Obituaries 2-4-11

Margaret Robinette Margaret B. "Peggy" Robinette, 83, of Sewickley, wife of the late William Alexander Robinette, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Mrs. Robinette was a 1944 graduate of Schenley High School and a 1948 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University where she earned a bachelor of science in speech. She was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm and served on the board of directors of the Sewickley Women's Club. She also was past president of Sewickley Music Club, past president of Sewickley Valley Hospital Auxiliary, president of PA Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries (PAHA) and held many local and national titles in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, GA. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Province president, National Convention Manager, Pittsburgh and Atlanta chapter president among other offices. She is survived by four children, William Alexander Robinette Jr. and his wife Karen of Pittsburgh, Bradley Alan Robinette and his wife Sherry of Evergreen, CO, Margaret Lynn Gsegner and her husband Robert and Joann Marie Godwin and her husband Bert, all of Marietta, GA; 11 grandchildren, Monique Robinette, Ryan Alexander Robinette and his wife Danielle, Kristin Diane Robinette, Corey Alan Robinette, Allison Dawn Robinette, Courtney Taylor Morrel and her husband Robert, Kirby Meredith Holder and her husband Ryan, Amanda Gsegner, Adam Gsegner and his wife Aileen, Margaret Kate and Matthew Bert Godwin; and two great-grandsons, Chase Alexander Morrel and Mateo Adam Gsegner. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Helen Essie Bailey. Friends were received at Copeland's Sewickley Funeral Home. A funeral service was held in Christ Church at Grove Farm on Saturday with Rev. Barry Mariana officiating. Memorial donations are suggested to Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, Inc., 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46250-4343, PA Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (PAHA), Attn.: Jeannette Bortner, 4750 Lindle Rd., P.O. Box 8600, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8600 or Heritage Valley Sewickley Auxiliary, Attn.: Irene Dailey, 720 Blackburn Rd., Sewickley, PA 15143.Myna Barker Myna S. Barker, 90, of Avalon, formerly of West View, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. Mrs. Barker was a longtime member of Greenstone United Methodist Church in Avalon. She is survived by two children, Lynn A. Conn and Pat Koleszar; four grandchildren, Rev. Jeff Conn, Amanda Morin and her husband Duncan Hutty, Jason Conn and his wife Carla and Kevin Koleszar; a great-granddaughter, Anastasia Morin-Hutty; her former brother-in-law, Bill Suddaby; two nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lee S. Suddaby. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 3:30 p.m., at Metowers, 1001 New Brighton Rd., Avalon, with Rev. Richard Feagin officiating. Donations are suggested to her church at 939 California Ave., Avalon, PA 15202. Arrangements were made by the Orion C. Pinkerton Funeral Home, Avalon.Elizabeth KrallElizabeth Ann Krall, 81, of Bellevue, formerly of Ross Township and wife of the late William Krall, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. Mrs. Krall was a longtime member of Northminster United Presbyterian Church, Eastern Star and an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. And Mrs. C. Gill Watt; and seven siblings, Charles, John and Daniel Watt, Katherine Donnelly, Carolyn Donnelly, Virginia Real and Miriam Foster. Friends were received at the Orion C. Pinkerton Funeral Home, Avalon, where services were held on Saturday. Donations are suggested to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 333 E. Carson St., Suite 441, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.William Palmer Sr. William J. Palmer Sr. of Maumee, OH, formerly of Scott Township and husband of the late Betty J. Chandler Palmer, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. He is survived by three sons, Robert Hustwit of Dallas, TX, William J. Palmer Jr. and his wife Linda of Columbus, OH and Rand F. Palmer and his wife Debra of Bowling Green, OH; his brother, Walter Palmer of Arizona; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Cheryle Hustwit. Friends were received at McDonald-Linn Funeral Home, Avalon, until the time of services on Saturday.Eleanor Schmid Eleanor L. Schmid, 94, of Bellevue, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. Ms. Schmid was a retired administrative assistant at Bethlehem Steel, where she worked for 36 years. She was a longtime member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Bellevue. She is survived by cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, William L. and Mabel Horton Schmid; and her sister, Margaret E. Schmid. Friends were received at McDonald-Linn Funeral Home, Avalon, until the time of services on Sunday.Frederick Muhl Frederick G. Muhl died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Mr. Muhl had worked for Pittsburgh Railways and the Port Authority of Allegheny County for 39 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of CWV of St. Andrew. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie A. Williamson Muhl; his daughter, Margaret A. Karlik and her husband Vincent; his sister, Elizabeth Troha and her husband Matthew; two grandchildren, Vincent Frederick and Kayla Diane Karlik; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Kaczmarski. Friends were received at Thomas P. Kunsak Funeral Home, North Side. A funeral mass was held in Risen Lord Church on Monday.Vincent Banas Vincent P. Banas of Pittsburgh died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Susan M. Hlister Banas; eight stepchildren, Suzanne Walch and her husband Don, Joanne Edwards and her husband Jim, Joseph Hlister and his wife Paula, Geraldine Falls and her husband Jim, Deborah Meyer and her husband Mark, Marianne Jasak, Lisa Chambliss and her husband Scott and Anita Hlister; five siblings, Joseph, Margaret and Andrew Banas, Wilma Anderson and Edward Banas; 17 step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Banas; two siblings, Mary and John; and his stepson-in-law, Clayton Jasek. Friends were received at Thomas P. Kunsak Funeral Home, North Side. A funeral mass was held in Risen Lord Church on Tuesday.Donald Hunter Sr. Donald L. Hunter Sr., 68, of Emsworth died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Hunter; two sons, Donald L. Hunter Jr. of Emsworth and Dean Hunter and his wife Kathleen of Fort Fairfield, ME; his brother, George Hunter of Avalon; and his granddaughter, Ashley Hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia Hunter. There was no visitation and services were private. Arrangements were made by the Lawrence T. Miller Funeral Home, Bellevue.John Johnson John "Jack" Franklin Johnson, 86, of Mt. Lebanon, formerly of Jefferson Borough and Avalon, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Mr. Johnson was a 1941 graduate of Avalon High School. He served in the Quartermaster Corps of the 95th Infantry Division during World War II. In 1949, he graduated from the University of Denver School of Hotel and Management, and in 1950 he earned a master of business degree at the University of Chicago. He worked as assistant manager at South Hills Country Club, sales director of the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh and director of convention sales for the Pittsburgh Convention Bureau. He was project supervisor in meetings and conferences of US Steel and convention manager for International Iron and Steel Institute until 1994. He also was chairman of the International Fugu Club and an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Whitehall, where he was a charter member for 45 years. He enjoyed playing guitar for the children of the church's pre-school. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Fogarty Johnson; three sons, John Johnson Jr. and his wife Patti Litman of the sailboat Ankinga, Stephen Johnson and his wife Tracey of Pittsburgh and Michael Thomas and his wife Carolyn of Lost Creek, WV; seven grandsons, John III and his wife Alejandra, Douglas and his wife Audrey, Benjamin and his wife Anne, Samuel, Jacob and Adam Johnson and Christopher Thomas; four great-grandchildren, Sarah, Tristan, Madison and Abigail; and his daughter-in-law, Ruth Johnson. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Johnson; his parents, John Franklin and Mary Woodburn Johnson; and his brother, Robert W. Johnson. Friends were received at John F. Slater Funeral Home, Brentwood. A Christian burial service was held in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Tuesday. Contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Luther Church Pre-School, 418 Maxwell Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15236.Emma Witherspoon Emma Jane Witherspoon, 92, of Avalon, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. She is survived by two nieces, Elaine Hatcher and Marilyn Gufford; grandnieces; and a grandnephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, James W. and Margaret Pearl Brown; and two sisters, Sarah Clems and Bess Orh. A memorial service was held in Greenstone United Methodist Church in Avalon on Tuesday. Arrangements were made by Anthony Musmanno Funeral Home.Sara Kestner Sara Frances Scott "Scotty" Kestner of Edgeworth, PA died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011. She is survived by her husband, William C. Kestner; her son, Robert W. Kestner and his wife Jean of Emsworth; her daughter-in-law, Alison Kestner of New Waterford, OH; five grandchildren, Megan Lowry and her husband Kyle, Molly Jane Kestner, Aimee Montani and her husband Tony, Kathryn Bulanda and her husband Matthew and Andrew Kestner; a great-grandson, John Steven Montani; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, John Scott Kestner; and her brother, George R. Scott. Friends were received at Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley. Funeral services were held in St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on Wednesday. Burial was in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Memorial contributions are suggested to her church at 801 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143.Wenzel Lang Jr. Wenzel P. "Wentz" Lang Jr., 94, of Avalon, husband of the late Alice M. Logue Lang, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Mr. Lang was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He is survived by three sons, Richard Lang of Avalon, Russell Lang and his wife Carol of Squirrel Hill and Mark Lang and his wife Kim of Atlanta, GA; three siblings, Norman and Robert Lang and Violet Bossung; two grandsons, Matthew and his wife Jessica of MI and Brian of Pittsburgh; and a great-grandchild, Callum of MI. He was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Lang. Friends were received at the Orion C. Pinkerton Funeral Home, Avalon. A Mass of Christian Burial was held in the Church of the Assumption on Wednesday.James Standish James A. Standish died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Itzel Standish; two children, Judy Hanley and her husband Bill and Jay A. Standish and his wife Carolyn; five grandchildren, Kim, Chad, Kelly, Brooke and Chelsea; two great-grandchildren, Reese and Dane; and brother-in-law of Marilyn Fontana and her husband Bill. Friends were received at O'Brien Funeral Home, North Side. A funeral mass was held in St. Cyril of Alexandria Church on Wednesday. Memorials are suggested to Allegheny YMCA, North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212.Douglas Hoerth Douglas E. "Uncle Dougie" Hoerth, 66, of Bellevue died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011. Mr. Hoerth was a well-known, radio broadcaster in Pittsburgh for more than 25 years. He worked at WWSW, KDKA, KQV, WTAE, WPTT and WJAS. He is survived by two cousins, Janet Mauroni of New Kensington and Cynthia Mawn of New Jersey; dear friends, William "Zimp" Zimpleman, Phil Lenz, Jim Haller and Lynn Cullen; and second cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Daisy Bunce Hoerth; two cousins, Lila Gibbs and William Blackley; and a dear friend, Laurence Gaines Jr. There was no visitation. A reflection of his life get-together was held on Thursday at the Holiday Inn, North Hills. Arrangements were made by the Lawrence T. Miller Funeral Home, Bellevue.Linda McDonough Linda Theresa Plaikner McDonough, 59, of Coraopolis, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Mrs. McDonough was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm. She had worked for the Allegheny Valley schools as secretary and caregiver and later at First Step with UPMC. She was an avid fan of "Sound of Music" and Michael Jackson. She is survived by her husband, Fred J. McDonough; two children, Lisa Schreckengost and her husband Jeffrey of Pittsburgh and Kristy Pulford and her husband Craig of Neville Island; her stepdaughter, Mara McDonough of Pittsburgh; her parents, Rudolph and Lorraine Del'Aquila Plaikner of Gibsonia; three siblings, Patricia Scuglia and her husband Tony of Elizabeth Twp., Lorraine King and her husband Alan of Glenshaw and Bobby Plaikner and his wife April of North Versailles; and four grandchildren, Julie, Cory, Craig Jr. and Larry. Friends were received at Copeland's Coraopolis Funeral Home where services were held on Friday with Rev. Barry Mariana officiating. Donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society.Pamela Bearse Pamela Bearse, 57, of Bellevue died Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. She is survived by her brother, Darrell Bearse and his wife Dory; and her niece Chantel Monique Skelley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fletcher and Harriet Vesely Bearse; and her uncle, Paul Vesely. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society. Arrangements were made by Elmer L. Herman Funeral Home, Pittsburgh.Betty Jean Holly Betty Jean Holly, 81, of the North Side died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. She is survived by four children, Dwayne Simpson and Saundra Mason, both of Hiller, PA, Aratha Holly and Dr. Michele Holly, both of Pittsburgh; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Friends were received at Greater A.M.E. Church, Brighton Heights, where a celebration of life service was held on Friday. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Robinson Funeral Home, Perry Hilltop.Colleen Ferski Colleen Blythe Ferski of Cary, NC, formerly of Bellevue, died Jan. 30, 2011. Mrs. Ferski was a graduate of Northgate High School and Carlow College. She leaves her husband, Phil Ferski of Cary, sisters, Kimberly Kirk and her husband Dave of Wilmington, NC; Leah Myers and her husband Bud of Pittsburgh; Beth Newman and her husband Mark of Katy, TX; and Tracy Hildenbran and her husband Eric of Franklin, OH; brothers; Thomas Blythe and his wife Patty of Gulf Breeze, FL , Michael Blythe of Seaside, OR; and brother-in-law, Mark Ferski of Cary. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. She was the daughter of the late Bill and Joan Blythe.