| KADLECIK | ANNA F. KADLECIK Age 87, on March 6, 2002, of McKees Rocks, beloved wife of the late John Joseph; mother of Robert, Ronald, Raymond, Carol BASL and the late Edward and John C. "Jack"; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister of Rose BURBA, Evelyn SHARK and Agnes KLECHA; also survived by nieces and nephews. Funeral private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John of God Parish, 1 Desiderio Way, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Arrangements by VALERIAN F. SZAL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 238 Helen St., McKees Rocks. |
| KANAI | PETER P. KANAI Peter Kanai, Funeral Home Founder, Dies; He Operated In Four Districts -- Peter P. Kanai, 59 who founded four funeral homes in the Pittsburgh district, died yesterday in West Penn Hospital after a short illness. Mr. Kanai, a past president of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Assn., began his career in 1910 at McKees Rocks. He had operated funeral homes in Greenfield, the North Side, McKees Rocks and Stowe Township. Mr. Kanai was a life member of the McKees Rocks Elks, had served on McKees Rocks Council and was active in the Boys Club and other organizations. Survived are his widow, Mrs. Mary Christopher Kanai; three daughters, Mrs. John M. KISSELL and Mrs. George C. KONDAS, McKees Rocks, and Mrs. John R. ROBYAK, Alexander, Va.; a son Edward P., Pittsburgh; 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Alex HOSILYK, Mrs Anna HEINAUER, and Mrs. Frank WEINHOFER, all of Mckees Rocks. Friends are being received at the Kanai Funeral Home, 300 Helen Street, McKees Rocks. High mass will be sung at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery." (Source: Pittsburgh Press; Saturday July 2, 1949) (Provided by Karen Stikarofsky White, karenswhite@hughes.net ) |
| KANAI | THEODOZIA PALUCH KANAI On Saturday, May 21, 1932, at 9:20 p.m., Mrs. Theodozia Kanai, widow of the late Anthony Kanai, in her 60th year. Funeral from her late residence 124 Churchill St., McKees Rocks, on Wednesday, May 25 at 10 a.m. High mass at St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church, corner of Helen and Ella Sts. friends are invited. Mother of Peter P. Kanai." (Source: Pittsburgh Press - May 24, 1932) (Provided by Karen Stikarofsky White, karenswhite@hughes.net ) |
KARGER  |
DALE E. KARGER Auto parts store owner, firefighter, flying ace in World War II. Dale E. Karger did not brag about being the youngest surviving ace pilot from World War II, but if you asked him enough questions, he'd oblige you with stories. As a young man, he and his fellow "Yoxford Boys" flew with Chuck Yeager in the 357th Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps, shooting down Nazi planes over Germany. Fifty years later, he returned to the group's base in Lieston, England, with some fellow veterans and had an audience with Queen Elizabeth II. But Mr. Karger, of Brighton, lived most of his life in blissful obscurity, raising a family, running an auto parts store and volunteering with the local fire department. He died Oct. 5, following a brief illness. He was 83. Born in Templeton, Armstrong County, and raised in Stowe, he was 19 when he rose to ace status after shooting down his fifth enemy plane north of Munich in January 1945. He was one of a few pilots to down one of the German Me-262 jets. He flew solo missions in planes named after his sweetheart, "Cathy Mae" and "Cathy Mae II." When he returned home, he married Catherine Mae, the young woman whose name decorated his planes. He would wear a brown leather flight jacket when he helped out at his father's Esso gas station, remembered Bob Steffanus, then a child of 3 who stopped by with his own father. "I'm 65 now," said Mr. Steffanus, an airplane buff whose heroes were fighter pilots. "I remember counting the swastikas, up over his shoulder. It had the 357th Fighter Group emblem that Chuck Yeager belonged to and 364th Squadron on there. "Above his wings was a jumble of 111/2 yellow swastikas. Those represented the airplanes he destroyed in WWII. He shot down seven, shared in an eighth and destroyed four on the ground, by strafing airfields. It was an extremely dangerous thing to do." In Mr. Karger's later years, his daughter, Lynne Diane MOORE, of Santa Fe, N.M., said, he regretted the grim reality behind these victories for the Allies. "He realized those pilots were just like him," she said. "They were there being patriotic and he ended their lives. He'd say, 'They were kids just like I was.'" Another of Mr. Karger's fans from the younger generation, Tom Dowlin, of Beaver, said, "I knew him all my life and I didn't realize he was a World War II pilot." After reading about Mr. Karger online, Mr. Dowlin said he went to his father's good friend's house and spent a couple of hours interviewing him in 2000. Mr. Karger will appear in a documentary film Mr. Dowlin made. It showcases interviews with World War II veterans from Beaver County and will debut Nov. 15 at the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation's Charter Day dinner at the Seven Oaks Country Club. As a civilian, Mr. Karger owned and ran Beaver Valley Auto Parts, NAPA in Beaver for more than 35 years, and volunteered with the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department for more than 40 years. In addition to Ms. Moore and his wife of nearly 63 years, he is survived by a son, Dale C. Karger, of Industry; another daughter, Karin Dee ADRIAN, of Stafford, Va.; his brother, Robert Karger, of McKees Rocks; his sister, Lois ROBINSON, of Mobile, Ala.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was interred last Wednesday with full military honors at the Beaver Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver Valley Church of God, 1013 Beaner Hollow Road, Beaver, PA 15009. |
| KASPERSKI | MARIE STIKAROFSKY KASPERSKI At St. Francis Hospital on Mon. July 31, 1978, Marie Stikarofsky Kasperski of Kennedy Twp., beloved wife of Victor Kasperski, mother of Ruth MAMEL, Ethel EVANS, Eleanor THUMPSTON, Victor and Raymond Kasperski, sister of Emma BARBER, Alice SEELEY, Helen TAUNEY and the late Jacob R. Stikarofsky. Also survived by 10 grandchildren. Mrs. Kasperski was a charter member of Forest Grove Community Church. If desired, contributions may be made to the St. Francis Hospital Coronary Intensive Care Unit. Funeral services and Interment were held on Wed. afternoon. Source: Pittsburgh Press, 2 August 1978. (Provided by Karen Stikarofsky White, karenswhite@hughes.net ) |
KASPERSKI  |
VICTOR ANTHONY KASPERSKI Age 74, of West Alexandria, OH, died unexpectedly, Saturday, January 28, 2006 at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born at home, February 3, 1931 to the late Marie (STIKAROFSKY) and Victor Kasperski in Kennedy Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he retired in 1988 from United Airlines, where he worked as an airline mechanic and inspector. He is survived by Anna, his wife of 49 years; a daughter, Mary Ann (Nick) PETRICHENKO of Ovilla, Texas; a son, Paul (Lisa) Kasperski of Farmersville, OH; six grandchildren, Rachel, Kristin, Kaitlyn, Sophia, Jake, and Clint; three sisters, Ruth MAMEL of Sewickley, PA, Ethel (Steve) EVANS of Kissimmee, FL, Eleanor THUMPTSON of Bradford, PA; a brother, Ray (Lois) Kasperski of Cabot, PA; and a special brother-in-law, Arthur RABOLD of West Alexandria,OH. A strong quiet man who loved his family, his garden, and his tractors; he will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service is planned for early spring. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society~Burkitt's Lymphoma research. DALTON FUNERAL HOME, Germantown, OH serving the Family. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb (Provided by Karen Stikarofsky White, karenswhite@hughes.net ) |
| KAVALUKAS | EMMA L. (HUFNAGEL) KAVALUKAS Age 97, preceded in death by her parents Ulrich and Lorena Hufnagel, peacefully with her family by her side on Oct. 10, 2005, of Kennedy Twp. Loving wife of Frank and loving mother of Patricia L. SLAN; sister of Gertrude YANKE and the late Albert, John, Frank, Joseph, Ulrich, Robert, James Hufnagel, Elizabeth HANDLOW, Bertha YOST, Kathryn WURMS and Virginia Hufnagel. Also survived by grandchildren, Wayne J. Slan and Jeanine (William) HUBBS; one great grandchild, Katelyn Hubbs. Emma was a proud past President and life member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 418. Family to receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 pm Wed. at MCDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1225 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks (Family owned & operated since 1886). Mass of Christian Burial, 10 am, Thurs. at St. John of God Parish in St. Mary's Church. |
| KELLY | KELLY, HARRY B. Kelly, Harry B., 74, of 5623 80th St. N, Five Towns, St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 22, 1988) at his residence. Born in McKees Rocks, Pa., he came here in 1986 from Clairton, Pa. He was a former supervisor with Copperweld Steel Corp. Locally, he was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Marie; a son, James H., Medford, N.J.; two daughters, Eileen BOBACK, North Huntington Township, Pa., and Janice KOVAC, Grapevine, Texas; a sister, Ethel DAMIS, St. Petersburg; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. International Chapels Funeral Home, Pinellas Park. St. Petersburg Times (FL) - March 23, 1988 |
| KEPPEL | FRANK J. KEPPEL Sr. Frank J. Keppel Sr., age 80, on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2001. He was born in McKees Rocks on Nov. 26, 1920. Beloved husband of the late Kathryn Keppel; loving father of Kathleen (Harry) PLAS and Frank (LuAnn) Keppel Jr.; dear grandfather of Casandra (James), Danelle, Harry Jr. and Jonathan; brother of Bertha ROLAN. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the MCDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1225 Chartiers Ave, McKees Rocks (Family owned and operated since 1886), www.mcdermottfuneralhome.com. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. John of God Parish, St. Mary's Church. Interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. |
| KOCHIRKA | JOSEPH KOCHIRKA Joseph Kochirka, 86, born in Pittsburgh, former resident of McKees Rocks and Kennedy Twp. on Dec. 29, 2006; beloved husband of Anne (KRULAC); father of Janet (Kochirka) KOCH of VA; grandfather of Gregory Koch, also of VA. Friends may call Friday 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 334 Forest Grove Road, Kennedy Twp., Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10 AM St. Malachy Church. In lieu of flowers family suggests contributions to Alzheimer's Association, 100 W. Station Square Drive Pgh. PA 15219 |
KOCZUR |
JOSEPH J. KOCZUR, SR. Joseph J. Koczur, Sr. was born on January 7, 1930 in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Army in 1948 and served in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Germany, as well as stateside assignments at Fort Gordon, GA, Fort Lewis, WA and The Presidio of San Francisco. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1968, he worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lakewood, WA first as an aide on the wards, then as an administrative specialist. After retiring from the VA in 1992 he pursued his interests in bowling, fishing, gardening, skeet shooting, traveling, bird watching, stamp collecting and military crest collecting. He also volunteered at the VA and the Ft. Lewis Military Museum. He passed peacefully unto the Lord on April 9, 2008 with his wife and son at his side. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Ayako, his son Joe, Jr., his second son Doug Walters, his brother William Koczur and sister Ann HELINSKI. His infectious smile, his willingness to see the best in everyone and to help whomever and wherever he could will be missed, as will his love of children and puppies. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 10508 112th St. SW, Lakewood, WA. Rosary will be at 10:00 AM with Mass to follow at 11:00 AM and a reception at 12:00. |
KOZAR |
ALBERT KENNETH KOZAR, Sr. Born in McKees Rocks, PA on July 5, 1921, passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2007. Mr. Kozar signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1941. After the '42 season he enlisted in the Army during WW II and saw duty in the Pacific. Mr. Kozar returned to the Red Sox organization in '46. In 1948 he was traded to the Washington Senators and was selected to the Rookie All-Star Team. He finished his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1954. In 1952 Mr. Kozar married Merilyn A. MAFERA of Boston, MA, a flight attendant with American Airlines. Mr. Kozar worked at Pratt & Whitney where he retired after 23 years of service. He was involved with coaching youth baseball at Al Tatum and Connie Mack programs from 1955-62. Mr. Kozar organized the P&W Fast pitch Softball Team at Currie Park and recruited a team of local All-Stars to travel the state. His retirement led to many enjoyable summers in Highlands, NC where kids, grandkids, and friends were always welcome at Mirror Lake. Even sportswriters managed to stop in for a brief quote or simply reminisce about the glory days of Bob Feller, Joe DiMaggio, and Ted Williams. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Merilyn A. Kozar of Lake Worth, FL; a son, Albert K. Kozar, Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; a daughter, Paulee K. MULLINS and her husband Dan of Newnan, GA; four grandchildren, Albert III and Megan Kozar, and Stephanie and Jack Mullins; and one sister, Betty PACHUTA of Imperial, PA. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Monday at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL. A Funeral mass will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at St. Juliana Catholic Church, West Palm Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers donations, in his memory, may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 |
| KOZER | MARTIN JOHN KOZAR (KOZER) On Tuesday May 10, Martin, of 713 Woodward Ave., McKees Rocks, husband of Mary Kozer, father of Mrs. Kathryn TARAHAN of San Bernadino, Calif, and Irene STIKAROFSKY, of Coraopolis, also two grand children. Friends received at the Musmanno Funeral Home, 700 Seventh St., McKees Rocks. Funeral Friday at 9 a.m. Requiem high mass at Mother of Sorrows Church at 9:30 a.m. (Source: Pittsburgh Press - May 11, 1960 59/5) (Provided by Karen Stikarofsky White, karenswhite@hughes.net ) |
| KROBOT | EDWARD JOHN KROBOT Edward John Krobot, 61, 580 S. Main St., Cambridge Springs, PA died Sunday, June 21, 1998, at Clarion Hospital in Clarion after a short illness. He was born July 27, 1936, in Pittsburgh. Mr. Krobot, who lived in McKees Rocks most of his life, worked at General Wire Spring Co. as an assembler for 29 years, retiring in June 1994. He was a member of McKees Rocks Elks Lodge 1623 and the McKees Rocks Sportsmen's Club. He was a social member of VFW Venango Post 169 a former member of the American Legion post in McKees Rocks. He was preceded in death by a sister, Edna CHIZAR; a brother, William Krobot; and his former wife, Jo Ann HILTGEN. He is survived by his wife of four years, Rita Krobot; a son, Edward Krobot Jr. of Monaca; four daughters, Mrs. Logan (CASSIE) James of Gunnison, Colo., Mrs. Michelle BECKER, Peggy Krobot and Julie Krobot, all of McKees Rocks; two stepsons, George E. Davis and James Michael Rough of Cambridge Springs; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Ron (Tammy) VAN HORSEN of Adrian, Minn.; three brothers, John, Floyd and William Krobot, all of McKees Rocks; 14 grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Van Matre Funeral Home, 335 Venango Ave., Cambridge Springs, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A service will be held there Wednesday at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Rod Beardsley, pastor of Cambridge Springs First Baptist Church. Burial will be at Venango Cemetery. June 22, 1998 |
| KRULICK | George M. Krulick George M. Krulick, 71, passed away at his home Nov. 20 after a 2 1/2-year battle with liver cancer. He was born in McKees Rocks, Pa., and attended Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Mr. Krulick had been an Akron resident for 47 years. He retired from Goodyear Tire Reclaim Division with 37 years of service, where he was also active with the Goodyear basketball program in 1945 and 1946. During World War II, Mr. Krulick worked for Goodyear Aircraft. He was a member of the Fraternal Society of the Deaf, the Croatian Fraternal Union and St. Ann Lodge 29 of Pittsburgh, Pa., a former member of the Akron and Cleveland Clubs of the Deaf, and former business mananger of the Akron Club of the Deaf. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dolly of Akron; son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Sue of Cuyahoga Falls; brother, Frank of McKees Rocks Pa.; brother and sister-in-law, John and Stella of Corapolis, Pa.; sister and brother-in-law, Bertha and Frank HREN; and brother, Robert, all of Cleveland. Funeral services Wednesday, 11 a.m., at the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home 547 Canton Rd., Akron, Pastor David Conrad and Pastor Cynthia Ishler officiating. Burial at Hillside Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home TODAY, 6 to 9 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Christ Lutheran Church of Cuyahoga Falls, 1890 Bailey Rd.; or the Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S. Main St., Columbiana 44408. Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - November 21, 1989 |
KUCHTA  |
EDWARD C. KUCHTA Edward C. Kuchta, 83, of 2310 S. Canal Street, Newton Falls, Oh., died December 9, 2007, in St. Joseph Health Center, Warren, Oh. Born February 17, 1924, in McKees Rocks, Pa., the son of Charlie H. and Helen KUKLAK Kuchta. Crane operator for Copperweld Steel retiring on February 28, 1987. Member St. Michael Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite in Newton Falls, Oh. Graduated from Newton Falls High School in 1942. United States Marine Corp Veteran. Active duty during WW II and awarded the Purple Heart Medal for action in Iwo Jima in 1945. Honorably discharged on December 29, 1945. Survived by wife, Mary, whom he married on June 7, 1947; children, Marilyn M. Kuchta Gilmore and husband, Stephen of Bexley, Oh., Robert C. Kuchta and wife, Patricia of Chagrin Falls, Oh. and Edward J. Kuchta of Seven Hills, Oh. Visitation Thursday, December 13, 2007, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the BOROWSKI MEMORIAL HOME, Newton Falls, Oh. Funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 14, 2007, at St. Michael Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite in Newton Falls with Rev. Richard Lambert as Celebrant. Burial St. Michael's Cemetery with the Newton Falls Veterans Organization Honor Guard holding a military service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests material tributes to be made in Edward's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 321, Canfield, Oh. 44406-0321. |
| KUNDRAT | ROBERT J. KUNDRAT Age 55, on Saturday September 18, 2004 of Georgetown, MA, formerly of Stowe Twp., Pa. Beloved husband of the late Laura Kundrat. Son of Theresa and the late John Kundrat. Brother of John A. (Jack) and wife Betsy Ann Kundrat. Nephew of Ann Kundrat, Charles Kundrat, Myrona DUGGAN, Myron Kundrat and Mary Ann PENOVICH. Brother-in-law of Bobbi NICHOLAS and Deanne NACRELLI. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Bob was a long time employee of U.S. Airways, Logan Airport, Mass. Friends are welcome Sunday 6-9 PM and Monday 2-9 PM at the Valerian F. Szal Funeral Home, Inc., 238 Helen Street, MCKEES ROCKS, PA. Parastas will be held Monday at 8:00 PM. Funeral Tuesday at 9:30 AM followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Boston Globe, The (MA) |
| KURCZEWSKI | HELEN SKRZYPCZAK KURCZEWSKI Helen Skrzypczak Kurczewski, 89, of 304 Olivia St., McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, formerly of Erie, died Friday, Jan. 23, 1998, at Mariner Health of West Hills in Coraopolis. She was born June 26, 1908, in Lubin, Wis., daughter of the late Michael and Josephine SKOROPINSKI Skrzypczak. Mrs. Kurczewski worked for General Electric Co. in Erie as a moldmaker for 15 years. She was a housekeeper at James Parker Middle School for eight years and owned the Phillipsville Store and Tavern. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kurczewski, in 1982; a son, Richard Kurczewski, on June 23, 1997; two brothers, Joe and Edward Skrzypczak; and two sisters, Mary PAWLOWSKI and Sophie NUNEWSKI. She is survived by one sister, Elizabeth PODSIADLY of McKees Rocks; five grandchildren, Laurie COCK, Barbara BABO, Richard Kurczewski II, John and Robert Kurczewski; and six great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Harry D. Glunt Funeral Home, 210 Erie St., Edinboro, on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A service will be held there Monday at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Edinboro Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2115 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508. |