All Obituaries

Mark J. Karas, 54, of Herminie, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in UPMC East, Monroeville. He was born June 28, 1964, in Pittsburgh, son of the late Joseph Karas Sr. and Maggie Karas, of Finleyville and Bonnie (Richard) Brunner, of Castle Shannon. Prior to his illness, Mark was a baker, having worked for Potomac Bakery in Dormont. Along with being an excellent baker, he was a great cook, enjoyed watching the Steelers and playing with his dogs, Scooter and Buster. He was a member of St....

Brandon Keith Danca, 26, of Jeannette, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. He was born March 2, 1992, in McKeesport, beloved son of Marcy (Griffith) Farr and stepfather, Jeremy Farr, of Jeannette, and father, Brian Danca, of Glassport. Brandon was employed by Chili's in Greensburg as a cook. He loved watching football and spending time with his family, nieces and nephews. He was a 2010 graduate of Franklin Regional High School. In addition to his...

Tony DeGregorio Jr., 90, of Herminie No. 2, passed away peacefully, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in UPMC East, Monroeville, with his family by his side. He was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Greensburg, son of the late Antonio Sr. and Susan (Picone) DeGregorio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Samuel David DeGregorio. Tony served in the Navy from 1949 to 1957, serving on two destroyers, the USS Dortch DD670 and the USS Massey DD788. He received two medals, the...

Mary M. "Marge" Catone, 91, of Herminie, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, at UPMC East , Monroeville. She was born April 5, 1927, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Ann (Kranitz) Solsky. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Emil J. Catone; and a sister, Helen Capozzi. Margie had worked at the H.W. Good Elementary School in the cafeteria for many years. She loved shopping, dancing and traveling, but most of all...

William D. "Smokey" Faltz Jr., 82, of New Stanton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg, surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 20, 1936, in Greensburg, son of the late William D. Sr. and Edna (Feltes) Faltz. Prior to his retirement, Smokey was owner of Scientific Tool Inc., located in New Stanton, which he took over from his father in 1977. He was a member of St. Edward Church, in Herminie. Smokey was an avid golfer. He enjoyed...

Ronald R. "Ron" Abate, 85, of Herminie, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville, surrounded by his family. He was born May 28, 1933, in Herminie, son of the late Albert and Elsie Mae (Plues) Abate. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Abate; and brother-in-law, Robert Smith. Ron was proud to be an Army veteran, having served during the Korean War. He was proud to have played in the Army Band of Fort Knox,...

Julie H. Suchko, 74, of Lowber, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at her home. She was born Jan. 11, 1944, in Greensburg, daughter of Eleanor (Wilson) Horvath of Rillton and the late Michael Horvath. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark and Michael David Horvath. Julie was still working part time at K-Vays Restaurant, where she had worked since the late 1980s at the original K-Vays in Rillton. She was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church...

Janice E. "Jan" Sames, 79, of Herminie, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Westmoreland Manor, Greensburg. She was born May 3, 1939, in Sewickley Township, daughter of the late Harry J. Sr. and Adelle (Fullerton) Sames. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her companion, Thomas C. "Tom" Babiak; a brother, William Piovesan; two sisters, Mae (Leonard) Tucci and Betty (Howard) Dyer; a brother-in-law, James Roycroft; and a niece, Audra Dudek. Prior to...

Walter Dedo Jr., 62, of Herminie, passed away Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in UPMC Montefiore, Pittsburgh. He was born Aug. 8, 1956, in Greensburg, son of the late Walter H. Sr. and Evelyn (Hileman) Dedo. Walt was a social member of Herminie VFW Post 8428 and Herminie-Wendel Athletic Association. He especially enjoyed walking and was an avid Steelers fan. He also loved doing crossword puzzles in the paper when he wasn't out walking and hanging with his buddies. Walt is survived by his brother,...

Patrice K. Whetzel, 60, of Herminie, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 7, 1958, in Frankfort, Mich., daughter of Marjorie (Barnard) Smeltzer, of Michigan and the late Lester V. Smeltzer. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Smeltzer; and a sister, Margaret Kocevar. Patrice was employed by Crisp Control Inc. in Irwin as a...