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.

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july-sept-2023
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

Optimity: Life Insurance Awareness Month

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September marks National Life Insurance Awareness month and GBU Life is partnering with Optimity to bring our members a financial wellness check-in.

Happy 100th Anniversaries District 684 & District 699

By Mary Koczan and Laqueeta Coleman • August 28, 2026
District 684 Brentwood, Pennsylvania and District 699 Frankenmuth, Michigan

District 821 Memorial: Marianne Krenzer

August 26, 2026
A Life Dedicated to Heritage, Fellowship, and Service

GBU Life Scholarship Awards: Where Are They Now?

August 24, 2026
The GBU Life Scholarship Awards support students in college, trade programs, non-college programs, and graduate school, helping them achieve their dreams, setting them on a career path and realizing life goals. Since its founding, the GBU Foundation has awarded 4,500 scholarships and educational grants totaling more than $3.2 million. In 2025, 215 members received $226,000 to support their two‑year, four‑year and graduate studies. Here’s a look at where the rubber meets the road — as we check in on past grantees to see how their scholarship awards have helped them stay on course, where they are now, and where they hope to be in the future.

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To celebrate our 134th anniversary, GBU Life launched the Birthday Bash initiative, calling upon the GBU Life community to honor our fraternal legacy through service. GBU Life invited members, producers, and community leaders to assemble and deliver shelf-stable cake kits for individuals and families who may otherwise go without a birthday celebration. What can seem like a simple act of service could be the spark of hope someone needed.

LawAssure’s New Feature: “Ask A Legal Question”

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GBU Life is expanding the power of your member benefits with an enhancement to LawAssure, the easy‑to‑use online service that helps you prepare essential legal documents from home.

Empathy Benefit: After a Loss No One Prepared You For

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A guide for navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, and the grief that follows.

Picnic-Perfect Chicken Orzo Salad Recipe

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There’s something about summer that makes even the simplest meal feel like a celebration.

Beat Summer Boredom with Our Give Back Group Benefit

July 27, 2026
Summer vacation is an exciting time packed with trips, camps, and sports, but we’ve all reached that point where we hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored!” With GBU Life’s Give Back Group benefit, you can keep your family busy while helping others without the pressure of covering project costs.

The Golden Hour Photo Contest

July 23, 2026
It is time, once again, for the GBU Life annual summer photo contest! Send us your favorite photo that depicts the contest theme, The Golden Hour.