All Obituaries

Earl M. Matko, 75 of Lower Burrell, died Tuesday January 18, 2022 at UPMC St. Margaret’s with his family by his side. He was born November 8, 1946 in Russellton to the late Frank J. and Mary F. (Jug) Matko. Earl grew up in Russellton graduating from West Deer High School in 1964. Following graduation, Earl served his country during the Viet Nam war in the US Army achieving the rank of Sargent. Earl went to work for the Brick Layers Union (BAC Local 9 PA) working as a brick layer, in...

Edward Donald “Fuzzy”, 78, of Russellton, West Deer Township, died Tuesday January 4, 2022, at Cranberry Place Cranberry Township after an illness. He was born December 12, 1943 in West Deer Township to the late Joseph & Catherine Rutkowski Zrelak and was a lifelong resident. A veteran of Viet Nam serving in the Army. He was involved in transportation for the Bessemer Lake Erie Railroad. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish Transfiguration Church, the Moose and...

Diana L. (Pennington) Spath, 64 of West Deer Township, died Tuesday December 28, 2021, at her home with her family by her side. She was born October 13, 1957 in Harrison Township to the late James M. Pennington and June J. (Stezenfand) Pelles. Diana grew up in Richland and graduated from Richland high School in 1976. She worked as a prep cook at Kings Family Restaurant, Richland for over 13 years. Diana was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown and was a life member of West Deer...

Clara (Maciejewski) Verbetic, born on March 22, 1931 (age 90), our cherished grandma, mom and great grandma, got her wings and went to walk with the angels on the morning of December 15, 2021. She left us while sleeping peacefully at home where she was lovingly care for by her favorite girls: Kim, Kaykay, Koko and Kourty. Grandma never held back her opinion and always told you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Clara was a hard-working, polka-loving women who will be...

Terry L. (Rubel) Hohmann, 61 of West Deer Township, died Tuesday December 14, 2021 at AHN Wexford Hospital. She was born January 11, 1960 in Pittsburgh to the late Charles J. and B. Lucille (Hazlet) Rubel. Terry grew up in West Deer and has lived there all of her life. She was a 1977 graduate of Deer Lakes High School. Terry was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. She worked in customer service for the State Farm Agency, Allison Park for over 10 years. She enjoyed spending...

Janet Szelc, 74 of O’Hara Township, died Tuesday December 14, 2021 at UPMC St. Margaret’s. She was born August 27, 1947 in New Kensington to the late August P. and Alberta M. (Kaiser) Horneman. Janet grew up in New Ken and graduated from New Ken High School in 1965. She has lived in O’Hara Township for the past 25 years. She worked in the Fox Chapel area for many years for different homes as a nanny. She was of Baptist Faith. Janet enjoyed camping, though enjoyed spending...

Edward M. Varshine, 68 of Rural Ridge, Indiana Township, died Friday December 10, 2021 at UPMC Presbyterian. Ed bravely battled Parkinson’s for many years. He was born December 9, 1953 in Natrona Heights to the late Edward T. and Olga (Luchesa) Varshine. Ed grew up in Rural Ridge graduating from Fox Chapel High School in 1971. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, West Deer and worked as a custodian for Fox Chapel School District for over 20 years. Ed enjoyed beach vacations...

Kathleen M. (Goettmann) Wagner, 87 of West Deer Township, died Saturday December 4, 2021 at her home with her family by her side. She was born March 1, 1934 in Pittsburgh to the late Elmer and Marie (Hepp) Goettmann. Kathy grew up in Pittsburgh graduating from St. Benedicts High School. She moved to West Deer shortly after she married Gerald E. Wagner who passed on May 2, 1988. She was a homemaker and loved caring for her home and family. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish,...

Vera (Kozak) Cortese, 93 of Russellton, West Deer Township, died Tuesday November 30, 2021 at her home with her family by her side. She was born April 23, 1928 in Pringle to the late Peter and Verna (Pleskoff) Kozak. Vera grew up in Pringle graduating from Pringle High School in 1947. Vera moved to West Deer in 1948 and has live here for the past 73 years. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, West Deer. Vera loved caring for her family, cooking, baking, bingo and flower...

Albert A. Doutt, Sr., 86 of West Deer Township, died Sunday November 28, 2021 at Vincentian Memory Lane, McCandless. He was born April 24, 1935 in Natrona Heights to the late James D. and Bernice F. (Smolak) Doutt. Al grew up in East Deer graduating from East Deer High School in 1953. He then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956 and earned an additional bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering while working...