Articles by Marshall Funeral Home

Brant Cooper, 55

Brant Cooper, 55, of Marion Township went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Heritage Valley in Beaver. Born December 18, 1964 in Ellwood City, he was the son of John Sr. and Betty Hawke Cooper of Fombell. He was married to Janice Douglas Cooper. Brant was a member of Concord United Methodist Church. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed muscle cars. Prior to being paralyzed, he loved his job as a carpenter. His children and grandchildren gave him the greatest joy. Along with his wife and parents, survivors include two daughters, Jaclyn (Mark) Reader…


William G. O’Brien, 90

William G. O’Brien, 90, of Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at his residence following a brief illness. Born November 1, 1929 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late George and Grace Stiefel O’Brien. He was married to Mary Joan O’Brien until her death on June 26, 2006. Bill was a graduate of Lincoln High School. A veteran, serving four years in the Navy. He retired from the B & W in Beaver Falls after 37 years, working as the coal drawer inspector. An avid Steeler fan, he played football throughout his life, as a…


Joyce M. Kraynak, 71

Joyce M. Kraynak, 71 of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at her residence. Born March 22, 1949 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Virgil and Dorothy Chapman Newton . She was married to Ron Kraynak for 46 years, he survives. Joyce owned and operated the Homestead Bar in Ellwood City for 10 years. She was a member of the Keystone II women’s pool team and the treasurer of the pool league. She was a bus driver for the Ellwood City School District. Joyce attended the First Baptist Church in Ellwood City. She…


James A. Gallaher Sr, 84

James A. Gallaher Sr., 84, of Franklin Township passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia in Cabot following a brief illness. Born December 11, 1935 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John Glenn and Pearl Young Gallaher. James was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City. He retired as a master machinist; first from Blaw-Knox Manufacturing in Ellwood City and from HerrVoss until his retirement. James liked to be outdoors, hunt, and fish. He was a Steelers fan. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Survivors include four…


Mabel R. Householder, 94

Mabel R. Householder, 94, of New Beaver Borough, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2020, at Providence Care Center following a short illness. Born January 27, 1926, in Chewton, she was the daughter of the late Russell F. and Annie Bessell Murphy. She was married to Raymond Householder who passed away on December 4, 1962. Mabel graduated from Wampum High School in 1943. She was a member of the Wampum Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon and assistant treasurer. Mabel retired from Vital Records after 20 years of service. She was a former tax collector in New Beaver Borough. Mabel was…


Helen Louise Dripps, 96

Helen Louise Dripps, 96, joined her Savior on September 22, 2020. Helen had spent the last six months of her life at Locust Grove Retirement Village, Mifflin, PA. Helen was born in Wampum, PA on November 12, 1923 to William Frederick Galbreath and Alice May (Mollenkopf) Galbreath. Her children fondly remember having much fun together as a family. She would resist playing fox’n geese in the snow and then finally relenting when everyone begged for her presence. We enjoyed long games of Monopoly and hot cups of cocoa with toast when weather was too cold to go outside. In the…


Kenneth E. Burns Jr, 71

Kenneth E. Burns Jr., 71, of Franklin Township, passed away Monday, September 21, 2020 at Heritage Valley in Beaver. Born September 24, 1948 in Ellwood City, PA, he was the son of the late Kenneth E. Burns Sr. and Helen McKinney Burns, she survives. He was married to Peggy Heyslerman Burns for 51 years. Ken was a graduate of Lincoln High School in 1966. He was employed at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, where he was a computer network engineer. He was a past president and treasure of the Franklin Township Baseball Association and the Ellwood City Baseball Federation. He…


Henry J. Rafacz, 90

Henry J. Rafacz, 90, of Wampum passed away Friday, September 18, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 10, 1930 in Fallentimber, PA, he was the son of the late John and Josephine Gaul Rafacz . He was married to Bessie Elizabeth Stiles Rafacz for 66 years when she passed away August 31, 2020. Henry retired from Babcock and Wilcox Hot Finish in Beaver Falls following 33 years of service. He was an active member of the former St. Monica’s and Queen of Heaven Parish in Wampum. He was a member of the Holy Name Society…


Dorothy I. Doherty, 83

Dorothy I. “Peannie” Doherty, 83, of Wampum passed away peacefully after a short illness Monday, September 14, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born January 14, 1937 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late William G. and Sarah E. Hairhoger Barber. She was married to Edward D. Doherty for 57 years, he passed on August 23, 2015. She was a member of Clinton United Methodist Church. Peannie formerly owned and operated Doherty Personal Care Home. She enjoyed traveling and camping but her most cherished time was spent with her family. Survivors include daughter, Vivian (Jim) Champion…


Carrie E. Shaffer, 99

Carrie E. Shaffer, 99, of Shenango Twp., New Castle passed away Friday, September 11, 2020 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born January 24, 1921 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Albert Will and Elva (Rolshaus) Will. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Leslie Shaffer, a son, Albert Shaffer, sister, Helen Mottle, and a brother, Chuck Will. Carrie was formerly a member of the Greenwood Methodist Church and the Christ Gospel Church. Currently she is a member of Word Alive Church in New Castle. She played the organ and piano…