Dorothy Caroline Howell

June 12, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Dorothy Caroline Carpenter Howell, 93, of Elizabeth Township, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024. She was born December 19, 1930 in Frank and was the daughter of the late Norman and Violet (George) Carpenter. Dorothy attended a four room grade school in Frank and went on to graduate from McKeesport High School in 1948. She started work the first day after graduation for McCrady Rodgers, Pittsburgh then for G.C. Murphy Company in the Tabulation department.  She was the wife of 68 years to the late Herbert Kees "Herb” Howell, who passed away September 30, 2017.  Alongside her husband Herb, Dorothy owned and operated their family business, Howell Craft, Inc., where she had served as vice president.

Richard John Howard, Sr.

June 12, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Richard John Howard, Sr., 81 of Elizabeth Township, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024 after an extended illness. He was born October 18, 1942 in Manhattan, NY to the late Carole (Blostic) Lilley. He lived with the late Harry and Juanita Howard until he was five years old where he established a strong and solid foundation which helped him throughout his lifetime. After traveling throughout several states, he reunited with his parents, lived in Cokeburg, PA and eventually Port Vue, PA. Rich enlisted in the United States Navy when he was seventeen years old and was active duty from 1959 through 1963, before he was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1965. In 1963, Rich met the love of his life, Grayce (Meisl) Howard, and they married on January 18, 1964 at St. Michael's Church. They lived in McKeesport and Blaine Hill before settling in Greenock, PA where they raised their family and many dogs. Rich retired from US Steel as a machinist after thirty-five years of service. He owned and established Howard Window Fashions for many years. He loved old cars and trucks, the older the better. He attended many car shows and events, entering his 1938 Plymouth truck which he restored and drove proudly. He owned over sixty automobiles in his lifetime. He was a true car guy.

Elizabeth "Liz" Warner

June 11, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Elizabeth "Liz" Warner, 44 of Elizabeth Township passed away Monday, June 10, 2024. She was born in Pittsburgh on June 27, 1979 and is the daughter of Lester Arlin Logue and Frances (Hodgetts) Logue. She worked as a server for 20+ years, most recently working at Yoli's Cucina & Crafthouse. Liz was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the most thoughtful friend you could have. She was a great decorator, an amazing cook, and loved being in the garden planting flowers.

Judith Ann House

June 08, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Judith Ann House, 78, of  Elizabeth Township, passed away Friday, June 7, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 26, 1945 in Sarona, Wisconsin and was the daughter of the late James and Betty (Sorenson) Sholtis. Judie was an Accounting Assistant and had worked for the late Harold Whitner, CPA. She was a 1963 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School. She loved her family very much and they always came first. She enjoyed camping and traveling.

Melva J. Buzzelli

June 06, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Melva J. Buzzelli, age 86, of McKeesport, died Wednesday, June 5. 2024. She was born March 18, 1938, in McKeesport, PA and was the daughter of the late Michael “Miso” and Mildred (Zivkovich) Blagovich. She was the wife of Richard Buzzelli. Melva was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and was a former member of the Order of The Eastern Star. 

Robert "Bob" Patrick Rae

June 06, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Harry Mark Naylor, Sr.

June 03, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Michael "Dink" Derewonko

May 31, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Michael "Dink" Derewonko, 72, of Glassport, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.  He was born November 20, 1951 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Leonard M. and Blanche J. (Zaurski) Derewonko.  Dink was a US ARMY Veteran serving during the Vietnam Era in Germany, he was an M16 Sharpshooter, Expert Grenade and for his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  He worked in maintenance for Epic Metals for 10 years.  Dink was an avid bicycle rider, he also enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. He was Coach Mike for his son's hockey teams and loved the game of hockey as well.  Dink loved to kick back after a long day of work and have an ice cold Stroh's. He will be greatly missed. 

William E. "Bill" West

May 29, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

William E. "Bill" West, 84, of McKeesport passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024. He was born in Scottdale, PA on August 17, 1939 and was the son of the late William Hayes and Olive Sophia (Ulander) West. Bill worked for 45+ years for Marraccini's Grocery Stores, and was a member of Sampson Mills Presbyterian Church since 1996 - as well as a member of the Duquesne-McKeesport Masonic Lodge #731. He graduated from Clairton High School  in 1957, then attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. After graduation, Bill went into the Army - serving for a few months before transferring into the Air Force and the Air Force Reserves where he served until 1968. Bill was an avid gardener, but also enjoyed golfing and loved corvettes. 

Rose Ann Stiehl

May 29, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Rose Ann Stiehl, 80, of Buena Vista, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 26, 2024. She was born August 7, 1943 in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late George Charles and Mary Liota (Bickford) Redmond. Rose worked for 30+ years as a unit clerk at Jefferson Hospital. She was a strong and independent woman who loved her children, grandchildren and friends. She was very active in the McKeesport Salvation Army and had also volunteered at The Blessing Board. In her younger years, she was an avid golfer, who had belonged to many local leagues, was involved in Cub Scouts and enjoyed camping. Rose loved the beach, especially the Outer Banks. She will be greatly missed.

Gladys Esther Volk

May 28, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Gladys Esther Volk, 98, of Allison Park, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2024. She was born December 21, 1925 in Versailles Township and was the daughter of the late James and Sofia (Vajola) Rob. Gladys was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farms.

James Dwight "Bimmy" Musisko

May 25, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

James Dwight "Bimmy" Musisko, 77, of Liberty Borough, passed away Friday May 24, 2024. He was born November 29, 1946 in Blaine Hill and was the son of the late Thomas and Martha Gail (MacFarland) Musisko. He was a machinist and owner of Ultra Tool and Die, located in Liberty Borough. He loved spending time working on cars, and he enjoyed watching basketball, the Steelers and Pirates, especially Franco Harris and Willie Stargell, he also loved dogs and cats.

John Paul "JPK" King

May 24, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

John Paul "JPK" King of Elizabeth Township passed into the next life on May 23, 2024. He was born at McKeesport Hospital during the “Great Thanksgiving Blizzard” on November 26, 1950. John was the son of Earl Edward and Mary Jane (Hankins) King. John was a 1970 graduate of Penn State earning his associate in engineering degree in Drafting and Design Technology. After graduation, he worked in construction, and as a construction supervisor, for over forty years. He took great pride in his work - and it showed. Many of his works, built even in the early days of his career, still stand strong to this day. John loved classic cars. (John and his beloved daughter, Cora, worked together on these.) He loved hunting and fishing with his friends and family. John was recognized in the mid-1980s for harvesting a beautiful albino deer that appeared in the McKeesport Daily News with a
photograph of John and his trophy. John’s camp in McKean County, built by hand from the ground up, was a place that he loved to go to. There he mentored the son that he never had, Chris Rutherford of White Oak, in the ways of fishing, hunting and life. The camp is enjoyed by many to this day. 

Richard E. Bogardus, Sr.

May 24, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Richard E. Bogardus, Sr., 81, of Elizabeth Township, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2024. He was born in Homestead on November 2, 1942 and was the son of the late Elwin Van and Olga Sylvia (Volovsky) Bogardus. Rich was a steelworker for US Steel Irvin Works of West Mifflin for 30+ years. He liked to hunt, fish, go to camp, watch Nascar, the Pirates, Steelers, play on his tablet, but most of all - he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was the Vice President of his local SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees) Chapter, but also a member of the American Legion, Pleasant Hills branch. An Army Veteran, Rich served for 3 years and attained the rank of Sargeant E5 - spending many years serving in Germany.

Donald E. Shaw, P.E

May 22, 2024 |

By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Donald E. Shaw, P.E., 83, of White Oak passed away Monday, May 20, 2024. Don was born in Canton, OH, and was the son of the late Edward and Dorothy (Menke) Shaw. Don obtained his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and his M.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Case Western Reserve University where he became a PhD Candidate, Reliability of Offshore Structures. He belonged to the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. He was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church in White Oak. Don was employed by Westinghouse and D’Appolonia Consulting Engineers until 1985 when he went into private practice as an Engineering Management Consultant. For the last twenty years of his career, he and his wife, Sandy (Shaw Organizational Solutions) helped organizations to continuously improve. This was a labor of love for Don. He applied his many and diverse skills to help everyone to be their best and to have a voice. Don believed in the dignity of work. One of his greatest joys was to witness positive change not only for the organization but for everyone involved. He loved learning and creating. He enjoyed painting, photography, woodworking, and cooking but, most of all, he was a voracious reader. Don’s love of books included science, theology, philosophy, and neurobiology. He marveled at all that God created and wanted to learn more and more. And how he enjoyed giving books! Because he was a great listener, he would zero in on a person’s interest/needs and find just the right book! Don’s favorite outing was to take the grandchildren to the bookstore. Those were among his happiest memories. Above all, his profound love and affection for his children, grandchildren, and extended family was evident in every fiber of his being. He could see their light shining. At the end of his life, their love, care, and support brought joy beyond measure.