Obituaries

HARTUNG William Gerhard Hartung, 82, of Kittanning, PA, died Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Kittanning Care Center. He was born March 19, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, to Gerhard L. and Adeline (Heissenbuttel) Hartung. William was a resident of the Kittanning area for 24 years and previously resided in Farmingville, Long Island NY. He honorably served his country as a member of the US Navy during the Korean Conflict, and after returning worked as a bricklayer for the Local 1 Bricklayers Union. William was also self-employed at Hilltop Masons in Long Island, NY and built many fireplaces during his time there. He served as a troop leader for both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts during his time in Long Island and also belonged to the German and America Singing Society. William loved to sing and would regularly perform on the stage and on the radio throughout his involvement with the society. After moving to Kittanning, William became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed participating in his favorite hobbies: gardening and stamp collecting. His family will always remember his dedication to them, and he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Vera Mary (Tonn) Hartung, whom he married September 19, 1954; son, Dr. Gerhard W. “Jerry” Hartung, of Shelocta; daughter, Vera M. Lovewell and husband, Jack, of Kunkletown, PA; and grandchildren, Christina Allen, of Pittsburgh, Dean Lovewell, of Memphis TN, and Amber Fox, of Bradford. He was preceded in death by his parents. Family and friends will be received from 9 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 218 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA, with the Rev. Carl A. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington, PA.

BLACKSMITH Josh Blacksmith of Plum Pa passed away, on September 11, 2017, following a lifelong battle with several medical problems, global delays, and renal failure. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends whom Josh had touched throughout his short, yet very memorable life. Josh was a determined, intelligent, inquisitive young man who loved
being around others. He enjoyed the time that he spent at The Children’s Institute’s Day School Program in Squirrel Hill where he conquered various physical obstacles over the years. After graduation, he attended the Milestone Program in Monroeville where he continued to make progress attaining various goals. Josh impacted those around him in an incredibly special way with his unique personality. He brought joy to those around him with his fantastic smile, great sense of humor, and an infectious laugh.
Josh’s favorite activity was watching videos, primarily Mary Poppins. He also enjoyed taking wagon rides with his brother Luke, playing with his musical toys, and looking at pictures of family and friends. Josh is safely home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is now free from the shackles of this earthly life. We will see you again sweet boy and we will rejoice!!

Josh is survived by his loving and devoted parents. William IV and Debra (Bowser) Blacksmith. Brothers; Matthew and Luke Blacksmith. Maternal grandparents; John and Helen Bowser and Rev. Dr. William III and Linda Blacksmith. Nephew of Kara (John) Boyer, Beth (Ed) Bracken and Rick (Brenda) Fleming. Also survived by numerous cousins.

A celebration of Josh’s Life will be held on Saturday September 23rd at 11:00 AM in Monroe-ville Assembly of God (the family will receive guest starting at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers donations made me made to; The Day School at Children’s Institute 1405 Shady Ave Pittsburgh Pa 15217. Alfieri Funeral Home Inc. Wilmerding Pa 412-824-4332 was entrusted in assisting the family with arrangements.

PIECHOWIEZ Gladys R. “Sis” Piechowicz, 91, of Kittanning, PA, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at her home. She was born May 27, 1926 in McKeesport, the daughter of Ralph and Helen (Adams) Bales. Gladys graduated from McKeesport Area High School and was a volunteer with McKeesport Meals on Wheels for 35 years. She was a former member of the First United Methodist of McKeesport, where she served as a Sunday school teacher in the kindergarten department. She was also active in the United Methodist Women, Altar Guild, Welcome Club, and the Cathedral Choir. Gladys was a current member of the First United Methodist Church of Kittanning, where she was part of the Heavenly Daughters Bible Study. She loved to sing. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Stan Piechowicz and wife, Patty, of Acme, PA, Kathy Piechowicz, of Kittanning, and Ron Piechowicz and wife, Brenda, of Kittanning; grandchildren, Ryan Piechowicz and Erin, Jayme Shaffer and husband, Mike, Jonathan Piechowicz and fianc�e, Nicole, and Bethany, Jennifer and Stephen Piechowicz; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kenzie Shaffer; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Stanley Piechowicz, whom she married January 16, 1946 and who died June 6, 1994; and sister, Wilma V. Hetrick. The family will receive friends from 5-9 PM on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 515 N. McKean Street, Kittanning, PA. Friends will also be received from 5-9 PM on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home and Crematory, 2703 O’Neil Blvd. McKeesport, PA. The funeral service will take place at 10 AM on Monday, June 26, 2017, at Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home and Crematory, with the Rev. Dr. Ron Wanless and Rev. Wade Berkey co-officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, McKeesport, PA. Contributions may be given in Gladys’ honor to the First United Methodist Church of Kittanning, 301 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA 16201 or First United Methodist Church of McKeesport, 1406 Cornell St. #1, McKeesport, PA 15132.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Klingensmith; daughters, Bonnie Hynick, Sandra Walker, and Betty Lou Leightley; three grandchildren, Norman Mitchell, Lynette Hynick, and Richard Warcholak; brother, Victor Rupert; and sister, Violet Rupert Slagle.

Viewing will be on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from noon until time of services at 2 p.m. in the Manorville United Methodist Church, 800 Water St., Manorville, with Steve Arblaster officiating. Interment will be in the Ford City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, Inc., 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning. Pa. 16201 to help offset funeral expenses.

Haught - Ronald LeRoy Haught III, 28, of Cowansville died Thursday, May 18, 2017, in the ACMH Hospital. He was born on March 11, 1989, in Natrona Heights to Ronald LeRoy Jr. and Betty J. (Branan) Haught. Ronald attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Kittanning. He took pride in being a great father, who adored his two children, whom he loved very much. Ronald loved doing any outdoor work including any kind of construction work. He also liked dirt bikes, working on and restoring old cars, and racing his dune buggy. Ronald also enjoyed sports especially the Pittsburgh Penguins and he loved his dogs “Tiny” and “Afenia.” Ronald enjoyed helping people and was very easy to get along with. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He leaves behind to cherish his memory two children, Cassius and Destiny Haught, who loved and adored him, and he was their life; his beloved mother and friend, Betty (Branan) Haught; maternal grandmother, Dot Branan; paternal grandparents, Ronald Sr. and Carole Haught; sister, Christine (Winston) Haught-Parrish; two aunts, Cherie (Joe) Huf and Robin Crawford; two uncles, Charles Bureau and Robert Branan; one niece, Rylee Parrish; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Haught Jr.; grandfather, Robert Branan; grandfather, William “Butch” Rumbarger, who had a very special place in Ronald’s heart; two uncles, Kenneth and James Bureau; and one cousin, Eric Bureau. Family and friends will be received on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 832 East Brady Road, Cowansville from 2-6 p.m. Additional viewing will be held in the funeral home on Monday, May 22, 2017, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dana Wilmot officiating. Interment will be in the Sherrett Cemetery.

Miller Richard P. “Swede” Miller, 87, of Dayton, PA, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017 at Back to Basics Personal Care Home in Dayton, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born September 9, 1929, in Templeton, PA, the son of Ralph P. Miller and Alyce M. (Gray) Deppen.

Swede lived in Templeton for most of his life, moving to Dayton in 1994. He graduated from Kittanning High School in 1947 and worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in Indiana for over 28 years, retiring in 1991 as the Municipal Services Supervisor. He was a member of Kittanning Church of Christ and formerly belonged to the Templeton Fire Department and the Penn Dot Quarter Century Club. Swede enjoyed tinkering around the house and working in his yard. Camping was one of his favorite hobbies and he also liked reading his bible and watching NASCAR races. Swede cherished taking care of his wife, Jane, for 13 years and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He will be remembered with love by his daughters, Deborah A. Miller, of Harrisburg, and Valerie K. Steffy and husband, Brian, of Dayton, PA; grandchildren, William Foster, Michael Foster and wife, Courtney, Tyler P. Steffy and wife, Kathryn, and Brianna J. Traxler and husband, Justen; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ione Miller, of Templeton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Swede was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Bill Deppen; step-mother, Bertha (Thomas) Miller; loving wife, S. Jane (Reed) Miller, whom he married November 25, 1948 and who died February 18, 2011; brothers, Daryl D. Miller and Marshal M. Miller; and sister-in-law, Helen Miller.

Family and friends may visit from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at the Bauer-Bly Funeral Home, 125 E. Main Street, Dayton, PA.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Monday, May 15, 2017, at the funeral home, with Larry Krause officiating.

Interment will follow in Tidal Cemetery, Tidal, PA.

Swede’s family would like to thank Back to Basics Personal Care Home in Dayton for their wonderful care and support.

Contributions can be made in Swede’s honor to Kittanning Church of Christ, PO Box 344, Kittanning, PA 16201.

STITT Ira G. “Gil” Stitt, 92, of Ford City, died Friday, May 12, 2017, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born November 12, 1924, in Manorville, he was a son of the late Ira and Violet (Colton) Stitt.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. Mr. Stitt was employed by Numec as a quality control inspector. He was a member of Rosston Union Chapel, where he played guitar with the gospel music group. Gil was a lifetime member of the Ford City V.F.W., the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his yard.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia (Smail) Stitt; his children, Iris “Tottie” Hupp of Sebring, FL, Allen Stitt of Sebring, FL, and Janet Price of Lorida, FL; 10 grandchildren, Lori, Fred, Susan, Christine, A.R., Jason, Emilie, Andrew, Oliver, and Gracie; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren a sister, Janet Sanoba of Edgewater, FL; many nieces and nephews; and his stepchildren, Paulette Miller of Manorville, Randy Johnston of Milton, FL, and Timothy Johnston of Idaho.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Gilbert Paul Stitt; and two brothers, Wilbur and Orrin Stitt.

Friends will be welcomed from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Monday, in the Welch Funeral Home, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, with Pastor Jerry Johns, officiating. Interment will follow in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rosston Union Chapel.

BARKER - Guy K. Barker, Sr., 93, of Kittanning, PA, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Kittanning Care Center. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 515 N. McKean Street, Kittanning. Additional visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 333 N. McKean St., Kittanning, PA, with Pastor Edward Walters and the Rev. John W. Snyder, Pastor Emeritus, co-officiating. Burial will be in Center Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Kittanning. Contributions can be made in Guy’s honor to St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 333 N. McKean St., Kittanning, PA 16201.

FLEMING - James Glenn “Jim” Fleming, 79, of Elderton, PA, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at St. Andrew’s Village. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of the memorial service at 11 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Elderton Presbyterian Church, 115 N. Main St., Elderton, PA, with the Rev. Edward Gray officiating. Burial was in Elderton Cemetery, Elderton. Contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to Elderton-Plumcreek Recreation Park, PO Box 46, Elderton, PA 15736.

JORDAN - Catherine D. (Slebodnik) Jordan, 93, of Kittanning died on Sunday, March 12, 2017, in The Good Samaritan Hospice Unit, Cabot. She was born on Oct. 29, 1923, in Johnstown, to the late Michael and Mary (Hrace) Slebodnik. Mrs. Jordan was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church in Kittanning, where she also was a teacher’s aide. Catherine also was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and the Sisters For St. Joseph Auxiliary. She enjoyed baking, canning, making her own jelly, bingo, crocheting, going to the family camp in Sigel and watching sports, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mrs. Jordan leaves behind to cherish her memory daughter, Catherine A. (William) Miller of Sarver; sons, Gregory P. (Roxane) Jordan of Kittanning and David J. Jordan of Kittanning; daughter, Theresa M. Jordan of Kent, Ohio; son, Chuck (Sandy) Jordan of Kittanning; 13 grandchildren, Luke, Caitlyn, Jonathan, William and Zachary Miller, Lisa Stephens, Mark, Matthew, David, Jason, Emily and Seth Jordan, and Nichole Fink; 11 great-grandchildren, Christopher, Beau, Wyatt, Dominic, Josie, Hailey, Bennett, Ciara, Ava, Abraham, and Logan; sister, Agnes Vance of Johnstown; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, Richard F. Jordan, who died on Nov. 12, 2008; two sons, Richard M. and Joseph R. Jordan; grandson, Aaron Jordan; two brothers, Benedict and Peter Slebodnik; and one sister, Mary Varholak. Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Kennedy & Blodgett Funeral Home, 253 N. Grant Ave., Kittanning. Parting Prayers will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church, 101 High St., Kittanning with the Rev. Douglas E. Dorula officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rayburn Township. Family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, 1020 West State St., Baden, Pa. 15005.

EDWARDS - Mary Alice (Schall) Edwards, 92, of Ford City, died on March 3, 2017 at “Our Family’s Home” personal care home.

She was born on December 18, 1924 in Kittanning to the late Isaac Merne and Margery (Baker) Schall.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Robert “Jay” Edwards, who died in 1997 and daughter Nancy Lee Edwards who died at birth.

Mary was a homemaker. She and Jay were a team as they enjoyed doing things together. Some of those activities were riding horses, attending auctions, wood working and refinishing furniture for their used furniture business, and making beautiful stained glass lampshades.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, a daughter: Cathy Richardson of Ford City; and son: David Jay Edwards and wife Susan of Ford City. She had six grandchildren: Andrew (Beth) Edwards, Adam (Billie Jo) Edwards, and Elizabeth (Michael) Fiscus (all of Ford City), Russell (Andrea) Edwards of Suffolk, Virginia, Matthew (Stephanie) Edwards of York, PA, and Clare (Steve) Cowen of Monroeville; and ten great-grandchildren.

Mary was a member of Christ Rupp Lutheran Church.

Mary’s request was for a private service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ Rupp Lutheran Church, 228 Rupp Church Road, Kittanning, PA 16201 or to “Our Family’s Home”, 1126 Ross Avenue, Ford City, PA 16226; or to a charity of your choice.

Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 200 South McKean Street, Kittanning, is in charge of arrangements.