Jeffrey Zaslow, Author with CMU Ties, Dies in Auto Accident

The 53-year-old Wall Street Journal columnist and best-selling co-author of "The Last Lecture" is killed Friday in northern Michigan.

Best-selling author Jeffrey Zaslow, 53, who co-wrote The Last Lecture with Carnegie Mellon University's Randy Pausch, died Friday in an auto accident in northern Michigan. According to the Antrim County Sheriff's Office, a vehicle lost control on the M-32 road and skidded into the path of a truck Friday morning; the car's driver was killed, a dispatcher confirmed. Zaslow recently published a new novel, The Magic Room, and was a featured speaker last month at the West Bloomfield Optimist Club breakfast meeting and a frequent speaker at functions throughout West Bloomfield and Farmington. "He recently spoke at one of our meetings and our members were in awe of his commitment," said Optimist Club President Robert Brooks. "His whole community …

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Slack Family Recalls 'Precious' Memories

The family of the Bridgeville man whose body was found Monday in the Ohio River says he was smart, compassionate and, at times, silly.

The family of Jimmy Slack gathered Tuesday night in their Bridgeville home—a day after his body had been found—and told stories, wept, shared a few laughs and flipped through old photos of him. “It’s just hard to sort through everything,” said Maureen Shields while looking at the numerous photos of her brother. “We’re going through pictures to make a picture board. It’s just really hard to go through pictures of someone’s entire life and at 25, that’s his entire life.” Pittsburgh police found Slack’s body on Monday in the Ohio River, nearly two months after he disappeared while attending a concert in Pittsburgh. The family spent each of those 46 days he was missing hoping for a miracle that he would come home. Now they’re trying to share …

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Perry North 'Free Spirit' Known for Calm Temperament

Waples Comer "Moe" Mariner Jr. died Monday. He was 100.

Obituary: Retired PR Teacher Gerald J. Kossar Dies Unexpectedly

Kossar taught high school math.

Retired Pine-Richland teacher Gerald J. Kossar, 68, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, Nov. 18, of natural causes. He lived in Mars in Adams Township. Born in North Charleroi on Jan. 17, 1943, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rose Telleck Kossar. After retiring from Pine-Richland, where he taught high school math, Kossar worked as a substitute teacher for the Mars School District. He was a social member of the Mars VFW Post 7505.  Surviving are his wife, Olena Anatolievna Kossar, whom he married on Aug. 1, 2007, a stepson, Maksyn Kyrychenko of Mars, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother and sister. Friends will be received at McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home at 238 Crowe Ave. in Mars from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m…

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Obituary: Police Officer and Fire Chief Kenneth Young Dies of Cancer

Officer hailed for his work as an accident reconstructionist and fire chief.

Kenneth Michael Young, an 18-year veteran of the Northern Regional Police Department and the fire chief for Wexford Volunteer Fire Co., died Sunday at the age of 53 after battling cancer. "We lost our brother," said Northern Regional Police Chief T. Robert Amann. "Ken was a very dedicated officer. He was very dedicated to his profession, both as a police officer and a firefighter," said Amann. Young was a member of the Wexford Volunteer Fire Co. for more than 30 years, serving as chief for the last 22 years. "During his time in office, Ken worked hard to bring the Wexford VFC from a small department serving a rural community to a department that was able to adapt to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community and advance into the 21st …

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What Did Legendary Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs Mean to You?

Steve Jobs, tech visionary and co-founder of Apple, dies at age 56.

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and a giant in the technology industry, died Wednesday. He was 56. Jobs, who had been treated for pancreatic cancer, died surrounded by family, according to a statement they released. As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, Apple's homepage had been given over to the memory of Jobs, and Apple had posted the following statement:  Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, …

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