Ralph A. Wittmer Sr., 72, of Cranberry Township died Sunday at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born June 11, 1929, in Millvale, he was the son Edward and Katherine Kraus Wittmer.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

Mr. Wittmer was a member of St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church, Cranberry Township.

He was a Navy veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Anna Mae Wittmer, whom he married Jan. 14, 1954; a daughter, Sandra Weinheimer of Shaler Township; a son, Ralph A. Wittmer Jr. of Hampton Township; two sisters, Claramae Johnson of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Catherine Brandon of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and three grandchildren.

WITTMER - Friends of Ralph A. Wittmer Sr., who died Sunday, June 2, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and Wednesday at GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME, 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Township. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church, Cranberry Township. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery, Pittsburgh.
 

Joseph Anthony Rotz

Joseph Anthony Rotz, 73, of Hermitage died at 2:30 a.m. Monday in the emergency room at UPMC Horizon, Farrell.

Born March 19, 1929, in New Castle, he was a son of Charles and Madeline Russo Rotz. 

He attended New Castle schools and retired in 1984 as a millwright at Sharon Tube Co. after 30 years.

Mr. Rotz was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sharon.

He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of VFW Post 7597, the Italian Home and the Croation Club, all of Farrell; and VFW Shenango Valley Post 1338, American Legion Post 299 and the Elks Lodge, all of Sharon.

He enjoyed dancing and cooking for the German Home, the Sharon Tube Co. Golf League and catering private parties. He also was an avid card and bingo player. 

Survivors include a son, Robert Joseph Rotz of Sharon; a daughter, Tammie Detwiler of Mansfield, Ohio; a brother, Anthony Rotz of Butler; three grandchildren; and his companion, Verla Bradian, with whom he made his home.

On Feb. 6, 1954, he married Eleanor “Pee Wee” Negrea. She died April 26, 1997. Two brothers, including his twin brother, and two sisters also preceded him in death.

ROTZ - Friends of Joseph Anthony Rotz, who died Monday, June 3, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME, 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Visitation also will be from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sharon, where services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Douglas Dayton, church rector, officiating. Burial, with military graveside military honors, will be at St. Ann Cemetery, Hermitage. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 700 Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
 
 

Joseph Anthony Reep

Joseph Anthony Reep, 23, of Butler died Saturday, June 1, 2002.

Born March 23, 1979, in Butler, he was the son of John A. and Norma S. Ramos Reep.

He was a 1997 graduate of Butler High School and worked at Wise Business Forms.

Mr. Reep was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Center Township.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Surviving are his parents of Butler; his girlfriend, Tristian Jewart; a brother, Chris Reep of Butler; his paternal grandparents, Charles and Margaret Reep of Butler; and his great-uncle and great-aunt, Ruben and Grace Cajigus of California.

A memorial Mass was celebrated today at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Cadet, c/o Trooper Michaliski, PSP, 200 Barracks Road, Butler, PA 16001.

YOUNG FUNERAL HOME handled arrangements.
 

Ruth Ann Slevin Jerome

Ruth Ann Slevin Jerome, 69, of Ellwood City died Monday at her home after a long illness

Born in Ellwood City, Oct. 5, 1932, she was the daughter of Bertilla Kossler and Edward R. Slevin.

A 1954 graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, she held a variety of supervisory positions at Passavant Health and Retirement Center in Zelienople, and retired as director of nursing in January 1998 after 20 years.

She enjoyed needlework and gardening; and all things Italian and Italy.

She is survived by her husband, Albert Jerome, to whom she was married for 47 years; three daughters, Toni Bezek of North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Dr. Karen Jerome-Zapadka of Beaver Falls, and Maura Carney of Ellwood City; and two sons, Mark Jerome of Cranberry Township and Darrell Jerome of Washington, D.C.; and a sister, Helen Sockaci of Fombell. Eleven grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by a son and two brothers.

JEROME - Friends of Ruth Ann Slevin Jerome, who died Monday, June 3, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at MARSHALL’S FUNERAL HOME, Ellwood City. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer Church, St. Agatha Worship Site, Ellwood City. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Women’s Center of Beaver County.
 

Lloyd E. Wilson Jr.

Lloyd E. Wilson Jr., 81, of Lower Burrell died at 6:40 p.m. Monday at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Jefferson Township, where he had lived for three months. 

Born July 10, 1920, in Tarentum, he was the son of Lloyd E. Sr. and Marie Bowman Wilson.

A 1939 graduate of Tarentum High School, he lived in Lower Burrell since 1949 and retired as a mail carrier in Tarentum in 1979 after 30 years.

Mr. Wilson was a member and deacon of the Grace Community Presbyterian Church of Lower Burrell. He also belonged to the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Lower Burrell VFW Post and was an honorary life member of Highland Hose Co. of Tarentum.

During World War II, he served with the Army in France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and received the Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster and four battle stars.

He enjoyed fishing and doing yard work.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Audrey K. Sims Wilson; two sons, James W. Wilson of Arnold and David L. Wilson of Buffalo Township; a daughter, Mrs. Marcia Sackett of Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two brothers, Robert G. Wilson of Tarentum and Roy E. Wilson of Natrona Heights. 

WILSON - Friends of Lloyd E. Wilson Jr., who died Monday, June 3, 2002, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at DUSTER FUNERAL HOME, 10th Avenue at Corbet Street, Tarentum. 

A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral Home. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, Lower Burrell. The Rev. Kenneth Foust, church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be a Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.

The Lower Burrell VFW will hold a memorial service at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Full military honors will be provided by the Tarentum VFW.

Memorial donations may be made to Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell, PA 15068.
 

Ethel I. Beilstein Swigart 

Ethel I. Beilstein Swigart, 87, of Fenelton died at 10:05 p.m. Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Craigsville, May 31, 1915, she was the daughter of Michael and Mary Jones Kile.

She worked at Rodger’s Dairy Queen on Route 8 in Center Township for 13 years and retired in 1978.

Mrs. Swigart was a member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Chicora and Worthington Senior centers and the American Association of Retired Persons and was a life member of the Saxonburg VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Bert (Bonnie) George of Paulden, Ariz., and Mrs. Jack (Lois) Schnur of Champion, Fayette County; three sons, Richard Beilstein of Freeport Road, Larry Beilstein of Evans City and Ronald Beilstein of Herman; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Carl (Emma) Protzman and Mrs. Carl (Sandra) Hilderbrand, both of Butler; and two stepsons, William Swigart of Karns City and Donald Swigart of Maricopa, Ariz.

Two stepbrothers, Alfred and Wallace Nulph, both of Butler; and three half-sisters, Ruby Shearer and Lela Revetti, both of Wampum, and Alberta Newton of Florida also survive.

In addition, she is survived by 19 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. 

Her first husband, Earl “Pete” Beilstein, whom she married July 11, 1933, died Feb. 18, 1972; and her second husband, Abraham Swigart, whom she married Oct. 10, 1978, died April 15, 1998. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, stepson, sister, two half-sisters, stepbrother and two half-brothers.

SWIGART - Friends of Ethel I. Beilstein Swigart, who died Monday, June 3, 2002, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., with the Rev. Richard Leseganich, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Worthington Lutheran Cemetery.
 

Ethel A. Steiner 

Ethel A. Steiner, 78, of Sarver died Tuesday at her home.

Born in Sardis, Westmoreland County, Feb. 2, 1924, she was the daughter of Plummer G. and Daisy Wilhelm Silvis.

She had been a bookkeeper at Steve Hranica Refuse and Bachman’s Hardware in Saxonburg.

Mrs. Steiner was a member of the Sassy Seniors and the Saxonburg Golden Agers.

She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, making afghans and gardening, and was an avid cinema fan.

Surviving are two sons, Robert J. Steiner of Butler and Timothy H. Steiner of Tarentum; two sisters, Marsha Steiner Fox Patterson of Saxonburg and Sandra Steiner Jones of Tarentum; a brother, Albert Silvis of North Washington; and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold J. Steiner, who died April 9, 1969; a son; and two sisters.

STEINER - Friends of Ethel A. Steiner, who died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg. There will be no evening visitation on Thursday due to the Saxonburg carnival parade.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Barry Keurulainen, pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran church of Cabot, officiating. Burial will be at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Saxonburg Library.
 

Mabel M. Hoffman Silk 

Mabel M. Hoffman Silk, 87, formerly of 540 Bredin St., died at 9:23 p.m. Tuesday at Saxony Health Care Center, Saxonburg.

Born in Connoquenessing Township, April 20, 1915, she was the daughter of Edward John and Delphine Mabel Stewart Hoffman.

She was a homemaker and a Protestant.

Surviving are a son, Gary T. Silk of Butler; a daughter Patricia L. “Patty” Keene of Fenelton; and a sister, Mrs. Pearl Brandon of Zelienople. She also is survived by two grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and a number of nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Burton T. Silk, died March 23, 1998. Four brothers, six sisters and a granddaughter also preceded her in death.

SILK - Friends of Mabel M. Hoffman Silk, who died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.
 

Larry Seaton

Larry Seaton, 60, of Eau Claire died May 28 while visiting his stepdaughter in Sante Fe, Texas.

Born Nov. 26, 1941, in Butler County, he was the son of Paul Seaton and Aldene Scott Seaton.

He retired from the Navy in 1978 after 20 years. He then worked at the Naval Air Technical Support Facility in Norfolk, Va., until October 1990.

Mr. Seaton was a life member of Paul W. Wood VFW Post 7940 in Hilliards and the Moniteau Ceremonial Squad.

He served two terms on the Eau Claire Borough Council, was park president for Eau Claire Parks and Recreation and was a volunteer at Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas, for the past two seasons.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Ross McGarvey Seaton, whom he married March 30, 1991; two sons, Mark Seaton of Emlenton and Jeff Seaton of Norfolk; two daughters, Tracy Seaton of Park City, Utah, and Heather Seaton of Chicago, Ill.; three stepchildren, Mrs. Mike (Kimberly) Noblit of East Brady, Kris McGarvey of Sante Fe and Matthew McGarvey of Vista, Calif.; and a sister, Mrs. Ernest (Patricia) Fellows of Petrolia. Ten grandchildren and a great-granddaughter also survive.

SEATON - There will be no visitation. A memorial service for Larry Seaton, who died Tuesday, May 28, 2002, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethel Methodist Church, Eau Claire. The Rev Gary Donaldson, pastor of Cloe United Methodist Church of Punxsutawney, will officiate. Burial will be private. 

Military honors at the church will be provided by the Moniteau Ceremonial Squad.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of Western Pennsylvania, 154 Hindman Road Butler, PA 16001.

Arrangements are by the YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, West Sunbury.
 

Norma A. Stover Master

Norma A. Stover Master, 96, of Zelienople, formerly of Chestnut Ridge Road, Richland Township, Clarion County, died at 6 p.m. Monday at St. Francis Medical Center North, Cranberry Township.

Born June 10, 1905, in Licking Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth Meals Stover. 

Mrs. Master was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing. She also had been the tax assessor for Richland Township for years and drove a school bus for the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District for 15 years.

During World War II, she was a Gray Lady at Deshon Hospital, now the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She also was a lathe operator at CPT in Franklin, where she made airplane parts and worked as a laborer on the B&O Railroad.

She was an active member of St. Petersburg United Methodist Church and belonged to the Golden Rule Club of Alum Rock. 

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Richard (Beatrice A.) Kelly, with whom she made her home for the past 5½ years, Barbara L. McMaster of Valencia and Mrs. William (Linda K.) Allen of Garden Grove, Calif. She also is survived by 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. 

Her husband, Francis “Pete” Master, whom she married Feb. 13, 1926, in Butler, died in May 1992. Two brothers, five sisters and a granddaughter also preceded her in death.

MASTER - Friends of Norma A. Stover Master, who died Monday, June 3, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at CHRISTOPHER M. HILE FUNERAL HOME, St. Petersburg, Clarion County. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Myers, her church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Callensburg Cemetery. 
 

Keith M. White 

Keith M. White, 89, of 145 Royal Oak Drive, Penn Township, died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in New Bethlehem on July 31, 1912, he was a son of John C. and Anna Milliron White.

Mr. White was a 1931 graduate of Butler High School, where he was a starting football player. He received a bachelor of science degree from the former Slippery Rock State Teachers College, where he ran track. He also received a master of education degree in school administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

He began his teaching career in 1939 with Natrona Heights Junior High School, where he served four years as football and basketball coach.

From 1943 to 1953, Mr. White taught biology, chemistry, physics, health and physical education at Penn Township High School. He also served as athletic director and coached varsity basketball for girls and boys. He served as supervising principal of the Penn Township School District from 1953 to 1957.

Mr. White served as principal of Winfield Township High School from 1957 to 1958, the year before Knoch High School in Saxonburg opened. In 1960, he joined the Knoch faculty as a science teacher, serving until his retirement in 1973. He was a founding member of Knoch’s first local bargaining unit for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

For 20 years, Mr. White served as a volunteer counselor with disadvantaged youth for the Rotary Juvenile Clinic in Butler. He was a charter member of Connoquenessing Lions Club, and his favorite hobbies were reading, gardening and golf.

Mr. White attended the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills in recent years. For most of his life he was a member of the North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church near his home in Penn Township.

He is survived by a son, John A. White of Rumson, N.J.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a niece. He is also survived by special friend Beulah Byers.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Blair White, whom he married June 27, 1939, and died July 11, 1994; four sisters and four brothers. 

WHITE — Friends of Keith M. White, who died Sunday, June 2, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler. Officers and members of the Connoquenessing Lions Club will meet at the funeral home at 6:45 p.m. Friday for a special service. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church on Beacon Road in Penn Township. Wayne Spear, a retired professor with the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, will officiate. Burial will be in North Union Reformed Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Connoquenessing Lions Club, c/o 222 Byers Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061.
 

Nellie A. Weaver 

Nellie A. Weaver, 94, of 122 Main St. in Worthington, Armstrong County, died Wednesday at her home.

Born Dec. 8, 1907, in Salem, Pa., she was the daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth Shick Shafer.

Mrs. Weaver was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and working outdoors.

She was a member of the Worthington Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Weaver is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ray (Loretta) Dougherty of Butler; her twin sister, Mrs. Della Hepler Williams of Martinsburg; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Randall H. Weaver, who died June 22, 1963; three sons; 11 brothers and sisters; and a grandson.

WEAVER — Friends of Nellie A. Weaver, who died Wednesday, June 5, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME 201 E. Cunningham St. in Butler. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Ron Shafer, Mrs. Weaver’s nephew, officiating. Burial will be in the Worthington Lutheran Cemetery.
 
 
Emma Love-Shotton

Emma Larue Beers Love- Shotton, 87, of 154 Lardintown Road, Sarver, died Wednesday at UPMC-St. Margaret in Aspinwall.

Born Oct. 3, 1914, in Meredith, Armstrong County, she was a daughter of Charles and Grace P. Cogley Beers.

Mrs. Love-Shotton was a homemaker as well as a cook and waitress at the former Gino and John’s Tavern in West Tarentum.

She was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Tarentum, and she enjoyed reading.

Mrs. Love-Shotton is survived by four sons, Harvey Love of Natrona Heights, William Love of McDonough, Ga., Robert Love of South Buffalo Township and Thomas Love of Creighton; three daughters, Ethel Dereani of Harwick, Mrs. Mary Ellen Emerick of Monroe, Ga. and Mrs. Kathryn Kenny of Clinton Township; 22 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ira Love; second husband, John Shotton; four brothers; a sister; and a stepbrother.

LOVE-SHOTTON — Friends of Emma Larue Beers Love-Shotton, who died Wednesday, June 5, 2002, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the DUSTER FUNERAL HOME, 10th Avenue and Corbet Street, Tarentum. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Eric L. Nulph, pastor of the Word of Faith Christian Fellowship Church in Natrona Heights, officiating. Burial will be in Mount Airy Cemetery in Natrona Heights. 
 

Helen L. DiVito

Helen L. DiVito, 85, of the Trinity Living Center in Grove City, formerly of Slippery Rock and Grove City, died at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday at the center. 

Born May 28, 1917, in Slippery Rock, she was a daughter of Edward D. and Lottie J. Bell Moyer.

Mrs. DiVito was a 1935 graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

She was the manager of the Hostess Shop at the former Bashline Hospital in Grove City and did volunteer work at the United Community Hospital in Pine Township, Mercer County.

She was a member of the Tower Presbyterian Church in Grove City and of the Grove City Eagles Club auxiliary.

Mrs. DiVito is survived by several nieces, including Janice A. Cornelius, with whom she lived in Slippery Rock before moving to the Trinity Living Center; and several nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel J. DiVito, whom she married Oct. 11, 1950, and who died Jan. 23, 1972; and by a sister.

DIVITO — There will be no visitation for Helen L. DiVito, who died Wednesday, June 5, 2002. Friends may attend a memorial service at 7 p.m. Monday at the JAMISON FUNERAL HOME, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville, with the Rev. E. Jean Atwell of the Full Gospel Lighthouse Church of Wesley, Pa., officiating. Burial will be in Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township, Mercer County.

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