Obituaries

Robert J. McConahy, 80, of Boyd School Rd., Wampum (Shenango Twp.) passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Curahealth – Heritage Valley Hospital following a one month illness. Born October 25, 1936 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Ida Glenala Johnston McConahy. He was married for 47 years to Nancy Barber McConahy who survives. Bob was member of the Local Teamsters # 261, he drove truck and retired from Russell Trucking. He was a member of the Clinton United Methodist Church. Bob enjoyed farming, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed riding horses and…

Shirley J. Slaugenhaupt, 84, of Union Twp., New Castle, formerly of Squaw Run Rd. Ellwood City, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born October 5, 1932 in Rimersburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Mae Hollobaugh Stanford. She was married for 55 years to Harvey E. Slaugenhaupt who passed away January 6, 2009. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She volunteered for the Meals on Wheels Program in Ellwood City for many years. She was Presbyterian by faith. Survivors include two daughters, Diane Freson…

Zachary L. “Zack” Sockaci of Fombell passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday evening, November 23, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born February 19, 1922 in Park Gate (Ellwood City) to the late John D. Sockaci and Adrienne (Pelissier) Sockaci. Zack graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939. He enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1942 and achieved the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd Class and served on submarine patrol in the North Atlantic. He was discharged in December of 1945. He married Helen L. Slevin of Ellwood City April 10, 1944….

Nancy M. Peffer, 70, of Perry Twp. Ellwood City passed away Monday, November 21, 2016 at the Trinity Oaks Nursing Home in Brighton Twp. Born November 13, 1946 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Dorothy Rough Koscho. She was married on October 26, 1968 to Warren Peffer who survives. Nancy was a member of the Wurtemburg United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Middle Lancaster. Her most cherished time was spent with her family. In addition to her husband, survivors include three sons, Steven (Lori) Peffer of…

Janice McClymonds, 74, of McClymonds Lane, Portersville passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the Evergreen Nursing Center following a lengthy illness. Born March 3, 1942 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late William Cecil and Pearl Duncan Miller. Janice worked as a floral designer at many local flower shops including the former Jean Flower Shop in Ellwood, Mussig’s in Zelienople, and Shackelford and Maxwell’s in Cranberry Twp. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School Class of 1961 and a member of the First Church of God. Janice enjoyed cooking for family dinners and decorating. She…

Cindy Lynn Watson was a loving wife, doting mother and grandmother, and longtime Lancaster Township official, who will be long remembered for her willingness to freely draw from an incredible well of generosity and love. She passed away Nov. 18 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 54. Cindy’s life was typified by unconditional love, grace and genuine hospitality. She cared about others deeply and was always on watch for someone in need, whether she knew them or not. In ways great and small, she gave without reservation to all who crossed her path. In every…

Eugene Bessell, 84, of Wampum passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Born August 6, 1932 in Wampum, he was the son of the late Harrison and Della May Martin Bessell. He was married for 64 years to Bonnie L. Mohr Bessell. She survives. Eugene retired in 1994 from Penn Power following 37 years of dedicated service. He was a Veteran of the Army serving during the Korean War from 1953-1955. He was a former member of the American Legion Post 749 in Wampum. Eugene graduated with the 1950 Class of…

Frank J. Wehman, 75, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Passavant Lutheran Senior Life in Zelienople. Born August 30, 1941 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Alvi Charles Wehman and Violet M. Wiley Luchka. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph H. and Michael Wehman, his sister, Sherry L. Weigel, and step brothers, Donald and Richard Pitts, and step sister, Loretta Marshall. Frank attended Lincoln High School and left to join the Navy at the age of 17. Upon returning home from service, he…