Anthony Fritsky; 80; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Tuesday; Nov. 4; 2003; at 5:20 a.m. Born April 27; 1923; in Priceda1e; he was the son of the late Wassil and Mary Steranka Fritsky. He was a lifelong resident of Rostraver Township; was Russian Orthodox by faith; attended Douglas School of Business and was retired from US Steel Irvin Works; where he worked in the Metalurgical Testing Department. Mr. Fritsky was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He is survived by two brothers and one sister-in-law; Alexander Fritsky of Belle Vernon and William and Nancy Fritsky of Munhall; three sisters and one brother-in-law; Anne and Vincent J. Dobos of York; and Nellie and Helen Fritsky of Belle Vernon; and several nieces; nephews; and great-nieces and -nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday 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 (724-929-6l83). Services will be held Thursday; Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. John J. Kluchko officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A Parastas service will be held Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.
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Joan Mona Miert Niznansky died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday; Oct. 23; 2003 in Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Jefferson Borough. Mrs. Niznansky was 84. Born in Chicago; Ill.; on Aug. 19; 1919; she was a daughter of the late John and Mary Langsfeld Miert of St. Martin; Bratislava; Slovakia. She was raised in Bratislava after her parents returned to their original family home. In school; Joan excelled in home economics and clothing design. At the age of 16; she moved to Byram; Conn.; a large Slovak community; to live with her aunt and uncle Miert; and 101 first cousins. She worked there until September 1942 when she married George J. Niznansky; a Czech born in Palmerton and raised in Prague. He was well recognized in the Slovak journalistic arena for his writings and publications and by the federal government for his work against Hitler in Czechoslovakia prior to the war. George served as editor of the National Narody News where he edited and published Slovak books. During that time; Joan also served as an officer in several Slovak heritage groups. Her recipes appeared frequently in the Slovak newspaper. George and Joan managed the Slovak SOKOL Camp in New Kensington from 1952-1955. They hosted many events simultaneously; including gymnastic sets and Steelers training camps. Joan and George moved to Monessen in August 1955 and purchased a tavern from Anna Kuzma; establishing the Steel City Grill ; which was in operation until August 2003. Together; they remodeled the building built in 1906 and expanded it to serve both food and drink. Joan and George were well known for their Friday night chicken and fish dinners and had hosted many events for the local steel and coke plant workers. Customers came from Ohio; Maryland and even New Jersey. Upon the death of George in 1977; Joan continued the operation of the family tavern with the help of her son George. Joan’s many customers respected her for her ability to maintain a wholesome family environment in her establishment. Joan served as a community mother to many. Her daughter; Joan Bateman; who was employed by Boeing for 38 years; survives. Joan Bateman was an innovator in the growth of the Information Technology industry. She is published in several Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) software standards documents and is a charter member of the IEEE Software Standards Subcommittee. Joan is also survived by her son George; who assisted her in the daily operations of the Steel City Grill and is a life member of Monessen Volunteer Fire Department No. 1. A sister; Anna Demikat; survives in Broad Brook; Conn.; near her three children Emil; Carl and Linda; and daughter-in-law Marilyn. A brother; Milos and wife Vierka of Sucany; Slovakia; and their children Igor and Miro; also survive. Cousin Danny Miert and Aunt Bertha Miert are the surviving members of the Miert family in Byram; Conn. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen. Funeral services will be held Saturday; Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bev Banyay officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family requests memorial contributions in Joan’s name be made to the Monessen VFD No. 1 Equipment Fund or the Monessen Police Department Pension Fund.

Lena Stringhill Mazzei; 92; of North Belle Vernon; died Monday; Oct. 27; 2003; at 3:05 p.m. in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Nov. 19; 1910; in Fayette City; she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Mazzei Stringhill. Mrs. Mazzei was a lifelong resident of North Belle Vernon; a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; and was retired from Johnson’s Restaurant; Monessen; where she worked as a waitress. She was a member of the Court Belle Vernon 1522; Catholic Daughters of the Americas; and the former Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by one sister; Janie Mitchell of North Belle Vernon; with whom she made her home. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Mike Mazzei; nine brothers; Orlando; Charles; Frank; Rudolph; James; Fred; Anthony; Samuel and Louis Stringhill; and one sister; Innis Stringhill. Visitation will be held Wednesday 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). A prayer service will be held Thursday; Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish and Court Belle Vernon CD of A will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Lena Stringhill Mazzei Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Agnes Ellen Jones; 92; of Fayette City; died Saturday; Oct. 25; 2003; in Mon Valley Care Center; Carroll Township. She was born Nov. 27; 1910; in Washington County; a daughter of the late Robert and Hannah Stanley Usher. Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her husband; Russell Jones; on July 17; 2000; one brother; Robert Usher; and one sister; Ruth Ferrari. Surviving is one sister; Ethel Manuel of Bethel Park. Private funeral services were held Monday; Oct. 27; followed by interment in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City; was in charge of the arrangements.

William Henry Renstrom; 81; of Tarrs; Pa.; formerly of Fayette City; died Friday; Oct. 24; 2003; in the emergency room of the H.C. Frick Hospital; Mt. Pleasant. He was born in Fayette City on Dec. 26; 1921; the son of the late Carl Henry Renstrom and Maine Evans Renstrom. He was preceded in death by a brother; Donald Renstrom; and a sister; Sara O’Leary. He was a retired employee of the Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Company at the Allenport plant. He was a veteran of World War II; having served with the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post and a member of the First Presbyterian Church; Fayette City. He is survived by his wife; Evelyn Renstrom; a daughter; Henrietta and husband Charles Toth; of Monongahela; a son; Bruce; and wife; Mary Ellen; Renstrom; of Monongahela; four grandchildren; Beth Orosky; Chad Toth; Jennifer and Megan Renstrom; and three great-grandchildren Justin and Shannon Orosky; and Ryan Toth. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Monday until 1:30 p.m.; the hour of service with the Rev. Michael Shepard officiating. Interment will be follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery by the Belle Vernon Legion and the American Legion Honor Guard of Post 484; Fayette City.

Francis S. Andrew Sr.; 83; of Rostraver Township; died Friday; Oct. 17; 2003; in his residence. He was born Nov. 17; 1919; in Smithton; a son of the late Sophia Andrew. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659. He was preceded in death by his wife; Anna Krolik Andrew; on Oct. 26; 1986. He is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law; Francis Jr. and Pamela Andrew and David Andrew; all of West Palm Beach; Fla.; and Gerald and Michelle Andrew of Newnan; Ga.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Friends will be received Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City. A blessing service will take place Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Father Leonard McAlpin officiating. A funeral service will take place Wednesday; Oct. 22; at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Funeral services were held today followed by interment in Belle Vernon Cemetery for Richard W. Parks; 63; of Main Street; Belle Vernon; who died Saturday; Oct. 18; 2003 in his home. A son of the late Cora Belle and Warren James Parks; he was born in Saginaw; Mich.; on Feb. 8; 1940. Protestant by faith; he had resided in Belle Vernon for 23 years and was a leader of Boy Scout Troop 1543; Belle Vernon from 1983-1989. He was a career U.S. Army staff sergeant; having served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife of 22 years; Joyce McGavitt Parks; two daughters and one son-in-law; Melissa Parks of Belle Vernon and Rosanna and Clifford Opfer of Elizabeth; one son; Frank Sellaro Jr. and fiancee Melinda of Republic; two brothers and one sister; two grandchildren; Clifford P. Opfer III and Devin Warren James Huber; and a friend; Andrew Lippert of Wet Newton. The Rev. Eugene Spear and Rev. Donald Bowers officiated. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929- 5300); Belle Vernon; handled arrangements.

Donald Lensky; 76; of Fallowfield Township; died Wednesday; Oct. 15; 2003; in the emergency room at Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Dec. 2; 1926; in Detroit; Mich.; the son of the late Peter and Olive Cratty Lensky Lochmuller. He was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and American Legion Post 22; both of Charleroi. Mr. Lensky was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II; serving in the European Theater of Operations. He was retired as the lock and dam operator for the Army Corps of Engineers at Lock No. 4. Surviving are his wife; Norma Lessman Lensky; one daughter and son-in-law; Sharon Elaine and Richard Evans of Fallowfield Township; one granddaughter; Darsey Ann Duffey of Clearwater; Fla.; one sister; Elaine Shuert of Oxford; Mich.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME; 819 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Saturday; Oct. 18; at 9:30 a.m. with Deacon Jack V. Dolan officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A vigil service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers; the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.

Funeral services were held today; followed by interment in Belle Vernon Cemetery; for Ruth M. Weightman; 65; of Market Street; Belle Vernon; who died Friday; Oct. 10; 2003; in Allegheny General Hospital; Pittsburgh. A daughter of the late Arthur E. and Margaret Waller Gray; Mrs. Weightman was born May 2; 1938; in North Charleroi. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon and was a councilwoman for Belle Vernon Borough. Mrs. Weightman had been employed for 20 years by the Municipal Authority of Belle Vernon Borough. Survivors include her husband of 47 years; Dale Babe Weightman; one daughter; Amy Weightman DeWitt and children; Bobby; Phaedra and Hunter; two sons; Ed Weightman and children; Ed Jr.; Eric and Alisha; Todd Weightman and children; Krystal; Todd Jr. and April; all of Belle Vernon; one sister; Shirley J. Gray of Warren; and three great-grandchildren; Casey Ann; Cole and Abigail. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by one sister; Uarda Tiny Chalfant in 1999. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon handled arrangements.

Margaret W. Gardner Krivda; 92; of Fayette City; Gillespie; died Friday; Oct. 10; 2003; at 2:25 p.m. at the Parish House; Perryopolis. Born Sept. 8; 1911; in Roscoe; she was the daughter of the late James and Jean Smith Gardner. Mrs. Krivda was a lifelong resident of Gillespie; a homemaker and a member of Redstone Parish of the United Methodist Church. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Patricia and John Senko; of Fayette City; and Barbara and David Fleming; of Murrysville; a brother and sister-in-law; Jack and Celina Gardner; of Gillespie; a sister; Janet Motzer; of Rices Landing; five Grandchildren; Patricia Tacoronte; John Senko and wife Cheryl; Stephanie McCulloch and husband Donald; David Fleming; and Deborah Kaufman and husband William; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph C. Krivda; on Feb. 16; 1999; four brothers; Melrose; Bob; Bill and James Gardner; and four sisters; Jessie Stewart; Gladys Gallaher; Jean Breckenridge; and Ester Coldren. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon. (724-929-6183.) Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home; with the Rev. James N. Pond; pastor of the Redstone Parish of the United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; memorial contributions may be made in memory of Margaret W. Krivda to the Albert Gallatin Hospice or to the charity of your choice. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral homes Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.