Category: Necrology

Note: Dean Minshull enrolled in WPSD and left in 1978-1979 school year. Dean Russell Minshull, age 58, of Transfer, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 26, 2023 in his residence. He was born in Grove City, PA on November 11, 1964 a son of Thomas R. and Audine F. (Reynolds) Minshull. He was a 1982 graduate…

Earl L. Knight, 61, of 68 Main Street, Mt. Jewett, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, at his residence. Born April 30, 1963, in Bradford, he is a son of Anne M. (Perrott) Knight of Bradford and the late Carl A. Knight, Sr. who died in 1976. Earl attended and graduated from Western Pennsylvania School…

Finley “Clark” McCulley, born on July 12, 1935, in Irvona, PA, passed away on January 20, 2025.  He attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) and worked as a machinist at Caterpillar in York, PA for many years.  He was married to Sharon McCulley and had two children, Lisa and Lynn, as well…

Ronald R. Heckman, Sr., 87, of Butler, passed away Monday, December 30, 2024, at his home. He was born September 10, 1937 in New Kensington, the son of the late Robert R. and Elma (Frank) Heckman. He retired after 35 years as a print setter for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Surviving are his wife, Linda…

John Paul Stanton, 56, of Nanty Glo, went to Heaven on Dec. 11, 2024. Born Nov. 25, 1968 in Johnstown, son of the late Herbert and Irene (Kankula) Stanton. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by grandparents; brother, Herbert, Jr.; and sister, Barbara Stanton. Survived by sister, Sue (Chuck) Keilman; brothers,…

Raymond Gerald Gwizdak, 65, of Pittsburgh, passed away on November 28, 2024. Born December 16, 1958, in Pittsburgh, the son of late Roman and Antoinette (DiLiberto) Gwizdak. Beloved wife of Janice (Mogus) Gwizdak for 36 years. Survived by brother in law, Robert (Ginny) Mogus and cousins. He graduated from Western Pa School for the Deaf…

Thomas Ralph Inches, age 78, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024 peacefully in the Inches family home. Tom was born January 21, 1946 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to Doris and Thomas Inches. Tom graduated from WPSD in 1964 before moving to Michigan with his wife Judi Inches for work, and to begin a new chapter…

John C. VanCise, Jr., age 38, of Erie, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024 following an accident. He has joined his grandmother, JoAnn VanCise in heaven. He was born in Erie on October 18, 1985, son of John VanCise Sr. and Tina VanCise.John was a graduate of Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 2004.…

Herman Forest Hawk, age 52, of Kennerdell, died on Sunday, September 15, 2024, Bucky was the beloved son of the late Francis and Elaine Burroway Hawk; brother of Colleen Hawk, and the late William Jeffrey “Jeff” Hawk (WPSD Class of 1996), (surv. Renee); uncle of Sean Shields (Kaitlin), Meghan Shields, Keegan Shields, River Hawk; also…