Articles by Marshall Funeral Home

Robert Thomas “Bob” “Sundance” Pyles, 88, of Zelienople (formerly of Darlington) passed away peacefully on May 16, 2021 at the Lutheran Passavant Senior living community, in the company of his wife of many years after a very brief illness. Born December 12, 1932 in Byesville Ohio to Dallas and Mary Isabelle Foley Pyles. Dallas was employed by The Jeffersonian newspaper in Cambridge, Ohio. Bob leaves his beloved wife of 70 years (married November 13, 1950) , Patricia Ann ( Myers) Pyles, three children; Kristina (Peter) Sotos MD, Randy (Sharon Berry) Pyles and Jeffrey (Joan Stahl) Pyles, two grandchildren Marcel (Scott)…

William “Bill” Welsh, 60, of Franklin Township passed away at his residence on May 2, 2021 after a courageous battle with small cell lung cancer. Born September 27, 1960 in New Brighton he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Mildred Irene Clear Welsh. He was married to Crystal Lutz Welsh. Bill was employed by A.T.I. in Zelienople as a super tradesman for over 30 years. He was a member of Lillyville Church of God. Bill liked working with his hands and could fix or build just about anything. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing,…

John W. Baker, 78, of Sewickley passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 18, 2021 at Allegheny General Hospital. Born February 16, 1943 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Robert M. and Ruth M. McNabb Baker. He was married to Linda Jock Baker for 50 years. John was a graduate of Lincoln High School in 1961. He continued his education at Grove City College. John was a veteran of the United States Army. He was an owner and partner of Windows on Washington in Northern Virginia before he returned to Sewickley. John enjoyed exercising and sports. He loved…

Linda L. McCready Willimet, 72, of Beaver Falls passed away Friday, April 16, 2021 at Allegheny General Hospital following a brief illness. Born September 10, 1948 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late John I. and Edna M. Galbreath McCready Sr. She was married to Gilbert A. Willimet for 45 years. He died on June 12, 2015. Linda was a retired employee from Beaver County Transit Authority. She enjoyed horses and spending time with her family. Her most special time was spent with her children and grandchildren. Survivors include two sons, Chris (Valerie) Willimet of Beaver Falls…

Edward Lee Roberts, 70, of Brookfield, Ohio passed away surrounded by his family at his daughter’s residence on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 following a short illness. Born February 3, 1951 in Franklin, IN, he was the son of the late Clifford Edward and Charlotte Mae Wallace Roberts. He was married to Beverly George Roberts on October 17, 1975. Ed was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in Vietnam. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He loved spending time with his many grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Beverly, survivors include two sons, Micah…

Bill G. Cunningham, 92, of New Castle passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Avalon Place after a short battle with cancer. Born March 16, 1929 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Clarence and Ina Main Cunningham. He was married to Mary Lou Tillia Cunningham for 53 years. She died on March 1, 2003. Bill graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. He retired from U.S. Steel in Ellwood City and American Bridge in Ambridge after 32 years of service. He was a long time veteran of the Shenango Township VFD. Bill attended Riverview Church in…

Retired Court of Common Pleas Judge, George Harold Hancher, passed away on April 11, 2021 at Butler Memorial Hospital. Born March 5, 1938 in Ellwood City, Lawrence County, he was the son of the late Wendell Shields Hancher and Ethel Mary Cavert Hancher. He attended Ellwood City elementary school and then graduated from the military-prep school Admiral Farragut Academy in Toms River, New Jersey in 1956. Judge Hancher was a proud alumnus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received an economics degree in 1960 and Juris Doctorate degree in 1963. He was member of the Phi Delta…

Rita Joyce (Polasik) Solbrig, 92, a longtime resident of Ellwood City, PA passed away on April 6th, 2021 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT.  Rita’s last place of residence was Guilford, CT where she had been temporarily living with her daughter, Camille Solbrig and son-in-law Michael Weiner, since July 2020.  Before the summer of 2020 she resided in Harrisburg, PA.  Rita and her husband, Charles (who passed away 3/5/17), moved to Harrisburg from Ellwood City, where they had lived since 1970, in 2014 to be near their daughter Carolyn (Solbrig) Sinisi. Born November 24th, 1928, in Chicago, IL, Rita was…