Mabel Batista
Registered nurse

Mabel M. (Clawson) Batista, 81, a Neville Island resident since 1950, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008.

She was born in Dayton, Pa. on Jan. 8, 1927, a daughter of the late Royden and Lela Maurice (Schrecengost) Clawson.

Mabel was a graduate of Kittanning High School. She went on to South Side Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1947.

She briefly worked at Allegheny General Hospital and retired from CCU at Sewickley Valley Hospital. During World War II, she served in the Kadet Nurse Corp. Mrs. Batista was a member of St. Joseph Church.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Guido Batista; six children, Kathy Clever of Kittanning, Karen Rutter and husband, Rick, of Neville Island, Kenneth Batista and wife, Martica Hall, of Regent Square, Donald Batista of Coraopolis, Patrice Russell of Neville Island and Jan Harper and husband, Leo and by of Coraopolis; one sister, Nadine Butler of Delaware, Ohio.

Mrs. Batista was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Harry Clawson, one grandchild and one great grandchild.

Friends were received at Copeland's Coraopolis Funeral Home, with prayer followed by Mass with the Rev. Michael Caridi officiating. Entombment was in Coraopolis Cemetery.

Thomas Sale
Avid Steeler fan

Thomas Sale, 88, a Moon Township resident for 57 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008.

He was born in Homestead on Sept. 3, 1919, to the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Vuery) Sale Mihaly.

Tom loved family above all. He enjoyed vacationing, cruising and camping with them. Tom was an avid Steeler fan.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Doris (McCartney) Sale; his two loving daughters, Barbara Sale and Regal Mobrey and Nancy Sale and Daniel Mikoloski, all of Moon Township; his only granddaughter Kelly Coulson; two sisters, Wilma Sale of Sewickley and Betty Musser of Moon; nephew, Randall Musser and nieces Jennifer Korona and the late Susan Roble.

Tom was employed by Russell Burdsall & Ward, Coraopolis for 18 years. He was a part-time police officer for Moon Township. For 24 years, he worked for Fisher Control as general foremen, then became an independent consultant (for Fisher Control) in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Lastly, he worked for Automatic Data Processing (APD) in Findlay Township. He served proudly in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.

Friends were received at Copeland's Moon Township Funeral Home, where a service was held with the Rev. Roger Howard officiating. Burial was at Sharon Cemetery with Military Honors.

Norbert Vater
World War II vet

Norbert A. Vater, 85, of Moon Township passed away on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Polly; his sister, Sally (William) Klenk of Bridgeport, W.Va.; four children, Thomas (Jan) of Hilton Head, S.C., Nancy Ankney of Columbia, S.C., Norbert Jr. (Kim) of Charlotte, N.C. and Sally (Michael) Tomana of Sewickley.

Nordy's pride and joy were his nine grandchildren, Tommy Vater, Jamie Whitlock, Jill Ankney, Jason Ankney, Lauren Phipps, Adam Vater, Christine, Katie and Laura Tomana; and two great--grandchildren, Parker Ankney and Charlie Whitlock.

Nordy was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. and served in the China, Burma and India theatres of War.

He was a graduate of Crafton High School and Duffs Business School. He was retired chairman of the board and President of A.J. Vater & Co. Inc.

He served on the Moon Township School Board for eight years, was a former member of the Moon Rotary Club, a long-standing member of Montour Heights Country Club, and a member of St. Margaret Mary Church.

Friends were received at Copeland's Moon Township Funeral Home. Mass was held St. Margaret Mary Church. Entombment was in Resurrection Cemetery.

John Carlos Jr.
Steelworker

John Carlos Jr., 83, a Coraopolis resident most of his life, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at Sewickley Valley Hospital.

He was born on March 26, 1924 in Sewickley, a son of the late Virginia (Johnson) and John Carlos Sr.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Telma, and his loving siblings, Christabel, Norman and Clarence Carlos Sr.

Mr. Carlos had merry eyes and a smile that would light up a room.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Japan. After the war, he became a steelworker for J & L Steel, Aliquippa Works.

He is survived by his sister in law, Cecile Carlos of Moon Township, and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A memorial service was celebrated with the Rev. Melvin Gerard Rippy officiating at Copeland's Coraopolis Funeral Home.

Burial was at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Margaret Rak
Of Groveton

Margaret L. (Kerchum) Rak, 82, of Groveton most of her life, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008.

She was born in Youngstown on May 18, 1925 to the late Paul and Anna (Bohut) Kerchum. She was preceded in death on March 13, 1985 by her beloved husband of 39 years, Joseph Rak.

Margaret will be remembered as a wonderful mom. She is survived by her three children, Sidney Rak of Pittsburgh, and Madelyn McClellan and Joanne Gibbons both of Coraopolis; one sister, Helen Francis of Crafton; and a brother, Pete Kerchum ofRobinson Township. A brother, Paul Kerchum, preceded her in death.

Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Rak was a member of St. Mary's Church in McKees Rocks. During World War II she worked for Heinz and Federal Enamel in McKees Rocks.

Friends were received at Copeland's Coraopolis Funeral Home, where a service was held with the Rev. Michael Caridi officiating.

Burial was in Coraopolis Cemetery.