A free service provided by your local funeral professionals and The Tube City Almanac, your independent, non-profit news source.

McKeesport Area News from Tube City Almanac


Advertising

Finney Funeral Home CREMATION Simple Direct Dignified  1-800-448-9899

This service is supported by donations and advertising. To advertise here, call (412) 614-9659 or email McKeesportObituaries@gmail.com.


Ernest J. Pawlak

January 29, 2019 |

By Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home - Crematory | Posted in: Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home & Crematory

Ernest J. Pawlak, age 87, of White Oak died January 27, 2019, at Montefiore Hosptial. Born January 12, 1932, in Glassport, he was the son of late Theodore and Veronica (Olejniczak) Pawlak and the husband of Joan (Wargovich) Pawlak for 61 years.

 
Read More


Richard John Hornak

January 29, 2019 |

By James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc. | Posted in: James W. Shirley Funeral Home

Richard John Hornak, 89, died on January 26, 2019. He was born on July 4, 1929 in Pittsburgh, son of the late John J. and Anna M. Hornak. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Agnes H. (Kuchel) Hornak; his twin daughters, Marcie Reese (Barry), Cheryl Saylor (Michael); and grandchildren, Christopher (Dana), Claire, Dylan (Anastasia) and Evan; and one great-grandson, Axel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Robert A. Hornak. Richard proudly served in the US Navy and graduated from Duquesne University. For most of his working years, he was employed by Westinghouse as an industrial engineer. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying both hunting and fishing. The Lake Erie family cottage brought him great joy for over 50 years. He spent every summer weekend there with his Crooked Creek family of friends and called it the "most beautiful place on earth." Visitation and interment will be private. Arrangements made by the James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com.

 


James F. Winkles

January 29, 2019 |

By William Snyder Funeral Home | Posted in: William Snyder Funeral Home

James F. Winkles, Age 84, formerly of East McKeesport, entered the kingdom of heaven on January 26, 2019. Jim served our country in the US Army, served as an East McKeesport police officer, and retired from LTV Inc. after 30 years. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Versailles. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice (Eisaman) Winkles; his son Greg Winkles and wife Cindy; his daughter Lori Zapf and son-in-law Joseph; his granddaughters, Rachel and Alexis; siblings Earl Winkles and Mary Voytko; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by siblings Jack, Ruth, and Wilma; and parents Earl and Elizabeth Winkles.
 
Read More


Steve J. Lipovic

January 28, 2019 |

By Strifflers Family Funeral Homes | Posted in: Strifflers Family Funeral Homes

Steve J. Lipovic passed away peacefully of natural causes at Riverside Care Center on Sunday, January 27, 2019. Beloved Husband of Betty Jane Lipovic of 69 ½ years.  Steve was born in McKeesport on June 27, 1926, son of the late Steve and Julia Levicki Lipovic. He is preceded in death by his sister, Julie Fout of West Covina, California. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Wasilko Lipovic of McKeesport, PA, son Curt (Lisa) Lipovic of Bettendorf, IA and Celeste (Rick) Montanti of Gibsonia, PA and three wonderful grandchildren, Lauren & Lance Lipovic and Ross Montanti. He graduated from McKeesport Vocation High School, where he played football and was Vice President of his Senior Class. Graduated from the Douglas Business School of Pittsburgh, PA.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Donner and worked as a Data Processing Specialist at US Steel Corporation, Irvin Works for 42 years. Steve played baseball in the McKeesport Daily News League and used those talents to later manage Port Vue Minor League and Little League Youth Baseball for many years.  

 
Read More


Kenneth James "Stiem" Dudik

January 28, 2019 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Kenneth James "Stiem" Dudik, 59, of White Oak, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018. He was born March 9, 1959 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Michael Robert and Betty Jane ( Kerston) Dudik. Kenneth was a US Army Veteran. He worked for Graciano Corporation. He was a member of Local Mason Tenders # 79 out of New York and Pittsburgh His hobbies were riding dirt bikes and motorcycles and sitting by campfires with friends and family. 

 
Read More


Bertha Helen (Check) Dowden Tomko

January 28, 2019 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Bertha Helen (Check) Dowden Tomko, 98, of Jupiter, Fl, formerly of Port Vue, passed away Monday, January 21, 2019. She was born July 4, 1920 in Clairton and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Bertha (Chontos) Check. She was the wife of the late Duane Dowden and the late John Tomko. Mrs. Tomko was a graduate The Douglas Business School and worked as a credit manager for over 35 years for Sears-Roebuck Company. For 20 plus years, Mrs. Tomko would travel to Winter Haven, Florida for the winter.

 
Read More


Patricia Ann Patrick

January 28, 2019 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Patricia Ann Patrick, 73, of Monroeville, formerly of McKeesport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January  26, 2019. Born February  15, 1945 in Corpus Christi, TX, she was the daughter of Sophie (Gaboda) Martich of Johnstown and the late John Martich. She was a member of St. Michael's Orthodox Church in McKeesport and taught Sunday School there for over 40 years. Patricia was a Medical Transcriptionist. She began at Lee Hospital in Johnstown, followed by Mon-Yough Mental Health Services in McKeesport and The Western Psychiatric Hospital in Oakland. She had worked for UPMC for over 35 years of her career. She received her Master's Degree from Duquesne University.

 
Read More


Betty Jane Decker

January 28, 2019 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Betty Jane Decker, 87, of McKeesport, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC.  Born on September 13, 1931 in the home in McKeesport where she spent her entire life, she was the youngest daughter of the late Richard and Clara (Fey) Trainor.  She was married to Alvin P. Decker for 68 years whom she met while working at McKeesport Baking Company.  She later worked at The Donut Corner, then Bertos Restaurant and finally 23 years cooking and serving lunch to the students of St. Joseph Regional School in Port Vue.

 
Read More


Thomas S. Mikula

January 28, 2019 |

By Strifflers Family Funeral Homes | Posted in: Strifflers Family Funeral Homes

Thomas S. Mikula, age 70 of North Huntingdon, died Sunday, January 27, 2019. He was born November 2, 1948 in Uniontown, PA, the son of the late Matthew and Helen Bealko Mikula. Tom was a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree. He was an avid golfer and fisherman, but his grandchildren were the joy of his life. He was a career salesman and after his retirement he enjoyed driving for Lyft. 

 
Read More


Sandra L. Feltz

January 25, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Sandra L. (Gabris) Feltz, age 64, of West mifflin, died January 18, 2019, at home. Born July 21, 1954, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of August Gabris and the late Dorothy (Dukich) Ivan and the wife of the late Thomas A. Feltz.

 
Read More


Maryann Perez

January 25, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Maryann Perez, age 51, of West Mifflin, died January 18, 2019, at AHN Jefferson Hospital. Born May 4, 1967, in Braddock, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Audrey (Lyoch) Wiley and the wife of the late Michael Perez.

 
Read More


Joan "CC" Hileman

January 25, 2019 |

By Strifflers Family Funeral Homes | Posted in: Strifflers Family Funeral Homes

Joan “GG” Hileman, age 86 of McKeesport, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019. She was born June 23, 1932 in McKeesport, the daughter of the late Lester and Gertrude B. Taylor Maurer, and wife of the late Raymond R. Hileman. “GG” loved to play bingo, enjoyed Bluegrass music, and adored her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Susan Armbrust of McKeesport; granddaughter, Heather (Timothy) Fender of McKeesport; great-granddaughters, Tara, Dannica, Tabitha and Alyssa Fender; sister, Doris Bailey of McKeesport; brothers, Lester Maurer, Jr. of Versailles, Ronald (Val) Maurer of McKeesport; aunt, Katherine (Glenn) McKewon of Greenock, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

 
Read More


Sally J. (Farmerie) Shamber

January 25, 2019 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Sally J. (Farmerie) Shamber, age 70 of Glassport and formerly of Clairton, passed away at home on Friday, January 25, 2019.  Born June 19, 1948 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Dorothy (Spahr) Farmerie, Sr.  Sally worked as a cook at the Terrace Garden, at the batteries at US Steel Clairton Works, and at Great American Federal Bank, all of Clairton.  She was also a member of the Sons of Columbus Santa Maria Post # 3 of Clairton. A loving and giving mother and grandmother, Sally was a social and fun loving woman who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  

 
Read More


Alice Elaine Bertok

January 25, 2019 |

By James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc. | Posted in: James W. Shirley Funeral Home

Alice Elaine Bertok, 68, of North Huntingdon, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019.  She was born January 21, 1951 in McKeesport, a daughter of the late Hilding and Martha Linquist.  Alice was employed by North Huntingdon Township since 1997 as a school crossing guard and enjoyed doing ceramics.  She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Albert Thomas Bertok; sons, Jason Bertok and his wife, Shelly, Scott Bertok; daughter, Kasyie Schillinger and her husband, Justin; sister, Mary Lundberg; grandchildren, Cole, Kelsie, Logan, Caleb and Leksie.  Friends will be received on Monday from 3-7 p.m. at the James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, PA.  www.shirleyfuneralhome.com.

 


Estelle (Gottdiener) Galper

January 24, 2019 |

By Strifflers Family Funeral Homes | Posted in: Strifflers Family Funeral Homes

Estelle (Gottdiener) Galper, 86, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of McKeesport/White Oak, Pennsylvania, slipped into eternity on January 24, 2019, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by loved ones. She was born and raised in McKeesport, the daughter of the late Gustav and Olga (Spitz) Gottdiener.

After her marriage to the late Milton Galper, her beloved husband of 60 years, she moved to White Oak where she raised her four children (with a brief interlude in Newport News, Virginia) as a stay-at-home mother. After her youngest children were old enough, she realized her dream of going to college, and attained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, she worked as a psychiatric social worker initially in the Pittsburgh area, and subsequently for many years at Jewish Family Service Cincinnati, where she and her husband had moved in 1987. Her outgoing and empathetic nature made her a perfect fit for a career assisting others to cope with the traumas and stresses of their lives. Estelle was a long-time member of the old Temple B’nai Israel synagogue in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. She had a beautiful contralto voice and sang in the Temple choir for many years. Congregants enjoyed her rendition of the avinu malkeinu prayer during the annual High Holy Day. Estelle had a lifelong passion for music (especially vocal jazz standards, show tunes, opera and symphonic/classical music), movies, literature and poetry, which passions she conveyed to her children. Estelle is survived by her children, Mark Galper of Monessen, PA; Jill (Joan Brown) Galper of Philadelphia, PA; Scott (Fabiana Perla) Galper of Philadelphia, PA; and Betsy (Kathrin England) Galper of Cincinnati, OH, who was her long-time caretaker. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew, Dylan, Nicholas, and Lucia; by 8 great-grandchildren; by her sister-in-law, Ethel (Leonard) Hellenthal; and her sisters, Judy (David) Lichtenstein and Sandy (Philip) Raskin; five nieces; and four nephews. 

Friends will be received on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 10:00 am  until the time of services at 11:00 am at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA  15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). Services will be officiated by Rabbi Paul Tuchman.  Burial will follow in the Temple Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Jewish Family Service Cincinnati, 8487 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45236 or to Hospice of Cincinnati, c/o Bethesda Foundation, 10500 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242. To share a memory or online condolence, visit strifflerfuneralhomes.com.