All Obituaries

Rodney Alan Whitacre, age 73, of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, went to be with the Lord on May 22, 2023. He passed peacefully in his home from lymphoma, with his loving family by his side. Rod was born on December 28, 1949, to Charles and Leah (Keller) Whitacre in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in Richland, Washington, on the banks of the Columbia River in southeastern Washington State. When a child, Rod was baptized in the Methodist Church and fell in love with the Bible. By the time he was in...

Of Oakdale, age 31, passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Beloved daughter of Luann and William J. Watts, III. Sister of Cassidy L. Watts, Lacy L. Watts, and William J. Watts, IV. Cherished granddaughter of Vera L. Sladick and the late Leroy A. Smith, and the late Mary and William J. Watts, Jr. Niece of James L. Smith & Amy Zombek, Roy L. and Amy Smith, Raymond L. and Darcy Smith, Pam and the late Al Henke, Gaynelle and Brian Funk, Donald and Billie Faye...

Her color filled spirit has swirled off & upward from the body of Mother Earth.  A tiny prismatic drop returning into illumination of God's brilliance. 75 years of preparation for this lift off, evolving spiritual dance, using white dragon energy as a peace filled warrior, emanating as she traveled with inner city teenagers, inspiring them as they painted vibrating images & murals on bare static walls in Philadelphia "city of sisterly love". They still...

Private burial in Penn Forest Natural Burial Park.

On Thursday, September 1, 2022, at age 80, Jennie Anne Schilken passed suddenly in Pittsburgh surrounded by family, love, and music. Jennie was born in Pittsburgh on August 29, 1942 to Mary Ella Markey (Hughes) and William Hartzel Markey. Jennie completed her post graduate studies at Duquesne University and spent her life enriching the lives of others as a teacher for over 25 years in schools serving the City of Pittsburgh, in various schools attended by her own daughters, and for years at...

Formerly of Crafton Heights, age 73, passed away comfortably on Thursday, August 4, 2022. Loving mother of Genevieve Savickas and Tamara Savickas. Grandmother of two. She will also be missed by her two cats, Schnoz and Fifty Shades. Kate was a lover of life and very eco-conscious, a vegetarian and animal lover, and she could usually be found in her flower garden. Friends are invited to a graveside service at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, 121 Colorado Street, Verona PA 15147, on...

Gloria Stoll Karn, 98, transitioned to life eternal, at her own home, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Born in New York City, the only child of Charles and Anne Finamore Stoll, Gloria studied at the High School of Music and Art and the Art Students’ League. She began a celebrated career as an illustrator of pulp magazines at the age of 17, becoming one of the few women to succeed in a male dominated field. She moved to Pittsburgh in 1948 when she married Fred...

Our universes are ripped apart with the abrupt passing of Cheryl Ann Russell, who died on July 4, 2022 from complications of a sudden, aggressive cancer.  Cherie could be relied on for a great conversation about many things—mostly about politics, social movements, family life, insecurities, and mystery and sci-fi novels. She was straightforward and had great insights. She was always ready to debate the most obscure political point or demographic statistic. She...

Services private.                          

On Sunday, May 22, 2022, Edith Bell died peacefully in her sleep. No power could stop the force of nature that was Edith, not a world war, a global pandemic, or a bad back. At 98, she decided she was ready to go and just stepped out. She left behind a world that she spent her whole life fighting to make a better place, as well as an army of friends and family who she inspired to keep up the work. She passed peacefully in her apartment in Pittsburgh, PA, after seeing her family...