Samuel Clyde Brooks

Samuel Clyde Brooks, 91 of Connellsville passed away on Monday January 24, 2022. He was born May 12, 1930 at Indian Head, Pa. a son of the late Clyde B. and Maude Miller Brooks. Sam was a 1948 graduate of Connellsville High School. He then attended and graduated from the Eckles School of Embalming in Philadelphia, Pa. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean War from 1952-1954. Following his service, he joined his father and sister, the late Jeanne Brooks King in the family funeral business, joining her as a fourth-generation funeral director. With their funeral home locations in Indian Head and Connellsville and through his guidance, the firm evolved into a modern day, progressive funeral home, serving families throughout the Fay-West area. Sam was an active community leader and participant. He was a 60-year member of Kings Solomon’s Lodge # 346 F&AM, the Valley of Uniontown, Scottish Rite Freemason, Royal Arch Chapter #282, St. Omer’s Commandry, and the Syria Shrine, and also a member of the Odd Fellows He was a past member and past president of the Connellsville Rotary Club, past member of the Indian Creek Valley Lions Club, Life member of BPO Elks #503 of Connellsville and a continuing member of the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Connellsville VFW and American Legion. Sam was a pioneer within the funeral industry both locally and statewide, having been part of the establishment of the very first Prearranged Burial Trust in the state of Pennsylvania, through Microdata Systems, Inc. a company he was a co-founder of and which is still in operation today. He was a member of the Southwestern Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. For many years, his firms were the only local members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an organization, by invitation only, to independent funeral homes who uphold the highest standards of excellence in the funeral industry. Samuel was the former owner and president of the Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., with locations in Connellsville and Mount Pleasant, Pa, which he helped establish in 1986 and the former Clyde Brooks Funeral Home, Inc. which was located in Melcroft, Pa. He was also a part owner of Green Ridge Memorial Park in Connellsville. Sam was raised in and was a member of the Indian Head Church of God and was a current member of the Connellsville Presbyterian Church, where he held many church positions and offices over his lifetime. He is survived by his children, Lisa Pendergast and her husband Francis III, of Palos Heights, IL., David S. Brooks and his wife Jan of Mount Pleasant, Richard P. Brooks and his wife Janine of Connellsville, Mark C. Brooks and his wife Carla of Connellsville, Rebecca A. Delmar and her husband Michael of Connellsville, Amy L. Hertznell and her husband David of Connellsville, Melissa J. Brooks of Connellsville and Susan M. Coleman and her husband John of Hidden Valley, Pa.; daughter-in-law. Rosemary Brooks of Connellsville; 14 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister, Virginia White of Indian Head and many nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Norma L. Galiardi Brooks in 1989; one son, Jeffrey J. Brooks in 2021; three sisters, Jeanne Brooks King, Iva Margaret Miller and Doris Miller. Family and friends will be received from 6-8 P.M. Wednesday and 2-4,6-8 P.M. Thursday in the Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Pa. where services will be held on Friday at 11:00 A.M. with his dear friend, Ron Anderson officiating. Entombment will follow in the Family Mausoleum in Green Ridge Memorial Park. King Solomon’s Lodge #346 F&AM will conduct a Memorial Service at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to a Charity of One's Choice in Memory of Samuel Clyde Brooks. To offer a condolence or remembrance please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com 


Pauline DeRose

Pauline DeRose, 89, of Monessen went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 24, 2022. She was born September 28, 1932 in German Township, the daughter of Frank and Frances Minutula DeBartolo.

Pauline was a graduate of Greensburg High School. She was also a member of the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Monessen, where she was active in the Epiphany Ladies.

Pauline began her career with the Bell Telephone Company in Charleroi as a switchboard operator until its closing. She then continued working for Bell Telephone Company in Pittsburgh, where she retired with over forty years of employment. She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary at Mon Valley Hospital and a member of the former Italian Heritage Society of Monessen. She also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Society in Monessen for twenty years.

The matriarch of the family, Pauline enjoyed being surrounded by her loved ones. Despite her large Italian family, she always had time for everyone. She lovingly raised her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy; she never missed an accomplishment, school function, dance recital or basketball game. She loved cooking and hosting family dinners and holidays. Her recipe boxes were filled to the brim and you never left her home hungry. When she wasn’t spending her downtime baking or crocheting, Pauline could be found cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her humble heart, feisty attitude, and joyful spirit will forever be missed.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Armand DeRose, with whom she celebrated 66 years of marriage on June 25, 2021; son, Armand DeRose, Jr. and wife Jerri Lynn of Farmington, New Mexico; daughter, Pamela DeRose Behanna and husband Kevin of Monongahela; four grandchildren, Olivia, Amara, and Davine Behanna, all of Monongahela, Jillian Wareham and husband Alan of Monessen; two great grandchildren, Peyton and Logan Wareham; sister, Jennie Miller and husband William of Huron, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jane Mance and Josephine Chandler; and a brother, Samuel DeBartolo.

Friends will be received Sunday, January 30, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in the Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 W. Main Street, Monongahela. Funeral prayers will begin at 9:30 AM in the funeral home followed by a mass of Christian burial on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM in Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, Monongahela with the Rev. Kevin Dominik as celebrant. Committal services and interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, 1701 Grand Blvd, Monessen, PA 15062.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com


Patrick J. Willar

Patrick J. Willar, 55, of Dubois, passed away Friday, January 28, 2022 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born July 21, 1966 in Dubois, he was a son of the late Dean C. Willar and Judith Stockman. Pat was a graduate of Dubois Area High School, Jeff-Tech and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He was the Founder and past president of Dubois EMS Ambulance Service Inc., where he was certified as an EMT and Paramedic. He was also a funeral director and past owner of the Dahlgren Funeral Home in Philipsburg and was currently a Deputy Coroner for Clearfield County.  Pat was a member of the NRA, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association and Clearfield-Jefferson County Funeral Directors Association. He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, was an avid music lover and enjoyed bowling and dirt track racing. Pat is survived by his son Antonio D. Willar, his dog Parker, his former wife Gliceria Willar and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal grandparents John M. and Lotus A. (Bullers) Willar and maternal grandparents John and Doris (Hugler) Stockman. Friends will be received at the Dahlgren-Spewock Funeral Home, Inc., 228 N. Centre St., Philipsburg, on Wednesday, February 2, from 12 to 2pm, with a service to follow at 2pm. Pat will be laid to rest at St. Michaels Cemetery, Dubois. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gateway Humane Society, PO Box 678, Falls Creek, PA 15840. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlgren-spewock.com