Gregory Amoroso
DONORA, Pa. — Gregory “George” Amoroso, 75, of Donora, Pa., passed away Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, Carroll Township, Pa.

He was born June 21, 1929, in Donora, Pa., son of William and Carrie (Clement) Amoroso. Mr. Amoroso was a steelworker with U.S. Steel retiring from the Homestead Plant.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Donora, Pa., the American Legion Post 212 in Donora for 47 years, where he served 10 years as post commander and 20 years as a service officer. He was the commander of the 25th District American legion in 1984 and 1985; he was a member and past commander of the former Catholic War Veterans Post 376; he was president of the Donora Veterans Council for over 30 years; he was a member of the Donora Elks and the 40/8 veterans organization Voiture 676 or Washington, Pa.

George was a veteran of the Korean conflict serving with the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Catherine (Fayak) Amoroso; three sons, Gregory (Nancy) Amoroso of Mount Vernon, and William (Barbara) Amoroso and Michael (Jodi) Amoroso, both of Monessen, Pa.; a daughter, Louise (James) Kruczek of Donora, Pa.; 12 grandchildren, Nathan (Janice) Amoroso of Ohio, Josuha (Rebkah) Amoroso of Arizona, Katie Jean and Nellie Ann Kruczek, both of Donora, Pa., Sara Elizabeth, Nicholas William and Eric Robert Amoroso, all of Monessen, Pa., Zachary Michael and Stephen Tyler Amoroso, both of Monessen, Pa., Charles Smith of Monessen, Pa., and Emily Annett and Nicole White, both of Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Brayden Gregory Amoroso and Christopher Bumpus, both of Ohio; a sister, Louise Amoroso of Belle Vernon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home, 40 Second St. Extension, Carroll Township/Donora, Pa., where a blessing service will be Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the St. Philip Neri Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Donora, Pa. Interment will follow in Mon Valley Memorial Park, Donora, Pa.

John Downes
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — John Pershing Downes, 85, former Mount Vernon resident, died Aug. 11, 2004, at Ruxton Health Care of Woodbridge in Woodbridge, Va.

He was born Nov. 26, 1918, in Rimersburg, Md., to Walter W. and Leila M. (Black) Downes. He was a member of the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Temple Hills, Md. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army World War II; and a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He graduated from the George Washington University Law School in 1951, and practiced law privately and for the U.S. government.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen (Armstrong) Downes, to whom he had been married 57 years; three daughters, Catherine (Charles) Brown of West Milton, Bea Porter of Alexandria, Va., and Annette (Joseph) Duley of Brandywine, Va.; two sons, Norman Downes and Eric Downes of Bristol, Va.; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister and three brothers.

Friends may call Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Eastview Cemetery in Centerburg with the Rev. Charles Ransom officiating. Burial with military honors will be conducted by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council. This obituary may be viewed online at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Norma J. Jenkins
MOUNT VERNON — Norma Jean Jenkins, 77, of Mount Vernon died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at the Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon. Arrangements are in the care and direction of Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Vernon.

B. Effie Ridenour
MOUNT VERNON — B. Effie Ridenour, 78, of Mount Vernon died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at the Whispering Hills Care Center in Mount Vernon.

Effie was born March 26, 1926, in Chillicothe to William and Lusinda (Peters) Stevens and had lived most of her lifetime in Knox County. She had been employed at several area restaurants. Effie was a faithful member of the First Church of God on Pine Street in Mount Vernon.

Surviving are her two daughters, Paulette (Phil) Rine of Mount Vernon and Theresa Ridenour of Columbus; her son, Donald (Patricia) Ridenour Jr. of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren, Penny Rine, Mike Rine, Ronald Ray Ridenour and Tami Jo Ridenour; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Heston and Ryan Heston; and her brother, Eugene Stevens of Fredericktown.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Ridenour Sr.; a son, Ronald Ray Ridenour; two sisters, Marguerite Stevens and Mabel Davis; and three brothers, Clarence Stevens, Archie Stevens and Marshall Stevens.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the First Church of God on Pine Street in Mount Vernon. The Rev. William Fulda will officiate. Burial will follow in Mound View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God, 10 Pine St., Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary and online condolences are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Maxine M. Werber
WARSAW — Maxine Marion Werber, 89, of 42654 U.S. 36, Warsaw, died Aug. 14, 2004, at her residence.

She was born Dec. 10, 1914, in Coshocton County to William and Lela (Bantum) Maxwell. She was a member of the Warsaw Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Warsaw Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.

She is survived by a daughter, Kathy (Glenn) Allen of Warsaw; five grandchildren, Beth Kuisel of Kentucky, Tammy Echard of Dresden, Leanne Allen of Warsaw, Patty (Tim) Mercer of Conesville and Randy Allen of Coshocton; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Werber, whom she married Oct. 5, 1936. He died Jan. 20, 1982.

Funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw with the Rev. Ron Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Prairie Chapel Cemetery. Visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. and until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Coshocton County, P.O. Box 1284, Coshocton 43812.