Articles by Marshall Funeral Home

Retired Court of Common Pleas Judge, George Harold Hancher, passed away on April 11, 2021 at Butler Memorial Hospital. Born March 5, 1938 in Ellwood City, Lawrence County, he was the son of the late Wendell Shields Hancher and Ethel Mary Cavert Hancher. He attended Ellwood City elementary school and then graduated from the military-prep school Admiral Farragut Academy in Toms River, New Jersey in 1956. Judge Hancher was a proud alumnus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received an economics degree in 1960 and Juris Doctorate degree in 1963. He was member of the Phi Delta…

Rita Joyce (Polasik) Solbrig, 92, a longtime resident of Ellwood City, PA passed away on April 6th, 2021 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT.  Rita’s last place of residence was Guilford, CT where she had been temporarily living with her daughter, Camille Solbrig and son-in-law Michael Weiner, since July 2020.  Before the summer of 2020 she resided in Harrisburg, PA.  Rita and her husband, Charles (who passed away 3/5/17), moved to Harrisburg from Ellwood City, where they had lived since 1970, in 2014 to be near their daughter Carolyn (Solbrig) Sinisi. Born November 24th, 1928, in Chicago, IL, Rita was…

Patricia L. Lutz, 67, of Portersville passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital following complications from a stem cell transplant. Born April 19, 1953 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Esther P. Brown Magee. Patty retired from the Ellwood City School District where she worked in the cafeteria for 17 years. She was an active member of the Wurtemburg United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. Patty loved to sing, go camping, and bike riding. She also enjoyed scrap booking. Her most cherished time was spent with her family,…

Thomas H. “Tata” Freed III, 69, of West Pittsburg passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford following a short illness. Born April 22, 1951 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Thomas H. and Marjorie L. Biddle Freed Jr. Thomas previously was employed by W.R. Grace Company and retired from P.F. Environmental. Survivors include his longtime companion, Joyce Barber with whom he resided; son, Thomas H. (Amy) Freed IV of Mars; step daughter, Kiley Pollio of Wampum; two sisters, Bonnie Copple of New Castle, and Janet Norge of Wexford; three granddaughters, Aria…

Sarah E. DaVare, 95, of Ellwood City passed away Monday, March 15, 2021 at Northview Estates. Born January 23, 1926 in Mill Run, PA, she was the daughter of the late John P. and Nora Hart Dahl. She was married to Victor L. DaVare. He died on March 8, 1987. Sarah was a member of the Holy Redemeer Church. She was a simple and devoted housewife who enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her children. Survivors include daughter, Vicky (Michael) Contrucci of Ellwood City; son, Mark (Cindy Durf) DaVare of Ellwood City; four granddaughters, Jennifer (Jim) Tretinik, Jessica (Justin)…

Eleanor L. McGeorge, 92, of North Beaver Township passed away Monday, March 8, 2021 at Christian House Home Health in East Palestine following a short illness. Born December 6, 1928 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late C. Marvin and Clara Herb McGeorge. Eleanor first worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance and then retired from Columbia Gas as an accounting clerk. She was a member of the Washington Union Alliance Church and the Wampum Area Seniors Club. She enjoyed reading and loved to travel. Survivors include sister, Grace McGeorge with whom she resided; brother, Bill McGeorge of Darlington;…

Linda L. D’Amico, 62, of Wampum passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at The Grove At New Castle following a short illness. Born March 21, 1958 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Betty J. Weir D’Amico. Linda was a member of the former St. Monica’s in Wampum and a current member of Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City. She was employed by McConkey Financial as an administrative assistant. Linda was an avid reader and loved to travel. Her life was centered around her family. Survivors include four sisters; Avis M. Smith of Wampum, Mary (Mark)…

Lois A. Panella, 75, of New Beaver Borough passed away peacefully Monday, March 1, 2021 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family, following a short illness. Born May 29, 1945 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late William and Sarah Hairhoger Barber. Lois was a graduate of Mohawk High School. She was a member of the Clinton United Methodist Church. She enjoyed traveling, visiting casinos, and country entertainment. Her favorite time was shared with family. Survivors include her companion of 25 years, Robert E. Allison, with whom she resided; two daughters, Robin Mitrea and her companion…