Articles by Tomon Funeral Home

Gareth M. Blyth “Gary”, age 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 13, 2025, after a nearly 20-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1952, Gareth was the beloved son of the late William J. and Dolores E. Powell Blyth. He was preceded in death by his dearest sister, Carol Rose. Gareth is survived by the mother of his children, Susan Blyth of Ellwood City, PA. He leaves behind his loving children: daughter Robyn (Glenn) Nicklas of Ellwood City, PA, daughter Rebecca (Christopher) Rettinger of Georgetown, PA, son Gareth (Michelle) Blyth of…

Geraldine A. “Jeri” Rough, 71, of Ellport passed away at her residence on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Born in Ellwood City on April 12, 1953, Jeri was the daughter of the late Jacob and Mollie Nocera Mazzanti.  She is survived by her husband, Ronald Rough, whom she married on February 6, 1971.  Jerri was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  She was a 1971 graduate of Riverside High School.  Jerri operated the Snack Shack in the Emporium and later worked at Hall of Fame Lanes.  She also managed and operated the Ellport Family Restaurant.  Jeri was a…

Stanley J. Engleman, 79, of Ellport, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Grove in New Wilmington. Born in Baltimore, MD, on April 7, 1945, Stanley was the son of the late George S. and Mildred E. Kraus Engleman.  Stanley was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Patricia A. Ferrera in November of 2011 and his second wife, the former Sandra Chulak Richardson on September 19, 2021.  Stanley had retired as the warehouse manager for the Pittsburgh Water Authority.  He was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  Stanley was a veteran of…

James R. Stoyanoff, 73, of Ellwood City, passed away following a lengthy illness at UPMC Passavant McCandless on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Born in Ellwood City on January 28, 1951, James was the son of Octavia Conforti Stoyanoff and the late James Stoyanoff.  He was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  James was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln High School and attended Vo-Tech where he studied Studio Recording and Photographic Imaging.  After high school, James worked at US Steel in Ellwood City and later at B & W in Koppel.  He enjoyed playing the piano and recording…

Paul David (Pado) Abraham, 89, of Wayne Township, passed away at his residence on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Born in Ellwood City, on December 5, 1935, Paul was the son of the late Robert C. and Anna M. Patterson Abraham. Paul is survived by his children, Julie (Guy) Filewich of Elizabeth Twp., Robert (Tammy) Abraham of Ellwood City; three grandchildren, Cameron Filewich, Robert (Angelica) Shaffer of New Castle and DeAnna (Michael) Cancilla of Pittsburgh; two great grandchildren, Rayna and Illyana Shaffer; a sister, Gail Cowan of Pittsfield, PA and a sister-in-law, Luitgard Plymire of Cincinnati, OH. Paul graduated from Lincoln…

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Ray, 87, of Wayne Township, passed away in her residence on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Born on April 3, 1937 in Oakland, California, Beth was the daughter of the late George and Catherine Oesterling Flecken.  She married James L. Ray on June 27, 1958 and they enjoyed fifty-eight years together until his passing in 2017.  Beth graduated from the Butler County School of Nursing in 1958 and she worked as an RN at Butler Hospital and later in her career at Hillview Manor.  She was a very active member of Harmony Baptist Church. She volunteered, along with…

William “Bill” Smith, 61, of New Beaver, passed away unexpectedly at Heritage Valley Beaver on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Born in Ellwood City, Bill was the son of Betty Moon Smith of New Beaver and the late Billie Smith. Bill owned and operated a produce stand in Darlington. He was also a chainsaw carver who enjoyed sharing his talent, setting up at events all around Lawrence and Beaver Counties. Bill would give anyone the shirt off of his back and he had a soft spot for kids, who wouldn’t leave the produce stand empty-handed. In addition to his mother, Bill…

Samuel W. Burton, 91, of Wayne Township, passed away at his residence on Monday, November 25, 2024. Born in Louisa, Kentucky on March 30, 1933, Samuel was the son of the late George G. and Elva Chaffin Burton.  He is survived by his wife, the former Thelma Fogg whom he married on February 15, 1953.  Samuel retired as a foreman at B&W.  He later drove buses for Zona Tours.  Samuel was a veteran of the Army, serving from 1953 to 1955.  Samuel enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and flying model planes.  In his earlier days he had a Great Lakes Captains…

Edna Mae Epperly, 86, of Zelienople, formerly of Ellwood City, passed into the arms of her Savior on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at UPMC Passavant. Born in New Eagle, PA on February 27, 1938, Edna was the daughter of the late Leroy A. and Leah L. Crawford Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband, O. B. Epperly on February 22, 1982. They were married on April 5, 1963. Edna grew up in the Scenery Hill area and worked as a housekeeper until her retirement in 1999. She was a member of Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church and attended Seaman Lutheran…

Douglas R. Johnston, 77, of Ellwood City, formerly of Cranberry Township, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Born in Pittsburgh on August 2, 1947, Douglas was the son of the late Ralph W. and Jean Kurtley Johnston, Sr.  Douglas is survived by his wife, the former Elaine Meta, whom he married on February 8, 1969.  Douglas retired from the Finance Department at UPMC Passavant in 2014 after 23 years of service.  He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Cranberry Township.  Douglas was a Veteran of the Army serving from 1966 through 1968.  An avid…