Articles by Tomon Funeral Home

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…

Robert Charles “Bobby” Smiley, 83, of Frisco, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Born in New Castle, PA on July 21, 1936, Bob was the son of the late Robert and Nettie Hoover Smith.  He married the former Kathleen Boyd on March 25, 1961 and they have enjoyed 68 years together.  Bob retired from Superior Drawn Steel in Monaca and then drove truck for M.E.I.  A US Navy Veteran serving during the Korean War, Bob was a member of Lillyville Church of God.  When Bob’s three sons were young, he coached baseball.  He was an…

Randall “Randy” C. Syphrit, 52, of Ellwood City, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.  Born on May 16, 1967, Randy was the son of Thomas and Shirley (Hollinback) Syphrit.  He married the former Lori Toland on April 30, 1994. Randy was a member of the 1985 graduating class from Riverside High School.  He worked for North Sewickley Township Road Department as an equipment operator.  He had been a 34-year member of the North Sewickley Volunteer Fire Department where he served as the Assistant Chief #2 Station.  A long-time active member of Providence Baptist Church, Randy served as Trustee…

Darrell L. Stadnik, 76 of North Sewickley Township passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Good Samaritan Hospice Heritage Valley. Born in Canonsburg on November 21, 1942, Darrell was the son of the late Stanley and Helen Kordella Stadnik. Darrell had retired as production manager from Calgon in Ellwood City. He was a graduate of California State College of PA where he received his bachelor degree in chemistry. In his younger days Darrell was in the Army Reserves and he also enjoyed playing golf and sailing. Darrell is survived by a son, D. Blake Stadnik of New York City…