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Henry Hall |
Henry Hall was born in about September 1842 or on May 15, 1844 in Stewart Township, Fayette County, PA, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hall and stepson of Elizabeth (Rowan) Hall. (Birthdate records differ, and he once wrote, "I don't have any record of my Birth, either Bible or Church.")
He grew up in Wharton Township but never learned to read or write. As a young man, he stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair.
During the Civil War, he and his brother William served with the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K. They both joined the Union Army on March 23, 1864 and remained through the duration of the war. The 116th was one of six regiments comprising the famed "Irish Brigade." The men were issued obsolete smoothbore muskets, which fired buck-and-ball shot producing a shotgun effect in close-range combat.
Among other soldiers in the regiment was Silas Younkin, a distant step-cousin by marriage.
Just a month after enlistment, Henry contracted the measles and rubella and was treated in an army hospital. He thus was absent when his regiment took part in the excessively bloody Wilderness campaign from early May to early June 1864 -- battles including Todd’s Tavern, Spottsylvania, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, William’s Farm, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom and Reams Station.
Henry recovered from his medical problems and rejoined the regiment in about September 1864.
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| Five Forks battle as sketched by Alfred R. Waud - Library of Congress |
The 116th spent the winter of 1864-1865 in camp during the siege of Petersburg, occasionally performing reconnaissance and skirmishing. Fighting resumed at Gravelly Run (March 30, 1865), Five Forks (April 1) and Farmville (April 7, just two days before the enemy’s surrender).
On April 9, 1865, the men of Henry's unit halted their skirmishing, cooked coffee and then "received the glorious news of the surrender," writes St. Clair A. Mulholland in his book The Story of the 116th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. After a time, Union Gen. George C. Meade rode through their lines and into the enemy's. Then that afternoon, he rode back, stopped in front of the 116th and removed his cap, saying "General Lee has surrendered to General Grant." Writes Sgt. Maj. Samuel D. Hunter, "It now seemed as if by the hand of God life had been suspended for several minutes. Not a word was spoken, not a movement was made. Officers and men stood like regiments of statue-soldiers in the perfect silence. Then like an electric shock broke forth one grand shout and cheer after cheer rent the air."
and William
Sadly, Henry's brother William did not survive the war, dying in a field hospital at Brandy Station, VA. Henry completed his term of military and received an honorable discharge on July 14, 1865, while in Washington, DC. He then returned home to the mountains.
In 1865, at the age of 23, Henry married 24-year-old Mary Margaret Hull (April 1841-1916), daughter of John Hull. Magistrate Dougherty Elliott officiated at the nuptials ceremony, held in Wharton Township.
Mary's middle name also has been given as "Catherine." She also lacked reading and writing skills.
The couple produce these nine children -- David X. Hall, Mary "Margaret" Van Sickle, Winfield S. Hall II, John W. Hall, Levi Hall II, Archibald William "Archie" Hall, George Hall, Walter Hall and Clarence "Washington" (or "Washabaugh" or more simply "Wash") Hall.
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Ruts of old Braddock's Road in Chalk Hill dating to the French & Indian War |
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Henry Hall Courtesy Randy McKean |
On Dec. 16, 1891, Henry was awarded a military pension for his service during the Civil War. [Invalid App. #1077818 - Cert. #881402]. In his application, he claimed that the measles had caused weakness and disease in his lower back and kidneys and that he had "much indigestion" from a "diseased stomach." Brother-in-law Jonathan Baker and family friend George A. Anderson both signed an affidavit saying they had known Henry for many years "to be respectable, a good citizen and a quiet and peaceable man in the community where he has always lived, residing for a long time including as much as quite a number of years in the same neighbourhood and near neighbors...." They also noted that his back problems were not caused by "vicious habits." Friends Alexander Doyle and Wyley McKean testified in writing that Henry had been "very much disabled from the performance of manual labor." When examined circa 1893, an army surgeon wrote of Henry that "He is decidedly sensitive to pressure over the region of the kidneys. Tongue heavily coated and cracked, showing indigestion. There is a slight condition of hemorrhoids. In my opinion all the above may have been caused by exposure while in U.S. service."
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
At the age of 78, for three months, Henry suffered a deadly case of dropsy (congestive heart failure), and on Aug. 7, 1921, Henry died at home from the effects of a mitral heart lesion. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. Son Winfield signed the death certificate, but while knowing the name of Henry's father, was unable to provide the maiden name of Henry's mother. In an obituary, the Uniontown Morning Herald reported that he "was well known in the county having spent the greater part of his life here." As well, a one-paragraph obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Several members of his old army company attended the funeral held at the Hall home, and other veterans participated in the burial service, which was officiated by Rev. Jasper Barnthouse.
~ Son David X. Hall ~
Son David X. Hall (1862-1936) was born on March 13, 1862 or 1863 or 1864.
He lived in Jumonville in the mountains above Uniontown, Fayette County, and earned income as a laborer.
On Oct. 4, 1891, when he was 28 years of age, David was united in marriage with 18-year-old Alice Margaret Cassidy (March 1874-1944), of Wharton Township, daughter of George and Margaret (Hoar) Cassidy. Justice of the peace George W. Hansel officiated. At the time of marriage, David earned a living as a laborer.
They produced these 11 known children -- George Hall, Mary Miller, Ida Costolo Crum, Bertha Lee Hull, Lulu Livingston Anderson, Theodore R. Hall, John Kenneth Hall, Dorothy Hawk, Earl David Hall, Selma Hall, Winfield Allen Hall and Lucy Kehn. One other offspring was deceased by 1910.
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| Old Laurel Mountain trail near Jumonville Originally published by E.K. Weller, Washington, PA |
The family dwelled in Wharton Township, Fayette County in 1900, with David working as a timber cutter. In 1910, the federal census enumeration shows the Halls residing in Jumonville, North Union Township, with David and his son George working as laborers performing odd jobs.
The family was plunged into mourning when their daughter Selma, who had contracted asthma, died on Sept. 14, 1914 at the age of four. The child's tender remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Fulton Cemetery.
Remaining in Jumonville during the decade of the 1910s, David was listed as a farmer in the 1920 census. Their dwelling in 1920 was along the National Turnpike on the stretch from Coolspring to Jumonville Road to Summit Hotel.
The Uniontown Morning Herald once called David "beloved" and also "one of the most highly respected residents of the mountain."
Burdened with an ulcer of his foot, and added to heart problems which were common in the family, David began to fail in health from aortic regurgitation and died in Jumonville at age 74 on Oct. 13, 1936. Burial was in the Fulton Cemetery near Jumonville, with Rev. William King of the Percy Methodist Protestant Church officiating. Daughter Mary Miller of Edenborn, PA was the informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary in the Morning Herald noted that his survivors included 19 grandchildren and five brothers.
Alice outlived her husband by eight years. Suffering from acute heart disease and diabetes, in addition to a carbuncle on her neck, she was admitted to Uniontown Hospital and died there on Sept. 3, 1944.
Son George Hall (1892- ? ) was born in Feb. 1892. At the age of 18 in 1910, unmarried, he lived at home and earned a living providing labor for odd jobs.
Daughter Mary M. Hall (1893-1962) was born in March 1893. She married Fred M. Miller (1894-1975). The pair did not reproduce. They established a homeplace in the outskirts of Hopwood. She was gathered away by the Angel of Death on May 5, 1962, while a patient at Miners Memorial Hospital in Harlan, KY. Her body was brought back to Uniontown to rest for all time in LaFayette Memorial Park, with her services conducted by Rev. J.V. Mullins. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Fred outlived his bride by a baker's dozen years. He passed into eternity in 1975.
Daughter Ida May Hall (1894-1961) was born on Nov. 17, 1894 or 1895. She was twice wed. At the age of 19, on Sept. 19, 1913, she was joined in marriage with her first husband, 29-year-old coal miner Frank Springer Costolo (1884-1968), a resident of Coolspring, near Uniontown, and son of George and Ella (Luckey) Costolo. The ceremony was held at the parsonage of the Free Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. L.N. Campbell. Three children were born to the union -- Walter Franklin Costolo Sr., Beatrice Costolo and Fred Costolo. Frank was a longtime coal miner in the region, employed in 1918 by Evans Coal and Coke Company. The couple divorced, with Frank remaining in Coolspring, and Ida May and their daughter moving back into her mother's home along the Coolspring-Jumonville Road. Ida May wed again Albert Crum ( ? - ? ). The family grieved when married son Walter died at the age of 43 in 1958. Ida's final residence was in Colliers, Brooke County, WV. At the age of 66, stricken with kidney cancer, she passed into eternity in Weirton (WV) General Hospital on Feb. 3, 1961. Her remains were lowered under the sod of St. John's Cemetery of Follansbee, WV. Former husband Frank Costolo spent his final years in Coolspring and died in Uniontown Hospital on New Year's Eve 1958. His obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Burial was in Park Place Cemetery following obsequies led by Rev. John E. Duvall.
- Grandson Fred R. Costolo (1913-1997) was born on May 2, 1913. On May 26, 1933, in Oakland, MD, he tied the knot with Dorothy M. ( ? - ? ). Citing "indignities," Dorothy sued for divorce in October 1954 in Fayette County Court. The case lingered unresolved for years but the divorce was approved in July 1957. He dwelled in Coolspring in 1958-1969. Fred married a second time to Lena Rice (1916-1980). At her death, she was lowered into rest in Park Place Cemetery.
- Grandson Walter Franklin Costolo Sr. (1914-1958) was born on Dec. 11, 1914. His relative Jennie Cassidy assisted in the birth. He attended Coolspring School in his youth. Walter was twice-married. His first spouse, whom he wed on June 24, 1936, was Mazella Anna Hess (Sept. 30, 1919-2009). An only son born to this coupling was Walter "Franklin" Costolo Jr. They separated in 1938, with him living in Coolspring and her in Uniontown. Walter became employed in April 1941 by Richmond Radiator Company in town. During World War II, Walter was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces. He was assigned to the 197th Armed Field Artillery, 13th Armored Division and attained the rank of corporal. While he was away, Anna supported herself as a waitress in Hopwood. Then after the war's end, Anna sued for divorce in January 1946 "on charges of indignities and desertion," said the Uniontown Evening Standard. "The wife said she was forced to withdraw from the home June 15, 1938, two years after their marriage in Uniontown." Added the Connellsville Daily Courier, she also alleged "intentional neglect, excessive use of alcohol and threats." The divorce was granted in December 1946. In time, he exchanged marital vows with Evangeline Silbaugh (1926-2010), daughter of Paul and Orphia (Getterman) Silbaugh. They became the parents of Roxanne L. Orrenmaa. The Costolos moved to Erie, PA, with an address of 1902 Buffalo Road. He was employed as a grinder with Superior Bronze Company. Sadly, Walter was diagnosed with a serious illness and decided to end his life. So at the age of 43, on the fateful day of Aug. 1, 1958, he went for a walk in the woods of nearby Amity Township, pointed a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. The body was transported to his native Uniontown to sleep for all time in Park Place Cemetery. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. The widowed Evangeline married again to Andrew J. Trizna Jr. (1920-2006) and settled in Ashtabula, OH. Said the Star Beacon, she "worked for 25 years as a press operator at Premix Corp. She was formerly a member of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Conneaut and was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Conneaut. She enjoyed Bingo, taking Senior bus trips, playing the slot machines at casinos, traveling, shopping and spending time with friends and family." With her health in decline, she was admitted to Ashtabula County Medical Center. There, at the age of 84, she surrendered to the angel of death on April 14, 2010. Following services by the hand of Pastor Joyce Shellhammer, of the First Congregational Church of Christ, she was placed into eternal repose in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville, OH. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Conneaut Food Pantry. Former wife Anna married again to (?) Tomasalli and Stanley P. Sledz ( ? -1998) and remained in Uniontown until the 1950s. Eventually she and her son migrated to Michigan and settled in Dearborn, MI. An obituary in the Detroit Free Press said that she "was employed within the Dearborn School District where she worked for many years... [She was] a spirited woman with a love for life and family and a deep faith in God." She died in Aberdeen Skilled Nursing in Trenton, MI at the age of 89 on Aug. 18, 2009. Her funeral was held in the Littlefield Presbyterian Church.
Great-grandson Walter "Franklin" Costolo Jr. ( ? - ? ) was born in about 1937 in Uniontown. He was young when his parents separated and attended North Union High School. Franklin joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1955 and underwent training at the Air Base Defense Technical Training School at Parks Air Force Base, California. He was deployed to in England in 1958. After a return to civilian life, he relocated with his mother to Dearborn, MI. In the early 1970s, he made a residence in Wayne, MI where he was employed as an operations supervisor for the powerhouse of Wayne County Metro Airport. He is known to have won a $50,000 prize in a Michigan lottery in September 1973 with his name mentioned in related news stories, saying he would use the winnings on dental work for his two young daughters. He remained in the Detroit area circa 2009.
Great-granddaughter Roxanne L. Costolo (1952-2016) was born on Jan. 6, 1952 in Uniontown. She was a 1969 graduate of Conneaut High School. Roxanne married David Orrenmaa ( ? - ? ). Two children in this family were Monica Passmore and Matthew D. Orrenmaa. An obituary said that Roxanne "was employed as office manager for Dr. Wrightnour, retiring in 2009. She was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, St. Mary Church. She enjoyed ceramics, cooking, baking, going to casinos, and wintering in Florida." Circa 2010, they were in Conneaut, OH and kept a winter home in Hudson, FL. Death enveloped her in their Hudson residence at the age of 64 on Nov. 13, 2016. Their daughter Monica wed Robert Passmore and settled in Erie, PA. Adding to their grief, son Matthew (July 26,1982-2018), a disabled U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq War, with a criminal record, died in Erie at the age of 36 on Aug. 23, 2018. Reports of the Erie Times-News said that he had been shot by Pennsylvania State Troopers after 911 calls about a "man described as 'acting funny' and looking 'really suspicious' and 'scary' [was] encountered ... near the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing along Elk Park Road." Police video shows him appearing to point a handgun at approaching officers before they fired their weapons.
- Granddaughter Beatrice Frances Costolo (1917-1995) was born on July 13, 1917 in Jumonville, Fayette County. Her parents separated when she was young, and Beatrice and her mother went to live with her widowed grandmother, Alice (Cassidy) Hall, along the Coolspring-Jumonville Road. Beatrice moved in young womanhood to Hamlin Station near Burgettstown, Washington County. At the age of 17, circa June 1935, she was joined in wedlock with 19-year-old farmer Kenneth Lorenzo Swearingen (Oct. 10, 1915- ? ) of Weirton, WV, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Shrebrook) Swearingen. Kenneth stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed 145 lbs., with blonde hair and blue eyes. The newlyweds moved to Weirton Heights, where in 1940 Kenneth earned a living as a public garbage collector for the city. Their marriage ended in divorce. Beatrice wed a second time to (?) Smith ( ? - ? ). She is known to have resided in Lemont Furnace in 1958 when named in the news obituary of her brother Walter, and to have remained there to the end. She died in March 1995. Ex-husband Kenneth moved back to Hamlin Station and married again at the age of 46 in 1962 to 34-year-old Viola Bernice (Leasure) Bennett, daughter of Lloyd D. and Gay (Joy) Leasure. He died in Colliers, WV on March 2, 1966.
Daughter Bertha Lee Hall (1896-1971) was born on July 24, 1896 or 1897. She married a cousin, William Jacob Hull (1893-1961), son of John Henry and Melverta (Rishel) Hull of the family of Hilah Jane (Hall) Hull Baker. See the Hull biography for more.
Daughter Lula Hall (1899-1974) was born in about 1899 in Jumonville, Fayette County. Evidence suggests that was twice wed, first on Aug. 20, 1919 to John Thomas Livingston ( ? - ? ). A second husband, with whom she tied the knot on April 29, 1941, reputedly was Nathan "Alvia" Anderson (1904-1973), who was five years younger and the son of James A. and Minnie (Bryner) Anderson. The couple relocated to Oklahoma circa 1953. The marriage unraveled, and Lula was unmarried in 1962 and lived in Bartlesville, OK. Evidence suggests that she died in Oklahoma on Feb. 15, 1974 and lies in eternal sleep in Isabella Cemetery in Major County, OK. Her former husband Nathan married again to Hollis Bennett and bore a son, Springer Nathan "Jack" Anderson.
Son Theodore R. Hall (1902-1924) was born on April 13, 1902 or 1903. As a boy, he developed chronic bronchitis, which eventually led to his demise. Theodore earned a living as a laborer in young manhood, with a home in or near Jumonville. Tragically, at the age of 20 or 21, he contracted double pneumonia and was dead in two days, passing away on Jan. 21, 1924. No newspaper obituary was printed. Burial was in Jumonville. His gravesite apparently is not marked.
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Landmark in Jumonville
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Daughter Dorothy Pearl Hall (1906-1974) was born on Sept. 6, 1906 at Jumonville. She married Elmer Hawk (Sept. 14, 1904-1974), originally from Cove Run and the son of James and Anna (Griffin) Hawk. The family made their home in Lemont Furnace near Uniontown and later in Yauger Hollow. They were members of the Cove Run Free Methodist Church. The Hawks bore two children -- Eugene Hawk and June Hall. Earl earned income as a coal miner and held a membership in the Mount Braddock Sportsmen's Club. Sadly, Earl passed away on July 10, 1974. Dorothy Pearl only lived for another six days and died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 67 on July 16, 1974. A death notice appeared in the Uniontown Morning Herald, which noted that her survivors included eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Cove Run church, led by Rev. Harry E. Cooley, with burial in Percy Cemetery.
- Grandson Eugene Hawk made his home in Cleveland in 1974. He was back in Fayette County, dwelling at Lemont Furnace by 1988.
- Granddaughter June Hall (1922-1988) was born on June 1, 1922 in Jumonville. She was the mother of Alice "Marlene" (Hall) Valle. June resided in Yauger Hollow in the mid-1970s and held a membership in the Oliver Mission. By the mid-1980s, she moved to Lemont Furnace. She died at the age of 66 in Burkett Personal Care in 1988. Interment was in Percy Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Uniontown Morning Herald and Evening Standard.
Great-granddaughter Alice "Marlene" Hall relocated to Kalamazoo, MI. On March 26, 1968, she eloped to Tazewell, VA with Brian Scott Valle (Oct. 26, 1940-2023), son of Emilio Lopez and Marian Louise (Schultz) Valle of Benton Harbor, MI. The couple settled along Huyck Lake in Kinderhook, MI and produced a family of four daughters -- Dawn Buchanan, LaShon Evans, Nicole Valle and Leitia Valle. Brian was a 1959 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. He then "enlisted in the Navy, where he was trained as an aerographer's mate and involved with code work while stationed in Kami Seya, Japan for four years," said the Coldwater Daily Reporter. "Upon completing his military service, he used the GI Bill to attend community college and later Western Michigan University, graduating in 1969. He ultimately earned a Master's degree from Central Michigan University." He went on to teach science at Coldwater High School with a reputation for keeping tanks of specimens and wonders. After a divorce, Marlene moved to Coldwater, MI and was there in 1988. She later relocated to Fort Wayne, IN and maintained a friendship with her former husband. In later years, Scott resided in or near Sturgis, MI, led an active life and died on Oct. 17, 2023. Of their foursome of daughters Dawn wed (?) Buchanan and lived in Fort Wayne; LaShon tied the knot with Justin Evans and relocated to Soldotna, AK; Nicole moved to Greenville, SC; and Leitia settled in Angola, IN
Son Earl David Hall (1908-1991) was born on Sept. 16, 1908. He grew up in Hopwood. Earl wedded Pearl Elmira Kinzey (Sept. 28, 1915-2007), a native of Bedford, PA and the daughter of Simon and Caroline (Shaffer) Kinzey. The couple bore these known offspring -- Robert E. Hall, Lillian Virginia Steinberger, William Eugene Hall, Dorothy Mae Baluch, Ruth Ann Lewis, Sharon L. Fetcho and David E. Hall. Sadly, son Robert died in infancy in 1931. The family resided along Coolspring Road in Hopwood in 1971. Earl died on Nov. 29, 1991. Elmira survived her spouse by nearly 17 years. Death spirited her away at the age of 91, in Uniontown Hospital, on Feb. 17, 2007. The headcount of her survivors was 20 grandchildren and "numerous" great- and great-great grandchildren. Pastor Bryan Kelley presided over the funeral. Burial was in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Dunbar, Fayette County.
- Granddaughter Lillian "Virginia" Hall (1935-2002) was born on March 11, 1935 in Jumonville. She wed (?) Steinberger. She was the mother of Darlene Steinberger, Bruce W. Steinberger, Gary S. Steinberger, Mark G. Steinberger and Randy L. Steinberger. In 1989, she relocated to Florida and settled in Manatee County. Her final home was in Bradenton. Sadly, at the age of 67, she died on Oct. 2, 2002. The remains were shipped to her home region of Uniontown for burial in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. An obituary ran in the Herald Tribune.
Great-granddaughter Darlene Juliana Steinberger (1961-1986) was born in 1961. Death swept her away in 1986. Burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery near Uniontown.
Great-grandson Bruce W. Steinberger has lived in Palm Bay, FL.
Great-grandson Gary S. Steinberger has made a homeplace in Bradenton, FL.
Great-grandson Mark G. Steinberger is an alumnus of Uniontown Area High School. He wed Joyce. As of 2002, they were in Sarasota, FL. He has earned a living over the years at Randy's Brake Repair.
Great-grandson Randy L. Steinberger was in Sarasota in 2002.
- Grandson William Eugene Hall ( ? -2015) was born in Uniontown. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Circa 1950 he relocated to New Jersey and spent his remaining 65 years in the Bordentown and Trenton areas. He was the father of William Hall and Mark Hall. Circa 1990, he married Phyllis J. Pizzello ( ? - ? ). Their union spanned 35 years together until cleaved apart by death. She is believed to have brought stepchildren into the union, among them Joy Purcell, Michael Coleman, Mark Coleman, Donald Coleman, Joseph Coleman and Michele Coleman. William learned the extermination trade and for many years owned General Pest Control. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans of Hamilton and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Yardville. Said the Trenton Trentonian, "Bill enjoyed being Santa Claus every year, and loved to bowl in Hamilton for many years. In earlier years was an avid hunter." Sadly, at the age of 82, William died in his sleep at home on Dec. 8, 2015. He was survived by 22 grandchildren. Interment was in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Arneytown) in Wrightstown.
- Granddaughter Dorothy Mae Hall tied the knot with Lloyd Baluch ( ? -2019). One known daughter of the couple is Debbie Carrier. Circa 2002-2007, they made their dwelling-place in Loxahatchee, FL. Lloyd died in 2019, but his details are not yet known.
Great-granddaughter Debbie Baluch is a 1975 graduate of South Plantation High School. She tied the marital cord with (?) Carrier.
- Granddaughter Ruth Ann "Ruthann" Hall (1939-2022) was born on New Year's Eve 1939 in North Union Township. She entered into marriage with Henry H. Lewis Jr. ( ? -1974), son of Zona Lewis. The offspring born to their union were Henry H. Lewis Jr., Linda Sue Landman, Dianna Lewis, Susan Matthews, Tammy Kostelnik and Melissa Lewis. They planted themselves along Bute Road in Uniontown. Henry Sr. was employed by Sproul Lumber Company of Uniontown. In his spare time he was a member of the Coolspring Athletic Club. Grief cascaded over the family on Jan. 23, 1974 when Henry was found in the front seat of his car in Uniontown, in front of the Kaufmann's store, critically wounded with a gunshot to the head. Police found a .22 caliber rifle beside him and ruled it as "self-inflicted." He was rushed to Uniontown Hospital and transferred to West Virginia University Medical Center in Morgantown where he died that day. Rev. Dr. W. Stafford Scott officiated the funeral, with an obituary printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Burial was in White Rock Cemetery near Fairchance. Ruthann continued on as a widow for nearly half-a- century and raised her six children to adulthood. In the eyes of her children, she "was the strongest woman we've ever met. She wasn't afraid of anything or anyone. She was fierce and the kind of momma who had you walking the line or assuming the position…your choice!" Ruthann was known for travel, homemade bread, preparing "hunky" food, dancing, spelling and trying new restaurants. Her purse always contained lipstick, tissue and Juicy Fruit chewing gum. Ruthann often worked two-to-three manufacturing jobs to make ends meet, and her last employment was with Rockwell International. She was heard to say, "I'm beat up from my feet up." Others in her extended family included godson Gary Steinberger and nephew Mark Steinberger. She endured further heartache at the deaths of her son Henry in 1992 and daughter Linda in 1999. Sadly, at the age of 82, Ruthann surrendered to the angel of death on Dec. 3, 2022. She was survived by a dozen grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. The remains slumber in eternal repose in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Great-grandson Henry H. Lewis Jr. (1962-1992) was born on June 30, 1962. He was 12 years old at his father's tragic death. Henry is known to have been a father. He died at the age of 30 on Aug. 7, 1992. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Linda Sue Lewis (1970-1999) was born in 1970. She married (?) Landman and was a mother. Sadly, at age 28, she passed away on Jan. 22, 1999. Interment of the remains was in the sacred soil of Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Dianna "Diane" Lewis ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Susan Lewis was united in wedlock with Gary Matthews.
Great-granddaughter Tammy Lewis (1967- ? ) was born in 1967. She is a graduate of Laurel Highlands Senior High School. She was joined in matrimony with Joseph Edward Kostelnik (Dec. 17, 1964-2022), son of Gloria Kostelnik. Their union held firm over the span of 39 years until cleaved apart by death. The children born to this couple are Joseph Kostelnik, Ed Kostelnik and Kim Kostelnik. Said an obituary, "Joe was a member of the Keisterville Sportsman Club where he was an avid hunter and fisherman. Joe loved bowling and was an active member of the Bell Bowling League for over 20 years. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and ardent Penguins fan. Joe always loved spending time with his family and enjoyed countless hours of listening to music." The family was thrust into mourning when Joseph died on Sept. 6, 2022. His burial was in St. John Cemetery, Connellsville.
Great-granddaughter Melissa "Missy" Lewis ( ? - ? ) is an alumna of Laurel Highlands Senior High School. She has studied electrical engineering at the Fayette Institute of Technology and business administration at the University of Phoenix. She has been employed by Alstom, GE Power and and GE Vernova's Careers and today resides in Merrittstown.
- Granddaughter Sharon L. "Sherrie" Hall (1951- ? ) was born in 1951. She was joined in wedlock with Mark Fetcho. The pair first settled in Connellsville, PA and later moved to Uniontown. They have been active in Uniontown's Bethel Baptist Church.
- Grandson David E. Hall was united in matrimony with Dorothy. They migrated to Lynchburg, VA.
Son Winfield Allen Hall (1913-1993) was born on May 7, 1913 in or near Jumonville, Fayette County. He had a seventh-grade education and in adulthood stood 6 feet tall and weighed 200 lbs. Winfield was joined in matrimony with a first cousin, Delphia D. Hall (July 25, 1913-1991), daughter of John W. and Alice (Klink) Hall. They do not appear to have reproduced. The pair made a home near Uniontown in 1940, with young grand-nephew George Durista Jr. living in the household. That year, Winfield was employed as a road project laborer by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings. During the 1940s, they moved to Elizabeth, Allegheny County, PA. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows Winfield's occupation as a welder in a steel mill. Five-year-old Ruth Ferguson resided in their home in 1950. The Halls made news in the Pittsburgh Press in March 1953 when it was reported that "sabotage of a bridge... has cut three families off from the outside world." The incident was believed to stem "from a three-week-old strike of Local 30, FL Teamsters, against four retail stores of the Westmoreland Farm Bureau Co-operative." The Halls and the others "all depend on the bridge to get to the main highway, half a mile from their homes. They have maintained the private bridge jointly for eight years." Sadly, Delphia passed into eternity on Jan. 18, 1991. Winfield outlived her by two years and succumbed to death on March 4, 1993. Their remains sleep in Round Hill Cemetery in Elizabeth.
Daughter Lucy Hall (1917-1999) was born in about 1917. She remained single for many years. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows her sharing a home with her bachelor brother John Kenneth in Wharton Township. On July 25, 1953, at the age of 36, she wed 53-year-old bachelor farmer Wilbur C. Kehn (Oct. 22, 1909-1995). How the two met is a mystery. She migrated to Oklahoma where the couple made their dwelling-place in Bartlesville, OK. Circa 1971-1995, their home was in Isabella, Major County, OK. Wilbur died in Isabella on June 20, 1995, with a death notice printed in the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman. Lucy lived on for another four years. She passed away in Isabella on Nov. 20, 1999 at the age of 82. They both rest in the long sleep of the ages in Cedar Cemetery in Fairview, OK.
~ Daughter Mary "Margaret" (Hall) Baker Van Sickle ~
Daughter Mary "Margaret" Hall (1864-1926) was born on June 8, 1864 or 1866.
She did not know how to write her own name and used an "X" when required to sign documents over the years.
Mary Margaret married a step-cousin Otha "William" Baker (1866- ? ), son of Jonathan and Cascinda "Catharine" (Ogle) Baker of Wharton Township, of the family of Hilah Jane (Hall) Hull Baker. Their marriage license was issued on Nov. 27, 1889, when he was 23 and she 25. While there is no official record that an actual wedding took place, the pair in fact became man and wife.
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Christ's Church Lutheran Chapel, Chalk Hill |
William appears to have died on Aug. 4, 1895.
Margaret remained a widow for three years. At the age of 30, on May 10, 1898, she was wed for a second time to 25-year-old laborer John William Van Sickle (May 18, 1874-1936), of Wharton Township, and the son of Levi William and Sarah Jane (Seaton) Van Sickle. The bride and groom united themselves in marriage in Uniontown. He was some 10-plus years younger than she.
The pair bore three more children of their own -- Minnie Mae Gordon Hook Loveridge, Grace Whoolery and Mary Elizabeth Fike.
When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Van Sickles resided on a farm in South Union Township. Several of her Baker offspring were not in the household that year.
The family remained in South Union into 1910, with John having become a coal miner. By that time, her sons Chauncey and Earl had entered the residence. At that time, they lived on Buttermilk Lane in the community of Hopwood.
John was required to register for the military draft during World War I. He disclosed that he worked as a laborer and that his employer was James Schnatterly. As of 1920, he generated income as a roadman on a state highway project. Their homeplace in 1920 was along Pine Knob Road.
Sadly, at the age of 62, Margaret suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died on Dec. 15, 1926. A distant step-cousin, Rev. David Ewing Minerd -- the famed "Blacksmith Preacher" of Fayette County -- led the funeral rites in the family home. Her remains were laid to rest in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery, with the Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home handling the arrangements. Son Chauncey of Hopwood signed the death certificate, and the Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary. A stone marks the grave today, inscribed "Mother" and "In Loving Memory."
The widowed John survived her by nearly a decade and married again to Anna ( ? - ? ). Their dwelling-place was 21 Arnold Street in Uniontown. At the age of 62, having been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and infection of the kidney, he passed away in Uniontown Hospital on Aug. 19, 1936. His remains were laid to rest in Van Sickle Cemetery near Farmington.
Daughter Bessie Lee Baker (1890-1979) was born on Sept. 17, 1890. She dwelled in Hopwood as a young woman. At the age of 21, on April 6, 1912, she was married to 25-year-old railroader Elmer Morris Cooley (July 29, 1885-1968), son of Joseph and Mary "Belle" Cooley of Cumberland, MD. Justice of the peace P.M. Buttermore officiated at the nuptials held in Connellsville. They produced these known children -- Mary Belle "Bella" Cooley, Hazel Riggans Bauer, Maria Cooley, Mary Margaret Cooley, Elmer "William" Cooley and Pearl Johnson. Circa 1913, at the birth of their daughter Mary Belle, they dwelled in the coal mining patch town of Edenborn, German Township, where he worked as a driver in the mine. By 1915, at the birth of daughter Hazel, they had moved to Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV. At the death of Bessie's mother in 1926, their home was in Messmore, PA. The 1930 federal census enumeration shows the family in German Township on Brown's Run Road, with Elmer generating income in a coal mine. In 1937-1974, their home was in Cokeburg, Washington County, PA, where Elmer continued to be employed as a miner at the Cokeburg Mine of Industrial Collieries. She occasionally wrote letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Press. One such letter, published on July 19, 1937, said that "In regards to this labor war we are having, I think labor should have a vote and let both sides abide by the election and stop this killing and damage to property. A vote tells the situation in other business and the men have the right to vote for themselves. Everything is run by a vote except labor unions. They cannot have a vote for their rights, but can only vote for the benefit of others." The family went into crisis in September 1940 when their 19-year-old daughter eloped to Cumberland, MD to marry Elmer's 52-year-old widowed brother Joseph Marshall Cooley of Brownsville. The case went to court, with Fayette County Common Pleas Judge W. Russell Carr weighing what the Uniontown Morning Herald called an "Unusual case." A jury ruled the husband and wife guilty of incest. But they continued to live together and the issue again came to a head in 1944 when the brother's son came to Elmer seeking help. Their address in 1968 was at 107 Lincoln Street, Cokeburg. Burdened with emphysema and hardening of the arteries, Elmer suffered a heart attack and passed away in Washington Hospital three days before Christmas 1968 at the age of 83. Bessie outlived him by nine years. She joined him in death in April 1979. They rest together in Scenery Hill Cemetery in Washington County.
- Granddaughter Mary Belle "Bella" Cooley (1913- ? ) was born on Jan. 19, 1913 in Edenborn, Fayette County.
- Granddaughter Hazel Cooley (1915-1989) was born on Aug. 1, 1915 in Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV. She first married Clarence Riggans Sr. ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of a son, Clarence Riggans Jr. The marriage dissolved in divorce, which was granted in Summit County, OH on Dec. 1, 1960. At that time, her address was 2959 Wayne Street in Barberton, OH. At the age of 45, on Feb. 11, 1961, she wed again to 63-year-old truck driver Joseph Bauer (Dec. 30, 1897- ? ), also of Barberton, and the son of Joseph and Mary (Werntz) Bauer of near Pittsburgh. Rev. Gay Tenney officiated the nuptials, held in Akron. Joseph was twice-divorced at the time of the marriage to Hazel. Hazel passed away in Ohio on March 6, 1989.
- Granddaughter Maria Cooley (1917- ? ) was born in 1917 and came of age in Cokeburg. On Jan. 16, 1960, she entered into marriage with Walter Armstrong ( ? - ? ), son of Walter Armstrong of 125 Chess Street in Monongahela, PA. The wedding was led by Rev. Josiah Osmond in the First Methodist Church of Monongahela. The happy event was announced in the Monongahela Daily Record, which included the bride's portrait and said that she "wore a dress of blue nylon over satin with a small halo hat and white accessories. Her corsage was of white rosebuds and her only jewelry a double strand of pearls." Walter was a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and at the time of marriage was employed in the Clairton Works of United States Steel Corporation.
- Granddaughter Mary "Margaret" Cooley (1921- ? ) was born in about 1921. In September 1940, the 19-year-old Mary eloped to Cumberland, MD to marry her 52-year-old widowed uncle Joseph "Marshall" Cooley ( ? -1969), a coal miner of Brownsville, Fayette County. He stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed 140 lbs. Widowed from his first wife Mary Gray (1893-1936), Marshall brought three stepchildren into the second marriage -- Hugh Cooley, Marshall Cooley and Joseph Cooley -- with two others already having died, Francis "Eugene" Cooley and Sulla Cooley. The newlyweds made their first home in Thornton, PA. When Mary Margaret's father learned what had happened, he sued. The case went to court, with Fayette County Common Pleas Judge W. Russell Carr weighing what the Uniontown Morning Herald called an "Unusual case -- in which it was shown the law prevents a woman from marrying her father's brother but does not specifically prohibit a man from marrying his brother's daughter." A jury found the husband and wife guilty of incest. A year later, the marriage was annulled, with the Morning Herald saying that Mary Margaret's father "became the father-in-law of his own brother..." But the couple ignored the court's ruling and continued to live together. They became the parents of a daughter, Margaret Ann McCabe, born in late 1941. Marshall was employed in the 1934-1944 timeframe by Hillman Coal Company and on Christmas Eve 1934 had survived a fall of a slate pillar. Adding to their bizarre nature of this story, in about 1944, Marshall traded his 16-year-old son Joseph to a family named Roberts in exchange for their 14-year-old son. The Roberts boy abandoned the arrangement after a day-and-a-half, while Joseph Jr. stayed in his for a week before leaving and going to the house of Mary Margaret's father, seeking help. The case went to court, in the question of the father's financial support of the son, and at that time Judge Carr warned Mary Margaret and Marshall to cease their cohabitation, or else. But in fact they stayed together for good. The pair left Pennsylvania during the 1940s and and moved across the state line into Maidsville near Morgantown, WV. There, as of 1950, Marshall earned a living as a coal miner and held a membership in Local 5650 of the United Mine Workers of America. He died at the age of 81, on May 11, 1969, in Monongalia General Hospital. His obituary was printed in the Morgantown Dominion News.
Step-great-grandson Francis "Eugene" Cooley (1912-1932) was born on May 25, 1912 in Cumberland, MD. He resided in Thornton as a young man and worked at the Isabella Mine of the Weirton Coal Company. On the tragic day of Sept. 20, 1932, he was killed at work. Reported the Uniontown Evening Standard, "Life was crushed out ... when he was trapped under a huge slate fall in the Isabella mine, three miles south of Brownsville, while he was engaged in loading a coal car in the pit... Cooley was engaged as a coal loader in the colliery and had been busy with his duties until several tons of slate fell on him. Fellow workers were able to recover Cooley's body after working feverishly for a half hour removing the debris. The youth was dead when taken from the huge fall, having been killed instantly [and his] body and head were badly crushed." The broken remains were placed into the slumber of eternity in Acklin Cemetery. A stone marks the grave and at the top reads "Asleep."
Step-great-granddaughter Sulla Cooley (1914-1919) was born on Oct. 25, 1914. Her early years were spent in the coal mine community of Denbo near Centerville, Washington County, but she did not survive childhood. Stricken with membranous laryngitis and the measles at the age of 4 years, 10 months and 19 days, death swept her away on Sept. 7, 1919. Interment of the tender remains was in Redstone Cemetery.
Step-great-grandson Hugh Cooley (1916-1997) was born on May 28, 1916 in East Millsboro near Brownsville, PA. He stood 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighed 160 lbs. in young manhood. At the age of 25, he was a bachelor and lived in Redstone Township, near Brownsville, and was unemployed. He is known to have served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy during World War II. On July 28, 1943, Hugh first married Dorothy Evelyn Buma (1918-1989), a native of Worcester, MA and the daughter of Charles and Mary (Carlson) Buma. Their union endured over the ebbs and flows of 46 years. They became the parents of Donald H. Cooley, Robert E. Cooley, Joyce I. Cooley and Sandra J. Cooley. Dorothy was an alumna of Roslindale High School. The Cooleys established a residence in Dorothy's home state and lived in the Boston suburbs of Medway (1969) and East Douglas (1979). Said an obituary, Hugh "was an engineer for the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Roxbury for 30 years, retiring in 1975." In her own right, Dorothy was employed for a dozen years as a nurse's aide for Medfield State Hospital, retiring in 1973. She belonged to the Second Congregational Church. Sadly, Dorothy passed away in 1989. The widowed Hugh moved the following year to Arkansas. His second bride was Gladys (Harris) Meadows ( ? - ? ). She brought an adult stepson into the family, Rev. Jerry Meadows. They made their dwelling-place in Mountain View, AR. At the age of 80, on April 30, 1997, Hugh died in Stone County Medical Center. The remains were transported back to Massachusetts to lie beside his first wife's in Medway's Oakland Cemetery. The scripture reference "Psalm 16:11" is inscribed on their grave marker, a verse which reads in the King James Version, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." The headcount of his survivors was 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. As of 1997, sons Donald lived in Dedham, MA and Robert E. Cooley in Kensett, AR, while daughters Joyce resided in Falmouth, MA and Sandra in Milford, MA.
Step-great-grandson Marshall Cooley (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924. He was in Hawaii in 1969 and in Mountain View, AR in 1997.
Step-great-grandson Joseph Cooley (1928- ? ) was born in about 1928. He relocated to California and was there in 1969.
Great-granddaughter Margaret Ann Cooley (1941- ? ) was born on Nov. 19, 1941. Clues suggest that she tied the knot with (?) McCabe and relocated to Rhode Island, settling in East Greenwich.
- Grandson Elmer "William" Cooley (1923-2009) was born on Nov. 25, 1923. He grew to manhood in Uniontown and Cokeburg. In young adulthood he labored as a coal miner in Cokeburg. He served with the U.S. Air Force during World War II. When both were the age of 23, on New Year's Eve 1946, he entered into marriage with Anita "Ann" Skrypak (1923-1992), originally from Bentleyville and the daughter of John and Ann (Shernisky) Skrypak Sr. The nuptials were conducted in Ellsworth, Washington County. At the time, Ann worked as a maid. Together, they produced two sons -- Mark Cooley and John Cooley. Their years appear to have been spent in Washington County. William was a longtime coal miner with Bethlehem Mines and belonged to Local 1197 of the United Mine Workers of America. Sadly, Ann died in 1992. Elmer outlived her by 17 years, making his home in Bentleyville. With his health in decline, he was admitted to live in The Residence of Hilltop in nearby Monongahela, PA. He passed away on Nov. 21, 2009. They sleep for all time in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Monongahela. Their son Mark married Tamara Wolber ( ? - ? ), daughter of Donald R. and Charlotte Ruth Wolber, and settled in Bentleyville. Their three children were Maxwell Alexander Cooley, Zachary Cooley and Hanna Cooley. Sadness gripped the family when their son Maxwell died at birth on Dec. 15, 2001.
- Granddaughter Pearl G. Cooley (1926-1990) was born on Jan. 25, 1926 in Uniontown. She was married at least twice. The first marriage ended in divorce. She supported herself after that as a "relief girl" ad lived at 107 Lincoln Street in Cokeburg. Then at the age of 31, on May 29, 1957, she exchanged marital vows with 33-year-old bachelor Jack Edwin Johnson ( ? - ? ). Jack was a locomotive engineer, originally from Adams, WI, and was the son of John and Edith (Brown) Johnson. Their wedding was conducted in Winchester, VA by the hand of Presbyterian minister Rev. G.R. Womeldorf. Sadly, the marriage ended with a divorce. Pearl eventually moved to Indiana, worked as an inspector for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and took back her maiden name. At the age of 64, on Oct. 11, 1990, she died in the Merrillville Convalescent Center in Lake County, IN. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park in nearby Hobart, IN.
Son Chauncey Baker (1891-1958) was born on March 10, 1891 in Wharton Township, Fayette County. When he was age 18, in 1910, he boarded with the family of Thomas G. and Della Hager in Wharton Township and supported himself as a farm laborer. On New Year's Day 1918, at Uniontown, Chauncey married Pauline (?) (1901- ? ), who was 10 years younger. They produced one known daughter, Rebecca Louise Cunningham. Chauncey and Pauline resided in or near Hopwood in 1920, with him laboring as a coal miner. He is known to have lived at the Oliphant coal and coke works in 1926. In about 1933, Chauncey obtained employment with the Rose Iron Works and, over the next 25 years, worked his way up to foreman. He suffered lacerations of two fingers on his left hand in a work accident in December 1940 but eventually returned to work. In April 1948, Chauncey filed for divorce, with the Connellsville Daily Courier reporting that Pauline allegedly was "neglecting her household duties and remaining away from home at nights." He dwelled in the 1950s at 300 West Main Street in Uniontown. At the age of 67, on Sept. 1, 1958, stricken with cancer of the pancreas and heart disease, he died as a patient in Uniontown Hospital. Elizabeth Shaw of the residence signed the death certificate. His remains were lowered into eternal repose in White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, Fayette County. An obituary in the Daily Courier noted that he was survived by a daughter, sister, half-sister and two grandchildren. Pauline went on to marry again to (?) Jones. She filed legal action against Chauncey, asking the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas to order the sale of her former home so that she could receive her half share, but the judge refused as she could not produce evidence that she had any ownership.
- Granddaughter Rebecca Louise Baker married Paul Cunningham on Dec. 10, 1939, with him working at the time at Fayette Chemical Company. By 1958, she had moved to Youngstown, OH and was the wife of (?) Weller ( ? - ? ).
Son Nally Baker (1892- ? ) was born in Dec. 1892. He was just a boy of two-and-a-half when his father died. He lived with his mother and stepfather in South Union Township in 1910.
Son Earl W. Baker (1898-1937) was born on Feb. 11, 1898. He was wedded to Edna Ward (March 1, 1900-1964), daughter of Mark and Violet (Mitchell) Ward. The Bakers made their residence at House 75 in the coal mining patch town of Continental #2 near Uniontown. Their foursome of children were Gretna Leydig, Jean Zalock Bakke Beesley, William "Clark" Baker and Gerald Baker. Earl was a member of the United Mine Workers Local 6324. When coal mines shut down during the Great Depression, Earl obtained work laboring for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Their final home together was House No. 75 in the Continental No. 2. In 1930, Earl began suffering from a bronchial infection which, on top of asthma, was not easily cured. Then in July 1936, his heart problems led to fluid buildup in his abdomen and legs. Unable to recover, he died just four days before his 39th birthday on Feb. 7, 1937. Burial was in White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, with Rev. Betz officiating at the funeral held at the Hopwood Methodist Protestant Church, and with Edna signing the death certificate. An obituary in the Uniontown Evening Standard incorrectly gave his age as 28. After 15 years as a widow, on July 1, 1952, Edna married again to Lindsay F. Wiley (Feb. 21, 1890-1959), son of George Wiley. The wedding was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Napoleon, OH. In announcing the marriage, the Uniontown Morning Herald called it "A quiet ceremony" and reported that the bride "chose a navy blue dress with matching hat and white accessories and corsage of white roses." In 1954-1959 they lived in Rosedale, Georges Township. He brought three stepchildren into the mixed family, Wade Wiley, Letha M. Billingsley and Irene Franks. Lindsay earned a living as a coal mine trackman. Sadly, Lindsay was felled by a heart attack while hunting and passed away on Dec. 29, 1959 at the age of 69. The remains were laid to rest in White Rock Cemetery. The twice-widowed Edna moved to Uniontown. She belonged to Everybody's Mission Church in Evans Manor. Badly crippled over the span of a decade with rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease, she was admitted to the Fayette County Home. There, at the age of 63, she was gathered away into the heavenly host on Feb. 4, 1964. In her Uniontown Morning Herald and Connellsville Daily Courier obituaries, her first husband was not named. She was survived by nine grandchildren. Rev. Samuel Show presided over her service.
- Granddaughter Gretna L. Baker (1924-2020) was born on June 27, 1924 in the Oliphant Furnace coal mining community. She spent part of her formative years living at Continental No. 2. On Oct. 9, 1942, she was joined in wedlock with Ray Clifton "Whitey" Leydig Sr. (Sept. 19, 1924-2002), son of Edgar Blair and Hulda Marie (Shaffer) Leydig of Fairchance. A pair of offspring produced by the couple were Ray C. Leydig Jr. and Sandra Jean Gallik. During World War II, Ray joined the U.S. Signal Corps and attained the rank of Tech Sgt. 4. While in training at Camp Bowie, TX in November 1944, he was granted leave to return home for his father's funeral. He is known to have taken part in the invasion of Okinawa. Immediately after the war's end, in 1947, the family was in Detroit. They eventually established a longtime dwelling-place in Jeannette, Westmoreland County. For 42 years, Ray was employed by the City of Jeannette. After raising her children, Gretna earned a living for 20 years with Quality Bakery. They were members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and performed with the choir. He belonged to the Jeannette post of the American Legion and Teamsters Retirees. Sadly, Ray passed away on Aug. 13, 2002. Interment was in Jeannette Memorial Park, with Rev. Daniel R. Defassio officiating. Gretna outlived him by 17-plus years. At the age of 95, she passed away in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital on Feb. 24, 2020.
Great-grandson Ray Clifton Leydig Jr. (1944-2020) was born on May 10, 1944 in Uniontown. During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and rose to the rank of sergeant. Circa 1965, he wed Cookie ( ? - ? ). They stayed together over the thick and thin of a remarkable 55 years. Their three children were Dawn Hudock, Stacey Rehak and Eric Leydig. Ray was hired by the City of Jeannette Police Department in Westmoreland County, PA and served as a captain. Said an obituary, "Ray was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Jeannette, F.O.P. Lodge 39, VFW Post 211 of Youngwood, Hecla Sportsman's and was previously employed by Schaad Detective Agency. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish." The pair's final residence together was in Hempfield Township. Ray was diagnosed with "idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis," a progressive disease of the lungs leading to shortness of breath and coughing. Death spirited him away at the age of 76 on Sept. 20, 2020. His survivors included six grandchildren.
Great-granddaughter Sandra Jean Leydig ( ? - ? ) married Roger J. Gallik Sr. (March 10, 1954-2019), originally from Latrobe, PA and the son of John V. and Betty (Eslary) Gallik and stepson of Joseph DelGross. Roger was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. They made a home in Jeannette, where he earned a living with ARCO Enterprises. The foursome of children in this family included Tracy King, David Hartzell, Christopher Gallik and Roger J. "R.J." Gallik. Sadness cascaded over the family at Roger's death at the age of 65 on Christmas Day 2019 as a patient in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Burial with military honors was in Jeannette Memorial Park. He was survived by eight grandchildren.
- Granddaughter Jean Marie Baker (1926-2022) was born in about 1926 at Oliphant Furnace, Fayette County. She first tied the knot on March 1, 1946 with World War II veteran Thomas Zalock (March 10, 1924-1965). The ceremony was held in Cumberland, MD, by the hand of Rev. R.H. Wakeman. She wore a white wool suit featuring navy blue accessories, and she held red and white gardenias. During the war, he had served in the 173rd Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company at Fort Bragg. He also served briefly in the U.S. Coast Guard later in 1945. They made their initial home in Thomas' hometown of Masontown but by 1952 relocated to Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit, MI. Two daughters resulting from their coupling were Lillie Marlene Zalock and Barbara Jean Zalock. Their marriage unraveled in divorce. As of 1964, Jean married Lester Bakke ( ? -1992) and remained in Dearborn. She was rendered a widow at Lester's death in 1992. In 1995, when named in the news obituary of her brother Clark, she was in Novi, MI. She tied the marital cord for a third time with Charles Jarrett Beesley Sr. ( ? -2015). They endured the death of son-in-law Russell Erander in 2005. Charles passed away in Farmington Hills at the age of 84 on June 1, 2015. Her final years were spent in Hilton Head Island, SC. There, at the age of 96, she died on Oct. 5, 2022. A celebration of her life was conducted in Michigan at the Oak Pavilion Mayberry Park. The Detroit Free Press gave the headcount of her survivors as eight grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Her former husband Thomas Zalock died at the age of 41 on April 16, 1965. His remains are at rest in Glenwood Cemetery in Wayne, MI.
Great-granddaughter Lillie Marlene "Lili" Zalock (1946- ? ) was born in 1946. She and her sister Barbara were pictured together in the Feb. 26, 1951 edition of the Uniontown Evening Standard. She was united in matrimony with James Coleman.
Great-granddaughter Barbara Jean Zalock (1948- ? ) was born in 1948. At her seventh birthday, although living in Michigan, she was pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard. She was joined in wedlock with Russell Johannes Erander (Sept. 16, 1947-2005), son of Johannes and May (Solvay) Erander. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. They made a home together in Hillman, Montmorency County, MI. Sadly, he died on Dec. 16, 2005. As of 2022, Barbara kept company with Fran Hartle.
- Grandson William "Clark" Baker ( ? -1995) served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He relocated to Charlotte, NC and was there in 1959-1995. Clark was married and the father of three -- Daniel Baker, Dewey Baker and Debbie Johnson. He earned a living as a bus driver for Charlotte Transit over the span of 25 years. At the age of 71, as a patient in Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, he succumbed to the spectre of death on March 5, 1995. He was pictured in his obituary in the Charlotte Observer.
Great-grandson Daniel Baker dwelled in Belmont, NC in 1995.
Great-grandson Dewey Baker ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Debbie Baker ( ? - ? ) married (?) Johnson ( ? - ? ).
Grandson Gerald Wayne Baker (1922-1999) was born on April 12, 1922 in Collier, Fayette County. He was a graduate of Georges Township High School. A year before the outbreak of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to Company C of the 5th Engineers. He sailed to Iceland in May 29, 1941, and later was deployed to the European Theater with assignments in England, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Among his military commendations were the American Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Upon his return home he worked in Uniontown until a 1947 move to Connellsville, where he stayed for decades. He entered into matrimony with Julia Peperak (Feb. 22, 1922-1998). Two known daughters of the pair were Edna Ann Baker and Donna Lee Baker. Gerald was a relief driver in town in the early 1950s. He was appointed as the city's assistant fire chief in January 1958, and rose to become chief in 1962, on the death of chief Kenneth I Jaynes. He continued his service as chief in the 1960s-1970s. His name often was printed in the local newspaper. Gerald also was a member of the New Haven Hose Company and the Connellsville Fire Department. Their home address in the 1950s-1970s was at 205 Woodlawn Avenue. In April 1977, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier, receiving the keys to a new, red Ford station wagon for use by the fire department. Sadly, Julia died at the age of 76 on Aug. 29, 1998. Her remains were placed into eternal sleep in the mausoleum of Green Ridge Memorial Park. Less than a year later, Gerald joined her in eternity on July 28, 1999, at age 77.
Gerald W. Baker
Courtesy "Diane LM"Great-granddaughter Edna Ann Baker (1947- ? ) was born in about 1947 and grew up in Connellsville. She was a 1966 graduate of Connellsville Joint Senior High School and became employed by Connellsville Sportswear Company. On June 17, 1972, she was joined in wedlock with Wilbur D. King Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Wilbur D. and Erma (Herman) King Sr. of Monongahela, PA. They exchanged their vows in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, by the hand of Rev. Walter Bratus. The Connellsville Daily Courier announced the happy news and reported that "the bride was attired in a floor-length gown of white dotted swiss with venise lace trim. The empire bodice was designed with a Victorian collar and bishop sleeves, lace trimming the neckline and deep cuffs of the sleeves. Her A-line skirt terminated in a sweeping chapel-length train, also edged with venise lace." Wilbur was a 1962 graduate of Monongahela Senior High School and earned a living at the time of marriage as an ironworker. The newlyweds made their first home in Champion, PA and have remained there as of 2013. One known son in this family was Brian D. King, born in 1976.
Great-granddaughter Donna Lee Baker (1952- ? ) was born in about 1952 and was raised to adulthood in Connellsville.
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Rosedale Cemetery - courtesy Amanda Delena |
- Granddaughter Alice Marie Gordon (1916- ? ) was born on Aug. 6, 1916 in Hopwood, Fayette County, a month-and-a-half after her parents were married. Dr. C.W. Adams of Uniontown assisted in the birth. The young family was thrust into public controversy after her father claimed that 18-year-old Melbert Baker was the birth father, having been "intimate with her on the Pine Knob road, near Hopwood," reported the Uniontown Morning Herald. The baby's grandfather John W. Van Sickle sued, the case went to court, Baker was acquitted of the charge, and "the jury placed the costs on the county." Research is underway to determine whether she is the same woman who lived at Lemont Furnace in 1934 and on Christmas Eve 1938 wed John Fike (1905- ? ) of Uniontown, with the couple obtaining their marriage license in Waynesburg, Greene County. Said the Uniontown Morning Herald, they "got along" during the "first year of their marriage... However, trouble developed, resulting in the charges of cruel and barbarous treatment and indignities to person." After separating, Alice made her home on Emerald Street in Uniontown and in December 1938 sued for divorce, with her husband then living in Point Marion, Springhill Township. The divorce was not granted for a year-and-a-half, with her telling the court that "Married life reportedly [was] made unbearable by threats against her life and continuous abuse." Her fate after that time is not yet known.
- Granddaughter Blanche Louise Hook (1922-1995) was born on Feb. 4, 1922 in Uniontown. She grew up with the "Hook" name although that may not have been her name at birth. In young womanhood she migrated to Friendsville, MD and thence to the District of Columbia. There, on June 10, 1955, she wed Walter Junior Metheny (May 2, 1930-1972), son of Arlie and Eliza (Fazenbaker) Metheny of Friendsville. News of their marriage license was printed in the Washington Evening Star. Walter was a veteran of the Korean War. The Methenys did not reproduce and eventually settled in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV. Their address in town was 218 North Maple Avenue. He held a membership in the Berkeley post of the American Legion. Sadly, Walter was admitted to Veterans Administration Hospital in 1958 and apparently did not leave over the remaining span of 14 years of time. At the age of 41, he died in the hospital on Feb. 11, 1972. His obituary was printed in the Hagerstown Herald-Mail. Blanche survived by 23 years and remained in Martinsburg. Death spirited her away on March 5, 1995. Interment was in Martinsburg's Rosedale Cemetery.
- Granddaughter Florence May Hook (1923- ? ) was born in 1923 in Illinois. She married (?) Kenney. In 1960, her dwelling-place was in Washington, DC.
- Granddaughter Rebecca ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with (?) George and was in California in 1974.
- Grandson Robert John Hook (1927- ? ) was born on Sept. 21, 1927 in Arnold near Fairhope and Fayette City, Fayette County, PA. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He relocated in 1950 to Columbia, GA and stayed for good. Robert tied the marital cord with Ida ( ? - ? ). Five offspring in the brood included Robert A. Hook, Michael A. Hook, David A. Hook, Jane Smith and Maria McLaughlin. For 19 years, Robert was chief engineer with WYEA-TV (Channel 38), an NBC affiliate in town which in time became WLTZ-TV. Their address in the mid-1990s was at 3472 Monticello Drive. At the age of 68, on Aug. 15, 1996, he passed away in St. Francis Hospital. Burial was in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. An obituary in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer gave the headcount of his survivors as seven grandchildren.
Great-grandson Robert A. Hook lived in Alabaster, AL in 1996.
Great-grandson Michael A. Hook relocated to Houston, TX.
Great-grandson David A. Hook migrated to Texas and settled in Austin, TX.
Great-granddaughter Jane Hook wed (?) Smith. She dwelled in Atlanta in 1996.
Great-granddaughter Maria Hook married (?) McLaughlin. She made her homeplace in the mid-1990s in San Antonio, TX.
Daughter Grace P. Van Sickle (1903-1974) was born on May 18, 1903 in Hopwood, South Union Township and grew up in the town of her birth. In 1921, she was joined in wedlock with World War I veteran Francis "Frank" Whoolery (March 11, 1895-1952), son of Matthew Whoolery of Hopwood. News of their marriage license application was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Together they produced five children -- Bethel Whoolery, George Whoolery, Garnett Dodd, Elsie Louise Whoolery and Evelyn Jean Whoolery. They resided in Hopwood in 1926. Grief cascaded over the family when daughter Bethel, age two years and four months, contracted cerebral meningitis and stomach flu and died on Feb. 7, 1927. Her tender remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Percy Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Daily Courier. The Whoolerys later relocated to Morgantown, WV. In the 1942-1952 timeframe, a decade, Frank was employed as a coal miner at the Kelley Creek Maiden Mine at Maidsville, WV. They are known to have attended the first Whoolery family reunion, held at Beautiful Oaks in the summer of 1951, and Frank was elected president. Reported the Uniontown Evening Standard, the affair featured "a business meeting at which officers were elected, in addition to contests and games, featuring the all-day outing." Sadly, Frank was horrifically injured in a fall of slate at the mine on April 17, 1952. His spinal cord was severed and he was rushed to Monongalia General Hospital. There, he developed bronchial pneumonia and went into shock and the angel of death mercifully spirited him four days later at the age of 57 on April 21, 1952. In the late summer of 1952, Grace again attended the Whoolery reunion, at Shady Grove Park, and a moment of silence was observed for her husband. Grace lived on for another nearly 22 years and made her dwelling-place along Route 11, Morgantown. As a patient in Morgantown General Hospital, she died at the age of 70 on Feb. 8, 1974. Burial was in Morgantown's Beverly Hills Memorial Park, with an obituary published in the Uniontown Morning Herald. She was survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. [In an interesting twist, Frank's sister Mary was the wife of Daniel Zane Miner II of the family of Nancy (Howard) Miner/Minor Provance.]
- Grandson George W. "Bud" Whoolery (1923-2001) was born on April 4, 1923 in Uniontown. He is known to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. George was twice-wed. His first spouse was Betty T. (Feb. 9, 1927-1991). Two offspring born to the couple were Rickie George Whoolery and Sandra Kay Martynec. The family was in Morgantown, WV in 1952 and in Paden City, WV in 1974. Then for many years George was employed by Ormet Corporation of Hannibal, OH. He held memberships in the American Legion post in Paden City, the Wetzel lodge of the Masons, the Veterans of Foreign Wars post of Sistersville, WV and the Moose of New Martinsville, WV. They belonged to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Paden City. Sadly, Betty died on Jan. 18, 1991. The widowed George later tied the knot with Barbara Huffman ( ? - ? ). She brought a stepdaughter into the family, Susan Gilbert. At the age of 78, George died in Wheeling Hospital on May 29, 2001. The remains were interred in Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, with obsequies performed by Rev. Barry Moll.
Great-grandson Rickie George Whoolery made his home in 2001 in Wheeling, WV.
Great-granddaughter Sandra Kay Whoolery tied the marital cord with (?) Martynec. They moved to Tucson, AZ.
- Granddaughter Garnette Emma Whoolery (1921-2002) was born on July 16, 1921 in Uniontown. In March 1948, she entered into marriage with Jack Chilton Dodd (Nov. 28, 1918-2002), a native of Talcott, WV. Their union survived the ups and downs of a remarkable 53 years together. Two known sons were Frank Wilgus and Rev. Fr. Ralph Dodd. In 1952, the Doddses lived in Morgantown. Jack was employed for many years as a cost analyst in the natural gas industry. Said an obituary, Jack "was a loving and generous man devoting much of his time being a helpful neighbor. He was a handyman who loved to fix items around his home." In time they migrated to the West Coast and in 1974-2001 were in Burbank, CA. Burbank was nationally known at that time as the home of NBC Television's color studio which produced such hit shows as Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Their final year or two were spent in the Fort Worth area of Texas. The family was thrust into grief when husband and wife passed away in the same year, Jack in Haltom City on March 13, 2002 and Garnette at the age of 81 three days before Christmas 2002. Her death occurred in a care center in Fort Worth, TX. Her obituary was printed in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Great-grandson Frank Wilgus ( ? -1989)
Great-grandson Very Rev. Fr. Ralph William Dodd (1950-2004) was born in 1950. In about 1977, he married Beth ( ? - ? ). The five children in their brood included J.J. Dodd, Samuel Dodd, Benjamin Dodd, Abigail Dodd and Emily Dodd. Their homeplace in 2002 was in Watauga, TX. He served as priest and rector of Holy Trinity Charismatic Episcopal Church and as dean for West Texas. Sadly, Ralph died at the age of 53 on July 23, 2004. His funeral rite was conducted in St. Vincent's Episcopal Church. An obituary was printed in the Star-Telegram.
- Granddaughter Elsie "Jean" Whoolery (1928-1992?) was born in 1928. She entered into marriage with Gay Hare Jr. (1927-1982). As of 1974, the pair were in Morgantown. Sadly, Gay passed away in 1982. Burial was in Eden United Methodist Church Cemetery in Stewartstown, Monongalia County. Evidence hints that Jean endured for another decade and died in Morgantown on Feb. 23, 1992.
- Granddaughter Evelyn Whoolery (1932-1989) was born on Sept 22, 1932 at National, WV. As a young woman she lived in the outskirts of Morgantown. When she was 22 years of age, on Dec. 4, 1954, Evelyn was joined in wedlock with 33-year-old Clyde Maxwell McCormick (June 13, 1921-1969), son of William and Jessie (Brewer/Hilling) McCormick of VanVoorhis, WV. Their nuptials were performed by Rev. Rowland Aspinall. Clyde was divorced from his first wife and during World War II had served in the U.S. Army. They planted themselves in Morgantown, where he secured employment in one of the city's glass factories. One known son in this family was Larry Francis McCormick. They were plunged into grief at the death of 17-day-old son Larry on Sept. 18, 1958 from "abruptio placenta," a birth complication where the placenta had separated from his mother's uterus. In late 1968, Clyde was diagnosed with chronic brain syndrome and subdural hematoma, possibly from an injury or illness, resulting in a decline in mental abilities. He was treated in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Clarksburg but was unable to recover. He died at the age of 49 on June 28, 1969. Evelyn survived him by two decades. She passed away at the age of 56 on May 6, 1989. Her remains were laid to rest in Morgantown's Beverly Hills Memorial Park. Inscribed on her bronze tablet grave marker are the words "Beloved wife and mother."
Daughter Mary Elizabeth Van Sickle (1909-1979) was born in Aug. 1909. She was united in matrimony with Samuel "Norris" Fike (March 13, 1907-1984), originally from Friendsville, MD and the son of William Harvey and Cora Luellen (Friend) Fike. Known offspring of the pair were Margaret Luellen Umbel, Evelyn Blanche Maust, William Richard Fike, Melvin Norris Fike, Shirley Ann Gonzalez, Linda Grace Fike and Jean Maust. They made a home with Mary Elizabeth's parents in the mid-1920s. As of 1977, at the death of their granddaughter Goldie Ann (Maust) Fuller Williams, they lived in McHenry, MD. Sadly, Mary Elizabeth died at the age of 69, in Oakland, MD, on Feb. 12, 1979. Burial was in Steele Cemetery in Oakland.
- Granddaughter Margaret Luellen Fike (1927-2012) was born on April 18, 1927 in Arnold City, PA. She married Joseph A. Umbel (Sept. 13, 1915-1998). They settled in Friendsville, MD and produced four sons -- Richard A. Umbel, Raymond L. Umbel and twins Ronald Norris Umbel and Donald Harvey Umbel. After raising her children, Margaret "operated Grandma's Day Care for many years," said the Cumberland (MD) Times-News. "She was a member of Selbysport United Methodist Church and attended Freedom Chapel." At the age of 83, Joseph surrendered to the angel of death on Sept. 26, 1998. Margaret lived on as a widow for 14 years. Toward the end, she was admitted to live in Frostburg Village Nursing Home. There, at the age of 85, she died on Nov. 6, 2012. Jointly conducting her funeral service were Rev. Philip Smith and Rev. Michael Robinson. Interment was in Steele Cemetery.
Great-grandson Richard A. Umbel entered into wedlock with Carolyn. They put down roots in Oakland, MD.
Great-grandson Raymond L. Umbel married Wanda and relocated to Mt. Washington, KY.
Great-grandson Ronald Norris Umbel (1947-2024) was born on July 11, 1947 in Friendsville, a twin with his brother Donald. Ronald was joined in matrimony with Nancy Fike ( ? - ? ). They resided in Friendsville and bore two sons -- Mark Umbel and Christopher Umbel. Said an obituary, "as a security guard for Coastal Lumber and Bausch and Lomb. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Deer Park Post 10077 V.F.W. and Proctor-Kildow Post 51, American Legion. He was also a member of the Friendsville Memorial Roll Committee and the Woodmen of the World." Sadly, at the age of 76, he passed away in Oakland, MD on Jan. 15, 2024, on the 10th anniversary of his twin's death. Pastor Michael Robinson presided over the obsequies, with interment in Addison Cemetery in neighboring Somerset County, PA.
Great-grandson Donald Harvey Umbel (1947-2014) was born on July 11, 1947 in Friendsville, a twin with his brother Ronald. He appears to have spent his life in the town of his birth. Donald was the father of Barbara Fuller. He earned a living as "a boat builder for Demaree Inflatable Boats," said an obituary, "and he was a member of The Anchor, Woodmen of the World, Camp 45 and Bausch & Lomb Early Settlers Club," an honor society for employees who had reached 25 or more years of continuous service with the company. He died at the age of 66 in Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, WV on Jan. 15, 2014. Rev. Michael Robinson led the funeral services, with burial following in Steele Cemetery. Inscribed on the face of his grave marker is the Bible reference "Isaiah 41:9-11" -- "Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish." Daughter Barbara, who tied the knot with Robert Fuller, has lived in Accident, MD and the mother of Lauren Fuller, Lyndsay Fuller and Hannah Fuller.
- Granddaughter Evelyn Blanche Fike (1929-1993) was born on March 27, 1929 in Fayette County, PA. She wed Lindsay Maust Sr. ( ? - ? ), son of Frank and Goldie Maust. The family settled in Smithfield, Fayette County. Three known children of their union were Goldie Ann Fuller Williams, Mary Ann Flowers and Lindsay Maust Jr. Death enveloped Evelyn at the age of 64 on Aug. 7, 1993. She sleeps for all eternity in Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in McClellandtown.
Great-granddaughter Goldie Ann Maust (1949-1977) was born on Jan. 9, 1949 in Friendsville, MD. She appears to have been married twice. Her first husband was (?) Fuller ( ? - ? ). They are believed to have borne a trio of offspring -- Mary Ann Fuller, Lynn Ann Fuller and Robert Fuller. Her second spouse was Michael Williams ( ? - ? ). The Williamses made their home in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, OH. Sadly, at the age of 27, she died in her residence on Jan. 8, 1977. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer officiated the funeral service, with interment in Jacobs Lutheran Cemetery, Masontown.
Great-granddaughter Mary Ann Maust exchanged marital vows and (?) Flowers and also relocated to Garfield Heights, OH.
Great-grandson Lindsay Maust Jr. resided in Smithfield, PA in 1977.
Grandson William Richard Fike (1932-2004) was born on March 16, 1932 in Brownsville, Fayette County. He is known to spent his career with the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War, and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for heroism in a combat zone. William was married to Sieglinde Erhardt ( ? - ? ). He was the father of four children -- Joseph Fike, Doris Givens, Maryann Moore and Diana Stefenilli. Circa 1962, William was stationed in West Germany. Their final home in the 1984-2004 timeframe was Clarksville, TN, home of Fort Campbell, the Army's 101st Airborne Division. He is known to have held a membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. At the age of 72, he died at Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville on April 29, 2004. Leading his services was Rev. David Fambrough. The remains were lowered into honored rest in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville. The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle published an obituary.
Purple HeartGreat-grandson Joseph Fike was in Germany in 2004.
Great-granddaughter Doris Fike married Thomas J. Givens, son of Floyd C. and Virginia M. Givens of Castle Rock, WA. Thomas joined the U.S. Army and in 1984 was posted for duty in South Korea at Camp Casey. In 2004, she made her dwelling-place in McMinnville, TN.
Great-granddaughter Maryann Fike (1962-2022) was born on Aug. 2, 1962 in Augsburg, Germany. She wed Bobby Gene Moore (May 7, 1962-2022), son of Bobby Gene and Joyce Diane (Poole) Moore of Montgomery County, TN. Their union withstood the ebbs and flows of 35 years together until cleaved apart by death. They became the parents of a son, Clayton Forrest "Clay" Moore. Bobby was a U.S. Navy veteran and for 28 years was employed by Trane. In his spare time he liked to fish and hunt. Circa 2004-2022, they lived in Clarksville, TN. The family was overcome by grief at the death of son Clay at age 23 on Sept. 9, 2018. Clay was an alumnus of Kenwood High School and a member of Cumberland Drive Baptist Church. Sadly, Bobby passed away in their residence at the age of 60 on June 27, 2022. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Melissa Whaley conducting graveside services. Maryann only outlived her spouse by four months. She died at home at the age of 60 on Oct. 29, 2022. She was pictured in her obituary in the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
Great-granddaughter Diana Fike was joined in wedlock with (?) Stefenilli. She has dwelled in Clarksville.
- Grandson Melvin Norris Fike (1937-1991) was born on Sept. 12, 1937 in Hazelton, Preston County, WV. He entered into marriage with Martha Ann Gank ( ? - ? ). Together they bore four children -- Melvin Alan Fike, Timothy Fike, Cynthia A. Fike and Lorri A. Burns. They are believed to have dwelled in Oakland or Accident, MD. Melvin succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 53 on May 13, 1991. His remains are in eternal repose in Steele Cemetery in Friendsville. Martha married again to William Fike ( ? - ? ) and remained in Oakland as of 2022.
Great-grandson Melvin Alan Fike (1962-2022) was born on Oct. 21, 1962 in Riverdale, MD. He was joined in matrimony with Lisa Michele Lewis ( ? - ? ). The pair did not reproduce over their 17 years together. Said an obituary, "Melvin enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and friends. He loved cheering on his favorite sports teams the Dallas Cowboys and the LA Dodgers. He also liked to watch Clint Eastwood and horror movies. Melvin worked at Burger King, Pigeon Forge, TN and locally at Wal-Mart and the Wisp." The family was plunged into mourning at Melvin's death at the age of 59, in Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV, on July 13, 2022. Rev. William C. Skipper led the funeral.
Great-grandson Timothy Eugene Fike (1967-2018) was born on Nov. 28, 1967 in Oakland, MD. He does not appear to have married or reproduced. He was employed as "a stocker at Wal-Mart in Oakland and was formerly a cook at Uno’s Restaurant at Deep Creek Lake," said an obituary. "He loved to watch sports and was an avid Florida gator’s fan. Tim never met a stranger and was a loving person." He died at the age of 50, at home, on Oct. 17, 2018. The family requested that any memorial gifts be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Great-granddaughter Cynthia A. Fike ( ? -living) dwelled in Oakland, MD in 2022.
Great-granddaughter Lorri A. Fike ( ? -living) was united in wedlock with Robert "Bubba" Burns. They also planted themselves in Oakland, MD and are the parents of Kristina Burns and B.J. Burns.
- Granddaughter Shirley Ann Fike (1939-2003) was born on Oct. 3, 1939 in Selbysport, Garrett County, MD. She tied the knot with Juan C. Gonzalez ( ? -1973). They made their residence in Cleveland, OH. Eight offspring in their apparently combined brood were Ramon "Raymond" Gonzalez, Juan "John" Gonzalez Jr., Rosita "Rosie" Gonzalez, Angel Ann Gonzalez, Shiela Gonzalez, Sharon Gonzalez, Susan Gonzalez and Martin Jandis. Grief spread through the family at Juan Sr.'s death in Aug. 1973. A short death notice was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His funeral mass was sung at St. Stephens Church. Shirley endured for another three decades, remaining in Cleveland. She supported herself through employment as night manager at Hot Dog Inn. She endured the untimely death of son Raymond in Jan. 1994. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 63 on Aug. 21, 2003. The remains were lowered under the sod of Riverside Cemetery. The Plain Dealer also printed her death notice. She was survived by five grandchildren.
Great-grandson Ramon "Raymond" Gonzalez ( ? -1994) passed away in Jan. 1994. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. The Cleveland Plain Dealer published a brief death notice.
Great-grandson Juan "John" Gonzalez Jr. ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Rosita "Rosie" Gonzalez ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Angel Ann Gonzalez ( ? - ? )
Step-great-granddaughter Shiela Gonzalez ( ? - ? )
Step-great-granddaughter Sharon Gonzalez ( ? - ? )
Step-great-granddaughter Susan Gonzalez ( ? - ? )
Step-great-grandson Martin Jandis ( ? - ? )
- Granddaughter Linda Grace Fike (1942-2008) was born on Sept. 14, 1942 in Cumberland, MD. She was the mother of Lisa Marie (Fike) Ditmore. At one time Linda lived in Friendsville and later in life in Terra Alta, WV. She earned a living as a cook for the Old Mill Restaurant in Friendsville and for Twila's Restaurant in Bruceton Mills, WV. Sadly, at the age of 65, as a patient in Garrett County (MD) Memorial Hospital in Oakland, Linda surrendered to the angel of death on March 26, 2008. The remains were laid to rest in Steele Cemetery in Friendsville, with her service led by Rev. Philip Smith. An obituary in the Oakland Republican said she was survived by three granddaughters.
Great-granddaughter Lisa Marie Fike (1968-2024) was born on Aug. 4, 1968 in Oakland, Garrett County, MD. She tied the knot with (?) Ditmore ( ? - ? ) and was the mother of three daughters -- Nicole Skidmore, Amanda Titchenell and Heather Fike. Lisa dwelled at Terra Alta, WV in 2008 and worked as a home health aide for a group home in town. Death spirited her away at the age of 55 on April 1, 2024. Her remains were cremated.
- Granddaughter Jean Fike (1935-2013) was born on May 26, 1935. She married Morris M. Maust Sr. (June 17, 1933-1999), son of Frank and Goldie Maust of McClellandtown near Uniontown, PA. They also established their homeplace in Cleveland. Six children born into their family were Morris Maust Jr., Marcia Trifiro, Michael Maust, Marvin Maust, Michelle Shott and Melinda Chrisman. Morris was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Air Force and attained the rank of airman second class. Sadly, he died on Feb. 18, 1999 at the age of 65. The Cleveland Plain Dealer printed an obituary. Jean survived him by 14-plus years. She passed away at the age of 78 on Aug. 4, 2013. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Bedford Heights, OH. Survivors included eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was pictured in her Plain Dealer obituary.
Great-grandson Morris Maust Jr. married Nancy.
Great-granddaughter Marcia Maust wed Daniel Trifiro
Great-granddaughter Michael Maust entered into marriage with Elisa. By 2013, he had married Patricia.
Great-grandson Marvin Maust exchanged marital vows with Dina.
Great-granddaughter Michelle Maust was joined in wedlock with Keith Shott.
Great-granddaughter Melinda Maust was united in matrimony with Thomas Chrisman. They are believed to dwell in Garfield Heights, OH and to be the parents of Ross Chrisman and Thomas Chrisman Jr.
~ Son Winfield Scott Hall II ~
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Winfield S. Hall II |
Son Winfield Scott Hall II (1867-1952) was born on April 14 or 17, 1867 or 1868.
He married a double cousin, Hilda Jane "Hallie" (Hull) Van Sickle (1896-1971), who was 29 years younger and a daughter of John Henry and Melverta "Melverdie" (Rishel) Hull of the family of Hilah Jane (Hall) Hull Baker.
They produced two known children, Winfield "Ray" Hall and Hazel Mae Hull.
Winfield earned a living as a laborer, dwelling in Chalk Hill, Fayette County.
In the 1920s, afflicted with stomach and kidney problems, Winfield tried Konjola, a medicine said to cure a variety of ailments and which was available at Central Drug Store in Uniontown. Pleased with the results, he consented to allow his photograph and words to be published in a Konjola testimonial in the Jan. 5, 1929 edition of the Uniontown Morning Herald. "Happy beyond expression of the wonders Konjola wrought for him," the testimonial continued:
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Morning Herald, 1929 |
I shall never stop rejoicing that I decided, after weeks of hesitation, to give Konjola a chance to relieve me of rheumatism and stomach trouble. For two years or more I was a fictim of a complication of diseases that caused all kinds of misery. I developed rheumatism in my lower limbs shortly after my stomach and kidneys became disordered. Every time I put my weight on my feet, sharp, shooting pains shot through my limbs. I was unable to sleep at night, work efficiently during the day. Loss of appetite resulted in a weak and rundown condition of my system. Glas bloating followed every meal. At night I had to rise several times because of my kidneys, and every morning found me weak and tired. I had heard Konjola recommended for such troubles as mine and many friends sincerely indorsed it. So I decided to see what it would do for me. What a surprise and pleasure was in store for me. I have taken but a brief treatment, and yet the results obtained were almost beyond imagination. I can eat any kind of food and in any quantity without trouble with my stomach. I am stronger in every way and have begun to pick up in weight. My kidneys no longer bother me and I enjoy sound, refreshing sleep at night. The rheumatism has been so relieved that I can get around and do my work without suffering and only a dim memory remains to tell me of the many years of suffering I formerly endured.
(An interesting twist is that one of Winfield's neighbors and distant step-cousins, Bartholomew "Beth" Minerd, also of Chalk Hill, also used the Konjola and also was profiled in a Morning Herald testimonial around that time.)
Circa 1940, census records show the Halls living in Wharton Township, with son Ray earning income as a construction laborer. They lived along Wharton Furnace Road.
At the age of 84, suffering from hardening of the arteries, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, Winfield died on Leap Day 1952. Interment was in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
Later, Hilda wedded Orville Rush Van Sickle (May 18, 1899-1981), son of Amos and Lucinda Ella (Gleason) Van Sickle of Elliottsville. He was employed in the 1940s with Big Box Lumber Company of Farmington, near High Point School. They continued to reside along Wharton Furnace Road.
The couple grieved at the untimely death of daughter Hazel in 1958.
At the age of 74, suffering from stomach cancer and congestive heart failure, Hallie died at home on Sept. 22, 1971. Her funeral service was held at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer officiating, and followed by interment in the church cemetery. The Uniontown Morning Herald printed an obituary.
Orville outlived her by nine-plus years. He passed away at the age of 81 in January 1981. Burial was in Farmington's Visitation Cemetery.
Son Winfield "Ray" Hall (1918-1998) was born on New Year's Eve 1918 in Wharton Township. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He may have wed Margaret J. ( ? - ? ). Later, he made a dwelling along Wharton Furnace Road in 1952, in Uniontown in 1958 and in Farmington in 1971. His final dwelling-place was in Vanderbilt. He passed away on April 14, 1998.
Daughter Hazel Mae Hall (1922-1958) was born on Feb. 16, 1922 in Wharton Township. As of 1950, not married, she lived with her parents in Wharton Township. She tied the marital cord with a double cousin, World War II Army veteran Glenn Leo Hull (Aug. 19, 1926-1997), son of Isaac Ray and Clara Mae (Faust) Hull of Wharton Furnace, of the family of Isaac and Hilah Jane (Hall) Hull. During their brief years together, they produced an only son, James Glenn Hull. Glenn had grown up working on his father's farm at Chalk Hill. He stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall in young manhood and weighed 134 lbs. Hazel and Glenn resided in the outskirts of Uniontown and belonged to Calvary Methodist Church. Unspeakable grief cascaded over the family when, at age 35, Hazel was diagnosed with cancer of the left breast. She suffered for a year and died in Uniontown Hospital on Oct. 7, 1958. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. The widowed Glenn resided in the mid-1970s in Farmington. In May 1975, he was named to replace William C. Thomas as custodian at Uniontown Area High School. That September he resigned as custodian of the high school stadium. He died in 1997.
- Grandson James Glenn Hull ( ? - ? ) lived with his parents near Uniontown in 1958. He was but a boy at his mother's untimely death.
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Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery |
~ Son John W. Hall ~
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
Son John W. Hall (1870-1944) was born on Jan. 29, 1870 or 1871 in Wharton Township, Fayette County, PA.
At the age of 21, on Nov. 26, 1891, John was united in wedlock with 21-year-old Alice Klink (July 4, 1870-1938), daughter of William and Hannah Klink of Wharton Township. Justice of the peace George W. Hansel led the nuptials.
The Halls and Klinks were close, and John's brother Levi married Alice's sister Emma.
John and Alice resided in Jumonville, Fayette County.
The couple had these offspring -- William H. Hall, John W. Hall Jr., Clyde Hall, Bessie Craig, Viola Shipley, Nina Greenwalt, Lida Basinger and Delphia Hall.
At the age of 67, having endured a lingering illness of rheumatic endocarditis, Alice succumbed at the age of 67 on April 1, 1938 in their home. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. Her remains were lowered into the earth for eternal rest in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The 1940 United States Census enumeration of 1940 shows John and daughter Nina sharing a home in North Union. At that time, he earned a living as a laborer with the Works Progress Administration.
John lived for another six years as a widower, and made his home with his daughter Bessie at 58 West Winona Street in Uniontown. He contracted stomach cancer and could not keep food down, with his weight plummeting. The malnutrition and malignancy led to his death at the age of 74 on June 1, 1944. Viola Hall served as the official informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary in the Morning Herald said he was survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Dr. Levi Stoner of Connellsville presided over the funeral and burial.
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| Hatted man exploring Half King's Rocks, Jumonville Originally published by E.K. Weller, Washington, PA, 1908 |
Son William H. Hall (1892-1942) was born on Nov. 5, 1892 in Wharton Township. He served in the U.S. armed forces during World War I as a member of the 49th Coast Artillery. He lived with his parents in Jumonville in 1938. He eventually married Bessie "Rosie" Sellers (1893- ? ), although they did not reproduce, and divorced by 1940. At one time William was employed at the Richmond Radiator Plant in Uniontown. Circa 1942, he worked on house construction at the Harry Whyel farm at Jumonville. William enjoyed spending time in his two-room cabin near Jumonville, eight miles from Uniontown. Sadly, on July 13, 1942, while getting ready for work on a Monday morning, but only partially dressed in a shirt and underwear, the 50-year-old William suffered a massive heart attack and fell into bed, dying almost instantly. His sister Nina, having seen from afar that his lamp alit all day, fearing the worst, waited until her friend Ralph Tuning returned home from work that evening before going over to investigate. By that time he had been dead about 12 hours. At the time, his ex-wife was residing in Coolspring near Uniontown. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. On his grave marker, the year of his birth is incorrectly inscribed as "1897" rather than the correct "1892" -- and the year of death shown as "1941" instead of "1942."
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Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
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| Ralph Hall's workplace, General Electric in Erie, PA |
- Grandson Ralph Eugene Hall (1925-2024) was born on Aug. 29, 1925 in Coolspring near Uniontown. He was an alumnus of Uniontown High School. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served for 28 months, including a deployment to the Pacific Theater. Upon his return home, he secured employment in Erie, PA with General Electric Company. On Sept. 21, 1946, he tied the marital cord with Marjorie Turner ( ? - ? ), daughter of Paul Turner of West Greene, PA. The nuptials were conducted in West Greene Methodist Church, by the hand of Rev. Leland Magee. The Uniontown Morning Herald announced the happy event, saying that the bride "wore a grey dressmaker suit with black accessories, red hat with black plume trim, and a shoulder corsage of white rosebuds." They stayed together as man and wife over the extraordinary span of 77 years. Marjorie was a graduate of Waterford High School and Erie Comptometer School and at the time of marriage worked in the payroll office of Hammermill Paper Company in Erie. The newlyweds made their first home in Erie and remained in the Erie/Waterford community for the balance of their lives. Together, they produced a family of four -- Lynn Eugene Hall, Gregory Hall, Deborah Tucker and Christine Landers. In the mid-1960s, Ralph and three friends who were tool and die specialists together founded Tetra Tool. They operated their firm for several decades, with Ralph retiring in 1986. Said the Erie Times-News, "In 1973 Ralph and his wife built their dream home in Waterford where they tended their garden, enjoyed walking their property and cherished the quiet life in the country. Retirement also gave Ralph the opportunity to concentrate on his wood working. Perhaps his most notable creations were his Appalachian and Hammered Dulcimers that he built for himself and his friends. He also formed a Dulcimer group that performed at the First Presbyterian Church in Waterford and other venues." Ralph died in Erie's Residence at Presque Isle at the age of 98 on April 18, 2024. His remains were lowered into repose in Phillipsville Union Cemetery. The Times-News said that the headcount of his survivors was six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Great-grandson Lynn Eugene Hall married Susan and moved to Clinton Township, MI.
Great-grandson Gregory Hall settled in Waterford near Erie, PA.
Great-granddaughter Deborah Hall tied the knot with Jeffrey Tucker. As of 2024, they dwelled in Mary Esther, FL.
Great-granddaughter Christine Hall entered into marriage with Richard Landers. The pair has lived in McKean, PA. Their daughter Kate was deceased by 2024.
- Grandson Russell W. Hall moved cross-country and in 1951 was in Riverside, CA. By 1986, he relocated to Douglas City, CA. He was deceased by 2024.
- Grandson Harold W. Hall ( ? -1999) was born in either Uniontown, PA or Cleveland, OH. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. Harold made a move in 1967 to Central Florida and earned a living as a truck driver. He was the father of John Hall and Ella Mae Ramsey. As of 1986, he lived in Deland, FL. His last dwelling-place was at 3094 Sunset Drive in Tavares, FL. Death cleaved him away at the age of 69 on Nov. 26, 1999. An obituary was printed in the Orlando Sentinel. His remains were cremated.
Great-grandson John Hall lived in Tavares, FL in 1999.
Great-granddaughter Ella Mae Hall married (?) Ramsey. Her homeplace in 1999 was in Reddick, FL.
- Granddaughter Frances E. Hall (1923-2002) was born on Feb. 23, 1923. She married Frank Stephen Stepanik Jr. (1922-1990) and settled in the coal mining town of Oliver, near Uniontown. They together bore a son, Frank Stepanik III. Frank Jr. was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as a military police officer at Scott Field, IL in 1944. Frances is known to have been employed at Metzler's circa 1961. Their address in Oliver was on Gun Club Road. Frank Jr. was spirited away in death in 1990. Frances survived him by a dozen years and lived in Uniontown. Sadly, she passed away on Sept. 30, 2002. They slumber for the ages in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Great-grandson Frank Stephen Stepanik III ( ? - ? ) studied at Riverside City College in California circa 1960. He is believed to have transferred to West Virginia University by the fall term of 1962 and to have majored in mechanical engineering. As a WVU student, he also was a member of the U.S. Army's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He then enrolled in a graduate engineering program at Cornell University and was employed by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester. Circa 1967, he underwent military training in ordnance at Aberdeen, MD and transferred to Fort Carson, OH. As a first lieutenant in the Army, in December 1967, he was deployed to Vietnam with Company A of the 704th Maintenance Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. While in-country in the summer of 1968, as a platoon leader of the Headquarters Company during Operation Clean Sweep, he helped discover a Viet Cong rocket site. This alert action, said the Uniontown Morning Herald, prevented enemy attacks in the vicinity of the Plciku Air Base. For this heroism in action, he was awarded a Bronze Star. He returned home to Oliver after the end of his term. In 1969, tied the knot with Rosemarie Heide Kuno ( ? - ? ) of Rochester, NY. They settled in Fairport, NY. Over the years, they have supported such Rochester-area causes as Foodlink, the Alzheimer's Association and Keeping Our Promise Inc.
- Granddaughter Margaret L. "Peggie" Hall ( ? -living) grew to womanhood in Uniontown. She was a 1952 graduate of Uniontown High School. Armed with her diploma, she moved to Riverside, CA where she joined the workforce of Pacific Telephone Company. On Aug. 28, 1953, Peggie exchanged marital vows with Samuel F. Tusinger ( ? - ? ), son of Claude LeRoy and Emma Lee (Provost) Tusinger. Rev. S.B. Northcote officiated the ceremony, held in the Arlington Foursquare Church of Riverside. In announcing the marriage, the Riverside Daily Press noted that she "wore an ankle-length gown of white rosepoint lace over tulle. A sweetheart headdress held her fingertip tulle veil and she carried a bouquet of white carnations and stephanotis on a white Bible." Samuel was a 1952 graduate of Polytechnic High School and at the time of marriage was employed by J.E. Winship and Sons Lumber Company of Arlington, CA. They became the parents of Jill Tusinger and Jane Tusinger. The couple owned property in Lake Tahoe, NV in 1966 and migrated to San Diego as of 1968. Their marriage dissolved in divorce, and Samuel eventually relocated to Mabelvale, AR. Then on May 29, 1988, Peggie was joined in wedlock in Hawaii with Alan K. Williams ( ? - ? ). When named in the 2024 obituary of her brother Ralph, she lived in Tucson, AZ and was using the "Williams" surname.
Great-granddaughter Jill Tusinger is thought to have been an alumna of El Cajon Valley High School and to have wed (?) Moore.
Great-granddaughter Jane Tusinger appears to have married (?) Foster.
Son Clyde Hall (1900-1945) was born three days before Christmas 1900 in Chalk Hill, Fayette County. He had a third grade education. Clyde was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Pearl Naomi Deffenbaugh (1903-1971), daughter of William and Vallie Deffenbaugh. A trio of offspring they produced together were Hilda "Jeane" Wright Space, Carl H. Hall and Shirley Naomi Howard. Clyde stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighed 156 lbs. and sported a small mole above his right ear. He is known to have served in the U.S. Army circa 1921. Later, he and Pearl resided in Beeson, Fayette County in the late 1930s and in 1940, residing on the Jumonville Road, he was employed as a road construction worker by the Works Progress Administration. In 1942, the family dwelled in Jumonville and Mount Independence, Fayette County, and with World War II aflame, he found a job with Richmond Radiator Company. This was followed by a move later that year to Ravenna, Portage County, OH. There, he found work as a laborer in a lumber yard. At the age of 44, he was stricken with a heart attack and died suddenly in nearby Rootstown, OH on July 23, 1945. His remains were shipped back to Fayette County for burial in the sacred soil of Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. Rev. S.S. Gressley of Ruffsdale, PA led the funeral rites, with the Connellsville Daily Courier carrying an obituary. Pearl survived for another quarter of a century and made her home at 882 Jones Avenue, Ravenna. She died at the age of 67 on Jan. 19, 1971. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Her final resting place is next to her husband at Chalk Hill. Inscribed on their grave marker is the Bible reference Revelations 22:14 -- "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
- Granddaughter Shirley Naomi Hall (1935-1996) was born on July 12, 1935, likely in her parents' Beeson Works home community. News of her birth was announced in the Uniontown Evening Standard, as was a second birthday notice in 1937. She relocated with her family to Ravenna as a young woman. On Nov. 23, 1955, she exchanged marital vows with World War II Army veteran Raymond E. Howard (Oct. 27, 1924-1995). Their home in 1971 was in Ravenna. Raymond surrendered to the spirit of death on May 5, 1995. Burial was in Ravenna's Maple Grove Cemetery. Shirley only lived for another 10 months. She was carried away into the heavenly host on March 13, 1996.
- Granddaughter Hilda "Jeane" Hall (1928- ? ) was born on June 14, 1928. She first entered into marriage with D.L. Wright ( ? - ? ). The couple lived in Kent, OH in 1945. By 1959, she had tied the knot with Alfred Space ( ? - ? ). They settled in Ravenna with a foursome of offspring in the family -- Carla Jean Bednar, Cheryl Bechdel Meyers, Carl Space and Rhonda Deemer. She passed away at the age of 71 on Dec. 15, 1999. Her remains sleep for all time in Ravenna's Maple Grove Cemetery. Inscribed on her grave marker is this sentence: "You were a light in our lives that burns forever in our hearts."
Great-granddaughter Carla Jean Space (1959-2020) was born on Oct. 13, 1959 in Ravenna, OH. She was a 1978 graduate of Ravenna High School. Carla Jean was joined in matrimony with George M. Bednar ( ? - ? ). They stayed together over the ebbs and flows of 28 years. Three children in their brood were Jessica Murphy, Jared Bednar and Jerrica Bednar. Said an obituary, Carla Jean "loved cooking, crocheting, writing. Member of Turning Point Baptist Church of Limaville where she sang and maintained the church social media." Sadly, apparently stricken with cancer at the age of 60, Carla Jean died in UH Portage Medical Center on Feb. 17, 2020. Jointly leading her funeral were Rev. Ronald Lanham and Rev. Todd Tackett.
Great-granddaughter Cheryl Space seems to have been twice-wed. Her first husband was (?) Bechdel followed by (?) Meyers.
Great-grandson Carl Space ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Rhonda Space was a 1983 graduate of Ravenna High School. She wed (?) Deemer.
- Grandson Carl Herman Hall (1934- ? ) was born on Aug. 29, 1934. At the age of 18, on Jan. 8, 1953, he tied the marital cord in Portage County, OH with Virginia Gayle Frayer ( ? - ? ). One known son was Timothy Blaine Hall (born in 1966). Carl appears to have earned a living as an automobile mechanic. The Halls' marriage dissolved in divorce. Then on Oct. 17, 1969, he wed Mary Helen (Flowers) Kilbourne (July 24, 1935-2020), daughter of Earl W. and Maude A. (Smith) Flowers of Ravenna. Mary brought two stepchildren into the union, Roger Kilbourne and Kim St. Hilaire. She was a 1953 graduate of Ravenna High School. She was employed for many years with the Jack Kohl Agency and then in a testing laboratory for the Ohio Department of Transportation. They resided in Ravenna, OH in 1971-2001, with her holding a membership in the Ravenna Assembly of God. Of Mary, said an obituary, "Her faith in Christ Jesus was unbreakable. She had the most beautiful soul, and her spirit for life was never ending. No matter what the situation, she faced it head on, her faith always pushed her through." Sadly, Carl died in Ravenna on Valentine's Day 2001. Mary outlived him by 19 years. Death enveloped her on Feb. 8, 2020. They are interred together in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Daughter Bessie Jane Hall (1894-1965) was born on Christmas Day 1894 in Chalk Hill. She married Frank Jacobs ( ? -1974) and dwelled in Uniontown in 1938 at 45 East Main Street. A foursome of known children were Mabel Schmoyer, Irene Nicklow, Frank Jacobs and Harry W. Jacobs. The couple divorced, with Frank making his home in the 1960s in House 38 in the coal and coke town of [Old] Wynn, south of Uniontown. She entered into marriage a second time with (?) Craig ( ? - ? ). By 1942, she resumed using her maiden name and kept it for the balance of her life. Her final address was 58 Winona Street, where for many years she was employed as a housekeeper for Earl Mean. Burdened with hardening of her heart arteries, she died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 70 on Sept. 1, 1965. Her employer Mr. Means of Uniontown was the informant for her official Pennsylvania certificate of death. The Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home of Uniontown handled the funeral arrangements. Rev. H.L. Davis officiated the funeral, and burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. An obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said she was survived by 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Her ex-husband Jacobs died in Uniontown Hospital on April 23, 1974 and was laid to rest in Mountain View Memorial Park.
- Granddaughter Mabel Gertrude Jacobs (1912-2013) was born on Feb. 27, 1912 in Fayette County. She married Elmer Schmoyer (Feb. 15, 1907-1981), a native of Creamery, Montgomery County, PA and the son of Samuel and Susan (Hallman) Schmoyer. Their only child, Frederick Philip Schmoyer, was stillborn on Jan. 29, 1950. The pair lived for decades in Somerset, PA, including on West Patriot Street in 1939. For 31 years, he served as a Pennsylvania state police officer. His name often was in the local newspaper for his law enforcement work. He also was employed later by Rockwood Insurance Company. He held a membership in the Somerset lodge of the Masons, Central Pennsylvania Police Association, Tri-County Claims Association and was a director of the Humane Society. Said the Somerset Daily American, "Mabel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and their Sunshine Group, Somerset Garden Club, State Police Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 138, and she had volunteered for Meals on Wheels." Their last address together was at 992 East Main Street, Somerset. Elmer passed away at the age of 74 on Aug. 23, 1981. Mabel survived him by more than three decades and marked her 100th birthday in 2012. Her final home was in East Norriton Township, Montgomery County, PA. There, she passed away on April 28, 2013. The body was transported back to Somerset County for burial in Somerset County Memorial Park, with Rev. Edward Hammett leading the services. Her Daily American obituary said she was survived by "numerous nieces and nephews including Jean Hiltner and husband Sam of Norristown, Richard Staley and wife Ruth of Magnolia, TX."
- Granddaughter Irene Pearl Jacobs (1918-1989) was born in 1918. At about the age of 15, in 1933, she gave birth to a son, whom she named George Duritsa Jr. Then in 1942, at the age of about 24, she tied the marital cord with Robert Charles Nicklow (July 9, 1912-1969), a resident of Dunbar Township near Connellsville. Three children in this family were Doris Trump, Robert Charles Nicklow Jr. and Mabel Nicklow. They relocated to the community of Farrell in the outskirts of Sharon, Mercer County, PA and were there in the 1960s, with Robert employed at the Sharon Steel Works. Sadly, at the age of 56, he died in Farrell Hospital on Jan. 24, 1969. The body was brought to Uniontown for interment in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.
Great-grandson George Duritsa Jr. (1933-2011) was born on Feb. 21, 1933. He grew up in Uniontown and was an active Boy Scout. At his 13th birthday, in 1946, he was pictured in the Uniontown Morning Herald as his grandmother Bessie Jacobs held a party in his honor. During the Korean War, George joined the U.S. Air Force and earned the airman third class designation. Sadly, George died on May 9, 2011. Burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Doris J. Nicklow ( ? - ? ) - On Sept. 2, 1961, she was joined in wedlock with Harry W. Trump Jr. (Feb. 9, 1939-2013), son of Harry W. and Della L. (Turner) Trump of Sharon, Mercer County, PA. The Trumps settled in Harry's hometown and produced two children -- Debbie Trump and Harry W. Trump III. He earned a living at RPS Auto Parts in Sharon and later at Valley Farm & Lawn in Sharpsville. When time allowed, he liked to work puzzles and watch television. Their last address was 492½ Dock Street, Sharon. With his health in decline, Harry was admitted to Sharon Regional Health System. He died there at the age of 74 on Aug. 23, 2013. He was survived by five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Rev. Terry Mann, of Covenant Presbyterian Church, officiated the funeral. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Hermitage. Both of their offspring resided in 2013 in Sharon.
Great-grandson Robert Charles Nicklow Jr. (1944-2009) was born on Oct. 12, 1944 in Uniontown. He moved to Farrell, Mercer County, PA where he was a 1951 graduate of Farrell High School. Robert went on to attend Youngstown State University and the Shenango campus of Pennsylvania State University. During the Vietnam War, he served as a medic in the U.S. Army, assigned to the 91st Evacuation Hospital Division. Said an obituary, he "was employed at the former Sharon Steel Corp.’s Farrell plant as a laborer and as a crossing guard for Conrail. He retired in 1992." He was a member of the American Carpatho-Russian Citizens and Social Club, Post 299 of the American Legion and Post 1338 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The obituary added that he "enjoyed hanging out with his friends at McDonald’s restaurant, Sharon, as well as playing the lottery and singing." He died in nearby Sharon at the age of 64 on July 22, 2009. His remains lie in eternal repose in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage. The text on his bronze grave marker reads: "A good and kind heart is the best of all qualities."
Great-granddaughter Mabel Nicklow ( ? - ? ) resided in 1969 in Farrell, PA.
- Grandson Frank Jacobs made his dwelling in [Old] Wynn, Fayette County in 1964-1974.
- Grandson Harry William Jacobs (1913-1964) was born on Oct. 25, 1913 in Fairchance, Fayette County. He was a veteran of World War II. Harry tied the knot with Ivy Goring (Aug. 2, 1925-2006), a native of London, England and the daughter of William Charles and Lilley (Robins) Goring. They resided together at 66 Lincoln Street, Uniontown and were the parents of Van Clyde Jacobs, Roger Dale Jacobs, Joseph David Jacobs and Sandra Williams. Harry was employed in a steel mill. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer of the left eyeball. The malignancy spread to his lungs, heart, bone, spleen, small intestine, stomach, urinary bladder and prostate gland. He was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh, where the eyeball was removed, but to no effect. He died at the age of 50 on Sept. 27, 1964. The remains were returned to Uniontown to sleep for all time in honored rest in the soldiers' plot of Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer presided, and the Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home managed the arrangements for the family. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. Ivy endured for another four decades and belonged to St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. Her final residence was in the Ridgeview Apartments in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. She died in Westmoreland Manor at the age of 80 on Feb. 21, 2006. An obituary was published in the Greensburg Tribune Review.
Great-grandson Van Clyde Jacobs ( ? - ? ) was an alumnus of Uniontown Joint Senior High School. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1965 during the Vietnam War. Upon his return home, he joined the workforce of Connellsville Sportswear Company. On Aug. 31, 1968, he married Antonina "Nina" Cagnina ( ? - ? ), daughter of Alphonso Cagnina. Their wedding was held at St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church, performed by Rev. Frank Ferrara. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "the bride appeared in a floor-length gown of white nylon organza with lace trim. The slim-fitting bodice, with natural waistline, featured a Sabrina neckline and short bell sleeves. The bouffant skirt was of organza." Nina was a graduate of Dunbar Township High School and at the time of marriage worked in Monessen for Brookvale Manufacturing Company. Circa 1970, Van was employed as an attendant at Lafayette Manor.
Great-grandson Roger Dale Jacobs ( ? - ? )
Great-grandson Joseph David Jacobs lived in Republic, Fayette County in 2006.
Great-granddaughter Sandra Jacobs tied the knot with James Williams. The pair has dwelled in Scottdale, PA.
Daughter Viola "Happy" Hall (1910-1973) was born in 1910. She appears to have been twice-married. On Sept. 19, 1928, at the age of 18, she wed her first husband, William H. Shipley ( ? - ? ). They lived on Jumonville Road in Hopwood. The marriage was troubled, and he moved out in May 1933 and went to live at the Beeson Works coal mine community. She sued for divorce, and alleged that he never gave her money for clothes or furniture and never provided food. Said the Uniontown Morning Herald, she stated that "during all the time she lived with him, she was fed either by his parents, other relatives or neighbors." The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that he "ran around and drank" and that after he deserted their home, her father "came after her in a buggy and took her to his home." Under questioning, her sister Bessie added that the husband "would always be shined up with shine. That's all I can say about him." The divorce was granted in July 1945. Her second spouse was Ralph Rankin (Sept. 28, 1906-1991), said to be the son of John H. and Amanda Belle (Varndell) Rankin. Her only offspring was a daughter, Linda Hurtt. Sadly, Viola died at the age of 63 on Jan. 14, 1973. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Rev. Paul Jones, from Kent, OH, presided over her obsequies. Burial was in Chalk Hill Cemetery. Ralph lived on for another 18 years and passed away on June 3, 1991, at the age of 84.
Daughter Nina Hall (1907-1959) was born on Aug. 10, 1907 in Chalk Hill, Fayette County. Dr. Parshall attended the birth. She first was joined in matrimony with (?) Greenwalt. In 1938, their home was in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. They do not appear to have reproduced. By 1940, when sharing a home with her widowed father, and again in 1942 when she signed her brother William's death certificate, she was using the maiden name of "Hall." Her home in 1944 was in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, PA. She married again to Sergus "William" Antuck (Sept. 7, 1909-1958), son of William Antuck. Their home in 1951 was in Elizabeth and later they moved to Jumonville Road in Hopwood. William earned a living as a laborer with Friend Lumber Company. She held a membership in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church. William at age 49 was burdened by Hodgkin's Disease and anemia and died on Sept. 13, 1958. His survivors included a brother and a sister. Nina only outlived him by a year. Sadly, at the age of 53, she was felled by a heart attack and died in their home on Nov. 17, 1959. The Uniontown Morning Herald ran an obituary. Rev. H.L. Davis led the funeral service, with interment following in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
Daughter Lyda/Lida Hall (1910-1980) dwelled in South Union Township as a young woman. She appears to have given birth in 1927 to a daughter whom she named Rose Pearl Hall. Circa 1929, she was united in wedlock with Sheridan Basinger (Feb. 14, 1905-1991), an Everson resident and the son of William P. and Jennie (Greenawalt) Basinger. News of their marriage license was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard and Connellsville Daily Courier. Two known children of the couple were Alice Jane Green and William "Raymond" Basinger. Their residence in 1938 was in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA and in 1942-1973 in Connellsville. Sheridan made news in July 1952 when he was wounded in the lip, "hit by a portion of gun barrel which broke off a gun reportedly fired by George Martin of Moyer," reported the Daily Courier. Their address in 1955 was in Connellsville's Morgan Station neighborhood and in 1967 at 601 Brown Street in nearby Everson. In 1973, at the death of their grandson Alan Rankin, their dwelling was in Hunker, Westmoreland County. Sadly, Lyda died in 1980. Burial was in Greenlick Cemetery. Sheridan endured as a widower for another 11 years. He passed away on Aug. 28, 1991 at the age of 86. On their grave marker, her name is spelled "Lydia."
- Granddaughter Rose Pearl Hall (1927-1989) was born on June 22, 1927 in Uniontown to a single mother. She married Delbert Rankin (March 2, 1917-2006), son of John Henry and Amanda (Varndell) Rankin of Coolspring. A brood of seven children were born to this couple -- Ralph Lynn Rankin, Alan Curtis Rankin, Viola Louise Rankin, Donna Allison Rankin, Lida Rose Rankin, Delbert Eugene Rankin and Gary Wayne Rankin. Delbert was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II with a deployment to the Philippine Islands. In peacetime he was employed as a coal miner by United States Steel Corporation and at one time labored at the Robena Mine. Later, he worked for Lear-Seigler Aircraft. He belonged to the Uniontown post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family made a home in 1967 in Waynesburg, Greene County. They grieved at the untimely deaths of son Ralph in 1967 and son Alan in 1973. Rose Pearl surrendered to the angel of death at age 62 on Oct. 22, 1989. She sleeps for all time in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. Delbert continued on for another 17 years and married again to Myrtle Deneen Hoover ( ? - ? ). His final homeplace was in the coal mining patch town of Leckrone, Fayette County, where his daughters Viola Hull and Lida Rose Rankin were living. With his health in decline, he was admitted to Uniontown Hospital and there he was spirited away by death on March 20, 2006. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Herald-Standard, which numbered his survivors as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Great-grandson Ralph Lynn Rankin (1963-1967) was born on Nov. 12, 1963. He was diagnosed in infancy with an immunologic deficiency and did not survive childhood. As a boy of three years and six months, he was was admitted to the West Virginia University Hospital in nearby Morgantown and died there on Aug. 17, 1967. His tender remains were laid to rest in Hopwood Cemetery.
Great-grandson Alan Curtis Rankin ( ? -1973) grew up in Hopwood along Jumonville Road. As a teen he was employed by the Youth Corps. Sadly, at age 18, he died in Uniontown Hospital on Aug. 14, 1973. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer led the funeral rites. Interment was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Viola Louise Rankin entered into marriage with William Hull. The couple dwelled in Leckrone in 2006.
Great-granddaughter Donna Allison Rankin was joined in wedlock with Charles Kelly. Their home in 2006 was in Smithfield, Fayette County.
Great-granddaughter Lida Rose Rankin resided in 2006 in the coal mining patch community of Leckrone, Fayette County.
Great-grandson Delbert Eugene Rankin relocated to San Francisco and was there in 2006.
Great-grandson Gary Wayne Rankin tied the marital cord with Bonnie. They settled in Lemont Furnace near Uniontown.
- Granddaughter Alice Jane Basinger ( ? - ? ) attended school in Connellsville and in young womanhood worked for Paul's Dairy Bar. On April 27, 1954, she tied the knot with James O. Green ( ? - ? ), son of John and Florence (Siesky) Green. They took their vows in the Church of God, led by Rev. Clem B. Barcus. News of the happy event was announced in the Connellsville Daily Courier, which called it "A pretty church wedding... The bride was attired in a beautiful floor length gown of white imported Chantilly lace over taffeta. It was styled with princess lines, high neckline with Peter Pan collar, marquisette yoke, long tapering sleeve and full skirt." The groom, a 1944 graduate of Connellsville High School, served in World War II and at the time of marriage was employed in the Homestead Works of United States Steel Corporation. The Greens resided in 1958 at 302 South Ninth Street on Connellsville's West Side. They together produced two children, Larry Edward Green and Lisa Dian Green.
- Grandson William "Raymond" Basinger (1929-1999) was born on Nov. 24, 1929. He was married. They put down roots in Scottdale and bore a family, including Rema Joan Basinger and Terri Rae Basinger. Sadness blanketed the family when baby daughter Terri Rae was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland and died four days later, at age four months, on Aug. 25, 1955. The infant's remains were laid to rest in Greenlick Cemetery following funeral rites in the First Church of God, South Connellsville, led by Rev. Clem Barcus. Raymond passed away at the age of 69 on Oct. 28, 1999. Interment was in the sacred soil of Greenlick Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Rema Joan Basinger ( ? - ? )
Great-grandson Larry Edward Green (1957- ? ) was born in 1957. At his first and second birthdays, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier.
Great-granddaughter Lisa Dian Green (1966- ? ) was born in 1966. She was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier on her first birthday.
Daughter Delphia D. Hall (1913-1993) was born on July 25, 1913. She married a first cousin, Winfield Allen Hall (May 7, 1913-1993), son of David X. and Alice Margaret (Cassidy) Hall. See Winfield's entry elsewhere on this page.
~ Son Levi Hall II ~
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Coal tipple at York Run |
Son Levi Hall II (1873-1939) was born on Sept. 11, 1872 or 1873 or 1874.
He does not seem to have known how to read or write.
In September 1895, Levi eloped to marry Emma Klink (May 27, 1879-1939), daughter of William and Hannah Klink of Wharton Township. Their wedding generated news coverage throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and California, saying that "The bride is only fourteen years of age and weighs 300 pounds, while the groom is sixteen and weighs less than 100 pounds. Hall borrowed a neighbor's horse and buggy and drove over the national pike to Cumberland [MD], where they were married."
The Halls and Klinks were close, and Levi's brother John married Emma's sister Alice.
The Halls produced 11 children, of whom only David Levi Hall and Blanche Virginia Dodson Lawver survived to adulthood. Of the others, two passed away prior to 1900 and three between 1900 and 1910.
In the early years of marriage, Levi was a farmer in Georges Township, Fayette County, and in 1912 in Smithfield.
During World War I, when required to register for the military draft, Levi declared that he was employed by Mutual Coal Company in Collier, Georges Township. They later kept their residence in the coal mining patch town of York Run, Fayette County, where Levi labored for the H.C. Frick Coke Company, and eventually retired and obtained a pension. Their address was House 162 York Run.
Levi stopped working in 1927 and apparently never held a steady job for the remaining dozen years of his life. He suffered gangrene of a foot and combined with diabetes, the illness was deadly.
He succumbed at the age of 65 on Jan. 25, 1939. Son David Hall of Chalk Hill signed the death certificate. His remains were lowered into eternal rest in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald.
Emma only survived her husband by a little more than five months and lived with her son David at House 121 York Run. "Suffering from a sudden illness of heart disease," reported the Morning Herald, she died at age 60 on July 5, 1939. She "was a highly respected resident of Georges township." The funeral and interment were held at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church. She was survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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| Clarence Lawver's employer, Inland Steel, Indiana Harbor, IN |
Daughter Blanche Virginia Hall (1899-1967) was born on Oct. 19, 1899 in Wharton Township. She grew to young womanhood at York Run, Fayette County. On Oct. 13 1915, as she neared her 16th birthday, she united herself in marriage with 22-year-old Benjamin Harrison Dodson (1892-1963), originally from Somerset County and the son of Benjamin F. and Minerva (Livengood) Dodson. At the time, he was employed as a teamster in the coal mine at Collier, Georges Township, and could only sign his name with an "X." They made a homeplace at the York Run coal patch town. Known children in this family were Bertha Marie Holub, Emma Mae Dodson, Sara Nevada Eberhart, Thelma Dodson and an infant daughter who died in 1921. Adding to their grief, baby girls Emma Mae died of malnutrition at age five months on Sept. 24, 1918 and Thelma from " ileocolitis" at the age of eight months on Oct. 20, 1922. Both of their tender remains were lowered under the sod of Maple Grove Cemetery. Their marriage unraveled in divorce. By 1932, she exchanged vows of marriage with Clarence Edward Lawver (1898-1973). Five children in their family were Bertha Holub , Frank James Lawver, Charles "Robert" Lawver and Shelby Jean Lawver. The Lawvers made their home in East Chicago, IN in 1932, with Clarence working in a mill -- Indiana Harbor, OH in 1933-1937, with Clarence working as an inspector for Inland Steel Company -- in Ohio in 1939 -- and back in East Chicago in 1950, where Clarence made a living as a scrap boiler in a steel mill, likely Inland Steel. He is known to have retired from Inland. In time, they again pulled up stakes and relocated to Terre Haute, Vigo County, IN at the address of 734 North 13th Street. On the fateful day of March 23, 1967, Blanche at age 68 suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead on arrival in the local Union Hospital. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery, with the Terre Haute Tribune printing an obituary. She was survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Clarence lived on for another seven-plus years and in about 1967 moved to Gary, IN. He died at the age of 75 in Gary Methodist Hospital on Dec. 14, 1973. An obituary was published in the Hammond (IN) Times. Rev. Gilbert Piker officiated the obsequies, followed by interment in Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.
- Granddaughter Bertha Marie Dodson (1916-1992) was born the day after Christmas 1916 in Fairchance, Fayette County. She grew up in York Run coal mine patch town. Bertha married William Holub Jr. (June 17, 1908-1978), a native of Brownfield, PA and the son of William and Hannah (Johnson) Holub Sr. They became the parents of Robert W. Holub and Nancy Carrol Holub. They were plunged into grief when daughter Nancy was stillborn on Aug. 17, 1946, due to suffocation during the birth. Her tender remains were laid to rest in Hopwood Cemetery. When the federal census enumerations were made in 1940 and 1950, the Holubs made their home in York Run, with him laboring as a coal miner and loader, including in 1940 at the Lambert Works. They lived in Gary, IN in 1967 followed by a move to Southern California. William passed away in West Covina, Los Angeles County on April 4, 1978. The grim reaper cleaved her away in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 1992.
Great-grandson Robert W. Holub (1939- ? ) was born in 1939 in Fayette County, PA.
- Granddaughter Sarah Nevada Dodson (1919-1995) was born on Oct. 18, 1919 in the York Run coal mining town in Fayette County. When she was 18 years of age and not married, in 1937, she gave birth to a son, Ronald W. Dodson. In time, Sarah wed Allen "Dale" Eberhart (March 6, 1918-1995). They do not appear to have accompanied Sarah's mother and stepfather in their move to Indiana. Circa 1967, they were in nearby Smithfield, Fayette County. The pair endured the death of son Ronald in 1994. Sadly, both wife and husband died the following year. At the age of 75, Sarah passed away on March 21, 1995. Dale followed her to the grave on Aug. 2, 1995. Burial was in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield.
Great-grandson Ronald William Dodson (1937-1994) was born on Nov. 13, 1937 in York Run to a single mother and a birth father named "John Torony." He was a 1955 graduate of Georges Township and moved to Cleveland, OH, where he became employed with General Electric Company. On April 12, 1958, at the age of 20, Ronald married 21-year-old Pearl Ann Pozun ( ? - ? ), daughter of Frank and Vera Pozun of Cleveland. Their marriage ceremony was held at St. Jerome Church, Cleveland, and Pearl's bridal portrait was printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In September 1961, during the early years of the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Army and trained in welding in the ordnance school at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. In the spring of 1962, he was assigned to the new 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, TX. Upon his return home, the marriage began to fracture, and after 10 years together, she sued for divorce, citing "gross neglect." The divorce was granted in Cuyahoga County Court on April 4, 1969. He passed away in a nursing home in Wickliffe near Cleveland at the age of 57 on Feb. 27, 1994. The remains were shipped back to Smithfield for burial in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery.
- Grandson Frank James Lawver (1932-1987) was born on Jan. 2, 1932 in East Chicago, Lake County, IL. Dr. J. Stewart Niblech assisted with the birth. He is known to have attended Washington High School in East Chicago. Frank resided in adulthood in Terre Haute, IN and in 1973 in Gary, IN. Death swept him away at the age of 55 in Cook County, IL on Sept. 24, 1987. His remains lie in eternal rest in Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN.
- Grandson Charles "Robert" Lawver (1935-2016) was born in 1935 in Indiana. He was an alumnus of Washington High School in Indiana Harbor. He then joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Robert in young manhood settled in Terre Haute. In 1972, he was united in matrimony with Dorothy ( ? - ? ). They did not reproduce. By 1973, he migrated into the city of Gary, IN. There, for 22 years, he was employed at St. Mary Medical Center. He held memberships in the McClelland post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Indianapolis post of the American Legion. Their final home together was in Hobart, IN. Robert died at the age of 81 on Feb. 21, 2016, bringing to a close their marriage of a 44-year duration. He was pictured in his obituary in the Hammond (IN) Times. Interment was in Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
- Granddaughter Shelby Jean Lawver (1937-1985) was born on Nov. 27, 1937 in Indiana Harbor, Lake County, IN. She grew up in East Chicago, IN. She remained single her entire life and was employed as a typist and clerk by a paymaster business in Hammond, IN. Shelby Jean resided in 1967-1973 in Gary, IN. At the age of 47, stricken by breast cancer, she passed away in the Southlake Camps of Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, IN on Feb. 20, 1985. Burial was in Calumet Park Cemetery.
Son David Levi Hall (1900-1986?) was born on Sept. 9, 1900 in Farmington, Fayette County. When he was 18 years of age, and required to register for the military draft, he disclosed that he worked as a teamster for H.C. Frick Coke Company at York Run. He stood 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 137 lbs. His first wife was Ruth Ann Gordon (July 4, 1903-1990). Three known children of this coupling were Freida M. Caudill Schlyer Lowe, Mildred Catherine Terry and David Wilbur Hall. The family lived in Georges Township in 1930, with him laboring as a coal miner. Later in the 1930s, the pair divorced, with Ruth Ann remarrying to (?) Goodwin. David is known to have lived at House 121 at York Run in 1939 and continued laboring as a coal miner. He registered for the World War II military draft and while still living at York Run was now earning a living at Frick's Kyle Mine. By 1944, he had moved to Canonsburg, Washington County, PA. Then on April 13, 1944, at age 43, he married again to 36-year-old Susie May Hartman ( ? - ? ), daughter of Jubal Marion and Nancy Mary Hartman and a resident of Boone Mill, VA. They exchanged their vows of marriage in Salem, Henrico County, VA. Census records for 1950 show David and Ruth Ann back together in Georges Township, with their separated daughter Freida Caudill and her four-year-old son Vernon in the household. That year, in 1950, he generated income as a coal mine track man. David wed this third bride, Olive Bender ( ? - ? ), in Jefferson County, OH on Feb. 3, 1953. He seems to have moved to Russell County, KS, where his daughter Mildred Catherine was residing on a ranch near Waldo. Seven years after their first marriage, he and Olive again tied the knot in 1960, with their license obtained in Hays, KS. David made his final home in Waldo, died there at the age of 86 on Feb. 20, 1986, and was buried in Russell (KS) City Cemetery. Former wife Ruth passed away on May 9, 1990 and buried under the name "Goodwin," with her grandson Wallace Vernon Caudill Jr., also in Russell City Cemetery.
- Granddaughter Freida M. Hall (1922-1997) -- often misspelled as "Frieda" -- was born on June 18, 1922 near Uniontown. She entered into wedlock with Wallace Vernon Caudill Sr. ( ? - ? ). Together, in Baltimore, MD, they bore one known son, Wallace Vernon Caudill Jr. By 1950, U.S. Census records show that she had separated from her husband and had moved back into her father's home in Georges Township. At some point, she relocated to Russell, KS. Her second spouse, in 1959, was Lawrence Elliot "Bud" Schlyer Sr. (1900-1977). The pair lived together in Russell and were the parents of Lawrence E. Schlyer and John C. Schlyer. Lawrence was a longtime oil pumper for Cities Service Oil Company. In her own right, Freida "was a waitress at the Eatn' Time Cafe and worked in the meat department and bakery at Klema IGA in Russell," said the Salina (KS) Journal. "She was a member of First Southern Baptist Church, Russell." Sadly, Lawrence died in 1977. Her third and final husband was Charles W. Lowe (1916-1992). He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of corporal, and is thought to have brought a stepson into the family, Kenneth Lowe. He succumbed to the spectre of death at age 75 on April 18, 1992. Freida survived for another nearly five years. She passed away at the age of 74, in Hays Medical Center, on Jan. 7, 1997. The Journal published an obituary saying she was survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Rev. Norman Helton led the rites.
Great-grandson Wallace Vernon Caudill Jr. (1945-1966) was born on Sept. 14, 1945 in Baltimore, MD. He attended school in Russell, Russell County, KS, with his grandmother Freda Caudill serving as his "custodial parent." Wallace reputedly wed Louise Blakesley ( ? - ? ) and bore one known child, Roxanna Blakesley. The family lived in Russell. He made news in November 1964 when, at a railroad crossing, his vehicle was struck by a moving Union Pacific Railroad train. The following August 1965, he sued the railroad, demanding $105,000 in damages to cover "alleged personal injury, medical expenses and damages to his car," reported the Hays Daily News. "Caudill holds that he sustained a severe head injury in the collision which resulted in permanent disability and 'psychological changes in his personality'." Tragically, on the fateful evening of Sept. 23, 1966, Wallace was killed in an automobile accident near town. He may have been a passenger in a car operated by 42-year-old Mirum Ruth Gehret, of McAllen, TX, who also perished "when the car she was driving went off a 10-foot embankment and burst into flames," reported the McAllen Monitor. Funeral rites were conducted in Paradise Nazarene Church, with an obituary appearing in the Salina (KS) Journal. The obituary did not name his wife or daughter. Burial was in Russell City Cemetery, in a grave which would be joined in 1990 by his grandmother Ruth Ann Hall Goodwin.
- Granddaughter Mildred Catherine Hall (1924-2015) was born on Oct. 19, 1924 near Uniontown. She They moved to Maryland for a time, where she was employed by the Social Security Board and then by Triumph Explosive Company, manufacturing 4 millimeter shells for the U.S. Navy. On Oct. 20, 1945, in Baltimore, she tied the marital cord with Albert Lester Terry (June 5, 1919-2005), originally from Waldo, KS and the son of Lester Uriah and Anna Marie (Bodmer) Terry. The couple did not reproduce. Albert had grown up on local farms and then during World War II served in the U.S. Army, with a posting in Baltimore, where the couple apparently met. They relocated back to his hometown of Waldo. Said an obituary, the pair "made their home on a farm near Waldo for a few years before purchasing the Bodmer Ranch [in 1948]. She then worked over 41 years at Klema’s IGA before retiring in 1996. She was a member of the Waldo United Methodist Church [and] enjoyed raising birds and small animals and spending time with family and friends." Albert raised livestock on their ranch and earned additional income as a blade operator for Paradise Township. They eventually retired from farming and moved into the town of Waldo before a final relocation in 2002 to Russell, KS. "He was instrumental in helping establish the Waldo Senior Center, Waldo and he served on the Waldo City Council for several years," noted the Hays Daily News. "He was a member of the American Legion Post in Luray." Sadly, Albert died at the age of 86 on June 7, 2005. She soldiered on for another decade. Death spirited her away at the age of 91 on Nov. 28, 2015. A celebration of life service was held at the family church. The remains sleep for the ages in Grand Center Cemetery near Waldo in Osborne County, KS.
- Grandson David Wilbur Hall (1927-1984) was born on Aug. 8, 1927. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II, including four months in the emergency army. He re-enlisted in 1946 for overseas duty and trained at Fort Bragg, NC. On a furlough home in 1946, he was pictured in the Uniontown (PA) Morning Herald. He received his discharge with the rank of corporal. By 1947, David was married to June Elizabeth Good (June 2, 1928-2014), a native of Dauphin County, PA. They first made a home in Middletown near Harrisburg, PA and became the parents of seven -- David W. Hall, John William Hall, Dale E. Hall, Deborah Ann Todd, Derek Hall, Susan Proctor and a daughter who was stillborn on May 15, 1948. The baby girl's remains were laid to rest in Middletown Cemetery. David and June also relocated to Kansas. He passed into the arms of the heavenly host at age 57 two days after Christmas 1984. June survived him by decades and moved to Texas. An obituary said "She loved the Lord and her church." Death spirited her away on Dec. 16, 2016. The headcount of her survivors was 15 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. She sleeps for eternity in Burleson (TX) Memorial Cemetery.
Great-grandson David Wilbur Hall Jr. married Connie. They have lived in Keller, TX.
Great-grandson John William Hall (1951-2018) was born on April 12, 1951 in Harrisburg, PA. He went to school in Pennsylvania and also in England. He migrated to Texas and planted himself in White Settlement, TX. He earned a living for many years as a truck driver. Evidence suggests that he was twice-married. Two daughters from the first union were Claire Johnson and Vanessa Elizabeth Turner. Then in McAlester, OK, on April 3, 1996, he wed Jean Loudermilk ( ? - ? ). Their union endured 21 years together until the separation of death. Said an obituary, "John was baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church. He enjoyed working on his computer and socializing with friends and family." At the age of 66, he died in their home on Jan. 7, 2018. As of 2018, daughter Claire resided in London, England, while daughter Vanessa made her dwelling-place in Boston, MA.
Great-grandson Dale Eddie Hall tied the knot with Debbie. They have made a residence in Burleston, TX.
Great-granddaughter Deborah Ann Hall (1955-2016) was born on July 8, 1955 in Russell, KS. She exchanged marital vows with (?) Todd ( ? - ? ). Her final residence was in Burleston, TX. Sadly, she died at the age of 60 on Jan. 28, 2016. Interment of the remains was in Skyvue Memorial Gardens in Mansfield, TX. An obituary was printed in the Star-Telegram.
Great-grandson Derek Hall -- was his name also "Terry?" If so, he was deceased by 2018.
Great-granddaughter Susan Hall was joined in wedlock with (?) Proctor. In 2018, she was in Dallas, TX.
~ Son Archibald William Hall ~
Son Archibald William "Jerry" Hall (1879-1952) was born on Oct. 3, 1876 or Oct. 5 or 10, 1979 in Wharton Township, Fayette County.
Archibald did not know how to write his own name. He was 5 feet, 5 inches tall in height and weighed 135 lbs. He bore a scar on the third finger of the left hand.
Circa 1904, he was wed to Florence Marie McCarran/McCarein/McKarahan (1886-1953).
Together, they produced a family of 10, born over a 23-year sweep of time -- Gilbert A. Hall, Henry Hall, Alfred Richard Hall, Nancy Mary Hall, Archibald William Hall Jr., Elizabeth Mae Hall, Florence Marie Hall, Violet Virginia Hall, Katherine Irene Hall and Betty Jane Hall.
Sadness blanketed the family when son Henry died of convulsions at the tender age of three months on Sept. 2, 1908. His tiny remains were laid to rest in Chalk Hill.
They dwelled for many years in Coolspring, Fayette County When the federal census enumeration of Coolspring was made in 1910, Archibald's 11-year-old sister-in-law Fredi Lewis lived under their roof.
By 1920, they relocated to Chartiers, Washington County, PA, where he had secured work as a foreman in a coal mine. Later, still in Chartiers, he was a farm laborer on the W.H. McClane farm in the 1930s and 1940s. In all, they lived in Chartiers for 42 years.
Stricken with heart failure, an acidosis coma and diabetes, Archie died four days after Christmas 1952 as a patient in Washington Hospital. Gilbert Hall, of Elm Street Extension in Canonsburg, was the death certificate informant. Interment was in Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg, following funeral services led by Rev. Ralph T. Kemper of the South Canonsburg Church. An obituary appeared in the Canonsburg Daily Notes.
Some 16 years after Archibald's death, his family gathered for a reunion at the home of Glenn N. Arthur along McClane Farm Road in Washington. The Daily Notes reported that the affair was attended by 67 descendants and seven guests and that the "afternoon was spent in renewing acquaintances, reminiscing and playing games. A picnic lunch was served at 5 p.m. and a wiener roast in the evening. The Hall family consisted of nine children; all of whom attended except one daughter and her family, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Ermacoff, Fountain Valley, California."
Son Gilbert Spencer "Jack" Hall (1905-1986) was born on April 20, 1905 in North Union Township near Uniontown. He learned the mechanic's trade in young manhood. At the age of 19, circa 1925, he wed 17-year-old Jeannette Hampson (1907-1988), daughter of Arthur and Catherine (Jester) Hampson of McGovern, Washington County, the father an immigrant from England. They first made a home in McGovern, Chartiers Township, Washington County in 1930-1935 before a more permanent move to the Meadowlands near Canonsburg, where they remained for decades. The 1930 federal census enumeration lists Gilbert's occupation as a pottery laborer. Among their seven offspring, all daughters but two, were Doris Mae Folkens, Elsie Jane Smith, Arthur William Hall, Gilbert Hall Jr., Emma Jean Smith, Geraldine Coole and Patricia Faur. They were rocked with grief when their son Arthur, born prematurely, died at age one day on Feb. 21, 1931. Four years later, they again were plunged into mourning on Jan. 25, 1935, their son Gilbert Jr. contracted bronchial pneumonia and bronchitis and died at the age of two years and eight months. At the funeral, said the Canonsburg Daily Notes, the hymns sung were Some Time We'll Understand, Nearer, My God to Thee and Jewels. The little one's tender remains were laid to rest in Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg. When the federal census enumeration again was made in 1940, the Halls dwelled in North Strabane Township, with Gilbert earning a living as a kiln fireman at the pottery, likely W.S. George Pottery of Canonsburg. His final employer, from which he retired, was Robinson Pipe Cleaning Company of Eighty Four, PA. They belonged to the First United Methodist Church of Houston. Their last address was on Elm Street in Canonsburg. The angel of death spirited him away on May 10, 1986, in Canonsburg General Hospital, "after a lengthy illness," said a newspaper. Interment of the remains was in Oak Spring Cemetery. His survivors included 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
- Granddaughter Doris Mae Hall (1926-1992) was born on June 30, 1926 in the Meadowlands of Washington County, also known as Manifold, South Strabane Township. When she was 22 years of age, on Oct. 12, 1948, she was united in matrimony with 23-year-old Fred Folkens Jr. (July 16, 1925-2014), originally from Canonsburg and the son of Dutch immigrants Fred and Jennie (Dykstra) Folkens Sr. Rev. H. Ross Hume performed the nuptials. At the time of marriage, Fred lived in Glenwillard along the Ohio River and earned a living through work at a pottery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II with deployment to the South Pacific from October 1943 to June 1946. Among his commendations were the Asiatic Pacific Medal with five stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Theater Medal and Victory Medal. The newlyweds lived under the roof of Doris' parents in Strabane Township in 1950, with him working in the cold strip section of a local steel mill, and her as a laborer for a pottery manufacturer. Together they bore a family of two -- Larry James Folkens and Jacquelyn Guthrie. After the outbreak of the Korean War, he again joined the Navy, serving from April 1951 to August 1952. A newspaper said that he "worked for McGraw Edison and Cooper Power Systems in Canonsburg from 1952 until his retirement in March 1988." In 1968, their home was in Cecil, PA and in 1986 in McDonald, PA, on Fort Cherry Road. Fred was a member of the Canonsburg post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Houston post of the American Legion. Sadly, Doris died in Washington Hospital at the age of 65 on June 15, 1992. Rev. Molly Brown presided over the obsequies. Her remains lie in eternal repose in Forest Lawn Gardens in McMurray, Washington County. Fred survived for another 21-and-a-half years. Death spirited him away at the age of 88 on Jan. 21, 2014. Rev. Gary Gibson led the funeral, with burial taking place in McMurray's Forest Lawn Gardens.
Great-grandson Larry James Folkens (1952-2022) was born on Nov. 3, 1952 in Canonsburg. In young manhood he was employed at the Volkswagen assembly plant in New Stanton, PA. He lived in Bulger, PA in 1992 and Burgettstown in 2014 and was the father of Melissa Pannett Granger. He eventually moved to Washington. An obituary said he "enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and sitting outside socializing with friends." Sadly, at the age of 69, he died in Washington Hospital on Oct. 5, 2022.
Great-granddaughter Jacquelyn Folkens tied the marital cord with Dennis Guthrie. They put down roots in Washington, PA.
- Granddaughter Elsie Jane Hall (1928-2013) was born on Dec. 15, 1928. As a 20-year-old, she was employed in a factory in Canonsburg. On Oct. 15, 1949, she tied the knot with 22-year-old scale operator Howard R. Smith Sr. (Oct. 8, 1927-1998), son of George W. and Mary (Bails) Smith of Wylandville, PA. News of their engagement was published in the Canonsburg Notes. Officiating their nuptials was Rev. W.R. McKim of Canonsburg. At the time of their wedding, the groom resided at 141 North Central Avenue in Canonsburg. The Smiths dwelled for years in Houston, PA and were the parents of Judy Smith, Cindy Smith, Howard R. "H.R." Smith Jr. and Patrick Smith. Howard earned a living as an electrical tester for McGraw-Edison. They belonged to the United Methodist Church of Houston, and he was a member of the Muse Independent Club, Houston post of the American Legion, White Eagles, Eagles Club and Westland Sportsman's Club. In the late 1990s, their home was on Grant Street, Houston. Howard died in their residence at the age of 71 on Nov. 27, 1998, with burial in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Elsie outlived him by 18 years. On New Year's Eve 2013, at the age of 85, she surrendered to the angel of death.
Great-granddaughter Judy Smith married (?) Loar and settled in Washington.
Great-granddaughter Cindy Smith wed (?) Black and migrated to Phoenix, AZ. They are believed to be the parents of Jason A. Black, Robert L. Black, Erik A. Black, William H. Black and Lindsey D. Black.
Great-grandson Howard R. "H.R." Smith Jr. relocated to Sylmar, CA.
Great-grandson Patrick Smith also made a cross-country move to Sylmar, CA.
- Granddaughter Emma Jean Hall (1935-2010) was born on Feb. 4, 1935 in the Meadowlands, Washington County, PA. She made painful news in July 1947 when fracturing a rib in a fall from the from porch of her family home at 61 Elm Street Extension in Canonsburg. Emma Jean went to work as a teenager in a local factory. When she was age 18, and he 21, on Oct. 22, 1953, Emma and Thomas Martin Smith (July 13, 1933-2014) eloped to Winchester, VA to marry. Rev. J.S. Duckwall, of the local Presbyterian Church, officiated. Thomas was one of a baker's dozen children of Daniel and Rachel (Bruce) Smith of McDonald, PA and was serving at the time in the U.S. Army as the Korean War was winding down. Four children they bore together were Thomas G. Smith, Pamela J. Pavcic, Timothy E. Smith and Wayne E. "Wes" Smith. Thomas was a 1951 graduate of Cecil High School. Upon his return from the Army, he became employed at the South Side Works of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. He retired from J&L in 1996. He "was an avid Steelers fan and train collector," said the Washington Observer-Reporter. "He belonged to Train Collectors Association and Lionel Train Collectors... He was a member of American Legion Post 902, Houston, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Canonsburg." In her own right, she enjoyed playing slot machines and bingo. The Smiths lived in the outskirts of Canonsburg for decades. Sadly, Emma Jean died on Sept. 6, 2010. Thomas continued on for another four years. At the age of 81, he passed away in his residence on Aug. 6, 2014. With Rev. Craig Kephart officiating, the remains were lowered into honored rest in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Great-grandson Thomas G. Smith was joined in wedlock with Cheryl. They lived in McDonald, PA in 2014.
Great-granddaughter Pamela J. Smith tied the knot with John Pavcic. They remained in Canonsburg.
Great-grandson Timothy E. Smith was united in matrimony with Diane and have dwelled in Houston, PA.
Great-grandson Wayne E. "Wes" Smith entered into marriage with Brenda. He has resided in McDonald, PA.
- Granddaughter Geraldine Hall (1938-1990) was born on Jan. 13, 1938 in Canonsburg. She was wed two known times. Her first husband circa 1956 was Robert John Faure ( ? - ? ), son of Henry Faure of Cecil, PA. They were divorced by 1964. Then on Aug. 15, 1964, she slipped away to Winchester, VA to be united in matrimony with 34-year-old wire insulator John A. "Charlie" Coole Jr. (June 20, 1929-2013), a native of Brilliant, OH and the son of John A. and Elizabeth (Toth) Coole. Court appointee Robert M. Grim led the marriage vows. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, John also was divorced from his first spouse and at the time of his marriage to Geraldine made a home in Canonsburg. Their trio of offspring included Charles A. Coole, Beth Ann Ayres and Jack A. Coole. Said the Washington Observer-Reporter, John "worked for the former McGraw-Edison and Cooper Power Systems for 34 years, retiring in 1990... He was a member of American Legion Post 902 in Houston, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 in Canonsburg, SNPJ of Strabane, Canonsburg Sportsman’s Club and Palanka Sportsman’s Club." Circa 1986-1990, the Cooles resided in Washington, along Allison Hollow Road. Following what a newspaper called "a lengthy illness," she died at home at the age of 52 on May 20, 1990. John outlived her by 23 years. The grim reaper of death cleaved him away at the age of 83 on April 14, 2013. They rest aside each other in Oak Spring Cemetery.
Great-grandson Charles A. Coole grew up on Allison Hollow Road in Washington, PA
Great-granddaughter Beth Ann Coole (1968- ? ) was born in 1968. She spent her childhood in Washington. She married Scott Ayres and settled in Houston, PA.
Great-grandson Jack A. Coole ( ? - ? ) wed Tami. They also put down roots in Houston, PA.
- Granddaughter Patricia L. "Patsy" Hall (1940-2018) was born on Jan. 9, 1940 in Canonsburg. On May 4, 1956, at the age of 16, she entered into marriage with Raymond D. Faure Sr. (Aug. 24, 1934-2003), a native of Cecil, Washington County and the son of Henry and Marie (Schreiner) Faure. Together, they produced a family of five children -- Jason "Bird" Faure, Raymond Faure Jr., James Faure, JoAnn Lemley and Jodie Cowden. Their dwelling-place in 1986 was in McDonald, PA. She was employed over the years at Thepitt in Carnegie and Service Master in Canonsburg. In her free time she liked to play bingo. Raymond generated income through his work for many years at Miller Centrifugal Casting Company of Cecil. He retired in 1991 following a disability. He belonged to the Muse Independent Club and Slovenian National Home of Bishop and liked to tend his garden and hunt. Sadly, Raymond passed away in Canonsburg General Hospital at the age of 69 on Nov. 19, 2003. His mass of Christian burial was sung in St. Mary Church in Cecil, officiated by Rev. Robert Connolly. Patricia survived him by 14-plus years. At the age of 78, she was enveloped by the spectre of death in Washington on April 6, 2018. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cecil.
Great-grandson Jason "Bird" Faure (1976-2015) was born three days after Christmas 1976 in Washington, PA. He was a 1995 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. He is not known to have reproduced. Said the Washington Observer-Reporter, Jason "worked at Chartiers-Houston School District as a custodian and also owned and worked for JLF Lawn Service. Mr. Faure was a member of Muse Italian Club, American Legion Post 902 in Houston, Westland Sportsman's Club and Forest County Sportsman's Club. He enjoyed working, fishing, hunting and quad riding." Tragically, while at work on June 29, 2015, Jason died suddenly at the age of 38. Details are not known. Pastor Kurt Kleinhans presided over the obsequies. Interment was in St. Mary Cemetery in Cecil.
Great-grandson Raymond Faure Jr. exchanged marital vows with Melissa. They settled in McDonald, PA.
Great-grandson James David Faure has dwelled in Marianna, PA.
Great-granddaughter JoAnn Faure wed Raymond Lemley. They established a home in McDonald, PA.
Great-granddaughter Jodie Faure married Paul Cowden. The pair planted themselves in Avella, PA.
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Universal Cyclops building, Bridgeville
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- Granddaughter Janice Lee Hall ( ? - ? ) is a 1957 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. On June 24, 1961, she married Carl Paul Spittka (Jan. 13, 1938-2024), originally from Canonsburg and the son of Charles and Pauline (Smiddle) Spittka. They settled for good in Houston, PA and became the parents of two sons -- Michael Hall and Charles Hall. Carl was a 1955 graduate of Canonsburg High School. He the joined the U.S. Air Force in January 1960, in the early years of the Vietnam War, and spent 18 months in a deployment to the Philippine Islands. He received his honorable discharge in December 1963. Upon his return home, he became a coal miner for Consolidation Coal Company, toiling at several of its mines, including the Bailey Mine from which he retired. In the 1980s and 1990s, she was employed at New Channels/Time Warner Cable Office. Said the Washington Observer-Reporter, Carl "was a model train enthusiast, collecting trains, building train layouts as well as taking several train trips... They enjoyed traveling, covering all the states except Alaska. With their family, they also enjoyed traveling with their camper and spending time at the river on their boat." Sadly, at the age of 87, Carl died in Concordia Hospice of Washington Donnell House on Feb. 15, 2024. Burial with military honors was in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Great-grandson Michael Hall was in Houston, PA in 2024.
Great-grandson Charles Hall exchanged vows of marriage with Arlene. They also planted themselves in Houston, PA.
- Granddaughter Imogene Hall tied the knot with Wayne McElhaney. The pair put down roots in Canonsburg, PA. In more recent years they have made a dwelling-place in Houston, PA.
- Grandson Richard Hall grew up in Canonsburg. He tied the knot with Terry and in 2024 made a homeplace in Washington.
- Grandson Robert Hall spent his childhood in Canonsburg. He entered into marriage with Stacy. The pair put down roots in Houston, PA.
- Grandson Edward Ray Hall (1954-1997) was born on Nov. 26, 1954. He resided in Canonsburg in his youth. He is not known to have married or reproduced. Death carried him away on March 1, 1977. He sleeps for all time in Oak Spring Cemetery. Inscribed on his grave marker are the words "Eddie" and "Son and Brother."
Daughter Nancy Mary Hall (1912-1999) was born on April 6, 1912 in Amity, Washington County, PA. When both were at the age of 21, on March 4, 1933, she wed James Alexander White (July 7, 1914-1982), a native of West Middletown, Washington County, and the son of H. Roy and Hazel (Lowery) White. The couple traveled to Wellsburg, WV to become married, with B.D. Evans officiating. James stood 6 feet tall in adulthood, weighed 230 lbs. and carried a burn scar on his right ankle. The Whites' address in the mid-1930s was 113 Woodland Avenue and in 1940 at 621 Beech Street, both in Washington. Two known daughters of the pair were Nancy Louise Seale and an unnamed baby. The infant was stillborn on May 25, 1938, having become deceased in the womb six days earlier, and was delivered with water on the brain ("hydrocephalus") and a harelip. As of 1940, when required to register for the military draft on the eve of World War II, James was employed locally by Sheridan B. McWreath Dairy, driving a truck. That year, they lived under the roof of James' parents in Washington. The couple separated, with Nancy and daughter Louise moving to Florida in 1944, settling in Miami. Their divorce was fialized on Oct. 7, 1946. By 1950, when the federal census enumeration was made, Nancy and Louise remained in Miami, with Nancy generating income working in an optical factory and Louise as a sales clerk in a drug store. As of 1958, at her daughter's marriage, she lived at 799 Northwest 100th Street. Her later years are shrouded by the mists of the past, other than that she endured the loss of her daughter in late 1998. Just a little more than a month later, she passed away on Jan. 23, 1999. An obituary appeared in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. Her remains are asleep under the sod of Southern Memorial Park in North Miami. Ex-husband James married again in 1949 to Marie (Piper) Cullinan, of 741 Fayette Street in West Washington, and the daughter of H.J. and Nellie (Stimmell) Piper.
- Granddaughter Nancy Louise White (1933-1998) was born on Sept. 21, 1931 or 1933. She was a girl when moving to Miami with her mother in 1944. She was an alumna of Miami Edison High School. She lived with her mother in Miami in 1950 and worked as a drug store sales clerk. On Oct. 24, 1958, she wed Walter Marshall Seale Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Hugh B. and Mildred Seale of Moundville, AL. Their wedding was held in Dade County. Together they bore two children, Walter Marshall Seale III and Suzanne Louise Toth. Walter was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having spent four years overseas in the 1950s. In 1960, they moved to Biscayne Park. Walter spent 24 years employed in fleet service by Pan-American Airways. He also held a membership in the Pan-American Post of the American Legion. Nancy went on to a 40-year career with Southern Bell. Sadly, Walter died at the age of 47 on April 3, 1979. His photograph accompanied his obituary in the Miami News. The widowed Nancy continued to make her residence in Biscayne Park and belonged to Miami Shores Community Church. She died at the age of 65 on Dec. 20, 1998. An obituary was published in the Miami Herald. Interment was in Southern Memorial Park Cemetery.
Great-grandson Walter Marshall Seale III served in the U.S. Navy in 1979, with training at Groton, CT. Later he returned to Florida and owned a home in Deerfield Beach which he sold in 2004.
Great-granddaughter Suzanne Louise Seale ( ? - ? ) was baptized in a North Miami Presbyterian church on July 22, 1962. She grew up in Biscayne Park. Suzanne married Jeffrey Toth. They are the parents of Alexandra Toth.
Son Archibald William "Bill" Hall Jr. (1915-1997) was born on April 27, 1915 in Washington, PA. He stood 6 feet tall in young manhood and weighed 165 lbs. At the age of 25, in 1940, he lived in Canonsburg where he was employed by W.S. George Pottery. Archibald tied the knot with Kathryn Moore (Jan. 8, 1916-2002). A trio of daughters in this family included Helen Katherine Currie, Barbara Smith and Edith Mae Kwitowski. They settled in Aliquippa, Beaver County, PA and were there in 1952-1997. He worked as a tester in the seamless tube department of LTV Steel Corporation, formerly known as Jones & Laughlin Steel. They were members of the Raccoon United Presbyterian Church. Sadly, at the age of 81, Archibald died in UPMC Beaver Valley on Feb. 8, 1997. His obituary was published in the Beaver County Times. His pastor Rev. Andy Shaffer led the funeral service. Kathryn survived him by five years. She passed into the arms of the angelic host at the age of 86 on Sept. 16, 2002. Their remains rest in the mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery, Aliquippa.
- Granddaughter Helen Katherine Hall (1937-2020) was born on June 6, 1937 in Canonsburg. She moved as a girl with her parents and family to Aliquippa. On Feb. 13, 1954 -- a day before Valentine's Day -- the 16-year-old Helen married 19-year-old John Richard "Jack" Currie (Sept. 9, 1934-1995). They settled in Hopewell Township in Aliquippa and produced three children together -- John "Jack" Currie, Debra Hayman and Donna Sherbondy. Said the Beaver County Times, Helen "enjoyed gardening and sitting on her swing watching birds with her sisters. Nothing in this world was more important to Helen than family and this is how she got the title 'Super Gram' because she showed her grandchildren and great grandchildren that nothing is impossible if you try. She had a one of a kind smile and compassion by the mile [and] was an amazingly strong and loving woman who was adored by so many." Sadly, John passed away at the age of 60 on July 10, 1995. Helen survived him by a quarter of a century. She died on Aug. 27, 2020. The remains were lowered into the sacred soil of the local Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery. Her survivors included four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Great-grandson John "Jack" Currie entered into marriage with Michele.
Great-granddaughter Debra Currie exchanged marital vows with Carl Hayman.
Great-granddaughter Donna Currie wed Robert Sherbondy.
- Granddaughter Barbara Hall wed (?) Smith. In 1997, her home was in Raccoon Township.
- Granddaughter Edith Mae Hall ( ? -living) attended Hopewell High School. She tied the knot with Louis M. Kwitowski (July 11, 1939-2008), son of Louis and Helen (Swiontek) Kwitowski and stepson of Edward Just. In an interesting twist, Louis' sister Mary was married to a distant cousin, Joseph Wayne Minor of the family of Charles Ray and Letha (Chess) Minor. Their residence in 1997 was in Independence Township. Sadly, Louis died on Feb. 21, 2008. Edith has survived him by many years and in 2025 dwelled in Clinton, PA.
Daughter Elizabeth Mae "Tim" Hall (1916-2000) was born on May 26, 1916 in Washington, PA. On April 14, 1934, at the age of 17, she wed 19-year-old John Edward Hampson Sr. (Aug. 15, 1914-1988), originally from Avella, Washington County and the son of Arthur and Catherine (Jester) Hampson. The six offspring they bore together were John Edward Hampson Jr., Ronald Hampson, LaVerne Mals, Elizabeth Hess, Kathryn Ruth Dunn and Margaret "Peggy" Tomecsko. Sadly, their son John Jr., born blind and with mental disabilities, suffered from convulsions and died at age eight months on Dec. 9, 1943. His tender remains were interred in Oak Spring Cemetery. The Hampsons made their dwelling-place at McGovern (House 224) and in Boon Terrace and in about 1952 relocated to Strabane Township, where they stayed put. John was employed in young manhood by W.S. George Pottery Company. Later, he joined the workforce of General Woodcrafting Company with a specialty of cabinet-making. He retired from the company in 1974. John held a membership in the Strabane Sportsman's Club. Their last address together was 133½ Latimer Avenue. John died in Washington Hospital at the age of 74 on Nov. 14, 1988. Elizabeth lived for another nearly dozen years. She surrendered to the angel of death on June 24, 2000. Interment was in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg.
- Grandson Ronald Hampson tied the marital cord with Sandra ( ? - ? ). They moved to Waynesburg, PA.
- Granddaughter LaVerne Hampson (1934-2016) was born on Nov. 4, 1934 in Washington. She married Joseph Mals ( ? - ? ). They resided in Strabane Township and were the parents of three -- Charles Mals, Richard Mals and Linda Shephard. After raising her children, LaVerne was a waitress and hostess at Ernie's Esquire Restaurant. She belonged to the Slovene National Benefit Society lodge, and she "enjoyed polka, waltzes and oberek dancing, where she met her husband," said an obituary. The angel of death spirited away LaVerne at the age of 82 on Nov. 28, 2016. Her mass of Christian burial was sung at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg. Burial was in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Great-grandson Charles Mals was joined in wedlock with Tara and migrated to Florida, settling in Boynton Beach.
Great-grandson Richard Mals settled in Strabane Township.
Great-granddaughter Linda Mals was united in matrimony with James Shephard. The pair moved to Allentown and are the parents of Adam Shephard, Elliott Shephard and Mackenzie Shephard.
- Granddaughter Elizabeth "Libby" Hampson ( ? - ? ) - On May 25, 1957, she tied the marital cord with Robert A. Hess Jr. (Sept. 7, 1936-2020), son of Robert A. and Josephine (Przystup) Hess Sr. They put down permanent roots in Washington, PA and together produced a trio of offspring -- Robert M. Hess, Ronald A. Hess and Christy Phillips. Robert was a 1954 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. He spent his career in the mill of Washington Steel, retiring in 1998. Robert "was a lifelong member of St. Hilary Catholic Church and was a life member of the Arden Athletic Club," said the Washington Observer-Reporter. "He was also a member of the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen's Club and the Emporium Country Club. He enjoyed hunting, golf, gardening and played softball for the Arden Athletic Club into his 70s."Grief cascaded over the family when, at the age of 83, Robert passed away in his residence on April 2, 2020.
Great-grandson Robert M. Hess exchanged marriage vows with Dawn. They have made a homeplace in Washington.
Great-grandson Ronald A. Hess entered into wedlock with Malinda. As of 2020, they were in Houston, PA.
Great-granddaughter Christy Hess tied the knot with Ebby Phillips. They have dwelled in Washington, PA.
- Granddaughter Kathryn Ruth Hampson (1947-1999) was born on March 12, 1947 in Washington, PA. She was a 1965 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. Kathryn wed Robert W. Dunn ( ? - ? ), son of Robert E. and Dottie C. (Galley) Dunn. Together, they bore two daughters -- Sherry Piechnick and Tracy Dunn-Bickford. Kathryn earned a living as a clerk at Solon Pharmacy in Canonsburg and as a hairdresser at Korner Kut in Strabane Township. In 1988, they made a home in Cecil Township and held a membership in St. Patrick Parish. She also was a member of the Slovene National Benefit Society lodge in Strabane and the Strabane Girls Tuesday Night Bowling League. In the late 1990s, she and her sister Peggy shared a residence at 1154 McEwen Road, Canonsburg, Sadly, the grim reaper cleaved away Kathryn in her home at the age of 52 on Nov. 8, 1999. Her remains are in eternal repose in Canonsburg's Oak Spring Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Sherry Dunn married Craig Piechnick ( ? - ? ), son of Walter A. "Vudgu" and Wilma Joan (Kausek) Piechnick of Bridgeville. They have made their residence in Canonsburg. Their trio of children are Riley Shea Piechnick, Teagan Piechnick and Tanner Piechnick. Daughter Riley has played women's soccer at Canon McMillan High School and Loyola University in Maryland.
Great-granddaughter Tracy Dunn wed Gregory Bickford and established a homeplace in Strabane Township. Tracy has been employed as director of customer and sales support for SalesFlow.
- Granddaughter Margaret "Peggy" Hampson entered into marriage with Michael "Iron" Tomecsko. The pair lived on Ward Avenue, in the vicinity of Canonsburg Industrial Park. Their only known child was Michelle Marie Hunt. The Tomecskos and Dunns made news in 1982 when it was discovered that more than 200,000 tons of radioactive waste was being delivered to the park. Michael became outraged seeing trucks dumping the hazardous dirt, and daughter Michelle was pictured in the Pittsburgh Press. In 1983, their home was purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers afterand Michael was quoted in the Press, saying he had gotten a fair settlement price from the government. Their entire world was shattered on Jan. 12, 2025 when their daughter, son-in-law and both grandsons perished in a triple murder and suicide in their farmhouse in North Sewickley Township in Beaver County.
Great-granddaughter Michelle Marie Tomecko (1976-2025) was born on Oct. 11, 1976 in Washington, PA. She married Clifford "Bill" Hunt (Nov. 7, 1973-2025), son of Clifford "Butch" and Debra (Bieble) Hunt. The two sons born to their union were Clifford James "C.J." Hunt (March 26, 2006-2025) and Cody William Hunt. Clifford was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He went on to a career as a maintenance mechanic with Gypsum. The Hunts resided in a farmhouse in rural North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, PA. They all enjoyed hunting, and there were many weapons in their household. Said an obituary, Michelle "was known for her creativity as a nail technician and had a deep passion for history and aviation, which led her to serve as a secretary at the Air Heritage Museum... Michelle’s love for animals was unparalleled [and she] cared for them with compassion and tenderness." In his own right, said an obituary, Bill was "Known for his beautiful smile and kindness [and] had a gift for making friends wherever he went. Bill had a strong love for the outdoors [and] found peace and happiness in fishing and hunting. In addition, he had a passion for speed and raced motorcycles, embracing the thrill and freedom of the open road." Both sons attended Riverside High School. Son Clifford was a farmer and held a love for the land, while his brother Cody, a musical performer, pilot and farmer, liked to raise horses and hunt. On the evil and horrific day of Jan. 12, 2025, the entire family was wiped out in an act of unspeakable brutality at the hands of their son Clifford. The New York Post reported that "A teenage hunter allegedly shot dead his parents and younger brother before taking his own life in a horrifying murder-suicide... Police scrambled to the hunting family’s home after the younger brother called 911 before succumbing to his injuries." People Magazine reported that "The North Sewickley Township Police Department said in a statement on Facebook that the investigation is ongoing but that the situation has been 'contained' and there was no threat to the public." Their remains were placed into eternal sleep and peace in Grove Cemetery, New Brighton. The family asked that any memorial donations be made to the First Church of God, New Brighton, or Washington Area Humane Society. A GoFundMe.com page was created and in 11 months raised nearly $44,000 to offset funeral costs. The farm animals were placed with other families.
Daughter Florence Marie "Honey" Hall (1919-2015) was born on Feb. 28, 1919 in Washington County, PA. She was a 1936 graduate of East Washington High School. She went to work as a young woman in the local Kress Box Factory. On June 28, 1942, she tied the marital cord with Alexander Robert Ermacoff (Feb. 20, 1922-2014), the son of Peter D. and Dorothy (Nichiporovich) Ermacoff of Canonsburg. Their nuptials were held in the home of Rev. H. Ross Hume, pastor of the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church. The Canonsburg Daily Notes announced the happy event, saying that the bride "wore a poudre blue street dress, with white accessories and a corsage of gardenias." One known son of the pair was James Alec Ermacoff. Alexander was a 1940 graduate of Washington High School and was employed by Jessop Steel before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was pictured in the Tampa Times in 1943 when he and others were bivouacked in a girls' dormitory at the University of Tampa. The pair were in Bakersfield, CA in 1950-1952, with an address of 3411 Lake Street. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows his occupation as a body and fender repairman and painter in an automotive garage. In time they moved to Fountain Valley near Long Beach, CA in 1969-1970. Alexander appears to have been a pack leader with the Boy Scouts Cub Pack in Redwood City in 1953. Evidence suggests that Alexander passed away on Feb. 16, 2014. Florence was cleaved away by the grim reaper of death in Laguna Woods, CA on Nov. 27, 2015.
- Grandson James Alec Ermacoff (1945- ? ) was born in about 1945 and grew up in Bakersfield and Redwood City, CA. At the age of 17, in 1961, he was pictured in the San Francisco Examiner after winning a $100 Social Security Game sponsored by the newspaper. He is believed to be a 1968 graduate of the University of the Pacific.
Daughter Violet "Virginia" Hall (1921-2016) was born on Aug. 29, 1921 in Washington County, PA. Not yet married, Virginia in 1947 gave birth to a son, whom she named William Russell. Hall. Then in 1952, she wed widower Glenn Neal "Shorty" Arthur (March 31, 1897-1962), son of James S. and Claudia (Mounts) Arthur. The bride was 24 years younger than the groom. He had been married before to Freda Chiver and brought a brood of stepchildren into the family mix -- Lt. Evelyn Mary "Bunny" Cordy, Dr. James Stevenson Arthur and Melvin Harold Arthur Sr., Lila Jean Montecino and Glenn Neal "Punky" Arthur, with two more having died young, Jack Clifford Arthur (died 1948) and Freda Mae Arthur (1936). The three children they raised together were William R. Hall, Thomas Edward Arthur and Donna S. Slesh. The Arthurs' home in the early 1950s-1962 was in Washington followed by a move to 433 McClane Farm Road in Chartiers Township. Glenn earned a living as a power shovel operator. Sadly, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While undergoing treatment in Washington Hospital, he suffered an acute heart attack and died on April 17, 1962, after only a decade together. Burial was in Washington Cemetery. She outlived him by 44 years. While in Chartiers, Virginia operated her own beauty salon in her home on McClane Farm Road. She also was employed as a secretary at Washington Hospital. The Washington Observer-Reporter said that she "was very active in her community [and] served on the resident council of the Heritage House in Houston and was president for several years. She worked for the local election precinct and was a member of McClane Farm Road Good Neighbors Club. She had formerly been involved with 4H and as a Cub Scout den mother [and she] loved quilting and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan." Toward the end she was admitted to reside in McMurray Hills Manor. She entered into the realm of the heavenly host in Canonsburg on April 20, 2016. Rev. Frank McGary presided at the funeral. Interment of the remains was under the sod of Canonsburg's Oak Spring Cemetery. The headcount of her survivors was 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
- Grandson William Russell Hall Sr. (1947-living) was born in about 1947 to a single mother. At the age of three, he and she lived in the household of his Hall grandparents in the Meadowlands section of Washington, PA. He grew up knowing Glenn Neal Arthur as his father figure. William was a 1964 graduate of Chartiers Houston High School and then went to work for Consolidation Coal Company. On Aug. 19, 1957, William wed Carolyn Jeanne Maggi ( ? -living), daughter of Frank and Victoria (Pallaria) Maggi of Canonsburg. The ceremony was conducted in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, led by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Dattilo. Carolyn's bridal portrait was published in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, which said that she "appeared in a full length gown of silk organza, fashioned with an empire waist, beaded bodice with long pointed sleeves and scoop neckline, and an a-line skirt and matching lace train. Her headpiece of rusebuds and lace leaves held a shoulder length veil." Carolyn was a 1964 graduate of Canon McMillan High School and at the time of marriage worked for W.T. Grants at Donaldson's Crossroads. Together, the couple produced a family, among them William Russell Hall Jr. By 2004, they relocated to Milner, GA, and remained as of 2016.
Great-grandson William Russell Hall Jr. (1968- ? ) was born in 1968 in Washington Hospital. News of his birth was announced in the Canonsburg Daily Notes.
- Grandson Thomas Edward Arthur (1950-2022) was born on Nov. 3, 1950. He was an alumnus of Foundations Bible College in Dunn, NC, receiving bachelors degrees in music and theology. He became an ordained minister and stayed in North Carolina during his career. Said an obituary, "He enjoyed playing the trumpet and singing in quartets... Tom loved the Lord and his church family." Evidence suggests that he was twice-married. With his first wife, they bore five children -- Trenda Rene Lowry, Terrah Lee Carawan, Thomas Andrew Arthur, Teresah Arthur and Timothy Edward Arthur. Then circa 2002, he tied the knot with Tamera Sanders ( ? - ? ). She brought two stepchildren into the combined family -- Ryan Sanders and Shana Kearns. They resided in Carthage, NC and held memberships in Yates Thagard Baptist Church. He died in their residence at the age of 71 on Jan. 10, 2022. Burial was in Yates-Thagard Baptist Cemetery in Whispering Pines, NC. Inscribed on his grave marker is this verse from Scripture, Psalm 91:4 -- "He shall cover thee with His feathers, under His wings shalt thou trust."
Great-granddaughter Trenda Rene Arthur married Brian Lowry
Great-granddaughter Terrah Lee Arthur wed Jonathan Carawan.
Great-grandson Thomas Andrew Arthur tied the knot with Jenni.
Great-granddaughter Teresah Arthur
Great-grandson Timothy Edward Arthur exchanged marriage vows with Valerie.
- Granddaughter Donna Sue Arthur was a 1970 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School and as a young woman worked for Herd's as a sales clerk. On May 19, 1973, she married airman first class Thomas Robert Slesh (June 7, 1953-1999), son of John Daniel and Margaret (Malik) Slesh Sr. Their wedding vows were exchanged in Immaculate Conception Church in Washington by the hand of Rev. Fr. Cicola. Donna Sue's bridal portrait was printed in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, which reported that she "wore a floor length gown of dacron batiste over bridal satin, fashioned with empire waist enhanced with seed pearls, leg-o-mutton sleeves trimmed at the wrist with seed pearls, and an A-line skirt featuring an attached chapel train. Her shoulder length illusion veil was caught to a headpiece of rusebuds and leaves." Prior to marriage, Thomas had graduated from Trinity High School and joined the U.S. Air Force, where in 1973 he was stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, training as a jet engine mechanic. In all, he served in the military for 23 years, including during the Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War. He is known to have been in Dover in 1998. Sadly, he died at the age of 46 on Dec. 10, 1999. The remains are interred in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Washington. The widowed Donna lived in Canonsburg in 2016.
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| Jones & Laughlin Steel mill in Aliquippa, PA - painting by Howard Fogg |
Daughter Kathryn Irene "Kate" Hall (1924-2003) was born on Dec. 8, 1924 in Washington, PA. She earned a living as a sales girl in young womanhood. At the age of 22, circa June 1947, she wed 20-year-old Charles Edwin Read (Sept. 12, 1926-1998), son of Charles and Mildred (Frazier) Read of Washington. Charles was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. At the time of their marriage, he worked as a tree trimmer and lived at 390 Tyler Avenue in Washington. Two known daughters were Sandra Read and Nancy Lou Bongiovanni. They first migrated to Ambridge, Beaver County, PA, where in 1950 Charles toiled as a laborer in the tin mill of Jones & Laughlin Steel. He was promoted to foreman and eventually retired from the company. Later, they crossed the Ohio River and settled in Hopewell Township near Aliquippa, staying for good, with an address of 1940 Rhode Island Avenue. The family held a membership in Ohio United Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, a congregation in which the grandparents of the founder of this website also belonged. In his free time, Charles liked to golf, and he held memberships in the Lions Club and Elks Club. Sadly, at the age of 71, Charles died in UPMC Beaver Valley on March 30, 1998. His remains were laid into eternal repose in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. Kathryn outlived her husband for a little more than five years. She passed away on July 28, 2003.
- Granddaughter Sandra Read (1949- ? ) was born in about 1949. She wed (?) Schwarz. They are the parents of Suzanne Price, Lori Holcomb and Katie Walden. In 1997, they resided in Economy Borough in Beaver County, PA. She is believed to have been employed in the Cranberry supercenter store of Walmart in 2018.
Great-granddaughter Suzanne Schwarz married (?) Price.
Great-granddaughter Lori Schwarz tied the knot with (?) Holcomb.
Great-granddaughter Katie Schwarz wed (?) Walden.
- Granddaughter Nancy Lou Read ( ? - ? ) attended Aliquippa Beauty School. In young womanhood she generated income through her work at Tony Rich's Custom Hairpiece Shoppe. Circa 1971, at Christ the King Catholic Church of Ambridge, she tied the marital cord with Philip L. Bongiovanni ( ? -1997), son of Salvatore Bongiovanni of Ambridge. Rev. Edward Farina officiated. The Beaver County Times pictured the beaming bride in an announcement, saying she "wore a gown of crepe trimmed in lace and pearls, fashioned with an empire bodice and train. Her floor length veil was held by a Camelot cap trimmed with pearls. She carried an empire cascade bouquet." Philip was an alumnus of Community College of Beaver County and was employed at the time by Midland Ross Company. Together, they produced a trio of children -- Philip Anthony Bongiovanni, Samuel Francis Bongiovanni and Sarah Marie Bongiovanni. In time they pulled up stakes and relocated to Ohio, settling in Medina, OH. There, said the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "His entrepreneurial success involved property development, radiology imagining services, restaurant ownership, and his passionate hobby for horse racing... His devotion to his family was most vividly displayed through his long hours of volunteer support with the Gilmour Academy Football Athletic Program." Sadly, at the age of 46, Philip died on June 23, 1997. His mass of Christian burial was sung in Holy Martyrs Church of Medina.
Great-grandson Philip Anthony Bongiovanni ( ? - ? )
Great-grandson Samuel Francis Bongiovanni ( ? - ? )
Great-granddaughter Sarah Marie Bongiovanni ( ? - ? )
Daughter Betty Jane Hall (1928-2017) was born on Nov. 15, 1928 in Washington, PA. She was an alumna of Chartiers High School. On Aug. 10, 1947, she exchanged vows of marriage with 29-year-old Clifton Earl "Pete" Wright (1926-2000), son of George Elliott and Thelma Rosella (Wilson) Wright of Houston, PA. Their wedding was held in the manse of the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. H. Ross Hume. In announcing the happy event, the Canonsburg Daily Notes said that "Attired in a pink gabardine suit with white accessories and a corsage of gardenias and lilies-of-the-valley, the bride carried out all wedding traditions in her costume." The groom attended Canonsburg High School and then served for 22 months with the U.S. Navy. At the time of marriage, he worked as a mechanic for DiCio Motor Company. The couple's homeplace in 1952 was in Boon Terrace and in 1969 in Houston, PA. Together, they bore a family of three -- James Wright, David Wright and Rebecca Hamler. They were members of First United Methodist Church of Houston. After raising her family, said the Washington Observer-Reporter, Betty "worked for Mt. Lebanon Drive-In in McMurray and Washington Kmart and retired as a unit secretary from Washington Hospital in 1988... She enjoyed her Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates and Steelers and knew more about sports than most men. She also enjoyed high school wrestling, playing cards, board games, puzzles, reading, shopping and sneaking off to the casino with certain ladies in her life." Sadly, Clifton died in Canonsburg on Aug. 10, 2000. Betty Jane outlived him by 17 years and remained in Canonsburg. At the age of 88, she passed away on July 14, 2017. Pastor Hannah Loughman presided over the obsequies.
- Grandson James Wright was united in wedlock with Joan. They established a home in Pittsburgh.
- Grandson David Wright was joined in matrimony with Jacqueline. The pair also settled in Pittsburgh.
- Granddaughter Rebecca Wright entered into marriage with Herman Hamler ( ? - ? ). Herman was divorced from Jamie Magrino and brought a stepson into the family, Vincent F. Hamler. Rebecca and Herman are believed to have become the parents of three children of their own -- Laura Wieczorek, Kristina Hamler and Kylie Hamler. Circa 2017, they dwelled in Canonsburg. Sadness swept through the family when stepson Vincent died at the age of 47 in 2018.
Step-great-grandson Vincent F. Hamler (1971-2018) was born on May 30, 1971 in Pittsburgh. He was a 1989 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and went on to study at Full Sail University and the Pittsburgh Technical Institute. His life revolved around music as a guitar player and music mixer as well as a disc jockey. To make ends meet, he drove for Uber. Vincent made his home in Cecil Township. Sadly, at the age of 47, he died in his residence on June 26, 2018.
Great-granddaughter Laura Hamler married Dale Wieczorek and has lived in Canonsburg.
Great-granddaughter Kristina Hamler has made a home in Canonsburg
Great-granddaughter Kylie Hamler has dwelled in Canonsburg.
~ Son George Hall ~
Son George Hall (1880-1959) was born on June 17, 1878 or 1880 in Wharton Township, Fayette County.
He grew up as a farmer. As an adult, he never married and made his home in Chalk Hill, Fayette County. George supported himself by working as a laborer.
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| Fayette County Home, where George lived at the end |
Circa 1944, his home was in Wharton Furnace. Later in life, he relocated into the city of Uniontown. As his health declined, due to chronic rheumatoid heart valve disease, he was admitted to the Fayette County Home, where he spent the remaining 13½ months of his life.
George entered eternity at the age of 76 on April 2, 1959. He joined his parents and siblings in repose at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. Uniontown's Earl Savage gave details for the Pennsylvania death certificate.
~ Son Walter Hall ~
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
Son Walter Hall (1883-1918) was born on May 3, 1883 in Wharton Township, Fayette County.
He grew up as a farm laborer and in young manhood resided in Chalk Hill.
At the age of 23, on May 4, 1906, Walter and 17-year-old Mary Jane Gordon (Sept. 16, 1888-1970) united themselves in marriage at Uniontown. She was the daughter of William H. and Rebecca (Summy) Gordon of East Wheatfield Township near Johnstown, PA and was five years younger than the groom.
When the 1910 federal census enumeration was made, the childless couple lived in Coolspring near Uniontown. Walter's occupation at that time was as a coal miner.
They became the parents of three -- John William Hall, Robert E. Hall and Margaret Hall.
In the fall of 1918, when registering for the military draft during World War I, Walter declared that he was employed as a laborer by Charles Coates of Chalk Hill.
Tragedy befell Walter in the week leading up to Christmas 1918. He contracted a deadly case of bronchial pneumonia and influenza, and he could not overcome their effects. Just three days after Christmas in 1918, at the age of 35, Walter passed away. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. His younger brother Washington signed the death certificate, and a short notice of his death appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.
The widowed Mary Jane wed again to widower Ira "Benjamin" Campbell (1879-1962). Previously wed to Susie Dotchin (1891-1918), he brought two stepdaughters to the union, Cora Bell Gyre and Mabel Campbell, plus two in the grave -- Helen (died 1908) and Samuel Davis (1914).
The Campbells went on to produce at least four more offspring of their own -- Benjamin Campbell, Ethel Virginia Cooper, Arthur Leonard Campbell and Franklin D. Campbell.
As of 1920, they lived in Redstone Township, Fayette County, with him working as a laborer for the local coke company. They moved to New Salem, Menallen Township during the 1920s where he worked as a coke plant laborer in 1930, and she as a "perfumery" agent. Their address in 1926-1931 was the coal patch town of Fairbank.
Overwhelming grief descended upon the family twice over the span of five years. In 1926, son Robert was killed by a gunshot while playing with an older brother. Then in 1931, daughter Margaret Ellen died from rheumatism and organic heart lesions.
The Campbells' home in 1940 was in Newboro, Menallen Township.
Her final residence was in Waynesburg, county seat of Greene County. Having been stricken by a cerebral hemorrhage, she passed away at the age of 82, in Greene County Memorial Hospital, on Nov. 27, 1970. Kathleen Russell, of New Salem, was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. She sleeps for all time in Salem View Cemetery in New Salem.
Son John William Hall Sr. (1910-1969) was born on June 16, 1910 in Coolspring, North Union Township near Uniontown. He was only eight years old at his father's untimely death in 1918 and then a 16-year-old when involved in a rifle incident at home that claimed the life of his brother. John moved to Maryland in young manhood and resided in Cresaptown near Cumberland for decades. There, he was employed at Celanese Fibers Company. John entered into marital union with Lena Ellen Evick (1911-2001), a native of Elkins, Randolph County WV and the daughter of Charles B. and Icie (Phillips) Evick. Their four children were Capt. John William Hall Jr., Thomas Hall, Jean Lynch and Barbara A. Crossland. They made a home on Warrior Drive, Cresaptown and were members of Cresaptown Methodist Church. Sadly, at the age of 58, John passed away in Sacred Heart Hospital on April 27, 1969. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park, Cumberland. The widowed Lena remained in Cresaptown at least into 1998, enduring the death of son Thomas in 1996. Eventually she relocated to Salt Lake City, where her daughter Barbara Crossland was living. There, she died at the age of 90 on Oct. 26, 2001. Her remains were transported back to Cumberland to rest beside her husband's.
- Grandson Capt. John William Hall Jr. served at Fort Polk, LA in 1969. As of 1996, he was in Fredericksburg, VA.
- Grandson Thomas Gregory Hall (1953-1996) was born on July 22, 1953 in Cumberland. He never married. The Cumberland Times News said he "attended Friends Aware and was a participant in Special Olympics." His final residence was in the Joseph D. Brandenburg Center in Cumberland. The angel of death swept him away at the age of 42, in Memorial Hospital, on Feb. 22, 1996. Rev. Harold R. McClay Jr. officiated the funeral, with burial following in Sunset Memorial Park.
- Granddaughter Jean Hall (1931-2024) was born on Aug. 3, 1931 in Cresaptown, MD. She was a 1949 graduate of Allegany High School. As a young woman she worked for Celanese Corporation as a keypunch operator and bicycle mail carrier. On May 23, 1953, at the age of 21, she wed Roger Lynch ( ? - ? ). Four children born into this family were Timothy Lynch, Cathy Oaks, Dinah Lynch and Polly Howerton-Lynch. Their home for decades was in nearby LaVale, MD. Said an obituary, "Jean was a devoted wife and stay-at-home mom who enjoyed bowling, gardening, playing cards, traveling, camping, and exercise classes during her retirement years." They endured the untimely death of their son Timothy. Jean died on Valentine's Day 2024. She was survived by seven grandchildren and "several" great-grandchildren. Rev. Dr. John Reardon led her funeral rites, with burial following in Sunset Memorial Park.
Great-grandson Tim Lynch was deceased by 2024.
Great-granddaughter Cathy Lynch wed Bill Oaks.
Great-granddaughter Dinah Lynch is married to or a companion of Julie.
Great-granddaughter Polly Lynch is wed to Christine Howerton.
- Granddaughter Barbara A. Hall ( ? - ? ) - Circa 1961, she married Eugene Crossland ( ? - ? ), son of Corbett G. Crossland of Rawlings, MD. The pair moved by 1969 to Keyser, WV. One known daughter they bore together was Karen L. Kimball. The Crosslands pulled up stakes and relocated to Salt Lake City, and were there in 1971. But the marriage was troubled and the couple eventually separated, with her staying in Salt Lake City and him moving to Bellevue, WA.
Great-granddaughter Karen L. Crossland ( ? - ? ) was employed by Valley Bank and Trust Company in Salt Lake City as a young woman. On June 25, 1988, at Log Haven in Salt Lake City, she entered into marriage with Gregory Lewis Kimball (Feb. 10, 1956-2025), originally from Fillmore, UT and the son of Daniel Stevens an Earlena (Lewis) Kimball. Karen's bridal portrait appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. At the time of marriage, Gregory worked for APS Inc. as an account executive. Their first home was in Park City, UT, followed by a move to Kamas, UT. After nearly 20 years of trying, they bore a daughter, Tiara Nicole Kimball. Said an obituary, with his early career spent in sales, he "moved into an executive position at #1 Performance. He then helped start Pruess Tires, which he co owned for a few very busy years. Following this he worked at Big A Auto Parts for years as an Account Executive. Greg spent the final years of his career with GDI, or Go Dan Industries, as an upper management executive. The company went through several name changes eventually becoming Vista Pro." He took an early retirement and endured underlying heart health issues. Sadly, at the age of 69, he died on June 4, 2025.
Son Robert Emery Hall (1913-1926) was born on July 13, 1913. As a young teen he lived with his parents at the Filbert coal mining patch town. On the fateful day of Sept. 2, 1926, the 13-year-old was accidentally shot and was killed while playing with his brother. A newspaper recorded the grisly details:
Robert Emery Hall ... was shot and fatally wounded early last evening when a .22 calibre Stephens rifle in the hands of his brother, John William Hall, aged 16 years, was accidentally discharged. After he had been shot the wounded youth walked downstairs and out into the yard, where he collapsed. He died within 15 minutes. The matter was reported to Coroner S.A. Baltz, who, after making an examination, left the brother at home in the custody of his friends, pending a coroner's inquest. The two boys, it is said, were in an upstairs room, when they decided to go out and shoot at a mark. The other brother took hold of the rifle, which was loaded, and the pair started on a rush for the door. In the jam which ensued, the rifle was in some manner discharged and the younger brother was shot in the right chest. The boys' parents were not at home at the time.
His body was laid to rest in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
Daughter Margaret Ellen Hall (1919-1931) was born on Sept. 8, 1919 in Fayette County, nine months after her father's death. She spent her childhood in Redstone Township and Fairbank, Menallen Township with her mother and stepfather. Tragically, at the age of seven, she was diagnosed with organic heart lesions and rheumatism. She endured these illnesses for four years, but there was no hope for a recovery. Death enveloped her at the age of 11 on May 28, 1931. A newspaper said the cause was "a complication of diseases." Her funeral service was conducted in the family residence and the in New Salem Christian Church, by the hand of Rev. Lawrence R. Doak. Interment was in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
~ Son Clarence "Washington" Hall ~
Son Clarence Washington "Wash" Hall (1884-1945) -- also known at times as "Washabaugh" -- was born on on Feb. 23, 1884 or 1885 or 1888 in Chalk Hill, Wharton Township, Fayette County.
He stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 145 lbs. and was twice-married. His first bride, whom he wed in 1907, was Nancy Jane Sellers (1886-1981), sometimes referred to as "Frances." She was a native of North Union Township.
Their three known offspring were Sarah E. Hall, James Henry Hall and Margaret Jane Seehoffer.
The Halls resided in Coolspring near Uniontown in 1915, the year their daughter Margaret Jane was born. At that time, Washington generated income as a "clay digger." The United States Census of 1920 lists his work as a coal mine pumper. But their marriage was troubled and dissolved in divorce on June 22, 1925.
Nancy Jane lived the balance of her years in Hopwood Crossing and Lemont Furnace. She does not appear to have married again but took back her maiden name and devoted her life to raising her orphaned granddaughters Dolores and Eleanor. She died in June 1981 and sleeps for all time with her daughters Sarah and Margaret Jane in Percy Cemetery, also known as Fairview Cemetery.
Washington is known to have moved to Bentleyville in neighboring Washington County. At the untimely death of his daughter Sarah in New York City in 1926, the Uniontown newspaper said he had "been missing from home for some time and anyone knowing his whereabouts is requested to notify him of his daughter's death." He lived in Bentleyville in 1934, earning a living as a laborer.
On Jan. (?), 1934, when he was 50 years of age, she she 48, Washington wed a second time to Vena (Smith) Sullivan Jones (Dec. 1884-1960), daughter of Robert and Martha (McCombs) Smith. She also was a resident of Bentleyville and had been widowed from her first husband John J. Sullivn in 1926 and then divorced from her second spouse Grover Cleveland Jones since Jan. 28, 1933.
Vena brought three stepchildren into the Hall family -- Mabel Insley, Loretta LaBrue and Robert Sullivan.
When the 1940 federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Halls lived in Cokeburg on the outskirts of Bentleyville. Washington's occupation that year was as an engineer who helped sink mine shafts. Their home in the early to mid 1940s on Second Street, Box 653. There, Washington earned a living for 16 years as an engineer with Industrial Colleries of Cokeburg and Bethlehem Steel Company at Ellsworth.
Sadly, at the age of 60, having suffered for three years with stomach cancer, Washington developed gastric bleeding and was admitted to Washington Hospital. No surgery was attempted, and he surrendered to death on Oct. 20, 1945. The Monongahela Daily Herald ran an obituary. Vena signed his death certificate but was unable to furnish the names of his parents.
Vena outlived him by 15 years and moved to Baltimore to be close to her daughter Mabel Insley. She passed away on Nov. 18, 1960. Her remains were returned to Bentleyville to sleep at her husband's side in Beallsville Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Evening Standard and the Monongahela Daily Republican.
Daughter Sarah E. Hall (1908-1926) was born in about 1908 and grew up in Morgan Station, Fayette County. As a teenager, she relocated to New York City and on June 22, 1926 became employed at St. Luke's Hospital as a waitress. Sadly, in late December 1926, she died at the age of 18 years, three months and 27 days in Bellevue Hospital. The New York Daily News reported that she and friend Josephine Bailey had perished together, "Both were daughters of good families at Uniontown, Pa... Together they attended a party at 342 East 21st st., Tuesday. Neighbors, breaking into the place next morning, found them dead. Both were believed victims of gas until a chemist at Bellevue yesterday wrote 'alcoholism' opposite their names." The Daily News went on to say that, during this era of Prohibition, the women had ingested a type of poisoned alcohol, two deaths out of 43 in the city in a week. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier and the Uniontown Morning Herald, saying "Her father has been missing from home for some time and anyone knowing his whereabouts is requested to notify him of his daughter's death." The body was shipped back to Uniontown for burial Percy/Fairview Cemetery near Uniontown. It was suspected that the drink from which she died was traced to a type of perfectly legal "denatured" alcohol promoted by the federal government to make more toxic and deadly to prevent bootleggers from redistilling it for beverage use, a practice which sadly did not discourage deadly human consumption.
Son James Henry Hall Sr. (1912-1991) was born on Christmas Eve 1912 in Uniontown. He entered into marriage with Thelma Yvonne Yauger (April 15, 1922-2020), daughter of Homer and Ruth (Bowers) Yauger of Lemont Furnace. Ten offspring of this union were James "Henry" Hall Jr., Daniel Hall, Robert Hall, David Hall, Ruth Ann Roley, Nancy Lee Hall, Patricia Kontaxes, Kathy Barber, Betty Fields and a son who died in infancy. They dwelled in Cokeburg, PA in 1945 and finally in Perryopolis. Said the Valley Independent, they were members of Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene, and he "was a retired carpenter, who most recently worked for Lincoln Homes in Belle Vernon." As a patient in Mon Valley Hospital, death spirited him away at the age of 78 on Feb. 20, 1991. His remains sleep for the ages in Little Redstone Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Fayette City. He was survived by 23 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Thelma outlived her spouse by more than a decade and remained in Perryopolis, outliving her daughter Ruth Ann (2001) and sons Henry (2004) and Daniel. The grim reaper of death cut her away at home at the age of 98 on Nov. 23, 2020. The headcount of her survivors included 23 grandchildren "and numerous great and great-great grandchildren," said the Uniontown Herald-Standard.
- Grandson James "Henry" Hall Jr. (1940-2004) was born on July 31, 1940 at Lemont Furnace. He does not appear to have reproduced. Henry was in Uniontown for decades. At the age of 63, he succumbed to the spectre of death in Uniontown Hospital on April 7, 2004. His funeral service was conducted by Rev. J.E. Mitchell of the Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene. The remains were placed under the sod of Little Redstone Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette City.
- Grandson Daniel Hall dwelled in 1991-2001 in Uniontown. He was deceased by 2020.
- Grandson Robert Hall moved to Virginia Beach, VA and lived there in the 1991-2001 timeframe.
- Grandson David Hall relocated by 1991 to Somerset, PA and then in 2001 had migrated to Blairsville, PA.
- Granddaughter Ruth Ann Hall (1942-2001) was born on Nov. 10, 1942 in Uniontown. She wed Dale D. Roley (Jan. 21, 1942-2013), son of Rev. Wilbur D. and Lola (Norman) Roley of Fayette City. Their foursome of children were Linda Richardson, Roger Roley, Randy Roley and Raymond Roley. The Roley's marriage crumbled in divorce. He went on to marry again to Madeline Hill. Circa 1991, Ruth Ann was in North Charleroi, PA and then in about 2000 moved to Roscoe. She was a member of the Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene. Sadness blanketed the family when she passed away in Mon Valley Hospital at the age of 58 on Oct. 17, 2001. Her funeral service was held in the family church, led by Rev. J.E. Mitchell. Her remains were laid to rest in Little Redstone Cemetery. Former husband Dale was employed for a dozen years as a security guard for Solomon Security and spent his final years in North Charleroi. He died in Mon Valley Hospital on Aug. 19, 2013 and his remains interred in Mon Valley Memorial Park.
Great-granddaughter Linda Hall married Mark Richardson. The couple lived in Olathe, KS in 2001 and by 2013 returned east to Ohio and made their homeplace in Columbus, OH.
Great-grandson Roger Roley stayed in Uniontown.
Great-grandson Randy Roley settled in Monessen, PA circa 2001 before a move to Pricedale, PA.
Great-grandson Raymond Roley made his home in 2001 in Roscoe, PA.
- Granddaughter Nancy Lee Hall ( ? - ? ) remained in Uniontown for decades. She exchanged vows of marriage with (?) Jones and was in Uniontown in 2004.
- Granddaughter Patricia L. Hall (1950-2023) was born on July 26, 1950 in Uniontown. She was joined in wedlock with her high school boyfriend, Peter Kontaxes ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 52 years together. Four children they bore together were Michele Naurock, Diane Bruzzese, Jason Kontaxes and Jennifer Murphy. They established a longtime home in Kennerdell, Venango County, PA. Later in their marital journey, they moved cross-country to Laramie, WY and joined Snowy Range Baptist Church. Said an obituary, "A faithful woman, Patricia cherished her relationship with the Lord, her family, and her community. In her free time, she found joy in exploring new places and embarking on adventures with her family. Her vibrant spirit thrived in the great outdoors, where she indulged in horseback riding, hunting, snowmobiling, and boating on the lake behind their home in Wyoming. Patricia's talents extended to the kitchen, where she expressed her affection for others through her culinary creations, with her delectable pies being legendary." Stricken with cancer, she passed away in Denver at the age of 73 on Oct. 17, 2023.
Great-granddaughter Michele Kontaxes wed Victor Naurock. Evidence suggests that one daughter in this family is Lillian Naurock.
Great-granddaughter Diane Kontaxes married Domenic Bruzzese.
Great-grandson Jason Kontaxes tied the knot with Bethany.
Great-granddaughter Jennifer Kontaxes entered into marriage with Charles Murphy. They are believed to be the parents of five -- Hannah Murphy, Cody Murphy, Adam Murphy, Cecil Murphy, and Abigail Murphy.
- Granddaughter Kathy Hall married Larry Barber, son of Clyde and Amy (Bronson) Barber. Their home was in Perryopolis, PA in 1991-2004.
- Granddaughter Betty Hall tied the knot with (?) Fields. As of 1991, she made her dwelling-place in Belle Vernon, PA and in 2001-2004 in Monessen.
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| Percy "Fairview" Cemetery near Uniontown |
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Harold Seehoffer Courtesy Diane LM |
When his squad was immobilized by fire from enemy machineguns situated on high ground, Pvt. Seehoffer ran 50 yards through hostile sniper and semi-automatic fire to the right flank and silenced it by killing the two enemy gunners with rifle fire. Then volunteering to serve as a scout, he aggressively moved from building to building, eliminating resistance. Finally, despite heavy hostile automatic weapons fire, he reached a key building which was defended by a number of automatic weapons. With utter disregard for his safety, he unhesitatingly advanced upon the building alone, making himself a target so that his comrades could reach effective firing positions.
His remains sleep in honored rest in the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm. In October 1945, his mother received additional details of his final action and learned that he posthumously had been awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action. In a Morning Herald story in June 1946, he was named as one of 639 soldiers from Fayette County who had given their lives in the world war from all branches of the military.
- Granddaughter Dolores Louise Seehoffer (1932-1987) was born on Aug. 25, 1932. At her fifth birthday, her grandmother Nancy J. Sellers hosted a party in her home at Morgan Station. Dolores was just 10 when her mother died and then 13 years old when her father was killed at war. She was taken in by her grandmother Nancy Hall and moved to Lemont Furnace. When he posthumously was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action, Dolores accepted the medal at a student assembly at the Lemont School, and the Uniontown Morning Herald pictured her with her sister at the ceremony. Dolores took the surname Fike by 1953 and eventually married (?) Evans, moving to Ohio. She returned to Lemont Furnace and died in Jan. 1987, with burial in Park Place Cemetery in Uniontown.
- Granddaughter Eleanor Jean Seehoffer ( ? - ? ) - Her grandmother Nancy Sellers was named as her legal guardian. At the age of 18, on Aug. 12, 1952, she slipped away to Oakland, MD to enter into marriage with 22-year-old laborer John Ritz Jr. ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was printed in the Cumberland (MD) Evening Times. During their brief life together, they dwelled in Uniontown and were the parents of John Michael Ritz. But the marriage was troubled, and the couple separated, with her living on Connellsville Street in Uniontown and him moving to Hutchinson. On Eleanor's behalf, her grandmother filed for divorce in Oct. 1954, citing "indignities." The divorce was granted in March 1956, after many delays, with Eleanor initially to receive $25 per month in alimony, at a time when John was not working but was receiving unemployment compensation. By 1974, Eleanor may have wed again to (?) Smith.
Great-grandson John Michael Ritz (1955- ? ) was born in 1955. At his second birthday, a party was held in his honor and mentioned in the Uniontown Morning Herald. John tied the marital cord with Mary Catherine Smith ( ? - ? ). Together they bore a daughter, Lori Ann Ritz, born in 1974.
Copyright
© 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2019-2020, 2025 Mark A. Miner |
Minerd.com extends appreciation to Randy McKean and David Magiske for providing their Hall genealogy records. |