Samuel H. Gaskill; 97; of North Charleroi; died Thursday; July 22; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Feb. 1; 1908; in McKees Rocks; a son of the late Samuel H. Sr. and Margaret Foulks Gaskill. He was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Charleroi. Mr. Gaskill was a World War II veteran; serving in the U.S. Army. He was a licensed funeral director formerly employed with the Lawrence B. Frye Funeral Home and the Schrock-Hogan Funeral Home; both in Charleroi. Mr. Gaskill owned and operated the Gaskill Funeral Home in North Charleroi and Charleroi. He was a former Deputy Coroner of Washington County and former councilman of the Borough of North Charleroi. He was retired from PennDOT; where he was a material inspector. He is survived by his daughter; Jayne Aylward and husband James of Miami Lakes; Fla.; two granddaughters; Sharon Cox and Evelyn Martin; three great-grandchildren; Darby and Daniel Martin and Parker Cox; one niece; Norma Jean Travis of Independence; Mo.; and one great-nephew; Rich Travis. In addition to his parents; Mr. Gaskill was preceded in death by one sister and brother; Grace and Wilford D. Gaskill. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Monday; July 26 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Cathy Ross officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Joseph Cope; 58; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); entered into eternal rest on Tuesday; July 20; 2004; at the VA Medical Center Hospital; Oakland; Pittsburgh. He was born in North Charleroi on July 17; 1946; a son of Alice Myrga Cope Koslasky of Fairhope; and the late Matthew V. Cope. He was also preceded in death by one sister; Rosalia Cope Curry. Joe was Eastern Orthodox by faith. He was a retired telephone installer; a veteran of the U.S. Navy; having served aboard the USS Hancock during the Vietnam War. Mr. Cope was a member of Brightwell-Daughtery American Legion Post 484 of Fayette City. In addition to his mother; he is survived by two sisters; Alyce Joseph and husband George of Monessen and Mary Namie and husband Steven of Cleveland; Ohio; and two brothers; Matthew Cope of Seattle; Wash.; and Frank Cope of Monongahela; and many nieces and nephews. There was no public viewing or visitation. A funeral Prayer for the Dead was held Friday; July 23 at 1 p.m. in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City; with the Rev. Fr. John Kluchko officiating. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Graveside military honors were accorded by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 484; Fayette City.

Thomas Mitchell Carroll; 70; of Donora; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; July 15; 2004 at 9:41 a.m. in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Sept. 10; 1933 in Charleroi; he was a son of the late J. Regis Carrol1 Sr. and Virginia Steen Carroll; who survives and resides in Somerset. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the military police. He was formerly employed by U.S. Steel; Donora Works. A graduate of Charleroi High School class of 1951; he loved music and played the saxophone in the marching and concert bands while in high school. He was a kind man who loved his family; attended family gatherings and especially visiting his 93-year-old mother; Virginia. He was devoutly religious and prayed for everyone many times throughout the day. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father; J. Regis Carroll Sr.; his wife; Margaret Hofenic Carroll; one aunt; Millicent Steen; one sister-in-law; Mary Hofenic Patrick; one brother-in-law; George Patrick Jr.; along with many uncles and aunts. He is survived by his children; Bruce and Michelle Carroll of Belle Vernon; three brothers and two sisters-in-law; J. Regis Carroll Jr. and wife Rosalie of Speers; David Robert Carroll of Charleroi; and William Richard Carroll and wife Amy of Somerset; one sister-in-law; Anne Hofenic Muha of Fairless Hills; N.J.; nephews; Marcus Carroll and wife Alice of Charleroi; Scott Carroll and wife Jill of Charleroi; and Benjamin; Nicholas and Joseph Carroll of Somerset and George Patrick Jr. of Monessen; nieces; Carroll Molish of Roscoe; Gretta Carroll of Somerset and Kathleen Patrick of Youngstown; Ohio; and a good neighbor; Dan Diess. Visitation will be held Sunday 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 Monday; July 19 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.
Thomas Mitchell Carroll; 70; of Donora; formerly of Belle Vernon; who died Thursday; July 15; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital; is survived by a niece; Susan Carroll Molish of Roscoe. Arrangements are being handled by the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Belle Vernon.

Betty J. Echart; 77; of Pricedale; went to be with the Lord on Thursday; July l5; 2004 in Jefferson Regional Hospital. A daughter of the late George and Anna Rabatin Evans; she was born in Wyano on Nov. 29; 1926. She had lived most of her life in Pricedale and was a member of Pricedale Union Church. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law; Annette and Dana Clay of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren; Curtis Clay and wife Carrie; and Nathaniel Clay; all of Anderson; Ind.; and Amanda Clay of Belle Vernon. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Charles J. C.J. Echart; on March 6; 2004; and one brother; George Evans. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm. (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Monday; July 19 at 10 a.m. with Pastor James Mimidis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Thelma Tidd; 88; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; July 14; 2004; in Country Care Manor; Fayette City. A daughter of the late John and Alice Miller Brooks; she was born Aug. 1; 1915; in Mt. Pleasant. She was a member and former treasurer of the First Christian Church of Belle Vernon; a 50-year member of the Rebecca Lodge and the Daughters of the American Revolution; both of Charleroi. Formerly of Charleroi; she had resided in the Belle Vernon High Rise for over 20 years. Survivors include one daughter; Janet L. Tidd of Los Angeles; Calif.; one son and daughter- in-law; Charles R. and Gisela Tidd of Junction City; Kan.; three sisters; Marge Zipnack of Ruffsdale; Shirley Basista of Brecksville; Ohio; and Esther Seeno of Aurora; Ohio; one brother; Clifford Brooks of Tampa; Fla.; four grandchildren; Michael; Martin and Steven Tidd and Carrie Leffel; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Robert M. Tidd; on July 15; 1988. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday 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 Saturday; July 17 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Donald Bowers officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Helen R. Shepler; 85; of 1520 Harrisburg Pike; Lancaster; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Monday; June 14; 2004; at the Mennonite Home. Born in Fayette City; she was a daughter of the late John Francis and Mary Gratz Kruper. Mrs. Shepler was a valedictorian of Fayette High School; Class of 1937. She was employed as a cook for the St. Sebastian Catholic Church Parish House. She also worked as a clerk at the former S&H Green Stamp Store in Belle Vernon. Mrs. Shepler was a former member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church and current member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lancaster. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed needlepoint; crocheting; baking cookies and making candy. She is survived by one daughter-in-law; Janet Gordon Shepler of East Petersburg; one brother-in-law; George A. Pascoe Sr. of New Castle; two nieces and five nephews; and five great-nieces and three great-nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Glen Shepler; in 1965; one son; W. Glenn Shepler; in 1996; two sisters; Delores K. Pascoe and Veronica. F. Kruper; and one brother; John E. Kruper. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Helen’s life celebration Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian Catholic Church on Saturday; July 17. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be sent to a local hospice center. Arrangements are being handled by the FRED F. GROFF INC. FUNERAL SERVICES; Lancaster.

Joseph G. Marklewicz; 79; of Belle Vernon (Lynnwood); died Monday; July 12; 2004 in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born in Poland on Jan. 3; 1925. Mr. Marklewicz was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon and a life member of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company. He had resided in Lynnwood since 1952 and was formerly from Charleroi. Mr. Marklewicz retired in 1991 from Corning Glass after 48 years of service and was a U. S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; Scott and Judith Marklewicz of Lynnwood; a grandson; Jared Minor; and several nieces and nephews. The last surviving member of his immediate family; he was preceded in death by his wife; Marilyn J. Marklewicz; on Sept. 26; 2002; and one son; James Bevan Marklewicz; in 1968. Friends will be received from 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. A committal service will be in the chapel of Belle Vernon Cemetery on Friday; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Lawson; pastor of Marion Presbyterian Church officiating. The deacons and elders of the church will meet in the funeral home to hold services on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Joseph Costello; 96; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Monday; July 12; 2004 in Somerset. A son of the late John and Mary Giordanelli Costello; he was born in Rostraver Township on July 9; 1908. Methodist by faith; he was a member of the Belle Vernon F&AM Lodge 643. Mr. Costello had resided in Somerset since moving from Belle Vernon in 1993. He retired in 1970 as an electrical maintenance foreman for the BOF at the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. A devoted father; grandfather and great-grandfather; he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law; Betty Jo and Ronald Waggoner of Berlin; one brother; Albert Costello of Okmulgee; Okla.; one sister; Rosalie Konecheck of Belle Vernon; two grandchildren; Kyra Morris of Somerset and Joseph Waggoner and wife Shelle of Boswell; four great-grandchildren; Justin and Shanna Morris and Daniel and Brandon Waggoner; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Grace Protin Costello; on Dec. 31; 1995; four brothers; Anthony; Ben; John and Frank; and four sisters; Virginia; in infancy; Catherine; Mary and Lucia. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Thursday; July 15; at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Tim McConville; pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests memorial contributions to the Somerset Hospice. Members of F&AM Lodge 643 will meet in the funeral home to hold services on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.

Mary A. Trilli; 90; of Monessen; died Wednesday; July 7; 2004; at her residence. She was born April 4; 1914; in Delmont; a daughter of the late Elisio DiVincenzo and Colette Rosatti DiVincenzo. Mrs. Trilli was a resident of Monessen all her adult life and a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church and the former St. Cajetan Rosary Altar Society. She was a loving wife; mother; grandmother; great-grandmother; great-great- grandmother; aunt and friend. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law; Paul C. and Sonja Trilli of North Charleroi; two daughters and one son-in-law; Anne Bunny Trilli; with whom she made her home; and Victoria and Gerald Francia of Monessen; seven grandchildren; Colette Hazy of Folley Beach; S.C.; Paul C. Trilli II of Charleroi; Marcia Trilli of Greensburg; Mark Trilli and wife Patty of Donora; Mary Baggot of St. Marys; Ga.; Jodi Lynn Garzarelli and husband Dan of Rostraver Township; and Michele Antonio and husband Scott of Monessen; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one great-niece; Martha DiBattista of Rostraver Township; her dear friend and neighbor; Rose Romasco of Monessen; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Attilio Trilli; in 1995; four sisters and three brothers. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; 441 Reed Ave.; Monessen (724-684-8750). Services will be held Friday; July 9; beginning with a 9:30 a.m. blessing in the funeral home; followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church. Entombment will follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery Mausoleum. The Catholic BPW will conduct a prayer service on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

Sherman Edward Green Jr.; 2-month-old son of Sherman E. Green Sr. and Martine Rochelle Rainey; both of Monessen; went home to be with the Lord on Saturday; July 3; 2004; in Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born May 2; 2004. Left to mourn; in addition to his parents; are two sisters; Marqula Lacelia Green and Akeyla Justina Green; one brother; Marquel Curtis James Smith; his grandparents; aunts; uncles and a host of cousins. Visitation will be held Tuesday; July 6; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 in Fellowship Baptist Church; Knox Avenue; Monessen. Services will be held Wednesday; July 7; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Ricardo Hall; pastor; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The WILLIAM F. TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME; Monessen; Trudy Taylor Bristol; director; is in charge of arrangements.