Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 26

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1998 6 789 10 11 OBITUARIES RUSSELL P. 'RED' REEDER Colonel, author dedicated to West Point ft they made it through. Mr. Reeder's regiment penetrated five miles inland by nightfall, and over the next four days he led his men through bitter hedgerow fighting on the Cherbourg Peninsula. But on June 11, while he was crossing a field at Montebourg, an 88 mm round shattered his left ankle and almost severed his leg.

At a field hospital, Mr. Reeder was presented with the first Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest award for valor, awarded in the Normandy campaign. After being evacuated to England, he was flown to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, where his leg was eventually amputated. In 1946, Gen. Maxwell D.

Taylor, the commander of the 101st Airborne in its landings behind Utah Beach and then the West Point superintendent, appointed Mr. Reeder as a regimental commander at the academy and asked him to create a leadership course for cadets. That course, with revisions, still forms a part of the West Point curriculum. After retiring from the Army, Mr. Reeder became an assistant athletic director at West Point in 1947 and remained in the post for 20 years while helping coach the baseball team, whose annual most-valuable-player award is named for him.

In May, the academy honored him anew by presenting him with its Distinguished Graduate Award. After retiring from the Army he embarked on a writing career, focusing on American military history, biography and novels, most of his books written for young readers. Mr. Reeder collaborated with his sister Nardi Reeder Campion of Hanover, N.H., on "Bringing Up the Brass," the autobiography of Sgt. Marty Maher, the trainer at the West Point gymnasium for a half-century.

That memoir was made into the 1955 movie "The Long Gray Line," starring Tyrone Power. By Richard Goldstein The New York Times Col. Russell P. "Red" Reeder, who accumulated six demerits in his first two hours as a cadet at West Point but went on to become one of its most beloved graduates and a highly decorated commander in the invasion of Normandy, died Feb. 22 in Alexandria, Va.

He was 95 and lived in a military retirement community adjacent to Fort Belvoir, Va. Through five decades, Mr. Reeder left his mark on the academy as a football and baseball player, molder of leadership courses, athletic administrator and author of books chronicling West Point. The son of an Army colonel and Spanish-American War veteran for whom he was named, Russell Potter Reeder was born March 4, 1902, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. As a red-haired Army brat, he lived on military posts around the country, and then, at age 11, earned his first commendation, the Treasury Department's Silver Life-Saving Medal, for rescuing a sergeant's 6-year-old son who was drowning in Casco Bay, Maine.

He later credited his mother, who had ordered, "Go get him, Russell." Soon after World War he entered West Point. In his 1966 autobiography "Born at Reveille," he told of his first-day encounter with an officer supervising the plebes, or freshmen. The officer said, "Didn't I tell you about 12 minutes ago to work on your room?" "Yes, sir." "Then why aren't you doing it?" "Sir, I was getting ready to. I thought "The answer is, 'No excuse, "Yes, sir. No excuse, sir." "That's better." As Col.

Reeder remembered it: "The officer smiled pleasantly and I felt relieved. Then he said quietlv: 'I am reporting you for failure to carry out instructions. I'm sure you are the first one in your class to be awarded six Mr. Reeder recalled years later, "I majored in football and baseball." He was the first baseman and captain of the baseball team and a drop-kicker on the football squad, once betting the Gipper, Notre Dame's George Gipp, that he could beat him in a pregame kicking contest. Gipp won a $10 wager, the Irish then won the game.

With his studies running second to sports, by the time Mr. Reeder graduated with the Class of 1926, he had been at West Point for six years. Between military assignments, he coached the kickers and ends on the West Point football team in the early 1930s. When the United States entered World War II, Mr. Reeder was stationed in California.

He soon joined the Army's operations division in Washington, D.C., then was sent to the Pacific by the chief of staff, Gen. George C. Marshall, to analyze the lessons American troops had learned in combat on Guadalcanal. His recommendations impressed Marshall, who wrote a forward to the report, had 1 million copies printed under the title "Fighting on Guadalcanal," and issued them to trainees. Mr.

Reeder went to England in April 1944 to take over the 12th Infantry Regiment of the Fourth Infantry Division. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Mr. Reeder's regiment went ashore at Utah Beach, Vh. hours after the first wave. German opposition was light, in contrast to the fierce resistance at Omaha Beach, but the landmarks on Mr.

Reeder's map were nowhere in sight. The Navy had mistakenly landed the troops two miles south of their assigned spots. Fifty years later, at D-Day observances in Normandy, President Clinton quoted Mr. Reeder's response to the situation: "It doesn't matter. We know where to go." But it wasn't so simple.

The causeway leading inland was jammed with troops and equipment, so Mr. Reeder had to take his men through marshland that the Germans had flooded. The troops were heavily burdened by their weapons and equipment, but they had life preservers, and JO FLOYD JOSEPH F. RENGERS A priest who had influence on many By Cindi Lash Post-Gazette Staff Writer For a fellow who'd been retired for about a dozen years, the Rev. Joseph F.

Rengers didn't spend much time lounging in an easy chair. The 84-year-old Catholic priest continued to say Mass several mornings each week and on Sunday. He presided over weddings and funerals at Holy Spirit Parish in Millvale, where he lived. He drove himself to visit with sick or shut-in parishioners anywhere he was needed. "He wanted to remain active until the end came, and then he hoped that the end would come quickly," said the Rev.

John Weber, who has been pastor at Holy Spirit for the past 16 months. "I've heard him say that many times. All of us here have thought about that in the last day or so." On Monday afternoon, Father Rengers visited an ailing parishioner who desired to receive Communion at home. On his way back, his car struck a concrete barrier and a utility pole at Gerwick and Williams streets in Millvale. Father Rengers, who was alone in his car, was taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment of head and chest injuries.

He died there early Tuesday, ending a 56-year career as a parish priest and teacher that included a stint as chaplain at Duquesne University. That his death came while he was ministering "was just so characteristic of him. He's been such a good priest," said Weber, who had met Father Rengers in 1953 at Duquesne when Weber was an undergraduate student and Father Rengers was the chaplain. Mild-mannered and calm with a thick mop of silvery hair and a laugh that shook his shoulders, Father Rengers put people at ease when they talked with him or sought counsel about weighty spiritual issues, those who knew him said. "At the time I met him, I hadn't, really given any thought" to becoming a priest, Weber said.

"But he The Rev. Joseph F. Rengers in 1979 had quite an effect on people. He was one of my great influences." A native of Sharpsburg, Father Rengers attended St. Mary School in Sharpsburg until 1927, when at age 14 he entered Holy Ghost Seminary in Cornwells Heights, Bucks County.

He attended high school and completed four years of college studies there, then studied philosophy at St. Mary Seminary in Nor-walk, Conn. He professed his vows in 1936, then studied theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland until World War II broke out. He then returned to St. Mary Seminary and was ordained a priest there in 1941.

Father Rengers served parishes in Arkansas, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Michigan and taught at St. Emma Military Academy in Rock Castle, and St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago. He also spent 11 years as chaplain at Duquesne. Father Rengers served as pastor at the former St.

Anthony Church in Millvale, now part of Holy Spirit Parish, from 1977 to 1982. He later served briefly at St. Mary Church in Sharpsburg and at Sacred Heart Church in Emsworth before retiring 10 to 12 years ago, Weber said. Visitation will be from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m.

tomorrow in Healy-Hahn Funeral Home, 425 Grant Millvale, where vespers will be said at 7 p.m. Prayers will be offered there at 9:15 a.m. Saturday before a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church, Sharpsburg.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, O'Hara. Oversaw growth of Christie's International By Sarah Lyall The New York Times Jo Floyd, the former chairman of Christie's International, died Feb. 20 in a hospital in London. He was 74 and had cancer, a colleague said.

Mr. Floyd's career at Christie's began in 1947, when he took a job at the front counter in the auction house's principal London salesroom, and ended in 1992, when he retired as a director of Christie's International, the holding company that owns Christie's along with other businesses. As chairman of Christie's International, he presided over a period of unprecedented change and growth. Christie's. In 1973, he became its deputy chairman, and the next year he was appointed chairman of Christie's auction house.

He served as chairman of Christie's International from 1976 to 1988, after which he served as a member of the board of directors until retiring. Mr. Floyd was credited with helping to pave the way for some of Christie's most prosperous years. His decision to open in New York proved wise when the turnover there began outstripping London's by the end of the 1970s. During Mr.

Floyd's tenure, the company, which went public in 1973, had record sales and greatly increased profits. After attending Eton College and serving in the Royal Rifle Corps during World War II, he joined Christie's, where a cousin was a partner. He began at the front counter, a ground-floor command center where employees traditionally started their training. He was soon promoted to the furniture department, and became a partner in the firm in 1954. Four years later, he was made chairman of the furniture department.

A modest but extremely shrewd businessman who liked to pretend that he had little feeling for the fine arts, Mr. Floyd rose steadily at Mr. Floyd was the force behind Christie's plans to take advantage of the growing art market in the United States by opening its first salesroom in New York City. He also introduced the buyer's premium, the extra fee buyers pay to the auction house, as a way to increase profits. At times, he worked to prevent important art from leaving Britain.

Most memorably, in 1960, he negotiated the sale of Rembrandt's "Bel-shazzar's Feast," part of the estate of Lord Derby, to London's National Gallery. Born John Anthony Floyd in 1923, Mr. Floyd went by his nickname, Jo. OTHER DEATHS John L. Bissell, 66, an American businessman who ran a hand-loomed-textile export business in India for more than 30 years, of a cerebral hemorrhage Monday in New Delhi.

OBITUARIES Cont. from Page B-7 mont, Wendy E. DeGeorge, Wilkins five grandchildren, Laura (Ditrich) Moorehead, husband S. Judson, Thomas Allen Ditrich and wife Carlie (Husted) Ditrich, Robert J. Probo and great-grandson, Andrew Carl Ditrich.

No calling hours will be observed. Raymond Thomas Robert S. and Mark Wize; also 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Brother of Victoria Taylor, Louis Wyszomierski and Richard Wy-zomirski. Friends received Thurs.

12-4 8. 7-9 at H.P. BRANDT FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Perry Highway, Perrysville. Mass -of Christian Burial St. Teresa of Avila Church Fri.

at 10 am. Memorials may be made to Vincentian Home, 111 Perrymont Rd Pgh, PA 15237 ZAIMES AGLAIAZ. 79, of Mt. Lebanon, on March 4, 1998; beloved wife of Thomas G. Zaimes; loving mother of George Emmanuel T.

and Dean T. Zaimes; grandmother of Thomas, Lia, Coleman and the late Megan. NO VISITATION. A private service will be held Saturday at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Lebanon.

Entombment Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS, Peters Twp. ZIE6LER GEORGE H. On Wednesday, March 4, 1998; beloved husband of Mary A. (Lang); father of Dennis Kevin John Joseph M.

and the late George H. also five grandchildren. He was a veteran of WWI I and past member of Rosedale VFD. Friends received LAWRENCE B. McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 9311 Frankstown Penn Hills.

(100 owned and operated by the McCabe Family). Mass of Christian Burial from St. Joseph Church, Verona on Saturday at 12:30 PM. Visitations Thursday Friday, 2-4 7-9 PM. 003 In Memoriam EVANS THOMAS J.

Its been one year ago today since God opened his heavenly gates for you. You were gone with the blink of an eye, and you left us all wondering why. Yet as each moment passes your love grows stronger in our hearts we know deep down we will never grow apart. Sadly missed by sister, nieces 8. nephews.

ROY PHILIP JR. March 5, 1964 to April 25, 1995. Through the anguish 8. the pain, and the continuous weeping in our souls, our hearts lighten in remembering your smile your loving ways on this your birthday. With love, Mom, Yiayia 8, sister Cali brothers Michael Bill.

owski and the late Thomas Merlina; also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends received at WILLIAM F. GROSS FUNERAL HOME, 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road) Penn Hills. Funeral Friday Mass of Christian Burial in St. Gerard Maiella Church 10AM.

Visitations Thursday 2-4 7-9PM. SHUNK REGINA MALADY On Feb. 28, 1998 in Ocala, FL; formerly of PA; survived by William Shunk, husband of 44 years; one brother Thomas Malady of and nine nieces nephews. Arrangements by HIERS FUNERAL HOME, Ocala, FL. Services were held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, FL.

SIVAK MARY (HIRJAK) On Tuesday March 3, 1998, of N. Braddock; wife of the late John Si-vak; mother of John and Bernard Sivak; also 7 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. Friends will be received Wed. 7-9 and Thursday 2-4 8, 7-9. at the ALBERT G.

LESKO FUNERAL HOME, cor. of Bell 8. Jones N. Braddock. Mass of Christian burial Friday 10am in Good Shepherd Church.

SKALOS JAMES D. Of Shaler, on Tuesday, March 3, 1998, beloved husband of Sharon; beloved father of James D. Jr. and Maria, David A. and Jennifer A.

Jimmy Puppy of Aaron and Nicholas Skalos; brother of Frederick, Victoria Brennan, Michelle Rudzki and the late Margaret Duderstadt and Joan Dankmyer; son of the late Frank and Dorothy Skalos; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation 2-4 8 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at JACK W. AMICK FUNERAL HOME, 512 Grant Millvale Mass of Christian burial Friday 10 a.m. in Holy "Spirit Parish.

SMITH GENEVIEVE (HANLIN) On Sunday, March 1, 1998, age 77, of Murrysville, PA, formerly of Erie, at AUMC Forbes Regioinal, Monroeville, after a brief illness; born January 19, 1921 in Union City, PA. daughter of the late George J. and Gertrude B. (Allen) Hanlin; employed at Western Provision, in Erie for more than 25 years; preceded in death by her husband Dana C. Smith; son Thomas A.

De-George; grandson Robert C. Ditrich III; three brothers, A. James, Andrew and Rexford Hanlin; two sisters Audrey (Hanlin) McCathron and llene Hanlin; survivors include Linda (DeGeorge) Ditrich, Del- Church in East Pittsburgh. He also served as Vice-Pastor of Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church in Irwin for 20 years. He was a member of the Slovak Zion Synod and served as Dean and Treasurer of the Central Conference.

He was also the Synod Statistician for 20 years. Husband of Evelyn (Bohus) Tomo; father of Mary Beth Tomo Gardner and her late husband Mark, and Ruth Boyle and her husband Rick, all of Forest Hills; brother of John Myron Tomo and Suzanna Snyder, all of Ohio and the late Paul Tomo; also one step-granddaughter, Sarah Boyle; also many relatives in Ohio and New Jersey. Friends may call Wednesday and Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM at PATRICKT. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Linden Avenue, East Pittsburgh (824-8800). Funeral service will be Friday in Hope Lutheran Church, Forest Hills, at 12 noon.

Viewing in church one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to Forbes Hospice, Pgh, or Hope Lutheran Church, Forest Hills TOVEY MARGARET Age 98, on Tues. Mar. 3, 1998 of Pleasant Hills; wife of the late Earl T. Tovey; mother of Marita Don Nowe, Thomas E.

8. Alice Tovey the late William Tovey; also survived by a beloved cousin Clair Harlan; 18 grandchildren; 36 greatgrandchildren; two great-greatgrandchildren. Friends received at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, INC. 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood Thurs.

Fri 2-4 7-9. Funeral Prayer Sat. morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Elizabeth Church at 10am.

WEDDELL MARGARET S. HERTZLER (JAMESON) 89, formerly of French Street, Erie, and Clearwater, FL, died Monday, March 2, 1998 at Forest-view Skilled Nursing Center. Born in Pittsburgh on August 3, 1908, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Pearl Pickard Hertzler. Survived by a daughter, Jean Ann Madras, and her husband, James of Harborcreek, PA; four grandchildren; her twin sister, Mildred His-som Anderson, Pittsburgh; and a sister, Anne Sander, Boynton Beach, Fl. Friends may call at the BURTON FUNERAL HOME, 602 West 10th Street, Erie, on Thursday, from 2 to 5 and 7 until the time of service at 8 PM.

WYSZOMIERSKI FRANK Of Ross Twp. on March 4, 1998; beloved husband of Katherine Kowal; father of Barbara A. Ackle, Visitation Friday 2-4 8. 7-9 PM. SULKOWSKI OLGA (MELNICK) On March 3, 1998, Olga Melnick Sulkowski, of Stowe Twp.

wife of the late Stanley; mother of Stanley, Jr. Coraopolis, Gerry Nazak, Stowe Twp and Daniel McKees Rocks; sister of Ann Patton and Jay Melnick, both of McKees Rocks, Antoinette Michaels, Ingram, Mildred Komernitski, McCandless, the late Mary Kasko, Helen and Walter Melnick; also 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Friends received Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, 2-9 p.m. in ANTHONY J.

SANVITO, INC. FUNERAL HOME 1650 Broadway, McKees Rocks (Stowe Funeral Friday, 9am. Divine Liturgy St. John the Baptist Ukranian Catholic Church, 10am. Parastas Thursday, 8:30 p.m.

THOMAS KALIOPE On Wednesday, March 4, 1998, Kaliope of Oakmont, daughter of the late Helen John Demetroulakos. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Peter Papadothomakos, a son Michael 8 grandson Philip Roy Jr. 8 her brothers sisters James, Claire, Harry Eva. Beloved mother of Helen Roy 8 her her deceased husband Philip of Penn Hills, John 8 his wife Bette Thomas of Greensburg Dean 8 his wife Eileen Thomas of Medford, NJ; devoted 'Yiayia' to 12 grandchildren 8 13 great-grandchildren; dearly loved 8 respected as 'Aunt Katie' by nine nieces 8c nephews 14 great-nieces 8 nephews. Spiritual 'Mom' to Paula Thomas of Wilkins Twp.

Friends relatives may call BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME, INC. 421 Allegheny Oakmont Thursday 7-9 Friday 2-4 8. 7-9 pm. Services Saturday 11:30 am. at The Green Orthodox Church of The Assumption, 12 Washington Oakmont.

EVERYONE PLEASEMEETATTHE CHURCH. TOMO REV. ANDREW Of Forest Hills, on Sunday, March 1, 1998, a native of Youngs-town, OH, he was a WWII Army veteran, serving as a Chaplain's Assistant in three campaigns in the European Theatre. He was a 1949 graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH and a 1951 graduate of Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary. He was ordained a Lutheran minister, on May 22, 1951.

He was a pastor for 47 years, serving at St. John's in Nanticoke, St. Peter's in Uniontown and from 1963-1990 at Holy Trinity Lutheran There will be a graveside service Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. St. Teresa Cemetery, Union City, Rev.

Leo J. Gallina officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Teresa Church, 5 Third Union City, PA. 16438.

Arrangements by A. BRUGGER SONS FUNERAL HOME, 845 38th St, Erie PA 16504 SOMIAK NANCY A. (HIGHTOWER) On Wednesday, March 4, 1998, Nancy A. (Hightower) Somiak, of Lincoln Place, age 77, retired nurse of the South Hills Health Systems; wife of the late Andrew J. Somiak; mother of Diane Reed of Virginia and John A.

Somiak of Virginia; gradmother of Jason Allen Reed. Friends received 7-9 p.m. Thursday, 2-4 7-9 p.m. Friday at GEORGE IRVIN GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 3511 Main Street, Munhall. (A selected Golden Rule Member).

Service at Anne Ashley U. Methodist Church Saturday 1 p.m. Memorial donations to Anne Ashley U. Methodist Church, 22nd Munhall, PA 15120. SPANGLER EDWIN On Monday, March 2, 1998, age 87, of Greenfield, beloved husband of the late Laura (Hilliard) Spangler; father of Mrs.

Barbara Frances Ward, Edwin Richard H. 8. Ronald K. (Gus) Spangler; brother of Mrs. Mary McCarney, Marshall Spangler Jr.

the late Ruth F. Smith, Blair William K. Spangler, Lillian M. Mitchell, Sarah Sutton, Bud Brucker, John Brucker 8 Elizabeth R. Welsh; also survived by 11 grand 17 great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received in the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Ave. Funeral Friday with services in The Sq. Hill Christian Church at 11 am. (Everyone please meet at church).

Visitation with the family Wednesday 6-9 Thursday 2-4 6-9 pm. The family suggests remembrances to The Sq. Hill Christian Church. STANTCH WILLIAM MELVIN (SCAR) On Wed. March 4, 1998; beloved husband of Marlene; father of Kenneth, Lewis Melvin, Michael, Vaughn, Dana Brian; son of Mrs.

Dolores Stanton; also seventeen grandchildren. Friends received GAINES FUNERAL HOME, 220 Auburn E.E, where services be held Saturday at 11 a.m. RUSSELL HERBERT LEE On March 2, 1998, Herbert age 24, of North Braddock; beloved son of David Russell and Anna France-dearest stepson of Angela (Baby) Dudley-Moore; brother of Patricia Cook and James (Poncho) Blend; grandson of Patrocina Perez and the late Gladys L. Russell; a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Thurs.

2-9 pm Fri. 2-9 pm at the WATTS MEMORIAL CHAPEL 808 Talbot Braddock, (271-3880). Funeral Service will be Sat. at 11 am at the First Church of God in Christ, Talbot Ave. Braddock.

Interment Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville. SAWYER CORBETT F. "JACK" 93, of Beaver Falls, died March 2, 1998 in the Medical Center, Beaver. Born Feb. 28, 1905 in Kilarm, WV.

He was the son of the late William Thomas and Virginia Harron Sawyer. Was a member of the United Full Gospel Assembly, Beaver Falls, was a Pastor of Assembly of God Church in Shinnston, WV and also he was a retired certified mine inspector. Surviving is his wife of 64 years, W. Madge Sawyer, 2 sons and daughter-in-laws, Rev. Jack D.

and Betty G. Sawyer of Beaver Falls, Thomas W. and Francine Sawyer, Moon 2 daughters and son-in-laws, Martha and Mac McDougall, Woodstock, GA and Susan and Elliott Bowen, Baltimore, MD; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by brothers and sisters. Friends will be received Wed.

from 7-9 and Thurs. from 2-4 7-9 at the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, at SYLVANIA HILLS MEMORIAL PARK, Rochester. Service will be conducted Fri. at 11 a.m. at the Gabauer Funeral Home where Rev.

Dale Russo will officiate. Private interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. SCHAEFERS RICHARD M. Of Plum Boro, On Tuesday March 3, 1998; beloved husband of Diane; father of James Schaefers; son of Ann Capone; brother of Ronald Merlina, Judith Kasper-.