Curator: Prof. Elena Rostova Date: 2/9/2026 Dept: Visual Arts & Sciences

OBSERVER REPORTER NEWSPAPER OBITUARIES

The observer reporter newspaper obituaries section is a dedicated space that provides a poignant and reflective account of the lives of individuals who have passed away. It serves as a testament to the impact and legacy of those who have left this world, offering a glimpse into their stories and the lives they touched. This section is an essential part of the newspaper, providing a platform for the community to pay respects and share memories.

Obituaries are a unique form of journalism, requiring a delicate balance between informing the public and honoring the deceased. They often include personal anecdotes, achievements, and details that showcase the individual's character and contributions. This approach ensures that the person's life is celebrated and remembered, offering a sense of closure and comfort to their loved ones.

The observer reporter, as the name suggests, plays a crucial role in this process by acting as an impartial observer, documenting and sharing the information provided by the family or friends of the deceased. It is a responsibility that requires sensitivity, respect, and a commitment to accuracy.

One of the key benefits of this section is its ability to connect people across generations and backgrounds. Obituaries often reveal shared experiences, passions, and values, fostering a sense of community and understanding. They can also inspire others to reflect on their own lives and make the most of their time, leaving a lasting impact beyond the pages of the newspaper.

Supplementary Figures

Fig 1. William Davisson Obituary (2025) - Carmichaels, PA - Observer-Reporter

A vintage newspaper front page with a prominent obituary for a renowned historian. The image evokes a sense of nostalgia, displaying an aged newspaper with yellowed edges, a faded photo of the historian, and a somber headline, capturing the passage of time and the legacy of knowledge.

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Fig 2. Julia Yarkosky Obituary (1934 - 2025) - Canonsburg, PA - Observer-Reporter

A modern news desk with a reporter's notebook open, revealing an obituary for a prominent activist. The image conveys a sense of urgency and purpose, showing a laptop with a draft obituary, a stack of papers, and a reporter's pen, highlighting the importance of documenting the lives of influential figures.

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Fig 3. Obituaries - Observer-Reporter

An old-fashioned typewriter, its keys worn, with a blank page, ready for an obituary. The image evokes a sense of tradition and craftsmanship, capturing the ritual of writing about the deceased, with a soft, warm light, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

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Fig 4. Barbara Gagich Obituary (1937 - 2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper editor's desk, cluttered with clippings, highlighting an obituary for a local celebrity. The image showcases the behind-the-scenes work, with a magnifying glass, a stack of papers, and a spotlight on a computer screen, emphasizing the meticulous process of crafting obituaries.

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Fig 5. James Henderson Obituary (2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's notebook, open, with a sketch of a person's face, surrounded by notes and dates. This image captures the creative process, showing a mix of rough sketches, dates, and names, providing a glimpse into the personal connection between the reporter and the subject of the obituary.

Inspect Figure

Fig 6. Shirley Senay Obituary (2025) - Cecil, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper headline, bold and dramatic, announces the death of a famous actor. The image is striking, with a black background, the actor's name in bold letters, and a spotlight on the obituary, creating a sense of finality and impact.

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Fig 7. Mary Keener Obituary (1929 - 2025) - Carmichaels, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's hands, typing on a laptop, with a draft obituary for a local hero. The image conveys dedication and precision, showing a close-up of fingers, a laptop screen with a half-written obituary, and a soft, focused light, emphasizing the importance of the task.

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Fig 8. Joseph Campise Obituary (2025) - McMurray, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper archive room, filled with old issues, some with obituaries highlighted. The image evokes a sense of history and continuity, with a dimly lit room, aged newspapers, and a spotlight on a stack of papers, inviting reflection on past lives.

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Fig 9. Janet Nyga Obituary (2025) - South Park, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's desk, organized with obituaries from different eras, showcasing the evolution of journalism. The image provides a historical perspective, with a mix of old and modern newspapers, a calendar, and a reporter's notes, highlighting the passage of time in the industry.

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Fig 10. Dorothy Moyer Obituary (2025) - Bentleyville, PA - Observer-Reporter

A close-up of a reporter's eyes, focused on a computer screen, reading an obituary. The image captures intense concentration, with a soft light, a laptop screen, and a stack of papers, emphasizing the emotional and intellectual labor involved in writing obituaries.

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Fig 11. Paul Lukas Obituary (1931 - 2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper column, dedicated to obituaries, with a variety of personal stories. The image is warm and inviting, with a mix of photos, quotes, and dates, creating a sense of community and remembrance, allowing readers to connect with the lives of the deceased.

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Fig 12. Janice Martincic Obituary (2025) - Houston, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's notebook, filled with notes, a sketch of a person's life, and a timeline. This image showcases the storytelling aspect, with a mix of text, sketches, and dates, providing a personal and detailed account of a life's journey.

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Fig 13. Elizabeth Yuhas Obituary (2025) - Houston, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper front page, with a prominent obituary for a political figure, set against a backdrop of flags. The image is powerful, with a serious tone, a black border around the obituary, and a spotlight on the figure's name, evoking a sense of national significance.

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Fig 14. Martha Ashmore Obituary (1938 - 2024) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's desk, cluttered with notes, a laptop, and a half-finished obituary. The image conveys a sense of work in progress, with a mix of papers, a calendar, and a spotlight on a computer, highlighting the ongoing nature of journalism and the writing of obituaries.

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Fig 15. Jane Miller Obituary (2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A vintage newspaper, its pages yellowed, featuring an obituary for a famous scientist. The image has a nostalgic feel, with a soft, warm light, a magnifying glass, and a stack of old newspapers, inviting readers to explore the history of scientific advancements.

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Fig 16. George Brown Obituary (2024) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A modern news studio, with a reporter reading an obituary on-air. The image is professional, with a bright, controlled light, a laptop, and a spotlight on the reporter, capturing the emotional delivery of the news to the audience.

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Fig 17. Richard Ross Obituary (1938 - 2024) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's hands, holding a pen, with a blank page, ready for an obituary. The image is simple yet powerful, with a soft, natural light, a desk, and a spotlight on the hands, emphasizing the human connection to the act of writing about lives.

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Fig 18. Roxie Zeman Obituary (1950 - 2025) - Canonsburg, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper archive, with a spotlight on a specific obituary, surrounded by other obituaries from different eras. The image provides a historical context, with a dimly lit room, aged newspapers, and a sense of the passage of time in the lives of those remembered.

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Fig 19. Geneva Iddings Obituary (2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's desk, organized with obituaries from various regions, showcasing diversity. The image is inclusive, with a mix of different newspapers, a globe, and a reporter's notes, highlighting the global impact and reach of obituaries.

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Fig 20. Francis Wehinger Obituary (1942 - 2023) - Knoxville, TN - Observer-Reporter

A close-up of a reporter's pen, with ink blots, on a blank page. The image is intimate, with a soft, focused light, a desk, and a spotlight on the pen, capturing the personal connection and the emotional act of writing about lives.

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Fig 21. James Holston Obituary (2025) - Washington, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper column, dedicated to obituaries, with a focus on local heroes. The image is heartwarming, with a mix of photos, quotes, and dates, creating a sense of community and pride, allowing readers to celebrate the lives of their neighbors.

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Fig 22. Douglas Trbovich Obituary (1955 - 2025) - Washington, PA - Observer ...

A reporter's notebook, filled with notes, a sketch of a person's face, and a timeline. This image showcases the personal touch, with a mix of text, sketches, and dates, providing a detailed and emotional account of a life's journey.

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Fig 23. Kandy Arata Obituary (2025) - Norristown, PA - Observer-Reporter

A newspaper front page, with a dramatic headline, announcing the death of a famous artist. The image is artistic, with a black and white background, a spotlight on the obituary, and a sense of artistic expression, capturing the impact of a creative life.

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Fig 24. Mary DeVitis Obituary (2024) - Canonsburg, PA - Observer-Reporter

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Fig 25. Sibyl Kappeler Obituary (2025) - South Park, PA - Observer-Reporter

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Fig 26. Audrey Scoumis Obituary (2025) - Canonsburg, PA - Observer-Reporter

A reporter's hands, typing on a laptop, with a draft obituary for a local hero. The image conveys dedication and precision, with a close-up of fingers, a laptop screen, and a soft, focused light, emphasizing the importance of the task.

Inspect Figure