Obituaries

Emmett S. Burns, Jr., 74

Emmett S. Burns, Jr., 74, of Frisco, Ellwood City, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Ellwood City on August 29, 1941 to the late Emmett S. Burns, Sr. and the late Mary Ruth Brown Burns.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1959 and served in the U.S. Army.  Emmett ran the Majestic Theater in Ellwood and then worked at the Lawrence County Vocational Technical School for many years.    Emmett enjoyed working on genealogy on the computer, wood carving, and collecting coins and memorabilia from Rock Point…


Shirley J. D’Amico, 80

Shirley J. D’Amico, 80 of Steifel Avenue in Franklin Township passed away at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 4:22 a.m. Born in Schwartz, Pa. on Nov. 12, 1935, Shirley was the daughter of the late Edward D. and Ethel L. Stewart McDonald. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene D’Amico on July 12, 1912. They were married on June 9, 1956. Shirley worked at Kimpel’s Jewelry Store in Ellwood City and was Presbyterian by faith. Shirley was a volunteer for both the Ellwood City Relay for Life and the March of Dimes. She…


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David H. Gilchrist, 72

David H. Gilchrist, 72, of Elizabeth Twp., formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Healthcare Home Hospice in the West Penn Hospital. Born April 17, 1943 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Harold “Buss” and Estelle (Punzell) Gilchrist and beloved husband of Patty (Kennedy) Gilchrist. David began his career as a boilermaker at U.S. Steel’s Ellwood City plant, and eventually retired from the Clairton Coke Works in 2009. In his free time, David loved to spend time golfing with family and friends. In addition to his wife, David is survived by…


Dorothy M. “Dot” Marshall, 84

Dorothy M. “Dot” Marshall, 84, of Wake Forest, NC, formerly of Fombell, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, April 3 2016 at her son’s home in Wake Forest. She was born in Rochester, PA on June 7, 1931, the seventh of nine children of the late Albert  R. and Rilla Pickens Johnson.  Dorothy was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School in the class of 1950.  She married her husband of 65 years, Mervin D. Marshall, in November of 1950, who survives in North Carolina.  Dot and Merv purchased the Goehring farm in Marion Township in 1959 and spent an…


Richard A. Geer, 90

Richard A. “Arch” Geer, 90, of Perry Twp., Portersville passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the Ellwood City Hospital. Born Sept. 14, 1925 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late David and Emily Maloney Geer. He was married for 64 years to Patricia Moser Geer who survives. Richard worked at the Aetna Standard until its closure. He was a member of the First Church of God. Arch served in the Navy from 1943-1946 in the South Pacific. He was a member of the F& AM Masonic Lodge # 599 in Ellwood City. An outdoorsman, Arch enjoying…


Mary Fosnot, 97

Mary Kathryn Fosnot, 97, of Wampum passed away March 31, 2016 at Elk Haven Nursing Home in St. Marys, Pa. She is no longer wondering why she is still here on Earth as she is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus in Heaven. Mary was born in Chewton on May 2, 1918 to the late Charles and Essie Mayberry Tillia. She was married for 49 years to Russell S. Fosnot who passed away June 25, 1987. She was an active member of the Wampum United Methodist Church. She enjoyed square dancing. She is survived by a brother, Frank Tillia…


Donald “Dike” Perry, 82

Donald “Dike” Perry, 82, of Rustic Park Rd., Ellwood City (North Sewickley Twp.) passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at his residence. Born January 4, 1934 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Joseph and Pauline Minnocci Perry. He was married for 52 years to Mary Ann Leopardo Perry who survives. Dike retired as a millwright supervisor from Babcock and Wilcox in 1982. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1953. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Church and a Veteran of the US Army. An avid golfer, Dike was a member of…


Mary M. DeBlaso, 90

Mary M. DeBlaso, 90 of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in her residence with her loving family at her bedside. Mary was born on Dec. 5, 1925 in Ellwood City to the late Salvadore and Sarah Casusa LaPenta I. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1943. Mary worked for many years at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill as a seamstress. She is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish and the Christian Mothers of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Mary also belonged to the Corona D’Italia Lodge #807, the Golden Agers, and…


Jerome A. Ambrose, 83

Jerome “Jerry” A. Ambrose, 83, of Paden Road, North Beaver Twp. passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Jameson Memorial Hospital. Born Nov. 14, 1932 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he was the son of the late Henry R. and Beatrice Elizabeth Carkhuff Ambrose. He was married for 63 years to Delores “Dolly” McConnell Ambrose as they were married December 5, 1952. She survives. Jerome retired from Wampum Hardware. He was a member and former Trustee at the Moravia Presbyterian Church. Jerome was an avid hunter and fisherman. His most cherished time was spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. In addition…


Ann L. Hackett, 93

Ann L. Hackett, 93, formerly of Wampum passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at Rhodes Estates in New Castle following an extended illness. Born March 13, 1923 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Ethel Binger Ferrucci. She was married for 50 years to James W. Hackett Sr. who passed away May 19, 1996. Ann was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish. She was a sports enthusiast, especially enjoyed following Notre Dame. Survivors include two sons, James W. (Joyce) Hackett Jr. and Randy (Stacie) Hackett, and two grandchildren, James M. Hackett and Taylor J . Hackett,…