January 13, 2023 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert L. Becker, age 36, of Avalon, died December 27, 2022, at Allegheny General Hospital. Born December 18, 1986, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Edward and Cheryl (Bentley) Becker. Bobby was an active member of the Open Bible Tree of Life Church. He loved to help others and was studying for his discipleship. Bobby loved music and being around his family and also his Avalon family.
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January 13, 2023 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Nick R. Coban, age 64, of McKeesport, died January 12, 2023, at home. Born October 12, 1958, in McKeesport, he was the son of Eleanor (Holden) Coban and the late Nicholas Coban. Nick was a local DJ known as DJ Top Cat and played at the Sons of Italy in Glassport, the Viking Lounge, Sahara Club, and Cal's Cantina. Nick also worked in food service management for many years with Eat'n Park and the Big Boy restaurants. Nick enjoyed camping with family at Scotty Land and was a huge Steelers fan. In addition to his mother, Nick is also survived by children, Amanda (Matt) Coban, Nicholas (Christine) Coban, Anthony Coban, Christian Datel, and Blaise (Brianna) Datel; grandchildren, Logan, Luka, Emma, and Ellie; sister, Janice (Jim) Coban. Family and friends will be received at Willig Funeral Home & Crematory on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from noon until the memorial service at 2 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com. Charles Danforth, Supervisor
January 06, 2023 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Helen M. Burkhardt, age 91, of Port Vue, died on January 5, 2023, at St. Clair Hospital. Born February 18, 1931, in Warren, PA. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Sarah (Bowser) Best and wife of the late Edward A. Kiesell and Raymond Burkhardt. Helen worked for Stouffer's Restaurant, Eat'n Park, Rendulic Meat Packing in her early years and as a caregiver later in life. She and her husband Ray ran Kiesell Soup Kitchen and Chapel in McKeesport for over 35 years. Helen would feed the homeless, have Christmas parties, pass out clothing and teach the Word of God. Serving the underprivileged held a special place in her heart, and her selflessness and kindness were a true example to all who knew her. Above all, Helen was a Woman of God and, as a minister, was known as Sister Helen.
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January 06, 2023 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Kenneth L. Ferree, age 56, of McKeesport, died on January 3, 2023. Born March 19, 1966, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Lawrence and LaVerne (Harff) Ferree and the husband of Julie (Weakland) Ferree for over 25 years.
Ken was a retired, self-employed general contractor. He was a member and President of the McKeesport Sportsmen's Association. Ken enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, caring for his fleet of cars, and spending time at his Mountain Pines Campground of Champion, PA. His greatest joy was telling a joke and sharing a laugh with family and friends.
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December 27, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Russell L. Matesig, age 66, of McKeesport, died December 14, 2022, at UPMC McKeesport Hospital. Born December 12, 1956, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Russell and Lorraine (Kundman) Matesig and husband of 40 years to the late Ethelda E. Brownsfield. Russell retired from the Maintenance Department with the City of McKeesport. His skills with repairs were not limited to work. At home, he was known as "Mr. Fix It," always helping family and friends. He was a lifelong Steelers fan and enjoyed having a beer and watching the games. Russell is survived by a son, James (Timara) Brownfield; siblings, Linda Matesig, Gary (Lillie) Matesig, and Wayne (Clara) Matesig; nephews, Wayne Jr., Mark, and Jimmy Matesig. In addition to his parents and wife, Russell was also preceded in death by brothers Keith and Frank Matesig. Family and friends will be received at Willig Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at noon. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com. Charles Danforth, Supervisor
December 21, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Sheila I. Hairston, age 63 of McKeesport, died December 10, 2022, at UPMC McKeesport. Born November 5, 1959, in Clairton, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Lee and Mary Jane (White) Hairston.
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December 20, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Nancy Jo Hawthorne, age 68, of Chillicothe, Ohio, died December 17, 2022. Born August 9, 1954, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late John and Loretta (Baker) Pomycala and the wife of James L. Hawthorne.
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December 15, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Gaye S. Byard, age 90, of Dravosburg, died December 13, 2022, at Kane Community Living Center in McKeesport. Born September 9, 1932, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Arthur "Bud" MacArthur and the late Evelyn (McDowell) Foster and was the wife of the late Charles A. Byard, Jr.
Gaye worked as a waitress at the former Norwin Diner. She was a member of the Dravosburg United Methodist Church. She was passionate about reading, especially mystery novels. Gaye loved sailing with her husband on their pontoon boat on Lake Arthur in Zelienople. She also enjoyed going on long drives through the mountains when the leaves changed with the girls and finding new places to stop for dinner.
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December 06, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Margaret R. "Peg" Mellott, age 95, of Liberty Boro, passed away on December 4, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Born on May 13, 1927, in Glassport, she was the daughter of the late John and Stella (Makoski) Murray and the wife of the late Ken Mellott for 56 years.
After graduating from high school, Peg was fortunate to be employed by Copperweld Steel Company for ten years. She loved her family, her faith, "old" and "new" friends, animals (especially dogs), and feeding the birds.
Peg is survived by her sons, Mark and James of Liberty Boro and Robert of Noblesville, IN; granddaughters, Natalie (Ryan Taylor) Mellott and Emily (Larry) Barker; great-grandchildren, Ella, Ava, Drake, Vayda, and Vance; caring nieces and nephews.
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November 30, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Patricia A. Zosack, age 87, of Greenock, died November 29, 2022, at Arrowood at Southwestern. Born November 22, 1935, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Clara (Inks) Henry and wife of the late Vincent Zosack. Patricia was a proud resident of Greenock for over 50 years. She was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish, and the Elizabeth Township Seniors. Patricia was an avid Steelers fan, and her favorite player was Troy Polamalu. She enjoyed trips to the casinos and had a friend who was always ready to go with her. She will be remembered for her outgoing personality and always up for having a good time.
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November 29, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Georgina "Gina" Baker, age 84, of Liberty Borough, passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord early in the morning on November 26, 2022. Born February 17, 1938, in London, England, she was the daughter of the late James and Doris Eva (Cox). Gina was the beloved mother of Sally Lofstrom, of Liberty Borough, PA, and Susan Murphy, of Frazier Park, CA; three granddaughters and six great-grandchildren; brother, Phillip Baker, of Basingstoke, England; longtime sweetheart Larry Stanczak, of McKeesport, PA and also survived by nieces and nephews. She loved the Lord and her daughters with all her heart and will be dearly missed. Arrangements were entrusted to Willig Funeral Home & Crematory. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated later at Saints Joachim and Anne Parish, St. Eugene Church. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com. Charles Danforth, Supervisor
November 29, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Stanley B. Lowry Jr., age 73, McKeesport, died November 24, 2022, at Greensburg Care Center. Born June 22, 1949, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Stanley B. and Ann M. (Liberatore) Lowry Sr.
Stanley retired as a McKeesport local pizza delivery driver and previously worked for Copperweld in Glassport. He was a collector of vinyl records, Elvis and The Beatles memorabilia, and Venetian glass art. Stanley, most importantly, cherished the time he spent with his great-nephews.
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November 29, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
William R. Francis, age 78, of McKeesport, died November 27, 2022, at home. Born December 3, 1943, in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Oliver L. Sr. and Queen (Rivers) Francis and Life Partner of Donna Knight. William retired from the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and opened his own business, Francis INSight Market, on Locust Street in McKeesport. William served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a Golden Glove Champion and also boxed while in the Army. He enjoyed testing his luck with scratch-off tickets, and many knew him from around McKeesport from gathering and scrapping materials. William was a member of the St. Paul AME Church in McKeesport and the Prince Hall Masonic Temple.
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November 23, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Trina Ronyse Shears, 72 years old of East Liberty, PA, departed this life on November 20, 2022 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital. She was born April 18, 1950 to the late Henrietta Hughes Robertson and Willie “Squeaker” Robertson.
Trina graduated from Homestead High School in 1968 where she was the first black cheerleader in the school’s history. She later attended Duffs Business Institute where she obtained a legal secretary certificate. Trina worked for many years in the Allegheny Court System as a legal secretary where she was a master typist and an expert at shorthand, which gained her many accolades throughout her career. Later in life Trina tried her hand at many different roles. She was a cook at Granny’s Kitchen in Clairton, PA, a drug screener for the Allegheny Health Department and most recently a senior companion for Allegheny County Senior Program. Everybody knew Trina was one of the best cooks in town and she poured her love into feeding people. Trina was also a dedicated line cook for Zay’s Zays Ribs & Catering where she worked from its inception until she became ill.
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November 22, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Carol L. "Gaga" Klimko, age 57, of McKeesport, died November 19, 2022, at UPMC McKeesport. Born October 22, 1965, in North Braddock, she was the daughter of the late William "Willie" and Audrey (McCue) Feryak.
Carol was a housekeeper and nanny for many years. Family meant everything to Carol. She hosted Sunday family dinners and cherished the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. Carol enjoyed her trips to Ohio to see family and go to craft shows with her sister. She was her children's biggest supporter growing up and was at all their sporting events. Carol was an animal lover, leaving behind her beloved dogs, Sasha and Scooby, and supported the ASPCA monthly.
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