All Obituaries

David A. Wood, 86 of Saxonburg, formerly of West Deer Township, died Monday April 8, 2024 at Butler Memorial Hospital, Butler. He was born May 11, 1937 in Bairdford, West Deer to the late Iva A. (Wood) Eversole. Dave grew up in Bairdford and attended West Deer High School. He served his country during the Korean Conflict in the US Air Force achieving the rank of Airman 2nd Class. Dave was self-employed running Wood Home Improvement Company for over 30 years. Following retirement, he worked...

Francis “Frank” Albert Lyker, Jr., 70, of West Deer Township, passed from this life to the next on Saturday April 6, 2024, at UPMC Shadyside after a valiant fight with Leukemia.  He was born Sunday August 16, 1953 in Pittsburgh to the late Francis A. Lyker and Ferna J. (Malarky) Lyker McDonough. Frank was known to a select few as “Captain Zero” when in rare form, was an amazing husband, father, grandfather (pap-pap), brother, and son. Professionally he was a...

Jamie A. (Ralitz) Kleindl, 68 of Franklin Township, formerly of Hampton Township, died Wednesday April 3, 2024 at her home with her family by her side. She was born October 11, 1955 in Wausau, WI to the late James C. Ralitz and Virginia M. (Wolfgram) Danielski of Wausau, WI. She was a 1974 graduate of Mosinee High School, WI. Jamie has lived in Franklin Township for the past 5 years. Jamie received her associate degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse, from the National Institute of Technology,...

Wayne Richard Tepke, 85 of West Deer Township, formerly of Monroeville, died Wednesday April 3, 2024 at the Concordia at Rebecca Residence, West Deer Township with his wife by his side. He was born February 10, 1939 in Turtlecreek to the late William and Dorothy I. (Haskins) Tepke. After graduating from Turtlecreek High School in 1957, Wayne joined the Army Corp of Engineers, serving in Korea along the DMZ. During his working years, he delivered for Liberty Baking, sold bibles door...

Kurt A. Clifford, 61 of Carnegie, formerly of Russellton, West Deer Township, died Wednesday April 3, 2024 at his home. He was born July 18, 1962 in Natrona Heights to the late Kenneth G. and Rita (Salomone) Clifford. Kurt grew up in Russellton graduating from Deer Lakes High School in 1980. After high school he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Penn State University in 1985. Kurt worked as a Pharma Program Specialist for Walgreens Pharmacy for many years. He enjoyed...

Walter P. Popendieker, 88 of Pittsburgh, formerly of West Deer Township and Blawnox, died Monday October 2, 2023 at the Southwestern Veterans Center, Pittsburgh. He was born September 8, 1935 in Shelbyville, IL to the late Frederick P. and Lillian M. (Vogel) Popendieker. Walt grew up in Mattoon, IL graduating from Mattoon High School in 1953. Walter served his country in the US Army, stationed in El Passo, TX achieving a rank of Sargent. He moved to Blawnox to work as a draftsman for the...

Maureen R. (Ban) Swigart, 74 of West Deer Township, died Sunday March 31, 2024 at UPMC Passavant, McCandless with her family by her side. She was born July 13, 1949 in Pittsburgh to the late Joseph J. and Dorothy I. (Krusinski) Ban. Maureen grew up in Hampton, though has lived in West Deer most of her life. She attended the Deer Lakes Community of the Nazarene, Curtisville. Maureen worked over 25 years for D&D Salvage as the Office Manager in Lawrenceville. She loved her husband,...

William R. Nieser, Sr., 86 of West Deer Township, died Friday March 22, 2024 at Family Hospice, Lawrenceville He was born February 3, 1938 in Pittsburgh to the late Harry and Leona (Ross) Nieser. Bill grew up in Pittsburgh attending Westinghouse High School. Following high school, Bill went to work for Schorin Company in the Strip District of Pittsburgh working as the store manager for over 56 years. Bill enjoyed working outside, building anything, camping, though loved his family,...

James R. Palmer, 68 of Washington Township, formerly of West Deer Township, died Tuesday March 19, 2024 at UPMC East with his loving wife by his side. He was born January 27, 1956 in Pittsburgh to the late William W. and N. Grace (Caldwell) Palmer. Jim grew up in West Deer graduating from Deer Lakes High School in 1974. He then went on to higher education receiving his associate degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Harmarville Training Institute, Fox Chapel. He then went to work at the...

Gary A. Nicholson (known by friends and family as “GA”, 73 of Wheeling, WV, formerly of West Deer Township, passed away suddenly at the home of his mother in Shaler Township on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He was born June 12, 1950 in Pittsburgh to the late Byron E. Nicholson and Bridget A. (Marshalek) Nicholson of Shaler. Gary grew up in Russellton, moved to Shaler Township and then graduated from Shaler High School in 1968. Gary then earned his Bachelor’s degree from Alliance...