Obituaries

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…

On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, Thomas S Houk, age 63, passed into God’s care. He was born in Ellwood City, PA on May 2, 1955, to Blaine and Nancy (Markle) Houk. Tom is survived by his children, Kylee Houk, Thomas Houk Jr; Kylee’s son, Kyson, all of New Castle, PA; siblings, Becky Mondi, Jim (Nancy) Houk, Bill (Patti) Houk, Polly Houk, Dorothy Houk; nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Pat Houk. Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S Silvat Inc.

Shirley Mae Shoaf, 77, of North Beaver Twp. passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Edison Manor following an extended illness. Born March 6, 1942 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Mabel Stimple Brunswick. Shirley retired from the Overlook Medical Clinic where she was an LPN for over 50 years. She attended the former First Christian Church in New Castle. Shirley was an avid photographer and member of the New Wilmington Camera Club. She also enjoyed traveling. Survivors include her husband, Donald Shoaf Sr; three sons, John (Anna) Shoaf of Temecula, CA, Donald…

Ellen L.  Rice Remler, 99, of  Avalon Place, New Castle,  formerly of  Ellwood City (North Sewickley Twp.), passed away peacefully at  Avalon  Place on Monday morning, March 25 2019. She was born in Ellwood City on October 19 1919, to the late Oran V. Rice, and the late Ethel K. McKelvey Rice. Ellen graduated Lincoln High School in 1938, and lived in this area her entire lifetime. Ellen enjoyed reading, and playing bingo. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her husband, Charles W. Remler, who died  January 27,  2002. She was also preceded by one…