Articles by Teolis Funeral Home

Our dear John “Jack” Cortes, 89, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, March 10th, 2024 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Twp.. Mr. Cortes was born on June 19th, 1934 in Ellwood City to the late John and Mary (Toth) Cortes. He had attended Lincoln High School and is a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Jack had worked at the United States Steel Mill in Ellwood City in the store room, Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill in both Beaver Falls and Koppel as the 2nd operator on the furnace, and retired from Ellwood Quality Steel…

The Mayor of 12th St. Mr. Aldo F. Garuccio, 85, passed away on Friday, March 8th, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley in Beaver. Mr. Garuccio was born on May 10th, 1938 in Ellwood City to the late Dominic and Maria (Placanica) Garuccio. Following high school, Aldo worked at Beaver Advanced which was located in the West End of Ellwood City, he then worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill in both Beaver Falls and Ambridge. After retiring from the B&W Aldo briefly worked at the Ellwood City Forge. He is a longtime member of Divine Grace…

Jared Sean Meyers, 28, of Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital. Jared was born on August 13th, 1995 in Ellwood City, to Sean Meyers and Rebecca (Funk) Keefer. Jared graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 2014, where he was a respected athlete. He was one of the top leading rushers in Ellwood City, Captain of the football team, participated in Penn-Ohio football game, and went to states for track and field. Jared was the co-owner and operator of Meyers Auto Group alongside his father, Sean. He was described as…

Mr. Joseph W. Fotia, 91, of Ellwood City went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 at Franciscan Manor in Patterson Twp.. Mr. Fotia was born on April 29th, 1932 in Ellwood City to the late Frank L. and Josephine M. (Barillaro) Fotia. He had graduated from Ambridge High School. Joe enlisted with the United States Air Force on February 21st 1952 and served until his honorable discharge on February 16th, 1956 with the rank of Airman 1st Class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the Air…

Mr. James N. Higgins, 87, of Fombell passed away on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Higgins was born on November 10th, 1936 in Ellwood City to the late Earl and Dorothy (Skewis) Higgins. He had attended Lincoln High School and then enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on January 30th, 1954 and served until his honorable discharge on January 29th, 1957 with the rank of Corporal, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Following his service with the Marines, Jim worked for Halstead Industries in Zelienople, the Babcock & Wilcox…

Kirk P. Derrow Sr., 48, of Franklin Township passed away on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 at his residence. Kirk was born on February 25th, 1975 in Ellwood City to Milo Derrow and the late Yvonne (Francis) Winkle. He graduated in 1994 from Riverside High School where he participated in cross country and other track and field activities. Kirk worked for Allied Rubber and Supply Company in the hydraulic shop as a counter operator. An outdoorsman, he was an avid hunter, and enjoyed fishing and taking canoe trips with his family. Kirk also was a NASCAR fan and previously played softball…

Mr. Ralph F. “Fred” Tritt, 83, of Frisco passed away on Monday, February 19th, 2024 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Mr. Tritt was born in Ellwood City on July 26th, 1940 to the late Ralph L. and Jean (Funkhouser) Tritt. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1959 and the First Church of God. Fred enlisted with the United States Army on March 5th, 1962 and served until his honorable discharge on March 4th, 1965 with the rank of SP4. He was awarded the Expert Marksman and Good Conduct Medals. For a brief…

Mr. George Tirlea, Jr., 88, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Mr. Tirlea was born in Ellwood City on March 25th, 1935 the son of the late George and Anna (Lankarjan) Tirlea, Sr.. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1954 and the St. Elias Romanian Orthodox Church where he had served as a trustee. Following high school, George served with the United States Army from 1954 until his discharge from the Army reserves in 1962 with the 430th Quartermaster Company at Fort Lee…

Mr. Robert James Sutkowski, 89, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Friday, February 16th, 2024 at Northview Estates surrounded by his family members, while listening to his favorite polka music. Robert was born on May 18th, 1934 in Ellwood City to the late Stanislaw and Caroline (Pogozelec) Sutkowski. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1952, where he was captain of the football team. He was a stand-out center player and was offered scholarships to Duke, Notre Dame, and others. Robert worked at Aetna Standard as a machinist for over 30 years until the closure of…