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George J. Tomasic, Jr.

November 23, 2019 |

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

George J. Tomasic, Jr., 58, of North Huntingdon, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 at UPMC Mercy surrounded by his loving family and friends. George, who was known to most as Jim, was the beloved husband of Joan L. Baird Tomasic, and the father of Brandon J. Tomasic and his wife, Marissa and Megan J. Tomasic, whom he became a best friend, rock and supporter to. Born March 4, 1961 in McKeesport, he was the son of the late George J. Tomasic, Sr. and Margaret Pavlisko Tomasic. He and Joan were married 30 years, meeting first as friends who rode bikes together, living four houses down in their North Versailles neighborhood. His family was his whole world and he would do anything for them. He was a skilled mechanic and if he didn’t know how to do something on a car or around the house he would learn. Over the years he restored and fixed several cars with his son, his pride being his 1964 Riviera. He was always willing to help people with their car problems, spending hours teaching his son new techniques at the garage they rented together. Around the house he was always working on something, redoing the basement on his own or building his kids a treehouse while they grew up. There was never a dull weekend growing up, with trips to the Science Center, museums and to Disney World, Nashville and to Indianapolis for the Indy 500. There was no one who enjoyed life as much as Jim, making the most out of each day. No matter what anybody needed or what they told him he was there for help and support. He became friends with almost anyone he came in contact with, and enjoyed joking around and debating about politics with his daughter. He filled any room with his personality when he walked in. Prior to his retirement he was a bus driver for Port Authority. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Edwin Straley. Jim is survived by his sisters, Rose Mary Straley, Marlene Tomasic, Carol Hensler (Keith) and Margaret Kolin (Dennis), ; nieces Jennifer Ray, Sara Ray, Christine Straley, Jessica Hensler and Chelsea Charlesworth; nephews Dennis Kolin, Shawn Dixon and Andrew Charlesworth; sisters-in-law Janie Charlesworth (Don) and Sue Dixon and brother-in-law Jim Baird (Laurie),  niece Lisa Baird (Patrick) and nephew Brian Baird (Lisa). Friends will be received Monday, Nov. 25 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, Irwin. A memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 308 2nd St, Irwin. PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Stroke Association or the Wounded Warrior Project. www.shirleyfuneralhome@gmail.com

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Marie Truby Grantz

November 23, 2019 |

By Wojciechowski Funeral Home | Posted in: Wojciechowski Funeral Home

Marie Truby Grantz, 92 of West Mifflin and a former Glassport resident of 47 years.  Marie was born in Glassport May 13, 1927 to the late Frank C. and Elizabeth (Jenets) Truby.  She was a 1945 graduate of Glassport High School.  She retired after 21 years with Tygart Industries in payroll and accounting and stood her ground as her feisty self when questioned.  Marie loved her garden of roses and tomatoes and her dark chocolate. As a member of the greatest generation she was very patriotic and would fly her flag for every holiday.  She was truly an amazing women.  Reunited in heaven, at last, are Marie Grantz and her beloved husband Bob.  They had shared 59 wonderful years of marriage.  She is survived by her daughter Cynthia L. Corey and son-in-law Daniel W. Corey.  Her daughter was her best friend and became even closer after Bob’s passing. She is also survived by her loving nieces Joan (Jack) Jenkins; nephews John “Jack” (Susan) Truby and Richard “Rick” Truby; great nephews John Truby, Joshua Truby and Jeffrey Jenkins.

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Harriet L. (Lynn) Fierst

November 22, 2019 |

By William S. Skovranko Memorial Home | Posted in: William S. Skovranko Memorial Home

Harriet L. (Lynn) Fierst, 80, of Trafford, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 in Transitions Healthcare of North Huntingdon. Born in West Mifflin on July 31, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Mary Kathleen (Galvin) Lynn. Mrs. Fierst was a member of the Norwin Christian Church of North Huntingdon. Beloved wife of Robert Fierst Sr., she is also survived by three sons, Floyd Argyle, Tracy Argyle and Joel Baxley; two daughters, Lisa Romanchak and Tonya Twigg; a brother Arthur Lynn; thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Mrs. Fierst was also preceded in death by a son Kelly Argyle. two brothers, Blaine and George Lynn and four sisters, Elsie Mae Holmes, Barbara Miller, Lucille Egenlauf, and Kathleen Downes.

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Gloria E. Rusnock

November 22, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Gloria E. Rusnock, age 83, of Dravosburg, died November 14, 2019, at home. Born April 21, 1936, in McKeesport, PA, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Helen (Wilson) Judy and the wife of the late Paul J. Rusnock.
Gloria retired from the former Office Lounge Restaurant. In her earlier years, she worked at the former Seban's China Shop of Christy Park. Gloria enjoyed reading and listening to music.

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Mary "Betty" Duffy

November 22, 2019 |

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

Mary "Betty" Duffy, age  82  of Irwin, passed away on Thursday, November 21 at St. Anne Home, Greensburg.  daughter of the late Leo and Elizabeth Ryan Meininger. Betty was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Irwin. In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 2013.  She is survived by her son Robert Duffy ( Carol), 2 daughters, Janet Lewandowski (Bruce), Maureen Murphy (Roger) 8 grandchildren, Jennie Shulikov (Paul)  and Ryan Loutsenhizer (Kirsten), Lauren, Robert and Aiden Duffy, Shannon, Kristen and Melissa Murphy; 2 great-grandchildren, Jayden and Amelia and a brother James Meininger.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at Immaculate Conception Church Monday at 9:30 a.m. with Father Roniel Duenas officiating. PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHURCH  Interment will follow in Braddock Catholic Cemetery, Braddock, PA. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Heartland Hospice and St. Anne Home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heartland Hospice, Irwin, PA.  Arrangements by James W. Shirley Funeral Home. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com

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Lucille Patricia Karaffa

November 21, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Lucille Patricia Karaffa R. Ph., age 92, of Port Vue, died November 20, 2019, at Mt. Vernon of Elizabeth. Born December 31, 1926, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Falco and Annina (Ferrara) Muscente of Polena, Italy and the wife of the late Frank J. Karaffa.
 Lucille graduated from Duquesne University in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and was a member of the Pharmacy Honors Sorority. She was the first person to open a pharmacy in Port Vue, which occurred in the early 1950s and was called "Port Vue Pharmacy."

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Lillian Maria Grooms

November 21, 2019 |

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

Lillian Maria Grooms,  91, of Elizabeth Township, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019. She was born December 21, 1927 in Udine, Italy and was the daughter of the late Enrico Pincetti and Irmae Obit. She was the wife of the late Elmer G. Grooms who passed away November 2, 2016. They were married for 69 1/2 years. She was a member of St. Michael Parish in Elizabeth Township.

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Grace Marie Chalmer "Sis" Theis

November 21, 2019 |

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

Grace Marie Chalmer “Sis” Theis, age 98, of Latrobe, died Wednesday, November 20, 2019.  She was born in McKeesport on November 29, 1920 and is the daughter of the late Walter and Helen Robinson Cheshire and the wife of the late John C. Theis. 

She enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles and spending time with her family.  She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Michael) Landosky of Latrobe; brother, Jack Theis of Elizabeth; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; also nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by brothers, William Guiser, and Charles, Carmen and Ronald Sachs.

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Jeffrey P. Ritenour

November 21, 2019 |

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

Jeffrey P. Ritenour, 45, of Clinton Montana, died October 23, 2019, peacefully at home.
Born May 11, 1974, in McKeesport, PA, he was the son of Marsha and Woody Ritenour.

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Leona M. (Scavnicky) Marszalek

November 21, 2019 |

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

Leona M. (Scavnicky) Marszalek, 95, of Wilmerding, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019. She was born January 5, 1924 in Braddock, a daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Slavkovsky) Scavnicky. She was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wilmerding, worked as a salesperson for Woolworth’s, was a cafeteria worker at Westinghouse High School, Wilmerding, and was a docent at the Westinghouse Castle. Leona enjoyed crochet, painting, writing poetry, baking, playing the piano and guitar, walking in Wilmerding Park, and spending time with her family.

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Edison Lee Garland

November 20, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Edison Lee Garland, age 56, of McKeesport, formerly of S. Boston VA, died November 2, 2019, at UPMC McKeesport.

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Leonard A. Mols

November 20, 2019 |

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

Leonard A. Mols, of Chantilly, VA, passed away on his 64th birthday, October 31, 2019. Len was the son of Dolores (Wise) Mols and the late Chester L. Mols of McKeesport.

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Amado Anthony Gorham

November 20, 2019 |

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

Amado Anthony Gorham, 25, of Homestead, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at home. He was born August 6, 1994 in Oakland, California and was the son of Kathleen Joyce Gorham. Amado worked as a greeter at Walmart.  Amado found his foster father, Paul Hunter at Auberle of McKeesport. Amado ran up to Paul's car, at the time a complete stranger, as he was leaving from volunteering with other children. Amado yelled " Mr. Paul, Mr. Paul, I heard about you." Paul stopped the car, and the little boy barely tall enough to see in the car window said "Mr. Paul, will you foster me?" At that moment, Amado stole Paul's heart and shortly after fostering began.

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Carl "Red" Kremer

November 20, 2019 |

By Teichart-Gracan Funeral Home | Posted in: Teichart-Gracan Funeral Home

 Carl "Red" Kremer, 90, of West Mifflin, died Nov. 12, 2019. He is the son of the late Alfred and Rose (Kahler) Kremer; brother of the late Alfred, Elmer, Robert and Walter Kremer.  He is survived by many nephews and nieces and relatives in Germany.  He served in the Korean War.  Thank you to the staff at Southwestern VA Home and Kindred Hospice.  Friends received Teichart-Gracan Funeral Home, Duquesne, Mon. from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.  A funeral blessing will be held Tues. 11:00 am in the funeral home.  Interment following St. Joseph Cemetery, West Mifflin.

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Elaine (Mimi) Valecko

November 20, 2019 |

By willig | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory

Elaine (Mimi) Valecko, age 89, of Port Vue, died November 17, 2019. She was born on October 18, 1930, in Uniontown, PA. She was the daughter of the late John and Mollie (Marva) Putanko. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Peter P. Valecko and her brother, John R. Putanko.
Elaine graduated from South Union High School in Uniontown. Elaine was a member of St. Mark Parish, where she retired after serving over 30 years as housekeeper.

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