In Memorium 2020 – 2023

Marilee Wiseman (Marilyn Irwin Kress) was born on Sept. 12, 1952. She departed this world peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 24, 2023.

She is survived by two adult children, Dr. Jeremy Rodgers and Rachael Kress, two grandchildren, Delaney Rodgers and Kain Bailey, as well as five siblings, Patti Emminger, Linda Schwab, David Irwin, Robin Patch and Cheri Greenspring. She was born to Carolyn McCanna Irwin and David Irwin.

Marilee was a 1971 graduate of East Brady High School. She enjoyed a very fulfilling career in art rehabilitation therapy services. She was a longtime advocate for mental health awareness and known for her dedication to the industry.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Gods Country.

Marilee taught a WRAP class at Grapevine Center.

Barbara J. Cress, 79 , of Butler, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2022 at Butler Memorial Hospital. She was born June 13, 1943, in Pittsburgh. Her parents were Albert John and Betty (Esplen) Schulter.

Barb retired from McDonalds after working there. She had also worked at ARC, and Visiting Angels of Cranberry, and Grapevine Center.

She is survived by her husband Donald E.Cress of Butler, her son Clifford George Jnr; her daughter Jessica Erdos of Butler; her brother Timothy Schulter of Butler; 10 Grandchildren and 13 Great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Anthony George, and daughter, Betty George.

At the Grapevine, Barb was affectionately known as ‘Grandma’ and was appreciated for always going above and beyond her call of duty. She cooked, and decorated and put her all in everything. We lost a lot when she left. She is missed and has our prayers. R.I.P. Barb!

John Maxwell Ferguson Jr., 69, of Butler, passed away on Jan, 8, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born May 26, 1953, in Pittsburgh and was the son of the late John Maxwell Ferguson and the late Rayana Louise (Hertwig) Ferguson.

Jack was a member of the Butler Book Club at the Butler Library. He enjoyed sports, animals, movies, reading, and music.
Jack served on the Grapevine Center’s Board, and for the past few years, worked on our Warmline.

He is survived by his sister, Jeanette Nestor and her husband, Gary, of Saxonburg, nephew, Christopher Nestor; and cousin Thomas Hertwig and his wife, Kaye.

Gwen Simons, born 6/30/1949 died at the Sunnyview Nursing Home, Butler PA, on 4/14/2022. She was from Grove City/Volant area. Gwen’s husband John and her son Johnny proceeded her in death.

After the passing of her son, Gwen came to live in Butler. She was a member of the Assembly of God faith. She loved telling everyone she met about her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She has passed on to glory to be with Him.

Robert “Rob” D. Harbison Jr., 57 of Butler, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022. He was born in Butler on May 5, 1964 to Ruth Angert and Robert and Robert Harbison Sr.

Robert served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. He was known for living life to the fullest and always having a good time. Above all else, he was a loving dad, brother and son., He was loved and will be forever missed.

Howard L. White, 69, of Butler, passed away Friday, Jan. 7 at his residence. He was born April 29, 1952, in Butler, and was the son of the late David Roland and Grace Marie (Hottel) White.

Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing and trucks. He was a member of the National Guard. He had worked at Franklin Glass, Pullman and Pang Borne.

He is survived by his brother, David G. White of Butler; sister, Patricia White of Butler; daughter, Erica White of Lyndora; grandaughter, Cassady White; and nephew, Nathan White of Richmond, VA.

Alex Michael Peoples, 40, of Wilkinsburg, PA, formerly of Butler, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh.

Born March 3, 1981, in Butler, he was the son of James M. and Bette J. (Filetti) Peoples, both of Butler.

Alex was a graduate of Butler High School. He was a member of the Onala Recovery Center of Pittsburgh. Alex enjoyed music, concerts, skate boarding, being around people and talking on the phone.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, is a sister, Cassandra L. Swasey, and her husband, James of Cranberry Township; a niece, Emma Swasey; a nephew, Dennis J. Peoples Jr.; and a great-nephew, Dennis J. Peoples III.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis H. Peoples Sr.

Rodney Bruce Cosner (64), of Butler, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at his residence.

He was born Oct., 24, 1956, in Petersburg, W. Va., and was the son of the late Floyd M. Cosner, and Lucille (Durst) Blinkley.

Steven D. Currence, 64, of Butler passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. He was born in Elyria, OH on February 5, 1957 to the late James Currence and Gayle Maroney.

Steven served his country honorably with the U.S Army and was an active member of A A since March 23, 1997. He was known to be hard working, good with his hands, and loved helping others. Steve enjoyed his Harleys, woodburning, and animals, especially dogs and cats. Steve worked for Grapevine Center as a member of our Consumer/Family Satisfaction Team. Rest in Peace, Steve.

He was the brother of Douglas, Michael, and Kathryn Currence, all of Elyria, OH. He is also survived by his niece Molly (Ian) Rockwood, and 2 great nephews. Services were held privately through the SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD, BUTLER, PA 16001, WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM.

Edna M. Hartman, 56, of Butler passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, at her residence. Born Aug. 12, 1964, in Butler, she was a daughter of Edna C. (Williams) and the late Leonard Spagnola Sr.

Edna loved to volunteer for the Salvation Army and was a bell ringer. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; doing crossword puzzles and word searches; and she was a member of first English Lutheran Church in Butler.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina Spagnola of Butler; her mother, Edna L. (Williams) Spagnola; two grandchildren, Landin and Austin Watterson; two sisters, Jeanne Kenyon of Lebanon, Ind. and Bernice (Rob) Dingel of Lancaster; her brother, Leonard C. Spagnola III of Cleveland, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews; and her partner, Dewey Thompson.

Kenneth Michael Freehling, 47, of Sarver, passed away on Friday, Jan 29, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born Aug. 11, 1973, in Butler, he was the son of James W. FreelingII and Roxanne M. McWilliams Freehling.

Ken worked as a truck driver, a peer specialist at CCR and a dispatcher. He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church. Ken was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, quad riding, boating and spending time with his beloved dog.

He is survived by his mother, daughter Ashley (Justin) Gifford of Butler, brother, James W. Freehling III of Saxonburg; his granddaughter, Riley Jan Muir, his significant other of several years, Joyce Barnes of Butler, and several nephews

Frances D. Doubt, 71, of DuBois, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. at Penn Highlands, DuBois. Born Feb. 27, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Alma Doubt.

Frances was a homemaker, and attended First Baptist Church in Evans City. She loved listening to music, shopping, being on the move, and spending time with her family.

Frances is survived by a daughter, Connie (Michael) Edwards of DuBois; four grandchildren, Michael, Brandon, and Connor Evans, and Colton Edwards; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Doubt.

Kelsie Parker, 26, of Butler passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. She was born in Butler on June 16, 1994 to Tammy Kline.

Kelsie enjoyed music, her friends, fishing, helping people, working in health care, and being around kids, but most of all she loved spending time with her niece, nephew and family. She treasured her family so much she was known to be a “mommy’s girl”. Along with her mother she is survived by her step father William Brookbank; her sisters Shannon (Jason) Kline-Pittman, Lacy Aufderncump, Kaysea Rodgers, and Angeline Parker; her brothers James Brookbank, Devin Parker, and Cody Parker; her nephew Jason Pittman; her niece Genieve Pittman, and her grandfather Romy Taylor. She is also survived by her boyfriend Steve Dee, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a large and loving family. She was preceded in death by her father; her brother Zach Parker; her grandmother Catherine Pipkin; her nephew Gage Pittman, and her uncle Bobby Hauserman.

Kelsey is another member who died too young. She is sadly missed.

James Thomas Russellm jr. son of the late James Russell, sr, and Betty Russell, was born December 18, 1957 in Pittsburgh, PA. He passed on on Tuesday, September 8, 202. He left this world with all the love of his family and friends.

James enrolled in the Air Force shorty after graduating from Langley High School in 1976.

After serving his time in the military, James worked in construction as a cement mason. He developed a drinking problem, but after a bout in rehab, he was employed at the Grapevine Center. He would later testify that coming to the Grapevine was the best thing he ever did. He went on to help empower others through the recovery process at Grapevine Center as a Peer Support /Peer Outreach Worker..

He further dedicated his time to coaching youth and semipro football. James had an effortless sense of humor that continues to resonate with his family, friends and those whom he counseled and mentored.

He is survived by his partner of 16 years, Shadenia Carr; sisters Sharn Russell and Beverly Russel; brother Gerald Russell; sons J.T. Russell, Lamar Russell, and James Russell, III; daughters Danielle, Massie, and Amber Pleasant; grandchildren Lamar Jr, Jordan, Kylah, and Latia; nephew Stephen; niece Domenique, great nephews and a host of other family and friends.