Articles by Tomon Funeral Home

Ivia Freed, 75, of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Heritage Valley Beaver. Born in Ellwood City on October 13, 1944, Ivia was the daughter of the late Edward and Dorothy Allison Lutz.  She retired from Patty’s Cleaning Service where she worked for many years.  Ivia was an amazing person with a heart of gold.  She loved her family with all her heart and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Ivia is survived by her children:  Vickie Bookamer, Kim Freed Gilmore, Doug Freed, Christopher (Kim) Freed, and Danny Freed, all…

Patricia Helen Parker, 75, of Patricia Drive, Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at Curahealth located at Heritage Valley Health Systems-Beaver. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, on December 4, 1944.  Patricia was the daughter of the late Donald and Patricia Erbeck.  She was married to the late Rev. Howard O. Parker, Jr.  on June 20, 1965. Patricia graduated from Paterson State Teacher’s College and completed her graduate studies at Westfield State College in Massachusetts.  Patricia was an Elementary School Teacher, Music Education Teacher and finally taught at Knox Nursery School at Knox United Presbyterian Church where her…

Merritt Joseph Matheny, 76 formerly of Ellwood City passed away at the Grove in Harmony on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 12:55 AM. Born in Wayne Township on August 1, 1943, Merritt was the son of the late Donald and Catherine O’Donnell Matheny.  He worked most of his life in the oil fields of Texas as a roustabout and driller. Merritt was a veteran of the Navy serving from May 31, 1961 through July 31, 1964.  He was a 1961 graduate of Lincoln High School. Private interment will be in Slippery Rock Church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the…

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…