Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024)

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE 3 SATURDAY, AUGUST 25. 2001 OBITUARIES KATHLEEN FREEMAN PETER MAAS He wrote the books on conniption: 4The Valachi Papers' Brash, funny trademarks of this actress she said last year in an interview, "but I have always had the sense I was put here to do this: I am somebody who is around to help the world laugh. I have always had that sense. Corny but absolutely true." One of her biggest fans was comedian Jerry Lewis. She appeared in 10 of his movies including "The Ladies Man" and "The Disorderly Orderly." In "Singin' in the Rain," considered by many to be the best movie musical ever made, she played Jean Hagen's frustrated voice teacher.

Among Miss Freeman's other films were the sci-fi thriller "The Fly," "The Rounders" with Henry Fonda, "Far Country" with Jimmy Stewart, and "North to Alaska" starring John Wayne. More recently she appeared in "Dragnet," "Gremlins II," "Nutty Professor II: The Mumps" and both "Blues Brothers" come f'r i fJZ By Michael Kuchwara The Associated Press NEW YORK Kathleen Freeman, a veteran character actress whose face was known to audiences from television sitcoms, the film classic "Singin' in the anti, 400 pages from her private journal arYd transcripts of 310 sessions with 76 other witnesses: He said in 1990 that his work usually started "with some anger I have about something, orwhat someone does about something that gets them hurt." But his first book, "The Valachi Papers," began with a tip from Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Mr. Maas began gathering information for three magazine articles on Valachi, a semiliter-ate mobster who became the first person to admit that he belonged to a crime family. "The Valachi Papers" detailed the structure and workings of the Mafia, which Valachi had described By James Barron The New York Times NEW YORK Peter Maas, who turned real-life good guys and bad guys into the stars of a long string of nonfiction best sellers, died Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

He was 72. A hospital spokeswoman declined to give the cause of death. Time and again, Mr. Maas returned to organized crime, organized corruption and people whose revelations shattered myths or created new ones. He spent the 1980s and '90s investigating everyone from Mafia turncoats to rogue CIA agents to clemency-sellers in Tennessee.

He became famous in the 1960s and 70s for a pair of gritty true-crime Peter Maas 1 ft Rain" and Broadway's "The Flxll Monty," died Thursday of lung cancer. She was 82. Miss Freeman gave her final performance in "The Full Monty" last Saturday. She played a sassy piano player in the hit musical and earned a Tony nomination in May. Big, brash and funny were Miss Freeman's trademarks in playing recalcitrant maids, demented nuns, mouthy housekeepers, battle-ax mothers, irate landladies and nosy neighbors.

dies. Miss Freeman was born in Chicago and was propelled into show business at age 2. Her parents had a vaudeville act, Dixon and Freeman, in which their daughter did a little dance. She attended UCLA, where she majored in music. Her plan was to become a classical pianist.

Then, she said, "A terrible thing happened. I got in a play and got a laugh. I just said a line and, She worked in many small 2000 photo to a Senate committee in 1963. 1 he Justice Department, which encouraged Valachi to write a complete history of his underworld career, allowed Mr. Maas to interview Valachi at length in his prison cell.

"When I first tried to find a publisher for 'The Valachi every major publisher in New York turned it down," Mr. Maas recalled in 1990. "The message, however it was specifically couched, amounted to the same thing: 'Sorry. The Mafia doesn't sell. Nobody In hardcover, the modest first printing of "The Valachi Papers" sold out within days.

No one had bothered to sell the paperback rights before the book came out. By the time a paperback deal was made, the first printing was 1.75 million copies. In 1972there was a movie by the same name starring Charles Bronson. Mr. Maas called it "one of the worst films ever made." A native New Yorker, Mr.

Maas attended Duke University, where he scored his first major success as an investigative writer an exclusive interview with the labor leader Walter Reuther. After graduating in 1949, he went to work for The New York Herald Tribune. He later worked for such leading magazines as Collier's, Look and the Saturday Evening Post. Kathleen Freeman stones. One was about Joseph Valachi, who revealed the secrets of the Mafia.

The other was about Frank Serpico, who revealed the secrets of corruption in the New York City Police Department. But Mr. Maas insisted that he cared less about the story line than about what motivated strong characters. "When I write nonfiction, it's like fiction," he said in 1986. "All the research, and the writing, too, is a continual process of discovery for me.

I never have an outline." But he had his extensive research to go on. He spent months doing interviews for "Serpico." He accumulated enough documents for his 1986 book "Manhunt," about the international arms dealer Edwin Wilson, to fill five filing cabinets. Just indexing the "Manhunt" material took three months. And for 1983's "Marie," the story of a whistle-blowing Tennessee official, Marie Ragghi-anti, who discovered that Gov. Ray Blanton was trading clemency for cash, Mr.

Maas sorted through 2,827 pages of trial transcripts and depositions, 4,200 pages of interviews with Ragghi- Starting in the Golden Age of television, she appeared in such shows as "Topper," "The Donna Reed Show," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Dick Van Dvke Show," "Hogan's Heroes," "The Lucy Show." "The Golden Girls," "Murphy Brown" and "Married With Children." theater groups, including the Circle Players, acting for such eminent directors and actors as Charles Laughton, Charlie Chaplin and Robert Mor-ley. At the same time, the early 1950s, the television explosion took over Los Angeles. Miss Freeman went on to appear in scores of "This will sound very corny and I'm sorry," sitcoms over 50 years. If ft. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING LATEST DEATHS To our readers: The Post-Gazette's comprehensive listings of recent deaths Include two types of obituaries.

News obituaries, prepared by our staff, are published at the discretion of our editors. Death notices are paid obituaries prepared by the funeral home directors, To place a death notice, call 412-263-1371. To suggest a news obituary, call 412-263-1601. The following list is provided free as a public service. Listings followed by (DN) Indicate that a death notice is published elsewhere in these pages.

We accept information for the following list from funeral directors and employees of crematoriums and memorial societies, who may call 412-263-1601 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. DENARDO, Louise Troiani, died Aug. 22.

Brusco-Napier Funeral Home, Beechview. (DN) FLAHERTY, John S. died Aug. 23. William Slater II Funeral Services, Scott.

(DN) FORYSTECK, Walter 71, of Pittsburgh, died Aug. 23. Wenslovas Memorial Chapel, Castle Shannon. (DN) FRIDAY, Nicolette "Nicci" Missig. 39.

of Elizabeth Township, died Aug. 23. Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home. Jefferson hills.

(DN) GEREK. joseph, of Munhall. died Aug. 23. Savolskis-Wasik-Glenn Funeral Home.

Munhall. (DN) GILLAN. Douglas died Aug. 21. Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Pleasant Hills.

(DN) GRAY, Betty Jane McFarland, of Plum, died Aug. 22. Gene Van Horn Funeral Home. Monroeville. (DN) JIBLETS, Marcella Adams, 83, of South Fayette, died Aug.

23. Bogan-Wolf Funeral Home, Bndgeville. (DN) JONES, Delores died Aug. 22. White Memorial Chapel.

Point Breeze. (DN) KOBETICH, Paul A. 86. of Jefferson Hills, died Aug. 23.

Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Pleasant Hills. (DN) LABASH, Valentina 73, of South Side, died Aug. 23. Stephen M. Brady Funeral Home, North Side.

(DN) LEONARD, Jill Kimberland. 64, of Imperial, formerly of Canonsburg, Washington County, died Aug. 24. Mcllvaine-Speakman Funeral Home, Houston, Pa. (DN) MANDEL, Ruth Bennett, 79, of Squirrel Hill, died Aug.

(DN) BEAVER COUNTY CROXTON, James J. "Beansie," 65, of Center, died Aug. 24. Wayne Tatalovich Funeral Home, Aliquippa. BUTLER COUNTY EILER, Bobette B.

Schrauder, of Renfrew, died Aug. 23. Schellhaas Funeral Home, West View. (DN) REYNOLDS, Raymond E. "Bud," 93, of Mars, died Aug.

23. McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Mars. (DN) WASHINGTON COUNTY CHRISTMAN, Helen Hayes, 94, of Finleyville, died Aug. 23. Piatt Barnhill Funeral Home, Washington.

HARDING, Raymond L. of Eighty Four, formerly of North Side, died Aug. 22. Sperling Funeral Home. North Side.

SOBOLEWSKI, Jennie 'Jennie 79, of Cecil, died Aug. 23. Eugene C. Coleman Funeral Home, Cecil. (DN) VEZZETTI, Thomas.

88, of Chaleroi, died Aug, 24. Schrock-Hogan Funeral Home, Charleroi. WESTMORELAND COUNTY BRIELL, Kevin 34, of North Hungtingdon, died Aug. 22. William Snyder Funeral Home.

HOPKINS, Nellie B. Bryant, 71. of "Jeannette, died Aug. 22. Watts Memorial Chapel, Braddock (DN) HAROUSE, Jeffery 38.

of died-Aug. 24. Edwin N. Wolfe Funeral Home, Export. A KIRKWOOD, Agnes, 82, of Export, diedAug.

23 Edwin N. Wolfe Funeral Home, Export. I MAYWOOD, Richard 60, of North Huntingdon, died Aug. 24. Vincent V.

Rodgers -Funeral Home, Irwin. PAZUL, Michael "Lefty," 84, of Lower Butrell, died Aug. 23. Rusiewicz Funeral Home, ArnoldD.N), OTHER BENEDUM, Wilson Calvin, 91, of Phoenix, died Aug. 22.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home, East Pittsburgh. FLAUS, Wilbert E. "Bill," 69. of Columbus, Ohio, died Aug.

22. Schoedinger East Chapel, (DN) KLOAR Janet H. "Jan" Brown, 66, of Bentpn, formerly of New Kensington, Westmoreland County, died Aug. 22. Roller-Ballard Funeral HomH.

Benton. (DN) MAIR, Ernest 91 of Pompano BeacK formerly of Ross, died Aug, 6. (DN) ROBINSON, Thomas Arthur of New Castle, Lawrence County, died Aug. 5. Ed DorVDbCarbo Funeral Home, New Castle.

(DN) j. SHAHADE, Nancy B. Sciulii. 82, of Johnstown, Cambria County, died Aug. 23.

Picking Treece-Ben-nett Mortuary, Johnstown. (DN) STEIGERWALD, Nancy A. Fedorka, 571'of Day-tona Beach, formerly of Pittsburgh.Jied Aug. 20. Brian's Funeral Home, North Side.

(DN) lt ALLEGHENY COUNTY BARKER, Daniel died Aug. 23. William M. Eckels Funeral Home. Beechview.

(DN) BIGELOW, Nancy Louise "Mom Bigelow," died Aug 23. White Memorial Chapel. Point Breeze. (DN) BIRD, Richard E. "Dick." died Aug.

23. Laughlin Memorial Chapel, Mt. Lebanon. (DN) BOWE, Michael 38, of Moon, died Aug. 23.

Copeland's Funeral Home, Coraopolis. BOWERS, Ellamae, 75. of Bndgeville, died Aug. 23. S.D.

Ferguson Funeral Home, Belle Vernon. BROWN, Mildred Ann Tellep. 78, of Scott, died Aug. 22. Bogan-Wolf Funeral Home, Bridgeville.

(DN) CRISTE, Elizabeth T. Kochmar. 85. of Duquesne, died Aug. 21.

Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home, Duquesne. P.M. Sunday 2-4 7-9 P.M. Services Monday, 10:30 A.M. BARKER DANIEL D.

On Thursday, August 23, 2001, Daniel beloved husband of Hono-ra Barker; brother of Edward and Joseph Barker, Betty Lockard, and Harriet Perrette; survived by nieces and nephews. Friends received at WM. ECKELS FUNERAL HOME, 1923 Broadway Beechview on Sunday 1-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Monday at 10 am.

JIBLETS MARCELLA A. (ADAMS) Age 83, of South Fayette on Thursday, August 23, 2001 a former waitress at Fatigati's Restdurant for 25 years; wife of the late George F. Jiblets; mother of Geraldine Kane her husband Paul of South Fayette; grandmother of Danielle O'Rourke of Greenfield; sister of Margaret Teyssier, WilliarruAd-ams, Thomas "Sonny" Adams, Janet Slimick, Joyce Patnesky, Ronald Adams and the late Robert Adams. Friends received Sunday, 2-47-9pm in the BOGAN-WOLF FUNERAL HOME, 430 Washington AveBtfd-geville (A Woodruff A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12:00 noon in St. Agatha Church, of Holy Child Parish.

'l do and Augustine Joseph Bollo; daughter of the late Louis and Concetto Troiani sister of Dolores Zanel-lo, Louis Troiani, Connie Kelsey, Julius Troiani, Carol Tor-torea, Theresa Mitchell, Antoinette Laro and the late Marie, Nicholas, Michael, and Reynold Troiani; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends received Sun. and Mon. 1-4 and 6-9 pm at BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL HOME, LTD. Broadway Shiras Aves.

Beechview. Funeral Mass Tuesday, 11:30 am in St. Thomas More Church. EILER BOBETTE B. (SCHRAUDER) On Thursday, August, 2001, of Renfrew, PA.

Beloved wife of Gene sister of Randy Schrauder; also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends received Saturday 2-4 7 pm until time of service at 8:30 pm at the SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 388 Center Avenue (between Ross Twp. Police Station West View Park Shop. Ctr.) www.schellhaas funeralhome.com Bobbi was a member of various animal associations.

Donations may be made to the W. PA Humane Society. FLAHERTY JOHN SR. On Thursday, August 23, 2001, beloved husband of Anna Flaherty; father of Patricia (John) Riordan and John S. Flaherty, brother of Marie Baddeley, Kay Duffy, Rita Fry, Sr.

Betty Flaherty, O.P., Patrick Flaherty the late Gerald J. Flaherty Marge Dyszewski. Visiting hours Sunday, 2-4 7-9 THE NEW WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SVC, 1650 Greentree Scott Funeral Mass in Marian Manor Chapel, Monday, 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Marian Manor, 2695 Winchester PA 15220. FLAUS WILBERT E.

"BILL" Age 69, of Columbus, passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2001 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. He was a founding member of Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and had retired from North American Rockwell. He was also a member of the "Aces" retiree group. Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Gwen; children, Dave (Sandy) Flaus, Babette Fil-bin, Mary Grace Flaus, Larry Flaus and Dan Flaus; grandchildren, Charles, Jr.

and Collin Filbin; cousins, friends, and his church family who meant so much to him. Family will receive friends from 2-5 pm Sunday, August 26, at SCHOEDINGER EAST CHAPEL, 5360 E. Livingston Ave. Columbus, OH with a vigil service beginning at 5 pm. Mass of Resurrection will be 10 am Monday at Seton Parish, 600 Hill Pickerington, Rev.

Fr. Martin V. Weithman, Celebrant, Deacon David J. Kruse, assisting. Those who wish may contribute to the Set-on Parish Building Fund in Bill's memory.

Interment, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy mail be emailed to: Bflaus6condolences schoedinger.com FORYSTECK WALTER I. Of Pittsburgh, age 71, on Thursday, August 23, 2001, loving husband of Dorothea of Pittsburgh; nephew of Blanche Jendeski of the South Side; he was a member of Sainted Albert of 15th. St. and Polish Falcons.

Services were private and handled by WENSLOVAS MEMORIAL CHAPEL, INC. 1008 Castle Shannon Castle Shannon. FRIDAY NICOLETTE "NICCI" (MISSIG) 39, on Thursday, August 23, 2001, of Elizabeth Twp. Cherished dearly by all of her family. Nicci was the daughter of Raymond and Jeanette Missig; wife of Mark Friday; mother of Ryan, Benjamin and Lauren Friday; sister of Nanette and Tim Murphy, Neil and Carol Missig, Na-dine and Carmen Tripodi, Norine and Rick Doric, Nina Carnegie, Nita and Jeff Carroll, Noel and JoAnn Missig; aunt of Bevin, Julian, Galen, Tess, Tristan, Domin-ick, Danielle, Justin, Adrian, Dami-an, Alexis, Katelyn, Nathan, Michael and Alyssa.

Friends received at the STEPHEN D. SLATER FUNERAL HOME 1701 State Rt. 51, (Lage) Jefferson Hills on Sunday 2- 9 pm. Funeral Prayer on Monday at 10 am. Mass of Christian Burial in St.

Elizabeth Church (Pleasant Hills) at 11 am. If desired, family suggests contributions to the Friday Children Education Fund. GEREK JOSEPH Of Munhall on August 23, 2001; brother of Julia Ceyba on Munhall, Mary Ann Coret of Munhall, Irene McCorkle of West Mifflin and the late Ann Janosko and John Gerek; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends received SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 3501 Main Munhall (Member Selected Independent Funeral Homes) 2-4 7-9 pm where Blessing service will be held 10 am.

GILLAN DOUGLAS S. Went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 21, 2001. he was a graduate of Robert Morris College and a licensed minister of the Gospel. Surviving him are his parents, Roger and Emilie; his sister, Susan (Michael) Dreves; and grandmother, Madeline Nelson. Services will be held on Saturday, at 2 pm in the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 301 Curry Hollow Pleasant Hills.

Interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held Monday, 7pm at the First Assembly of God, 1323 State Coraopolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to Compassion International. GRAY BETTY JANE (McFARLAND) Of Plum, On Aug. 22, 2001.

Wife of the late Harold E. Gray; dearest mother of Dennis B. Gray (Marcye), of Norway, Maine, Brian L. Gray (Karen), of Plum; also three nieces. Betty Jane was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, member of the Holiday Park United Methodist Church.

Friends may call at GENE VAN HORN MONROEVILLE GOLDEN RULE FUNERAL HOME Beatty Road at Route 48 North. From Parkway East, Take Exit 14B, 4th intersection. (412) 372-5200, Saturday, 7-9, Terry (Anne) Bird, Kelly (Connie) Bird, Joan (Tim) Snyder, Judy (Nels) Malzahn, Lois (Jan) Johan-nessen, John (Candy) Bird, Katie (Danny) Guthrie, Janis Stanek the late Thomas Bird Jr; proud uncle of many Nieces Nephews. Friends received at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL INC. 222 Washington Mt.

Lebanon Saturday evening 7-9, Sunday 2-4 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Bernard Church Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 3471 Fifth Suite 203, Pgh.

PA 15213 or St. Bernard Angel Fund, co 311 Washington Pittsburgh, PA 15216. BROWN MILDRED ANN (TELLEP) Age 78, of Scott Twp went to be with God on Wednesday, August 22, 2001. She was the loving wife and sweetheart of Charles H. Brown; devoted and loving mother of Kathleen Shuster and Charles H.

Brown III; grandmother of Jarrod Brown and Erika Shuster; sister of the late Dorothy Tellep. Mrs. Brown was a member of Covenant Community Presbyterian Church, Greentree and former secretary at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Scott Twp. She was the Co-founder of Peanut Squares Dance Club and her excellent craft work became gifts for family and friends. Friends received 2-4 7-9 pm in the BOGAN-WOLF FUNERAL HOME, 430 Washington Bridgeville (A Woodruff Partner).

A Memorial service will be held Sept. 15, at 11 am in the Convenant Community Presbyterian Church. The family suggest memorial contributions to Family Hospice, 250 Mt. Lebanon Blvd, Suite 203, Pgh PA 15234. DENARDO LOUISE (TROIANI) On Wednesday, August 22, 2001, in Florida.

Wife of the late Mario beloved mother of Joseph (and Shari), Elizabeth and Jacqueline (and Augustine) Bollo; grandmother of Jeana Marie, Nicholas Mario ancj Angeline Louise DeNar- BIGELOW NANCY LOUISE Quietly in Aug. 23, 2001, Beloved wife for 60 yrs of William O. Bigelow beloved mother of William Bigelow Jr. of Pgh, Harold Martin Bigelow of Glenn Arden, MD, the late Thomas Bigelow, Gwendolyn "Judi" Bigelow, Donald Lawrence Bigelow, both of Pgh and Robert Alan Bigelow of Myrtle Beach S.C; sister of Charles Burley Ellis, Louise Phillips and Margaret Lee, all of Pgh. Also survived by 29 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

Friends may call Monday 2-4 7-9pm at WHITE MEMORIAL CHAPEL of POINT BREEZE, 7204 Thomas at Homewood Ave. Funeral ceremony Tues. 11am in The Greater Pittsburgh Christian Temple Church, 250 S. Pacific Ave, Friendship. Interment Allegheny Cemetery JONES DELORES E.

Peacefully, on August 22, 3001, Delores went home to be With Jhe Lord. Former employee of Westing-house Electric Printing Division in Trafford, PA for over 17 years. Served as the secretary far the Greater Pittsburgh Fountain of Life Church and was a member, 'dflhe United States Air Force Reserves. Beloved daughter of AddreanJQnes of Wilkinsburg, who she fai.thfylly took care of; loving sister of Paul Jones of Washington, DC-Audrey Heyman of Patterson, NJ, Cdrblyn Jones, Herman Jones and Dafiiel Jones, all of sis ter-in-law of Marva Jones; by aunts, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephewsj cousins and a world of friends. Friends may call Sunday, 2-6pm at WHITE MEMORIAL CHAPEL of POINT BREEZE, 7204 Thomas BLvdat Homewood Ave.

Funeral ceremony Monday, 1pm in the Greater Pittsburgh Fountain of Life Church, 247 Johnston Hazelwoodr.inter-ment Homewood BIRD RICHARD E. "DICK" Age 51; on Aug. 23, 2001; Peacefully at home in the loving care of his wife Joan W. Bird; proud loving father of Julia Laura; devoted son of Rita Thomas Bird; loving son-in-law of Alice W. Heim; loving brother of Mary Ellen (Ron) Beck, Patricia (Ken) McPherson, Cont.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024)

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