Articles by Tomon Funeral Home

Helen R. Wiley, 86, of Franklin Township passed away at her residence on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Born in Mars, PA on August 26, 1936, Helen was the daughter of the late Henry and Nina Elizabeth Gongaware Wilson. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Wiley, who passed away on August 11, 2022. They were married on January 6,1956. Helen was a member of Lillyville Church of God and a 1955 graduate of Lincoln High School. Helen enjoyed reading and crocheting, she also loved to birdwatch. Helen is survived by her two children, Leslie (Robert) McConnell of…

Jeffrey E. Thomas, 74, of Fombell, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at PAM Health Heritage Valley. Born on July 1, 1949 in Bellevue, PA Jeff was the son of the late Ed and Donna Bergman Thomas. He graduated from Riverside High School in 1967 and from the Community College of Beaver County in 1971 with a degree in drafting and machine design. Jeff then served in the US Navy from 1971 to 1975 during the Vietnam War. He married his wife of forty-six years, Janis Douglas on September 24, 1977. Jeff retired from Caterpillar in 2014 after a…

Josephine Bunney, 88, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at her residence. Born in Ellwood City on April 29, 1935, Josephine was the daughter of the late Guiseppe and Maria Purinna Pasquale.  She is survived by her husband, Thomas A. Bunney, Sr. whom she married on September 16, 1957.  Josephine had retired as a cafeteria worker at Lincoln High School.  She was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church and the Christian Mothers of the Church.  Josephine enjoyed cooking and doing puzzles but mostly enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and…

Phyllis J. Kirkham, 93, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 12:13 AM at The Grove of New Castle. Born in Chewton on April 23, 1930, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Homer and Ruth Wiles Fosnaught.  She was preceded in death by her husband, George Kirkham on October 26, 2017.  They were married on June 30, 1951.  Phyllis was a former member of Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church.  She enjoyed playing bingo and going to the casinos, but mostly enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by…

Joanne Scala, 69, of Ellport, passed away in her residence on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Joanne was the daughter of the late Robert & Beverly Goode. She married David Scala on June 28, 1980. Joanne retired from Anchor Hocking as a process auditor. She was a member of Divine Grace Parish. Joanne enjoyed cooking and baking, but most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandson. Joanne is survived by her husband of forty-three years, David Scala, her two daughters, Cathie & Shawn Bender of Ellwood City and Christine & Craig Ventrosco of…

Jean M. Spencer nee DeMauro, age 100, passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2023. Jean was born to James and Tina DeMauro on April 4, 1923 and was a lifelong resident of Ellwood City. Jean was married for 68 years to William A. Spencer who passed away on December 14, 2011. Family, community service and food were the most important things in life to Jean. Those interests were not mutually exclusive. Jean and her husband were partners in the DeMauro & Spencer Market on Lawrence Avenue in Ellwood City where they worked alongside many family members of different…

Kylie Jean Coccia, 45, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, October 29th 2023 at UPMC Presbyterian after fighting a brain tumor for the past six months. Born in Ellwood City on June 19, 1978, Kylie was the daughter of Eugene and Shirley Dolter Coccia with whom she resided.  She was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  Kylie worked for over 25 years at the Ellwood City Children Center where she was in charge of the Toddler Room.  She was a member of the Ladies of the Saxon Club and Saxon Club Dart Team.  She enjoyed playing…

Gloria R. Lowers, 86, of Perry Township passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023 at UPMC Passavant McCandless. Born in Moon Township on March 8, 1937, Gloria was the daughter of the late Orphas and Anna Blanche Hamilton.  She is survived by her husband, Grover F. Lowers whom she married on May 20, 1957.  Gloria was a caregiver, taking care of her mother and several others during the end stages of their lives.  Gloria played the upright bass in her husband’s bluegrass band, Grover and the Nighthawks.  She enjoyed going to bluegrass festivals and camping.  Gloria enjoyed spending time with…

Put the coffee on! Make the sauce! Boil the ravioli!  The crew is finally together again!  Loretta DeThomas LaGrotta, 87, joined her husband of 67 years, Francis, her brother, Michael and her sister-in-law, Jean, in Heaven’s kitchen.  No more wheelchairs. No more Hoyer lifts. No more slings or syringes.  And, just like Jesus promised, No More Pain. Best of all, Michael and Loretta are walking again. After a 13-year battle with dementia, Loretta passed peacefully and pain-free on October 8, 2023. Her son, Frank, with whom she resided, was with her.  A 1954 graduate of Lincoln High School, Loretta set…

Jane Crowley, 93, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully in her residence on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 17, 1930, Jane was the daughter of the late Henry and Florence Gleason Robb.  Jane graduated from Carnegie Tech and then married Gerald Crowley on August 22, 1953.  She and Gerald spent sixty-six years together, including managing the day-to-day affairs of Gerald’s law practice.  Gerald preceded her in death in April of 2020.  Jane was an active member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  She and Gerald were members of the Connoquenessing Country Club, where they…