Obituaries

Lucille Celli Partridge, 93, passed away peacefully on 4-24-24 in Palm Springs California.

Formally of Ellwood City she was born November 1, 1930 to the late Marie and Joseph Celli. She is a graduate from Lincoln High School class of 1949. On April 11, 1954 she married Calvin L Partridge who passed away on May 7, 1993.

She is survived by her sons Todd and Kimberly Partridge of New Albany Ohio and Cal Partridge of Palm Springs California and her granddaughter Katherine(Kate)Partridge. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, James,Sylvester and Anthony( Tony) and 3 sisters Connie Wiesman, Mary Blair Hunsucker and Julie Brown. She is also survived by 30 nieces and nephews.

While in Ellwood City, Lucille was employed at Ellwood City Savings and Loan as the secretary treasure for 20 years. She and her family then moved to Clearwater Florida for the next 34 years before moving to Ohio and then California.

During her life in Ellwood City she served as President of the Jr Women’s club in 1967 and was selected as Jr women’s women of the year in 1965. She also served as the Ways and Means Chair of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Lucille was a member of BVM Catholic Church.

Mary T. Skander, 78, of Ellwood City passed away on April 24, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Adam and Genevive (Rafalski) Grabowski and was born January 1, 1946, in Pittsburgh.

She is survived by her daughter; Philene Gardner of Beaver, two sons; Adam Diecek of Pittsburgh and Art Diecek of Ellwood City, her grandchildren; Trista Redenbach of New Castle, Travis Moser of Ellwood, Dustin Moser of Ellwood City, her great-grandchildren; Gage Wahl, Jayden Wallace, Cloey Redenbach, Kieley Redenbach, Cory Redenbach, Tanner Moser, three brothers; Butch Grabowski of Ohio, Eugene Grabowski, and Franny Grabowski of Pittsburgh.

Mary was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She attended Arlington High School. She loved shopping and gardening, especially her very special flowers. She truly had a “green thumb”. She was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.

She was preceded in death by one grandson; Jason Redenbach and her sister; Gert Grabowski.

At Mary’s wish, there will be no services.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES in Ellwood City.

Stephen P. Meyer, 67, of Franklin Township passed away on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at his residence from a lengthy illness.

Stephen was born in Pittsburgh on June 13th, 1956 to the late Paul and Patricia (Rheam) Meyer. He had graduated from Seneca Valley High School and briefly attended Penn State University, Beaver Campus. He then joined his father and brother Paul in the family business Meyer’s Tire and Auto Salvage located in both Zelienople and Beaver Falls as a co-owner and operator. He is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. While his sons where growing up, he was an Assistant  Purification BVM School Blazers Basketball Coach and Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation Coach for Farm League, Little League, and Pony League.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Michele “Shelly” (Vetica) Meyer whom he married on July 17th, 1976, three children and their spouses, Eric (Shelley) Meyer, Mathew (Krystal) Meyer and Lisa (Jim) Lind and nine grandchildren, Adam, Jacoby and Cecelia Meyer; Dylan, Emma, Mason and Kate Meyer; and Jameson and Grayson Lind.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, while battling MS for 20 years, which never stopped him from going to watch his grandchildren’s games, spending time with them, or continuing to run his business. He loved coaching his kids’ teams and made an impact on all the kids lucky enough to be on one of his teams.  He fought something so difficult with honor and strength.  We will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Cathy Dambaugh, and brother Paul Meyer.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 3-7 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 11:30 am at the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Center with Father Joe Freedy officiating.

Memorial contributions in Stephen’s name may be made to: Club Hope Foundation, www.clubhopefoundation.com

Mr. George Sabo, 80, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on April 12th, 2024 at his home in Naples, Florida.

George was born on September 22nd, 1943 in Szentes, Hungary to the late Leslie and Elizabeth (Vegh) Sabo Sr.. George was a member of the St. Peter the Apostle Church in Naples, former, long-time member of Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, MI and Classics Country Club in Naples. He retired as Executive Vice President with Johnson Controls Inc., Automotive Division. His greatest life interest was Sunday golf with his three sons, followed by Sunday dinner with the family.

He is survived by his wife, Olga (Nocera) Sabo whom he married on August 26th, 1961, sons, Tony (Leslie) Sabo, Steve (Michelle) Sabo, and Michael (Bonnie) Sabo, grandchildren, Justin (Shena) Sabo, Jacki (Jeremiah) Baltzer, Anthony (Shayna) Sabo, Dominic (Lexie) Sabo, Matthew Sabo, Nick Sabo, and Shannon Sabo, great-grandchildren, Elly and J.T. Sabo, Wolf and Zeus Baltzer, and Levi and Macy Sabo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Jr..

Family and friends will be received in the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Center on May 11th, 2024 from 10:00 am until the memorial Mass begins at 11:00 am with Monsignor John Budde officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Memorial donations in George’s name may be made out to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, in memory of Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Jr. at: www.vvmf.org/giving-to-vvmf/ or 3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA, 22201.

Lois A. Stephenson Kosior, 86, of New Wilmington (formerly of Wampum) passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at UPMC Jameson Hospital following a short illness.

Born July 5, 1937 in Ellwood City, she was the youngest child born to the late Charles B. and Mary Bartle Snyder.

A graduate of Wampum High School, Lois worked in the Dairy Department at Kroger’s in various locations in the area and then Food Service at Westminster College. She was a member of the Wampum American Legion Auxiliary and the New Beaver Borough Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. In her younger years she enjoyed ice fishing. Some of her other interests were sitting in her favorite chair, where she enjoyed rooting for the Steelers and Pirates, and watching the birds, squirrels, and traffic go by.

Survivors include daughter, Cherie (Steve) Catale of Neshannock Township; three grandsons, Christopher (Rachel), Corey (Caitlyn), and Andrew (Elyse) Catale; five great-grandchildren with one on the way, and her sister, Pearl Marich of Shenango Township.

She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Harry Curtis Stephenson, second husband Thomas J. Kosior; two brothers Kenneth and John Snyder, and three sisters, M. Alma Snyder, Alberta Lynch, and Bertha Stephenson.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday April 24, 2024 from 11:00 am until the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home, 341 Main Street Wampum. Pastor Bryan Warner of the Wayside Emanuel Church will officiate.

Interment will follow in Clinton Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the New Beaver Borough Fire Department Auxiliary. 898 Wampum New Galilee Rd. New Galilee Pa, 16141.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at UPMC Critical Care Unit and AHN Home Health Care for their kind and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com

Michael Joseph Yopp, 75, of Patterson Heights passed away, surrounded, by his family on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his home. He is the son of the late Florence (Pavletic) Rhines and Tony Rhines and was born in Rochester.

He is survived by his wife, of 44 years, Janet Yopp of West Mayfield; his sons; Mike Yopp of Beaver Falls, Tyler Yopp and his fiancé Tiffany Davis of Patterson Heights, his grandchildren; Justin and Brianna Yopp, Augustine and Alexander Mutkus; his sister; Sherrie Haines and her husband Rob of Indiana, his uncle; Paul Cogis, his niece and nephew; Nykx Diggle and Rob Ewing, and his close friends; Jolly and Ronnie Evans and Robb along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was born and raised in Aliquippa and attended Hopewell High School. He served in the US Army and was a very proud veteran. He met and married his wife Janet on July 12, 1980. He was employed in his early life at American Bridge as a welder in Ambridge and was then employed by J.J Trucking in East Palestine, OH, finally he was employed at MoFab in Indiana. He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, and his best times were fishing with his grandchildren. He loved driving and going to Car Cruises, he collected knives and made a point to always make sure they were sharp and ready to use He loved watching TV shows about knife making, especially Foraged by Fire. He loved to build his creations especially welding unique abstract things. Michael loved to cook, especially using his iron skillets. More than anything he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and close friend to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his two daughters; Mickey Mutkus and Jaime Yopp, his brother; Bruce Rhines, and his aunt; Sandra Cogis and his grandparents; Mike and Elva Pavletic.

Friends may call on the family on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Turner Funeral Home with a Memorial Service following at 7:00PM, with Pastor Bill Blume, officiating.

Military Honors will be rendered by the Veteran’s Honor Guard prior to the service.

Arrangements entrusted to the Turner Funeral & Cremation Services located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City.

Mrs. Ann C (Mottillo) Plavecsky, 93, passed away on April 15th, 2024 at Advent Health Hospice Care, Altamonte Springs Florida. Ann was born on September 29th, 1930, to the late Guiseppe and Maria (Cusanelli) Mottillo.

Ann was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, Pa. After graduation, Ann attended the Garfield School of Business in Beaver Falls, Pa. She later worked at the St. Agatha Rectory and convent and as a nanny to close friends in her community, who often referred to her as “Grandma Annie.” She was a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, an active member of the Christian Mothers, the Hungarian Women’s club, and the Lincoln High School Reunion Committee. In her later years, she spent time with her niece, Laur Hagan, in Colorado, her daughters, Geralyn Schafer, and Marianne Plavecsky in Erie, Pa before moving to Winter Park, Florida with her daughter, Luanne Rossi.

She enjoyed spending time with her friends, her children and grandchildren and with the people in her community, always with a big smile, warm embraces, and comforting words to others. Ann loved to sing songs. Often times, she would create her own songs. She had a song for just about anything and would make others laugh when she sang to them, even into her elderly years while at the nursing home that she resided in. Her songs lit up the room with warmth and laughter.

She is survived by her children, Robert (Marie) Plavecsky, of Ellwood City, Brian Plavecsky of Ellwood City, James (Heidi) Plavecsky of Pickerington, Ohio, Marianne Plavecsky of Erie, Pa, Geralyn (Robert) Schafer of Erie, Pa and Luanne Rossi (Richard Harrison) of Winter Park, Florida. She is also survived by her niece, Laur Hagan, of Centenial Colorado, who was like a daughter to her, and by many other nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maria and Guiseppe Mottillo, her husband, Louis A. Plavecsky, her sister, Alice (Mottillo) Hagan, and brother, Victor Mottillo, as well as a grandson, Jamie Sansone, of Erie, Pa.

It is said that when one door closes, another one opens. Ann is now with God and has been reunited with her loved ones who have passed. She is singing songs in Heaven as she once did on this Earth, lighting up the room as she is surrounded by warmth and love.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-7 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. in Ellwood City. A mass of Christian burial will be held at the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Center on Thursday at 10:00 am with Father Jim Wehner officiating. A private burial will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Members of the Holy Redeemer Christian Mothers are asked to meet at the Catholic Center on Thursday by 9:50 am to form an honor guard.

Memorial Contributions in Ann Plavecsky’s name may be made to the Divine Grace Parish Holy Redeemer Angel Fund, or to the Ellwood City Public Library.