Articles by Teolis Funeral Home

Benjamin M. Swesey, 39

Benjamin M. Swesey, 39, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following a motor vehicle accident. Ben was born in Brighton Township on April 1st, 1984. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 2002. Following high school, Ben enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on December 14th, 2002 and served until his honorable discharge on December 29th, 2008 with the rank of Private First Class. He then enlisted with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he served until his discharge on August 16th, 2018. Over…


Patricia Ann (Price Wolosyn) Tollari, 49

Patricia Ann (Price Wolosyn) Tollari, 49, was welcomed into the arms of her loved ones in Heaven last night after passing away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Allegheny Health Network in Wexford. Patty fought bravely against cancer for nearly a decade. She leaves behind her husband of 22 years, Anthony Tollari Jr., parents Edward & Cledith Price (all of Ellwood City), father-and mother-in-law Jim (Cassy) Tollari (Clintonville, PA); sons Brady Price (Courtney Lucy), Jordan Wolosyn (Katie), and Anthony Tollari III and daughter Shelly Marie Price & her fiancé John Rader, all of Ellwood City. Also surviving are her…


Kenneth “Ken” K. Dockter, 69

Kenneth “Ken” K. Dockter, 69, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, September 15th, 2023 at his residence. Ken was born in Rochester, Pa to the late Paul and Jacqulyn (Kramer) Dockter, Sr. on October 16th, 1953. He had attended Riverside High School. For many years Ken worked for Morabito Contracting, and later for Titan, Versitech, and Bee Mac Trucking. He enjoyed putting model kits together and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Martha (Venditti) Dockter, daughter Kimberly Dockter of Ellwood City, sisters Ruthann George of Aliquippa, Paula (Robert) Turyan…


Charlotte A. Ottobre, 91

Mrs. Charlotte A. Ottobre, 91, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 at her residence. Charlotte was the daughter of Richard Santilli and Marie (Mike) Cavalier born on October 5th, 1931 in Ellwood City. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1949 and is a member of Diviner Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Charlotte had worked at Airway Luggage in West Pittsburgh then for the Ellwood City Candy Company for 47 years. She enjoyed going to Challenges, bingo, crocheting, traveling, casinos, sunbathing, and doing yard work. She is survived by her daughter and…


Rose Marie LaCava, 92

Mrs. Rose Marie LaCava, 92, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, September 11th, 2023 peacefully, in her sleep at her home, after a brief illness. Rose Marie was the daughter of Sam and Elizabeth Bellissimo, born on October 10th, 1930 in Ellwood City. She graduated from Lincoln High School and married her loving husband Lawrence in 1953. Although she didn’t go on to a career, she held jobs at GC Murphy’s and did bookkeeping for her uncle’s construction company. Rose Marie loved being a housewife and a mother and kept her house, along with her parent’s home immaculate and…


Samuel Anthony Pezzi, 81

Mr. Samuel Anthony Pezzi, 81, of Chewton passed away on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 at his residence. Mr. Pezzi was born in Ellwood City on August 21st, 1942 the son of the late Charles J. and Rose J. (Scarpetti) Pezzi. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1960 and Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Sam enlisted with the United States Army on February 9th, 1962 and served until his honorable discharge on December 28th, 1964 with the rank of Specialist 4. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Following his service with…


Stephen E. “Steve” Pulleo, 74

A visitation and memorial service for Mr. Stephen E. “Steve” Pulleo, 74, of Ellwood City who passed away on Saturday, August 19th, 2023 will be held on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023. The visitation will be from 2-4 pm and 6:00 pm until the time of the memorial service at 8:00 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. Pastor David C. Keppen of the Wampum United Methodist Church will officiate the service.


Joshua Shane “Josh” Hill, 46

Joshua Shane “Josh” Hill, 46, of New Castle passed away on Friday, August 25th, 2023. Josh was born on July 12th, 1977 in Ellwood City the son of Patricia Ann (Hill) Werling. He had graduated from Lawrence County Vocational Technical School where he studied graphic art with the class of 1995. For the past 17 years Josh has worked for American Industries in Sharon as a plant manager specializing in quality and safety. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, cooking, and watching movies and TV, He also loved music and his kids. He is survived by his mother Patricia,…


Lisa S. Koch-Vanassa, 59

Lisa S. Koch-Vanassa, 59, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Lisa was born on December 31st, 1963 in Ellwood City to the late Melvin G. and Lena (Rosellini) Koch. She was baptized at the former St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church. Lisa is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1982 and earned a certificate in Business Administration from Beaver County Community College in 1985. She enjoyed watching movies, shopping, dancing, eating out at various restaurants with her family, and traveling to Florida with her sister Judy. She…


Peter P. Pavlovic, 85

Mr. Peter P. Pavlovic, 85, of Ellwood City passed away on August 24th, 2023 at the UPMC Montefiore Hospital. Peter was born on September 1st, 1937 to the late Milan and Dorothy (Dugan) Pavlovic. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1955. A prize winning photographer, Peter was the head photographer from the News Tribune in Beaver Falls, along with side work for various other local newspapers. He photographed crime scenes, fires, seven presidents, Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., Woodstock, Pittsburgh sport teams, and much more. A few of his photos were eventually published in LIFE Magazine….