All Obituaries

James D. Leech, 73 of New Kensington, died Wednesday November 11, 2020 at the VA Pittsburgh Medical Center, Oakland with his family by his side. He was born October 19, 1947 in Pittsburgh to the late James W. and Janina S. (Paczewska) Leech. Jim was a 1965 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School. He served his country during the Viet Nam Era in the US Marine Corps achieving the rank of E5 Sargent. Jim worked for over 33 years for UPMC Shadyside in the Pharmacy as the purchasing, inventory and...

Christine K. Callen, 33, of Vandergrift, formerly of Tarentum, died Tuesday November 10, 2020 at UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh with her family by her side. She was born on August 12, 1987 in Pittsburgh to Earl W. and Michelle (Eckenrod) Callen of Tarentum. Christine was of Catholic faith. She was a 2005 graduate of Highlands High School and a 2007 graduate of Butler County Community College receiving an associate’s degree as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Christine worked at several...

Loyal W. “Butch” Fredley, 88, of West Deer Township, died Sunday November 8, 2020, in Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh.  He was born June 3, 1932 in West Deer Township to the late James A. and Grace Ekas Fredley and has been a lifelong resident.  A graduate of West Deer High School graduating in 1951. Loyal was a Sergeant in the United States Army Serving in Germany. He retired from T.W. Phillips in 1986 as a Service Technician/ Office Manager. He was a member...

Donald A. Taylor, 85 of Lake Pleasant, Greene Township, died November 7, 2020 at his home with his family by his side. He was born September 1, 1935 in Lowville, Venango Township to the late Donald A. and Ellen B. (Yost) Taylor, Sr. Don grew up in Lowville graduating from Wattsburg High School in 1953. Don then served his country during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army achieving the rank of Specialist 3rd Class. He was a longtime member of the Wattsburg Fair Committee and St. Boniface R....

David E. Trocki, 68 of Culmerville, West Deer Township, died Sunday November 1, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born December 27, 1951 in Pittsburgh to Samuel E. Trocki of West Deer and the late Evelyn A. (Smolic) Trocki. Dave was a 1969 graduate of West Deer High School, then a 1970 graduate of Greenbriar Military Academy, and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology, from Salem College in Clarksburg, WV in 1974. He was a former member of St. Barnabas Episcopal...

Evelyn (Parker) Kochan, 89, of West Deer Township died Friday October 30, 2020, with her family by her side. She was born July 21, 1931 in Curtisville to the late Frank E. and Anna (Vernosky) Parker. Evelyn grew up in Curtisville and graduated from West Deer High School in 1949. She worked for Anvil Products in Glenshaw for over 20 years as a switchboard operator and front desk receptionist. Evelyn was a member of East Union Presbyterian Church, West Deer. She enjoyed hosting family dinners,...

James V. Ambrosi, long-time resident of West Deer Township, died October 24, 2020 in Santa Rosa California. He was 91 years old. Jim was born December 6, 1928 in the Superior section of West Deer Township, to Angelo and Mary (Profico) Ambrosi. He graduated in 1947 from West Deer High and served during the Korean conflict with the US Army Occupation Forces in Germany. Upon returning stateside, he attended business and barber school on the GI Bill and owned both a barbershop and tax...

Ken R. “Mags” McAtee, 62 of West Deer Township, died Tuesday October 13, 2020 at his home. He was born October 12, 1958 in Pittsburgh to the late Regis McAtee and Lillian A. (Whitecomb) McAtee with whom he lived. He was a 1976 graduate of Deer Lakes High School and a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Bairdford. Ken was an accomplished carpenter working many years for Terry Colton Construction. Mags enjoyed gardening, wood working and wood carving. Besides his Mom he is...

Patricia “Pat” Sobotka, passed away peacefully at Harmar Village Care Center where she was a resident for the past seven years. She was born October 2, 1926 in Russellton Pa., to the late Louis and Sophie (Smith) O’Barto but lived most of her life in Bairdford Pa. Pat enjoyed playing bingo, singing in the church choir, taking trips to the casino and she was an avid bowler. She had amazing energy and always kept herself busy working on projects around the house or in the...

Shawn William Maudhuit, 50 of West Deer Township passed away unexpectedly on Sunday September 20, 2020. Shawn was a life time resident of West Deer. He is the son of the late William Maudhuit, Jr. and Mary Ann (Sabol) Maudhuit of West Deer. He was a 1988 graduate of Deer Lakes High School. Shawn worked for Globe Auto Parts, Russellton and formerly at Pianos and Stuff, Blawnox. He always bragged that his biggest accomplishment was his son, Colin. Shawn had a love of music, creating haunted...