Hill Grove Cemetery Courtesy Chuck X-Gen

Harriet Ann (Nicklow) Prinkey was born in 1848, the daughter of Jesse Bruce and Julia Ann (Ream) Nicklow.

She was wedded to Samuel Prinkey (May 1848-1911), son of John and Eve (Miller) Prinkey.

The couple's known offspring were Irvin N. Prinkey, Norman Prinkey, Julia Ann Richter, Joseph R. Prinkey, Amanda Prinkey, Jesse Prinkey and Ada Powelson.

The family lived in Normalville in the 1870s and 1880, with Samuel earning income as a farm laborer. Their residence in 1880 was just a few houses away from the family of distant cousins Perry and Joanna (Minerd) Enos. By the early 1880s, they relocated to Bullskin Township north of Connellsville.

Unfortunately, the Prinkey marriage appears to have fallen apart by 1900, and that year 52-year-old Samuel lived by himself in a rented house in Normalville, while Harriet resided elsewhere.

In later years, Harriet dwelled in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA. She is known to have endured the tragic workplace death of her son Norman in mid-December 1917.

She died there three days before Christmas 1926, at age 72, caused by organic heart disease. Burial was in Hill Grove Cemetery in Connellsville. Son Irvin Prinkey signed her death certificate.

Samuel's health failed in 1911 and he was admitted to the Fayette County Home in Uniontown. There, suffering from uremic convulsions and acute kidney disease, he died at the age of 63 on Dec. 9, 1911. His remains were placed into repose in Mill Run, Fayette County.

~ Son Irvin N. Prinkey ~

Hill Grove Cemetery

Son Irvin N. Prinkey (1868-1936) was born on Oct. 18, 1868.

He never married. Over the years, he resided in Connellsville and made a living furnishing labor services. 

His source of income in 1936 was his work as a night watchman at the Consolidated Coal & Supply Company on McCormick Avenue in Connellsville.

At the age of 68, suffering from acute arthritis, his bronchial tubes became permanently damaged and thickened. After enduring the illness for two years, he was admitted to Connellsville State Hospital and died from their effects on April 19, 1936. Funeral services were led by Rev. A.R. Mansberger of the First Methodist Protestant Church. Burial was in Hill Grove Cemetery, with brother in law Christian E. Richter of Connellsville signing the official Pennsylvania death certificate. An obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

When his grave marker was photographed in October 2017 by the founder of this website, it was among a number of markers toppled by vandals, a number of which were face down and unreadable.

~ Son Norman Prinkey ~

Son Norman Prinkey (1872-1917) was born in about 1872 in Normalville/Mill Run.

Three days after Christmas 1912, when he was 41 years of age, he married 39-year-old Sarah Amelia (Hostetler) Randall Dornderie (March 3, 1863-1952), daughter of Jacob and Susan (Fouch) Hostetler of Casselman, Somerset County, PA. The wedding ceremony took place in Connellsville, where both were residing at the time, with justice of the peace P.M. Buttermore officiating. Their union lasted for five years until his untimely and tragic death.

She previously had been married twice -- first to William Randall ( ? - ? ), the couple having settled in Connellsville circa 1892. 

Her second husband was George Dorndera ( ? - ? ), son of August and Elizabeth Dorndera, with the pair marrying in Somerset on Aug. 17, 1903 and divorcing on Nov. 26, 1912. 

As such she brought four children into the second union -- Edith Laugherty, Charles Randall, Harry G. Randall and Grace Nopwaskey. Sarah and Norman did not reproduce.

Norman was employed as a railroad brakeman for the Davidson Works of the H.C. Frick Coke Company in Connellsville. During the Connellsville Centennial parade in 1906, he drove the Frick company's 100-horse team. Circa 1917, their home was at 631 Highland Avenue.

They belonged to the First Christian Church. 

On the fateful day of Dec. 13, 1917, the 45-year-old Norman lost his life in a freak accident at work. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, "his foot slipped in the snow, throwing him under a moving freight train. Before his signal to stop could be given the engineer, Felix McArdle, the wheels of the coke car had decapitated the unfortunate man." Coroner S.H. Baum was summoned from Uniontown and ruled the death accidental. Funeral services in the Prinkey home, attended by fellow members of the Connellsville lodge of the Loyal Order of the Moose. His remains were placed into repose in Hill Grove Cemetery, with his brother Irwin providing vital details for the death certificate. An obituary in the Daily Courier said he was "well known."

Sarah outlived her second spouse by 34 years. In about 1950, she went to live with her married daughter and son-in-law Edith and J.P. Laugherty at 509 Johnson Avenue in Connellsville. The angel of death spirited her away in 1951, having suffered from hardening of the arteries. Her burial also was in Hill Grove, with the service led by Rev. George D. Massay. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier numbered her survivors as 22 grandchildren,, 35 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Her grave marker gives her middle name of "Almeda" and years of birth and death respectively as "1869" and "1951" which appear to be in error.

~ Daughter Julia Ann (Prinkey) Richter ~

Daughter Julia Ann Prinkey (1873-1945) was born on Dec. 16, 1873 in Normalville, Fayette County. She appears to have been named for her maternal grandmother.

She was joined in holy matrimony with Christian E. "Christ" Richter ( ? -1945).

Their offspring were Jesse Richter, George Richter, Albert Richter, Blanche Yenchick, Margaret Rowe, Louis Richter, Stella Freeman, Irvin Richter and Norman Richter.

In 1912, at the birth of their son Irvin, they are believed to have been living at 10 Connell Avenue. Circa 1936-1945, their address was 630 Highland Avenue in Connellsville.

Both Christian and Julia passed away within four months of each other. He died on May 24, 1945.

As she turned 70, Julia was burdened with heart disease and in early September 1945 was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage. She lingered for two weeks before passing away on Sept. 23, 1945, at the age of 71. Interment was in Hill Grove Cemetery, with Rev. Howard W. Jamison, of the Central Methodist Church, officiating at the funeral service. Son Jesse Richter of Dunbar R.D.#1 was the informant for the death certificate. An obituary in the Daily Courier noted that she was survived by 28 grandchildren, of whom four were serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, and two great-grandchildren.

Son Jesse Richter (1893-1977) was born on March 22, 1893 in Connellsville. He entered into marriage with Helen Alverda Beal (April 4, 1900-1948), daughter of Milton John and Nann Beal. Five offspring of this couple were Milton J. "M.J." Richter, Christian E. Richter, Corinne Kern, Jesse I. Richter and Mary Williams. For six decades, the family resided at the Monarch and Leisenring No. 3 coal mine works, with Jesse employed by United States Steel Corporation. He was a member of Local 9584 of the United Mine Workers of America. The family belonged to the Connellsville United Presbyterian Church. Grief cascaded over the family when Helen was felled at home by a heart attack, at age 47, on Feb. 25, 1948. In his later years, Jesse was admitted to live in the Golden Age Home in Brownsville. There, he died at the age of 84 on May 8, 1977. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Grandson Milton J. "M.J." Richter lived in Detroit in 1948-1977.

• Grandson Christian Edward Richter migrated to Detroit by 1948 and remained as of 1977.

• Granddaughter Corinne Richter married Harold W. Kern, son of Ira Kern. They resided in 1977 in Juniata near Uniontown. They became the parents of four -- Bonnie Huey, Keith Kern, Kevin Kern and Heidi Kern.

• Grandson Jesse I. Richter was deceased by 1977.

• Granddaughter Mary Richter wed (?) Williams. The pair dwelled in Little Summit, PA. She was deceased by 1977. 

Son George Edward Richter (1893-1966) was born on Sept. 12, 1893 in Connellsville. George was a U.S. Army veteran of World War I as a member of Company L of the 319th Infantry. He entered into marriage with Martha Grace Swallop (June 2, 1904-1971), daughter of James L. and Sara (Buskirk) Swallop of Connellsville. She is believed to have brought three children into the union, Harold Edwin Halley, Sara M. Primus and Virginia Ludwig. The couple produced seven known children of their own, all needing to be sorted out -- Wayne Alvin Richter, John Henry Richter, Mary Showman, Georgette Corrine Lowry, Judy DeNutter and Margaret Basinger. George was a longtime coal miner. They made their home in Highland Avenue and later in the 1960s at 102 West Peach Street in Connellsville. Burdened with a chronic kidney infection, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away at the age of 72 in Uniontown Hospital on March 18, 1966. Burial was in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Martha lived for another five years. She died on Feb. 13, 1971.

• Step-grandson Harold Edwin Halley (1927-2004) was born on Aug. 25, 1927 in West Newton. He married Adele Faulkner ( ? - ? ). They became the parents of Sherrie Gibson and Barbara Jacobs. The family dwelled in Penn Hills near Pittsburgh before relocating to Hanes City/Orlando, FL.  He died at age 76 on Jan. 21, 2004. His remains are in repose in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Pittsburgh. An obituary appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

• Grandson Wayne Alvin Richter (1931-2007) was born on June 26, 1931 in Connellsville. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army. Wayne was joined in wedlock with Helen Catherine Soltis (May 14, 1936-2017), daughter of Paul and Anna Belle Soltis. They remained together for a remarkable 57 years. Eleven offspring born in this family were Wayne Richter, Michael L. Richter, Mary K. Richter, Martha "Cookie" Dillinger, George Richter, Margaret "Deb" Helms, David Richter, Susan "Poohie" Mirt, Cathy Leasher, Mary Carroll and Jonathan Ray "John" Richter. The family grieved at the death of seven-day-old daughter Mary on Nov. 7, 1956 from the effects of bronchial pneumonia. Wayne was employed for three decades in Scottdale by Duraloy Corporation. In his free time, he belonged to the Connellsville Homing Pigeons Club, an affiliation he held for 50 years. Their address was 105 Gibson Terrace. Sadly, Wayne surrendered to the angel of death at home at age 76 on Sept. 14, 2007. Burial was in Dunbar's Franklin Cemetery, with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts providing military rites. The Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary. Helen outlived Wayne by a decade. One of her favorite pasttimes was sitting on her porch visiting with family and friends. Others were shopping, casino gambling and watching the television soap opera General Hospital. She died at age 80 on April 22, 2017. Pastor Ray Keefer led the funeral service.

  Great-grandson Wayne "Pete" Richter married Linda and lived in Connellsville.

  Great-grandson Michael L. Richter (1954-2020) was born on April 18, 1954 in Connellsville. He served in the U.S. Army. He wed Cindy Lee Daniels (Aug. 1, 1958-2020), daughter of Eugene and Emma (Jeffries) Daniels. They resided in Connellsville and were the parents of Jody Richter, Kristy Richter, Michael L. Richter Jr., Heather Richter, Carrie Ross and Samantha Ritenour. Michael was trained as a mechanic and earned a living through self-employment. He also served as a security guard for the Westmoreland County Fair and other local events. He enjoyed cookouts and was a member of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars  Sadly, the couple died less than two months apart. Death carried her away first, at age 61, on April 26, 2020. He passed at age 66 on June 14, 2020. The remains were lowered under the sod of Mt. Tabor Cemetery, Connellsville, with the funeral conducted by a distant cousin, Rev. Lee Maley, of the family of of Lewis and Martha Ellen (Mayle) Mayle of Philippi, WV.

  Great-granddaughter Martha "Cookie" Richter was joined in matrimony with Chuck Dillinger. In 2007, they were in Connellsville.

  Great-grandson George Richter entered into marriage with Rosemarie. They put down roots in Connellsville. He was deceased by 2020.

  Great-granddaughter Margaret "Debbie" Richter was united in wedlock with Michael Helms. Their residence has been in Connellsville.

  Great-grandson David Richter has dwelled in Connellsville.

  Great-granddaughter Susan "Poohie" Richter wed Robert "Bob" Mirt.

  Great-granddaughter Cathy Richter married Brian Leasher. They have lived in Connellsville. 

  Great-granddaughter Mary Richter entered into the bonds of wedlock with Patrick Carroll. They relocated to Virginia Beach and were there in 2007. By 2017, they again had moved, this time to Georgia. 

  Great-grandson Jonathan Ray "John" Richter was deceased by 2007. 

• Grandson John "Henry" Richter (1934-2020) was born on Jan. 31, 1934 in Connellsville. He tied the knot with Betty Lou Basinger (1939-2001). Their family of three included Jerry D. Richter, Brenda Kay Richter and John H. Richter Jr. They made a residence in the Juniata section of Dunbar Township. Henry earned a living as a mechanic with Blout Paving in Uniontown and enjoyed working on automobiles in his spare time. Sadness cascaded over the family at Betty Lou's passing at age 62 on July 14, 2001. Henry outlived his bride by 19 years and lived in Lemont Furnace, PA. He may have married again to Betsy ( ? - ? ). During that time period, he suffered the loss of his daughter Brenda and son John. At the age of 86, he passed away on April 27, 2020. Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Watson led the funeral, with the Connellsville Daily Courier publishing an obituary. He sleeps for the ages in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Jerry D. Richter has lived in Connellsville.

  Great-granddaughter Brenda Kay Richter (1959-2018) was born on March 16, 1959. She attended Laurel Highlands High School. She does not appear to have married. Brenda made her home in the Juniata section of Dunbar Township. She liked to play bingo and cards. She passed away three days after Christmas 2018 as a patient in Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital. Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Watson led the funeral, followed by interment in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson John H. Richter Jr. (1957-2012) was born on Nov. 14, 1957 in Connellsville. He was an alumnus of Laurel Highlands High School. John married Linda Hiles ( ? - ? ). The pair did not reproduce. They dwelled in Dickerson Run. For three decades, he was employed by Anchor Glass and Cap Corporation. They are known to have attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Connellsville. As John's health failed, he was admitted to Harmon House in nearby Mount Pleasant. Sadly, he was enveloped by death on March 28, 2012. Burial was in the sacred soil of Dickerson Run Union Cemetery, with Elder Timothy Stash officiating. The Connellsville Daily Courier printed an obituary.

• Granddaughter Mary Richter was united in matrimony with Earl "Red" Showman. She was in Connellsville in 2020.

• Granddaughter Georgette Corrine "Creanie" Richter was joined in wedlock with (?) Lowery/Lowry. She has resided in Uniontown.

• Granddaughter Judy Richter wed (?) DeNutter. She moved to New York. By 2002, she married again to (?) Jerrold and was in Hamburg, NY.

• Step-granddaughter Virginia Halley ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Ludwig ( ? - ? ). Virginia was deceased by 2002.

• Granddaughter Margaret Richter ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Basinger/Baysinger ( ? - ? ).

• Step-granddaughter Sara Halley (1924-2002) was born on Oct. 16, 1924 in Connellsville. She married Walter C. Primus ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in South Connellsville and together raised a family of nine -- Walter R. Primus, Daniel E. Primus, John L. Primus, William L. Primus, Roger A. Primus, Rosemary Primus, Margaret Brinker, Mildred Dent and Deborah M. Swink. Sara held a membership in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. She belonged to the Misfits Bowling League and liked country music and the Pittsburgh Pirates. She died at age 77, at home, on Aug. 31, 2002. Her survivors numbered 23 grandchldren and 22 great-grandchildren.

  Great-grandson Walter R. Primus married Barbara and has dwelled in South Connellsville.

  Great-grandson Daniel E. Primus wed Sharon. Their home in 2002 was in South Connellsville.

  Great-grandson John L. Primus has resided in South Connellsville.

  Great-grandson William L. Primus was joined in wedlock with Irina. They relocated to Girard, OH.

  Great-grandson Roger A. Primus was united in matrimony with Jean. The pair put down roots in Greensburg, PA.

  Great-granddaughter Rosemary Primus has maintained a home in South Connellsville.

  Great-granddaughter Margaret Primus entered into marriage with Barry Brinker. Circa 2002, they dwelled in South Connellsville.

  Great-granddaughter Mildred Primus wed Donald Dent. They settled in Radcliff, OH. 

  Great-granddaughter Deborah M. Primus married Robert Swink. They established their residence in Normalville, PA. 

Son Albert "Dutch" Richter Sr. (1897-1953) was born on Jan. 26, 1897. He married Ola Pearl "Sally" Flannery ( ? - ? ), daughter of Lillie Flannery of Connellsville. Their six children were Albert Richter Jr., John Louis "Jackie" Richter, Christian E. Richter, Homer Lee Richter, Ella Pearl Molinaro and Mary Jane Richter. Sadness blanketed the family at the death of daughter Mary Jane in infancy in 1922. They lived in Grindstone, a coal mining patch town near Brownsville, circa 1942 and later that year in Rowes Run. At some point the couple separated, with Sally making her home at 222 North Third Street in Connellsville and Albert at 513 York Avenue in Connellsville. He continued his employment as a coal miner as of the early 1950s. He held memberships in the Milton L. Bishop Post of the American Legion and the Walter E. Brown Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. On the fateful day of July 16, 1953, he was struck by a moving vehicle near his home. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, in a page 1 story "Richter was walking in York avenue and was hit by the right fender of the [approaching] car when the driver was blinded by headlights of an oncoming vehicle." Albert's  skull was badly fractured and right shoulder injured. He was rushed to Connellsville State Hospital and thence to West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. He lingered for two days before death swept him away, at age 56, on July 18, 1953. The funeral was led by Rev. Clair R. Wick. Interment was in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Sally survived by many years. In 1969, heer address was 137 North Third Street.

• Grandson Albert Richter Jr. (1920-2012) was born on June 1, 1920 in Connellsville. He served with the U.S. Air Force during three conflicts -- World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In 1943, with the rank of staff sergeant, he was stationed at Columbia (SC) Air Base. He held the rank of master sergeant and was posted to Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA as of July 1953. Albert was united in holy matrimony in 1942 with Margaret H. (Dec. 29, 1922-2004). The couple bore two children -- Charles Rick Richter and Sondra Louise Lavoie. At some point they returned to Greenville and stayed for good. They were of the Catholic faith, and Albert belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He also was a Boy Scouts District Commissioner. His military career spanned 32 years, and he retired as a chief master sergeant. The angel of death carried away Margaret at age 81 on May 17, 2004. Albert lived for almost eight more years as a widower. Sadly, he died at the age of 91 on Feb. 4, 2012. Their remains sleep for eternity in Graceland East Memorial Park in Simpsonville, SC.

  Great-grandson Charles Rick Richter wed Tara.

  Great-granddaughter Sondra Louise Richter (1943-2008) was born on Sept. 25, 1943 in Greenville, SC. On St. Patrick's Day 1962, she was joined in wedlock with Robert Bernard Lavoie (Feb. 11, 1942-2015), a native of Haverhill, MA and the son of Alfred and Juliette (Lajoie) Lavoie. Their union withstood the ups and downs of 46 years. They bore three daughters  -- Suzette Louise Lavoie, Cathryn Loise Fosmire and Carolyn Louise Leon. Robert spent 22 years with the U.S. Air Force. At one stage they lived in Florida, where Sondra was an administrative recreational specialist for the Bay County School Board. In retirement they moved to Kansas. Sadly, she died in Wichita, KS on Sept. 7, 2008. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in the mausoleum of Lakeview Cemetery. In a Wichita Eagle obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Robert lived for another seven years. At the age of 73, he surrendered to the spirit of death in Wichita on Aug. 13, 2015. Cyndi Pearce led the funeral service.

• Grandson John Louis Richter (1922-1943) -- called "Jackie" by his family -- was born on May 5, 1922 or 1923 in Connellsville. He received a grammar school education. John joined the U.S. Army in November 1940 while our nation was still at peace. He was deployed overseas in August 1942 as a member of the 26thInfantry . At first he was in England and then sent to North Africa. In his last letter home, excerpted in the Connellsville Daily Courier, he wrote that "Am in foxholes, bullets flying all around and bombs burstine overhead." On March 29, 1943, at age 19, he was killed in action in the North Africa campaign. The War Department sent notice of his death to his parents. He initially was laid to rest in a grave in North Africa. He was pictured in stories about his death in the Uniontown Morning Heraldand Daily Courier. His mother received the Purple Heart medal in late May or early June 1943. In late May 1948, the remains were repatriated and interred in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with members of the Milton L. Bishop Post of the American Legion gathering to pay respect at the Richter residence at 513 York Avenue. His mother ordered a bronze marker for the site.

Christian Richter's workplace, Anchor Hocking in Connellsville

• Grandson Christian E. "Tex" Richter ( ? -2023) was born on (?). He appears to have written articles for the Uniontown Evening Standard in 1943 for its "Rowes Run" section. He joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, and was stationedin Korea and Iceland, specializing in parachute assault operations. Clarence married Eleanor "Sis" Trump ( ? -living). The couple endured the ups and downs of an extraordinary 66 years. The offspring produced by this union were Christian "Douglas" Richter, Diane Trafecanty and Sandra Hyatt. They resided in South Connellsville for decades, with Clarence employed by Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. He held a lifetime membership in the Connellsville Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Department. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "He loved traveling with family and his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his world. He loved to watch Westerns (John Wayne) and of course, Elvis." They suffered the death of their only son in 2022. Christian succumbed to the spirit of death at the age of 90 on Nov. 21, 2023. The Daily Courier reported in its obituary that he "was the last surviving member of his immediate family." Funeral rites were conducted by Rev. Steven Lamb, followed by burial in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Christian "Douglas" Richter (1957-2022) was born on Nov. 14, 1957 in Connellsville. He entered into marriage with Tammie ( ? - ? ). The trio of daughters in this family were Christina Ambrisco, Carrie Groff and Pamila Pattillo. They made their residence in South Connellsville. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, Douglas "a member of the South Connellsville Volunteer Fireman's Club, and Hell's Kitchen in Casparis where he enjoyed riding quads. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, going to the cabin, fixing quads and riding motorcycles." Sadly, at the age of 64, he died in Uniontown Hospital on Feb. 2, 2022. A celebration of his life was held in the South Connellsville Fire Hall.

  Great-granddaughter Diane Richter married Joseph Trafecanty. They settled in Middletown, PA. 

  Great-granddaughter Sandra "Sandy" Richter wed Jonathan "Jon" Hyatt. Their dwelling-place in 2023 was in Connellsville. 

• Grandson Homer Lee Richter (1941-2007) was born on May 23, 1941 in Brownsville. He was a 1959 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School. During the early years of the Vietnam War, for four years, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He graduated from an Air Force technical training course for supply specialists and was assigned from Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas to George Air Force Base in California. From there he accepted postings to England (Wethersfield Royal Air Force Station) and North Africa. On June 7, 1969, back in Connellsville, he entered into marriage with Martha Shipley ( ? - ? ), daughter of Lewis C. and Bessie Mae Shipley and stepdaughter of George Lydick. Performing the wedding ceremony was Rev. Clifford Moore at the Albright United Methodist Church. In announcing the happy event, the Connellsville Daily Courier said that "The bride appeared for her marriage in a yellow lace coatdress with white accessories. She carried a Colonial bouquet of white carnations and yellow tea roses." The Richters stayed together for 38 years until the separation of death. The newlyweds' first address was 101 Perry Street, Connellsville. The only child borne by this couple was Patricia Ann Richter. The family dwelled in 1973 at 1825 Fourth Street, South Connellsville, with Homer employed with Anchor Glass Container Corporation, where for 41 years he operated machinery and performed their upkeep. He served a term as president of the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Department and belonged to the Connellsville post of the American Legion. In his free time, Homer liked to fish, garden and raise a garden of roses. Home surrendered to the angel of death at age 66, as a patient in Excela Frick Hospital in nearby Mount Pleasant, three days after Christmas 2007.   

  Great-granddaughter Patricia Ann Richter (1962-2020) was born on April 28,1962. She was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier on her birthday over the years. She wed Air Force veteran Joseph W. "Trapper" Ringer (Aug. 10, 1961-2016), also of Connellsville and the son of William L. and Cassie (Costello) Ringer. They were the parents of Ashley Nicole Ringer. Joseph was a 1980 graduate of Connellsville High School. He worked for Burns International Security and then went on to study heating and air conditioning at Triangle Tech. From there he became employed by Fayette Heating. Patricia spent 22 years as an accountant with Anchor Hocking Glass and Sensus Technology. Their longtime home was in South Connellsville. Patricia especially enjoyed cooking and gathering family at the holidays. Joseph liked archery, and to fish, hunt and trap in his free time. He belonged to the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Department and the South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club. Grief and anxiety swept over the family when Joseph was diagnosed with pancreatitis. He died at age 55, on Nov. 18, 2016, in Pittsburgh's UPMC Mercy Hospital. Burial was in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with Pastor Ray Keefer leading the funeral. Patricia only survived her husband by fewer than four years. She passed into the arms of the angels at age 58 on June 30, 2020. Performing her funeral was Pastor Mike Stange. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Ella Pearl "Big Wheel" Richter (1929-1994) was born on April 18, 1929 in Grindstone. She wed Louis J. "Old Man" Molinaro (Oct. 8, 1926-2006), originally from Connellsville and the son of Luigi and Maria (Palladino) Molinary. Together, the couple produced four children -- Louis A. Molinaro, Orlando Molinaro, Debora Gephart and Christina "Tina" Molinaro. Louis served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of corporal. They made their longtime home in Connellsville. Louis was employed for 42 years with West Penn Power Company, a firm where many of Ella Pearl's distant cousins worked. The family belonged to St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church. Ella Pearl passed away at age 64 on March 6, 1994. Burial was in St. Rita's Cemetery, Connellsville. Louis outlived his spouse by a dozen years. He died at home in Connellsville on June 19, 2006. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that he was survived by nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.Rev. Fr. Frank Lesniowski led the funeral mass at the family church, with graveside rites provided by the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Inscribed on the face of their red barre granite grave marker is the Rosary prayer, "Hail Mary, full of grace."

  Great-grandson Louis A. Molinaro made his home in South Connellsville in 2006.

  Great-grandson Orlando Molinaro settled in Vanderbilt, PA.

  Great-granddaughter Debora Molinaro married (?) Gephart. They were in Connellsville in 2006.

  Great-granddaughter Christina "Tina" Molinaro put down roots in Connellsville.

Daughter Blanche Marie Richter (1898-1972) was born in 1898. Blanche married John Yenchick (May 15, 1894-1953), son of Andre and Mary (Kaolich) Yenchick of Latrobe, PA. Four children borne of this couple were Priscilla Adams, John Yenchick Jr., Alice Dominiak and Bernadine "Bunny" Shenal. John was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War I. In 1945, their home was in Perryopolis, Fayette County, with John holding a membership in the Perryopolis post of the American Legion. He was employed as a steel mill laborer. Sadly, suffering from lung cancer, the 59-year-old John succumbed to the spirit of death in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Aspinwall, PA on July 15, 1953. His remains were laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Cemetery in Perryopolis. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Blanche passed away at home in Perryopolis at the age of 73 on Feb. 23, 1972.

• Granddaughter Priscilla B. Yenchick (1922-2007) was born on Oct. 11, 1922 in Connellsville. She was united in matrimony with (?) Adams ( ? - ? ). Their only daughter was Cynthia Wadsworth. The Adamses eventually divorced, and she took back her maiden name. Priscilla was in Perryopolis from the 1950s to the end of her life. She is known to have authored the "Senior News" column for the Perryopolis Senior Citizens organization. At the age of 84, she passed away on July 16, 2007. Leading her funeral mass was Rev. Fr. Bob Lubic in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Perryopolis. Her obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

  Great-granddaughter Cynthia Adams married Willard "Lee" Wadsworth (Oct. 18, 1946-2006), originally from Uniontown and the son of John and Helen (McGauhey) Darkangelo. The pair bore two sons -- David Wadsworth and James "Martin" Wadsworth. During the Vietnam War, Lee served in the U.S. Navy including a posting aboard the USS Oriskany. For his service, he received two Bronze Stars. He made a living over the years as a freelance photographer, with his images published in many newspapers in southwestern Pennsylvania. He was active in the community, holding memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Perryopolis Historical Society, Star Junction Fish and Game Club, Masonic Lodge in New Jersey, Patriot Guard and Perryopolis Sokol Club. Sadly, Lee died on Dec. 10, 2006, at the age of 60. Rev. John T. Euker oversaw the funeral, followed by interment in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. The Valley Independent printed an obituary.

• Grandson John Yenchick Jr. (1927-2005) was born on April 1, 1927 in Rowes Run, Redstone Township, Fayette County. He apparently never married or reproduced. John lived in Perryopolis and worked for the National Tube plant of United States Steel Corporation in McKeesport. He died in Uniontown's Cherry Tree Nursing Center at the age of 78 on Oct. 31, 2005. His prayer vigil was officiated by Rev. Fr. John T. Euker. His remains are in eternal repose in the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. 

• Granddaughter Alice M. Yenchick (1933-2016) was born on Jan. 10, 1933 in Rowes Run. Alice was joined in wedlock with Joseph M. Dominiak Jr. (April 1, 1928-2013), a native of Perryopolis and the son of Joseph and Frances (Beergandy) Dominiak. The marriage endured for an extraordinary 61 years. The pair dwelled in Grindstone, PA in 1953 and near Perryopolis in 1972-2000s. Together, they bore a pair of offspring -- Pamela Reed and James Joseph Dominiak. At one time, Alice taught elementary school and was employed by the Fayette County Community Action for Women, Infants and Children's Programs. Her final position, from which she retired, was as a homecare giver with Upjohn in Pittsburgh. Joseph was employed by the Volkswagen manufacturing plant at New Stanton. There, he helped found the United Auto Workers union local and held terms as its president and secretary. He also joined the United Steel Workers of Amereica. They belonged to St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, and Alice was active with its Altar Society and fundraising. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Said an obituary, "Her lifelong passion was reading and literature, her family and spent an enormous amount of time worrying and caring for her family." Joseph passed away at home on Aug. 10, 2013, at the age of 85. The Connellsville Daily Courier printed an obituary. As a widow, Alice continued on for another three years. Death claimed her at age 83 on Sept. 24, 2016. A funeral mass was held in the family church, led by Rev. Anthony W. Ditto.

  Great-granddaughter Pamela Dominiak entered into wedlock with (?) Reed ( ? - ? ). Their son is John Reed, who has resided in Johnstown, PA.

  Great-grandson James Joseph Dominiak was deceased by 2007.

• Granddaughter Bernadine "Bunny" Yenchick (1934-2010) was born on Sept. 13, 1934. She entered into marriage with Martin J. Shenal Jr. (June 16, 1932-1997). They put down roots in Perryopolis. Three children of this couple were Martin M. "Marty" Shenal, Ellen Marie Bachmann and John James Shenal. They held a membership in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Cemetery, Perryopolis. Sadly, Martin passed away at age 64 on April 2, 1997. Bernadine outlived him by a baker's dozen years. She died at age 75 on May 1, 2010. Interment was in the church cemetery.

  Great-grandson Martin M. "Marty" Shenal (1959-1979) was born on June 19, 1959. The spectre of death carried him away at age 20 on Sept. 15, 1979.

Great-granddaughter Ellen Marie Shenal married Mark Bachmann. The pair lived in Eighty-Four, PA in 2010 and are the parents of Luke Bachmann and Rachel Bachmann. 

Great-grandson John James Shenal wed Lori. They are the parents of Emma Shenal and Julia Shenal. Their home circa 2010 was in Perryopolis.

Daughter Margaret Richter (1902-1976) was born on May 1, 1902 in Connellsville. She wed Fred Charles Rowe (Jan. 27, 1899-1944). Five sons were born in this family, among them Fred C. Rowe, George Rowe, James Rowe, Robert Rowe and John Rowe. At one time Fred earned a living as a driver for Fayette Baking Company. Their residence in 1930 through the mid-1940s was at 631 York Avenue in Connellsville. They attended the Methodist church. Sadly, Fred died at the age of 45 on Jan. 31, 1944. Margaret outlived him by 32 years. She passed away on Jan. 30, 1976, at the age of 73, in Connellsville State Hospital. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier said she was survived by eight grandchildren. The couple sleeps side by side in Hill Grove Cemetery, Connellsville.

• Grandson Fred C. Rowe (1924-1954) was born in 1924 in Connellsville. As a student at Connellsville High School, he played football and graduated with the Class of 1942. He then served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He was a member of the Bishop post of the American Legion and the Central Methodist Church. He began to have leg problems in young manhood and, in 1952, underwent a fifth surgery, this time at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Howard, MD  After what the Connellsville Daily Courier called "a lingering illness," he died in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Aspinwall near Pittsburgh, at age 30, on Aug. 5, 1954. Rev. Clair Wick led the funeral service. Burial followed in Hill Grove Cemetery.

• Grandson George Rowe dwelled in Connellsville in 1976.

• Grandson James Emerson Rowe (1930- ? ) was born in Aug. 1930. Circa 1958-1959, he worked at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville.

• Grandson Robert Rowe made his residence in 1954 on West Gibson Avenue, Connellsville. By 1976, he had relocated to California.

• Grandson John Rowe was with the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, KY in 1954. His residence in 1976 was in South Connellsville.

Son Louis Richter (1904-1991) was born in 1904. He entered into marriage with Irene Remlinger (1910-1984). Three children borne of this couple were Janet Y. "Nunny" Senock, Louis D. Richter and John Richter. Louis appears to have been a coal miner. The Richters lived in Grindstone in 1935 and at Colonial No. 3 coal mine works in 1945. Irene passed away in 1984, with burial taking place in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Louis followed her to the grave in 1991.

• Granddaughter Janet Y. "Nunny" Richter (1935-2013) was born on April 8, 1935 in the coal mining patch town of Grindstone. She married John E. Senock Sr. (1932-2007). They were the parents of four -- John E. Senock Jr., Christina McPoland, Renee Senock and Lisa Claypool. They moved to Conway, Beaver County, PA and belonged to Our Lady of Peace Parish. Sadly, John was gathered away by the angel of death on July 11, 2007. Janet spent her final years sharing a home with her daughter Renee. Janet died at the age of 78 on July 3, 2013. Mass of Christian burial was held in the family church. She sleeps for all eternity in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

  Grandson John E. Senock Jr. wed Tammie. They have lived in Conway. Their known daughters are Marissa Hatt and Ashley Young Brice.

  Granddaughter Christina Senock married (?) McPoland. She migrated to Delaware. She is the mother of Jessica McPoland, James "Jimmy" McPoland and Aimee McPoland.

  Granddaughter Renee Senock has resided in Conway. Running on the Democrat ticket, she won the primary election for a three-year term on Conway's council in May 2013.  

  Granddaughter Lisa Senock entered into wedlock with Roscoe Claypool. The pair relocated to Buckhannon, WV. Their trio of offspring are Misty Claypool, Dustin Claypool and Tiffany Claypool.

• Grandson Louis D. Richter (1928-2003) was born on Jan. 21, 1928 in Grindstone. He married Elsie Jean Kopf (March 23, 1932-2022), originally from Monongahela, PA and the daughter of Margaret Kopf. Their marriage survived the ups and downs of half a century. The couple moved to Beaver County, where he obtained work in the fabrication department of American Bridge Company in Ambridge. They made a home in Conway and attended the local Presbyterian Church. The trio of children produced by the couple were Keith E. Richter, Kenneth D. Richter and Michele Richter. Sadness cascaded over the family when Louis passed away at age 75, on July 19, 2003, in the Medical Center of Beaver. Rev. Bert Domineck preached the funeral, with burial following in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. The widowed Elsie Jean survived for another 19 years. Following what the Beaver County Times termed "a lengthy illness," she succumbed to the spectre of death at age 90, at home, on April 2, 2022. She was survived by nine grandchildren.

  Great-grandson Keith E. Richter married Pamela. They have resided in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County.

  Great-grandson Kenneth D. Richter wed Michele. They made a home circa 2003-2022 in Aliquippa.

  Great-granddaughter Michele Richter also has dwelled in Aliquippa and in 2022 lived in Zelienople, PA.

• Grandson John Richter was joined in wedlock with Nancy and in 2003 was in Connellsville.

Daughter Stella Richter was united in matrimony with John Freeman. Their home in 1945 was in Brownsville, Fayette County and in 1972-1977 in Cheswick, PA, near Pittsburgh. In May 1980, she is known to have sold half of a two-story double brick house on Shady Avenue to a family named Shook. 

Son Irvin Richter (1912-1966) was born on April 27, 1912 at 10 Connell Avenue, Connellsville. Dr. S.G. McCune assisted in the birth. Irvin had no middle name. He had a grammar school education. In adulthood, he stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighed 160 lbs. As a 28-year-old, in 1940, he was employed in Connellsville by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It's widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings. Irvin served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, enlisting in Greensburg on June 15, 1943. He was deployed to the Pacific Theatre in Manila, The Philippines. Irvin wed Bertha Hagner (1910- ? ), daughter of Charles and Mary Hegner. The pair is not known to have reproduced. He earned income over the years as a laborer, including in 1950 at a local junk yard. Their address in 1940-1950 was at 631 Highland Avenue, in the home of his brother Albert and in the mid-1960s was 125 East Apple Street, Connellsville. Irvin received a fine when pleading guilty in April 1965 to shoplifting at the Market Basket. Later that year, stricken with lung cancer, which spread to his brain, glands, liver and lymph nodes, Irvin was admitted to Connellsville State General Hospital. He subsequently was transferred in September 1965 to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh. He underwent surgery, including a craniotomy, and died there at the age of 54 on June 15, 1966. The body was returned to Connellsville to be placed under the sod of Hill Grove Cemetery. The widowed Bertha then relocated to Willoughby, OH and was there in 1969.

Son Norman Richter (1913-2005) was born on Oct. 17, 1913 in Connellsville. He was united in matrimony with Rita G. Pilla ( ? -1989). One daughter was born to the pair, Lucinda "Cindy" Izzo. Norman was a longtime coal miner, working in earlier years for H.C. Frick Coke Company. He later joined Republic Steel, laboring at the Davidson Mine, and United States Steel Corporation, engaged as a roof bolter at the Leisenring No. 3 mine. He held memberships in the United Mine Workers of America Local 1901 and socially in the Sons of Columbus and Connellsville Eagles. He liked to unwind by playing poker and following the Pittsburgh Steelers. The family lived on Highland Avenue in Connellsville. Sadly, Rita was spirited away in death in 1989. Norman outlived her by 16 years and suffered the death of his grandson and namesake Norman Richter Izzo. Toward the end of his life, Norman was admitted to Mount St. Macrina Manor in Uniontown, and died there at the age of 91 on Jan. 21, 2005.

• Granddaughter Lucinda "Cindy" Richter ( ? -2018) was born in (?). She married Lawrence Anthony "Larry" Izzo (July 2, 1947-1989), son of Herman and Helen Louise (Sem) Izzo, the father a onetime Mayor of Dunbar, PA. They bore a pair of children, Norman Richter Izzo and Celeste Fischer. The family resided at 34 First Avenue in Dunbar. Lawrence was employed at the Clairton Works of United States Steel Corporation. They belonged to St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Dunbar, where he was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Connellsville. Circa 1976, Lucinda was an outreach worker-voucher writer for the Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc. The family was plunged into grief when Lawrence, at age 42, died in Pittsburgh's Forbes Hospice Center on Dec. 11, 1989. Lucinda outlived him by nearly three decades. Sadly, she also endured the untimely death of 31-year-old son Norman in 2002. Lucinda spent her final years in Uniontown. She died at age 70 on Nov. 25, 2018.

  Great-grandson Norman Richter Izzo (1971-2002) was born on April 19, 1971 in Mount Pleasant near Connellsville. He grew up in Dunbar and attended the Catholic church. He wed Jennifer Burke and was the father of Luke Izzo. Norman earned a living as a self-employed painter. The Izzos resided in Uniontown. He died at the age of 31 on June 7, 2002. Officiating the blessing service was Rev. Fr. John Butler, with burial in St. Rita's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Connellsville. The Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary.

  Great-granddaughter Celeste Izzo was joined in the bonds of marriage with Scott Fischer and put down roots in Uniontown. The pair is believed to be the parents of Maria Ilyse Fischer and Teresa Anne Fischer. Celeste and her mother were profiled in an Oct. 11, 2013 Uniontown Herald-Standard article, headlined "Sandwiched between generations: Family bands together to face challenges." The first two sentences of the story read: "With four generations living under one roof, the Fischer family at one time brought a whole new meaning to the term 'full house.' The family's five-bedroom home on Lopez Drive in South Union Township was purchased with the intent to house four generations."

~ Son Joseph R. Prinkey ~

Son Joseph R. Prinkey (1876- ? ) was born in about 1876 in Normalville. He spent his childhood years in or near Normalville.

He has yet to be found on the federal census enumeration of 1900, and may have been dead by that time.

More digging on his life needs to be done. 

~ Daughter Amanda Prinkey ~

She too has not yet been located in the United States Census of 1900. 

She too has not yet been located under her maiden name in the United States Census of 1900. 

~ Daughter Ada May (Prinkey) Lenhart Powelson ~

Daughter Ada May Prinkey (1880-1947) was born on Aug. 14, 1880 in Normalville.

She may have been married twice, first to Ralph Lenhart ( ? - ? ). The Lenharts made their home in Wilmerding, PA in 1917.

She later married Elmer Ellsworth  Powelson (1880-1962), sometimes misspelled "Paulson." He is believed to have been the son of Charles and Olive Powelson.

For many years, their home was in Pittsburgh. In 1936, their address was 7700 Tioga Street and in 1947 it was 7124 Bennett Street.The pair made news in 1931 when involved in an automobile collision with one drivey by John Hufnagle. Alleging injuries they had suffered, they sued for $25,000. The United Press distributed a related story that was picked up by the Franklin News-Herald and the Latrobe Bulletin. 

Stricken with colon cancer in her mid-60s, Ada was admitted to Columbia Hospital in Wilkinsburg. She died there on Aug. 5, 1947. Her remains were returned to Connellsville for burial in Hill Grove Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Evidence suggests that Elmer wed a second time to Mildred A. Kelly ( ? -1981). They made a home in Wilkinsburg at 822 Ross Avenue. He worked during those years as a warehouseman. He died at age 82, on July 23, 1962. Interment of the remains was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wilkinsburg.

Mildred passed away on July 5, 1981. 

~ Son Jesse Prinkey ~

Son Jesse Prinkey (1882-1907) was born on March 1, 1882 in Bullskin Township, Fayette County.

He never married and pursued baking as his occupation.

At the age of about 25, he contracted a deadly case of typhoid fever and perforated bowel and died on Oct. 11, 1907. He was laid to rest in the Prinkey plot at Connellsville's Hill Grove Cemetery.

Copyright © 2009, 2012, 2014-2018, 2021-2022 Mark A. Miner