William E. Bill Hoffman; 71; of Fayette City; passed away on Tuesday; June 1; 2010; in Monongahela Valley Hospital surrounded by his loving family. A son of the late Eugene and Anna (Held) Hoffman; he was born in Johnstown; on Oct. 2; 1938. Prior to retirement in 1989; he was a Pennsylvania State Trooper with the Belle Vernon Barracks. He was a member of Lynnwood Lutheran Church; East Belle Vernon Athletic Club; F&AM Tri-County Lodge 252; F.O.P. State Lodge; Sinnamahoning Sportsman’s Club; and a life member of Daisytown Sportsman’s Club. An avid hunter and fisherman; he loved spending time at his camp in Sinnamahoning. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Submarine Atlantic Fleet. Survivors include a daughter; Amy Lyn Cornell and husband; Craig; of Bentleyville; a son; Erik Hoffman; of Fayette City; three grandchildren; Billy Hoffman; and Lauren and Lindsey Cornell; his former wife; Donna Hoffman Vennare; of Belle Vernon; a daughter-in-law; Abbey Hoffman; of Perryopolis; a brother; Dwane Hoffman; of Johnstown; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister; Judith Bair. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC.; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Funeral services will be in the funeral home Friday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Wayne Boring officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. F&AM Tri-County Lodge 252 will hold services at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Carole Marie Ghenne; of Charleroi; was welcomed into the loving arms of our Lord; Jesus Christ; on Dec. 4; 2011; following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 20; 1946; in North Charleroi. She was the daughter of the late Raymond Ghenne and the late (Vernon) Norma Rosalie Smith. Carole lived in Charleroi; and was the owner and operator of the Image I Beauty Salon for many years. She achieved a notable career as a stylist; setting a high standard for her work. She was most recently employed at Image II Beauty Salon; owned by one of Carole’s dearest friends; Rachel Melvin. She attended schools in Fallowfield Township and at Charleroi High School; graduating with the class of 1964. Carole loved reading; gardening and working in assembling beautiful gift baskets and floral arrangements. She was very creative in her designs and loved fine things. She loved Oldies concerts; Broadway shows and cooking delicious meals for family and friends. She especially loved being with friends and acting as Auntie to so many of her friends’ children who lovingly called her Auntie Carole. She especially loved to travel with her mother and also with friends. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in local tournaments. Her pet dogs also held a special place in her heart. Carole is survived by a stepbrother; Bruce C. Smith and wife; Joann; and her niece Jennifer Smith; of Charleroi. She is also survived by her stepmother; Marie Ghenne; of Greensburg; stepbrother; Stephen Hunter and wife; Anne; her niece; Jessica Hunter; of Greensburg; and her nephew; Seth Hunter; of Washington; D.C. Carole was blessed with a great number of friends who will miss her presence and friendship immensely. She was a former member of the Charleroi Chamber of Commerce and also a member of the Charleroi Presbyterian Church. Friends will be received from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Charleroi Presbyterian Church; 5th Street and Lincoln Avenue; Charleroi; on Wednesday; Dec. 28; 2011; followed by a memorial service beginning at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Woomer officiating. Donations in Carole’s memory can be made to the Washington County Humane Society. The SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com.

(TAKEN FROM THE DAILY INDEPENDENT MARCH 23;1903) Annie Fawcett Frazier;wife of Robert F.Frazier;died at their home in Belle Vernon;this morning at 8:30 o’clock of consumption of the bowels;aged 41 years. Deceased was a daughter of Thomas and Sara Fawcett;being born about a mile back of Belle Vernon in 1862;and spent her entire life in that locality. In 1882;she was married to Robert F.Frazier and the union was blessed with seven children;five sons and two daughters. She was a lifelong;consistent and active member and worker in the Christian Church and there her loss will be felt equally as much;if that is possible;as it will be about the home and fireside. Deceased leaves a husband;seven children and the following brothers and sisters;William R. and Miss Celia;of Monessen;Mrs.John Sap;Donora and Mrs.Archie Baldwin of near Belle Vernon. The funeral will take place at 10 o’clock Wednesday;in Belle Vernon cemetery. (directly below the obit was this notice: NOTICE.Owing to the death of my sister;my store will remain closed until Wednesday evening-W.R.Fawcett)

August Augie Menia; 72; of Fallowfield Township; died Sunday; May 23; 2010; in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Feb. 16; 1938; in Brownsville; the son of the late Rebello and Hazel Gales Menia. Mr. Menia served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center; and member and commander of the firing squad with the Charleroi American Legion Post 22. He was retired from SuperValu with 36 years of service. Surviving are his wife of 52 years; Doris Stark Menia; his son; Kenneth Menia and his wife; Johanna; of Twilight; three daughters; Diana Riel and her husband; Philip; of Perryopolis; Carol Quigley and her husband; Patrick; of Fallowfield Township; and Virginia Boso and her husband; Michael; of Belle Vernon; his sister; Sara Lundy; of Coal Center; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents; Mr. Menia was preceded in death by his son; Thomas Menia. Friends will be received Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11. a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Randy Landman; associate pastor of Grace United Methodist Church; officiating. Interment will be held in the Belle Vernon Cemetery with full military rites. For those unable to attend; condolences may be sent at www.schrock-hogan.com.

Judith M. Shorter Banks; 61; of Columbia; S.C.; formerly of Pricedale; went to be with the Lord on Jan. 15; 2010. Born on Sept. 19; 1948; in Charleroi; she was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Thomasina Shorter. Judy was a 1966 honors graduate of Rostraver High School. After graduation; she was employed by Page Steel and Wire Company in Monessen until its closure in 1972. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed basic training in Orlando; Fla.; where she was named as the Outstanding Graduating Recruit. This was only the beginning of things to come; her military career reflected her desire to be the best. Judy’s naval career was highly successful. She was the first Afro-American female to achieve her rank of Master Chief Personnelman. She was promoted to her rank in the shortest possible time. She was acknowledged as Sailor of the Year; Sailor of the Quarter; and Sailor of the Month throughout her illustrious career. She served at duty stations in Virginia; New Jersey; Maryland; Illinois; and Hawaii. Her many accomplishments were recognized by her selection to the Senior Enlisted Academy. After graduation; Judy served on an inspection team responsible for inspecting administration offices at naval installations and ships in the Atlantic Fleet. After 20 years of service; she retired to Columbia; S.C.; where she was employed at South Carolina Department of Education. She worked in the GED office; administering tests to applicants. Judy loved animals and was a life-time member of the South Carolina Humane Society. She had the love and respect from all who worked and knew her. Survivors include one sister; Linda Johnson; of Monessen; five brothers; Richard Shorter of Los Angeles; Byron (Tawndra) Shorter; of Clinton; Md.; James (Pam) Shorter; of Richmond; Calif.; Robert Shorter; of Virginia Beach; Va.; and Erik Shorter; of Eurika; Calif; three aunts; Merry Ward; of Richmond; Ca.; Geneva Johnson; of Columbia; S.C.; and Dorothy Davis; of Hampton; Va.; and a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends. Judy will be greatly missed by her surviving sister and five brothers; whom she truly loved and kept close in her heart. A private graveside service will be held at Belle Vernon Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned in June. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen (724-684-6242).

Ronald E. Ledgerton; 77; of Lynnwood; Belle Vernon; passed away Monday; May 3; 2010; at 9:55 p.m. with his family by his side. He was born in Smock on Aug. 6; 1932; a son of the late Eric Stanley Ledgerton and Myrtle Silman Ledgerton. Protestant by faith; he was a member of the American Legion Post 659; of Belle Vernon; the Fayette City American Legion; the Fairhope Rod and Gun Club and the Naomi Club. Ron served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired from the Mathies Coal Company. Survivors include his wife of 54 years; Patricia Winn Ledgerton; two daughters; Rhonda Ledgerton-Williams; and Susan Ledgerton; both of Belle Vernon; one son; Ronald Ledgerton; of Uniontown; one sister and brother-in-law; Helen and Harrison Stephens; of Port Orange; Fla.; one brother and sister-in-law; Stanley and Avenelle Ledgerton; of Mt. Morris; four grandchildren; Jamie Roberts; Thomas W. Kress; and Katelin and Brandon Ledgerton; two great-grandchildren; Alyssa and Timothy Roberts; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister; Dorothy Hawker. There will be no public visitation and burial will be private. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC.; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; is handling arrangements. www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.