Articles by Teolis Funeral Home

Dennis “Denny” L. Cortez, 67

Dennis “Denny” L. Cortez, 67, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 at the PAM Hospital at Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Denny was born in Ellwood City on June 26th, 1956 the son of the late David R. and Katherine (Kast) Cortez. He had graduated from Lawrence County Vocational School in New Castle having learned the welding trade with the class of 1975. Denny had many different jobs, mostly truck driving and delivery. He most currently drove for Ellwood Transit. He is a member of the Lillyville Church of God where he served as…


Jodi Lynn Piper-Minteer, 62

Jodi Lynn Piper-Minteer, 62, of Ellwood City passed away the afternoon of July 23, 2023, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. with her loving family at her side. Born March 1, 1961 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late George O. and Catherine (Hamilton) Piper. Jodi married Jonathan Andrew Minteer on May 6, 1994. She was a1980 graduate of Riverside High School and received associate degrees in Accounting and Business Management from Beaver County Community College. Following graduation she worked at Mario’s Giant Eagle, several banks in the New Castle and Wexford areas and ultimately at Foodland…


Grace Ciccozzi, 91

Mrs. Grace Ciccozzi, 91, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, July 21st, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Beaver. Grace was born on July 15th, 1932 in Ellwood City to the late Lugo and Mary (Maio) Ottavio. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1950, where she was in the “top ten” of her class. Grace worked at Blocher Jewelers as a bookkeeper and later for the Ellwood City Ledger as a press assistant. She is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. She had volunteered for many years at Holy…


Susan L. “Sue” Westlund, 78

Mrs. Susan L. “Sue” Westlund, 78, of Ellwood City, passed away at 9:40 am at the UPMC Passavant in McCandless Twp., after a short, but hard battle with cancer. Sue was born on March 13th, 1945 in New Castle, to the late Joseph and Lillian (Ferrante) Evans. She was a 1963 graduate of Lincoln High School and was truly looking forward to their upcoming 60th class reunion. Sue had numerous jobs over the years besides being a loving wife and mother. She worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill, The Park Pharmacy and Keller’s Department Store. She and her husband,…


James R. Smilak, 74

Mr. James R. Smilak, 74, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Mr. Smilak was born in New Brighton on September 11th, 1948 to the late Alex and Rose (Simko) Smilak. He is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1966. James enlisted with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War on November 28th, 1967 and served until his honorable discharge on July 11th, 1969 with the rank of SP 4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following…


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Dennis J. “Denny” Tritt, 68

Mr. Dennis J. “Denny” Tritt, 68, of Butler passed away on Friday, July 7th, 2023 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. Denny was born the son of the late Floyd “Bud”  and Margaret “Peg” (Gardner) Tritt on August 3rd, 1954 in Ellwood City. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1972 and from Geneva College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He was the third person to be hired by Inmetco when they first opened in Ellwood City and worked as a Team Supervisor and later as Project Manager. An outdoorsman he enjoyed…


Joseph Carmen Mangelli Jr., 41

Joseph Carmen Mangelli Jr., 41, of Koppel passed away on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center following an extended illness. Joseph was born at the Beaver Valley Medical Center on January 3rd, 1982 to the late Joseph Carmen Mangelli, Sr. and Jamie (Hamilton) Brightwell of Koppel. He is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 2001. Joe also graduated from the New Castle School of Trades where studied automotive repair. He worked at Bender’s Auto Service in Beaver Falls, and most recently for Theo’s Painting. Joseph was a talented artist who enjoyed airbrushing…


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Robert “Robbie” S. Cowan, 57

Robert “Robbie” S. Cowan, 57, of Perry Township passed away on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Robbie was born at the New Brighton Hospital on February 22nd, 1966 to the late John R. “Jack and Eva Jane (Locke) Cowan Jr.. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1984. While living in Florida during the 1990’s Robbie worked for Chem Lawn. After moving back to Ellwood City he worked for VEKA in Zelienople and then for Mr. B’s in Ellwood City. Robbie is also a member of the Ellwood City Fraternal Order…


John G. Sidor, 94

Very Reverend Father John G. Sidor, 94, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, July, 3rd, 2023 at Cranberry Place in Cranberry Twp. Father Sidor was born on July 28th, 1928 in Nizny Orlik-Bardejov, Slovak the son of the late George and Anna (Gergelova) Sidor. Father John graduated from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Presov, Slovakia earning a Masters in Divinity. He worked as Revizor (Controller) in Slovakia. After moving to the United States Father served at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (OCA) in Ellwood City (Ellport) and in New Castle. He is also affiliated with The Orthodox Monastery of the…


Arthur F. Lowrie III, 61

Arthur F. Lowrie III, 61, of Ellwood City passed away suddenly at home on Saturday, July 1st, 2023. Arthur was born on January 11th, 1962 in Pittsburgh to Arthur F. and Joanne (Griffin) Lowrie Jr.. Artie attended Lincoln High School and The Culinary Institute of Pittsburgh, which included a trip to Paris. He loved the cellars where the cheeses were made. He worked for Lowrie’s Gas Station in Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock University in the kitchens, and from 1997 to 2020 at Chrystal Springs (formerly Polar Water) sanitizing the bottles that hold the water. Artie was an outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening….