Articles by Marshall Funeral Home

Emma L. Blaskowitz, 70, of Second St, Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at her home. Born August 14, 1947 in Ellwood City, she was daughter of the late John and Lorena (Gifford) Lutz, Sr. She is survived by her husband of 44 years Dennis P. Blaskowitz, married September 8, 1973. Emma worked at many companies throughout her life including Mathews Conveyor, the Holiday Inn, Perrone’s Restaurant, Indian Creek Nursing Home and Eat-n-Park. She also graduated from the School of Cosmetology in Poland Springs, ME, with Job Corps. She also assisted her husband in the operations…

Roger Johnston, 83, of Morningstar Dr., Ellwood City passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Hospice Beaver following a brief illness. Born January 18, 1935 in Wampum, PA, he was the son of the late Marcus and Dorothy Johnston. He was married on April 12, 1958 to Virginia Ursu Johnston. She survives. Roger was a graduate of Wampum High School. Following graduation he was a member of the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. He retired as a craneman at the Babcock & Wilcox Company, Koppel Plant. Roger’s most precious time was spent with his family. Survivors include two…

Catherine Peffer Best, 63, of West Washington St, New Castle (formerly of Ellwood City) passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born July 12, 1954 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Donald R. and Edith M. Craven Peffer. Catherine graduated from Lincoln High School. Her most cherished time was spent with her family. Survivors include two daughters, Tami (James) Peffer-Palmer of Ellwood City, Jennifer (Luis) Nunez of New Castle; three sons, Justin (Emily) Best of Raleigh, NC, Joshua (Lesley) Best of Jacksonville, NC, Skylar (Shealyn) Peffer of New…

Margaret E. “Peg” McBride, 86, of New Galilee passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Avalon Place. She was born March 11, 1931 and was the daughter of the late Mack and Minnie Minteer Cotton. She graduated from Mt. Jackson High School. Peg married Mont McBride on August 26, 1949 and they enjoyed 63 years together until his death on January 8, 2013. Peg was a homemaker and cherished her family. Peg loved living on the farm and the country life. She enjoyed flowers, especially day lilies and iris and pie baking. Peg was a member of Moravia Presbyterian Church…

Frank Pitelka, 89, of Hazel Ave., Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Ellwood City Hospital. He was born May 9, 1928 in Apatin, Yugoslavia to the late Mathias and Elisabeth Hauk Pitelka.  Frank graduated from high school in Apatin in 1944. On September 11, 1948, he married Frieda Theresia Viola in Ried im Inkreis in Austria. They emigrated to the United States in December 1951 and moved to Ellwood City in May of 1952 when he started employment at the Aetna Standard, where he worked until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of…

Mary E. “Betsy” Kriegisch, 57, of Brown Rd., Ellwood City passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Although in ill health, her death was unexpected. Born December 7, 1960 in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Terrance Laykish and Donna McGovern Laykish Taormina of Brighton Twp. She was married for 35 years to Randall J. Kriegisch who survives. Betsy graduated from Rochester High School in 1979. She formerly had worked at Giant Eagle, McDonalds, and had been a lunch monitor at Riverside School District. She was affiliated with Holy Redeemer Church. Betsy truly enjoyed watching…

Thomas L. Goebel, 75, of Wayne Twp. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 18, 2018 following a brief battle with leukemia. Born December 26, 1942 in Wayne Twp., he was the son of the late Gus and Mabel Lechner Goebel. Tom was married for 52 years to Karen Chappell Goebel who survives. He retired as a crane man from Babcock and Wilcox after 25 years of services. He then drove school bus for 24 years. Tom was a lifelong active member of the Chewton Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and…