The Very Rev.Theodore J.Geeza;pastor of St.John the Divine Russian Orthodox Church in Monessen;died at 1 p.m.Friday;April 18;1947;in the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital;following a short illness. Father Geeza came to the Monessen Church in October;1938;after serving in Portage;Pa.;Mingo Junction;O.;and Elkburn;W.Va. Born in 1890 in Austria;he came to America in 1910 and worked for a Philadelphia newspaper while studying theology at the Russian Orthodox Seminary;Tunafly;N.J. After his ordination;he came to his first pastorate at Herminie;Pa. In 1937;he was elevated to the rank of Arch-Priest by Bishop Benjamin of Pittsburgh. In 1939 Father Geeza instituted Russian Day in Monessen and annually since then thousands have gathered at City Park each summer for the celebration. In 1917 Father Geeza was married to Maria Mihajlovna;a daughter of Michael and Justina Youshock of Belle Vernon;who were among the founders of the Russian Orthodox parish of Charleroi. Besides Mrs.Geeza;six children survive;Nicholas and Boris;of Passate;N.J.;Mrs.Nadia Geletka;of Warren;Ohio;and Vera;Ralph and Eugene;at home. A sister and brother remain in Galicia and another brother in Canada. The body is lying in state in the St.John the Divine Church on McKee avenue. Services will be held there Tuesday;April 22;1947;at 9 a.m.;and will be conducted by twenty-five priests of the Pittsburgh district;New York;New Jersey and Ohio. Interment will follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery. Joseph R.Check is the funeral director.

A justice of the peace for fourteen years;Samuel H.Gaskill;Sr.;died at his home;441 Fourth street;North Charleroi;Friday;March 21;1947;at 7:30 o’clock;after a short illness. Born in Allenport September 1;1866;he had followed the occupation of plumbing contractor. He had been in business in North Charleroi for many years conducting a general store and hardware business. He was also pastor of the Donora Church of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints;and had served on the North Charleroi borough council for a number of years. He had resided in North Charleroi since 1908;coming here from Mckees Rocks. Surviving are his wife;Mrs.Margaret Foulks Gaskill;two sons;William D.;of North Charleroi and Samuel H.Jr.;at home;one daughter;Grayce H.Gaskill;also at home;two brothers;George and Hudson;at Speers;and two grandchildren. Friends will be received at the late home. Services will be held there Tuesday;March 25;1947;at 2 p.m.;in charge of Rev.John D.Carlisle. Lawrence B.Frye is the funeral director.

Mrs.Mary Grabania;a resident of this city for the past 30 years;died Saturday;April 13;1946;at 12:30 a.m. at her home;340 Indiana avenue. Surviving are her husband;Peter Grabania;six daughters and one son;Mrs.Ann McKoskey and Mrs.Mary Evans;Belle Vernon;Mrs.Rose Kostura;Charleroi;William;Amelia and Nellie;at home. Twelve grandchildren also survive. Friends are being received at the home;where brief services were held this afternoon;April 15 at 1:45 p.m.;with additional rites to follow at St.John The Divine Church;with Father Theodore Geeza officiating. Interment;Belle Vernon cemetery. Joseph R.Check;funeral director.