Philomena “Phyllis” T. Ruffner (Galutzi)
Passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023 at her home in Donegal, PA with her sons at her side. Phyllis was born January 16, 1941, originally from East Liberty, Larmar Avenue and formerly of Wilkinsburg. She passed due to metastasizing cancer complications. Phyllis was a woman of strength, she didn’t even know she had cancer until the very end and never took any pain medications until the end. Phyllis has nine children with her ex-husband Charles Ruffner who passed away a few years ago from lung cancer.
Phyllis was always devoted to and protective of her family. She cared deeply for her mother, father, sisters, brothers, and children. She would always make time to play outside with her kids whether it was playing in the snow, or playing Indian Baseball, she made them Halloween costumes and baked them the best homemade bread and lemon meringue pies. Her son Chuckie would always say she was both a father and a mother. Phyllis’s house was always full of kids, cousins, and friends. With that many kids, you would be called a different name at any given time.
Phyllis was a very creative woman who loved to dance, garden, cook, and paint. Sometimes her kids would stay with friends for a few days and when they came home, the house would be painted a different color. She loved growing all kinds of vegetables but unfortunately with nine kids running around, they would get picked before she could pick them herself. She was a great cook, especially when it came to spaghetti and meatballs. The boys were always better at that dish than the girls were. She also enjoyed dancing and trying to teach her middle daughter to loosen up. Sadly, it didn’t work. When Phyllis was older, she got her driver’s license and her own car. She loved the freedom of being able to come and go by herself wherever she wanted to go. She liked to speak her mind and be very stubborn.
Throughout her life, Phyllis worked at the same bakery her son’s worked at in Wilkinsburg. She worked at George Akin’s delicatessen in Wilkinsburg and Oakland, and she was a caretaker for her friend Virginia.
Phyllis leaves behind her children Dwayne (Shelly) Ruffner, Grace (Jack) Whipkey, Theresa (Dave) Innes, David (Teri) Ruffner, Eric Ruffner, and Genny Pugh. She also leaves behind 34 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and great cousins.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents Grace and Charles Galutzi, her sons Charles, Steven, and Jeffrey Ruffner, her brothers Joe and Jackie, and her sisters Millie, Josephine, Grace (Thomas), and Dolly.
Mom we miss you and you are forever in our hearts.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 2-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11 a.m.
John R. Dubas
Age 84, of Penn Hills, formerly of Vandergrift and New Kensington, passed away peacefully, Saturday, May 6, 2023. Beloved husband of 47 years to Lois I. Wilson; father of Robert (Maria) Dubas and David (Kim) Dubas; brother of Marlene (Jerry) Greenawalt, Maryann (the late John) Shedlock, and the late Patricia (“Jack”) Jordan. Also survived by nieces and nephews. John enjoyed fishing, hiking, and camping and was an avid Pitt fan and proud US Army veteran. He was an Apollo High School graduate and attended the University of Pittsburgh. He pursued a career in accounting and was a comptroller for General Refractories in Salina, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Humane Animal Rescue League, 6926 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.
Service and Interment Private.
William E. "Bill" Miller
Age 79, of Penn Hills, Passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023. Beloved husband of Christine (Cavanaugh) Miller; father of Christopher (Carol) Miller and Andrew Miller; grandfather of Luke, Nate and Eve Miller; brother of Evelyn (Late James) Ward; uncle of Kathi Krause and James Ward. Bill was lucky to be survived by numerous devoted friends and neighbors. He was a gourmet cook, known for his wit and humor, and an avid gardener. Bill was a mentor to the school children whom he drove in several school districts. He was a longtime employee of HarbisonWalker International Refractories, more recently known as HWI. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Seneca for their care.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Hillman Cancer Center or a charity of your choice. A Blessing service and military honors will be held at a later date.
Connie L. Reamer (Dibler)
Age 76, of Forest Hills, passed away peacefully Friday, April 28, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Walter O. Reamer; mother of Walter O. Reamer, Jr., Jackie (Bob) McGowan and Russell Reamer; grandmother of Brittany Reamer, Bobby (Carly) and Samantha McGowan; sister of Marlene Kann and the late Jack (surviving Eileen) Dibler.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 11 a.m.
Roman “Ray” Leonard Jendrasik
Age 93, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023, in Charleston, SC. Born and raised in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA, Roman was a proud Army veteran and served in the Korean War from 1951-52, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. The son of Polish immigrants, Roman was proud of his heritage, teaching his daughters and grandchildren his favorite Polish slang and enjoying the occasional meal of kielbasa and pierogies.
Roman was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, and met his beloved wife, the late Dolores (Dee) Jendrasik, by chance during a rainstorm after a neighborhood dance. They were married 66 years before her passing in 2017.
After his time in the Army, Roman had a long career as an electrical draftsman, working on numerous steel mill projects throughout the Pittsburgh area. In retirement, he continued his hardworking ways as a handyman throughout his Penn Hills neighborhood, fixing doors, locks, and any other odd or end in need of repair. Roman was a proud member of the Korean War Veterans Association of Western Pennsylvania.
Four years ago, he relocated to Charleston, SC to be closer to his daughters. Roman slowly grew to appreciate the lowcountry lifestyle, though he remained a die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, especially his beloved (and beleaguered) Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether recounting Gunsmoke and Bonanza reruns or spinning a tale with one of his stories, Roman was known for his quick sense of humor and a deep love and dedication to his family.
He is survived by the family with whom he loved to spend time, children, Linda (David) Rodgers-Scribner, Karen (James) Petrucelli, and Jennifer (late Chris) Fedele; sister Irene Abel (late Enos); grandchildren Adam (Gina), Alex, Mandi (Corey), Alee (Brian), Tyler (Kelby), Stephen (Jordan) and Faith; Shamus (Rachel), Emilie (Matt) and the late Aimee; numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, Roman was predeceased by wife Dolores, and siblings Helen Baum, Alfred Jendrasik, and Butchie Jendrasik.
Friends will be received at the William F. Gross Funeral Home, 11735 Frankstown Road, on Monday, May 1, 2023 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Susanna Church (Christ the Divine Shepherd) at 200 Stotler Road in Penn Hills. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his name to the Korean War Veterans Association (PO Box 407, Charleston, IL 61920). Or visit http://www.kwva.org/in_memoriam/in_memoriam.asp