Obituaries

Mrs. Barbara I. Zona, 96, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, September 23rd 2023 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Zona was born on October 29th, 1926 in Clevedon, England to the late Charles and Violet M. (Lapham) Read. She served in the Woman’s Land Army in England during World War II and traveled to the United States in 1946 at the age of 19. She was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Mrs. Zona enjoyed golfing, bowling, going on cruises, and most of all, spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed. She…

Randy Lee “Spider” “Happy” Swogger, 65, of South Beaver Township passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy illness. Born January 25, 1958 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late LaVerne D. “Weasel” Swogger who passed away on February 26, 2008 and Evelyn Hackett Swogger of Wampum. Randy had graduated from Mohawk High School. For most of his working life, he worked at the Darlington Brick Yard as a Production Foreman. After the Brick Yard ceased operations, he worked as a Supervisor until his retirement from…

Larry D. Gaiser, 74, of Ellport passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Cambridge Falls following a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Born November 3, 1948 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John and Johanna Crowe Gaiser. He married Jill Young Gaiser on September 21, 1968 in the Calvin Presbyterian Church, where they are both members. Larry had graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966 along with his wife Jill. He joined the Army Reserves in 1967. Larry started washing cars at McElwain’s when he was in high school, advanced to a mechanic, and ultimately held the…

Benjamin M. Swesey, 39, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following a motor vehicle accident. Ben was born in Brighton Township on April 1st, 1984. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 2002. Following high school, Ben enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on December 14th, 2002 and served until his honorable discharge on December 29th, 2008 with the rank of Private First Class. He then enlisted with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he served until his discharge on August 16th, 2018. Over…

Joshua P. Lease, 36, of Wampum passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born May 3, 1987 in Beaver, PA, he was the son of the late Jeffrey P. Lease and Patsy McKinney Stoops of Wampum. Josh had graduated from New Castle School of Trades and worked as an HVAC Technician for Maier’s in Rochester. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and pets. In addition to his mother, Patsy; survivors include his fiancée, Desiree McQuiston of Wampum; daughter, Louise K. Lease at home; step-son, Kaden McQuiston of Fombell; mother-in-law, Darlene…

John D. Bender, 83, of East Palestine, OH peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, September 17, 2023, following a brief illness. John was born in Ellwood City, PA on August 17, 1940, to the late John and Eleanor Bender. Following his graduation from Lincoln High School in 1958, John served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Tilden in New York, as a Nike missile tracking operator from 1958 to 1961. Subsequently, he embarked on a career as a crane operator, dedicating 26 years of his life to the B&W Steel Mill and spent another 13 years at Koppel…

Patricia Ann (Price Wolosyn) Tollari, 49, was welcomed into the arms of her loved ones in Heaven last night after passing away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Allegheny Health Network in Wexford. Patty fought bravely against cancer for nearly a decade. She leaves behind her husband of 22 years, Anthony Tollari Jr., parents Edward & Cledith Price (all of Ellwood City), father-and mother-in-law Jim (Cassy) Tollari (Clintonville, PA); sons Brady Price (Courtney Lucy), Jordan Wolosyn (Katie), and Anthony Tollari III and daughter Shelly Marie Price & her fiancé John Rader, all of Ellwood City. Also surviving are her…

Kenneth “Ken” K. Dockter, 69, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, September 15th, 2023 at his residence. Ken was born in Rochester, Pa to the late Paul and Jacqulyn (Kramer) Dockter, Sr. on October 16th, 1953. He had attended Riverside High School. For many years Ken worked for Morabito Contracting, and later for Titan, Versitech, and Bee Mac Trucking. He enjoyed putting model kits together and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Martha (Venditti) Dockter, daughter Kimberly Dockter of Ellwood City, sisters Ruthann George of Aliquippa, Paula (Robert) Turyan…