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Dorothy Cheselske

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | November 18, 2025

Dorothy Cheselske, 94, of Rillton, PA, passed away on November 17th, 2025 peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 27th, 1931, in Rillton, PA, to the late Paul and Antoinette Lapcevic. She and her husband, Theodore Franklin Cheselske, were married for 71 years and shared a devotion to family and country. She served in the Ladies’ Auxiliary VFW as both president and treasurer. Ted and Dorothy owned and operated Cheselske's Red and White Market in Rillton, PA for 40 years. Her kindness and generosity were not only evident to those who entered the store, but to anyone who knew her. She cherished time spent in conversations with others, and in quieter times, reading, solving puzzles, baking, and following her friends and family on Facebook.
Dorothy was a devoted mother, sister and wife who found joy in connecting with family and friends. She loved visiting her grandchildren and watching their families grow. She was the storyteller of the family, always ready with a memory of her life and many members in the community. Until the end, she carried the history of Rillton and memories of her family within her heart and mind.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore; brothers, William, John, Fred; sisters, Nellie, Mary, Helen, and Violet; and son-in-law, Stan Kirkwood. She is survived by her five children: Dennis (Debbie) Cheselske, Joyce (Jim) Whitford, Thea Kirkwood, Dianne (Bert) Primo, Paula (Kevin) Berezansky; 12 beloved grandchildren: Sasha (Nate) Althouse, Shane Cheselske, Aaron Cheselske, Justin (Sarah) Kirkwood, Nathan (Dana) Whitford, Crystal (Brandaen) Van der Kloet, Julia (Brad) Kimball, Thea (Scott) Leddy, Laura (Travis) Sadoski, Emily (Joel) Walker, Olivia (Chris) Sofo, and Brandon (Hannah) Pushic; 29 great-grandchildren: Mason, Arial, Haven, Henry, Catherine, Frederick, Spencer, Harper, Summer, Ava, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Kayla, Micah, Olivia, Isabella, Gregory, Everett, Lukas, Tyler, Emily, Leto, Ronin, Leo, Jax, Oakley, Haven, Theodore, Teagan and a 30th blessing on the way.
Donations can be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Sewickley Township Public Library (724- 446-9940) in Herminie, PA. Friends will be received at the JAMES W. SHIRLEY FUNERAL HOME, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon on Saturday, November 22 from 10AM -12 PM followed by a service at 12:30 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Mars Hill Cemetery, Rillton PA. www.shirleyfuneralhome>com

Originally published November 18, 2025.

Other deaths:
"Margaret C. Traud" ||