Wilma M. McCoy

Wilma M. McCoy, 90, of Somerset, PA, went to be with her Lord and to be reunited with her late husband, Tom, on Friday morning, September 1, 2023 at Meadow View Nursing Center in Berlin.  Born in Somerset Twp., she was the daughter of the late William and Lissie Meyers Shaulis.  She was the wife of Talmadge M. "Tom" McCoy for 64 years prior to his passing in 2018.

Wilma was self-employed as a beautician for 21 years prior to retiring in 1992.  Throughout her lifetime, she was a faithful member of Geiger Church of the Brethren in Friedens where she was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, former pianist, and served on the church board.  She was also active with women’s fellowship and gave her support to the annual church festival.  Wilma volunteered at the Somerset Food Pantry for 13 years.

In addition to piecing quilts for all her children and grandchildren, she had a heart for cutting fabric and piecing the patches together to create quilt tops that were quilted and given to people in need.  She also made many children’s pillowcases that were donated to children’s hospitals.  Wilma was most happy when family and friends would gather around food and share in laughter and a game of cards (which she always won!).

She is survived by two sons, Roger L., husband of Shelby Deffenbaugh McCoy, of Friedens and Terry L. McCoy (friend of Cindy Wise and her family) of Berlin; four daughters, Diana L. Woolley (friend of Jim Vance) of Somerset, Cheryl J. Kester of Somerset, Gail E., wife of A. Louis Diamond, of Masontown, and Brenda K., wife of William Spence, of Manheim; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Shaulis and Nancy Shaulis, both of Somerset.  She was also preceded in death by two sons-in-law, John Kester and Carl Woolley; a daughter-in-law, LouAnn Sivitz McCoy; a grandson, Adam Woolley; and four siblings, Bessie Trent, Wayne Shaulis, Harold Shaulis, and an infant sister, Remilda Shaulis.

The family expresses appreciation to Dr. Mark Yaros for the medical care he provided for many years, to her daughter, Cheryl, for providing constant care so their mother could remain living in her own home, and for Somerset Family Hospice and the staff at Meadow View Nursing Center for their compassionate care given to her in her final days.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Geiger Church of the Brethren, 185 Culligan Road Friedens, PA.  Interment to follow in Somerset Memorial Park.  Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 5-7:00 PM and on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  Please omit flowers.  If desired. contributions may be made in her memory to Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Knotty Knotters, 507 Main Street, Berlin, PA 15530 to be used to purchase material to make quilts for people in need.  To express a condolence with the family visit www.spencefuneralservices.com, or to watch a livestream of the funeral, visit https://my.gather.app/remember/wilma-mccoy-2023. 

Armand Michael DeRose

Armand Michael DeRose, Sr., 94, of Monessen, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 11, 2023. He was born June 25, 1929 in Monessen, the son of Italian immigrants, Ottavio and Emilia Gatto DeRose.

Armand was a 1947 graduate of Monessen High School. He was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Monessen, where he served as an usher for 62 years. He was a US Navy veteran, having served as a Medical Operating Room Technician and Physician Assistant aboard the USS Consolation hospital ship during the Korean War. 

He was employed at US Steel Donora Works for 15 years and Lee Norse as a mining machinist for over 26 years until its closing. He retired in 1992 from Power Piping in Donora. After he retired, he worked alongside his daughter as a funeral attendant at the Frye Funeral Home, Inc. for over 20 years. 

Armand was a lifetime member of the Sons of Italy and Knights of Columbus 954, both in Monessen. He served on the Board of Directors of Ingersoll-Rand and Frick Tri-County Credit Unions for 49 years. Armand was instrumental in founding the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Monessen and served on the Board of Directors for 22 years. 

Armand was the patriarch and last surviving member of his immediate family. Some would say that he was a rather stubborn Italian who always had to be right, but he had a heart of gold and gave of himself effortlessly. He came from a very large family that continued to grow with each person he met. He held many titles in his life, but he was most proud of being a father, grandfather, and godfather. Armand’s loyalty was unprecedented, as he always showed up for those he loved. 

He enjoyed tinkering at his workbench, watching Pittsburgh sports, storytelling, and making everyone laugh with his jokes. Armand and his wife, Pauline, could often be found at the 50 yard line at Monessen Greyhound home games, as they were proud season ticket holders for many years. His boisterous personality, contagious laugh, and empathetic spirit will surely be missed. Armand is now reunited with the love of his life and his siblings in Heaven. What a joyous reunion that must be!

Left to cherish his memory are his two children, Armand DeRose, Jr. and wife, Jerri Lynn, of Farmington, New Mexico, 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; special friend, Lester Waggoner of Monessen; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Pauline DeBartolo DeRose, with whom he spent 66 years of wedded bliss; four siblings, Pearl (Lester) Hunter, Sylvia (Andrew) Bednar, Devina (Peter) Bitonti, and Octavius (Joan) DeRose.

Friends will be received Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 1-4 and 6-8 PM in the Frye Funeral Home, 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, September 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, Monongahela. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1701 Grand Blvd, Monessen, PA 15062.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com 

Daniel B. “Dan” Brown

Daniel B. “Dan” Brown, 64, of Mifflintown passed away at 9:36 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023.
Born on June 9, 1959, in Lewistown, Mifflin County, he was the son of the late R. Bradford Jr. and Barbara Jo (Heck) Brown. On October 20,1990 he married his wife Kathy J. (Parson) Brown, with whom he was blessed to share over 32 years of marriage.

Surviving is his beloved son, Nicholas D. Brown of Mifflintown, Siblings; Kelly L. Phenicie and her husband Mark, of Camp Hill, Robert L. Brown, of Mifflin, David R. Brown and his wife Kimberly, of Lewistown; and a sister-in-law, Patricia E. Brown, of Mifflintown, sister -in-law Tammy Roselle and her husband Steve of Lewistown. He is also survived by nieces Carolyn B. Phenicie, Margaret K. Phenicie, Morgan E. Messerman and her husband Kevin, Rachel Brown and her husband, Patrick Fitzgerald, nephews Seth R. Brown and wife, Alyssa, and Ryan Roselle. Great nephew Knox Messerman and great niece, Konnor Messerman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bradford G. “BG” Brown, brother Matthew H. Brown, in infancy, and a nephew, Andrew Mark Phenicie, also in infancy.

He was a 1977 graduate of Juniata High School and a 1986 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

Mr. Brown was a self-employed funeral director in which he owned and operated the Brown Funeral Home, Mifflintown, having taken over the business on October 1,1989 from his father, R. Bradford Brown, Jr. In 2001 he and his wife, Kathy, purchased the Ronald C. Sheaffer Funeral Home in McAlisterville and established what is now known as Brown Funeral Homes, Inc. of Mifflintown and McAlisterville. He served as the fifth generation and nineth funeral director of the Brown family since its inception in 1845. Dan was also very proud of his son, Nicholas D. Brown for becoming the sixth generation funeral director in the Brown family who continues the family tradition of serving the Juniata County community to this day.

His professional memberships included the National Funeral Directors Assoc., the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Assoc. and the Juniata Valley Funeral Directors Assoc. where he served as current President.

He is a member of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church, Mifflintown, the Union Lodge No. 324 F&AM, Mifflintown, Harrisburg Consistory A.A.S.R. He was also member of the Mifflintown Lions Club where he served as past President, past treasurer and board director of the Juniata County Library, past board of director for the Mifflin-Juniata United Way where he had served as campaign chairman for Juniata County, Dan also was a member of the Lost Creek Golf Club, he served on the board of directors of the Pennian Bank Fermanagh Branch and was currently the Vice Chairman of the main board of directors at Pennian Bank, where he was also was the Committee Chairman of the Trust Committee, member of the Personnel Committee, also the Asset Liability and Credit Administration Committees.

Dan enjoyed golfing and was an avid fixture on the golf course at Lost Creek in his younger years. Mr. Brown enjoyed coaching his son, Nick in Little League baseball, he loved attending his son’s sporting events. He was also a huge Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan, never missing a game. Most of all he cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his wife, Kathy and son, Nicholas and working alongside his son in the family business.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown with the Rev. Judy Rowles and Rev. James A. Neimond officiating. Interment will follow in the Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery, Mifflintown
A closed casket visitation will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 21,2023 at the funeral home, viewing will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the family funeral home Brown Funeral Homes, Inc. 100 Bridge Street, Mifflintown where services are under the direction of his loving son, Nicholas D. Brown, Funeral Director.

The family will provide all funeral flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mr. Brown’s memory may be made to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church, 208 Lemon St., Mifflintown, PA 17059 or to the Juniata County Food Pantry, P.O. Box 44, Mifflintown, PA 17059.