Obituaries

Robert L. Simmons,82

Richard L. Simmons, 82, of Ellwood City passed away, Sunday August 7, 2022, at Carriage Manor in New Castle. He was the son of the late Walter and Esther (Schramm) Simmons and was born October 13, 1939, in Marion Twp. He was a 1956 graduate of Zelienople High School and met and married his late wife, Alice, in 1965. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and most of all, being outdoors, every chance he got. He was employed ATL Trucking, retiring in 2004. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball and coached…


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David A. Wiltrout, 69

David A. Wiltrout, 69, of Franklin Township passed away on Sunday, August 7th, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley. David was born on September 2nd, 1954 in Ellwood City to the late William and Mildred Wiltrout. He had graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1972. For 35 years he worked at the Ellwood City Forge as a machine operator. As per David’s wishes there will not be a public service. The final arrangements are entrusted to the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc..


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Raymond W. Dicks, 85

Raymond W. Dicks, 85, of Wayne Township passed away Friday, August 5, 2022 at his residence. Born April 19, 1937 in New Castle, he was the son of the late G. Lester and Norma Patterson Dicks. He was married to Martha Griffin Dicks. Ray was first employed by Lockley’s Machine Shop and then Tasa Coal Company. He was the Sexton at the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church Cemetery for 57 years. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Martha; three sons, Karl R. of Shippenville, Keith W. and Clinton J. (Lana) Dicks both of Ellwood City; daughter, Janet L. Dicks of…


Richard Alan “Hoppy” Hopkins, 54

Richard Alan “Hoppy” Hopkins, 54, of Koppel passed away Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at VA Medical Center – Oakland. Born November 15, 1967 in Bethesda, MD, he was the son of Kenneth Hopkins and Ruth London Hopkins Middleton. He was a lifelong member of the United States Military, where he started his career in the Marine Corp. and retired from the Army as an Administration Sergeant. He was in Kuwait during the 1st Desert Storm. Some of his interests were refinishing and restoring furniture, bowling, video games, wrestling, and watching the Sci-Fi and Science Channels. He enjoyed celebrating his favorite…


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Joseph R. Trocci, 72

Joseph R. Trocci, 72, of Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Brighton Township following a brief illness. Born in New Castle on March 7, 1950, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Christina Papa Trocci.  He married the former Madelyn Hervatine on April 29, 1978.  Joe worked for Sparmon Fichler for twenty-five years, then at Trader Horn in Ellwood City for ten years until it closed.  Most recently, Joe spent his summers working at Pittsburgh International Race Complex and his winters substitute teaching at both the New Castle and Ellwood…


Betty J. Frank, 82

Betty J. Frank, 82, of Wampum, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family, following a short illness. Born April 12, 1940 in Columbiana, OH, she was the daughter of the late John and Harriett Stanley Frank. Betty was a retired school bus driver. Survivors include two daughters, Tina (Jim) Bridge of Wampum, and Brenda (Clifford L.) Hughes of Mercer; son, Bill Lindsay of Wampum; brother, Lonzo (Carol) Frank; two sisters, Linda (Marvin) Ash and Peg (Morris) Ash; grandson, Clifford W. Hughes of Mercer and three great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she…


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Frank A. “Cheech” DeCaria, Sr., 90

Mr. Frank A. “Cheech” DeCaria, Sr., 90, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 at the Cape Coral Hospital in Cape Coral, Florida. Mr. DeCaria was born on October 23rd, 1931 in Ellwood City to the late James and Pauline (Venezie) DeCaria. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1949. From 1950 until 1952 Frank worked for the Garrett Company as a packer. On November 25th, 1952 he enlisted with the U.S. Army and served with the rank of Corporal until he was discharged on November 24th, 1954. He was awarded the…


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Robin Barkley Hickman, 61

Robin Barkley Hickman, 61, of Harmony, passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at UPMC McCandless surrounded by her loving husband and daughter.Born in Butler on April 28, 1961, Robin was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Sylvia Hartle McCune. Growing up, Robin spent most of her time with the late Harry “Duck” and Emma Hartle, who treated Robin as their own. She married Robert Hickman on May 15, 2008. Robin worked at the former ALSY Lighting in Ellwood City where she was a shipping clerk. Everyone who came into Robin’s life was loved fiercely, most especially her granddaughter,…


Richard H. Gardner, 91

Richard H. Gardner, 91, of Wayne Township passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022 at his residence. Born July 12, 1931 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Harry and Frances Stevenson Gardner. He was married to Ruth Gables Gardner when she passed in 2002. Richard was retired from W.R. Grace Zonlite, where he worked as a truck driver. He was formerly active with the Slippery Rock and Berean Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed farming and loved to mow grass. Survivors include three daughters; Diana Gardner of Ellwood City, Donna (Charles) Behm of Evans City and Patty (Troy) Chapman…


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William A. “Bill” Bubb, Jr., 88

William A. “Bill” Bubb, Jr., 88, of Wayne Township, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at AHN Wexford Hospital. Born in Ellwood City on June 28, 1934, Bill was the son of the late William and Dorothy DiBell Bubb.  He married the former Phyllis Richt on December 31, 1955.  Bill retired from the US Postal Service in 1996.  A Veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War, Bill enjoyed farming, riding his tractor, reading and playing with his great-grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis Bubb, a son, William (Nikkie) Bubb III, of…