Obituary Stories category, Page 31
Scottdale teacher, school board member believed in service to community
Frank Stoner Jr. believed in serving his community, whether it was from a World War II bomber, a classroom or a seat on a school board. “He took his responsibilities to heart,” said his sister, Virginia Hill. “He did what he was supposed to do. He was just a very...
Rev. Paul Poole felt the call to ministry as a teenager
As a teenager growing up in the East Huntingdon village of Tarrs in the early 1970s, Paul D. Poole found the path he would follow the rest of his life. “He felt the call to serve in the ministry at age 16. He was influenced by his pastor, Wesley Jantsen,”...
North Huntingdon man loved his family, restoring old cars
George J. “Jim” Tomasic Jr., of North Huntingdon, had a talent for fixing things, whether it was working on a project around the house or it was restoring and repairing old cars. But, first and foremost, he dedicated to his family, said his wife of 30 years, Joan L. Tomasic....
Former fire chief served Ligonier community
John Vucina of Ligonier Township was a man who served his country during a time of war and served his community for more than 60 years as a member of his local fire department. He left Ligonier High School in his junior year to enlist in the Army during World...
Vietnam veteran was devoted to country, fellow service members
The two years Skip Hornbake spent with the Marines during the Vietnam War were just the beginning of a life of service. “He never stopped serving his country,” said son Thomas Gauthier. “He always felt he had to give back, donate time, money and anything he could. He would always...
Latrobe woman loved travel, history
One year in the late 1990s, Olive Hostovich learned she’d be hosting the extended family for Christmas in Latrobe. “We came from all over the country,” said her daughter Laura Braun, of Glenmoore, Chester County. “California, from Texas; we lived in Philadelphia; my sister lived in Williamsport; aunts, uncles; it...
Youngstown postmaster was dedicated to community
Dean Musick was a small-town postmaster whose mettle was tested in the Pacific Theater of World War II. “He was totally dedicated to his work, and he wouldn’t take a day off,” said his son, Craig Musick. “Work was always really important to him,” said his daughter, Debbie Musick. Mr....
Mt. Pleasant nurse loved volunteering, telling a great story
Patricia Miller wanted to take care of others, whether it was her medical career, volunteering at the local food bank or caring for her mother. “She went to school at Westmoreland County Community College and wanted to be a nurse because she had seen the love and care our family...
Cabinet maker loved gardening, softball and family
“Red” Ponko used to arrange the winter rye in his garden so that the sprouting plants would spell the names of his nieces and nephews. He was an avid gardener, with a very specific philosophy. “He said if you couldn’t eat it, it wasn’t worth planting,” said his wife, Mary...
Volunteer firefighter was a role model of devotion to community service
Jim Smith was a volunteer firefighter’s fireman. When the Southwest Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department was ready to retire its 1932 Mack fire truck, Mr. Smith, a longtime member of the company, and fellow volunteer firefighter Tom Gressman stepped forward to buy it. James E. Smith of Greensburg died Tuesday, Nov....
Rostraver man printed his love of God for others to see
Charles Gillingham spent the last few months of his life working on a religious tract he titled “God’s Road Map to Eternal Life.” The 10-page tract was an outgrowth of his desire to spread God’s word and of his interest in artwork and printing, said his daughter Christi Crawford. “He...
Longtime Rolling Rock bartender friend of many
Butch Hammill loved people, an important trait for a man who worked 30 years as a bartender at the prestigious Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier Township and operated his own restaurant, the Meadows in Ligonier. “He was an old-school bartender. No matter where he worked, the clientele followed him. People...
Murrysville man remembered for time in Boy Scouts, love of family
When Edwin Wagner Jr. joined the Boy Scouts, he told his dad he was going to be a “lifer.” And with the help of children and grandchildren, Wagner was able to spend more than 50 years in the organization, helping troops collect badges and guiding them toward Eagle Scout awards....
Greensburg woman had ‘pride and purpose’
Jemima Klingensmith was proud of her family’s legacy. Her great-grandfather, John Stouffer, fought for the Union in then Civil War. Mrs. Klingensmith was a longtime member and onetime state president of the Daughters of Union Veterans, a group of Civil War descendants dedicated to keeping the memory of their ancestors...
North Huntingdon man remembered for love of family, travel
Marty Klanchar remembers seeing a plane used by former President Harry Truman at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio — a plane his father, Donald, once helped maintain. An Air Force veteran who served at the time of the Korean War, Donald Klanchar had a passion...
North Huntingdon ironworker was drawn to high places, humor and music
Jerry Conrad wasn’t afraid of hard work or high places. A former ironworker with 30 years of experience, he used to ride up on a wrecking ball instead of an elevator to begin his shift on the upper levels of tall buildings. “He was just one of those guys; he...
Trafford electrician loved making wine, growing peppers
Domenick Cercone’s family didn’t want flowers or memorial donations their father’s memory. They had a simple request, placed in the final line of his obituary. “Please fry up some Italian hot peppers and enjoy them with a glass of your favorite wine,” it read. If Mr. Cercone were here, it’s...
Unity man was proud of service to country
Even when he was living in Illinois and Ohio, William C. Eversole was a proud Pittsburgh Steelers season ticket holder who made it to every game he could. “He always managed to either be at the games, or listen to them on the radio,” said his daughter, Jessie Jones. He...
Former Trib editor loved running and caring for animals
Lance Kristan was a calming influence in a not-so-calm profession. A longtime copy editor at the Tribune-Review, Mr. Kristan was “the last set of eyes on a story before it went into print,” said former city editor Frank Myers. “He was a very quiet, studious wordsmith. He started out as...
Mt. Pleasant man dies 2 weeks after losing wife
Although they grew up “across the pond” from each other, George Farrell and his wife, Pat, were as close as a husband and wife could be. The couple met in Pat Farrell’s native England while George was in the Air Force. They got married in 1960 and lived all over...
Greensburg immigrant strived for citizenship
For decades, Margaret M. Norman worked toward one goal — becoming a citizen of the United States. A native of the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Ms. Norman first tried to immigrate to the U.S. in the 1970s. Her application was ignored. She kept trying, with no success. Finally, in the...
Ligonier electrician known for generosity
William E. LaRue didn’t always accept money for his work as an electrician. “He was very good at bartering, he brought that trade back to life,” said his daughter, Susan Huba. When people needed help he helped them, regardless of if they could pay for it. “He didn’t feel that...
Monessen man lived a life full of passion for music
When John Paterra of Speers was performing as a vocalist with the Graham Grubb Orchestra, he remembers chatting occasionally with the group’s bass player, Ed Dacko. “He played trombone and later he played bass fiddle,” Paterra said. “He was a character.” Edward Paul Dacko of Monessen died Friday, Oct. 11,...
Trafford woman was a guardian angel at crosswalk to generations of children
Rose Ann Fullerton didn’t have a title, but children in Trafford knew that she was queen of the crossing guards, a guardian angel who saw them safely on and off the school bus. Every school day morning for 42 years, rain, snow or shine, Mrs. Fullerton was at the corner...
Latrobe teacher led by example
Esther Pevarnik strived to set a good example in everything she did. “She always said you have to act like a duck,” said her daughter, Amanda Coup. “Calm, cool and collected up top, but sometimes you had to paddle like hell underneath to make it work.” The longtime school teacher...
