Anthony Baleno
Age 92, of Murrysville, formerly of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 22, 2024. Beloved husband of Theresa B. (Capone) Baleno; brother of the late Dominick (surviving Mary) Baleno, Angelo (Lena) Baleno, Ann (Marty) Mahoney, Angela (Tony) Gigliotti, and Josephine Baleno; brother-in-law of Lena (the late James, Sr.) End and the late Richard Capone and John (Ann) Capone; son of the late Gaetano and Sue Baleno. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Prayers at 11:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Holy Family Parish Our Lady of Joy Church, 2000 O’Block Road Plum, PA 15239 at 12:30 p.m.
John Robert "Jack" Schafer
Age 83, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully Friday, September 20, 2024. He was born in Pittsburgh on September 25, 1940, to the late Raymond A. Schafer, Sr. and Marie Lynch Schafer.
He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 59 years, Eileen Creasy Schafer. Loving father of Michelle McGuire, Michael (Kim) Schafer, and Marisa (Matt) Patsey. Gramps of Lacey (Corey) Briggs, Miranda Konopka, Bree Patsey, and Alexa Patsey. Great Gramps of Gavin Briggs, Genevieve “EV” Briggs, and Axel Konopka. Brother of Paul, Gerald, and David Schafer, and the late Dorothy Scheller, Evelyn Andrews, Raymond, Thomas, William, and Joseph Schafer.
Jack was a 1959 graduate of North Catholic High School, a 1964 graduate of NC State University, and earned his M.S. from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was an accomplished athlete and played in the 1963 Liberty Bowl for NC State. He was inducted into the Aspinwall Sports Hall of Fame and Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame. He was the Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Director for 27 years, during which time he made many contributions to the community.
There will be NO VISITATION. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, September 23rd at noon in Christ the King Parish, St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
George R. Cherico
Age 87, of Plum, passed away Monday, September 9, 2024. Son of the late Frank and Grace Cherico; beloved husband of Delores "Dee" (Greenwalt) Cherico; father of George (Cheryl) Cherico, Grace Cherico, and Carmen (Jacquie) Cherico; step-father of Patrick (Jacqueline) O’Donnell, Tom, Mark, and Shawn Kopa; grandfather of 12; great-grandfather of seven; brother-in-law of Ruth (Tony) D’Ambrosio, Diane Shoemaker, and Debbie Hromy (Chuck). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers Mike (Val), Raymond (Lauretta), Nick (Dena) Cherico, and his sister Ann (Richard) Jankowski.
George loved tennis, pickle ball, swimming, planting his garden, and going to watch his grandson play football. He retired from Allegheny Fence after a long career. He will be dearly missed by so many people.
Service and interment private.
Marilyn June Franell
Age 91, of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Beloved wife of over 60 years to Michael M. Franell; mother of Jimmy (Diane) Coyne, Michael Coyne, Danny (Coleen) Coyne, Cynthia Franell, and the late Donald Franell; grandmother of Cayla, Amber, Patrick, Josh, and Breanna; great- grandmother of six; sister of Evelyn Lehan and the late Merle Nichols, Betty Goodworth, and Tom Nichols. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Marilyn will always be known as a smart, loving, caring, and beautiful woman that will be deeply missed.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Blessing Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Frank D. “Frankie” Donatelli
Passed away peacefully with his mother at his side, Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Beloved son of Carolyn and the late Frank J. Donatelli; brother of Laurie Donatelli and Gina (Tim Artz) Donatelli; uncle of Sam Artz. Also survived by many extended relatives, especially his faithful cousin Michael Donatelli and dear friends Dan, Evelyn, Patty, and Father Mike.
Frank will always be remembered for his devotion to the Catholic faith, the goodness of his heart, his strong will, and wit. True to his nature, Frank faced the battle against his illness with bravery and determination, fighting fiercely without a flinch until the very end.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Frank’s second home, St. Patrick Church, 57 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Friday, August 16, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 57 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.