Obituaries

Mr. Robert J. Sappie, 92, of Wampum passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019, peacefully at his home in New Castle. Mr. Sappie was born on January 21, 1927, in Pittsburgh to the late Harry and Teresa (Guger) Sappie. Following high school, Robert enlisted with the U.S. Army on April 27, 1945, and served with the 350th Infantry Regiment as a Heavy Machine Gunner until his discharge on December 15, 1946, with the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. While living in Pittsburgh, Robert…

Judith A. Strohecker, 69, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019 at UPMC Passavant following a lengthy illness. Born November 11, 1949 in Spangler, PA, she was the daughter of the late Francis C. and Ethel Jean Miller Greene. She was married to Stanley E Strohecker for 48 years. He survives. Judith attended Riverside High School. She worked as a clerk at Trader Horn’s and then at TJ Maxx. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church. She loved her grandchildren and cherished time spent with them. In addition to her husband, survivors include a daughter, Cynthia (Bill)…

David M. Fisher, 44, of Ellwood City passed away Saturday, April 13, 2019 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital following an apparent heart attack. Born July 27, 1974 in the Jameson Hospital in New Castle, he was the son of the late Clyde Fisher and Ria Hookway Fisher of New Castle. He married Amy Cooper Fisher on May 26, 2006. She survives. David graduated from the Lawrence County Vo-Tech in 1993. He was employed as an Equipment Operator at North American ForgeMasters in New Caste. He enjoyed camping. David’s most cherished time was spent with his family. In addition to his mother…

Linda  L. Prestia, 57, of Bessemer PA, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 9 2019 at her daughter’s home in Bessemer. She was born in Ellwood City on December 28 1961 to the late Herman L. and Lydia M. Mathes Simmons. Linda  is survived by her husband Ronald Prestia in Michigan; and by her  children:  Judy Jacobs of Bessemer;   Valerie Oscar of Ronceverte, WV;    Roy Oscar, Jr.  and Michael Oscar both of of Marlinton, WV. Also surviving are Step Children:     Autumn Degood and Ron Prestia, Jr.,  both in   Michigan. Seven Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren survive, …

Christine L. “Gaga” Schaeffer, 58, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, April 5, 2019, at the UPMC Jameson Hospital. Christine was born on August 30, 1960, in Kittanning, Pa to the late Frank Schaeffer and Sarah G. (Mitchell) O’Conner. Following her graduation from Kittanning High School Christine served briefly with the U.S. Army. She had worked as a manager for the Ellwood City Burger King, and most recently she was working for Don’s Services in New Castle as a home health care provider. She is a member of the Double Dealin Cafe dart and pool teams and the Ellwood…

Robert W. Allen, 90, of Wampum passed away Monday, April 8, 2019 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Born April 14, 1928 in Isle, PA, he was the son of the late Robert O.and Irma M. (Cress) Allen. Bob graduated from Wampum High School. In 1947, Bob began installing wallpaper and continued for the next 50 years. He also worked and retired from Babcock and Wilcox with 30 years of service. He was a member of the Wampum Presbyterian Church, the Free and Accepted Masons, and the Syria Shrine of Pittsburgh. He served in the Army as a…

Barbara J. Harris, 68, of Poland, Ohio passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, April 8, 2019 at her residence. Barbara was born January 13, 1951 in Ellwood City, PA, the daughter of the late William Ray and Katherine (Paul) Johns. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968 and from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1994 and a Master of Arts in English in 2001. Barbara began her career as a secretary for the FBI in Washington, DC. She moved to the Youngstown area in the early 1970s and worked for…

Virgil   H. Blinn,  98, of Ellwood City (Wurtemburg), passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, April 8 2019, at his home. He was born in Frisco (Franklin Twp.)  on July 2 1920 , to the late Howard and Edith McDanel Blinn. He  served in the US Army  during  WWII as a truck driver in the 2nd Armored Division,  receiving four  stars for the battles of Northern France,  the  Rhineland and the Battle of the Bulge  in 1944.   An Ellwood City Ledger article of April 20 2015 described Blinn’s service including enduring German V-1 buzz bombs. Virgil was a longtime active member…

Marilou Brown, 86, of North Sewickley Twp., Beaver Falls passed away Saturday, April 5, 2019 at Providence Care Center. Born September 13, 1932 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Pearl Gallaher Boots. She was married to her loving husband, Robert Lee Brown for 65 years. He survives. Marilou very much enjoyed her many years of service as a child care assistant in the nursery department at McGuire Memorial Home. She loved her country and enjoyed assisting the Yellow Ribbon Girls make care packages for our Troops. She also enjoyed life on their farm in…