bank. Catherine enjoyed flower gardening, bird watching, game shows, and was famous for her pumpkin pies.
She is survived by her children Charles E. (Wendy) Kelly Jr. of Westmoreland City, Rick (Suzanne) Kelly of McDonald, Gregg (Linda) Kelly of McKeesport, and Cathy (Jack) Heck of North Huntingdon; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a brother Leonard (Dorothy) Lovecchio of Auburn, CA; also nieces and nephews.
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March 02, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Douglas A. Armbrust, 78, of North Huntingdon, died Monday March 1, 2021, at home. He was born March 5, 1942 in Greensburg, a son of the late Harry B. and Lucinda (Mull) Armbrust. Doug was self-employed operating Armbrust Locksmith & Security.
He was a member of Linway Presbyterian Church, North Versailles, Shidle Lodge, No. 601, Free and Accepted Masons, Irwin, Syria Temple, Pittsburgh, where he was a member of the motor corps, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Pittsburgh. He was a life member of Hartford Heights Volunteer Fire Department, and a social member of Larimer and Fairmont-Hahntown Fireman’s Clubs.
He was an Air Force veteran and a member of Hilltopper VFW Post, East McKeesport, and the AMVETS.
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February 25, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Robert “Bob” William Jones, age 69, passed away on Sunday February 21, 2021. He was born May 28, 1951 in Clairton, a son of the late Marion “Sam” and Lenora Jones. Bob retired from the Murrysville Police Department in 2012, having worked there since 1987 and attaining the rank of Sergeant in 1994. He was an active member of the Allegheny Valley Lodge 39 FOP, where he previously served as financial secretary and currently was a trustee. Throughout his life Bob enjoyed fishing, golfing and biking and most recently “Ghost Hunting” at Gettysburg. He also enjoyed time with his rescue dogs Max and Abby. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Karen McKee Jones; children Robert Jones of North Huntingdon and Sara Jones of Elizabeth Twp. and Michelle (Mitch) Dexter of North Strabane Twp.; and grandchildren Brayden, Peyton and Maddy.
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February 20, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Donna Joanne Baker, 84, of North Huntingdon, died Friday February 19, 2021. She was born January 30, 1937 in Biddle, the tenth child of the late Peter and Mildred (Marinkovich) Maystrovich and was also preceded in death by siblings Helen Keilch, Mary Ralph, and Joseph, Mark, Sava, Anne, Bertie, and Mitzi Maystrovich. Joanne was a graduate of North Huntingdon High School class of 1954, where she was a majorette and class secretary. She retired from Elliott Co., Jeannette, and formerly worked for Cronmiller-McCormick, Pittsburgh, and Femco, Irwin. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Irwin, and was an avid tennis, Steelers, Pitt football, and Pitt basketball fan.
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February 20, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Patricia E. Csorba, 74, of McKeesport, died Thursday, February 18, 2021. She was born in McKeesport March 18, 1946. She enjoyed watching birds, playing bingo, and trivia. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Joseph A. Csorba and a brother Paul E. Sirak. She is survived by her children Patti Jo Pomiabo of McKeesport and Joshua (Andrea) Csorba of North Versailles; her grandchildren Richard A. Pomiabo Jr. and Nicole M. Pomiabo; her great grandchildren Tiffany and Isabella; and a sister Joanne Belin.
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February 16, 2021 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Donald “Don” F. Ditter, age 85, of North Huntingdon, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021. He was born May 31, 1935 in McKeesport, a son of the late Fredrick and Mildred Ditter. He was an Air Force veteran that went onto work his entire career as a welder for U.S. Steel before retiring. He had a passion for coaching NCAA midget Football and supporting his daughter’s swimming teams. He also enjoyed spending Wednesday nights watching his son and friends bowl and would never miss one of his granddaughter's softball games.
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