PITTSBURGH — A local funeral home was bilked out of nearly $200,000.
According to police, the owner of John J. Gmiter Funeral Home in Pittsburgh’s South Side hired a woman to clean the building in July.
She was given a key and had access to the entire building including the owner’s office. That’s where financial documents were stored.
In December, the owner’s bank reported that multiple large deposits had been made into another bank.
The five checks all made out to the suspect Ellie/Eleanor Slagle totaled $194,000.
Neighbors on 15th Street tell us they’re shocked. One woman described the owner of the funeral home as the ideal neighbor.
“He lets people park in his lot all the time. As you know, parking is an issue in the South Side. He’s the greatest guy,” she said. “He’s wonderful and the funeral home is wonderful. I think it’s a real shame that happened to him. That’s terrible.”
Slagle faces a number of charges including felony theft and fraud.
Her next court appearance has not been set.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
