In Memoriam: July-September 2023
October 27, 2023
A tribute to members we have lost.
Death Claims Paid Out: July–September 2023
GBU extends its sincerest sympathies to the bereaved families of its deceased members.
District | Deceased Member | Location | Date of Death |
999 | Brian Family Revocable Trust | Brecksville, OH | 04-01-2023 |
684 | James E. Abbott | Nokomis, FL | 04-07-2023 |
999 | Lydia Abril | Sanford, FL | 02-09-2023 |
1100 | Henry Acker | Newport, PA | 05-23-2008 |
818 | Paul D. Alcorn | Mt Dora, FL | 05-19-2023 |
810 | Waltraud Alurovic | Unknown | 01-10-2023 |
999 | Jacob C. Atwell | Renfrew, PA | 05-08-2023 |
999 | Barbara W. Bates | Port Huron, MI | 11-12-2022 |
699 | Rudolph Bauer | Alpena, MI | 07-07-2023 |
999 | Louella Baumgart | Humphrey, NE | 04-28-2023 |
999 | Janyth Bedwell | Dearborn Heights, MI | 02-16-2023 |
1000 | Victor G. Begick | Bay City, MI | 01-26-2020 |
999 | Barbara V. Bell | Green Bay, WI | 06-13-2023 |
999 | Josephine Bello | Hermitage, PA | 08-24-2023 |
4000 | Richard A. Benka | Hermitage, PA | 05-24-2023 |
999 | Carl B. Benson | Everson, PA | 06-19-2023 |
999 | John H. Benzel | Cheboygan, MI | 06-02-2023 |
999 | Jacqueline A. Berceau | Green Bay, WI | 07-16-2023 |
999 | Karen S. Bernardo | Lyndhurst, OH | 07-03-2020 |
146 | James Bertolasio | Stoystown, PA | 08-01-2023 |
999 | Cindy Bever | Port Orange, FL | 07-05-2023 |
999 | Robert C. Bizub | Monroeville, PA | 06-12-2023 |
999 | Dale H. Borg | Hobart, WI | 05-17-2023 |
999 | Del R. Boyce | Clairton, PA | 04-23-2023 |
810 | Betty J. Brady | Vermilion, OH | 02-28-2023 |
1000 | Mildred W. Braun | Bay City, MI | 05-16-2023 |
999 | Xenia Brehmer | De Pere, WI | 06-26-2023 |
684 | Daniel Brestensky | Freeport, PA | 05-01-2023 |
999 | Nancy K. Brian | Solon, OH | 04-01-2023 |
999 | Sarah C. Brim | Pittsburgh, PA | 07-04-2023 |
2000 | Evelyn Brown | Cortland, OH | 05-31-2023 |
999 | Robert J. Brueckner | Menomonee, WI | 06-10-2023 |
999 | Richard E. Bullick | Brandon, MN | 06-15-2023 |
4000 | Margaret Bushea | Maumee, OH | 06-20-2023 |
999 | William Buyan Sr. | Pittsburgh, PA | 10-21-2022 |
999 | Rose E. Carbone | Clarion, PA | 07-11-2023 |
171 | Cathy L. Cardillo | Pittsburgh, PA | 04-20-2023 |
1000 | Mildred L. Carpenter | Farmington Hills, MI | 06-17-2023 |
999 | Michael F. Caruso | Ford City, PA | 07-23-2023 |
510 | Anna M. Cassavar | Toledo, OH | 05-08-2023 |
999 | Edward Cercone | Allison Park, PA | 06-04-2023 |
999 | Geraldine L. Charmo | Latrobe, PA | 05-24-2023 |
999 | James F. Claycomb | Bedford, PA | 07-20-2023 |
999 | Bonnie J. Cornell | Bedford, PA | 08-02-2023 |
999 | Barbara K. Cowden | Hartstown, PA | 06-05-2023 |
999 | Patricia L. Cozad | S. Vienna, OH | 08-24-2022 |
818 | Joyce D. Crabtree | Lake City, FL | 04-30-2023 |
999 | Adrena Crews | Lake City, FL | 06-25-2023 |
999 | Joseph J. Cullinane | Belleville, IL | 08-30-2022 |
999 | Janice K. Cunfer | Lehighton, PA | 03-07-2022 |
999 | Carl L. Cypher | Worthington, PA | 07-23-2023 |
298 | Martha M. Damweber | Allentown, PA | 06-13-2023 |
999 | Toni L. Demasse | Merrittstown, PA | 03-13-2023 |
999 | Joseph P. Demeuse | Gladstone, MI | 02-18-2023 |
1000 | Pete Demos | Posen, MI | 02-24-2023 |
999 | Evaline R. Deutsch | Bethlehem, PA | 06-29-2023 |
3000 | Sandra K. Diebert | Martin, OH | 04-28-2023 |
999 | Sarah Divilly | Pittsburgh, PA | 06-23-2022 |
3000 | Lillian E. Dudas | Kimberton, PA | 01-03-2023 |
999 | Blanche E. Dudek | Greensburg, PA | 05-29-2023 |
999 | Rosemary Duffy | Pittsburgh, PA | 08-21-2023 |
291 | Suzanne C. Dunphy | Philadelphia, PA | 07-13-2023 |
4000 | Evelyn I. Eacker | Chesapeake, VA | 07-24-2023 |
815 | Catherine A. Ebert | Dayton, OH | 06-01-2023 |
999 | Warren A. Eckstein | Larsen, WI | 05-19-2023 |
45 | George R. Edwards | Altoona, PA | 06-03-2023 |
510 | Theresa A. Ellis | Oregon, OH | 06-12-2023 |
999 | Joan C. Erdman | Wausau, WI | 04-24-2020 |
684 | David A. Erhardt Sr. | Ruffsdale, PA | 06-18-2023 |
510 | Bobbye L. Esterline | Lawrenceville, GA | 05-06-2023 |
999 | Josephine M. Etters | Warrensburg, MO | 06-24-2023 |
684 | Judith A. Fedigan | Sparta, NJ | 01-02-2018 |
684 | James W. Fedigan | Unknown | 06-15-2017 |
999 | Barbara J. Felix | Seward, PA | 06-26-2023 |
999 | Lore B. Fischpera | Marion, NY | 09-08-2023 |
999 | Judith L. Franos | Girard, PA | 07-20-2023 |
999 | Shirley M. Freeberg | Altoona, WI | 07-26-2023 |
999 | David M. Fuqua | Pittsburgh, PA | 06-15-2023 |
3000 | Carol E. Gamo | Hyde Park, VT | 11-22-2022 |
1000 | Linda L. Geiger | Sebewaing, MI | 05-11-2023 |
999 | Mary J. Gellert | Altoona, WI | 05-29-2023 |
999 | James R. Giordano | Sterling Heights, MI | 12-07-2022 |
999 | Carlo N. Giovannini | Gibsonia, PA | 06-29-2023 |
999 | Michael C. Glover | Berryville, VA | 06-07-2023 |
999 | Karen A. Graf Walsdorf | Branson, MO | 06-30-2023 |
999 | Donald C. Grim | Canonsburg, PA | 01-21-2023 |
510 | Anthony J. Groch | Toledo, OH | 06-05-2023 |
999 | Robert G. Groll | Pana, IL | 06-05-2023 |
999 | Joseph Gualandri | Peru, IL | 08-05-2023 |
999 | Virginia R. Haag | Rice Lake, WI | 08-03-2023 |
999 | Ettie Jo Haas | Vancouver, WA | 02-27-2022 |
2000 | William Hadbavny | Claridge, PA | 04-20-2023 |
510 | Evelyn M. Hanneman | Elmore, OH | 04-29-2023 |
45 | Louise M. Harpster | Berkeley Springs, WV | 03-06-2023 |
684 | John E. Hartle | Butler, PA | 03-16-2023 |
1000 | Wilbur W. Hecht | Reese, MI | 06-28-2023 |
171 | Zachary A. Heidish | Pittsburgh, PA | 07-03-2023 |
510 | Friedel W. Helms | Toledo, OH | 05-11-2023 |
999 | Diane L. Hennessey | Matthews, NC | 06-14-2023 |
2000 | Susan M. Hill | Herndon, VA | 01-17-2021 |
146 | Anna Hoenisch | Philadelphia, PA | 06-02-2023 |
999 | Ann P. Hoffman | Enola, PA | 04-16-2023 |
999 | Gloria A. Holt | Rochester, MN | 06-26-2023 |
999 | Michael J. Horid | Jacksonville, FL | 05-08-2023 |
3000 | Margaret J. Hornyak | W. Homestead, PA | 06-25-2023 |
4000 | Frank M. Hujik | Kenosha, WI | 04-22-2023 |
999 | Henry W. Hunsinger | Mansfield, OH | 08-18-2023 |
999 | Edward L. Jones | Corpus Christi, TX | 07-17-2023 |
1200 | Edmund L. Joyce | Gilbert, AZ | 07-20-2023 |
999 | Marie E. Kalas | Martinez, GA | 08-12-2023 |
999 | Barbara A. Karcher | Lake Geneva, WI | 06-02-2023 |
684 | James A. Kehl | Sewickley, PA | 08-20-2022 |
810 | Eva M. Keich | Northfield, OH | 06-29-2023 |
999 | James E. Kennedy | Elkhorn, WI | 09-16-2023 |
999 | John J. Kennedy | Mt. Pleasant, PA | 07-11-2023 |
819 | Rosina Kihn | Menomonee Falls, WI | 06-29-2023 |
171 | William Kirchner | Pittsburgh, PA | 06-03-2023 |
999 | Allyn J. Kitzerow | Columbus, WI | 06-28-2023 |
2000 | Henry F. Klink Jr | Berea, OH | 07-28-2023 |
999 | Peter J. Knaze | Conemaugh, PA | 01-27-2023 |
999 | Percy D. Kniss | Fort Myers, FL | 08-26-2023 |
999 | Judith E. Knutson | Fort Atkinson, WI | 03-08-2023 |
999 | Thomas E. Koch | Salem, IL | 12-11-2021 |
999 | Sherrill A. Kuckuck | Indiana, PA | 06-24-2023 |
999 | Nancy J. Kupka | Cranberry Twp., PA | 08-13-2023 |
999 | Leona Kutchravy | Oil City, PA | 04-12-2023 |
815 | Hilde M. Kuzujanakis | Huber Heights, OH | 01-12-2023 |
999 | Gladys C. La Coursiere | Crookston, MN | 06-11-2023 |
999 | Gerald J. La Crosse | Green Bay, WI | 08-04-2023 |
707 | B. Kenneth Larm | Comstock Park, MI | 05-15-2023 |
999 | Mary A. Leisey | Hamburg, PA | 08-13-2023 |
999 | Wayne D. Lentz | Greensburg, PA | 08-04-2023 |
510 | Roy F. Lessing | Perrysburg, OH | 04-25-2023 |
3000 | Anna M. Likeric | Canton, MI | 05-07-2023 |
4000 | Vilma Liposky | Middletown, NJ | 02-23-2023 |
999 | Frank L. Longo | Fort Pierce, FL | 08-22-2023 |
999 | Joan E. Love | Tamaqua, PA | 07-09-2023 |
810 | Patricia V. Mallett | Parma, OH | 06-02-2023 |
999 | Elsie M. Matuszczak | Germantown, WI | 06-21-2023 |
510 | Betty J. Mc Nutt | Holland, OH | 06-05-2023 |
999 | Howard J. Mc Peak | Pittsburgh, PA | 12-25-2018 |
999 | David L. Mc Tonic | Jerome, PA | 07-20-2023 |
3000 | Louis Medgyesi | Fairport Harbor, OH | 06-01-2023 |
999 | George T. Meindl | Pinehurst, NC | 04-22-2023 |
999 | William D. Merris | Newburgh, IN | 06-13-2023 |
999 | Ronnie Meyer | Black River Falls, WI | 08-06-2023 |
999 | Fernando Milani | Latrobe, PA | 05-14-2023 |
999 | Herbert E. Miller | Mt. Pleasant, MI | 07-05-2023 |
510 | James G. Miller | Perrysburg, OH | 06-18-2023 |
999 | Clair L. Miller | Mohrsville, PA | 04-26-2023 |
999 | Audrey A. Minarcik | Clairton, PA | 06-25-2023 |
2000 | Emma J. Mirola | Cleveland, OH | 07-04-2023 |
999 | Randall E. Miske | Mishicot, WI | 05-21-2023 |
999 | Mike M. Murphy | Sewell, NJ | 05-12-2023 |
999 | Mary K. Murphy | Fairmont, MN | 06-25-2023 |
999 | Charles E. Murtaugh | Westville, NJ | 05-29-2023 |
999 | Edwin C. Myers | Oak Harbor, OH | 06-07-2023 |
3000 | Stephen A. Nagy | Pittsboro, NC | 06-10-2023 |
999 | John Napolitano | Moriches, NY | 04-15-2022 |
2000 | Lois J. Nicely Kondek | New Alexandria, PA | 08-11-2023 |
999 | Mark A. Nickel | Pittsburgh, PA | 07-04-2023 |
999 | Daniel J. O Hara | Pittsburgh, PA | 06-25-2023 |
999 | Agnes Pacitti | Southampton, PA | 04-05-2023 |
999 | Donna M. Paich | Turtle Creek, PA | 07-14-2023 |
3000 | Albert M. Palagyi | Guilderland Center, NY | 06-04-2007 |
3000 | Virginia M. Palko | Mayfield Heights, OH | 12-25-2022 |
2000 | John T. Palla | Western Springs, IL | 11-19-2022 |
4000 | Leah R. Palumbo | Throop, PA | 04-28-2023 |
817 | Anne M. Parker | Philadelphia, PA | 05-06-2023 |
999 | Betty J. Patterson | Perrysburg, OH | 05-22-2023 |
999 | J.M. Patterson | New Galilee, PA | 06-16-2023 |
999 | Dorothy H. Pattini | Pittsburgh, PA | 04-24-2023 |
999 | Charles E. Paul Jr. | Latrobe, PA | 07-21-2021 |
146 | Kevin P. Pearce | Unknown | 06-09-2023 |
999 | David E. Peters | Unknown | 07-29-2023 |
999 | Burton O. Peterson | Cloquet, MN | 06-25-2023 |
999 | Betty S. Peterson | Rock Island, IL | 08-12-2023 |
999 | Richard Phillips | Windber, PA | 07-03-2023 |
999 | Ronald F. Piening | Delauan, WI | 08-21-2022 |
999 | Linda L. Pingel | Dowagiac, MI | 07-11-2023 |
999 | Frank Polheber | Chicago, IL | 06-19-2023 |
999 | Moses Ramey | Toledo, OH | 04-10-2022 |
1000 | Laurie B. Rampton | Smithfield, UT | 07-16-2023 |
999 | Robert E. Reuter | Fairview, NC | 08-17-2023 |
999 | Paul J. Risban II | Schellsburg, PA | 04-17-2023 |
999 | Robert W. Romey | Orrville, OH | 09-03-2023 |
1000 | Jon C. Rosenthal | Roseville, MI | 03-09-2023 |
999 | Janice M. Rothe | Alton, IL | 07-22-2023 |
999 | William H. Rourke | Holland, OH | 06-09-2023 |
999 | Stephen G. Rozyckie | Lewisburg, PA | 06-26-2023 |
1000 | Charlene J. Ruhlig | Linden, MI | 07-25-2023 |
146 | Ronald W. Russell | South Fork, PA | 04-20-2023 |
999 | Darline C. Sabato | Bear, DE | 05-07-2023 |
999 | Grace E. Sakusky | Tamaqua, PA | 06-20-2023 |
999 | Wanda Salzmann Schwartz | Winneconne, WI | 06-05-2023 |
684 | Madeleine F. Samarco | Gibsonia, PA | 07-21-2023 |
999 | Helen D. Sawchak | White Oak, PA | 05-27-2023 |
404 | Hans Schaffner | O Fallon, MO | 12-03-2022 |
999 | Gary D. Schempp | West Salem, OH | 06-24-2023 |
630 | Debra J. Schloemer | Gainesville, GA | 06-06-2023 |
4000 | Jeffrey Schramek | ChicagovIL | 02-14-2022 |
999 | Marlene R. Schrank | Manitowoc, WI | 11-13-2022 |
3000 | Dorothy A. Schrum | Summerville, SC | 07-11-2023 |
536 | Joyce E. Schulte | Lafayette, IN | 06-11-2023 |
2000 | Laverne Sedory | Gibsonia, PA | 06-14-2023 |
3000 | John M. Sente | Noblesville, IN | 07-20-2023 |
510 | Robert A. Shelley Jr | Saint Helen, MI | 05-30-2023 |
999 | Lawrence E. Sherman | Shamokin, PA | 08-15-2023 |
999 | Calvin L. Sherman | Holland, OH | 07-15-2023 |
999 | Paul R. Shivery | Christiana, PA | 07-10-2023 |
684 | Janet L. Shobe | Clairton, PA | 07-01-2023 |
701 | George Sippl | Washington Twp. , MI | 02-10-2023 |
536 | Timothy J. Smith | United Kingdom | 10-18-2021 |
1000 | Erin T. Smith | Melbourne, FL | 04-12-2023 |
2000 | Loretta M. Snyder | Canton, OH | 07-28-2023 |
4000 | Margaret Stanford | Perrysburg, OH | 08-08-2023 |
4000 | Margaret Stangl | Lansdale, PA | 02-27-2022 |
999 | Kathleen R. Steeb | Zelienople, PA | 06-29-2023 |
999 | George B. Stewart | Lancaster, PA | 12-27-2022 |
999 | Tammie L. Stoner | Connellsville, PA | 07-01-2023 |
707 | Robert R. Storch | North Muskegon, MI | 03-04-2023 |
999 | Edward Storm | Vestal, NY | 06-19-2023 |
999 | J. Paul Strock | Mechanicsburg, PA | 05-05-2023 |
999 | Virginia K. Strukel | Milwaukee, WI | 06-04-2023 |
999 | Raphael A. Sutter | Mt. Horeb, WI | 08-13-2023 |
999 | John H. Swainson | Kearney, MO | 06-23-2023 |
999 | James D. Syverson | Chippewa Falls, WI | 04-13-2023 |
999 | Donald F. Tamminen | Appleton, WI | 04-13-2023 |
999 | B. Naomi Tate | Springfield, MO | 09-01-2022 |
3000 | John F. Thieme | McKeesport, PA | 08-31-2023 |
999 | Frank J. Thomas | Pittsburgh, PA | 01-16-2023 |
999 | Paul E. Tobias | Markleton, PA | 09-22-2019 |
3000 | Irene M. Toth | Frankfort, IL | 07-24-2023 |
821 | Marianne Traub | Warren, MI | 08-31-2022 |
1000 | Arnold R. Trinklein | Vassar, MI | 09-17-2021 |
999 | Joan Y. Uhrin | Schuylkill Haven, PA | 02-01-2023 |
1000 | Marilyn L. Unger | Dearborn, MI | 06-21-2023 |
999 | Mary K. Valenly | Sharpsville, PA | 07-24-2023 |
4000 | John P. Vanek | Albertville, AL | 07-07-2023 |
3000 | Dorothy Varga | Daytona Beach, FL | 08-19-2023 |
999 | Mark J. Vendemia | Aliquippa, PA | 04-02-2023 |
4000 | Kenneth Venus | New Kensington, PA | 06-29-2023 |
999 | John A. Vicini | Kittanning, PA | 09-09-2022 |
45 | Shirley L. Voltz | Altoona, PA | 08-10-2023 |
4000 | Edward P. Vrana | Whitehall, NY | 12-06-2022 |
510 | Marjorie Wagner | Toledo, OH | 08-14-2023 |
999 | Gary N. Waldman | Montoursville, PA | 05-16-2023 |
999 | Judy M. Walters | Covington, OH | 06-16-2023 |
999 | Doris J. Wang | Fertile, MN | 06-13-2023 |
701 | William T. Weishaar | Ortonville, MI | 01-09-2023 |
999 | Jeffrey L. Weller | Greenscastle, PA | 07-30-2023 |
171 | James D. Wellinger Jr. | Pittsburgh, PA | 06-27-2023 |
146 | Virginia Welteroth | Shelocta, PA | 06-26-2023 |
999 | Rose A. Werdeo | Kiel, WI | 06-20-2023 |
999 | Beverly M. Westhuis | Waupun, WI | 07-24-2023 |
1000 | Betty J. White | Kalkaska, MI | 10-07-2022 |
999 | Mark B. Wilder | East St. Louis, IL | 06-06-2023 |
999 | Jeannine C. Willi | Unknown | 05-31-2023 |
999 | Nancy C. Wilson | Jefferson Hills, PA | 06-20-2023 |
999 | Lois J. Wootton | Fairlawn, OH | 08-29-2022 |
4000 | Valeria Wymer | Falls Church, VA | 06-10-2023 |
999 | Diane Young | Beaver Falls, PA | 08-19-2023 |
45 | John E. Young | Hollidaysburg, PA | 07-06-2023 |
999 | Marie L. Young | Toledo, OH | 05-09-2023 |
999 | Louis A. Yusi | Aliquippa, PA | 08-08-2023 |
815 | Marie N. Zahn | Cincinnati, OH | 11-26-2022 |
999 | Helen G. Zelek | Verona, PA | 05-23-2023 |
999 | Keith A. Zellers | Jeannette, PA | 06-14-2023 |

As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts

GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.

Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the perfect time to focus on your financial future. Building on the foundation you’ve already laid the groundwork for with smart money choices will set you up for long-term success. Here are a few key financial products to consider as you take the next step.