March 23, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Louella "Lou" Michael Geran, age 81, of Baldwin Township, left this world on March 21, 2022. Born April 26, 1940, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Michael Hollochak and Anna Sylvia Kuba. Lou is survived by her daughter Lynda Cocco, granddaughter Maggie Gibbs, grandson Sam Gibbs, and great-granddaughter Olivia Gibbs.
Lou was a proud 'Mommy' to her daughter, 'Gram' to her granddaughter, and 'Baba' to her great-granddaughter. She would explain her unconditional love for the three girls in her life with this saying: "My daughter is my life. My granddaughter is the air I breathe. Without my great-granddaughter, I am nothing".
Lou will always be remembered by many friends and family as "one of a kind." She made everyone laugh, the kind of laughter that created memories for a lifetime. She prayed hard, to the point where friends and family would call her and ask for "Pittsburgh prayers" to help in times of trouble. She hated to cook but loved watching her family enjoy and eat the delicious food she made. There was never a Law and Order episode she didn't see, and she would tell you the ending as the show began. She was always yelling about something. Her yelling was as loud and big as her personality. She lived life being so proud of her daughter and granddaughter and in her final chapter of life, seeing the birth of her "Moosh" (Olivia) was the icing on the cake. She said she was blessed beyond belief.
Read More
March 21, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Cynthia L. Colench, age 58, of Glassport, formerly of McKeesport, died March 17, 2022. Born January 14, 1964, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late James and Judith (Frye) Colench. Cynthia was an active member of River City Church. She was known for her sense of humor and loved spending time with her family. She is survived by children, Amber (Donald) Harper, Krissy Mazzuki, and Ray (Krissy) Miller; grandchildren, Devonte, Jasmin, Carlo, Marissa, Dakota, Anthony, Kaytlynn, Donald Jr., Kameela, Kalie, Karter, and Kiera; sisters, Debbie Lloyd, Maria Colench, and Lily Gottsman; special niece, Jessica Lloyd and many other nieces, nephews, and best friend, Rich Newman. Arrangements were entrusted to Willig Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com. Charles Danforth, Supervisor.
March 20, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Mark C. Evdemon, age 86, of North Huntingdon, died March 18, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Born February 12, 1936, in Tanzania, East Africa, he was the son of the late Basil and Helen (Comis) Evdemon and the husband of the late Isabella (O'Hare) Evdemon.
Mark retired from the former Mellon Bank in 1996, where he was a computer room supervisor with 30 years of service. He was a US Navy veteran, serving during peacetime. Mark enjoyed music and dancing with his wife, in the early years. They also toured the majority of the United States by car and loved to travel together. As of late, he especially liked meals from Wendy's and watching old television game shows. Mark especially loved a good hearty debate.
Read More
March 17, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Marge Killian Wanstreet, age 89, of Elizabeth Township, passed away on March 16, 2022, with her loving family by her side. Born August 18, 1932, in Pittston, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Donahue) Killian and wife of the late Paul Wanstreet and Michael Yurechko. Marge was an educator and owned and operated two businesses, Learning Well, a teacher supply store and MYCO, a car and truck rental on Route 51 in Elizabeth. She was the first female President of both the Rotary Club of Elizabeth and the Boston McKeesport Lions Club. Marge volunteered at the McKeesport Heritage Center and worked the phones for PBS fundraisers. She was a member and usher of the former St. Martin de Porres Church. You could always find Marge on the go, whether it was starting a singles group for women, traveling to four different continents, or never missing a social event. Even as she grew older, her tenacity never wavered. In her 70s, Marge decided she would be a librarian and worked at the Carnegie Library in McKeesport.
Read More
March 16, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert C. Crenshaw, Sr., age 68, of Morgantown, WV, died March 7, 2022, at home. Born August 14, 1953, in Youngstown, he was the son of the late Thomas Butler and Maggie Dell Lee (Adams) Crenshaw.
Robert loved music, science fiction, and working the most. He was also a chef who enjoyed seeing people savor the meals he prepared.
Robert is survived by children, Columbus (LaToya) Gore, Robert Crenshaw, Robert (Jayme) Crenshaw, Jr., and Deondre Purter; grandchildren, Skylar, Mila, Marcus, Robert, Rashon, Tyrrell, Trinity, Nahla, Sarai, Faith, and Serenity; sisters, Eleanor Crenshaw and Rena Crenshaw.
Read More
March 16, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
James F. Bowman, age 62, of McKeesport, formerly of Washington D.C., died March 10, 2022, at UPMC McKeesport surrounded by his family. Born March 4, 1960, he was the son of the late James A. and Yvonne (Cutchember) Thomas and adoptive parents, William and Cecilia Bowman. James made McKeesport his home 22 years ago and made many friends over the years. He liked to have a good time and you could find him at the Tube City Cafe and The McKeesport Beer Barrel playing the bar DJ. He enjoyed singing Michael Jackson songs and even once made his own video on YouTube.
Read More
March 11, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
David F. Cameron, age 63, of McKeesport, died March 9, 2022, at home. Born December 31, 1958, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late William D. Cameron and Francine Jean (Ernest "Skip") Katcher. David worked most of his life as a truck driver delivering produce for Green Grocer and Jordan Banana. He enjoyed driving and meeting many friendly people along his routes. The companies he worked for always trusted his keen eye for maintaining high-quality control standards. When he was younger, David spent many summers water skiing on the Allegheny River with his brother Dan. After a long day on the river, they would camp together on ten mile island. At home, you could find him watching westerns, comedies, and Svengoolie every Saturday. David also enjoyed spending time with his dog, shooting guns, poker machines, and playing the Powerball.
Read More
March 08, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Mary Jane Kucich, age 90, of McKeesport, died March 3, 2021, at Kane Community Living Center. Born January 3, 1932, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Antonia Kucich.
Mary Jane retired from the former G.C. Murphy Warehouse with 42 years of service. She was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish, and attended Corpus Christi Church. Mary Jane was also a member of LifeSpan Mon Valley Senior Center. She enjoyed trying her luck with trips to the casino and PA Lottery scratch-off tickets.
Mary Jane is survived by her daughter, Janice (Philip) Bisceglia of McKeesport; grandson, Matthew Bisceglia of McKeesport; nieces, Marilyn Page, Michelle Kovacevic, and Debbie Kober; nephew, Wayne Kucich of McKeesport; also many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mary's family would like to thank her caregivers Elaine David, Lora Hess, and Amanda Minor.
Arrangements were entrusted to Willig Funeral Home & Crematory.
A private blessing service was held and followed by entombment at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com.
Chuck Danforth, Supervisor
March 08, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Elena Marie Wisen, age 45, of Post Falls, ID, formerly of Port Vue, died February 19, 2022, at her home in Idaho. Born January 2, 1977, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Timothy Wisen, Sr., and Carmella (Bill) Devine-Moore.
Elena wanted to serve her country and began training as a Private in the ROTC while in school and then went on to join the Army Reserves. She found peace in nature by spending time in parks and taking in the beauty surrounding her. She was a lifelong Steelers fan and always enjoyed going to games. Her family was essential to her, and she cherished the memories made with her mom, brothers, sisters, and nieces.
Read More
March 05, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Gayle S. (MacArthur) Smith, age 89, of Dravosburg, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2022, with her family by her side. Born September 9, 1932, in Pittsburgh and was the daughter of the late Arthur "Bud" MacArthur and Evelyn (McDowell) Foster and the wife of the late Harold Pennell and Sherwood Smith.
Read More
March 04, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Diana da Silva Kacso, age 68, of Brooklyn, New York, died peacefully in her sleep on
March 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and sons at her bedside,
after undergoing treatment for advanced cancer over the previous 18 months with her
usual indomitable courage, optimism, and irrepressible spirit.
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1953, Diana began studying piano at age seven in her
hometown. At the age of 15, she made her orchestral debut with the Brazilian
Symphony. In 1971, she graduated from the Brazilian Conservatory of Music in C. P. de
Mello’s and Elzira Amabile’s piano classes. Between 1972 and 1975, she studied at the
Juilliard School of Music in New York City as a scholarship student of Sascha
Gorodnitzki.
Diana performed in concerts across South America, Europe, Israel, and the United
States, including Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and
Concertgebouw, and recorded for radio and television, including appearances on WNET
and WQXR. Deutsche Grammophon recorded her live concert in Munich in 1980. She
performed duos, trios, and chamber music with many beloved colleagues, including
Nancy Green and Jennifer Devore, cellists, and the late Rosemary Glyde, violist.
She won top awards at several international competitions, including 3rd Prize at the
International Piano Competition in Rio de Janeiro (1973), 6th Prize at the 9th
International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw (1975), 1st Prize at the
Teresa Carreño International Latin American Piano Competition, Caracas (1976), 2nd
Prize at the Artur Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv (1977), 2nd Prize at the
International Piano Competition in Leeds (1978), 1st prize at the International Piano
Competition in Viña del Mar (1978), and 2nd Prize at the Gina Bachauer International
Piano Competition, Salt Lake City, Utah (1982).
Diana moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1985 with her husband, Christopher Panny, an
attorney whom she originally met at Juilliard when he was a music student there. In the
early 1990s, Diana curtailed her professional activities after her beloved sons, Gabriel
and Benjamin, were born, to devote her time and energy to them.
She returned to her native Brazil several times between 2006 and 2008 to give recitals
and masterclasses, which were enthusiastically received, and to reconnect with friends
and colleagues.
Read More
March 03, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
James A. Schonhardt, age 82, of Liberty Borough, died March 1, 2022, at UPMC McKeesport. Born May 23, 1939, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Max and Elizabeth (Rydle) Schonhardt and the husband of Adrienne (Roslosnick) Schonhardt.
James retired from the United States Postal Service, where he was a mail carrier. He was a US Army veteran and a member of the Port Vue American Legion Post #447 after the McKeesport American Legion closed. James was also a member of the 11th Ward Club and Croatian CFU Lodge 146. He enjoyed playing poker in his early years, trips to the casino in recent years, watching the Penguins and Pirates, and basking in the sun in his front yard. James's greatest joys were spending time with all of his family and grandchildren, especially his great-grandson, Ross, Jr. They would spend Sundays going to church in the morning and then enjoy the afternoons together.
Read More
March 01, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Lynda M. Cain, age 78, of North Adams, MA, died February 25, 2022, at Arden Courts of Jefferson Hills PA. Born June 14, 1943, in Adams, MA, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Roma (Martin) Lanier and wife of the late Neil Cain, whom she loved dearly. Lynda took pride in her community service by volunteering at the Food Bank in Adams and the former Sweet Brook Nursing Home. She was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Adams. She worked for many years for JC Penney, both in North Adams and Lanesboro, MA. She was an avid bowler when she was younger, bowling in leagues at Valley Park Lanes. Lynda loved to spend time with family and friends going out to lunch and dinner, and most of all shopping. Lynda is survived by her daughters, Erin (Chris) Morgan and Lori (Jim Cyr) Lemoine; grandchildren, Connor Morgan, Dalton Lemoine, and Grace Lemoine. A memorial service will be held in Massachusetts at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Willig Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com. Charles Danforth, Supervisor
February 28, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Valentina S. Belenkaya, age 102, of Forest Hills, died February 27, 2022, at home. Born January 28, 1920, in Borovichi, Russia, she was the daughter of the late Sergey and Olga (Mithrofanova) Efimov and the wife of the late Ilia Belenky.
Valentina retired as a professional pianist and assisted students at her late husband's studio. She was a devout Russian Orthodox woman. Valentina enjoyed singing, dancing, and sharing her music with others. She was also an avid reader and loved going for car rides.
Read More
February 23, 2022 |
By Willig Funeral Home | Posted in: Willig Funeral Home & Crematory
Tammy (Moody) Yednak, age 62, of McKeesport, died February 19, 2022, at home. Born September 23, 1959, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late John and Pearl (Kofchur) Moody and the wife of the late Stephen Yednak, Sr.
Tammy was the former owner of Yednak Automotive. She enjoyed shopping, trips to the casino, and relaxing with her cat, Marlon.
She is survived by her son Stephen (Erin) Yednak, Jr.; grandchildren, Tiara and Christopher; siblings, Tish (Eric) Grimm and Tim Moody; nieces and nephews, Eliza, Kyle, John, Matthew, Kara, Luke, and Cathy; sister-in-law, Janet Moody; and significant other, Dan Tebbetts.
Read More
