Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 28

Page 4 Friday, September 23, 2005 REGION OBITUARIES Lewis Creek Lewis E. Creek, 80, of Winter Haven, formerly of McKeesport, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. The son of William Harry and Pearl Marie Creek, he was born Oct. 19,1924, in McKeesport.

Mr. Creek moved to Florida in 1961 where he was a self-employed plumber. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Korean War as well as World War II. He was a licensed real estate agent.

Mr. Creek is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Marshall Creek; a sister, Nita; and a sister- in-law, Ruth Marshall of Martinsburg." He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William Creek. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Robinson- Lytle Indiana, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with Mr.

Creek's cousin, the Rev. Grant Hunter, Military honors will be accorded by Indiana VFW Post 1989. www.robinsonlytleinc.com John Gyenes John B. Gyenes, 86, of Murrysville peacefully passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, after a lengthy battle with both Alzheimer's and cancer.

John's hardworking life began in the coal mines of rural Indiana County and continued through his retirement from St. Stephen's Parish in Pittsburgh. He was extremely proud yet modest about being a World War II veteran. He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division's "Screaming Eagles." His military service started with the North African Cavalry, then into Italy, where he joined with the 101st and shared their achievements in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

He was a member of both the gliders and paratroopers and was highly decorated and appreciated for his service to his country. John has always been recognized for his willingness to lend a helping hand and his good- natured personality, as well as his devotion to family mem- bers. He will be dearly missed and remembered. He is survived by these children: Jean Frand, Penn Township; Bonnie Christophersen and husband Chris, Westport, John Gyenes, Pittsburgh; and Doreen Brammeli and husband Rob, Hilliard, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and these siblings, Joe, Ida, Grace and Paul. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Helen (Galinac).

One of 10 children of the late Steve and Susie Gyenes, he was also preceded in death by his siblings, Margaret, Steve, Roy, Mary and Alex. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Vaia Funeral Home Dehnont. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St.

Mary's Catholic Church, Export, with Monsignor Richard Curci as celebrant. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. For directions, visit www.Vaia FuneralHome.com Violet Hake Violet Mae Hake, 77, formerly of Homer City, died Wednesday, Sept. 21,2005, at St. Andrew's Village.

The daughter of Ralph M. and Laura Mae Duncan Borland, she was born July 4,1928, in Indiana. Mrs. Hake lived most of her life in Indiana County, where she was a homemaker. She attended the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Homer City and was a member of the Country Pride Band that entertained at nursing homes in the area.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda L. Gamble and husband Arthur of Homer City; a granddaughter, Kristin Gamble; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Henry Hake, in 1992; a brother, Ben Borland; and a sister, Ruth Borland. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Robinson-Lytle Indiana, where services will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday with the Rev. Tim Cotton officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. www. robinsonlytleinc.

com Robert Meckley Robert "Bob" Daniel Meckley, 91, of Indiana, formerly of Glen Campbell, died Thursday, Sept. 22,2005, at his home. The son of Warren Herbert and Hattie (Sharp) Meckley, he was born July 2,1914, in Carrolltown. He was a member of the Glen Campbell United Methodist Church. Mr.

Meckley had worked as a coal miner for more than 44 years before his retirement. He enjoyed being a father and grandfather who liked spending time uath all of his family around him. He especially loved spending time with his younger grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved hunting and fishing. Mr.

Meckley married the former Pearl Etta (Young) Meckley on Dec. 19,1938. He is survived by his children, Arthur "Leroy" Meckley and wife Sally of Aiken, S.C.; Bonnie Jean Higgins of Carrolltown; Robert C. Meckley and wife Linda of Smithport; Linda Kay Meckley of Indiana; Brenda Stormer of Indiana; and Debra D. Brink of Glen Campbell; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was the last member of his immediate family. Mr. Meckley was preceded in death' by his parents; wife, Pearl E. Meckley on April 25, 2001; his daughter, Margaret Joyce Battestilli and great-granddaughter, Sydney Pearl Stormer; 14 siblings: Coy Meckley, Bruce Meckiey, Arthur Meckley, Wilfred Meckley, Ray Meckley, Glendola Meckley Woods, Annabel! (Meckley) Dorothy (Meckley) Fryer, Ruth Bennett, Helen (Meckfey) McQuo.wn; two infant sisters and two infant brothers. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Sunday at the Rairigh Funeral Home Hillsdale, an 11 a.m. funeral service will be held at the funeral home with the Rev. Horace E. Derr officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Zion Cemetery in Mahaffey.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Foundation, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701. LATE DEATH Dor irm, Bowser-Minich Funeral Homes Indiana, (724) Madeline Riddle Madeline T. Riddle, 89, of Home died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, at Indiana Regional Medical Center. The daughter of Lawrence and Arley Pritchard Tarr, she was born March 6, 1916, in Rocky Grove, Franklin.

Mrs. Riddle lived most of her life in Meadville, where she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a homemalcer. She resided at Crystal Waters Personal Care Home for the past years. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Mrs.

Riddle is survived by a daughter, Sandra Spring and husband Thomas of Home; a sis- ter, Wanda Marenchin of Ashland, and several nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Lawrence "Ed" Tarr; and two grandchildren, John R. and Thomas M. Spring Jr. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m.

today at Robinson-Lytle Indiana. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grove Chapel Lutheran Cemetery, with the Rev. Julie Walz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the 850 Hospital Drive, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701, or to the charity of one's choke.

www. robinson lytleinc. com Charles Arthur Rupp 74, of Plumville, formerly of Indiana, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, at Indiana Regional Medical Center. He was born April 4, 1931, to Arthur and Mildred Hoover Rupp in Armstrong County.

Mr. Rupp attended Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Indiana, and was a former member and past president of the Armstrong Indiana Home Builders Association. He was the owner of Rupp Construction and Royal Rentals. He enjoyed spending time with his family, volunteering and helping others. He is survived by three daughters: Joyce Elaine Troxler and husband Bill, Knoxville, Brenda Lynn Eisenhart and husband Charlie, Plumville; and Janice Patricia Erickson and husband Jim, Minneapolis, six grandchildren; two sisters and a brother: Kay Schrecongost and husband Frank, Rural Valley; Charles Rupp Jr.

Larry Rupp and wife Debbie, Dayton; and Mary Helen Rupp and husband Glenn, Woodland; and the following in-laws: Betty and Paul Caruso, Kittanning; Leah and Bill Lefchik, Ford City; Bill and Louise Steim, Kittanning; and George and Betty Steim, Niles, Ohio; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 49 years, Patricia Steim Rupp, in Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today and also from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Bowser- Minich Funeral Home, Indiana, where funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, with Pastor William Murphy officiating Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina relief or the Foundation, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701.

SATURDAY'S FUNERALS GYENES, John 10:30 a.m., St. Mary's Catholic (Vaia Funeral Home Inc.) HAKE, Violet Mae, 11 a.m., Robinson-Lytle Inc, Indiana RIDDLE, Madeline .11 a.m., Grove Chapel Lutheran Cemetery (Robmson-Lytle Indiana) DEATHS ELSEWHERE By The Associated Press William Va'cchiano NEW YORK William Vacchiano, a trumpeter whose musical career started in Maine and took him to New York Philharmonic and The Juilliard School, died Monday at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan from respiratory failure, colleagues said. He was 93. Vacchiano was principal trumpet for 31 years at the New York Philharmonic and he never missed a performance before leaving in 1973. He continued to a teach until 2002 at The Juilliard School, where his students included Wynton Marsalis and Miles Daws.

Vacchiano began taking lessons around age 8, and he began playing in the Portland Symphony Orchestra when he was 14. His talent drew notice'quickly. After attending Juilliard, he joined the Philharmonic's trumpet section in 1935. That year, Vacchiano joined the Juilliard staff. He estimated that he taught 2,000 students over the course of 67 years, and there are probably "only a handful of trumpet players in any major orchestra who haven't taken a lesson from him," said his former student and friend, Lee Soper of Greenwich, Conn.

Jerome Hynes DUBLIN, Ireland Jerome Hynes, the administrator who oversaw Ireland's major opera festival and was deputy of the national Arts Council, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack, his family said. He was 45. Hynes died while speaking to staff at Wexford's Theater Royal, home of the opera festival he spent much of the past 17 years expanding. He joined the Wexford Festival Opera in 1987 and became involved in arts committees and projects across.Ireland, culminating in his 2003 appointment by the government to be vice chairman of the Arts Council, which decides how to spend state funding. Shortly before his death, Hynes had been in London, helping promote a new opera by Ireland's Gerald Barry at the English National Opera.

Care Share Day set for Saturday The Indiana County Community Action Program and The Indiana Gazette are sponsoring their annual Care Share Day food drive Saturday. Area residents can fill their brown bags found in Monday's edition of the Gazette with nonperishable goods, paper products, personal hygiene items and baby goods and bring them to the sites listed below. The sites will receive donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

All items donated are taken to ICCAP's Food Bank on South Sixth Street Extension in White Township. ICCAP staff and volunteers then distribute the items to about 20 food pantries located throughout the county. Each pantry is open once a month to distribute to income- eligible individuals and families. Wheatfield Fire Department, Route 56, Armagh Black Lick Fire Department, Main Street Blairsville Presbyterian Church, Walnut Street Brush Valley Fire Department Cherryhill Fire Department, Penn Run Clymer Fire Department Commodore Fire Department Post Office, Coral, 10 to 11:30 a.m. only Creekside Fire Department Homer City Bi-Lo Marion Center Fire Department Pine Township Fire Department, Heilwood Plumville Fire Department Rossiter Drop-In Center Saltsburg Community Center (basement) Tunnelton Fire Department West Lebanon Fire Department Indiana area: Fourth Street Bi-Lo, North Fourth Street Extension Church of the Brethren, 2164 Oakland Ave, Giant Eagle, 435 S.

Seventh St. ICCAP's Food Bank, 1849 Sixth St. ICCAP's main office, 827 Water St. Shop 'N Save, 475 Ben Franklin Road St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, 200 Clairvaux Drive Wal-Mart, SouthTowne Plaza, Route 286 Residents can also take donations to the Indiana Mall's New Car Show today and Saturday.

All dealers will have drop-off boxes. Donations will also be accepted at Kivvanis Bingo at 6 p.m. Monday at the Indiana Roller Skating Rink along Shelley Drive. FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN INDIANA WITH INSIDE INDIANA, PAGE 12 THOMAS GETTING READY for the Rural Valley Pumpkin Festival Saturday is (in front) Ethan Odosso, 4, son of Dorianne Odosso. In back, from left, are Mandi Dosch, holding Seamus Gross, 2, son of Tia Gross, and Shirley Odosso, holding Kyleigh Odosso, 1, daughter of Dorianne Odosso.

They're all of Rural Valley. Pumpkinfest set for Saturday By ELAINE JACOBS SMITH Assistant Managing Editor RURAL VALLEY When Mike and Mary Koma started the Rural Valley Pumpkinfest in 1999, the event had nine vendors crowded in the yard of their Rural Valley home. "And it just kept growing," according to Cindy Lamison, one of the festival organizers. The sixth annual festival, to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 Saturday at the Shannock Valley Recreation Park, now has 57 vendors and welcomes a crowd of about 1,000, Lamison said.

Activities for children include face painting, pony rides, rides on the Rainbow Express train and a Sidewalk Art Show at 1:30 p.m. for first- through sixth-graders. Participants are given chalk and a section of sidewalk and are asked to decorate according to the theme, 'Animals and God's creation." Prizes will be awarded for top entries. Entertaining people of all ages will be Dave's Country Keyboard, the Senior Sensations dance group and Lege Garda accordionists. When not playing the accordion, John Lege of Leechburg will lead some feathered friends in tricks as That Guy With the Birds.

The Cruisin' In car show will take place starting at 11 a.m. at the park, with the $5 entry fees going toward the Kittanning animal shelter. Participants will be awarded dash plaques. A number of food vendors will also be on hand, with offerings such as pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pie, curly fries, funnel cakes and more. Schedule of events 10 a.m.

to 2:30 p.m.: Dave's Country Keyboard, on stage 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Pony rides 10a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: That Guy With the Birds 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Cruisin' In car show Noon to 3 p.m.: Rainbow Express train rides 1:30 p.m.: Sidewalk Art Show 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Senior Sensations, on stage 3:30 to 5 p.m.: Lege Garda Accordionists All-day activities Saturday include painting of real.and ceramic pumpkins, face painting bouncing room and Shriners clowns with balloons. Shuster to serve on Katrina response investigation committee WASHINGTON, D.C.

Congressman Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, has been selected by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to serve on the select committee investigating the response to Hurricane Katrina and playing a lead role in Congress' relief and funding efforts, according to a release from the office of Congressman Shuster. The 20-member bipartisan panel was put together to investigate the preparation and response by all levels of government before, during and following the hurricane. The committee will hold hearings, examine witnesses and has subpoena power. Shuster is chairman of the subcommittee that oversees emergency management and economic development. Shuster is the most junior member of this select committee.

There is. a similar committee in the Senate and the two panels will work together to get a full understanding of what went wrong and how to better prepare for the future. The House panel will report its findings no later than Feb. 15. The select panel was established by House Resolution 437.

BILL SHUSTER BRIEFS Homer City holds cleanup day HOMER CITY The Borough of Homer City is looking for volunteers to help improve the appearance of Main Street during Sidewalk Clean-up Dav at 10 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers will meet in front of the Homer City Pharmacy and are asked to bring work gloves, a shovel and trash bags if possible. Pittsburgh writer to read in Indiana Pittsburgh writer Sherrie Flick, winner of the 2004 Flume Press Chapbook contest, will read from her winning manuscript at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Commonplace Coffeehouse, Indiana.

The reading is free and open to the public. Books will be available for $8 each. Flick's short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies. This reading, sponsored by Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Women's Studies Program, the Department of English, and the Robert E. Cook Honors College, is part of the 2005-06 season of the campus reading series.

Uncommon Words. BIG SAVINGS OFF Sept. 24, 25 INDIANA 164 Market Street the business of changing fives".