Obituaries

Constance Jean Reeher, 68, of New Beaver Boro passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh following a short unexpected illness.

Born March 10, 1950 in Beaver Falls, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Dolores A Oravitz Bender. She was married to Albert “Ray” Reeher Jr for 49 years. He survives.

Connie graduated...

Dawn Cheri Contrucci, 65, of Erie (formerly of Ellwood City) unexpectedly passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018 at UPMC – Hamot Hospital in Erie. She was a loving wife, an amazing mother, proud grandmother and a woman of God, who whole heartedly shared her faith with all.

Born April 28, 1953 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the...

Lois A. Bauder, 86, of Portersville passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018.

Born May 6, 1932 in Butler County, she was the youngest daughter of the late Frank and Lucille Wenner Hilliard. She was married to George “Jake” Bauder for 58 years when he passed in 2009.

Lois was a fun person that enjoyed life. She had many jobs throughout...

Audrey Marie (Zohosky) Jones, 90, of New Castle passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Thursday, September 27, 2018 after returning home from a trip to Pittsburgh.

Born February 26, 1928 in Chewton, she was the only child of the late Sam and Agnes Rapp Zohosky. After her mother passed away, her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth (Zohosky) and Felix Skocylas...

Norman C. “Randy” Johnston III, 61, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Brighton Rehab & Wellness Center following a lengthy illness.

He was born July 22, 1957 to the late Norman C. Johnston Jr. and Margaret E. Baker Johnston.

Norman was a 1976 graduate of Lawrence County Vo-Tech and a 1981 graduate of the New Castle School of...

Mary Ann Gearhart, 84, of Foch St., Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Providence Care Center following a brief illness.

Born July 12, 1934 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Carmen and Ethel Stephenson Venezie. She was married to Harry E. Gearhart who passed away in 1982.

Mary Ann graduated from Lincoln High...

Richard E. Burnett, 61, of New Beaver Boro passed away Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at UPMC Mercy Hospital following a sudden and brief illness.

Born August 31, 1957 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Elmon “Al” Burnett and Angie Maravola Burnett Kelley. He was married to Jody Hairhoger Burnett for 18 years. They had been together...

Marjorie L. Brown, 77, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 following a brief illness.

Born September 20, 1940 in Perry Twp., she was the daughter of the late Clarence M. and Pearl E. Francis Singloub.

Marge was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her delicious apple pies.

She is...

Ruth E. Frickanish, 88, of Slippery Rock Twp., Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Born December 28, 1929 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Alberta Black Leonhardt. She was married to John T. “Jack” Frickanish for 65 years when he passed away December 24, 2015.

Ruth...

Joseph Stefura, 83, of Wampum passed away Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Ellwood City Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born October 11, 1934 in Koppel, he was the son of the late John and Sophia Kwasnicki Stefura Sr. He was married to Patty Tukalo Stefura for 58 years. She survives.

Joe graduated from Beaver Falls High School. He...

Ethel M. Ritorto, 76, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Born February 20, 1942 in Big Beaver Boro, she was the daughter of the late Robert E. “Nick” and Josephine Lechner Straley.

Ethel graduated from Beaver Falls High School. In 1959, she was named Mrs. Body Beautiful. Ethel was...

Regis E. Orock, 85, of Portersville passed away peacefully Friday, September 7, 2018 at his home.

Born October 21,1932 in Fombell, he was the son of the late William C. and Keturah McFarland Orock. He was married to Virginia Myers Orock for 64 years, she survives.

Regis worked at the Honey Creek Stone/City Asphalt, where he was a master mechanic,...

William H. Tillia Jr., 85, of Martin Rd., New Castle (Princeton) passed away Monday, September 3, 2018 at the Southwest General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio following a brief illness.

Born June 22, 1933 in Portersville, he was the son of the late William H. and Mary Elva Cornelius Tillia Sr. He was married to Betty Croco Tillia for 65 years...

Donald Merle Spiker, 86, of Franklin Twp. passed away Monday, September 3, 2018 at the Ellwood City Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born July 4, 1932 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Harvey and Mary McConnell Spiker. He was married to Mary Hutchison Spiker for 64 years when she passed away January 14, 2018.

Don...

Susie D. Downey, 62, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at her residence.

Born January 21, 1956 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Louise Welsh Davis.

Susie loved to read and cherished time spent with family.

Survivors include her husband of 44 years,...

Donna J Gallaugher, 78, of Zelienople passed away Friday, August 31, 2018 following a brief illness.

Born April 17, 1940 in Ernest, PA, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Erma Bennett Clark . She was married to Edward Gallaugher Sr. who passed away May 8, 1995.

Donna graduated from Zelienople High School. She worked at the former...

Virginia Montozzi, 95, of Villa Maria, formerly of Wampum passed away the morning of Monday, August 27, 2018 at her residence with family at her side. She had been in good health until suffering a stroke on August 2.

Born September 6, 1922 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Guido and Anna Leopardo Montozzi.

Virginia graduated from...

Kathy Jo “KJ” Frelin, 69, of Wampum, formerly of Ellwood City passed away Monday, August 27, 2018 at the Butler Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Born May 8, 1949 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Harry R. and Marion K. Pisani Frelin.

KJ graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967. In her heyday, she was...

Randy P. Kirchel, 59, of Wampum Rd., Ellwood City (Wayne Twp.) died Friday, August 24, 2018.

Born June 21, 1959 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of Edward P. and Marilyn Safreed Kirchel of Wayne Twp.

Randy attended Ellwood City Schools and graduated from Lawrence County Vo Tech in 1977. He worked for the past 45 years with his...

Rev. Donald Shellenberger, 91, of Ellwood City passed into eternal life on August 24, 2018. Donald served in the US Navy in the South Pacific on the landing ship LST 1106. Later he worked for Babcock and Wilcox Co. as the Chief of Plant Security for 31 years. He served as Pastor of Bennetts Run United Methodist church for six...