Obituaries

Mr. Ira R. Snyder, 85, of North Sewickley Township passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the Grove at Harmony Care Center, Harmony, PA. Mr. Snyder was born on April 15, 1935 in Rochester, PA to the late Amelia (Noski) and Charles Snyder. Ira attended Beaver Falls High School and graduated with the class of 1953. He had worked as a machinist at the Babcock & Wilcox steel mill in Koppel until he retired. Then he worked another 20 years as a janitor at Trinity Lutheran Church where he attended. He was a black belt in Karate, he loved to…

Thomas L. Martz, 88, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Carriage Court following a short illness. Born May 26, 1931 in Emerickville, PA, he was the son of the late Frank T. and Mary (Shields) Martz . He was married to Patti J. Milliren for 61 years until her passing in 2015. After graduating from High School, Tom served in the Marine Corp during the Korean War. Following his discharge and moving to Ellwood City in 1958, he began his career in banking. He served as loan officer, was promoted to vice-president and treasurer of Ellwood…

Donald A. Lemke, 93, of Ellwood City, PA, formerly of Austintown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020 at Heritage Valley Beaver Medical Center. He was the son of the late Arthur H. and Minnie Scherer Lemke and was born on January 27, 1927 in Youngstown, OH. He is survived by his loving wife, of 22 years, Ann Vignovich Lemke, of Ellwood City, three sons: Donald A. Lemke, of Houston, TX, Keith A. Lemke and his wife Mary Ann, of Austintown, OH, and Gene Lemke of Melbourne, FL;  and numerous multi-talented and greatly cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and…

Mr. Alvin Lester Schaffer, 81, of Fombell passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 ( which was also his mother’s birthday) at his residence, with his loving family at his bedside. Mr. Schaffer was born on July 6, 1938 in Muddy Creek Twp. to the late Frank P. and Christina K. (Quiring) Schaffer. Alvin retired from WR Grace in New Castle in 1991 working there for 30 years. Alvin was always busy. He loved to mow grass, cut down trees and work with his high lift, and loved to hunt. He has a certificate for getting a turkey, a deer,…

Sharen A. Atkins ,73, of Fairview School Rd. Ellwood City, passed away May 10, 2020, at her residence following a lengthy illness. Born January 2, 1947 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of Ethel Wallis Snare and the late Russell Snare. She was married to Harry “Curt” Atkins Jr. for 54 1/2 years, he survives. Sharen was a graduate of Lincoln High School, class of ’64. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping at RV Village in Mercer, PA. Watching her grandkids’ sporting events has been the joy of her life. Her most precious time was spent with her…

Mary C. “Little Miss Mary” McKerahan, 73, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at her residence. Mary was born on March 10, 1947 in Pittsburgh. She was a nurse at the Passavant Lutheran Home for 21 years until her retirement. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church where she was a dedicated volunteer at the Holy Redeemer Food Bank. Her fellow volunteers described her as very energetic, enthusiastic, and would run circles around them, and that they will greatly miss her. Little Miss Mary will be extremely missed by her family. Survivors include two…

Roberta Mae “Bobbye” Kennedy, 95, of Slippery Rock Twp. passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the Haven Nursing Home. Born October 14, 1924 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mabel (Main) Kirkham. She was married to Lester Ray Kennedy for 61 years when he passed away April 29, 2008. Bobbye graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942. She was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church where she taught the pre-kindergarten class for 40 years. Her life revolved around the church and their activities. She enjoyed shopping. Bobbye cherished time spent with her…