Obituaries

Helen J. Zeh, 92, of New Beaver Boro passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at her home following a short illness. Born April 24, 1924 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Joseph H. and Nancy H. “Dimple” Davis Wilson. She was married for 68 years to William C. Zeh, who survives. Helen was an active member of the Wampum Presbyterian Church. She was also a lifelong active member and former officer of the Big Beaver/ Mahoning Valley Grange. She was a member of the Grange Campers Club and Ladies Club….

James G. Santis, 90,   of Frederick,  Maryland, formerly  of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a brief illness on Wednesday evening, December 21, 2016 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital in  Frederick MD. He was born in Ellwood City,  on February 8, 1926 to the late Dimitrios and Vasiliki Santis. James  proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning his High School GED while in service.  He graduated from Robert Morris College and led an adventurous life:    planning, seeing, doing, and building many great things, usually for the enjoyment of others.  Jim…

Harold Lee Gwin, Sr, 92 of North Beaver Twp passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, in Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver, Pa following a brief illness. Mr. Gwin was born May 28, 1924 in North Beaver Twp, a son of Edwin Lee and Matilda H. Hopper Gwin. He was a 1942 graduate of Mount Jackson High School and was known as something of a lead foot, earning the nickname “Barney Oldfield” after the American pioneer auto racer whose name was synonymous with speed. He was a veteran of WWII and entered the military in 1943, serving 2 years with the…

Freda Mae Cooper Brenneman, 85, of Greenville, SC, formerly of Portersville, PA, strongly and confidently walked into heaven and was welcomed by her loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 17, 2016. Born March 19, 1931 in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Dean and Lena Stickle Cooper. Freda was married for 52 years to John Jarvis Brenneman who passed away in 2014. Freda was retired from Bob Jones University where she faithfully served in Accounts Payable for 31 years. Gracious, kind, loving, selfless; these are a few of the attributes that describe Freda and her life….

Donald Lee “Gabby” Hays, 78, of Mottern Rd., Chicora (Oakland Twp.) passed away Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Oakland following a lengthy illness. Born October 13, 1938 in Donegal, Butler County, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mabel Rodgers Hays. He was married for 59 years to Judy Mottern Hays who survives. Gabby worked at Pullman Standard and then at Trinity. He then owned and operated many different businesses in the Butler Area. He was a member of the North Butler Presbyterian Church. A Veteran of the Army, he was a member…