July 15, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Donald T. Johnson, 80, of North Huntingdon, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2022. He was born July 2, 1942 in McKeesport. Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Donna L. (Richards) Johnson. Don was a family man and proud of his sons and daughter’s in law; Neil and Wendy and Eric and Amy. Both families reside in North Huntington along with his grandchildren; Cory, Brady, Karlie, and Tanner Johnson. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf and any family sporting event or family gathering. Donald also has brothers James (Janice) Johnson of Anna, Illinois, and Darrell Johnson of McKeesport, sister in-law Nancy (Ron) Crossett of Irwin, also numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces. Donald is the son of the late Norman and Alice (Gasser) Johnson of McKeesport.
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July 02, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Marilyn A. (Durkay) Schweitzer, 92, of North Versailles, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022. She was born February 16, 1930 in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Butchko) Durkay. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband Edwin Schweitzer, son David Schweitzer, son and daughter in-law Daniel and Alison Schweitzer, and a sister Annette McGrath.
Marilyn was a member of Mary Mother of God Parish and attended St. Robert Bellarmine Church, East McKeesport. Prior to her retirement she worked in dietary services at UPMC Braddock and then worked in the cafeteria for East Allegheny School District. Marilyn loved her dogs Tara and Annie and enjoyed spending time with her family.
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July 02, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Joan C. (Panczyk) Crissman, 87, of North Versailles, passed away Friday, July 1, 2022. She was born January 15, 1935 in North Versailles, a daughter of the late Joseph S. and Katherine (Schultz) Panczyk. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth F. Crissman, siblings Sophia Powell, Francis Panczyk, her twin sister Jean Martin, and Florence Kearns. Joan was a member of Norwin Christian Church, she enjoyed family and her friends in her church community. She is survived by her children Kenneth E. (Donna) Crissman of Glen Rock, and Sheryl (James) Likar of Trafford, grandchildren Ashley (Owen) Cameron, Nicholas Likar, Melissa Likar, and Lindsay Likar, a brother Theodore Panczyk of North Versailles, and nieces and nephews.
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June 30, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Gaetano “Guy” Melocchi, age 95, of North Versailles passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the home he built surrounded by his family.
He was born November 28, 1926, in Sant Angelo del Pesco, Italy, a son of the late Francesco and Amandolina (DiVito) Melocchi. He immigrated to the United States in 1956, and after establishing himself, sent for his wife and two children two years later. He was a long-time member of Mary Mother of God Parish in East McKeesport (formerly St. Robert Bellarmine). He was a bricklayer for his whole career and was known to be a perfectionist in his trade.
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June 15, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Barbara C. (Reichert) Nesbitt, 77, of North Huntingdon, passed away Monday June 6, 2022 at home. She was born December 14, 1944 in Braddock, a daughter of the late Karl and Beatrice (Haney) Reichert and was also preceded in death by her husband Bartholomew K. Nesbitt, her daughter Christine Nesbitt, and siblings Agnes (Henry) Little, Karl (Eileen) Reichert, Harold (Loretta) Reichert, William (Carol) Reichert, James (Jane) Reichert, Kenneth Reichert, and brother in-laws Tom Jones and Melvin Sims. Barbara was a retired of UPMC, Braddock where she worked as a housekeeper. She enjoyed Bingo and her cats Misty and Sebastian.
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June 15, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Lorraine B. (George) Russo, age 82, of North Versailles, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 11, 2022. She was born February 26, 1940 in Turtle Creek, a daughter of the late Henry and Dorothy George. She was a member of Mary Mother of God Parish (formerly St. Robert Bellarmine) in East McKeesport.
She worked for 25 years as a waitress at Nigro’s Restaurant. She also worked many years as a school guard crossing children safely across 5th Avenue to and from school each day. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother Charles George.
She is survived by her husband of over 63 years Carmine Russo; daughter Carla Russo of North Huntingdon and Therese (William) Jordan of North Huntingdon; grandchildren Nicole (Joshua) Schmidt and Dean (Tonya) Jordan; great grandchildren Holdyn and Kane Schmidt and Dean Jordan Jr.; sister Donna Gonzales; and many nieces and nephews. Lorraine was most proud of her 63 year marriage to her life long love Carmine, both of her girls, her grandchildren, and most especially her three great grandchildren that brought her so much joy.
She loved being GiGi Ru & sharing pictures of the kids with all of her friends and family. She was an avid Steeler and Penguin fan, decorating the house, dressing up and even attending a game on occasion. She enjoyed playing slot machines and their many weekend trips to the casinos. After much encouragement, she took her first cruise and enjoyed taking many more cruises thereafter, but her favorite vacations by far, were family trips to Holden Beach, NC. Over the years, she watched her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, play in the sand and sea. Lorraine was a beautiful and special lady with a heart of gold. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.
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June 13, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
June M. (Feight) Clem, age 91, formerly of North Huntingdon, passed away peacefully at Wesbury UMRC of Meadville, on June 9, 2022. June was born June 16, 1930, the daughter of the late Kenneth Feight and Leah (Dunlap) Feight in Jeannette.
June was a devoted wife to Clifford for over 65 years and a beloved mother to her daughter and son. June retired from (Verizon) Bell Telephone Company of Greensburg after many years of service. Her love of sewing and friendship with her church ladies sewing group for many years was seen through the beautiful lap blankets that they graciously donated to those in need.
The moments that brought June her greatest joy were when her family was together. She treasured time with her children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. June will always be remembered for her loving heart and generous spirit as she faithfully looked for ways to help and serve others.
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June 06, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Elizabeth J. Okert, 93, of North Versailles, died Thursday, June 2, 2022. She was born February 28, 1929 in Braddock, a daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Pernick) Heininger and was also preceded in death by her husband Louis S. Okert, a son David A. Okert, daughter in law Dianne Okert, son in law Michael Clowes, and brothers Robert and Raymond Heininger. She was a member of Mary Mother of God Parish, St. Robert Bellarmine Church, East McKeesport, where she served as a greeter. She was an avid bowler and a volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels. She is survived by her children Laurie J. (Cornell) Franz of Ardara, Frank L. (Larissa) Okert of Liberty Borough, Elizabeth A. Clowes of Strasburg, VA, Louis G. Okert of North Versailles, and Patrick D. (Sherrie) Okert of Latrobe; 12 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; a sister Shirley Schmidt of Peabody, MA; also nieces and nephews.
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June 05, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Frank G. Helman, of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, died at home Thursday, June 2, with his beloved wife of 32 years, Martha (Peak) Helman, at his side. He was 92 years old.
Born and raised in Irwin, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Frank W. and Esther (Gootee) Helman. An early memory involved watching the construction crew at work on the western terminus of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Frank’s father was co-owner of Irwin’s print shop and editor of the “Republican Standard,” the town’s weekly newspaper. Frank fondly remembered his first job there folding newspapers, and by high school he had transitioned to running the linotype machine. Frank served as editor of both his high school and college newspapers. He graduated from Irwin High School in 1947.
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June 03, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Spencer Dell Hirshberg, Esq., passed in his sleep on May 25, 2022 at the age of 80. Born July 8, 1941, Spencer was the eldest son of Pitt football hero and Carnegie Tech coach Edward J. Hirshberg of McKeesport, and businesswoman Dorothy Dell of Duquesne.
A graduate of Shady Side Academy, Spence captained the 1959 varsity golf team and lettered in football and (allegedly) squash. Ever the cut-up, Spence was inordinately proud of manufacturing a fictitious Shady Side student, “Casper Schnootz,” who achieved passing grades in English and Science until faculty learned that Schnootz didn’t exist – Spencer and friends had been ghost-writing his reports and papers. At Shady Side, Spencer met Christiana McMahan Hoffman, eldest daughter of renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Franklin D. Hoffman and Mrs. Frances Cordes Hoffman.
Set up on a blind date, Spence and Christy spent the rest of their lives together and had a remarkable marriage of nearly 60 years. His father’s athletic reputation clinched Spencer’s admission to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. However, upon arrival at Dartmouth, the head football coach immediately recognized that Spencer was 5 foot 6 rather than 6 foot 5; likely a purposeful transposition by the senior Hirshberg to pad Spencer’s application. Spencer graduated with honors from Dartmouth, a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and golf team, but not a football star.
Shortly after graduation, Spencer enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam war. His father, a Marine veteran of the Pacific theater of WWII, advised him that “you’ll be drafted, so join the Navy and they’ll put you on a boat. The Viet Cong doesn’t have much of a fleet.” Spence married Christy in 1965. The young couple welcomed their first daughter, Lindsay, shortly before Spencer shipped off to the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the U.S.S. Arlington.
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June 03, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Vincent Surace, 90, of Hempfield Township, passed away Monday, May 30, 2022 at home. He was born May 2, 1932 in McKeesport, a son of the late Dominick and Anna (Jackson) Surace. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers and a sister Leo “Butch” Yost, Louis Surace, and Cathy Hadad. Vincent was an Army veteran that served during the Korean Conflict, and was a life time member of the American Legion Post 447, Port Vue. He enjoyed sports, skiing, and skydiving. He is survived by his loving wife of over 51 years LuAnn C. (Schiess) Surace, his children Cynthia Surace-Volpe of Greentree, Vincent D. Surace (Alyssa Gibbons) of Apollo, and Louis T. (Emily) Surace of Pleasant Unity, grandchildren Sabrina Volpe, Alena Surace, Isabella Surace, and Dominick Surace, sisters Emily Kroboth of McMurray and Sandy Binlein of Washington, also many nieces and nephews.
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May 26, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Daniel “Dan” Schweitzer, age 56, of Allison Park, passed away unexpectedly on Monday May 23, 2022. He was born April 19, 1966 in McKeesport, a son Marilyn Schweitzer and the late Edwin Schweitzer. He was a past member of Mary Mother of God Parish, formerly St. Robert Bellarmine Church in East McKeesport. He worked in prosthetics for De La Torre Orthotics & Prosthetics located in Blawnox. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister Cindy Hernyeni of McKees Rocks, Edward (Leah) Schweitzer of White Oak, Andrew (Michele) Schweitzer of North Huntingdon and John (Melissa) Schweitzer of North Huntingdon; nieces and nephews; and his dog Annie.
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May 02, 2022 |
By Administrator | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
George Michael Perkosky, age 79, of Hampton, passed away on April 27, 2022. Son of George and Veronica (Stitt) Perkosky. Survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Gregory), sons, John (Laura) and Jeff, and grandchildren, Lexy and Owen. Also survived by his sisters, Frances and Mary Lynn and numerous nieces and nephews. Georgie to his sisters and wife, he grew up an East McKeesport kid that provided him with many lifelong friendships. George served in the Army, used the GI bill to help get his degrees from Pitt and spent his career as a counselor for the VA. He was a staunch Democrat, a voracious reader and a wordsmith extraordinaire. He was a long-time coach of his sons’ baseball, wrestling and football teams. George’s family was his world, and we could not have asked for a better husband, father and grandfather. He is missed.
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May 02, 2022 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Dorothy E. (Stone) Burnside, age 89, of Irwin, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022. She was born June 5, 1932 in Duquesne, a daughter of the late Chester & Harriet Stone.
She was married to Albert L. Burnside, Jr for over 61 years before his passing. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by sister Harriet Larson, and brothers Frederick Stone and George Stone. She is survived by her siblings, Adele Mary Stone of Arroyo Grande, CA and Theodore Stone of Belle Vernon, PA and her children Terry Burnside of Lexington Park, MD, Richard (Debi, at rest) Burnside of Santa Maria, CA, and Ruth Ghrist of Lexington Park, MD; grandchildren Christopher Ghrist of Newville, PA , Tara (Stephen) Facini of Hollywood, MD and Heather (Kevin) Thompson of Henderson, NV; along with 4 great grandchildren Jacob Ghrist, and Juliana, Ilena, and Leland Thompson. She was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and her closest cousin, Becky (Rich) Zahren, who visited regularly and helped with her care over the last years. The family is eternally grateful for their love and support.
Dorothy was a long-time teacher’s assistant with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7 before retiring, but before that, she met her beloved husband, Albert “Bud” working at Sears. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Irwin where she participated in the choir and church activities and was also active with the Girl Scouts, Eastern Star and White Shrine. She also volunteered at many local events and as the WIU #7 union president for support personnel for several years.
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May 02, 2022 |
By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home
Leonard M. Peklansky, 75, of Elizabeth Township, died Sunday April 24, 2022. He was born February 10, 1947, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late John and Ann Peklansky. He was a proud graduate of Slippery Rock College and was a retired employee of West Penn Testing, New Kensington. He enjoyed fishing and time spent with family. He was an animal lover and contributed to many charitable causes.
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