STRIFFLER'S services

Katherine Kaloz, age 80, of N. Versailles, died Feb. 5, 2012.  She was born in Braddock Sept. 18, 1931 and is the daughter of the late John and Hazel Foster Veradi. She was preceded in death by her husband; William Kaloz, children; Kathleen, William, Jr., and David and sister; Antoinette Price. She was a waitress and a homemaker and a member of the Hungarian Reformed Church.

She is survived by children; Michelle “Mickey” (Ted “Pat) Miller of White Oak and Duane (Cindy) Kaloz of N. Versailles, grandchildren; Shawn, Kenny, Sherry, Calvin, Luke, Jessica and Amber, great grandchild; Christopher and siblings Theresa “Terri” Marada of Oceanside, California and James (Eleanor) Veradi of Delmont.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177) on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 pm. Services will be held at the Hungarian Reformed Church, 101 University Drive, McKeesport, 15132 on Wed. at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Daniel Borsay officiating. Burial will be in McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery.

Robert James Poisel, age 67, of White Oak, died Jan. 25, 2012. Born in McKeesport on Dec. 20, 1944 he is the son of the late Edward and Rosalia Flynn Poisel and preceded in death by wife Ellen Tuttle Poisel.

He was a Petty Officer 1^st Class Cook in the U.S. Navy and served in the Viet Nam and retired in 1985 after 20 years of service.  He was a member of the Two River Amateur Radio Club (Ham Radio Operator Call-sign K3BDO), Breeze Shooter Radio Club, American Legion Post 701, St. Angela Church and served as a Eucharist Minister and member of Holy Name Society.

He is survived by stepchildren; Eleanor Matthews of Joliet, IL, Lorelei Molinari of White Oak, Edgar Keck of St. Joseph, MO, and George Keck of South Dakota; 16 step grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; siblings; Sarah “Sally” Good of Seven Fields, Mary Ellen (Bruce) Renstrom of Scottdale, Sheila (Gene) Brady of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Edward (Kathy) Poisel of Bethel Park, Daniel Poisel of Monroeville and John (Cathy) Poisel of Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177) Friday 4:00 until 8:00 pm. Mass Saturday 9:00 am at St. Angela Church. Burial will follow. Remembrances may be made to American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Dr., Pgh, 15205 or the Radio Club, P.O. Box 225, Greenock, 15135.

George J. Bonnet, age 83, of White Oak, died Jan. 25, 2012. He was born in McKeesport on March 11, 1928 and is the son of the late George T. and Jennie Ryan Bonnet.  He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Branch Bonnet on Jan. 23, 1994 and wife Betty Seaton Baker Bonnet on Sept. 30, 2011.

He was retired with 30 years employment at AT & T ending his career as a Service Foreman, he was a member of the Mon Yough Bell Telephone Pioneers, a Board Member of the Bell Federal Credit Union, a former member of the Corvair Club of America, a Past Master of the F & AM Masons Youghiogheny Lodge #583, was a Dad with the DeMolay, member of the Tall Cedars of Alamon Forest #138,  a US Army veteran where he officiated in the first free election in Japan after WWII, a member of the Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church and its’ Senior Fellowship and also served as an  Elder, Sunday School Teacher and Youth Advisor.

He is survived by daughters; Jean (Jack “Kep”) Causer of Crownsville, MD, Ann (Tim) Ginnevan of N. Huntingdon and Carol (Jayme) Burgman of White Oak; stepdaughter, Cynthia (Wayne) Henry of Belle Vernon; grandchildren, Mathew Riemenschneider, Victoria (Ben) Westcott and David Burgman; sister; Lois Jean Rhodes of White Oak and five step grandchildren.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131, (Sue Striffler Galaski, 412-678-6177) on Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday 2–8 pm. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday at 11 am. with Rev. Dr. Bruce Byers officiating.  Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Gretchen E. Molnar, age 80, of McKeesport, died January 20, 2012.  She was born in Kittanning on August 10, 1931 and is the daughter of the late John and Helena Cogley Laird.  She was a cook for the Club Car Diner and a caretaker for children.  She was a member of the AMVETS in McKeesport and the American Legion in Tucson, AZ.  She is the wife of the late Joseph Molnar.  She is survived by siblings Eckert (Alice) Laird of Lawrence, MA, Dennis Marsden of Greensburg, PA, Sylvia (Edward) Estok of McKeesport, Helen (Reed) Morrison of Cannon City, CO, Cynthia Karen Solera of Oskosh, WI, and Iris Richards of McKeesport and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by siblings Merle Laird and Rebecca Edith Waltz.

A service will be held at 11:00 am Monday at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177). Visitation will be from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm and the burial will follow immediately at McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery.  Remembrances may be made to the White Oak Animal Safe Haven No Kill Shelter, 2295 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131.

Jacqueline Elsesser, age 69, of Pittsburgh, died Jan. 12, 2012.  She was born in Pittsburgh on April 10, 1942 and is the daughter of the late Roy and Ida James Dwiggins.  She was a retired nurse and worked for the Reformed Presbyterian Nursing Home in Pgh for over 17 years.

She is survived by children Peggy (Brian) Loosz of W. Mifflin, PA, Lydia Elsesser of Jamestown, NY and Jesse Elsesser from Gibsonia, PA, grandchildren, Cloe, Rendon, Daniel, and Tyler, and her sister Margaret (Joseph) Meyerl of Mars, PA, she was preceded in death by son, Douglas and sister, Sally Teare.

Her most precious times were spent at her cottage in Grand Valley and the mountains of Potter County “God’s Country” with her family and her little dog, Toby.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of Dravosburg/West Mifflin, 740 Pgh.-McKeesport Blvd., Dravosburg, 15034 (412 678 6192) on Mon. 12-3 pm.  Services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 pm with Dr. Richard L. Morgan.

Mary Kanski, age 90, most recently of Asbury Heights, formerly of West Mifflin, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2012.  She was born in Duquesne on Sept. 26, 1921 and is the daughter of the late Frank and Barbara Salopek, and the wife of the late Peter Kanski.  She was a member of the Holy Name Church, the Croatian Club of Duquesne, Duquesne Senior Citizens Council, Knights of Columbus Senior Citizens, Fellowship Club of Duquesne, and AARP.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be sadly missed.  She is survived by children; Barbara (Robert Garber) Stock of Jefferson Hills, Theresa (Dean) Salvucci of South Park, Peter (Renee) Kanski of Elizabeth, George Kanski of Pleasant Hills, and Michael (Marsha) Kanski of West Newton, grandchildren; Deron (Carrie) Stock, Tony Salvucci, and Jason, Ryan, Jamie, Michael, Meagan and Marc Kanski, great-grandchildren; Nicholas and Jacob Stock and Brooke Kanski, siblings; Agnes Tomac of Phoenix, AZ, John Zalopek of Butler,  also nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 10:00 at Christ the Light of the World, 1^st St., Duquesne, 15110, with Fr. Dennis Colamarino officiating.  Arrangements by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177)

Shirley Ann Caldwell, age 94, of White Oak, died Jan. 3, 2012.  She was born in Chicago on June 25, 1917 and is the daughter of the late Leland and Anna Carolina Danialson Steers and was the wife of the late Ralph Caldwell.  She was retired from the State of PA Unemployment Office where she was an Administrative Secretary.

She is survived by her siblings; Jack Steers of Ft. Myers, FL and Lauralee Cantlon of Gainesville, FL, nephew; Robert “Jeff” Steers of Lower Salem, OH and niece; Mary Leslie Steers of Cape Cod, MA.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, Supervisor, 412-678-6177) on Fri. from 12:30 until 1:30 when a service will be held in the funeral home chapel.  Burial will follow.

Duane Clifford Gerstner, 92, of Lititz, formerly of White Oak, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family.  Born Feb. 8, 1919, in White Oak, he was the son of the late Frederick Archibald and Margaret Elizabeth Davis Gerstner.

Duane will be remembered for his commitment to family values, honest work, and his spiritual beliefs.  He had an entrepreneurial spirit that pushed him to explore and dream of possibilities.  He was a founder of the family business, Cello-Print, Inc. in White Oak and worked there for most of his adult life.  He enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and he loved to travel to visit his granddaughters in South Carolina.

He was the beloved husband of Hazel Fawcett Gerstner who preceded him in death on Feb. 13, 2011.  Together they celebrated 68 years of marriage.  He is survived by children Nancy Gerstner (David) Hager of Lititz and Dr. Glen Duane Gerstner of Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren Anne Marie Gerstner and Morgan Diane Gerstner, both of Columbia, South Carolina.  He was preceded in death by brothers Harry Frederick Gerstner and Herbert Allen Gerstner, both of White Oak.  Services have been held and were officiated by Pastor Charles Owston.  Burial followed.  Arrangements were handled by Striffler’s of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177).  To share tributes with the family, please acknowledge at Strifflers@verizon.net.

Irene Nigriss, age 87, of McKeesport, died Dec. 31, 2011. She was born in McKeesport on Sept. 27, 1924 and is the daughter of the late Victor and Mildred Thomas Lamb. She is the wife of the late Frank S. Nigriss. She is survived by daughters; Karen (Gary) Somerfield of Monongahela and Vicki (William) Kichko of Alpharetta, Georgia, grandchildren; Heather (Edward) Luisa, Frank (Jennifer) Somerfield and Scott Somerfield and great grandchildren; Martin and Zadryanna. She was a member of First U. Methodist Church in McKeesport, Youghiogheny Country Club, Past President of Ladies Syria Caravan #4, Order of Eastern Star, McKeesport Chapter #40, and a member of McKeesport High School Class of 1942 Reunion Committee where she served as the Financial Secretary.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation  & Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, 412 678 6177) on Tues. from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wed. at 10 am. Burial will follow. Remembrances may be made to Meals On Wheels, 1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, 15132.

Henry “Hank” Frencik, 86, of White Oak, died Saturday, Dec.24, 2011.  He was born Nov. 6, 1925, in Frank, Pa., the son of the late Andrew and Nellie Long Frencik.  He was the founder of Clear View Mirror and Glass Co., on East Fifth Avenue in McKeesport. He was the husband of the late Emma Carson Frencik.  He was a Navy veteran, serving the World War II and Korea, and a member of the White Oak American Legion Post 701.  He is survived by children Susan Frencik, of White Oak, Karen (Brian) Parr, of Hummelston, Pa., and David Frencik, of New Orleans, La.; grandchildren, Carson, Andrew and Daniel; siblings, Lillian Blicharski,  of Southgate, MI, Esther Vidale, of Morristown, N.C. and Margaret Jean Mihalek, of  White Oak; and brother-in-law, William Richards, of North Huntingdon.  Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. Wednesday until time of service at 1 p.m. at STRIFFLERS OF WHITE OAK CREMATION AND MORTUARY SERVICES INC., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA  15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177).  The Rev. Kathleen Barnhart will officiate.  Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.