Obituaries

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…

Pamela R. Fatula, 61, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at her residence. Born March 26, 1955 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Lafe”Bud” and Joyce Gillespie Faurie. She was married for 40 years to James J. Fatula who survives. Pam was employed at the Ellwood City Hospital where she worked in the admitting and x-ray departments. She was an active member of the First Church of God where she held many offices with the Women’s Christian Group. Pam’s most cherished time was spent with her children and grandchildren In addition…

William J. “Bud” Latimer, 86, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, December 16 2016 at Northview Estates in Ellwood City. He was born January 23 1930 to the late Harry L. and Myrtle McDeavitt Latimer, in Ellwood City. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, with the class of 1948. He received a Bachelors degree in English in 1952 from Geneva College, and a Masters in Education from Westminster College in 1960. He taught 11th grade English at Lincoln High School from 1955-1962, and was a guidance counselor from 1962-1967. From 1967-1991, he was a…

Margaret A. Sofelkanich Rowse, 83,  of Brighton Township, Beaver PA, formerly of Ellwood City and Monaca, passed away peacefully at her home,  surrounded by her loving family,  on Tuesday morning,  December 13 2016, She was born in Ellwood City on July 26 1933 to the late Andrew and  Martha Cholak Yacko. She graduated in 1951 from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, and  recently attended her 65th class reunion.   She was a member of the Jehovah’s  Witnesses.   Margaret  enjoyed reading  the  Bible,  and looked forward to living in God’s Kingdom  one day. Margaret  enjoyed cooking and baking,  and was known…

Terry L. McCandless, 57, of First Ave., Ellwood City passed away at home,surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 11, 2016 following an extended illness. Born June 1, 1959 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Elsie A. Newton McCandless Sr. He was married to Cathy Yeykal McCandless who passed away in 2012. Terry graduated from Lincoln High School. He had formerly worked at Wiley Heating and Alsy Lighting in Ellwood City, and A-C Plus in Burnstown. He enjoyed working on cars and anything with a motor in is. Terry loved drinking coffee. His…

Richard James Duncan, 42, of Portersville (Perry Twp.) , died suddenly and accidently from injuries sustained in a car crash on US Route 422 Saturday morning, December 10 2016  near Prospect PA. He was born on June 9, 1974 in Grove City PA to Patricia Duncan of Portersville, and the late James C. Duncan. Richard graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, and was affiliated with Mountville Presbyterian Church. He was employed until recently in the construction trades. Rick enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool and darts, and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. In addition to his mother, Patricia…