Carole Ruch Watkins, 85, of Carroll Township, PA, died Friday, February 14, 2020 in Jefferson Regional Hospital after a lingering illness.   She was born Saturday, June 16, 1934, in Altoona, PA, a daughter of the late Claude and Edna (Shomo) Ruch.   The family moved shortly to Pittsburgh where Carole graduated from Oakland Catholic High School and enrolled in Carlow University (then Mt. Mercy College) graduating in 1956 with a BS in Nursing.  While there, she served an...

Nora Lee Watson, 81, of Allenport, PA, died Wednesday, February 12, 2020.   She was born Saturday, August 13, 1938, in Monongahela, PA, a daughter of the late David Nicholas Willey and Julia Marie (Donovan) Willey.   She was a member of the Monongahela Historical Society, the Civil War Roundtable at Cal U. and the Pow Wow Club.   In addition to her parents Nora was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Watson, Sr. in 1985.   Left to cherish her memory are her...

  Virginia Lee “Susie” Conaway, 76, of Pleasant Hills, formerly of California, PA died Sunday, February 2, 2020.   She was born Wednesday, August 25, 1943, in California, PA, a daughter of the late John and Virginia (Wooldridge) Conaway.   In addition to her parents Susie was preceded in death by her brothers, James, John and Jason Conaway; sister, Jeannine Metal and nephew Jeremy Conaway.   Left to cherish her memory are several nieces and nephews and...

  Mary Swartz, 93, of California, PA , died Sunday, January 26, 2020.   She was born Friday, November 26, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Ference) Midlik.   She was a member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, Brownsville, PA   In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her husband Emil Swartz (11/15/1982) and a brother, Andrew Midlik.   Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Karen Swartz of California, PA;...

Allen Edward Lesouski, 76, of California, PA, died Sunday, January 26, 2020.   He was born Sunday, May 9, 1943, in Brownsville, PA, a son of the late August and Mary (Gasher) Lesouski.   Allen was a retired coal miner.  He proudly served in the Army during the Vietnam Campaign, working as an aircraft mechanic on UH-1 Huey Helicopters.   In addition to his parents Allen was preceded in death by five sisters and four brothers.   Left to cherish his memory are...

Erma Abercrombie, 102, of Coal Center, PA, died Monday, January 20, 2020.   She was born Monday, November 19, 1917, in Charleroi, PA, a daughter of the late Martin and Louise (Brigode) Dietz.   She was a member of St, Andrew the Apostle, Charleroi Campus. She was a 74 year member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Charleroi Court #669.   In addition to her parents Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Abercrombie (1998); two sisters, Irene Dietz and Ruth...

Jeannine Metal, 63, of Coal Center, PA, died Monday, January 13, 2020.   She was born Saturday, August 11, 1956, in Brownsville, PA, a daughter of the late John and Virginia (Wooldridge) Conaway.   In addition to her parents Jeannine was preceded in death by her husband Charles Metal and three brothers, James, John and Jason Conaway.   Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Virginia Lee Conaway of Pleasant Hills, PA, several nieces and nephews and numerous great...

Leo Ray Barnhart, 84, of Palmer (Adah) PA, died Saturday January 11, 2020 surrounded by the family that he loved. He was born on January 7, 1936, on the family farm in Ralph, PA the son of the late Ray W. Barnhart and Emma (Girlami) Barnhart. After his graduation from German Twp. High School, he moved to Parma Ohio, returning in 1969 to work at the Robena and Dilworth mines, from which he retired. Leo loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, especially deer hunting, with his family and...

Dr. Jay D. Helsel, 83, of Centerville, PA, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in Mon Valley Care Center.    He was born October 2, 1936 in Portage, PA, the son of the late Waldo E. and Mabel C. (Bowser) Helsel.    Jay was a 1954 graduate of Portage Area High School, Portage, PA and received his B.S.  in industrial arts education from California State Teachers College (now California University of Pennsylvania) in 1959, his M.Ed. from Penn State University in...

Joseph John Markovich, III, 77, of Daisytown, PA, died Saturday, December 14, 2019.   He was born Monday, December 7, 1942, in Brownsville, PA, the son of the late Joseph John Markovich, II and Cecilia Dolores (Ofcharcik) Markovich.   Joe was a retired coal miner. He was a member of the Daisytown Athletic Club.   In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Janet Carol Markovich Rudy and Joanie Markovich (in infancy.)   Left to cherish his...