Bernice McCreary Santavicca; 79; of Belle Vernon (Arnold City); our Mum and Gramma B went to be with the Lord on the evening of Monday; March 14; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital; surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 25; 1925; in Bunola; a daughter of the late Albert and Jennie Gohosky. She was preceded in death by her first husband; Earl F. McCreary; and her second husband; Isador Santavicca; a son; Dale F. McCreary; five brothers; Joe; John; Leon; Albert and Rudy Gohosky; and a sister; Helen Bochniak. Left to cherish her memory are a daughter and son-in-law; Earlene and Doug Kalakewich of Belle Vernon; three sons and one daughter-in-law; Earl L. McCreary; Barry McCreary; and Arnold and Andie Santavicca; all of Belle Vernon; 12 grandchildren; Ryan; Bret and Cody Kalakewich; all of Belle Vernon; Amanda Harris and husband Marcus of Belle Vernon; Dana Encapera and husband Tony of Fredericktown; Dienna Sosnak and husband Mark of Monessen; Dennette and Sammy McCreary; Aaron and Amie Santavicca; and Jeffrey and Christopher McCreary; all of Belle Vernon; six great-grandchildren; Dallin and Shea Harris; Noah and Nino Sosnak; and Daleyah McCreary; and two sisters; Ann George of Belle Vernon and Jennie Brown of South Park. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Thursday; March 17; until 10 a.m.; the hour of services in the funeral home with the Rev. Wayne Boring officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home web site; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com.

Russell L. Brown; 70; of Fayette City; died Monday; March 14; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Stephen and Minnie Porter Brown; he was born in Gillespie on Feb. 6; 1935. Mr. Brown was a lifelong resident of the Fayette City area and retired in 1997 from Dyno Nobel of Donora. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife; Charlotte Lindey Brown; a daughter and son-in-law; Joni and George Trocki of Cheswick; a son and daughter-in-law; Russell and Wendy Brown of Fayette City; a brother; James R. Brown of Fayette City; and three grandchildren; Jennifer Denitti; Leigh Ann Margie and Jessica Anne Brown. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Stephen K. and Allen W. Brown. There will be no public visitation or funeral services. Graveside services and interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; handled arrangements.

John G. Ralston; 81; of Monessen; died Wednesday; March 9; 2005; in his residence. He was born May 19; 1923; in Monessen; a son of the late John M. Ralston and Maude M. Chrichton. Mr. Ralston was an employee of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel prior to retirement. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; a graduate of Monessen High School and attended Virginia Tech. Mr. Ralston was Protestant by faith; a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles and the VFW; both in Monessen. He is survived by a sister-in-law; Mary A. Ralston; of Monessen; and cousins; Mary and Lou Ralston and Catherine Diamond; of Cleveland; Ohio. Preceding him in death; in addition to his parents; was a brother; James Ralston. As per Mr. Ralston’s wishes; there was no public visitation and funeral services were held at the convenience of his family. RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; was in charge of the arrangements.

Albert L. Mossburg Jr.; 59; of Glenshaw; died Tuesday; March 8; 2005; at UPMC-Passavant; Pittsburgh. Born Jan. 16; 1946; in North Charleroi; he was the son of the late Albert L. Mossburg Sr. and Katherine Galiotto Mossburg. He was a resident of Glenshaw; having previously resided in Millvale. Mr. Mossburg was a member of the First United Church of Christ of Millvale and a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was on disability retirement from the state welfare department where he was employed as a social worker taking care of blind recipients. Mr. Mossburg sang Christian music and recorded with Peter; Paul and Mary. He was a great guitarist and appeared on His Place on local television. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law; Geoff and Serena Mossburg of Marietta; Ga.; and Joshua Mossburg; at home; four daughters and two sons-in-law; Danielle and Aaron Hoffman of Arkansas; Emily and Jason Seeley; of Pittsburgh; and Kate and Bethany Mossburg; both at home; six grandchildren; Matthias; Virginia Ann; Nathan; Abigail; Noah and Brendan; and two sisters and brothers-in-law; Doris and Kenneth Johnson of Lake Isabella; Mich.; and Stella Micki and Daniel Williams of Greenville; S.C. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Healy-Hahn Funeral Home; 425 Grant Ave.; Millvale (412-821-2940) and Friday; March 11; at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183); from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7:30 p.m.; at which time services will be held in the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Wrightman officiating. Private interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Albert Mossburg Jr. to the American Cancer Society. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Anna Bertha Thorpe-White; 82; of Monessen; suddenly passed away on March 1; 2005; while visiting her son in Brunswick; Ga. She was born Aug. 30; 1922; in Eastman; Ga.; a daughter of the late Samuel Sr. and Ollie Stanley Thorpe. She was preceded in death by her loving husband; Phillip Edward White Jr.; one son; Leon Cheatham; and seven beloved siblings; Samuel Thorpe Sr.; Ulah Mae Thorpe-Abbott; Audrelee Thorpe-Smith; Ollie Mae Thorpe; Ruddrtha Stanley; John Henry Thorpe and Willie Stanley. Anna Bertha Thorpe-White was discipled in the Christian faith by Samuel Thorpe Sr. and accepted Christ at an early age. A long-term resident of Monessen; she was a highly respected and faithful member of the Wayman A.M.E. church family. Anna Bertha was educated in the public schools of Rostraver Township and Belle Vernon and married Phillip Edward White Jr.; her husband of nearly 50 years) at an early age. She is survived by her loving son; Thomas Edward White Sr. of Brunswick; Ga.; five grandchildren and two foster grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; one goddaughter and godson; and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends will be received Tuesday at the Wayman A.M.E. Church; Reed Ave.; Monessen; from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Viewing will be held at 10 a.m.; prior to the Homegoing Service on Wednesday; March 9; at 11 a.m. in the church with the Rev. Eleanor Williams officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; Monessen; is in charge of arrangements.

Jerome Usher; 48; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; March 2; 2005; at 3:35 p.m. Born July 13; 1956; in North Charleroi; he was a son of John W. Usher Jr.; who survives and resides in Rostraver Township; and the late Frances Olejniczek Usher; who passed away Oct. 26; 2001. Mr. Usher was Catholic by faith and a machinist for American Air Duct in Speers. He was a former member of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club. Survivors include his wife of seven years; Theresa Rathka Usher; a step son; James John Palanza of Long Branch; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Thomas and Cheryl Usher of Perryopolis; and Robert and Martha Usher of Belle Vernon; a sister; Darlene Furyanic of Charleroi; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). Funeral services will be held Friday; March 4; in the funeral home at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F.; pastor; St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Dominick T. Shorty Canigiani; 92 of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; Pa; died Thursday; Feb. 24; 2005; in the Greenery Rehab Center; Cannonsburg; Pa. He was born Dec. 20; 1912; in Fayette City; Pa.; a son of the late Constantine and Frances Coni Canigiani. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; and a life member of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Allenport Plant in 1976. He was a butler in the White House during the Roosevelt Administration. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Murt Canigiani on May 17; 2004; three brothers; John; Rudolph and Joseph Canigiani; four sisters; Pauline Traversari; Josephine Curcio; Mary Stimberg and Concetta Rocco. Surviving are three sons; James Canigiani and wife Elizabeth of Belle Vernon; Mark Canigiani and wife; Christine of Dunlevy and Thomas Canigiani and wife Patricia of Belle Vernon. Also survived by seven grandchildren; James Jr.; Danny; Jennifer; Jeanne;Thomas Jr.; Adam and Nicole; and five great-grandchildren; Hayley; Sebastian; Madison Rose; Rachel and Heather. Friends will be received in the Eley/McCrory Funeral Home; Inc.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday; Feb 28 untiI 9;30 a.m.; when a blessing service will take place followed by a funeral mass at 10 am in the St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vemon with Rev. Fr. Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Intennent will follow in the Belle Vemon Cemetery.

Mary Lepri; 94; of Clairton; died Saturday; Feb. 19; 2005; in Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Jefferson Hills. Born March 21; 1910; in Monessen; she was the daughter of the late Frank and Helen (Hadzab) Kozar. She was the retired co-owner of The Sewing Box in Clairton; a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish; Clairton; its Women’s Guild and Ladies of Charity; Clairton Senior Citizens; and Sons of Columbus Genova Council 6 of Clairton. She is survived by daughters; Marlene J. Valvo; of Clairton; and Beverly Mazza; with whom she lived; son; Gordon R. Lepri; of Bethel Park; sister; Elizabeth Mazza; of Clairton; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Ralph N. Lepri; sisters; Helen Lasich and Anne Zamiska; and brothers; John and Mike Kozar. Friends received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the A.J. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME; 555 Fifth St.; Clairton. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Paulinus Church; Clairton. Chapel service and burial in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Rostraver. www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

Denzel Raymond Echart; 79; of Rostraver Township; went to be with the Lord on Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; in his home. A son of the late Jackson and Mary Wood Echart; he was born in Fairchance on July 25; 1925. A resident of Rostraver Township most of his adult life; he was a member of the Pricedale Union Church. Mr. Echart retired in 1983 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co.; where he was the general foreman of maintenance in the basic oxygen furnace department. A staff sergeant; he served during World War II in the Army Air Force. Survivors include his wife; Arlene Hille Echart; one sister; Doris Bush of Pricedale; one brother and two sisters-in-law; Clarence and Ethel Echart of Rostraver Township; and Erma Echart of Belle Vernon. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a daughter; Laurie Zombek; on Feb. 11; 1986; a son; Kevin Scott Echart; on June 17; 1988; and two brothers; James and Charles C.J. Echart. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; 724-929-5300; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Thursday; Feb. 24; at noon with the Rev. James Mimidis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John Hank Kaschok Jr.; 90; of Stockdale; died Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; in Mon Valley Care Center. A loving husband; father and grandfather; he was born June 19; 1914 in Roscoe; a son of the late John Sr. and Maria Vanaczki Kaschok. He was a member of Holy Ghost Byzantine Church of Charleroi where he sang in the choir; a trustee of the Sokol Club of Stockdale and a retired steelworker for more than 42 years with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant. Survivors include his wife; Alice Wislosky Kaschok; with whom he would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on Sept. 23; two daughters; Joan Kaschok of Rillton and Donna Kaschok Armstrong of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren; Susan Marie Gentile of Squirrel Hill; Lori Russell and husband Randall of Fox Chapel; and Robert Thomas Armstrong of Belle Vernon; three great-grandchildren; Jonathan Beck Russell and Elizabeth Lee Russell of Fox Chapel; and Logan James Armstrong of Belle Vernon; a brother; Albert Kaschok of Cherry Hill; N.J.; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Frank and George Kaschok; and two sisters; Ann Jesko and Mary Petruschak. Family viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe; with a public Funeral Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at 10 a.m. Wednesday; Feb. 23; in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church of Charleroi with Fr. James Regan as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; sympathy remembrances may be made to Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church.
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