All Obituaries

William J. Griffith Jr., 86, of West Newton, formerly of Herminie, passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, at Mon Valley Hospital, Carroll Township, with his family by his side. He was born Oct. 20, 1933, in McKeesport, and was a son of the late William J. and Fronnie (Edwards) Griffith Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sons, Alan W. Collins and Matthew (Scotty) Chizmar; a daughter, Brenda Yoders; two granddaughters, Desirae and Wyona Griffith; and three...

John Popovich Jr., 78, of Pleasant Unity, formerly of Hutchinson,  passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Excela Health Latrobe. He was born May 29, 1941, in Greensburg and was the son of the late John Sr. and Nancy (Kochasic) Popovich. Prior to his retirement, John was a machinist, having worked for Paper Craft Corp. in Jeannette for more than 25 years. He was a social member of the Herminie VFW Post 8427, attended activities at the Herminie Senior Center and was very proud to be a life...

Robert R. LaVella, 82, of Irwin, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Hempfield Manor, Greensburg, surrounded by his family. He was born June 23, 1937, in Greensburg, and was a son of the late Anthony and Frances (Cividini) LaVella. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Buncie. Bob had worked 15 years with his father at Penn State Tool and Die Corp. in Irwin until 1971, when he and his wife Irene opened Fun Services/Fun Party stores until his...

Tamara L. Smith, 50, of Irwin, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, with her family by her side. She was born Nov. 14, 1969, in Indianapolis, Ind., and was a daughter of the late Leonard Sr. and Diana (Hartage) Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Elton Smith. Tamara was a homemaker; she was a devoted wife, amazing mom and a special sister, aunt and friend. She was a member of Shoresh David Messianic...

Kenneth M. Rosensteel, 71, of Madison, passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at UPMC Montefiore Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 19, 1947, in Herminie, son of the late Harry V. and Elizabeth (Wolf) Rosensteel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Donald and Harry Rosensteel; and sister, Betty Ann Olson. Ken was an Army veteran, having proudly served in the 1st Army Band as a saxophone player. Prior to his retirement, he was an electronics...

Catherine M. Thompson, 97, of Hutchinson, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in Walden's View of North Huntingdon, with her family by her side. She was born July 27, 1922, in New Kensington and was a daughter of the late Marko and Mary (Tressa) Yelich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 25 years, Michael Fraicola, and her second husband of 42 years, George F. "Red" Thompson; son, Michael Fraicola; her granddaughter, Debbie Fraicola;...

Amelia V. (Bittens) Knor Coban, 97, of Herminie, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Redstone Highlands, North Huntingdon, surrounded by her family. She was born Oct. 13, 1922, in Pittsburgh and was a daughter of the late and Andy and Rose (Cevic) Bittens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Paul P. Knor, of Herminie, and John Coban, of McKeesport. Amelia graduated from Sewickley Area High School in 1942. She had worked at Westinghouse in East...

  Elmer E. Heminger Jr., 75, of Herminie, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 2, 1944, in Jeannette, and was a son of the late Elmer E. Heminger Sr. and Ruth (Roberts) Heminger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Heminger, and brother-in-law, Edward Linsenbigler. Elmer was a member of the Wendel Herminie No. 2 Athletic Association. He enjoyed bowling and hunting. He also...

Melvin P. Carvallis, 88, of West Newton, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 28, 1931, in Hutchinson, and was a son of the late John Carvallis and Hazel (Roebuck) Wigington. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Veronica M. Carvallis, in 2016; his beloved son, Melvin Keith Carvallis, in 1974, and a sister-in-law, Anna Mae Carvallis. Melvin was an Army veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict. Prior to his...

Herbert Eugene Stiles, 88, of Murrells Inlet, S.C., formerly of Herminie, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at National Health Care. He was born Nov. 26, 1930, in Herminie, and was a son of the late Herbert and Leah J. (Neri) Stiles. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Laverne A. Stiles. Mr. Stiles retired from General Electric with 30 years of service. He is survived by a brother, Bob J. Stiles and wife, Dolores, of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; four nieces and...