Articles by Tomon Funeral Home

Ann Kocevar McAnallen, 97, of Ellport passed away at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford on Friday, December 13, 2019. Born in Ellport on November 17, 1922, Ann was the daughter of the late Anton and Katarina Broderic Kocevar. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. McAnallen on June 19, 2002. They were married on November 23, 1946. Ann had worked in a small steel mill during World War II and after her children were grown she worked for a catering business. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish where she volunteered on the Bereavement Committee…

Thomas G. Downing, 80, of Ellwood City, formerly of Wurtemburg, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. Born in Ellwood City on September 2, 1939 Tom was the son of the late Lucian and Thelma Graham Downing.  He married the former Mary Kay Badger on August 13, 1977 and she preceded him in death on December 1, 2011.  Tom was a 1957 graduate of Lincoln High School and a 1961 graduate of Slippery Rock State College.  While at Slippery Rock, he joined Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and served as both the treasurer and president. …

Concetta “Mae” Contino, 97 formerly of Ellwood City passed away at the Grove in Harmony on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at 12:30 PM. Born in Ellwood City on January 21, 1922, Mae was the daughter of the late Alphonso and Virginia Colucci Magnifico.  Mae was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish.  She was also a member of C.D. of A. Court 901, the Christian Mothers and Golden Agers all of the church.  She taught CCD and helped with Tuesday lunches at Holy Redeemer School.  She helped coordinate weddings at Purification B.V.M. Church.  She was a graduate of Lincoln High School….

Janet R. Hinkle, 83 formerly of Lakeland, FL, passed away at the Grove in Harmony on Sunday, November 24, 2019. Born in North Sewickley Twp. on September 4, 1936, Janet was the daughter of the late Francis and Alberta Bartley Beachem.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Hinkle on October 17, 2019.  They were married on August 2, 1952.  Janet was a member of the Wurtemburg United Methodist Church. Janet is survived by her 5 sons, Donald J. Hinkle, Jr. of Portersville, Dale Hinkle of Hubbard, OH, Jeff Hinkle Emlenton, PA, Randy Hinkle of Portersville and…

Mia Vespaziani Damato, 53, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, November 25, 2019 at Heritage Valley Beaver. Born in Aliquippa on September 21, 1966, Mia was the daughter of the late Paul and Judith Evasovich Vespaziani.  She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1984 and then from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy in 1989.  She married Charles Damato on October 7, 1989 and they celebrated 30 years of marriage last month.  Mia worked as the Director of Quality Control for Pharmacy Systems, Inc. of Dublin, Ohio and she was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish.  She enjoyed spending…

John J. LaRitz, 85, of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Providence Care Center in Beaver Falls. Born in Ellwood City on March 8, 1934, John was the son of the late Samuel and Antonette Malizia LaRitz.  He married the former Hazel Black on October 26, 1957 and they enjoyed 59 years together until  she preceded him in death on December 1, 2016.  John retired from B&W where he worked as a millwright.  A member of First Church of God in Ellwood City, John was a Veteran of the US Army.  He enjoyed restoring cars and…

Rita MacMurdo, 89, of Northview Estates, passed away in her residence on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Born in Ellwood City on December 6, 1929, Rita was the daughter of the late Theodore L. and Margaret McQuillin Patterson.  She married George W. “Mickey” MacMurdo on April 9, 1953 and he preceded her in death on December 30, 2002.  Rita was a 1947 graduate of Lincoln High School.  She attended Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Beaver Falls and graduated in 1950 as a Registered Nurse.  Rita began working at Mary Evans Hospital in 1950 until the obstetrics unit moved to the…

Edith Bell (Baker) Metheny, age 96, of Chippewa Township, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 22, 2019. Eadie was born September 6, 1923 in North Sewickley Twp., PA in the family farmhouse, to the late Michael Sr. and Annette Obney Baker.  She was a direct (and proud!) descendant of the pioneer Beaver County family of George Baker. She was a member of First Reformed Presbyterian Church in Patterson Twp. A graduate of Beaver High School class of 1941, she then earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Geneva College and her master’s degree in Special Reading from Slippery…

Donald J. Hinkle, Sr., 86, of Zelienople, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot, PA. Born in Frisco, Donald was the son of the late Joseph and Edna Bushyeager Hinkle.  He retired as truck driver and was a member of Wurtemburg Methodist Church. Donald is survived by five sons:  Donald Hinkle, Jr. of Portersville, Dale Hinkle of Hubbard, OH, Jeff Hinkle of Emlenton, PA, Randy Hinkle of Portersville and Frank Hinkle of Bell, FL, a brother, Earl “Bud” Hinkle of Portersville and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded…

Kenneth L. VanGorder, 77, of Boyers, PA, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at West Penn Hospital surrounded by his family. Born on January 21, 1942 in Ellwood City, Ken was the son of the late Raymond and Katherine Bentrim VanGorder.  He married the former Joann Kelly and they would have celebrated 58 years of marriage on October 18th.  A 1960 graduate of Lincoln High School, Ken was a gifted woodworker who made beautiful furniture for his children and their families.  He loved hunting and being outdoors, watching the wildlife from his front porch.  He…