Evelyn Castelli
Nurse's aide and member of AARP

Evelyn M. Mastele Castelli, 77 of North Huntingdon, died April 9, 2008.

Born April 2, 1931, in Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of Karl and Matilda Shellhorn Mastele.

Before retirement, she was employed as a nurse's aide at Well Spring Personal Care. Mrs. Castelli was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Irwin and AARP, and was a former member of the Fairmont-Hahntown Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mario Castelli; and a granddaughter, Nicole Castelli.

Surviving are four sons, Anthony (Charlotte) Castelli of Gadsden, Ala., Joseph Castelli of Steven City, Va., Daniel (Rebecca) Castelli of North Huntingdon and Martin (Tracy) Castelli of Winchester, Va.; two brothers, John and Karl Mastele; a sister, Matilda Cronmiller; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Friends were received at Joseph F. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Irwin. Mass of Christian Burial was in Church of the Immaculate Conception, Irwin.

Interment was at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

Evelyn Pomaibo
Known for her pies

Evelyn J. Lowe Pomaibo, 82, of North Huntingdon, died April 8, 2008.

Born June 14, 1925, in Moundsville, W.Va., she was the daughter of Ralph and Mary Rauschenburg Lowe.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, North Huntingdon, and Order of Eastern Star, Irwin Chapter No. 400.

Mrs. Pomaibo was a 1943 graduate of McKeesport High School, where she was an honor student and active in the drama club and choir. She enjoyed baking and was especially known for her pies.

Surviving are her husband of nearly 59 years, P. Paul Pomaibo; daughters, Paula (Ed) Washburn of Delmont and Jerilyn (Tom) Johnson of North Huntingdon; grandchildren, Aaron and Ashley Washburn, Kelly Buscemi, Melissa Cantalupo and Jennifer Schambura; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Phyllis Rothrauff.

Friends were received at William Snyder Funeral Home, Irwin, where a service was held with the Rev. James N. West officiating.

Interment was at Union Cemetery, North Huntingdon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, 1570 Clay Pike Road, North Huntingdon, PA 15642.

C. David Tromm
Computer programmer

C. David Tromm, 54, of North Huntingdon, died April 12, 2008, at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital.

Born June 8, 1953, in Everett, he was a son of Charles Robert and Joan Prough Tromm.

A 1972 graduate of Everett High School, he was a graduate of ICM of Pittsburgh. Mr. Tromm was employed for more than 20 years as a computer programmer at L.B. Foster in Green Tree. He was a member of St. Agnes Church in North Huntingdon, the Norwin Soccer Club and Norwin Band Aides and was an avid Penn State fan.

Surviving are his wife, Jean Lenhart Tromm; three daughters, Marissa Marie, Kimberly Ann and Emily Jean Tromm, all at home; a brother, Robert Michael Tromm; a sister, Bethanne Krater; and his father- and mother-in-law, Paul and Patricia Lenhart.

Friends were received at James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc., North Huntingdon. Mass will be at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, in St. Agnes Church, followed by interment at Brush Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Richard Shurzinske
Machinist

Richard B. Shurzinske, 85, of North Irwin, died April 7, 2008.

Born April 5, 1923, in Wendel, he was a son of Alex and Clara Ankney Shurzinske.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a machinist for Elliott Co. in Jeannette. Mr. Shurzinske was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II. He was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Irwin and the Claridge American Legion.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Edward Shurzinske; and four sisters, Mildred Minskey, Helen Golembiewski, Martha Minskey and Lillian Makosky.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Mary Janiro Shurzinske; a daughter, Cheryl Lavelle and her husband, Patrick, of North Irwin; three grandchildren, Lisa Standish Owens and Sean Lavelle; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends were received at Joseph F. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Irwin. Mass of Christian Burial was at Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Naomi Couchenour
Retired teller

Naomi J. Miller Couchenour, 83, of North Huntingdon, died April 9, 2008.

Born Jan. 23, 1925, in Elizabeth Township, she was the daughter of Herman and Sylvia Mansfield Miller.

She was a retired teller for Peoples Union and then Integra Bank, McKeesport. Mrs. Couchenour was a member of First United Methodist Church, Irwin, and its United Methodist Women.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Couchenour Sr.; and siblings, Viola Banks, Melvin, Harold and Raymond Miller.

Surviving are a son, Harry (Donna) Couchenour Jr. of Pittsburgh; grandsons, Craig and Chad Couchenour; and a great-granddaughter, Morgan Alia Couchenour.

Friends were received at William Snyder Funeral Home, Irwin. Entombment was at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Township.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Oak and Third streets, Irwin, PA 15642.

William Keller
Decorated veteran

William T. Keller, 86, of Corry, formerly of North Huntingdon, died April 13, 2008.

Born March 24, 1922, in Irwin, he was the son of William and Margaret Thomas Keller.

He was a retired employee of Westinghouse Electric Corp., East Pittsburgh. A 1940 graduate of Norwin High School, his service in the Army during World War II earned him the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation with two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart with Bronze Cluster and the Bronze Arrowhead Medal.

Mr. Keller was a member of First United Methodist Church in Irwin, United Methodist Men, the Happy Methodists and the Shidle Lodge No. 601, Free and Accepted Masons in Irwin.

He was active for more than 20 years with the Girl Scouts of America serving as leader of Troop 103, a leader and senior advisor for the Westmoreland Council, Girl Scouts of America, and received the National Thanks Badge.

Surviving are his wife of more than 62 years, Betty Jean Bowser Keller; daughters, Christine Feiler and husband, Ben, of Flowertown and Donna Magoun and husband, George, of Corry; grandchildren, Jeremy and Jessica Feiler, Bethany Payne and Allison Hope and Rachel Jean Mabray; stepgrandchildren Joel and Ben Magoun; and siblings, Donald Keller and Peggy Howard.

He was preceded in death by brothers Wayne and Harry Keller.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at William Snyder Funeral Home, Irwin. A Masonic service will be at 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thomas St. Clair and the Rev. Timothy Mabray officiating. Interment will be at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, in Washington County.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Oak & Third Streets, Irwin, PA 15642.

Richard Watko
Army veteran

Richard S. Watko, 56, of North Huntingdon, died April 11, 2008, at Mercy Jeannette Hospital.

Born June 2, 1951, in Glassport, he was a son of Rita Watko of North Huntingdon and the late John Watko.

He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Watko was employed in warehouse quality control at Revco in Pittsburgh. He was a member of the American Legion in North Huntingdon and Italian Miners Society, Hahntown.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jacalyn Palangio Watko; one daughter, Samantha Watko, at home; two brothers, Phillip and Paul Watko; a sister, Teresa Gardner; two nieces, Denise League and Jennifer George; and one nephew, Colin Gardner.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Watko; and a sister, Mary Phillips.

Friends were received at Joseph F. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Irwin.

Dennis Kedzierski
Mechanical engineer

Dennis P. Kedzierski, 48, of Penn Township, died April 6, 2008.

Born Aug. 20, 1959, in Meadville, he was a son of Stanley and Lois Werner Kedzierski of Saegertown, Pa.

He was employed as a mechanical engineer for Bechtel Bettis Inc. in West Mifflin. Mr. Kedzierski was a member of Community United Methodist Church, Harrison City.

Surviving are his wife, Connie Popella Kedzierski; two daughters, Kaylee and Abbey Kedzierski, both at home; a brother, David Kedzierski; and a sister, Debra Watson.

Friends were received at Joseph F. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Irwin. Interment was at Irwin Union Cemetery, North Huntingdon.

Lawrence Kovac
Machine repairman

Lawrence R. Kovac, 70, of North Huntingdon, died April 12, 2008, at Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville.

Born Jan. 8, 1938, in Larimer, he was a son of John and Elizabeth Chope Kovac.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a machine repairman and machinist by Fisher Body. Mr. Kovac was a member of the Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club and Latrobe HOG motorcycle group.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Grant Kovac; a son, Keith Kovac and his wife, Roxanne, of Alpine, Calif.; two daughters, Kellyann Kovac, at home, and Kristin Dressler and her husband, Donald, of North Huntingdon; two sisters, Florence Woomer of North Huntingdon and Betsy Milburn of Irwin; and three grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John, George and Ed Kovac.

There was no visitation. James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc., North Huntingdon, was in charge of arrangements.

Carl Filmore
Retired truck driver

Carl "Chuck" Filmore, 82, of Jeannette, died April 4, 2008.

Born Sept. 23, 1925, in Braddock, he was a son of John and Carolina Dunay Filmore.

He was a retired truck driver for Helm's Motor Express, North Huntingdon. Mr. Filmore was a member of the SNPJ Lodge, Herminie, and the Italian Miners Society, Hahntown.

Surviving are his wife, Kathryn Robinson Filmore; children, Carl Filmore and companion, Suzanne, of Latrobe and Dennis Filmore and companion, Sharon, of Greensburg; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond Filmore North Huntingdon.

Friends were received at William Snyder Funeral Home, Irwin. Entombment was in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township.

Livvia Frye
Grandmother

Livvia J. Frye, 87, of North Huntingdon, died April 13, 2008, at Nor-Ridge, North Huntingdon.

Born March 14, 1921, in North Huntingdon, she was a daughter of Marshall and Lillian Tharp Painter.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Clarence Frye; a brother, Robert Painter; and a sister, Evaline Franklin.

She is survived by two sons, Dennis Frye and his wife, Cecilia, of Ambridge and Dale Frye and his wife, Lori, of North Versailles; a brother, Edward Painter; a sister, Vivian Schultz; and a granddaughter, Heather Frye.

Friends were received at James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc., North Huntingdon. A service will be at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, in the funeral home chapel, followed by interment at Long Run Cemetery, North Huntingdon.

Shirley Mathews
Nurse's aide

Shirley B. Mathews, 79, of North Huntingdon, formerly of Port Vue and Cambridge, Ohio, died April 12, 2008.

Born Aug. 24, 1928, in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, she was a daughter of John and Margaret Blagdon Hause.

Before her retirement, she was employed as a nurse's aide by Guernsey Memorial Hospital and formerly employed by Irvin Works. Mrs. Mathews attended Norwin Alliance Church and also was a member of Full Gospel Church and Women's Aglow, both in Cambridge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mathews; and a brother, John Hause.

Surviving are her children, Joan (James) Patterson of North Huntingdon, Neil (Julie) Fox of Austin, Texas, Jack (Karen) Fox of North Huntingdon, Sandra (William) Mapstone of Baltimore, Kathy (Richard) Truschel of North Versailles, William (Helen) Mathews of Elizabeth, Robert (Carol) Mathews and John (Kim) Mathews of Jefferson; a brother, Lewis Hause; two sisters, Thelma England and Lorraine Stewart; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Friends were received at James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc., North Huntingdon.

Joseph Zavora
Worked at Mica plant

Joseph E. Zavora, 90, of Level Green died April 10, 2008, in Baldock Health Care Centre, North Huntingdon.

Born March 5, 1918, in Irwin, he was a son of Otto and Veronica Brizdala Zavora.

Before retiring in 1980, he was employed at Westinghouse Mica plant in Hahntown. A World War II veteran, he served with the 3rd Army, 255th Field Artillery Battalion, in the European Theater of Operations. He participated in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.

Mr. Zavora was a member of First United Methodist Church in Irwin and its United Methodist Men’s Club and Ushers Club. He was a member of DAV Post 61 in Turtle Creek, CSA Lodge Christa 479 and American Legion Post 359 in Irwin, and was a life member of LOOM 236, Irwin.

He is survived by a son, Edward Zavora of Palm Springs, Calif.; a stepson, Edwin (Ardith) Larson of Level Green; two sisters, Rose Laukus and Mildred Altman; and four grandchildren, Karin Meyerson, Scott, Eric and William Larson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Sylvia Zavora; second wife, Alice Uherek Larson Zavora; three brothers, Otto, Rudy and Charles Zavora; and a sister, Anna Neal.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Vincent V. Rodgers Funeral Home, Irwin. A service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Thomas St. Clair officiating.

Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery with military honors.