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Mary Catherine "Mollie" (McKnight) Pratton was born on Aug. 23, 1875 in Fayette City, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Henry and Martha (Nutt) McKnight. 

On Christmas Eve 1895, when she was age 20, Mollie was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with 24-year-old Joseph Benjamin Pratton Jr. (June 20, 1871-1944) at Brownsville, Fayette County. Rev. W. Scott Bowman performed the ceremony.

An immigrant from England, Joseph was the son of Joseph B. and Martha (Badman) Pratten Sr., who had first settled in Brownsville and later in Wheeling, Ohio County, WV after emigrating to the United States in about 1887, when Joseph was age 16.

(The spelling of "Pratton" and "Pratten" alternates in this branch.) 

The Prattons together produced a family of 11 children -- Alice Hogg Christoff, Joseph Henry Pratten, John Wilgus Pratten, Dora Constance Kimmel Beadling, Theodore Roosevelt Pratten, Gertrude Stevens Boyd, Eleanor Coulter White, Edward Freeman Pratten, Elizabeth Valerie Beust, Mary "Viola" Uram and William Quinton Pratton.

Sadly, son Edward, born on March 13, 1912, contracted acute indigestion at the age of two years, nine months. He succumbed in his mother's arms at 5 a.m. on Christmas 1914, with his tender remains buried in Canonsburg at Oak Spring Cemetery.

The Prattons initially resided at Fayette City near Brownsville. Later, in about 1913, they moved to Canonsburg, Washington County, PA.

Joseph was employed at the Budke steel mill, and they were members of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Canonsburg. 

During World War I, Molly suffered through the tragic death of her brother William, killed in a railroad accident in France, and the devastating poison-gas and shrapnel wounding of her brother Charles. When brother Charles returned stateside, he sent Mollie a letter from a convalescent hospital in New Jersey, writing: "I done my best, but I will never be able to do another day's work." 

Then, during World War II, the family worried as son William Quinton Pratton and several grandsons served overseas with the U.S. Armed Forces. The Prattons' address in the 1940s was 212 Gowern Street in Canonsburg.

Suffering from senility at the age of 72, Joseph died at home on March 8, 1944. Pallbearers at his funeral included Roy Pratton, James Boyd, Theodore Christoff, Richard Beadling, Francis Beadling and William Radcliffe. Musical selections were performed by Mrs. Charles Taylor, Mrs. Frank Grimm, Amy Crawford and Ralph Steiner, accompanied by Mrs. Fred Townrow. Son William was away in military service at the time, stationed in Oklahoma.

As a widow, Mollie moved into the home of her married daughter Viola Uram in Strabane and then Canonsburg. 

When she became ill in the 1950s, she moved in with daughter Eleanor White in a home on Main Street in Wampum, Lawrence County, PA. She enjoyed returning to Canonsburg for visits. She remained in the Whites' residence in Wampum for the final three years of her life.

Burdened with hardening of the arteries, Mollie was stricken by a cerebral hemorrhage and died on Jan. 12, 1961, at the age of 86. Her remains were returned to Canonsburg for burial beside her husband at Oak Spring Cemetery. In her obituary, the Connellsville Daily Courier said she was survived by 37 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Nursing runs deep in this family. Daughter Viola Uram was a nurse, working at Canonsburg General Hospital and later at the Washington County Health Center. Daughter in law Evelyn (Wooliscroft) Pratton, a graduate of the first class of Canonsburg General's nursing school, was a nurse at Canonsburg General and was the school nurse in the Canonsburg school system. Daughter Eleanor White was a registered nurse in Canonsburg and after raising children went back to work full time at the Ellwood City Hospital. 

~ Daughter Alice Hogg (Pratton) Christoff ~ 

Daughter Alice Hogg Pratton (1897-1981) was born on Dec. 30, 1897 in Fayette City.

On March 20, 1916, when she was age 19, Alice married Charles Joseph Christoff Sr. ( ? - ? ), the son of John and Anna (Weiser) Christoff. 

They bore six children together -- Anna "Catherine" Moskal, Charles Joseph Christoff Jr., Grace "Irene" Harding, Theodore Honus Christoff, John Francis Christoff and Elizabeth "Valerie" Pollockk Hutchison. 

Seen here: Alice poses with her daughter Anna Catherine and son in law Harry Moskal and new baby granddaughter Mary Alice Moskal.

Their home was at 531 Vercheck Drive in Houston in 1950 and later at 5 Iron Street in Canonsburg.

Alice died on June 22, 1981 at Cambridge Springs, at the age of 84. She rests for eternity in Forest Lawn Cemetery in McMurray, PA. 

Daughter Anna "Catherine" Christoff (1916-1998) was born on Aug. 6, 1916 in Canonsburg, Washington County, PA. On March 31, 1934, at the age of 17, she wed Harry Moskal ( ? - ? ), a native of New Castle, PA. Church of God pastor Rev. C.B. Barcus officiated at their marriage ceremony, held in Brooke County, WV. On her marriage license, Catherine fibbed that her age was 21. An interesting twist is that Catherine's first cousin, Viola Pratton, became married to Harry Uram on the same date and place by the same pastor. The children born into this family were Mary Alice Wisniewski and Robert Harry Moskal. The couple relocated to Baltimore.

• Granddaughter Mary Alice Moskal (1937- ? ) was born on Feb. 26, 1937 in Canonsburg, PA. On Dec. 18, 1953, she tied the marital cord with Benjamin Joseph Wisniewski ( ? - ? ). Four children of this family were Michael Charles Wisniewski, Gregg Joseph Wisniewski, Keith Harry Wisniewski and Tammy Catherine Wisniewski. They made their home in Baltimore, MD

  Great-grandson Michael Charles Wisniewski (1956- ? ) was born in 1956 in Baltimore.

  Great-grandson Gregg Joseph Wisniewski (1958- ? ) was born in 1958 in Baltimore.

  Great-grandson Keith Harry Wisniewski (1964- ? ) was born in 1964 in Baltimore.

  Great-granddaughter Tammy Catherine Wisniewski (1966- ? ) was born in 1966 in Baltimore.

• Grandson Robert Harry Moskal (1939- ? ) was born on July 7, 1939 in Canonsburg, PA. At the age of 23, on Jan. 5, 1963, he entered into marriage with Carolyn Peterson ( ? - ? ). Their nuptials were held in Maryland. Their trio of offspring include Tracey Angela Moskal, Michael Anthony Moskal and Alicia Lyn Moskal. The family put down roots in Baltimore, MD.

  Great-granddaughter Tracey Angela Moskal (1964- ? ) was born in 1964 in Baltimore.

  Great-grandson Michael Anthony Moskal (1966- ? ) was born in 1966 in Baltimore.

  Great-granddaughter Alicia Lyn Moskal (1970-- ? ) was born in 1970 in Baltimore.

Son Charles Joseph Christoff Jr. (1918-1970) was born on Feb. 13, 1918 in Canonsburg. On June 29, 1944, he married Mildred K. Custer (1927-2012), daughter of George H. Custer of Pittsburgh. They bore at least two children -- Charles J. Christoff III and Nancy Masterovsky.  The Christoffs' address in 1970 was 112 Murdock Street, Canonsburg, and he was employed as a crane operator for the Fort Pitt Bridge Works. They belonged to the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where he held the offices of elder and trustee. He also was a member of the Knights of Pythias in Canonsburg. The family was plunged into anxiety when Charles Jr. was diagnosed in about 1968 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- "Lou Gehrig's Disease" -- a degeneration of the brain and spinal cord weakening the muscles. After a decline of two years' duration, he passed away at home on March 22, 1970, at the age of 52. An obituary appeared in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. Mildred outlived her husband by 32 years. She was a librarian with Greater Canonsburg Public Library for more than half a century. She retired in 1999, having begun her career as a page at the age of 12, and retiring as head librarian, a position she held for 31 years. She also was active with the Canonsburg Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church. In her later years, Mildred moved to Arizona to be closer to her married daughter. She died in Chandler, AZ on Nov. 4, 2012, at the age of 85. Her remains were returned to Western Pennsylvania for burial in Oak Springs Cemetery.

• Grandson Charles J. Christoff III ( ? - ? ) may have been deceased by 1970.

• Granddaughter Nancy Lee Christoff (1947-2014) was born in Nov. 1947 in Canonsburg. She was a 1965 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and in 1967 earned a degree from Robert Morris Junior College, today a university. She tied the marital cord with Michael J. Masterovsky ( ? - ? ). They lived in Pittsburgh's Forest Hills community in 1970 and bore three children -- Michael Masterovsky, Brian Masterovsky and Jennifer Hartrick. The family moved to Saginaw, MI during the child-raising years. There, Nancy earned a living as a legal secretary. Then in February 2003, they relocated again to Chandler, AZ and stayed for good. Said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Nancy was an avid reader, loved the "simple" things in life and devoted her time to loving her family." Sadly, at the age of 66, Nancy passed away in Chandler's Archstone Care Facility on June 9, 2014. A celebration of her life was held in the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church.

  Great-grandson Michael Masterovsky ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson Brian Masterovsky married or is a companion of Brenda Rivera. She has a son, Earl Rivera.

  Great-granddaughter Jennifer Masterovsky wed Troy Hartrick. Two children of this coupling are Luke Gregory Hartrick and Taylor Ella Hartrick. 

1992 obituary

Daughter Grace "Irene" Christoff (1923-1992) -- nicknamed "Rene" -- was born on Aug. 28, 1923 in Canonsburg. On Nov. 9, 1947, when she was age 24, Irene married World War II veteran John W. "Kayo" Hardy (Sept. 20, 1923-2005), originally from Dunbar Township, Fayette County and the son of John William and Bessie (Smitley) Hardy. During the war, John served in the U.S. Army and was a recipient of the Purple Heart for combat injuries received in France. Together, they produced a family of five children -- John Charles Hardy, Joseph M. Hardy, Mike J. Hardy, Bruce A. Hardy and Theodora "Teddi" Hagerman Drews. Irene and John spent most of their married lives in the Sandy Run community of Greensboro, Greene County. John was a longtime employee at the Warwick Mine of Duquesne Light Company at Greensboro. He was president of the Duquesne Light Local 6310 for about two decades. They attended Faith Church of the Nazarene, and in his free time John liked to fish. Later, in 1988, they relocated to Carmichaels, Cumberland Township, Greene County. Sadly, Irene died at the age of 68 on March 19, 1992, in Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, WV. At her passing, she was survived by 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. John outlived his bride by a baker's dozen years, remaining in Carmichaels. He passed away in Greene County Memorial Hospital at the age of 81 on March 7, 2005. Rev. John M. Bauer led the funeral service.

• Grandson John Charles Hardy ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Judy and resided in Uniontown. Later he married Carol and in 2024 made a home in Connellsville, PA.

• Grandson Joseph Melvin Hardy (1951-2024) was born on July 28, 1951. He was a 1970 graduate of Mapletown High School and played football for the school's undefeated Maple teams of 1968 and 1969. He joined the U.S. Air Force in May 1970, during the Vietnam War, and served until 1974. He continued his military service for two more years with the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania, bearing the rank of sergeant. In December 1973, he was united in matrimony with Mary Ann ( ? - ? ). They stayed together over the thick and thin of a remarkable 51-plus years, putting down roots in Crucible, PA. Four daughters of this union were Dawn R. Bellan, Tammy M. Hardy, Amanda R. Konkus and Joey Udovich. Joseph became a coal miner and spent 14 years at the Buckeye Coal Mine in Nemacolin, PA and Emerald Mine in Waynesburg. He survived two cave-ins in the Buckeye mine and decided to leave that line of work. Joseph became a federal coal mine inspector for the U.S. Mine and Safety Health Administration and continued for 22 years. Then in 2012, he joined the MSHA's litigation division. In his free time he liked to fly fish in the Casselman River in Grantsville, MD and hunting turkey and deer in Greensboro or the Hargett farms in Maryland. Said an obituary, "He absolutely loved his time out hunting, fishing, shooting guns, swimming in the creeks, riding ATVs, metal detecting, looking for arrowheads, etc." He also was an avid Civil War scholar and reader and made annual spring and fall trips to the Gettysburg National Battlefield with his daughters. In 2024, two bricks were placed in his honor at the Abraham Lincoln statue in the town circle by his daughters. His final years included watching his grandchildren run cross-country, play in the marching band and serve in the U.S. Air Force. After contracting cancer, he died at home at age 73 on Oct. 5, 2024. His funeral mass was held in St. Hugh Catholic Church in Carmichaels. Burial of the remains was in St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Crucible.

  Great-granddaughter Dawn R. Hardy wed (?) Bellan. She has lived in Inwood, WV.

  Great-granddaughter Tammy M. Hardy resides in Clarksburg, MD.

  Great-granddaughter Amanda R. Hardy wed Brody Konkus. They settled in Ranson, WV.

  Great-granddaughter Joey Hardy entered into marriage with Mike Udovich. Circa 2024, they were in Rices Landing, PA.

• Grandson Michael J. Hardy ( ? - ? ) married Lorrie. They put down roots in Bobtown, Greene County, PA.

• Grandson Bruce A. Hardy ( ? - ? ) wed Angie. Circa 2005-2024, they were in Carmichaels, PA.

• Granddaughter Theodora "Teddi" Hardy has been married twice. One spouse was (?) Hagerman ( ? - ? ). Later, she tied the knot with (?) Drews ( ? - ? ). Her dwelling-place in 2005-2024 was in Canton, OH.

Universal Cyclops offices, Bridgeville

Son Theodore Honus Christoff (1925-1995) was born on Dec. 2, 1925 in Canonsburg, Washington County. He attended Canonsburg High School and then obtained employment with Bethlehem Steel Company at its plant at Sparrow Point near Baltimore, MD. Two days after his 23rd birthday, on Dec. 5, 1948, he was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Irene Helen Rozanc (Oct. 23, 1927-1969). She was a native of White Valley, Westmoreland County, PA, the daughter of Anthony and Josephine (Luzer) Rozanc of Moninger, Washington County and a 1945 graduate of Chartiers High School. They exchanged their wedding vows in Baltimore, officiated by Rev. G. Empie of the Lutheran Memorial Church. In announcing the happy event, the Canonsburg Daily Notes said that "For the occasion the bride wore a gray wool ensemble." Prior to marriage, Irene worked for the Tygart Valley Glass Company in Washington. The newlywed Christoffs made their first home in Baltimore, where Theodore's married sister Anna Catherine Moskal also was living. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, Theodore continued his work in Baltimore as a tin loader for a tin mill, and Irene generated income as a bill clerk for a retail department store. Later, they moved back to Washington County, making their dwelling-place in Houston, PA. The pair bore four children -- Charles Anthony Christoff, Janet Lynne Christoff, Josie Christoff and Theodore Christoff. Theodore served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Irene was employed at Mayview State Hospital as an attendant. Their postal address in the late 1960s was 139 Fourth Street in Houston.  Circa 1968-1969, son Charles served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam. Irene contracted acute bronchitis and over the next two days developed acute pulmonary embolus and edema. She was admitted for treatment at Canonsburg General Hospital. Sadly, she died there at the age 41 on Jan. 10, 1969. Theodore outlived his wife by 26 years, and moved from Houston to the city of Washington. In 1971, he endured the heartache of the horrific motorcycle crash of his eldest son followed by 18 months of lingering until the son's death. He was employed for many years as a crane operator at Universal Cyclops Steel Corporation in Bridgeville. Theodore passed away at the age of 69 on Feb. 24, 1995, with burial in Forest Lawn Gardens in McMurray.

• Grandson Charles Anthony Christoff (1950-1971) was born on Sept. 19, 1950 in Baltimore, MD. He moved with his parents to Houston, Washington County in his youth and was a 1968 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. He made a home in young manhood at 139 Fourth Street, Houston, PA. Circa 1968-1971, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including deployment to Vietnam. Tragically, while home on leave, Charles was critically injured in a late-night motorcycle accident on June 6, 1970, fracturing his skull. The Canonsburg Daily Notes reported that the "accident happened at East Grant and North Main Streets in Houston." He was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh and lingered for nearly 18 months. Death swept him away at age 21 on Nov. 28, 1971. Burial was in Forest Lawn Gardens. Famed forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, at the time the Allegheny County Coroner, investigated the cause of death.

• Granddaughter Janet Lynne Christoff ( ? - ? ) was a 1970 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. She earned a living in young womanhood with the GeeBee Department Store in Washington. On April 22, 1972, she tied the marital cord with John Paul Senkinc ( ? - ? ), son of John Senkinc of 412 Euclid Avenue in Canonsburg. The nuptials were held in St. Patrick's Church, by the hand of Rev. Fr. Joseph Capezzuto. The happy event was announced in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, which said that the bride "appeared in a floor length, bouffant gown of rosepoint lace styled with a molded basque bodice that featured pearl accent at the high stand-up neckline and on the long. full bishop sleeves. The bouffant front skirt was accented with scrolls, and ruffles fell into a chapel sweep. Her bouffant veil of layered silk illusion was attached to a lace water lily caplet." John Paul was a 1970 graduate of Canon-McMillan Senior High School and at the time of marriage employed in Finleyville by Vicker Brothers Chevrolet. They made their first home in Washington. Over the years, Janet has been employed at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

• Granddaughter Josie Christoff ( ? - ? ) grew up in Houston, PA. She is a resident of Muse, PA.

• Grandson Theodore Christoff ( ? - ? )

Daughter Elizabeth "Valerie" Christoff ( ?- ? ) was an alumna of Canonsburg High School. She appears to have been twice-married. Her first husband, whom she wed on Sept. 16, 1950, was Harry E. Pollock ( ? - ? ), also a Canonsburg High graduate and at the time a resident of Butler, PA. The wedding ceremony was led by Rev. Ward R. Smith in the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The Canonsburg Daily Notes announced the happy event, saying that the bride "wore a pink marquisette dress with v-neckline, short sleeves and bouffant skirt. Her shoulder-length circular veil was caught in a white cap and long white gloves completed her ensemble. Her shoulder corsage was of white roses with a pink satin ribbon background." At the time of marriage, Harry had just completed a three-year term of service with the U.S. Air Corps. They became the parents of one daughter, Wendy Bodnar Stants. Then on Jan. 13, 1962, she was joined in wedlock with her second spouse, Vincent Hutchison ( ? - ? ). They resided for years at 348 Elcona Drive. At the age of 74, Valerie died in Canonsburg General Hospital on Aug. 25, 2008. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

• Granddaughter Wendy Pollock ( ? - ? ) attended Trinity High School in Washington. She was twice-wed. In 1971, she married her first husband, William C. Bodnar ( ? - ? ). She was pictured in a wedding announcement in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. William was a 1970 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, and at the time of marriage was a manager-trainee with McDonald's in Washington. The couple lived in Canonsburg, and their one known son was William V. Bodnar. Her second spouse was (?) Stants. Their only son was Shaun Stants. Wendy's place of residence in 2008 was in Canonsburg. 

~ Son Joseph Henry Pratten Sr. ~ 

Son Joseph Henry Pratten Sr. (1898-1933) was born on July 31, 1898 in Fayette City. 

He resided in young manhood on Third Avenue in the Bernstein Plan of Canonsburg.

Joseph appears to have studied at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and circa 1918 was enrolled in Students Army Training during World War I. He was honorably discharged from this service on Dec. 20, 1918. About that same time, he earned a living as a draftsman with the Pennsylvania Railroad, with an office in Pittsburgh's Union Station.

The Pennsylvania Railroad's office building at Union Station in Pittsburgh, where Joseph H. Pratten Sr. worked as a draftsman in 1918-1920

He married Irene Agra Bruce ( ? - ? ) on June 3, 1922. 

They produced a brood of four children -- Marjorie Louise Stratton, Mary Ellen Sherman, Carolyn Spinney and Joseph Henry Pratten Jr.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Prattons dwelled on Margaret Street in Baldwin Borough near Pittsburgh, with Joseph earning a living as a draftsman for an engineering company. Within a year or two, the family pulled up stakes and relocated to Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, NY.

Tragically, Joseph contracted a deadly case of pneumonia around the start of the new year 1933. No recovery was possible, and he died at home at the age of 34 on Jan. 6, 1933, leaving behind his widow and four young children, two of whom also were suffering from the disease. The funeral rites were officiated by Rev. Alexander B. MacLeod of the First Congregational Church. The Canonsburg Daily Notes reported that due to "the widespread sickness and deaths in Poughkeepsie, a physician of that place [was] advising the relatives not to go there." Due to the contagious nature of his final illness, the remains initially were placed in a vault in New York City. Eventually, perhaps in the spring of 1933, they were laid to rest in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Irene lived at 11 East Cedar Street in Poughkeepsie in 1948 and at 19 East Cedar in 1955-1956, working in the kitchen of the New York Telephone Company. She married again to Geoffrey Carlton ( ? - ? ). As of 1969, the Carltons made their dwelling-place in Elizabethtown, NY. 

Daughter Marjorie Louise Pratten (1923- ? ) was born on June 20, 1923. In young womanhood she relocated to Poughkeepsie, NY. On Oct. 17, 1943, she entered into marriage with World War II veteran John Henry Stratton Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of John H. Stratton Sr. They exchanged their vows at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, by the hand of Rev. Roland J. Bunten. The happy news was printed in the Poughkeepsie Journal. During the war, John was stationed at Camp Breckinridge, KY. Together the pair bore at least three children, John Henry Stratton III, Lynda Louise Stratton and Robert Kenneth Stratton. Circa 1945, John was employed by IBM, and in a tool maker training program. Their address was 350 Manson Street.

• Grandson John Henry Stratton III  (1944- ? ) was born in 1944.

• Granddaughter Lynda Louise Stratton (1946- ? ) was born in 1946.

• Grandson Robert Kenneth Stratton (1951- ? ) was born in 1951.

Daughter Mary Ellen Pratten (1926-1969) was born on April 23, 1926 or April 30, 1927 in Canonsburg. She migrated in her youth to Poughkeepsie, NY and was a 1945 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School. She then became employed by Western Printing and Lithographic Company. On June 13, 1948, when she was 22 years of age, Mary Ellen was united in matrimony with high school classmate John G. Sherman ( ? - ? ), son of Mary Sherman of Rose Street in Poughkeepsie. They exchanged their vows of marriage in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, by the hand of Rev. Roland J. Bunten. In announcing the happy event, the Poughkeepsie Journal said she "was gowned in white slipper satin designed with a cowl neckline, long sleeves pointed at the wrists, fitted bodice, and a deep peplum, open in the front and falling in soft folds over a full skirt, which terminated in a long train. Her finger tip veil of French illusion was caught to a small crown of seed pearsl and she carried a crescent bouquet of white gladioli centered with white orchids." At the time of their marriage, John had completed two years of service in the U.S. Navy and was working for the New York Telephone Company. Two children produced by their coupling were John M. Sherman and Jo Ann Sherman. The couple appears to have resided in Poughkeepsie and then settled in Cranston, RI, and were there in the late 1960s. Mary Ellen wed a second time to Richard Murphy ( ? - ? ). The family was plunged into mourning when Mary Ellen died in Kent County Hospital in Warwick, RI at the age of 43 on Oct. 14, 1969. Her obituary appeared in the Poughkeepsie Journal. The body was transported for interment next to her father in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

• Grandson John M. Sherman (1951- ? ) was born in 1951. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1969. 

• Granddaughter Jo Ann Sherman (1949- ? ) was born in 1949. She resided in 1969 in Poughkeepsie, NY. 

Carolyn Spinney Courtesy Susan Patterson

Daughter Carolyn Pratten (1929-living) was born on March 21, 1929. She grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY and was an alumna of Poughkeepsie High School. Carolyn was trained as a nurse at the Vassar Hospital School of Nursing. Then in September 1951, during the Korean War, she joined the U.S. Air Force Nursing Corps. While posted to Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, ME, she met her future husband Lt. Richard Chaplin Spinney (March 23, 1927-2015), son of Charles L. Spinney of Cranston, RI. Their nuptials were held on Nov. 2, 1952 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie, led by Rev. William T. Gray. In reporting on the happy event, the Poughkeepsie Journal published Carolyn's bridal portrait and said that she "wore a gown of blush pink tulle and slipper satin, made with a fitted bodice, long pointed sleeves and a full skirt. Her fingertip veil of blush pink was caught to a cap of lace and she carried a bouquet of vanity fair roses with white stephanotis." They settled in Warwick, RI. The three children they produced together were Alane Carter Spinney, Gregg Spinney and Lauren Confreda. Richard was a graduate of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and Allied Services. He enlisted in the Air Force in May 1951 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. While in the service, he received additional training at the Medical Service Corps School at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. The newlyweds first lived in Hampden Highland, ME. He received his designation as a registered pharmacist and owned and operated Gateway Pharmacy. Their home address in 1955, at the birth of their daughter Alane, was 6 Hawthorne Street. Sadly, Richard died in Coventry on Jan. 26, 2015. His memorial service was conducted in St. Barnabus Episcopal Church of Warwick. His obituary was published in the Providence Journal. In more recent years the widowed Carolyn has dwelled in Coventry.

Carolyn Spinney in more recent years - courtesy Susan (White) Patterson

• Granddaughter Alane Carter Spinney (1955- ? ) was born in 1955 in Kent County Hospital. News of her birth was announced on the pages of the Poughkeepsie Journal. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design. In Sept. 1980, she was pictured in a Racine (WI) Journal-Times article about the finer points of bartending. She also is believed to be an artist in the realm of watercolor landscapes. She has been employed as an assistant professor of communication and digital media at Carthage College.

• Grandson Gregg Spinney (1957- ? ) was born in 1957. As of 2015, he was in Long Beach, MS

• Granddaughter Lauren Spinney ( ? - ? ) - On July 22, 1988, she was joined in wedlock with James W. Confreda ( ? - ? ), son of Confreda of Dr. Pasquale and Anna M. (Paolo) Confreda of Warwick, RI. They became the parents of three -- Crystal Lagor, Kelsey Lynn Confreda and Jill Mary Confreda.

Son Joseph Henry Pratten Jr. (1932-2024) was born on July 14, 1932 in Canonsburg. He relocated to Poughkeepsie, NY and was a 1950 graduate of Wappingers Falls Central School. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduation and served during the Korean War, training as an interior communications electrician. He was assigned to the destroyer Daniel A. Joy and deployed to the Great Lakes, and in all served for four years of duty. Back home, he joined the employ of the New York Telephone Company. In 1956, he is known to have shared a residence with his widowed mother and cousin Bruce at 19 East Cedar. His occupation at that time was as installer-repairman for the telephone company. In 1960, he was joined in wedlock with Janet Pacejka (1932-1963), daughter of Joseph Martin and Charlotte (Werle) Pacejka. Two offspring of this brief union were Nancy Young and Joseph Pratten. Grief upended their world when Janet died on Feb. 23, 1963 after just three years together. Funeral rites were held in the New Hackensack Reformed Church, with a brief obituary appearing in the Poughkeepsie Journal. Her remains were lowered under the sod of New Hackensack Cemetery in Wappingers Falls, NY. Later that same year, Joseph was united in matrimony with Francesca Garcia ( ? - ? ). Evidence suggests that she brought a stepdaughter into their family, Rafaella Bender Diershaw ( ? - ? ). The second marriage endured the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 61 years. They produced one daughter of their own, Gabriella Flach. The family lived in Leeds, NY in 1969 and eventually settled on a farm in Catskill, NY. Joseph retired from New York Telephone in 1985 and then turned his attention to confectionary delights -- "selling his fine chocolates and ice cream cakes in his store, The Candyman of Catskill," said an obituary. "He had a passion for flying and earned his pilot's license in 1972. An active community member, he led the Catskill Rotary Club as president and when he retired to Port St. Lucie, FL, led the Port St. Lucie Breakfast Club as president for two terms. Joe had a winning personality, charming to all who know him." Sadly, just one day before what would have been his 92nd birthday, he died on July 13, 2024. Conducting his funeral rites was Pastor Rick Snowden of Catskill's Community Life Church.

• Granddaughter Nancy Pratten (1962-2012) was born on Jan. 3, 1962 in Poughkeepsie. She spent most ofer  life in Greene County, NY and was a graduate of Catskill High School (1980) and the State University of New York at Farmingdale. Nancy entered into marriage with Robert Young ( ? - ? ). One daughter was born in this family, Rachel Young. Said an obituary, she "worked for The Hair Loss Control Clinic in Latham for three years as their bookkeeper... Nancy had many friends and loved hiking and spending time in the Adirondacks." Sadly, she was diagnosed with cancer. As a patient at The Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, she died on June 13, 2012 at the age of 50. Burial was in Athens (NY) Rural Cemetery. Inscribed on her grave marker is the epitaph, "To know her was to love her."

• Grandson Joseph Henry Pratten III ( ? - ? ) wed Sonja. They are known to be the parents of at least three daughters -- Jessica Pratten, Brittany Rose Pratten and Emily Pratten.

• Step-granddaughter Rafaella appears to have been twice-wed, first to (?) Bender and later to Kris Diershaw ( ? - ? ). 

• Granddaughter Gabriella Pratten tied the knot with Mark Flach.

~ Son John Wilgus Pratten Sr. ~ 

John's 1955 book

Son John Wilgus Pratten Sr. (1900-1979) was born on Oct. 18, 1900 in Fayette City.

He was a college teacher and painter whose work decorates Sea World's entrance in Florida. 

On Sept. 2, 1924, when he was age 24, John married 20-year-old Daisy Bruce (Aug. 13, 1904-2004) in Canonsburg. 

They had four children -- John Wilgus Pratten Jr., Barry Pratten, Bruce Pratten and Wayne Pratten. 

The Prattons moved to the Hudson Valley, NY in 1929, settling in Poughkeepsie. They were very active in the Duchess County Art Association, and he worked creating display advertising, and teaching portrait and landscape painting. During the 1940s and early '50s, they managed the Wayman Adams summer art school in Elizabethtown, NY, in the center of the Adirondack Mountains. 

They later relocated to St. Augustine, FL, where John ran art classes and was active in local art association. In 1955, he authored the book Portrait Painting for Beginners.  It was reprinted at least twice.  In July 2000, a search of the Internet identified six booksellers in the U.S. and Canada who had this rare volume on their shelves. 

John passed away on March 30, 1979, at the age of 78.

Daisy outlived her husband by 25-plus years. Her final home was at Sunrise Cottage Assisted Living in Rochester, MN. there, at age 100, she was cleaved away by the grim reapeer on Dec. 29, 2004. Her obituary ran in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Son John Wilgus Pratten Jr. (1925-2005) was born in 1925. He married Marjorie VanBenschoten ( ? - ? ), daughter of Arthur and Mildred (Coon) VanBenschoten. She was a graduate of the Wappingers Falls High School. John served in the US Navy during World War II as a gunner on the destroyer Hulsey Powell. After the war, he studied at Rhode Island State College. In 1956, they moved to Rochester, NY where he was employed by IBM for 43 years. He was active in the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also sang in the IBM Male Chorus and in barbershop quartet groups. John surrendered to the angel of death on June 20, 2005. His remains were placed next to his mother's in the columbarium of the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester, MN. Marjorie has outlived her spouse by many years.

Son Barry Pratten ( ? - ? ) studied at the Jerry Farnsworth Art School in Sarasota, FL in 1951.

Son Bruce Pratten ( ? - ? ) He wed Barbara L. ( ? - ? ). In 1956, he and Barbara shared a home with his widowed aunt Irene Pratten in Poughkeepsie, at 19 East Cedar, and generated income as a billboard artist.

Son Wayne Pratten ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Dora Constance (Pratton) Beadling Kimmel ~ 

Daughter Dora Constance Pratton (1903-1975) was born on Jan. 26, 1903 in Washington County, PA. 

When she was 17 years of age, on July 6, 1920, she tied the marital cord with her first husband, John William "Wild Bill" Beadling (April 7, 1897-1976), a native of Coal Bluff, Washington County, and the son of John and Minerva (Walters) Beadling. William was a veteran of World War I.

Their five children were William Curtis Beadling, Charles Thomas Beadling, Francis Jerome Beadling, Richard Vernon Beadling and Shirley June Coffey Junkins.

In the late 1910s and early 1920s, they made their residence in Pittsburgh. By 1923, they apparently had moved back to Canonsburg, Washington County. 

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Beadlings made a home in Millvale near Pittsburgh. There, William earned a living as a rigger in an iron works. Back in Canonsburg in 1940, he worked as a heater in tin mill. The family address in 1942-1944 was 207 Bernstein Avenue.

During World War II, their sons Charles and Francis served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

By 1970, the couple had divorced. William moved to Deer Park, near Houston, TX. Suffering from cancer of the pancreas and liver, caused by alcoholism, he passed away in Houston's Memorial City Hospital on Oct. 5, 1976, at the age of 79. His remains were cremated. 

Dora wed her second spouse, Frank Kimmel ( ? - ? ). She was employed for a time by the Clark Candy Factory, Pittsburgh, maker of the famed "Clark Bar." She also earned a living as a clerk for Gimbels Department Store and retired in 1970. She belonged to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Canonsburg.

Dora suffered through the tragic stabbing death of her 49-year-old son Charles on Aug. 5, 1970, in an argument at her home in the Dolanch Trailer Court in Canonsburg.

In retirement, Dora moved to Pasadena, TX. Suffering from cancer, she passed away there in Pasadena General Hospital, at the age of 72, on Jan. 9, 1975. Her remains were brought back to Canonsburg for interment in Oak Spring Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Press. She was survived by 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Circa 1975, all of Dora's living adult children lived in Pasadena. 

Son William Curtis Beadling (1919-2014) was born in May 1919 or on April 13, 1921 in Houston, Washington County, PA. On Jan. 3, 1942, when he was 22 years of age, he married Ethel Leona Wicks ( ? -2007), daughter of Edgar Wicks of Eighty-Four, Washington County, PA. Their wedding was held in the manse of the South Canonsburg Church, officiated by Rev. Evelyn H. Kemper, and announced in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. "The bride wore an aqua blue street dress with black accessories and a corsage of yellow rosebuds," reported the Daily Notes. The went on to become the parents of four known children -- Ethel Leona Beadling, Charles Thomas Beadling Jr., June Lee Simpson, Leona Mae DeWalt and Joseph William Beadling. The newlyweds made their home at 240 Grace Avenue in Canonsburg. They were plunged into mourning when, on May 1, 1942, their daughter Ethel Leona died of a premature birth in Canonsburg General Hospital, with interment of the remains in Oak Springs Cemetery. William is known to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II and to have received his honorable discharge on Oct. 24, 1942. For years, William owned and operated a shop in Eighty-Four, "where he repaired wrecked automobiles to look like new," said an obituary. He then went to work for Cooper Industries, retiring in 1984. Their final home together was in Washington. Sadness shrouded the family when Ethel passed away on Jan. 22, 2007. He spent three of his later years at Personal Care at Evergreen in Washington and then moved to Southmont of Presbyterian Senior Care. There, at the age of 93, William died on July 24, 2014. He was survived by eight grtandchildren, a dozen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. The remains were placed into eternal sleep in Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

• Granddaughter June Lee Beadling ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She tied the marital cord with George Simpson. As of 2014, they dwelled in Washington, PA.

• Granddaughter Leona Mae Beadling ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She joined hands in marriage with Duane DeWalt. The couple resided in Washington, PA in 2014.

• Grandson Joseph William Beadling ( ? -1983) died on Sept. 2, 1983, at the age of 37. 

Son Charles Thomas Beadling (1921-1970) was born on May 14, 1921 in Pittsburgh. He married Geneva Neadeanne Conn (1927- ? ), the daughter of Joseph and Edna (Augustine) Conn of Confluence, Somerset County, PA. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, seeing activity in the European-African-Middle East campaign. Charles and Geneva had six children -- Constance Eileen Gibbs Kinnick, Charles Thomas Beadling Jr., John Francis Beadling, Richard Stanley Beadling, Joseph Ryan Beadling and Jeffrey Dean Beadling. Domestic tragedy descended upon the family on Aug. 5, 1970 when the 49-year-old Charles was stabbed at his mother's trailer home in Canonsburg and was rushed to Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. "The altercation began inside the trailer and when they lunged outside the stabbing followed," said the Canonsburg Daily Notes. His son Charles Jr. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was imprisoned. Geneva married again by 1972 to (?) Cowden.

• Granddaughter Constance Eileen Beadling ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in wedlock with Curtis Allen Gibbs ( ? - ? ), a Vietnam War veteran. One known daughter born to this couple was Jamie Gibbs. They made a home in Kentucky in 1970 and then moved to Germany in 1973 where Curtis was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. Later, they dwelled in the Meadowlands section of Washington. The family was plunged into grief when Curtis was killed in a motorcycle accident in Key West, FL on Aug. 27, 1976. Constance married a second time, to (?) Kinnick.

• Grandson Charles Thomas Beadling Jr. (1952- ? ) was born in about 1952. At the age of 18, having been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, he resided in the Meadowlands section of Washington, Washington County. On the horrific night of Aug. 5, 1970, when arguing at his grandmother's home, he stabbed his father, who died soonafter. The Canonsburg Daily Notes reported that Charles initially was imprisoned in Washington County Jail. Less than a month after the killing, he was united in holy matrimony with Angela Lee Rubis ( ? - ? ), daughter of Mesdeo and Mary Rubis. The nuptials were held in the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Richard Berggren officiating. At the time of marriage, Angela was employed by Gimbel Bros. department store. The couple became the parents of Crystal Marie Beadling. The newlyweds' first address was 119 Greenwood Drive in Canonsburg. Within the year, Charles pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a correctional institution at Camp Hill, PA. In making his ruling, a judge noted Charles' "good military service record and testimony by character witnesses..."

• Grandson John Francis Beadling ( ? -2012) was born on (?) in Washington, PA. On May 20, 1972, in nuptials held at the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, he first was united in matrimony with Donna Mae Urbas ( ? -2006), daughter of Joseph M. and Ella Mae (Ewig) Urbas. Rev. C. Richard Berggren presided over the ceremony. Reported the Canonsburg Daily Notes, Donna wore a "floor length demi bell gown of pure italian silk organza, fashioned with a molded hi-rise bodice featuring a Victorian neckline enhanced with a dainty bow centered with a rosette, and long full Bishops sleeves. Vertical rows of whipped appliqued Venise lace hanced the gown from shoulder to hemline and down the sleeves. A detachable back train fell from the back waist into a full chapel sweep." At the time, John was making plans to enroll in Allegheny County Community College, and Donna was a 1968 graduate of Canon McMillan High School. The couple were the parents of Audra Lynn Herzog and Conrad Gabriel Beadling. After the marriage ended in divorce, he was joined in wedlock with Becky ( ? - ? ). With his health failing, he died on Oct. 21, 2012, surrounded by the laughter of his family and the music of the Moody Blues. In an obituary, the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter said he "was just simply a good man [who] was passionate about his sports, his music and his family." Former wife Donna relocated from Canonsburg to Rockville, MD, where she earned a living as a creditor with the National Geographic. As her own health declined, she was admitted to the Hebrew Home. There, at the age of 58, she passed away three days before Christmas 2006. A memorial service was conducted in Rockville at the Christ Episcopal Church, with an obituary appearing in the Washington Post.

  Great-granddaughter Audra Lynn Beadling ( ? - ? ) wed Robert Duncan Herzog Jr. ( ? -2011), son of Rev. Robert D. and Patricia Herzog Sr. Their two children were Courtney Herzog and Jacob Herzog. Robert was an alumnus of T.S.Wootton High School and then for six years served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return home, for 16 years, he was employed as a building engineer for the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington. In 2006-2011, they resided in Rockville, MD. Grief shattered the family when Robert died in his sleep on New Year's Eve 2011. His memorial service was held at Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville. The Washington Post published an obituary.

  Great-grandson Conrad Gabriel Beadling ( ? - ? ) relocated to Germantown, MD.

• Grandson Richard Stanley Beadling ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Joseph Ryan Beadling (1956-1992) was born in 1956 in Pittsburgh. He was a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, and an employee of Mellon Bank. Sadly, at the age of 35, he died on March 14, 1992 after a long illness.

• Grandson Jeffrey Dean Beadling ( ? - ? )

Son Francis Jerome Beadling (1924-1998) was born on Dec. 15, 1924 in Canonsburg. (His birthdate also has been given as Jan. 23, 1923.) Francis served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. In December 1944, he and his brother Richard were arrested for allegedly siphoning gasoline from the fleet of Beatty Trucking Company in Washington, PA. Again during the Korean War, Francis was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1955, at the age of 31, he married Mary Sevenson ( ? - ? ) in 1955. They bore one daughter, Mary Beadling. Francis passed into eternity on Jan. 11, 1998 at the age of 73. His ashes were placed into rest in Houston National Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Mary Beadling ( ? - ? )

Son Richard Vernon Beadling (1927-2015) was born on June 24, 1927 in Canonsburg or in Mount Pleasant, PA. As a teenager in December 1944, he and his brother Francis were arrested for allegedly siphoning gasoline from the fleet of Beatty Trucking Company in Washington, PA. Then in 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to its 11th unit. While training at Goodfellow Field later that spring, he was injured when a motorcycle scooter he was driving overturned. In 1949, he graduated from the Air Force's Technical School at Fort Francis E. Warren in Wyoming, having completed clerk-typist training. He appears to have been married several times. At the age of 21, on Jan. 29, 1949, was 16-year-old Elva Jewell Oliver (April 26, 1932- ? ) of Cheyenne, WY, the daughter of D.T. and Goldie (Kirby) Oliver. Justice of the peace Boyd Briggs officiated. They bore a child during their brief time together. The couple divorced in 1950. His second bride is believed to have been Fay L. ( ? - ? ). The pair divorced in 1955. He ran afoul of the law in April 1955 when he exchanged gunfire with security gate guards while trying to flee from Carswell Air Force Base after a girlfriend spurned his marriage proposal. In that escape attempt, he "rammed his car" through the base gate, said the Associated Press, and was wounded in the left forearm. To treat the wound, he drove to San Angelo, TX and passed a bad check of $25. He surrendered in May 1955 after learning that the gate guards had been issued shotguns with instructions to shoot him, as reported by the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Richard remained in Texas upon completion of his military service and was there in 1970. At some point he married again to Virginia Lee "Ginger" Beno (1933-2012), daughter of Andrew and Julia Beno. Two known daughters in this family were Shawnee Patricia Beadling and Colleen Krebsbach. As of 1972, they dwelled in Eighty-Four, PA. The Beadlings' final homeplace was in the western panhandle of Florida. There, for more than 18 years, Virginia was employed at the commissary of the Eglin Air Force Base, distributing coupon flyers. Sadly, having been diagnosed with incurable cancer, Virginia passed away in their residence at the age of 79 on Oct. 16, 2012. Her obituary was printed in the Northwest Florida Daily News. Richard survived by another two-and-a-half years. The angel of death spirited him away on April 16, 2015 at Fort Walton Beach, FL. 

• Granddaughter Shawnee Patricia Beadling (1972-2015) was born in Sept. 1972 in Washington Hospital. News of her birth was announced in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. She is thought to have died in 2015, but this is not confirmed.

• Granddaughteer Colleen Beadling ( ? - ? ) wed Craig Krebsbach. They settled in Crestview, FL and bore two children, Corum Krebsbach and Arieanna Krebsbach.

Daughter Shirley June Beadling (1932-1987) was born in 1930. She was married twice. Her first spouse was Korean War veteran Jack Hayden Coffey (Nov. 24, 1929-1964), son of Guy and Max Coffey and a native of Georgia. They lived in Noblestown Allegheny County and produced five children -- Christine Coffey, Jacqueline Coffey, Lawrence "Larry" Coffey, Steven Joseph Coffey and John Coffey. Jack earned a living as a painter for the industrial contracting firm of Johnson Bros. Tragically, on Nov. 11, 1964, the 34-year-old Jack drowned when his homemade canoe upset while fishing in the Allegheny River at the mouth of Cowanshannock Creek, two miles from Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA. As the canoe flipped over, his cries were heard by his father-in-law John Beadline, who had accompanied him on the trip but remained onshore. American Red Cross volunteers as well as firemen from Kittanning, West Kittanning and Worthington-West Franklin searched for the body in high winds and choppy current until it was recovered in 20 feet of water. The accident received front-page coverage and photograph in the Kittanning Daily Leader-Times. The remains were interred in Oak Springs Cemetery in Canonsburg. Shirley later married (?) Junkins ( ? - ? ) and by 1970 relocated to Houston, Harris County, TX. There, they dwelled at 927 Ahrens, and Shirley worked as an assistant druggist for Crest Drugs. The family grieved once more when, at the age of 44, she died in Pasadena General Hospital on Aug. 22, 1976 after suffering a heart attack. Her remains were cremated.

• Granddaughter Christine Coffey ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Jacqueline Coffey ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Lawrence "Larry" Coffey ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Steven Joseph Coffey (1957-2016) was born on July 26, 1957. He relocated to Houston, Harris County, TX. Steven was married to Elaine ( ? - ? ). His children were Thomas Coffey, Mary Coffey and Katrina Coffey. They belonged to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church of Katy, TX, where he worshipped in the Adoration Chapel. Steven had many interests and liked to fish, hunt, grill, work in his yard and root for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also served with the Knights of Columbus and participated in the rite of Christian initiation of adults. Sadly, at the age of 58, Steven succumbed to death in Houston on March 30, 2016. A funeral mass was celebrated in the family church, led by Rev. David Garnier.

• Grandson John Coffey ( ? - ? )

~ Son Theodore Roosevelt Pratton ~ 

Son Theodore Roosevelt Pratton (1904-1979) was born on Dec. 7, 1904 in Fayette City. 

On May 22, 1926, at the age of 22, he married Evelyn Bell Wooliscroft (1907-1986), the daughter of Frank and Lily (Jakeway) Wooliscroft of Canonsburg.

They produced five children together -- Freeda May Greer, Theodore Roy "Bub" Pratten, Lily Marlene Kelly, Frank Ronald Pratten and Carol Louise Fetkenhour.

Federal census enumeration records for 1940 show the family in Canonsburg, with Theodore employed as a draftsmen for a bridge works.

Evelyn, a graduate of the first class of Canonsburg General's nursing school, was a nurse at Canonsburg General and was the school nurse in the Canonsburg school system. They were members of the First United Methodist Church of Canonsburg.

Theodore passed away in Canonsburg Hospital, two days before his 75th birthday, on Dec. 5, 1979. He is buried at Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg. 

Evelyn outlived her husband by seven years. She went to live in the Canon House in Canonsburg. During a visit to her daughter Marlene in St. Louis, she fell ill and died at the age of 79 on Oct. 8, 1996. A newspaper reported that among her descendants were 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Daughter Freeda May Pratten (1927-2022) was born on April 18, 1927 in Canonsburg. On April 30, 1948, at 21 years of age, she was united in holy matrimony with Lawrence "Bus" Greer (1924-2008). They resided in Canonsburg and bore three children -- Lawrence F. Greer, David W. Greer and Kristine Manfredi. Lawrence was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II, and as a tail-gunner on B-17 aircraft was shot down three different times. Freeda earned a living as a butcher, working for more than four decades for The Tiny Store. Said the Washington Observer-Reporter, Lawrence was "a truck driver for Railway Express for 25 years and, prior to his retirement, was a dispatcher for Grief Brothers for 10 years. He was last employed at Thompson Hardware in Washington Crown Center." They held a membership in the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where she was active in gatherings and events. She also belonged to the Pythian Sisters, and liked to repeat her motto, "Lived, laughed, loved." Lawrence died at the age of 83 on Jan. 16, 2008, and was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Gardens in McMurray. The widowed Freeda outlived her spouse by more than 14 years and remained in Canonsburg. Toward the end, she became a resident of the Canon House. The angel of death carried her away at the age of 95 on Aug. 18, 2022. Her obituary was printed in the Observer-Reporter.

• Lawrence F. Greer

  Grandson Lawrence Frederick Greer ( ? -1060) was born in (?) and grew up on Canonsburg. During the Vietnam War, he became a U.S. Marine. Tragically, he was killed in action in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, on Feb. 2, 1969. His remains were returned stateside, and he is buried in Canonsburg, PA. Over the years, he has been named and pictured in Washington Observer-Reporter articles about the war. The most recent was on Memorial Day 2005, when a photograph was printed showing a close-in view of his name on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC. 

• Grandson David W. Greer married Sandra Lynn Pleskovich of Canonsburg in 1981. They had two children -- Jennifer Gordon and Adam Greer. Sandra was a graduate of the Washington Hospital School of Nursing and California University of Pennsylvania, where she received a bachelor's degree in nursing. She worked as a documentation specialist at Canonsburg General Hospital. Sadly, at age 51, Sandra passed away on Oct. 23, 2011, in the Cleveland Clinic. Following mass of Christian burial in Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, she was laid to rest in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Township.

• Granddaughter Kristine Greer wedded "Patsy" Manfredi. They dwelled in Washington, PA in 2022.

Son Theodore Roy "Bub" Pratten (1929-2006) was born on Feb. 11, 1929. He was the 1947 senior class president of Canonsburg High School, and a chemical engineering graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. The Observer-Reporter once observed that he served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps for two years, from 1947 to 1949. As a young man he resided in Chicago, where he met his future wife. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Beverly Marie White (March 4, 1936-2012), daughter of Bud and Dorothy White of Medford, MN. The couple produced four offspring -- Gregory Pratten, Theodore Pratten, Lisa Pratten and Trace Pratten. The family relocated in 1969 from Chicago to San Jose, CA, where they remained for the balance of their lives. He was employed in San Jose with Underwriters Lab and retired in 1994." He passed away on May 30, 2006, and was laid to rest at Mission City Memorial Park in Santa Clara, CA. Beverly survived as a widow for another six years. Death spirited her away at the age of 76 on July 14, 2012. Her obituary was published in the San Jose Mercury News and San Mateo County Times.

• Grandson Gregory Pratten ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Theodore Pratten ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Lisa Pratten ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Trace Pratten ( ? - ? ) may be affiliated with Blue Whale Films of Northridge, CA.

Daughter Marlene Pratten (1932-living) was born in about 1932. She married Thomas W. Kelly (Feb. 8, 1930-2004). He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. The Kellys have made their home for years in St. Louis, MO. They are the parents of Pastor Kim Kelly, Kevin Kelly and Timothy Kelly. Thomas was employed as a district sales manager for many years by Emery Worldwide, a national cargo carrier. He volunteered his time as vice president of the Affton Historical Society and, in retirement, as president of the Indian Hills chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. Sadly, Thomas died at the age of 74 on Aug. 19, 2004. His funeral service was held in the Eden United Church of Christ, with burial of the remains in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Marlene remained in St. Louis as of 2022.

• Granddaughter Kim Kelly ( ? - ? ) served circa 2004 as pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, MO.

• Grandson Kevin Kelly married Mary.

• Grandson Timothy Kelly wedded Francie.

Son Frank "Ronald" Pratten (1935-2024) was born on Jan. 10, 1935 in Canonsburg. He lived his entire life in the town of his birth. Ronald served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Upon his return home, he was employed as a fitter-welder with McGraw Edison Power Systems. He went on to work for 14 years as head of security for Washington County Health Center. He held a membership in St. Oscar Romero Parish of St. Patrick Church. In his free time he liked to fish and hunt and he belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, White Eagles Society, French Club, Polish National Union and Canonsburg Sportsmen's Association. On July 5, 1958, at the age of 23, he entered into marriage with Ann "Shirley" Sifinski ( ? -living). Their union endured over the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 66 years together. The pair of daughters they produced together were Leslie A. White and Rhonda L. Sivak Patchel. Sadness blanketed the family when, at age 89, Ronald died on New Year's Eve 2024. His remains were laid to honored rest in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. In an obituary in the Washington Observer-Reporter, the family requested that any memorial gifts be made to the Epilepsy Foundation.

• Granddaughter Leslie A. Pratten wed Robert White. Robert is a 1984 graduate of Shippenburg University of Pennsylvania. They established a home in Ferndale, MD.

• Granddaughter Rhonda L. Pratten is a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. She studied at West Virginia University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Rhonda has been married twice. She first tied the knot with Kenneth Sivak ( ? - ? ). Two sons of this union are Evan Sivak and Zachary Sivak. The marriage dissolved in divorce. Her second husband, whom she wed on June 25, 2016, is Christopher "C.J." Patchel. As of 2024, they lived in White Oak near McKeesport, PA. From 1999 to 2004, she was employed as a cytotechnologist with Magee Womens Hospital. She then joined Quest Diagnostics as a cytology group lead.

Daughter Carol Louise "Po" Pratten (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937. She received a nursing education at Washington Hospital School of Nursing and was a registered nurse employed at both Canonsburg General and Washington Hospitals circa 1959. In a candlelight wedding ceremony held on June 20, 1959, she wedded Dr. Carl Lee Fetkenhour ( ? - ? ), son of Carl E. and Phonsie Fetkenhour and stepson of Francis D. "Debs" Barbour. Rev. Dr. John T. Brownlee officiated at the nuptials in the Chartiers Presbyterian Church. The Monongahela Daily Republican reported that Carol wore "a gown of silk organza fashioned with a fitted bodice, jeweled sabrina neckline and long sleeves pointed at the wrist. The bouffant skirt featuring lace inserts at the sides and back, fell into a court train. Her fingeretip veil of pure silk illusion was caught to a jeweled lace cap and small pearl earrings were her only jewelry." Carl was an alumnus of Washington and Jefferson College and Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. At least one child was born to this union, Carla Ann Fetkenhour. They have made their home in Philadelphia (circa 1962) and in Winnetka, IL (1966). Carl has specialized his medical practice over the years in ophthalmology. Circa 2022, the Fetkenhours were in Tucson, AZ.

• Granddaughter Carla Ann Fetkenhour (1962- ? ) was born in 1962 in Philadelphia. News of her birth was printed in her mother's hometown newspaper, the Canonsburg Daily Notes.

~ Daughter Gertrude Stevens (Pratton) Boyd ~ 

Daughter Gertrude Stevens Pratton (1907-1979) was born on March 18, 1907 in Brownsville or Fayette City.

On June 4, 1927, Gertrude married James Admal "Ad" Boyd (June 14, 1905-1973), the son of Admiral "James" and Cora (Stillwell) Boyd of Washington, Washington County, PA. They exchanged their wedding vows in Wheeling, WV, officiated by Rev. Katz of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The news was announced in the Canonsburg Daily Notes.

They bore an only son, James Admal Boyd Jr. 

At the time of marriage, Ad was employed by a railroad in Steubenville, OH. 

In time, the family moved to Canonsburg, Washington County and addresses of 4 South Central Avenue and 132 East Pike Street.

For 36 years, Gertrude was employed by Bell Telephone Company, starting in 1923 as an operator in Canonsburg. She advanced within the organization over time, with assignments in McMurray, Sewickley and Washington. Her final position was as a general office clerk for the southwest district office in Washington. She retired in April 1962 and was pictured in a related story in the Canonsburg Daily Notes.

James earned a living with Fort Pitt Bridge Works in Canonsburg and later with American Bridge Company in Ambridge, Beaver County. He belonged to the Labor Temple and Russian Club in Canonsburg.

As James' health declined, he was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. He died there at the age of 68 on Dec. 14, 1973. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. David Kinsey. An obituary appeared in the Daily Notes.

She passed away on Nov. 1, 1979, at the age of 72. As with many members of the Pratton clan, she is interred in Canonsburg's Oak Spring Cemetery.

Son James "Admal" Boyd Jr. (1927-2005) -- also spelled "Admiral" -- was born on April 20, 1927. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island in the Pacific Theatre and took part "in the Okinawa campaign and the invasion of Borneo," reported the Canonsburg Daily Notes. On Oct. 7, 1948, he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Jane Moore ( ? - ? ), daughter of William Moore. The wedding was held in Baltimore, MD, where the couple established a residence. Two daughters borne of this coupling were Sandra L. Jackson Tarr and Linda Sue Boyd. The Boyds are known to have been in Houston, PA in 1950. The Boyds were plunged into grief at the death of daughter Linda Sue at birth on Aug. 6, 1950, having been born prematurely at 6½ months. The marriage ended in divorce in 1952. Admal lived in Baltimore in 1962 and by 1973 he was back in Canonsburg. He is said to have had a difficult personality and to have passed away in Venango County, PA on Sept. 26, 2005.

• Granddaughter Sandra Lee Boyd (1949-2016) was born on Aug. 4, 1949 in Canonsburg. She was an alumna of Canon-McMillan High School. Her first spouse, whom she wed on June 6, 1967, was Thomas Neill Jackson ( ? - ? ), son of Dale Jackson of Mount Lebanon, PA. Rev. Fr. Else led the rites, held in St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Sandra's bridal portrait was published in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. They honeymooned in London, England, and then settled in to their first residence in Mount Lebanon. The Jacksons' marriage dissolved in divorce. On Dec. 12, 1981, at the age of 32, she was united in matrimony with Errol L. Tarr ( ? - ? ). They settled in Franklin, PA, with an address of 1895 Rocky Grove Avenue. Sandra's five children were David Ferricks, Pamela Weller, Darla Pitzarella, Cindy Manning and Chad Tarr along with adopted son Steve Graham. Sandra liked to crochet, fashion yard art and play pool in a local league, as well as root for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. They held memberships in the Franklin Veterans of Foreign Wars post and the Franklin Moose. Sadly, at the age of 66, Sandra died on Jan. 11, 2016.

  Great-grandson David Ferricks married Brandy. They have lived in Reno near Franklin, PA. 

  Great-granddaughter Pamela wed Don Weller. The pair put down roots in Reno, PA. 

  Great-granddaughter Darla Pitzarella was in Pittsburgh in 2016.

  Great-granddaughter Cindy Manning settled in Jackson Center, PA. 

  Great-grandson Chad Tarr entered into marriage with Bethany. Their dwelling-place in 2016 was in Green Oaks.

  Adopted great-grandson Steve Graham made his home in Reno, PA in the mid-2010s.

~ Daughter Eleanor Coulter "Sue" (Pratton) White ~ 

Daughter Eleanor Coulter "Sue" Pratton (1910-1975) White was born on March 14, 1910 in Fayette City. 

On May 29, 1934, when she was age 24, Eleanor wed Louis Emmerson White (June 10, 1907-1966), son of Joseph F. and Myrtle (Pierce) White of Wampum, Lawrence County, PA.

The couple had four children -- Audrey Lou White, David Emmerson White, Susan Ria Patterson and Gertrude Myrtle "Trudy" White.

Eleanor graduated from Canonsburg General Hospital's School of Nursing in 1931. She worked as a registered nurse in Canonsburg and after marriage did some part time nursing, and then in 1949 went back to work full time at the Ellwood City Hospital.

Louis earned a living as a welder.

Diagnosed with cancer of the right lung, with lesions on the right shoulder, Louis endured the illness for three months. At the end, he was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in New Castle. The Angel of Death carried him away at the age of 58 on April 6, 1966. His remains were lowered into eternal rest in Clinton Cemetery in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County.

As a widow, Eleanor continued her work in health care and retired in 1975 as a nursing supervisor with 26 years of service.

Her final years were spent living on Main Street in Wampum.

She was stricken by a heart attack and admitted to Ellwood City Hospital, where she passed away on July 29, 1975, at the age of 65. The funeral service was officiated by Rev. Charles Shaffer. An obituary appeared in the New Castle News.

Daughter Audrey Lou White (1935- ? ) was born in 1935. She received a degree from Slippery Rock State Teachers College and circa 1975 taught at Lockley School. On Thanksgiving Day 1957, she wedded William Burr Patterson ( ? - ? ), son of Robert E. Patterson of Hollow Road in New Castle. Their nuptials were held in the Wampum Methodist Church, led by Rev. William Metz. In reporting on the event, the New Castle News said she "wore a gown of white tulle with antique lace and a finger tip veil. She carried a bouquet of white fall flowers." Three children were born to this union. William also was an alumnus of Slippery Rock. In his early career, William taught at Croton Avenue School in the Mercer County School System. He joined the Lawrence County Regional Planning Commission as assistant director and in 1965 was tapped to be executive director of the New Castle Redevelopment Authority, a position he held until 1970. He also served as director of program development for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Renewal Assistance in Washington, DC. Then on June 14, 1971, he was sworn in as director of HUD office in Philadelphia. The couple thus relocated to eastern Pennsylvania where they made a home in Warrington, Bucks County, PA. After two years with HUD, William joined the private-sector Town Consultants Inc. as a stockholder and executive vice president, opening an office in Doylestown. An article in the News said that Town Consultants provided "professional services to apartment developers and municipalities with needs in planning and redevelopment."

Son David Emmerson White (1937- ? ) was born in 1937. He was married and lived in Wampum in the mid-1970s. In 1977, husband and wife were named as municipal auditors by the Borough of Wampum.

Daughter Susan Ria White (1939-living) was born in 1939. She married Morgan E. "Ed" Patterson ( ? -2007), son of H. Morgan and Helen (Duff) Patterson. Their union endured for more than half a century. The four offspring born to this marriage were Randy Patterson, Scott Patterson, David Patterson and Ria Scheuren. Morgan earned a living for more than 43 years with Medusa Cement Company, retiring as a shift supervisor. He loved beagles and was active with beagle field trials and over time groomed two American Kennel Club champion dogs. He held memberships in beagle clubs of Shenango Valley, Beaver Valley and Coraopolis. The Pattersons resided for many years along Old Route 18 in Wampum, Lawrence County, PA. They belonged to Wampum United Methodist Church, where Morgan was a trustee. Sadly, Morgan died on Aug. 20, 2007 as a patient in West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Rev. Tina Keller led the funeral service, followed by interment in Clinton Cemetery. His obituary was printed in the New Castle News.

• Grandson Randy Patterson has lived in Wampum. He is married to Shelly.

• Grandson Scott Patterson wedded Laurie. They have made a home in Hudson, OH.

• Grandson David Patterson was joined in marriage with Diane. Their home is in Edinburg.

• Granddaughter Ria Patterson was united in wedlock with Herbert Scheuren. Circa 2007, they dwelled in Philadelphia.

Daughter Gertrude Myrtle "Trudy" White (1942- ? ) was born in 1942. She is an alumna of Wampum High School and studied elementary education at Slippery Rock University. On Feb. 25, 1961, Trudy wed David B. Houghton (Jan. 5, 1939-1997), son of Orville and Lucille (Tittle) Houghton of Charleston, WV. They remained together for 36 years until the separation of death. Three known offspring in this family are David Houghton Jr., Jane Cumberledge and Sue Ann Dean. Gertrude was a member of the Wampum Methodist Church and its Women's Society of Christian Service. In the early 1960s, the Houghtons made a home in Texas, but returned to Wampum in about 1963 when David joined E.J. Williams Tire Inc. in New Castle. They dwelled in Wampum for good, with an address in 1987 of 1019 Main Street. David rose to become president of the Williams firm, and in the community was treasurer of the Wampum Lions Club, president of the Wampum Recreation Board and held a membership in the Wampum United Methodist Church. Gertrude was approved by the Ellwood City Area School Board in 1976 as a full-time substitute teacher. A year later, in 1977, she was named as a municipal auditor of the Borough of Wampum. David contracted a serious illness and suffered for an extended time until death mercifully swept him away, at age 59, in Ellwood City Hospital, on July 24, 1997. Rev. Robert Thomas, of the Wampum United Methodist Church, led the funeral rites. Burial was in Clinton Cemetery. The family requested in his Ellwood City Ledger obituary that any memorial contributions be made to the American Lung Association or the Salvation Army. Trudy has survived him by several decades. Today she serves as secretary of the Wampum Borough Planning Commission.

• Grandson David Houghton Jr. ( ? - ? ) grew up in Wampum and is a graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA. Today he makes a home in Ellwood City. He was joined in wedlock with Carole ( ? - ? ). They are known to be the parents of Marla Marie Williamson and Kevin Buren Houghton. As of 2000, the family dwelling-place was in North Sewickley Township.

• Granddaughter Eleanor "Jane" Houghton ( ? -living) was born in about 1965 and spent her growing-up years in Wampum. Then at the age of 21, in about 1986-1987, she entered into marriage with 24-year-old Robert Dale "Rob" Cumberledge ( ? - ? ) of Evans City, PA and the son of C. Thomas Cumberledge. Together they produced two daughters, Stefanie Cumberledge and Karen Cumberledge. Robert was a 1980 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and majored in computer science at Slippery Rock University. Circa 1986, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. The Cumberledges' home in 1997 was in Evans City.

• Granddaughter Sue Ann Houghton (1963-living) was born in 1963. She is a 1981 graduate of Lincoln High School and went on to receive a degree in 1985 in elementary education from Slippery Rock University. She then was hired as an instructional assistant by the Ellwood City Area School District. On Oct. 31, 1987, when she was about age 24, she tied the marital cord with Mark D. Dean (Jan. 25, 1961-1995), son of Robert C. and Eileen (Benedict) Dean of Shenango Township. The nuptials were held in the Wampum United Methodist Church. The happy couple were pictured in a related story in the Ellwood City Ledger, which said that the bride "wore a white satin gown with off-the-shoulder short puffed sleeves highlighted by peau d'ange lace. The fitted bodice was adorned with pearled venise lace. The gown featured a basque waistline." The newlyweds made their first home in Shenango. The Deans bore two daughters, Molly Mae Dean and Jesse Rose Landman. Mark was an alumnus of Lawrence County Area Vocational Technical School and served in the U.S. Army. At the time of marriage, he worked for his father's E.J. Williams Tire Inc. in New Castle as an automotive technician. He spent 12 years with the company and was a mechanical engineer at the end. Grief cascaded over the family when, at age 34, Mark died in St. Francis Hospital in New Castle on May 15, 1995. An obituary was printed in the Ellwood City Ledger, in which the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the American Cancer Society.Funeral services were presided by Rev. Lisa Grant of the Epworth United Methodist Church of New Castle, followed by interment of the remains in Clinton Cemetery in New Beaver Borough. The widowed Sue Ann has outlived her husband by three decades and today dwells in Wampum.

~ Daughter Elizabeth Valerie "Libby" (Pratton) Beust ~ 

Daughter Elizabeth Valerie "Libby" Pratton (1914-2007) was born on June 1, 1914 in Fayette City or Canonsburg, PA. 

She appears to have relocated by 1932 to Poughkeepsie, NY, where she spent most of her life. 

On July 6, 1935, she married Vernon Lee Beust (Oct. 6, 1903-1990) when she was age 21, and he 32. They exchanged their marital vows in the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. There was an 11-year difference in their ages. He was the son of John F. and Ida (Rowe) Beust of Poughkeepsie.

Little Church Around the Corner, New York, where the Beusts were wed

They produced a family of two daughters, Bonny Lee Craig Hughes and Lynne Diann Beust. 

For 30 years, the Beusts resided in Poughkeepsie, NY. Elizabeth was a member of the Zion Episcopal Church in Wappinger's Falls, NY and was an assistant Girl Scouts leader, and she and Vernon were members of the Oak Grove Grange. Said the Poughkeepsie Journal, "She was an avid bird watcher and loved her flower garden. Mrs. Beust was especially knowledgeable of local wildflowers and raised hundreds of African Violets. She will also be remembered for her wonderful coffee, delicious pies and her love of reading books that have been passed down to the family."

Vernon had attended Pratt Institute and the Grand Central School of Art. He was self-employed as a sign painter for Highway Displays during his 39-year working career. In 1939, with friends Thomas Barrett and George LeDue, he helped found the Dutchess County Art Association. Their home address in the mid-1950s was 37 Spring Road, Poughkeepsie.

Mid-Hudson Bridge connecting Poughkeepsie with Highland, NY

The pair marked their golden wedding anniversary in July 1985 with a party at the home of their married daughter Bonny Lee Hughes. The Poughkeepsie Journal printed a related story about the happy event. 

For the last 20 years of her life, Elizabeth was debilitated with Alzheimer's Disease. She was admitted to reside in the Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, NY in 1985, and never left.

Vernon died at the age of 86 on April 3, 1990 in the Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck.

Elizabeth survived him by 17 years. She passed away on Jan. 10, 2007, at the age of 92. Her obituary was published in the Journal. The remains were placed into repose in the community mausoleum of Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Daughter Bonny Lee Beust (1936-2023) -- also spelled "Bonnie" -- was born on Sept. 15, 1936 in Poughkeepsie. She was a 1954 graduate of Wappingers Central School and then was hired as a commercial artist at the IBM Research Laboratory. On Oct. 2, 1955, at the age of about 19, Bonny first wed co-worker Arthur H. Craig ( ? - ? ), son of Hasbrouck Craig. Their nuptials were conducted in the Zion Episcopal Church of Wappingers Falls, NY, officiated by Rev. J. Jack Sharkley. She was pictured in a wedding announcement in the Poughkeepsie Journal. They became the parents of three -- Cheryl Lee Darling, Jeffrey Scott Craig and David A. Craig. Then in Sept. 1967, at age 34, she entered into marriage with Richard L. "Dick" Hughes (July 11, 1930-2012), son of Jerome A. and Edith Alice (Lowe) Hughes. He brought four stepchildren into the second union -- Debra Ann Sherman, Colleen Alice Venter, Daniel Patrick Hughes and Timothy Richard Hughes. Richard had grown up on a farm and milked cows every morning before school. He was an alumnus of St. Patrick High School and then attended Northeastern University in Massachusetts. He is known to have helped construct the New York Aqueduct during his college summers. Richard joined the workforce of IBM and remained for 35 years, including 24 at the management level. Said an obituary, 

Before retiring he was Fire Chief over all Dutchess County IBM Facilities. He was instrumental in the creation of that department when local fire departments could no longer support all IBM's facilities. After moving to Stanfordville in 1971 he became a volunteer Fireman for the Stanford Fire Company. Over the years he served on several levels including Fire Chief and Fire Commissioner. He was also the "MC" for functions at the Stanford Fire Company. Through the years he acquired the nickname "Dead Eye Dick" because of his glass eye. He loved to fix things and was always busy with his hands and was one of the original "Handymen." 

Circa 1990, they lived in Stanfordville, NY, and in 2007-2012, their home was in Pine Plains, NY. Bonnie returned to the health care field as a home health aide, with her family calling her "a natural caregiver, who had a generous heart..." Of her, the Journal said, 

Bonny was a former member of the Stanford Ladies Auxiliary, was Captain of the Stanford Rescue Squad and former member of the Stanfordville garden club. She was also president of the Women’s Fellowship group. Was a choir member for both the Stanfordville United Church of Christ and the Rhinebeck Choral Club. She also had a love for all things arts and crafts and was a talented seamstress who sewed many costumes for local plays. Bonny found great joy in feeding the birds and tending to her gardens.

Richard passed away in their residence at the age of 82 on Aug. 18, 2012. The headcount of his survivors was 14 grandchildren. Funeral rites were held in the United Church of Christ in Stanfordville, by the hand of Pastor Rhoda Starzyk. Bonny lived for another 11 years as a widow. At the age of 86, she succumbed to the spectre of death on Jan. 30, 2023. In her obituary in the Journal, her stepchildren were not named.

• Granddaughter Cheryl Lee Craig married Gary Darling. They are the parents of Jason Darling and Erik Darling. The family lived in Pine Plains, NY in 2012.

• Grandson Jeffrey Scott Craig put down roots in Pine Plains, NY. He was joined in wedlock with Nicole.

• Grandson David A. Craig established a dwelling-place in Massachusetts. He entered into marriage with YunHi.

• Step-granddaughter Debra Ann Hughes wed (?) Sherman. Circa 2012, she was in Middletown, NY.

• Step-granddaughter Colleen Alice Hughes tied the knot with (?) Venter. Her home in 2012 was in Guilford, CT.

• Step-grandson Daniel Patrick Hughes moved to Mohegan Lake, NY.

• Step-grandson Timothy Richard Hughes migrated to Fishkill, NY.

Daughter Lynne Diann Beust (1952- ? ) was born in about 1952. At the age of about three, she was baptized in the Zion Episcopal Church. She does not appear to have married. Lynne lived in Poughkeepsie in 1999-2007.

~ Daughter Mary Viola "Vi" (Pratton) Uram ~ 

Daughter Mary Viola "Vi" Pratton (1916-1995) was born on Nov. 14, 1916 in Manifold, Washington County. 

On March 31, 1934, in Brooke County, WV, Viola entered into marriage with Harry Uram, Jr. (1912-1993), also a native of Manifold, and the son of Harry and Mary (Kecs) Uram Sr. The wedding was held on March 31, 1933, when Viola was age 17, and Harry 21. An interesting twist is that Viola's niece Anna "Catherine" Christoff wed Harry Moskal on the same date and place and by the same pastor.

Their four children were Harry H. Uram, David J. Uram, Judith Irene Verchek Setto and Raymond "George" Uram.

Viola was a nurse, employed at Canonsburg General Hospital and later at the Washington County Health Center. She also served as a Democratic committeewoman for the Third Ward of Canonsburg. 

Harry "spent most of his life in Canonsburg, where he was a member of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church," said the Washington Observer Reporter. "He was a registered plumber and a member of Plumbing Local 27 of Pittsburgh. [He] was a member of the Russian Brotherhood Organization, the Labor Temple and the Canonsburg Sportsmen Association."

Their address for many years was at 133 Richland Avenue. 

Harry passed away on Aug. 6, 1993, after six decades of marriage. He was survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. At the time, all of his adult children lived in Canonsburg.

Viola died on Jan. 29, 1995, at the age of 79. Burial was in Oak Spring Cemetery.

Son Harry H. Uram (1934-2006) was born July 29, 1934 in Canonsburg. on April 23, 1960, when he was age 26 and she 21, he married Loretta E. Espy (1938-2016), daughter of William and Thelma (Herceg) Espy. They had one daughter, Rhonda Lea Uram. Harry as employed for two decades as a crane operator for Taylor-Wilson Manufacturing of McKees Rocks, near Pittsburgh. He also was a member of the South Canonsburg Church, Canonsburg Fire Department and, like his father, the Labor Temple and Russian Club. In addition, he served with the Pennsylvania National Guard. Loretta graduated from the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and went on to a four-decade career as a nurse in the Washington Hospital operating room. The family enjoyed vacations to the shore, with a special love for Lake Erie and Ocean City, MD. Harry died at age 72 in Washington Hospital on Nov. 16, 2006, with burial following in Forest Lawn Cemetery in McMurray. Loretta survived for about a decade as a widow. She died in UPMC-Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh at the age of 78 on July 16, 2016. An obituary was published in the Washington Observer-Reporter. Rev. Steve Parkhill led the funeral rites.

• Granddaughter Rhonda Lea Uram ( ? - ? ) resided in Canonsburg in 2016.

Son David James Uram (1939-2008) was born on Aprill 21, 1939 in Baltimore, MD. He moved to his parents' hometown of Canonsburg, PA in his youth. David attended Canonsburg High School and served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the early part of the Vietnam War. During his tour of duty, he was a navigator for the USS Tarawa and USS Independence, receiving a good conduct medal. Upon completion of his term of service, he obtained a job with Celone's Bakery in Bridgeville, and was a truck driver for the business for 37 years. On June 3, 1961, David married Judith Ann Barbour (June 6, 1938-2012), daughter of John A. and Katherine J. (McNamara) Barbour Jr. of 144 West Pike Street. The ceremony was held at Chartiers Presbyterian Church, led by Rev. Francis Scott. Judith was pictured in a related announcement in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, which described her white pure silk gown as "fashioned with a fitted bodice, long sleeves and scalloped neckline. The bouffant skirt fell gracefully into a chapel train. Gay embroidered flower appliques enhanced the neckline, waist, and skirt." Judith was a 1957 alumna of Canonsburg High School. From there she graduated from the Canonsburg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1960 and joined the hospital's staff of nurses. A trio of sons borne of this couple were Craig Stephen Uram Sr., David James Uram Jr. and Brian Scott Uram. The Urams lived in Canonsburg, with Judith moving on in her nursing career to Mayview State Hospital and South Hills Convalescence, later becoming part of Golden Living  They held memberships in the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where Judith volunteered as a deacon and other activities. David was active as a youth baseball league manager in Canonsburg and coached teams sponsored by Cellone Bakery and the Fraternal Order of Police. He also belonged to the Canonsburg Sportsmans Club and Labor Temple and liked to fish, hunt and watch local sports teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates and Penn State Nittany Lions. Sadly, at the age of 69, David died in Pittsburgh's UPMC Shadyside Hospital on Dec. 21, 2008. Funeral services were held in the family church, led by Rev. Thomas D. Hamilton. The remains were laid to rest in Forest Lawn Gardens in nearby McMurray, PA. The widowed Judith outlived her husband by three-and-a-half years. At the age of 73, she passed away without warning in her residence on May 15, 2012. Her pastor, Rev. Hamilton, again preached the funeral.

• Grandson Craig Stephen Uram Sr. married Becky. They dwell in Washington, PA.

• Grandson David James Uram Jr. tied the knot with Marcy. They put down roots in North Strabane Township.

• Grandson Brian Scott Uram has dwelled in Canonsburg.

Son Raymond "George" Uram Sr. (1946-2023) was born on May 20, 1946 in Canonsburg. He attended Canon-McMillan High School. George served for four years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, with a posting aboard the USS Saratoga at Mayport, FL. Once he returned home he secured employment with the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). On June 22, 1968, he tied the marital cord with Earlene Marie "Ernie" Paul ( ? - ? ), daughter of Earl Paul of Oak Spring Road and Rose Barney of Latimer Avenue. Their exchange of vows took place in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Fr. Dattilo. Earlene's bridal portrait was printed in an accompanying article in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, saying that she "wore a floor length cage gown of hard-clipped chantilly lace and peau de soie. Pearled and scalloped lace encircled the oval neckline accenting the yoked redingote having a scalloped lace front. The demi-fit gown was topped with a Dior bow and featured long lace sleeves pointover the wrists, and there were 48 self-covered buttons down the back of the fully skirred panel that extended into a watteau chapel train." Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 55 years' duration. Earlene was an alumna of Canon-McMillan High School. The Urams spent their lives Canonsburg and were the parents of Jodi Marie Stumpf, Shelly Snyder and Raymond George Uram. George Sr. was trained as a welder and was employed by the Iron Workers Local No. 3. He also was a welding teacher with Dean Technical Institute. They held a membership in St. Oscar Romero Parish of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. In his free time, George liked to fish, hunt and work with wood. Grief blanketed the family when George died in Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on Dec. 17, 2023. Burial was in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

• Granddaughter Jodi Marie Uram ( ? -living) is an alumna of Canon-McMillan High School. In 1992, she was joined in matrimony with Joseph Stumpf ( ? - ? ). They are the parents of at lest two sons -- Cody Stumpf and Zachary Stumpf. In 2023, they made their dwelling-place in Canonsburg. Jodi has earned a living as office manager with the Pittsburgh Endocrine Diabetes Association.

• Granddaughter Shelly Uram was united in wedlock with Edward E. "Ted" Snyder III (Aug. 17, 1968-2013), son of Edward E. and Barbara J. (Fischer) Snyder of Houston, PA. Their brood of three daughters includes Brittney Snyder, Sarah Snyder and Emily Snyder. They first lived in Houston and in about 2001 relocated to Cecil, Washington County, where they spent the final 12 years of their lives together. Edward was an ironworker employed by AC Dellovade Inc., and he belonged to Iron Worker Union Local No. 3 of Pittsburgh. Edward like to hunt and with Shelly attended their daughters' athletic events. Anxiety shook the family when Edward was diagnosed with cancer in October 2013, and that turned to grief a month later at his death in Shadyside Hospital at age 45 on Nov. 10, 2013. Pastor Nathan Miller, of New Life Church, presided over the funeral. Interment was in Oak Spring Cemetery. The widowed Shelly has maintained a home in Canonsburg.

• Grandson Raymond George Uram (1972- ? ) was born in 1972 in Washington Hospital, weighing 9 lbs., 4 oz. News of his birth was printed in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. He married Katie Perri ( ? - ? ) and settled in Cecil, Washington County. One known son of the pair is Jarrett Uram. George has been employed by Alex E. Paris Contracting.

Daughter Judith Irene Uram (1943-living) was born in 1943. She grew up in Canonsburg. She was a 1961 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and went on to earn a living with Beatty Motor Express in Washington. Judith appears to have been married twice. On Feb. 8, 1964, she first entered into marriage with Joseph "Lawrence" Verchek (June 13, 1942-2012), son of Joseph R. and Katherine (Yonack) Verchek of 411 Chartiers Street in Strabane Township. The nuptials were held in the St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, presided by Rev. John F. Price. Judith was pictured in a wedding announcement in the Canonsburg Daily Notes. At the time, Joseph was employed by North Strabane Township. He had graduated from Canon-Mac in 1960, where he played baseball, basketball and football, and attend North Carolina State College for two years on a football scholarship. He eventually moved into the plumbing field. The couple did not reproduce, and their marriage dissolved in divorce. Later, Judith wed William Setto ( ? - ? ) and they have made their home in Canonsburg. Former husband Lawrence Verchek relocated to Minneapolis, MN and married again. He died on July 7, 2012, with his photograph accompanying his obituary in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

~ Son William Quinton Pratton ~ 

Son William Quinton Pratton (1918-1993) -- also spelled "Pratten" -- was born on Oct. 20, 1918 in Fayette City, the youngest of 11 siblings. 

He was twice-wed. On Sept. 3, 1936, at Canonsburg, William entered into marriage with his first bride, Alice Mae Gossett (1922- ? ). She was the daughter of Morris Gossett of Grace Avenue Extension. Their nuptials were conducted at the Souith Canonsburg Church, by the hand of Rev. Evelyn H. Kemper, and only immediate relatives present.

The Prattons are known to have resided in 1942 on Third Street in Houston, Washington County, PA. 

The first marriage produced two sons -- William Morris Pratton and Joseph Henry Pratton.

Grief enveloped the young family on Nov. 11, 1942, when son Joseph was stillborn at Canonsburg General Hospital. An examining physician noted that the cause of death was "atresia" (a blockage or closure) of the trachea breathing passage. The tender remains were placed into eternal sleep in Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg.

William, 2nd from left, Canonsburg Daily Notes

William joined the U.S. Marines during World War II. While in training in Oklahoma, he received word of the death of his father. In time he was deployed to the South Pacific Theatre.     

He was pictured in a wartime newspaper article, seen here, saying his "assault group landed on the western Okinawa coast, close on the heels of the Infantry, and moved 1,200 yards inland where they established operations on the site of the former Jap bomber strip at Yontan airport." 

While in the service, he enjoyed writing thoughtful letters to relatives back home, among them his cousin, Wilbert "Bic" Horstman. 

The couple initially made a separation in their marriage on July 19, 1943.

In an ironic twist, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, William published a notice in the Canonsburg Daily Notes, saying he would not be responsible for any debts contracted by anyone other than himself . Just six days later, Alice filed for divorce, having moved to 349 Grace Avenue Extension in Chartiers Township, citing "cruel and barbarous treatment." News of the case was printed in the Daily Notes.  

After the war's end, William returned home to Houston. His address at that time was 303 Vercheck Drive in the community's Boon Terrace. 

The couple was unable to work out their differences, and in August 1948 they separated again, with Alice moving to Niagara Falls, NY. In September 1950, William sued for divorce on grounds of desertion. He was granted the divorce in April 1952 in Washington County court.   

Sometime before 1957, William married a second time to Shirley Ruth (Bonzo) McGee (1923-1997), daughter of James J. Wilson and Ruth Bonzo. Shirley was divorced from Dan McGee and brought a stepdaughter into the marriage, Carole Lynn (McGee) Tyre.

One daughter born to the pair was Susan Denise Pratton. 

The Prattons appear to have moved to Ellwood City, PA, where William earned a living as a welder for a manufacturing company. They attended the Episcopalian church. 

In 1966, they relocated to Palmetto near Bradenton, FL, where they spent the remainder of their lives together. William held memberships in the Palmetto post of the American Legion and the Campbell post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Bradenton.

The family again was plunged into mourning at the tragic automobile accident death of daughter Susan, at age 16, in July 1974.

William died at home in Palmetto on Dec. 30, 1993, at the age of 75. An obituary in the Bradenton (FL) Herald said there would be no visitation or funeral services.

Shirley lived for another four years. She passed away in 1997.

Son William Morris Pratton (1938- ? ) was born in 1938. He dwelled in Canada in 1974 and circa 1993-1997 is known to have resided in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Daughter Susan Denise Pratton (1957-1974) was born on Christmas Eve 1957 in Ellwood City, PA. In girlhood she moved with her parents to Bradenton, FL and was a student at Palmetto High School. At the age of 16, on the fateful day of July 26, 1974, while a front-seat passenger riding with two friends driving to buy stone crabs for dinner, their vehicle collided with a truck at the intersection of 75th Street West and Manatee Avenue. She was badly injured when impaled on the car's gear shift and was pronounced dead on arrival at Blake Memorial Hospital. A grisly photograph of her being removed from the wreckage was printed in the Bradenton Herald, which said that marijuana had been involved. The Tampa Bay Times published a moving article about the struggles she had with her parents, and rebellious nature as she had become a teenager, entitled "A Late Baby, Their Only Baby... and Now She's Gone." 

Stepdaughter Carole Lynn McGee (1948-1981) was born on May 22, 1948. She lived in Ellwood City until the early 1960s. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Tyre ( ? - ? ). The pair did not reproduce. Carole relocated to Palmetto, FL. After enduring a long illness, she died at the age of 33 in a hospital in Palmetto. An obituary appeared in the Ellwood City Ledger. Burial was conducted in Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton, FL.

Copyright © 2000, 2002, 2005-2006, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021-2022 Mark A. Miner