Obituaries

Sharlene L. Veres, 83

Mrs. Sharlene L. Veres, 83, formerly of Franklin Township, passed away on Monday, March 18th, 2024 at the Celebration Villa in Chippewa Township.

Sharlene was born on September 18th, 1940 in Ellwood City to the late Edward M. and Louise E. (Venezie) Mitchell. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1958. She worked for United States Steel, Commercial Machine Works, and lastly at Emess Design Group/Alsy Lighting until her retirement in 2005. Sharlene was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church and the Town & Country Garden Club.

She is survived by her son, Michael Veres, granddaughter, Sophia Diana Veres both of Brunswick, OH, sister, Deborah (Matthew) Wimmel of Cranberry Township, brother Gerald (Frances) Mitchell of New Wilmington, sisters-in-law, Wilma Veres and Mary Veres of Ellwood City and Gayle Veres of Perrysburg, OH, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, George A. Veres whom she married on September 10th, 1960 and passed away on July 1st. 2017, brother, David Mitchell in 2016, and mother and father-in-law, Denes and Margaret (Falcsik) Veres.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 21st, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 22nd at 10:00 am at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church with Father Joseph Freedy officiating. Entombment will follow in the Holy Redeemer Assumption Mausoleum.

Memorial donations in Sharlene’s name may be made out to the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Angel Fund.

 


Edward L. Annarumo, 68

Mr. Edward L. Annarumo, 68, of Norwalk, Ohio passed away on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 at the Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center.

Edward was born in Ellwood City on December 20th, 1955 to the late Anthony Annarumo and Eleanor (Greco) Lively. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1974. Following high School, Ed enlisted with the United States Marine Corp. on July 15th, 1974 and honorably served until his discharge on November 16th, 1976 with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Expert Badge. After serving with the Marines, Ed was hired by CSX Railroad and for many years worked as a conductor. He was a “Jack of all trades” and enjoyed football mainly the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is survived by his wife Margaret (Colyer) Annarumo whom he married on November 26th, 1994, sons Eddie (Christy) Annarumo and Joey Annarumo both of Ellwood City, step-daughters Amy Colyer of Norwalk ,OH and Heather Colyer of Chillicothe, OH, grandchildren Enzo, Rachel, Eric, Ravenn, Arianna, Elijah and Elianna, great-grandchildren Bryson, Willow, Kendell, and Aubri. He is also survived by his sisters Rena (Hugh) Turner of Washington, PA, Diane Lively of Florida, Cheryl Lively of Shippensburg, and Debbie (Jerome) Marino of New Castle, and brothers Richard (Karen) Lively of Aliquippa and Ronald Greco of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father James Lively Sr., brother Robert L. Lively, and step-brother James Lively Jr..

Visitation will be held on Friday from 3:00 pm until the time of the service at 6:00 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. with Rev. Michael Roach officiating. Members of the Veterans Honor Guard are asked to meet at the funeral home on Friday by 5:50 pm to conduct full military honors. Inurnment will be at the Locust grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Edward’s name may be made to the donors local Human Society.


Edna Ellen Blake, 81

Edna Ellen Blake, 81, Darlington Township, formerly of Big Beaver, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Born November 14, 1942 in Burns, OR, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Olive Parsons Pierce.

Edna worked in housekeeping and laundry for 33 years at the Holiday Inn. Edna was a talented and accomplished seamstress. She loved going on road trips, watching the Top Gun Movies and also enjoyed watching WWII movies.

Survivors include her husband William L. Blake of Big Beaver; two daughters, Chris (Mike) McManus of Darlington with whom she resided, Wendy Fisher of Koppel; son, Adam (Dora Hall) Blake of Taylor Mill, KY; three granddaughters, Kerri (Zach) Bandish, Shannon (Justin Wichryk) McManus, and Joni (Julian Taylor) Fisher; four grandsons, Jordan McManus, Conner (Kristin) McManus, Cody (Kristi) Fisher, and Matthew (Sabrina) Fisher; seven great-grandchildren, a brother Kenneth Earl Pierce of Boise ID and two sisters in law Mae Broyles and Shirley Blake, both of Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law Randy Fisher.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday March 19, 2024 from 4:00 pm until the Funeral Service 7:00 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home, 341 Main Street Wampum. Rev. Tim Casey will officiate.

Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com


Betty Jean Schliffka, 96

Betty Jean Schliffka, 96, formerly of Fombell, passed away at Avalon Place in New Castle on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Born in Frisco (Franklin Township) on March 19, 1927, Betty was the daughter of the late John W. and Edna Pearl Kriner Nelle.  Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Schliffka, Jr. on May 24, 2011.  They were married on May 24, 1947.  Betty was a graduate of the Lincoln High School Class of 1945.  She was a member of the Ellwood City Art Club.  Betty enjoyed painting, crocheting, doing puzzles and even taught herself to play the organ but mostly enjoyed the time she spent with her family.

Surviving are her 3 children, Shelia Gay (Charles) Stanton of Ellwood City, Lorna D. Henry of Homer City, PA and Darrell B. (Kathy) Schliffka of Ellwood City, a daughter-in-law, Linda Schliffka of New Castle, 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her son, David Schliffka,  2 sisters, Wilma G. Nelle and Christina V. Donley, 2 brothers, William G. Nelle and John W. Nelle, Jr., a son-in-law, Terrance L. Henry and a great grandson.

Friends may call at the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport on Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 PM.

A Funeral Service will be offered at the Funeral Home on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. by Rev. Dan Hurray.  Interment will follow in Mountville Church Cemetery.


Joann VanGorder, 81

Joann VanGorder, 81, of Boyers, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully at Allegheny General Hospital on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Born in Ellwood City on November 24, 1942, Joann was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ida Barnhouse Kelly.  She married Kenneth VanGorder on October 18, 1961 and they were married three days short of fifty-eight years when he preceded her in death in 2019.  A 1960 graduate of Lincoln High School, Joann was a very active octogenarian.  She still enjoyed riding her side by side, sitting on her porch enjoying all the wildlife that would happen by and Joann was sure she made it to bingo every week.  She was still filling all her deer tags every year and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a groundhog or two.  When she wasn’t outside, Joann was inside building puzzles.  She built hundreds of them over the years and when she finished one, Ken would build a frame for it.  If she wasn’t enjoying nature, hunting or building puzzles, Joann was enjoying time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved very much.

Joann is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey VanGorder of Boyers, PA and Deborah VanGorder of Ellwood City, Mark and Tammy VanGorder of Cabot, AR, and Shawn VanGorder and Jennifer Tomon of Wurtemburg, her sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Larry Houk of Ellwood City, her brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Mary Kelly of Clintonville, PA, fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Joann was preceded in death by her daughter, Kelly Rice and her granddaughter, Chastity VanGorder.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 18th from 4:00 PM until the time of the funeral service at 7:00 PM at the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport.

Private interment will take place in Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in Joann’s name to the Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company, 2305 W. Sunbury Rd., Boyers, PA  16020.


John “Jack” Cortes, 89

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 in New Castle. Jack also had worked at Tony’s Beer Distributor and later as a driver for McElwain’s dealership. “There was always love in Daddy’s hands.” He was a hard worker, could fix anything and always had a clean shiny black car. He was a wonderful father who loved and took care of his family. Kind, soft spoken and would do anything for anyone. That was just Jack

He is survived by his daughters Jackie (Zach) Powell of Ellwood City and Leslie (Rob) Borts of New Galilee, son Steven (Donna) Cortes of Lake Worth, Florida, and “Pap Pap” to grandchildren Ashlee (Aaron) Gray, Tyler Powell, Sierra Cortes, Paris (Zack) Holt, Brandon Bortz, and Dylan Bortz, and great-grandchildren Conner and Carson Gray.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life for over 67 years Verna Lee (Chapman) Cortes whom he married on April 7th, 1956 and passed away on May 25th, 2023, brother Frank Cortes and sister-in-law Jean Cortes.

He will be truly missed, forever loved, never forgotten.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5-8 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church at 10:00 am with Father Joseph Freedy officiating. Interment will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Mr. Cortes’s name may be made to: Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.


Aldo F. Garuccio, 85

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 Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Aldo was an avid hunter and enjoyed gardening and going to Rogers Flea Market & Auctions in Rogers, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife Barbara A. (Holloway) Garuccio whom he married on October 20th, 1958, daughter Lisa Garuccio-Evans, grandchildren Amanda Hoover, Breelynn Evans, Vince (Lisa) Garuccio, Chris Garuccio, and Nick Garuccio, great-grandchildren Jacob and Cole Garuccio, and his sister Virginia Purnell. Aldo is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding Aldo in death where his parents, son Dominick Garuccio, sister Theresa Quimby, brothers and sisters-in-law Joe and Mildred Garuccio and Larry and Theresa Garuccio, and brother-in-law Gary and his wife Barbara Holloway.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday from 4:00 pm until the time of the Blessing Service at 7:00 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. with Father James Wehner officiating. Entombment will be at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Resurrection Mausoleum.


Gail A. McCormick

Gail A. McCormick, 87, of Ellwood City, PA passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, at UPMC-Passavant in McCandless. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth (Biteman) Wardman and was a born April 26, 1936, in Ellwood City.

She is survived by her daughters; Terri McCormick of Ellwood City, Cindi Baldwin (Butch)of New Castle, three grandchildren; Heather Rayner and her husband Tim of Edinburgh, Pa, Christopher Navolio and his wife Lacey of Ellwood City, Ryan Navolio and his wife Valerie of Ellwood City, great-grandchildren; Christopher, Kaitlyn, Chance, Cassidy, Caleb, and Callie Navolio, her sister; Doris Werner, along with several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Gail was born and raised in Ellwood City and was a graduate of Lincoln High School. She met and married the love of her life Bill McCormick and they were married in 1953 and were married 26 year until his death. She was a lifelong member of Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church. Gail and her family loved camping and crocheting. She also loved rollerskating and met her husband Bill, at Ellport Roller Rink. Gail will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and beloved sister.

She is preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” McCormick and her son; Richard “Rick” “Zuba” McCormick and one brother Bill Faull.

Friends may call on the family on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at at Turner Funeral Home with Funeral Services following at 6:00pm with Pastor Rob Guy, officiating

Interment will be in Wurtemburg Cemetery in Wayne Twp.

Arrangements entrusted to The Turner Funeral and Cremation Services located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City


Jared Sean Meyers, 28

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 being “everything to everyone, all the time”, self motivated to be the best version of himself that he could be for his family and community. Jared had a smile that would light up an entire room, his presence was always known whether it be telling a joke, his uncanny ability to share stories, or even to just to give you one of his signature tight hugs. He had a love for all things automotive, from cars, to motorcycles and scooters. Jared was a very active member of the Peloton community, even a top 1% achiever, which he was very proud of. Lastly Jared will be remembered for being the best dad, son, husband, brother and friend. He will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him.

Jared is survived by his wife and love of his life, Cassidy (Court) Meyers, whom he married on October 19th, 2019, beloved son & “mini-me”, Griffin Jared Meyers, both of Ellwood City, mother, Rebecca Keefer and her fiance Mark Mathias of Monroeville, father, Sean (Shelli) Meyers of New Galilee, sister, Morgan Meyers and her fiance Billy Plante of Baltimore, maternal grandmother, Joan “E-Ma” Funk of Fombell, paternal grandparents, Warren and Denise Meyers of North Sewickley Township, step-grandmother, “Grammy” Linda McBride of Enon Valley, father-in-law, Mayor Tony Court of Ellwood City and mother-in-law, Stacy Court of Ellwood City, sister-in-law, Ashley (Zac) Carr, brother-in-law, Kevin Court, nephew, Conner Carr, his cat, Steve French Meyers, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Skip Funk and step-grandfather, Leslie McBride.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 10th 2024 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory. A private funeral will take place on Monday for the family, with Reverend Bobby Griffith officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family has opened a bank account for Griffin in remembrance of his father. Contributions can be made to it via: cash, checks made payable to “Griffin Meyers”, or Venmo to “@Cassidy_Meyers_”, which will be directly transferred to Griffin’s future.


Shirley Anne White, 77

Shirley Anne White, 77, of Shenango Township, passed away at Advent Health Fish Memorial in Orange City, Florida on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Born in New Castle on December 20, 1946, Shirley was the daughter of the late William and Twila Critchlow Phillips.  She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. White, Sr, on September 22, 2016.  They were married on May 18, 1964.  Shirley retired in 2010 from Advanced Feed Screws in New Castle where she was the office manager.  She was a member of the Castlewood Christian Missionary Alliance Church its Ladies Bible Study Group.  Shirley was a member of the Neshannock VFW Post 315 Ladies Auxiliary.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, playing cards and was always volunteering.

Surviving are her 4 children, Kimberly and Robert Magnifico of Ellwood City, Barbara and Todd Hupko of New Castle, James and Jill White, Jr. of Pittsburgh and John and Kelly White of New Castle, two sisters, Dawn Frishkorn of New Brighton, Dori Phillips of New Castle, two brothers, William (Brenda) Phillips of New Castle, Robert (Joyce) Phillips of Lake Milton, OH, two sisters-in-law, Sandra (William) Jones of Debary, FL and Betty (Richard) Schommer of Simi Valley, CA, 11 grandchildren, Nico, Vincent (Brittney) and Michaela Magnifico, Jennifer (Dan) Book, Kelly (Travis) Nogee, Will, Austin, Sydney, Joshua, Jenna and Lydia White and 6 great grandchildren, Gavin, Morgan, Maverick, Emelyn, Luca and Mila.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 4:00 PM until the time of Shirley’s funeral service at 7:00 PM with Pastor Jim O’Hara at the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport.  Interment will be in Savannah Cemetery.

Shirley’s family suggests memorial contributions can be made in her name to either Club Hope or Neshannock VFW Post 315.