Articles by Marshall Funeral Home

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, 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. “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, 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…

Ronald R. McCready Sr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at his home in Kingsville, MD surrounded by the ones he loves most. Ron was born on July 2, 1951 in New Castle, PA to the late James Arthur and Bertha Mae McCready (nee Murphy). He will be laid to rest at a private ceremony at the family cemetery in PA. He is survived by his amazing wife of 43 years, Carole (nee McGonigle), son Rusty and wife Maria, daughter Kelly (Rawleigh) and husband Brian, 6 amazing grandchildren; Kaylee, Eric, Jaxon, Landon, Owen and Jordan, his brother Jimmy…

Charles L. “Chuck” Shearer, 99, of New Beaver Borough, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 9, 2020 at his residence. He was born June 7, 1921 in the Clinton-Possum Hollow area of Wampum to the late Harry and Ida (Davis) Shearer. He was married to G. Eileen Boots for 78 years. She survives. Chuck retired from Babcock and Wilcox as a millwright following 40 years of service. He was an active member of First Assembly of God Church in New Castle. Chuck was a jack-of-all-trades and could do most everything….

Russell E. Barge, 66, of New Castle, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away at Jameson Hospice at Jameson Hospital following a 3-month battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Howard L. and Rose Mary (Frisk) Barge of Ellwood City. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his domestic partner of over 30 years Joyce Rigotti. Mr. Barge attended Riverside High School where he was an accomplished swim team diving champion, he competed in meets at many regional colleges and universities. Russell, known to many as “Rusty”, was a gunsmith for several years. He was…

Ruth E. Kuntz, 98, of Ellwood City passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at her residence. Born October 7, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Martha (Barkley) McClymonds . She was married to the late George Kuntz. They were married in November of 1950 in the middle of the snow of 1950 by a snow plow driver at the Dixie Inn in Portersville. Ruth graduated in 1939 from Portersville High School. She was the last surviving graduate from her class. Following high school, she helped a family raise ten kids and worked at Humphrey’s Store (Cals’)….

Bessie Elizabeth “Betty” Rafacz, 89, of Wampum passed away peacefully Monday, August 31, 2020 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital in New Castle following an extended illness. Born April 1, 1931 in Coalport, PA, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Vanda (Gmerek) Stiles Sr. She was married to Henry J. Rafacz for 66 years, he survives. Betty was a member of the former St. Monica’s Parish in Wampum, and more recently Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City. She formerly worked at Airway Luggage and Shenango Pottery. She also cleaned St. Monica’s for several years. Betty’s truest love was being…

James R. Marshall, 62, of Fombell went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, August 30, 2020 following a brief illness. Born September 28, 1957 in Ellwood City, he was the son of William R. Marshall and the late Eva (Harriet) Marshall who passed away in 2016. He was married for 39 years to Becky (Pelloni) Marshall as they were married January 3, 1981. She survives. Jim graduated from Vo-Tech High School in 1976. He was a talented florist, owner and designer of the former Bittersweet Shop in Ellwood City and Amaryllis in Cranberry. He was a member…