Obituaries

Elizabeth “Betty” Meyer (Maxwell), 88, of Ellwood City, PA, passed away at home surrounded by loving family on May 4, 2024. Born on December 31, 1935, in the same hometown she adored, Betty’s life was one marked by dedication-to her country, her career, and most importantly, her family.

Betty answered the call of duty and served honorably in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1958 at Corona Naval Station in California. After her military service she resided in San Bernardino, CA for many years before returning to her roots in Ellwood City and commenced a longstanding career at Heritage Valley Beaver, where she remained for over forty years.

A 1954 graduate of Lincoln High School, Betty carried the spirit of her youth throughout her life. She had a love of travel, especially family vacations to the beach, but it was within the warmth of her family circle that Betty found her greatest joy.

She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Linda Meyer, Cindy (Meyer) Fresca, and Wendy (Tim) Frum; her adored granddaughter, Lisa (David) Smith; and her 2 great-grandchildren, Lucas Bratt, Axton Smith, and 3 bonus great grandchildren Maddox, Bryson, and Brenna Smith. Betty also leaves behind her sisters, Sally Fraser, Judy Morabito, and sister-in-law Shirley Maxwell as well as many nieces and nephews that each held a special place in her heart. She is reunited in death with her parents, James A. and Elizabeth Jean Maxwell (Macmurdo), and her brothers, James and Thomas Maxwell.

The family invites friends to join them for visitation on Tuesday May 7, 2024 from 4:00 pm until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home, 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City led by Pastor Dennis Arndt of Lillyville Church of God, as they pay tribute to a life well-lived.

Betty Meyer’s legacy is woven through the lives of those she touched with her compassionate and loving nature. As she is fondly remembered, her family finds comfort in the knowledge that her love will continue to guide them.

William E. Hall, 82, of Ellwood City passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospice following an illness.

Born January 23, 1942 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Charles F. and Kathryn Cole Hall.

William graduated from Lincoln High School. Following graduation, he served as a Sergeant in the Army during Vietnam. He owned and operated Porter’s Flower Shop in Ellwood City for 40 years. Christian by faith, he served as a member of numerous clubs in the area including the Jaycee’s and Kiwana’s, a member and past president of the Saxon and the Merchant’s Society, a Key Club Advisor, and a member of the Eintracht Society and Choir of German singers in New Castle where he was an active member in his later years. He was an avid and accomplished golfer.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Janet Warren Hall; daughter, Norma Hall of Ellwood City; three sons, Eric of Pittsburgh, Mark (Aunika) of Ellwood City, and Mike (Dena) Hall of Canonsburg; six grandchildren, Amanda, Lacee, Clayton, twins Addie and Bethany, and Warren Hall; one great-granddaughter Kourtlynn Hall; sister, Judy Hanson of Inver Grove Heights, MN; sister-in-law, Joanne Warren of Cranberry and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert and brothers-in-law James Warren and Ronald Hanson

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday May 9, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home, 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City.

Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home, on May 10, 2024 at 11:00 am with Pastor’s Tony Cortez and Wade Henderson officiating. Military Honor’s will be observed.

Interment will follow in Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com

Stacey L. Barile, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late, Ronald J. and Laura E. (Crowther) Neupauer and was born August 25, 1964 in Ellwood City.

She is survived by her brother; Jon Neupauer and his wife Karen of Ellwood City, her sister; Julia Taylor-Davis and her husband Dale of New Castle and several nieces and nephews.

She was a 1982 graduate of Vo-Tech and worked for 25 years at the Ellwood City Hospital as a dietary technician. She loved animals and they were the center of her world. She also loved to crochet. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt.

Friends may call on the family from 1pm-2pm on May 9, 2024 with a Memorial Service following at 2:00PM with Pastor Dennis Arndt officiating, at Turner’s 

Inurnment will be in Locust Grove Cemetery between her parents

Arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City.

Deborah L. Straley, 70, of Monaca, passed away on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver.

Deborah was born in Ellwood City on July 18th, 1953 to Melvin T. and Virginia (Raman) Straley. She enjoyed working puzzles and doing arts and crafts. Debby also enjoyed being with her friends and caregivers at Lifesteps and participating in the many activities they provided.

She is survived by her parents, sisters Melanie Budkey and her husband Curt Wolfe of Wexford and Ellis Straley and her husband Mathew Hofacker of Charlotte, NC, brother Melvin Douglas Straley of Wampum, and several nieces and nephews.

A private service was held on Tuesday at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. with Rev. Dennis Arndt officiating. Interment was at the Clinton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Deborah’s name may be made to; Lifesteps Central Office, 383 New Castle Rd., Butler, Pa 16001.

Thomas Eric (Rick) Hazen, of Gibsonia, PA, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 3, 1961, in Ellwood City, PA, he was the son of Thomas F. Hazen and the late Rita Ippolito Hazen.

He attended St. Agatha School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1979. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1983. In 1984, he married Amy Ruhe, also of Ellwood City.

Rick joined GE Aerospace on their Manufacturing Management Program and progressed through manufacturing, program management and marketing leadership roles at GE and Lockheed Martin. In 2000, he left Lockheed Martin and joined SMA, a consulting firm that helps defense contractors win commercial and defense programs worldwide. He retired as the Senior Vice President of Competition Management.

Rick enjoyed traveling the world, riding and restoring motorcycles, fishing, spending time in the Allegheny Mountains with his friend, Frank, and keeping aquariums.

He is survived by his wife Amy, his two sons, David William (Marissa) of Cranberry Township and Eric Thomas (Nika) of Sarver PA and his granddaughter Rory, his father, Thomas F. Hazen of Ellwood City and his brother, David (Angela) of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Friends will be received at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA on Saturday from 1-3:00 PM. A service will follow at 3:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Dr. Rita Hazen Education Foundation in care of Andrea Houk, 7 Grant Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com

Renee L. Eckley, 61, of Monaca passed away on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at the Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Renee was born on August 24th, 1962 in Minot, North Dakota to Gary and Shirley (Kronemann) Eckley. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in Minnesota with the class of 1980. Most recently she worked as office support staff for Team Fishel and previously many dedicated years at the Ottertail County Jail in Fergus Falls, MN. Renee’s greatest joy were her daughters and granddaughters. You could always catch her on the sidelines cheering for “her girls” during their many sporting events. She enjoyed being outside in the sun and gardening.

She is survived by her daughters Jessica (Jason) Dunn and Krysta Hulne, both from Ellwood City, granddaughters Meredith and Mady Dunn, her significant other Lee Walters of Monaca and their pup Hank, her father Gary Eckley and brothers Derek (Tammy) Eckley of Cornelius NC and Brant (Renae) Eckley of Fergus Falls, MN, nieces and nephew Teasha (Ethan), Drew and Quinn.

She was preceded in death by her mother Shirley Eckley, grandparents Max and Sylvia Kronemann, and a sister in infancy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 4:00 pm until the time of Memorial Blessing Service at 6:00 pm with Father James Wehner officiating at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. Memorial donations may be made to: Club Hope Foundation, www.clubhopefoundation.com.

Lucille Celli Partridge, 93, passed away peacefully on 4-24-24 in Palm Springs California.

Formally of Ellwood City she was born November 1, 1930 to the late Marie and Joseph Celli. She is a graduate from Lincoln High School class of 1949. On April 11, 1954 she married Calvin L Partridge who passed away on May 7, 1993.

She is survived by her sons Todd and Kimberly Partridge of New Albany Ohio and Cal Partridge of Palm Springs California and her granddaughter Katherine(Kate)Partridge. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, James,Sylvester and Anthony( Tony) and 3 sisters Connie Wiesman, Mary Blair Hunsucker and Julie Brown. She is also survived by 30 nieces and nephews.

While in Ellwood City, Lucille was employed at Ellwood City Savings and Loan as the secretary treasure for 20 years. She and her family then moved to Clearwater Florida for the next 34 years before moving to Ohio and then California.

During her life in Ellwood City she served as President of the Jr Women’s club in 1967 and was selected as Jr women’s women of the year in 1965. She also served as the Ways and Means Chair of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Lucille was a member of BVM Catholic Church.

Mary T. Skander, 78, of Ellwood City passed away on April 24, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Adam and Genevive (Rafalski) Grabowski and was born January 1, 1946, in Pittsburgh.

She is survived by her daughter; Philene Gardner of Beaver, two sons; Adam Diecek of Pittsburgh and Art Diecek of Ellwood City, her grandchildren; Trista Redenbach of New Castle, Travis Moser of Ellwood, Dustin Moser of Ellwood City, her great-grandchildren; Gage Wahl, Jayden Wallace, Cloey Redenbach, Kieley Redenbach, Cory Redenbach, Tanner Moser, three brothers; Butch Grabowski of Ohio, Eugene Grabowski, and Franny Grabowski of Pittsburgh.

Mary was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She attended Arlington High School. She loved shopping and gardening, especially her very special flowers. She truly had a “green thumb”. She was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.

She was preceded in death by one grandson; Jason Redenbach and her sister; Gert Grabowski.

At Mary’s wish, there will be no services.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES in Ellwood City.

Stephen P. Meyer, 67, of Franklin Township passed away on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at his residence from a lengthy illness.

Stephen was born in Pittsburgh on June 13th, 1956 to the late Paul and Patricia (Rheam) Meyer. He had graduated from Seneca Valley High School and briefly attended Penn State University, Beaver Campus. He then joined his father and brother Paul in the family business Meyer’s Tire and Auto Salvage located in both Zelienople and Beaver Falls as a co-owner and operator. He is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. While his sons where growing up, he was an Assistant  Purification BVM School Blazers Basketball Coach and Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation Coach for Farm League, Little League, and Pony League.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Michele “Shelly” (Vetica) Meyer whom he married on July 17th, 1976, three children and their spouses, Eric (Shelley) Meyer, Mathew (Krystal) Meyer and Lisa (Jim) Lind and nine grandchildren, Adam, Jacoby and Cecelia Meyer; Dylan, Emma, Mason and Kate Meyer; and Jameson and Grayson Lind.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, while battling MS for 20 years, which never stopped him from going to watch his grandchildren’s games, spending time with them, or continuing to run his business. He loved coaching his kids’ teams and made an impact on all the kids lucky enough to be on one of his teams.  He fought something so difficult with honor and strength.  We will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Cathy Dambaugh, and brother Paul Meyer.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 3-7 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 11:30 am at the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Center with Father Joe Freedy officiating.

Memorial contributions in Stephen’s name may be made to: Club Hope Foundation, www.clubhopefoundation.com