This Week's Obituaries

Richard J. Shepsko, 61

Richard J. ”Rick” Shepsko, 61, husband of Barbara Ann (Wolfe) Shepsko, of Phoenixville, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, in the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia.  

Born in Phoenixville, he was a son of the late Joseph A. and Mary (Fuga) Shepsko.

Mr. Shepsko was a 1967 graduate of St. Pius X High School and served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. After Vietnam he returned to school on the GI Bill and received his associate degree in Information Sciences from Montgomery County Community College.

He was employed as a project manager at Shared Medical Systems in Malvern.  

Mr. Shepsko was a former board member at the Phoenixville Country Club where he served as the Greens Chairman. He was a past member of the Phoenixville Jaycees.  

Mr. Shepsko was an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter and woodworker, having built many pieces of furniture for his sons’ homes. He will be remembered for his love of music, the outdoors and family. 

In addition to his loving wife of 37 years, Mr. Shepsko is survived by two sons: Jonathan A. Shepsko of Phoenixville and Christopher R., husband of Daelyn Shepsko of Phoenixville; two sisters: Elaine Menkins of Phoenixville and Jean Marie Stephenson of Phoenixville.  

He was preceded in death by one sister, Theresa “Ginger” English and one brother, Joseph Shepsko. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Rick.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Church, 148 Church St., Phoenixville, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Michael W. Rzonca officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.  

Friends will be received from 7-9 p.m. on Monday evening and from 9-10 a.m. at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made in Rick’s name to the PHA/Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910, www.phassociation.org.  

Condolences may be offered online at  www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.   

Patrick D. Sparano, 84

Patrick D. Sparano, 84, of Phoenixville, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 at his home. He was the husband of Henrietta (Fifer) Sparano.

He was born in Philadelphia to the late Angelo and Mary (Nattle) Sparano.

He was a 1945 graduate of Phoenixville High School. After serving in the Navy, he worked for Acker and Fry Hardware and PennDOT until retiring in 1978.

 In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Anthony Sparano and his spouse Doreen, of Coatesville; Amy Rapp, of Exton; and Paul Sparano, of Uniontown, OH; brothers: Joseph Sparano and Thomas Sparano, both of Phoenixville. He is also survived by six grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Anne Falco.

His funeral service will be held on Monday evening, Aug. 8, 2011 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 Church St., Phoenixville, PA 19460. Calling time will be from 6-6:45 p.m. at the church.

Burial will be private.

Nancy Stipa, 90

Nancy (Panichella) Stipa, age 90, wife of the late Giovanni Stipa, of Royersford, PA, died peacefully Wednesday evening, Aug. 3, 2011 at home with her family by her side.  

Born May 4, 1921 in Pitcarin, PA, she was a daughter of the late Pasquale and Nicole (Scarnata) Panichella. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Royersford. 

 Mrs. Stipa is survived by four children: Maria S., wife of Gregory R. Hunkele, of Gibsonia, PA, Loretta Stipa, of Gaithersburg, MD, John C., husband of Nanette (Satterfield) Stipa, of Herndon, VA, Anna M. wife of Timothy M. Kearns, of Limerick, PA, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

 Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at the Cattermole–Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA, on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at 10 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul C. Brandt. 

Friends will be received from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the New St. Joseph Cemetery, 1443 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA 15137, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 at 1 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, P.O. Box 229, Limerick, PA 19468. Condolences may be made and viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com. 

George H. Tay Jr., 90

George H. Tay Jr., age 90, husband of the late Rhoda (Piper) Tay, of Royersford, PA, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 3, 2011 in the Frankford Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.  

Born in Philipsburg, PA, he was a son of the late George H. Tay Sr., and Myra (Belding) Tay.  

He was a graduate of Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA. Mr. Tay worked as an executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Newport News, VA. He was a member of the Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Royersford. 

Mr. Tay volunteered for the Kiwanis Club in Phoenixville, Project Outreach in Royersford and the Royersford Food Pantry. 

Mr. Tay is survived by one son: James R. Tay, Sr., husband of Judith Tay, of Phoenixville, three grandchildren; James Jr., Jessica, Joshua, and one great grandson; James, III.  Mr. Tay was preceded in death by one sister, Edith Marin

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service at the Church of the Epiphany, 209 South Third Ave., Royersford, PA 19468, on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 at 10 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Jennie M. Anderson.  

Burial will be held privately in the Fernwood Cemetery, Royersford, PA.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Church of the Epiphany at the above address or to "Project Outreach,” 410 Washington St., Royersford, PA 19468, which will be used for the food pantry.  

The Cattermole–Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA is in charge of the arrangements.  

Condolences may be made and viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com. 

Lorraine H. Wuertz, 87

Lorraine H. (Heffern) Wuertz, age 87, wife of the late Donald R. Wuertz Sr., of Limerick, PA, formerly of Florida, died Monday morning, Aug. 1, 2011 in the Coventry Manor Nursing Home, Pottstown, PA.  

Born in Neosho Falls, KS, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Claire (Yohan) Heffern. 

Mrs. Wuertz is survived by two children: Donald R. "Ric" Wuertz of Collegeville, PA,  Keely F., wife of Kevin Brown, of Clearwater, FL, four siblings; Jeanette Winterbottom, Richard Habiger, Carol Windham, Rosemary Johnson, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  

Mrs. Wuertz was preceded in death by three siblings: Dolores Haggerty, William Heffern and John Heffern. 

Funeral services and burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family.  

The Cattermole—Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA, is in charge of the arrangements.  

Condolences may be made and viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.