Ellen G. Makosey
February 16, 2019 |
By Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory
Ellen G. Makosey, 80, of Irwin, passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019 at home. She was born December 20, 1938 in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late William and Evelyn (Holiday) Gross. Ellen was a private secretary for Naval Commander Takitch at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, where she received letters of commendation for work done with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program. She was a former member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in McKeesport. She was also an excellent homemaker who loved her family and pets, designed her own home and took great pride in landscape gardening.
Michael Andrew Sheftick, 50, of Versailles, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019. He was born July 1, 1968 in New Kensington and was the son of the late Michael Andrew Sheftick, Sr., and the late June (Kish) Zembrzuski. Michael worked for Giant Eagle in Jeannette.
Thomas "Tom" S. Naylor, 72, of Glassport, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019. He was born June 9, 1946 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Thomas and Frances (Case) Naylor. Tom was a retired Heavy Equipment Operator. He was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. For his service he received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter and Class Gunner. He retired from the Army Reserve after 23 years of service to our country.
Ronald Eric Sopko, 47, of Murrysville, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2019. He was born March 7, 1971 in McKeesport and was the son of Linda M. (Wigand) Sopko of Level Green and the late Ronald H. Sopko. Ron was the youngest of three children. He was a 1989 graduate of Penn Trafford High School and then acquired his associates degree in electricity at Dean Technical Institute. Ronald loved his job as a Postman.
Harry J. "Buzz" Brunory, 88, of McKeesport, passed away February 4, 2019 at UPMC McKeesport Hospital. He was born October 19, 1930 in Blythedale and was the son of the late Harry J. and Bessie Martinelli Brunory. Buzz worked as a district manager for The American Chicle Company. He was a volunteer in The Kane Regional Chapel for over 30 years. Buzz was one of the funniest and nicest people you would ever meet, and he loved garlic, Perry Como and playing the trumpet, but most of all he loved having his family gathered together.
Christopher "Chris" P. Dudash, 40, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, formerly of Forward Township, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019. He was born July 28, 1978 in Pittsburgh and was the son of Dr. John A. and Patricia (Posa) Dudash of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Forward Township. Christopher was a graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School, class of 1996 and Waynesburg College, class of 2000. He was a Project Manager for Synovia Solutions in Indianapolis, IN, and had previously worked for On-Site Communications and Ryan Homes.
Retha Jean Griffiths, 77, of North Versailles, passed away, Monday, January 28, 2019. She was born December 1, 1941 in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late John Edwin and Retha (Edwards) Hurley. She was a member of Highland Grove United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star. Retha was a Consumer Loan Accounting Clerk at the former Western Pennsylvania National Bank which later became Equibank. She was also a paraprofessional with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
Kenneth James "Stiem" Dudik, 59, of White Oak, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018. He was born March 9, 1959 in McKeesport and was the son of the late Michael Robert and Betty Jane ( Kerston) Dudik. Kenneth was a US Army Veteran. He worked for Graciano Corporation. He was a member of Local Mason Tenders # 79 out of New York and Pittsburgh His hobbies were riding dirt bikes and motorcycles and sitting by campfires with friends and family. 
Bertha Helen (Check) Dowden Tomko, 98, of Jupiter, Fl, formerly of Port Vue, passed away Monday, January 21, 2019. She was born July 4, 1920 in Clairton and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Bertha (Chontos) Check. She was the wife of the late Duane Dowden and the late John Tomko. Mrs. Tomko was a graduate The Douglas Business School and worked as a credit manager for over 35 years for Sears-Roebuck Company. For 20 plus years, Mrs. Tomko would travel to Winter Haven, Florida for the winter.
Patricia Ann Patrick, 73, of Monroeville, formerly of McKeesport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Born February 15, 1945 in Corpus Christi, TX, she was the daughter of Sophie (Gaboda) Martich of Johnstown and the late John Martich. She was a member of St. Michael's Orthodox Church in McKeesport and taught Sunday School there for over 40 years. Patricia was a Medical Transcriptionist. She began at Lee Hospital in Johnstown, followed by Mon-Yough Mental Health Services in McKeesport and The Western Psychiatric Hospital in Oakland. She had worked for UPMC for over 35 years of her career. She received her Master's Degree from Duquesne University.
Betty Jane Decker, 87, of McKeesport, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC. Born on September 13, 1931 in the home in McKeesport where she spent her entire life, she was the youngest daughter of the late Richard and Clara (Fey) Trainor. She was married to Alvin P. Decker for 68 years whom she met while working at McKeesport Baking Company. She later worked at The Donut Corner, then Bertos Restaurant and finally 23 years cooking and serving lunch to the students of St. Joseph Regional School in Port Vue.
