Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 27

Page 4 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 Obituaries Letha Shaffer Letha Lovell Shaffer, 79, Saltsburg, died Tuesday, March 29, 2005, in Latrobe Area Hospital She was born April 22,1925, to Joseph and Mary (Nicholson) Morton in Brenizer. A resident of Saltsburg for the past 44 years, she was a homemaker and a member of the North Apollo Church of God. She is survived by her husband, Richard H. Shaffer of Sahshurg; a daughter, Alberta and husband, George Brindle, Deny; two sons: Richard and wife, Lisa, of Saltsburg; and Robert and wife, Laura, of Saltsburg; seven grandchildren: Terri and husband, Marc Todesco, Belleville, Stacey Brindle, Brenizer; Joseph, Mary, Ashley, Shawn and Bradley Shaffer, Saltsburg; two greatgrandchildren: Isaiah and Anna Todesco, Belleville, two sisters: Mildred Diven, Smiths Ferry, and Evelyn Moskel, Brenizer; two brothers: Raymond Morton and wife, Ernie, McKees Rocks, and Joseph "JR" Morton, Brenizer; and a special sister-in- law, Jean Milliard, Erie. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Albert "Dean" Ankney, in 1946; three brothers: John "Alvin," Charles "Cecil" and Harry A.

Morton; and two sisters: Margaret "Winnie" Pifer and Mary G. McGinnis. Friends will be received from 7 cb 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Saltsburg.

A service will be held ar 10 a.m. Friday at the North Apollo Church of God, with the Rev. Robert Shallenberger officiating. Interment will be in Westview Cemetery, Avonmore. Memorials may be made tp the North Apollo Church of God, 507 20th North Apollo, PA 15673.

www.curranfimeralhome.com Marlane Dunegan -Marlane (Komoroski) Dunegan, 44, Clymer, died Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Friends be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bence Funeral Home in Clymer. Complete arrangements will be published in Thursday's Indiana Gazette. Tomorrow's funerals BABCO, Margaret Louise, 11 a.m., Robinson-Lytle Indiana BARR, Edward Charles "Charlie," 11 a.m., Bence Funeral Home, Clymer BROOKS, Harold Thomas, 7 p.m., H.M.

Patterson Son, i Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta Ga. KELLEY, Virginia T. (Thompson,) 11 a.m., James Ferguson Funeral Home, Blairsville Deaths elsewhere By The Associated Press David Bushnell LACUNA BEACH, Calif. David Bushnell, an entrepreneur who transformed Bushneli Optical Corp. from a small mail-order business into the country's leading binocular brand, died March 24 at his Laguna Beach home of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his wife said.

He was 91. An avid traveler, Bushnell bought his first two cases of binoculars in 1947 during an around-the-world honeymoon. He later tried to unload the binoculars then considered exotic equipment by taking out print ads targeted at racetrack spectators. Bushnell eventually expanded the business beyond binoculars to rifle scopes, spotting scopes and other optical equipment. Edward Head TONAWANDA, N.Y.

Edward Head, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo for 22 years, died Tuesday, diocesan officials said. He was 85. Head died after living in a suburban Buffalo nursing home for two months. He became the diocese's llth bishop Jan. 23, 1973, and retired in April 1995.

Catholic Charities grew under Head's leadership, more than doubling its budget and the number of people it served to $8.6 million and 180,000 by 1995. The bishop also founded the Diocesan Council for Those with Disabilities, the Link Program for divorced Catholics and the dkxresan Office of Black Ministry, said current Bishop Edward Krhiec. Head pushed for diocesan-sponsored housing for older Catholics, dedicating one building with then-President Ronald in 1984. Eugene Bricillo Eugene B. Bricillo, 82, of Indiana, passed away early Sunday morning, March 27, 2005, at his home.

The son of Dominic and Elizabeth (Marino) Bricillo, he was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Hubbard Ohio. Mr. Bricillo was a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church in Indiana.

After graduating from Hubbard High School, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in the 122nd Liaison Outfit in the European Theater during World War II and received four bronze stars. For more than 50 years, Eugene was a nurseryman and tree farmer as the owner of Canale's Nursery and Bricillo Tree Farm and Nursery. He had served as past president of the Indiana Tree Growers Association.

He enjoyed fishing in the Bahamas and watching his beloved Penn State football team. He be sadly missed by his wife, Roberta J. (DellaDora) Bricillo, whom he married in 1988 and is one of his survivors. Other survivors include his children: Dominic Bricillo and his wife Ruth, West Palm Beach, Elizabeth Merkle and her husband Gus, Levittown; Toni Kay Taylor and her husband Eugene, Macclenny, Mary Lynn Bricillo, Pittsburgh; Joanna Frieberg and her husband Robert, ofYoungstown, Ohio; Edward Hirzel, Michigan; Suzanne Gulas and husband David, of Tucson, Arizona; Diana Henson and her husband Ron, Nebraska; Christine and Corinne Gulasi both of Sacramento, and Peter Gufas, Washington. D.C.; grandchildren: Eugene and Carmen Bricillo; Gustav and Kurt Merkle; Katrina and Hans Papke; Samuel Wright; Bailey, Annie and Emma Henson; one great- grandchild, Gemma Gulas- Brown; and two sisters, Rosemary Hajduk and her husband Joe, Toldeo, Ohio and Janice Bricillo, Hubbard, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends were received at the Bence-Mihalcik Funeral Home in Indiana from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St.

Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church. Interment will be private. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Family Hospice of Indiana County, 850, Hospital Road, Medical Arts Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701. Harold Brooks Harold Thomas Brooks, 71, Marietta, died Monday, March 28,2005, at his home after an extended illness. He was born Feb.

18, 1934, "in Commodore to LeRoy and Cora (McMahan) Brooks. He has been a Georgia resident since 1975. He was a plant manager for Hyponex Corp. in Adel, until his retirement. He was a member of Crossway Church and a 40-year'member of Bedford Lodge No.

320 Mr. Brooks was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carole (Johnstone) Brooks, whom he married Nov. 24, 1956; one daughter, Lynn Walley, at home; two sons: Tom and wife, Karen, of Douglasville, and Barry and wife, Julie, of Augusta; and four very special granddaughters: Katie and Kelly of Douglasville and Lauren and Emily of Augusta. Also surviving are brothers LeRoy Brooks of Clearfield and Robert Brooks of Siloam, and sisters Gladys Brown of Oxford, and Cindy Johnson of Clymer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Brooks; a sister, Maijorie Korb; and a son-in-law, Stephen WaJ- ley. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at H.M. Patterson Son, Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, with Gene Prince officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the Canton Hill Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, ALS Division, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718-3299, Arrangements by H.M. Patterson Son, Canton Hill, Marietta, Ga. Margaret Babco Margaret Louise Babco, 73, of Homer City, died Monday, March 28,2005, at her home. The daughter of Carl and Margaret Altman George, she was born Aug.

9,1931, in Blairsville. Mrs. Babco lived her entire life in Indiana County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Homer City United Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Joseph Babco three children: James L.

Babco and his wife Margaret, Blairsville; Linda Balls and her husband Dennis; and Judy Fabin, all of Homer City; two brothers, Dwight George, Homer City; Lisle George, Indiana; five grandchildren: Todd Babco, Brenda Michel, Jamie Lundberg, Jeffrey and Leanne Balls; and four great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dorothy Steffey Henry. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Robinson-Lytle Inc. in Indiana.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. the funeral home with the Rev. David Salinger officiating. Interment will be made in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to 850 Hospital Drive, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701.

www.robinsonlytleinc.com. Brian Orr Brian Scott Orr, 38, Dingmans Ferry, formerly of Creekside, died Monday, March 28, 2005, in Dingmans Ferry. He was born Aug. 22, 1966, in Takoma Park, the son of Darl and Margaret Weston Orr. Mr.

Orr was a member of-the Newspaper Mail Delivery Union, NMDU. He was also of the Protestant faith. He was employed as a driver for the Star Ledger in Newark, N.J., for the past 15 years. He enjoyed hunting, NASCAR, the Pittsburgh Steelers and riding his Harley. Survivors "include his wife, Laura Lorenzo Orr, Dingmans Ferry; two children, Nicole and Andrew Orr, Dingmans Ferry; his parents, Creekside; a sister and a brother, Diana McClurg and husband, Glenn, Bushkill, and Todd L.

Orr and wife, Karen, Creekside; two nieces and two nephews and many aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bryan and Mildred Orr, and his maternal grandparents, Lisle and Gladys Weston. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Plunwille, where a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday with Pastor Kal Henry officiating.

Interment will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Five Points. Virginia Kelley Virginia T. (Thompson) Kelley, 91, of Blairsviile, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Keeper of the Flame, Blairsville. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the James F.

Ferguson Funeraf Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dean E. Byrom officiating.

Interment will be in the Blairsvilfe Cemetery. Clarence Dillon Sr. Clarence W. Dillon 84, of Shelocta, died Tuesday, March 29,2005 at his residence. He was born April 2, 1920, to Luke and Veronica Kline Dillon in Hastings.

Mr. Dillon was a member of Church of the Good Sheperd, Kent. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family. Surviving are six children: Trease Westover and husband Bill, Westover; Mary Schremp and husband Bill, Villanova; Clarence "Bud" Dillon Jr. and wife Ruth, Shelocta; Ethel Schwallenburg and husband Tom, Fairfax, Paul Dillon and wife Sally, Aurora, Gerald Dillon and wife Karen, Ebensburg RD; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a brother Francis Dillon and wife Mary Ruth, St.

Benedict. was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 50 years, Marie C. Dillon, in 1992; three sisters and four brothers. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent, with the Rev. Fr. E. George Saletrik as celebrant.

Private interment will be made in the Holy Family Cemetery, Colver. Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701. NEW CHAIRMAN NAMED Ron Anderson, second from left, the new, chairman of the Indiana County Airport Authority, presented a plaque to outgoing chairman Dr. C. William Lauver aft Ihe authority meeting Monday.

Officers are, from left, Craig Best, treasurer; Anderson; Keitfn Keanck, vice chairman; Lauver; and George Bieger, secretary. (Gazette photo by Thomas Slusser) JOHNNIE COCHRAN JR. Defended O.J. Simpson Lawyer Cochran dies at 67 By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent LOS ANGELES Johnnie L. Cochran legal career representing both victims of police abuse and celebrities in peril converged under the media glare when he successfully defended O.J.

Simpson from murder charges. Cochran, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in December 2003, died Tuesday at his home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. He was 67. With his gift for courtroom oratory, Cochran became known for championing the causes of black defendants and for the iconic phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit," in Simpson's murder trial. "He was a brilliant strategist who never lost touch with the common man," said Sanford Rubinstein, a former colleague.

"He took particular pride in standing up with those who were wrongfully treated. He truly loved people and the public adored him." While Cochran represented celebrities who included professional football players and rappers, he also stuck up for as one colleague put it the "com-. mon man." Cochran represented a Haitian immigrant tortured by New York police, a 19-year-old black vyoman who was shot a dozen times by police as she sat in a locked car and a white trucker who was videotaped being beaten by a mob during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He proudly displayed copies in his office of the multimillion- dollar checks he won for ordinary citizens who said they were abused by police. "The clients I've cared about the most are the No Js, the ones who nobody knows," he once said.

Over the years, Cochran represented football great Jim Brown on rape and assault charges, actorTodd Bridges on attempted murder charges, rappers Tupac Shakur on a weapons charge, Snoop Dogg on a murder charge and Sean Diddy" Combs on gun and bribery charges stemming from a nightclub shooting. Cochran used the "if it doesn't fit" phrase in his closing argument at the Simpson trial, describing the moment when the former football player tried on bloodstained "murder gloves" to show jurors they did not fit. One glove was found at the murder scene; the defense said the other glove was planted at Simpson's home by racist police. Jurors found Simpson not guilty of the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. "I've got to say, I don't think I'd be home today without Johnnie," Simpson said Tuesday by telephone from Honda.

"I always tell people, if your kkJs or your loved ones got in trouble, you would want Johnnie. Even his adversaries respected him." Briefs Majorette performances Thursday KENWOOD The Penns Manor Junior and Senior High Majorette Squads will perform their 2005 competitive routines for the general public at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the high school gymnasium. Admission is free and refreshments will be served in the cafeteria following the performances. Hang-out fund-raiser Saturday NORTHERN CAMBRIA The Coal Country Hang-Out is mg a basketball, free-throw fund-raiser from 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Saturday to help cover the cost of operations, at the combination community and youth center. The event is being held in the Hang-Out at 1202 Maple Ave. and is open to individuals and teams from Grade 3 to all older ages. Participants are asked to obtain donations and pledges of at 1 east S50 each to participate.

Each participant will take at least 50 foul shots from the free throw line. Pledges can be sought on the number of shots taken or made. Volunteers also will be accepting telephone pledges for the Coal Country Hang-Out from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Northern Cambria Community Development Corp.

at (814) 948-4444 Teen center hours are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday but the Coal Country Hang-Out is open daily for day care and before and after school for latchkey children, karate classes, dance lessons and community meetings. For more information on the shoot-a-thon and programs at the center, call 814-948-8493. Family health overview This month's free "Overview of Services Session" will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. April 13 at the Family Health Council, 1097 Oak' Indiana.

Speakers will include a representative from the De- partment of Human Services and from the Family Health Coun- This month's focus will be on" the' services provided by the Family Health Council. Register by April 6 at (724) 463-8207 or via email These sessions are planned to provide parents, new and "seasoned agency staff, and childcare providers with general information on services offered and resources available to staff and clients of our county. State House passes tax credit bill Legislation to grant a tax credit to manufacturers who provide qualified training to employees has passed the state House the bi Is sponsor, Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana, announced in a press release Tuesday. The bill is part of the Keystone Manufacturing Initiative aimed at encouraging economic growth and job creation.

House Bill 220 focuses on Pennsylvania firms that want to ori- vately upgrade the skills of their work forces. Under the bill, firms will be able to take the Career Develop- ment Credit against the Corporate Net Income Tax, Capital Stock: and Franchise Tax for expenses incurred as a result of training' workers by the private sector. State House leaders will unveil an updated KM I package at 10 a.m April 11 in the Capitol Rotunda. Legislators will then join' SlneSS 3nd manufa cturin advocates to promote Art program at Indiana Theater The Indiana Art Association will host a program by Indiana University of Pennsylvania professors Robert and Kathleen Mill-y ofthelndi-- The program is on the history of life through art, focusing on the history and culture of the 18th century Eastern Woodlands In- dians as painted by Pittsburgh artist Robert Griffing.The public is' No Child Left Behind program at IUP The deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education of the state Department of Education will speak at 7-30 pm the federal Dr. Gerald Zahorchak will answer local questions about the law and discuss state policy concerning staffing, curriculum and assessment issues related to No Child Left Behind 16 heW the Oak Room West in Dining Hall, 1 Ith and Grant streets on the Indiana University of Pennsvl vania campus.

Free parking is available in the IUP parking garace across from the dining hall. fwrwng garage A dessert reception beginning at 7 p.m. will precede the talk Partners Supporting Public Schools is sponsoring the event REMINISCE WITH THOSE OLD PHOTOS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS NEW LISTING! Secluded brick ranch on 6 acres, mostly wooded, orty min- utes from Indiana. Open flow pten kitchen (sofid oak cabinets), BOR, 2 baths, large FR oak wet bar and entertainment center, Scar detached heated garage. $275,000 Univereity Square 3, Suite 104 tt63 Grant SL, Indiana, PA 15701 Member BctmJ of Realtors.