Articles by Teolis Funeral Home

Mr. Joseph W. Fotia, 91, of Ellwood City went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 at Franciscan Manor in Patterson Twp.. Mr. Fotia was born on April 29th, 1932 in Ellwood City to the late Frank L. and Josephine M. (Barillaro) Fotia. He had graduated from Ambridge High School. Joe enlisted with the United States Air Force on February 21st 1952 and served until his honorable discharge on February 16th, 1956 with the rank of Airman 1st Class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the Air…

Mr. James N. Higgins, 87, of Fombell passed away on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Higgins was born on November 10th, 1936 in Ellwood City to the late Earl and Dorothy (Skewis) Higgins. He had attended Lincoln High School and then enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on January 30th, 1954 and served until his honorable discharge on January 29th, 1957 with the rank of Corporal, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Following his service with the Marines, Jim worked for Halstead Industries in Zelienople, the Babcock & Wilcox…

Kirk P. Derrow Sr., 48, of Franklin Township passed away on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 at his residence. Kirk was born on February 25th, 1975 in Ellwood City to Milo Derrow and the late Yvonne (Francis) Winkle. He graduated in 1994 from Riverside High School where he participated in cross country and other track and field activities. Kirk worked for Allied Rubber and Supply Company in the hydraulic shop as a counter operator. An outdoorsman, he was an avid hunter, and enjoyed fishing and taking canoe trips with his family. Kirk also was a NASCAR fan and previously played softball…

Mr. Ralph F. “Fred” Tritt, 83, of Frisco passed away on Monday, February 19th, 2024 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Mr. Tritt was born in Ellwood City on July 26th, 1940 to the late Ralph L. and Jean (Funkhouser) Tritt. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1959 and the First Church of God. Fred enlisted with the United States Army on March 5th, 1962 and served until his honorable discharge on March 4th, 1965 with the rank of SP4. He was awarded the Expert Marksman and Good Conduct Medals. For a brief…

Mr. George Tirlea, Jr., 88, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Mr. Tirlea was born in Ellwood City on March 25th, 1935 the son of the late George and Anna (Lankarjan) Tirlea, Sr.. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1954 and the St. Elias Romanian Orthodox Church where he had served as a trustee. Following high school, George served with the United States Army from 1954 until his discharge from the Army reserves in 1962 with the 430th Quartermaster Company at Fort Lee…

Mr. Robert James Sutkowski, 89, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Friday, February 16th, 2024 at Northview Estates surrounded by his family members, while listening to his favorite polka music. Robert was born on May 18th, 1934 in Ellwood City to the late Stanislaw and Caroline (Pogozelec) Sutkowski. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1952, where he was captain of the football team. He was a stand-out center player and was offered scholarships to Duke, Notre Dame, and others. Robert worked at Aetna Standard as a machinist for over 30 years until the closure of…

John Douglas McClaren, 52, of Ellwood City passed away at his residence on Monday, February 12th, 2024. John was born in Pittsburgh on March 27th, 1971 to the late Carl and Rita (Schmidt) McClaren Sr.. He is a member of the Fox Chapel High School class of 1989. For the past 26 years John worked at VEKA Inc. in Fombell where he was the Lead Production Tuning Technician. John was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan who enjoyed golfing especially with his brother-in-law and father-in-law. He also is a member of the IMBS Club in Koppel where he loved to play…

Mrs. Pauline Selva, 95, a cherished Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Aunt passed away peacefully Sunday, February 11, 2024 at the Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio surrounded by her family’s love. Pauline was born November 30, 1928 in Ellwood City, PA, to the late Nicholas Lewchenko and Barbara (Cieply) Lewchenko. She attended Lincoln High School and was a member of the concert choir, as music was always her passion. She was a parishioner of St. Agatha Church and was employed in Ellwood City. (GC Murphy’s, The Ellwood Knitting Mill, and the Ellwood City Hospital). She could warm your heart with…

Mr. William “Bill” L. Atkinson Jr. of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, February 11th, 2024 at the Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh following a 3-year illness. William was born in New Castle on July 10, 1943 to the late William L. and Margaret (Hinkle) Atkinson Sr.. Bill graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1962 and earned an Associate Degree from the Beaver County Community College. He was employed by the former B&W Steel Mill in the cold draw department, and later by the Ellwood City Area School District as a custodian. Throughout his life he was…