Gordon H. Watkins; 73; of Speers; passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday; Aug. 20; 2013. He was born on Sept. 2; 1939; the son of the late Robert H. and Evelyn (Doyle) Watkins. He retired in 2001; after 35 years from the Monessen Coke Plant with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Sharon Steel and Koppers Industries. Gordon was a member of the Speers United Methodist Church for 61 years and also served as director of the Speers United Methodist Church Preschool for over 21 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 48 years; Ella Louise (Hrutkay) Watkins; son; Gordon H. (Sherry) Watkins II of Rostraver Township; daughters; Amie (Martin) Matyas of Fallowfield Township and Kim McGavitt of Alexandria; Va.; grandchildren; Gordon H. Watkins III; Ashley N. Watkins Martin M. Matyas; Kaleigh R. Matyas; Devin Watkins; Angela and Russell Crusan; two brothers-in-law; Michael (Deborah) Faryna and Frank (Della) Faryna; a sister-in-law; Barbara (Gary) Hollier; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents Gordon was preceded in death by a son; Frank M. Watkins; and a sister-in-law; JoAnn Axton. Friends will be received 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday; Aug. 23; in the Speers United Methodist Church; 810 Jane Ave.; Speers Hill; Charleroi; with the Rev. Ross Pryor officiating. Interment will follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery. Family; relatives and friends attending the funeral services are being asked to go directly to the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.schrock-hogan.com. In lieu of flowers; memorial donations may be made to the Speers United Methodist Church or the Speers United Preschool.

https://bellevernoncemetery.com/grave/TREE-26660/

Hugh Thomas Kovalsky; 56; of Rostraver Township; went to be with the Lord; Saturday; Aug. 10; 2013; in Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born Sept. 11; 1956; in North Charleroi; a son of Mary Margaret (Maguire) and the late Peter Kovalsky Sr. A lifelong resident of the Mon Valley and a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; he was employed by Piad Precision Casting in Greensburg as a quality control inspector for 17 years. In addition to his father; he was preceded in death by a brother; Francis Joseph Kovalsky; who passed away at birth. In addition to his mother; who lives in Belle Vernon; he is survived by his wife of 35 years; Louise Ann Lou Ann Micher Kovalsky; a son; Matthew James Kovalsky; of Donora; a twin brother and sister-in-law; Peter S. Kovalsky and his wife; Linda; of Mt. Pleasant; and two sisters and a brother-in-law; Mary Margaret Igoe; of Canonsburg; and Rose Souply and her husband; Mark; of Fayette City. Services will be private at the request of the family. Arrangements entrusted to the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; 724-929-5300; http://www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mattie Ora Cranford-Jones; 83; of Monessen; went home to rest with Jesus Tuesday; Aug. 6; 2013. Born Dec. 6; 1929; in Arnold City; she was the daughter of the late Marion and Viola Cranford. Mattie Ora was a resident of Monessen. She was married to the late Anthony Jones Sr. July 5; 1950. From this union they had seven children. She retired at the age of 63 from the Western State Hospital in Canonsburg as a resident attendant. Mattie Ora was baptized in 1996 and she was a faithful member of Christian Life Ministries (CLM) in Donora under the leadership of Elder Robert C. Holmes. She was the CLM Praise Team Director; member of Women’s Fellowship; wrote poetry for special features; attended Bible Study and Leadership classes and supported the Friendship through Fellowship Feeding Ministry. She could write and/or recite poems on point with little or no preparation. Mattie Ora is survived by six children; Anthony Jones Jr. of Donora; Angalene Jones of Monessen; Dr. Anita Jones of Miami; Fla.; Angelo (Brigette) Jones of Germany; Anzalone (Zeke) Jones of Belle Vernon;and Andrea Jones of Monessen; two half-sisters; Annette Davis of Charleroi and Carol Corbin of Chicago; one half brother; Richard Cranford of Arizona; 13 grandchildren; Eddy (LarRie) Bell; Cameron (Bobbi Jo) Madison; Jarrod Madison; Tonia Lawson; Bradd Jones; Kimberly Jones; Kieshia Jones; Andrea Jones; Zachary Lawson; Brent Jones; Justin Jones; Fabian Jones and Alyssa Madison; nephew; Lewis Gallmore; a host of great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She will be truly missed. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Anthony Jones Sr.; daughter; Antonia Lawson; stepson; Michael Jones; brothers; Percy; Arthur and C. F. Cranford; sister; Pearl Cranford; and a nephew; Harold Gallmore. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Friday; August 9; 2013; at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church; 20 Brushton Lane; Charleroi; followed by a Celebration of Life for Mrs. Jones with the Rev. Dr. F. Diane Hobson officiating and Elder Robert C. Holmes; eulogist. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen; 724-684-6242.

Timothy Francis Sethman; 51; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; passed away Sunday; July 28; 2013; at his home; after a joyous day spent boating with family and friends. Born Aug. 15; 1961; in North Charleroi; he was a son of the late Harry C. and Mary Ann Rainey Sethman Jr. After graduating from Belle Vernon High School in 1979; he pursued his life’s passion by developing a rich career in law enforcement. He served 10 years as an officer for North Belle Vernon; South Greensburg and Rostraver Township Police Departments (DARE Program). He continued as a forensic detective for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office for 17 years; until his death. Mr. Sethman was a highly organized man driven for further education in his field. He held advanced certifications and was recognized as an expert in forensics in fingerprints; footprints; crime scene and photography. In this role; Tim assisted in forensic investigations for local; state and federal agencies. He provided assistance nationally in helping to process backlogged evidence. He was 1 of 785 latent print examiners in the world. Mr. Sethman graduated with honors from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009; earning the Sir Robert Peale Award for highest GPA; but was more proud to graduate together with his youngest son; Michael (both in criminal justice). He served as an adjunct professor in criminal justice at Waynesburg College and was a frequent guest speaker at many post-secondary schools in the area. He was a high-energy individual who enjoyed serving and helping others. He was a member of the International Association of Identification; the Canadian Identification Society; a Fellow of the Fingerprint Society; served as past president of the New Jersey International Association of Identification and past secretary of the Mon Valley FOP. He was a member of the Blythe Lodge 593 Masons. He held advanced certifications in scuba; including Scuba Lifesaving Accident Management. He was a member of the Pricedale Union Church. Popular among young and old alike; Tim was the life of the party. He was always on the go with family and friends fishing; traveling; supporting the Steelers and loved the water. He entertained guests with his myriad of collections; and his quick wit and humor was guaranteed to bring down the house. He was generous with his time; and was first in line to help anyone who needed it. He loved giving and getting presents; especially at Christmas time. He was proud of his family and of his son`s service to the country. His zest for life was contagious. Surviving; in addition to his beloved bride of 34 years; Darla Jean Harrison Sethman; are two sons; 2nd Lt. Timothy C. Sethman and wife; Brigette Hurst; and Michael J. Sethman and fiancee; Sarah Krissinger; of Latrobe; granddaughter; Temperance Sethman; brother and sister-in-law; Richard C. and Holly Sethman; of Scenery Hill; two sisters and brothers-in-law; Donna and Daniel Bennett; of Monessen; and Diana and Richard Burger; of Rostraver Township; and a sister-in-law; Gladys Jolliffe; of Silver Springs; Md. He was preceded in death by a grandson; Triston Taylor Sethman. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME and CREMATIONS; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; 724-929-6183. Relatives and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Thursday at Pricedale Union Church for funeral services with the Rev. James J. Mimidis of Pricedale Union Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website; http://www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Sarah Louise Patterson; Miller; was born on August 8; 1927; in Deatesville; Alabama. She was the third of nine children born to Robert and Gertrude Miller.

Her home church was Lily Green Baptist Church in Deatesville.

Sarah called Louise by her family and friends migrated to New York in 1946; where she married William Patterson. Louise arrived in Pennsylvania to live with her aging parents in 1962. In 1972; when her mother Gertrude ascended to her heavenly home; she took up resident with her younger sister; Bessie Lorraine. The two women would remain inseparable until Louise’s final moments.

As a result of a house fire; she spent the last part of her years in a nursing home.

While Louise did not have any children; she enjoyed life and kept to herself. She helped to raise countless nieces; nephews as well as great nieces and nephews who remain forever grateful for her love; generosity; and kindness.

She is survived by her sisters; Bessie Lorraine Pollard of Munhall; PA and Earlene Miller of McKeesport; Pa; several nieces; nephews; great nieces and a host of cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; Robert and Gertrude; two sisters and four brothers.