Obituaries

Merle H. Rhodes, 76 of Youngstown, OH formerly of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Canfield Place Assisted Living. Born in Olean, NY on April 3, 1945, Merle was the son of the late Cleone L. and Millie Remington Rhodes.  Merle was an operations supervisor for Columbia Gas Transmissions.  He was a veteran of the Army serving with the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam and Korea.  Merle will be remembered as a kind and accepting person with a good sense of humor, who never met a stranger.  He always knew how to light up a room.  He…

Mrs. Olga G. Sawor, 93, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at the Northview Estates. Mrs. Sawor was born in Ellwood City on December 3, 1927 to the late Raymond and Nellie (Cavalier) DiFalco. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1946. Olga is also a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish and the Holy Redeemer Christian Mothers. She had worked at the 5 & 10 store, McKelvey’s Appliances, Aetna Standard Engineering, Ellwood City Knitting Mill, Morini’s Market, and Newman’s Pharmacy. Olga volunteered as a TV Hostess for the Ellwood City Hospital,…

Letha Jane Smith, 70, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 at the Grove in New Castle. Letha Jane was born in Norwich, New York to the late Richard J. and Helen E. (Brookins) Hickling on June 26, 1951. Before moving to Ellwood City, she had lived in Ormend Beach, Florida where she was the owner of Accounting by Carneal. She had also worked as a sales clerk at various stores, most recently she worked in the security division for Walmart in Cranberry Twp.. She retired in 2006. Letha Jane enjoyed reading. She leaves behind her special…

Mrs. Patricia A. Cavanaugh, 80, formerly of North Sewickley Township, passed away peacefully on October 23rd, 2021 at the Providence Care Center in Beaver Falls. Mrs. Cavanaugh was born on July 18th, 1941 in Ligonier, Pennsylvania to the late Vance and Edna Mae (Shaffer) Clark. She graduated from Monaca High School with the class of 1960 and was a member of the Rock Christian Fellowship in Rochester. Mrs. Cavanaugh was part of Paul and Pat and the Young Inspirations Christian band as a pianist and singer, in the 70’s and 80’s. She is survived by her daughter, Marcy Shaffer and…

Dr. John J. DeCaro, Sr, 90, of Ellwood City, PA passed away on October 23, 2021 at the Jameson Care Center following a brief illness. He was born on February 17, 1931 in Ellwood City, to the late Ernest and Theresa (Sandora) DeCaro. He married the former Theresa Rossi on August 10, 1957. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949. John attended Gannon College, where he was a member of the undefeated 1949 football team and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Western Reserve University in 1953. He was also a member of the football team at…

Andrew R. Small, 33, of West Pittsburgh, passed away on Friday, October 22nd. Andrew was born on May 15th, 1988 in Beaver to Deborah A. Small. He graduated from the Riverside High School with the class of 2006, and afterwards enlisted with the U.S. Marine Core. More recently, Andrew graduated from the New Castle School of Trade’s welding program. He then took what he learned in school and started a career at Lee Michael Industries in New Castle, as a welder. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his beloved black lab, Trooper. He is survived by his mother, and…

Mary Bollinger, 77, of Ellwood City, passed away in her residence on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Born in Ellwood City on September 12, 1944, Mary was the daughter of the late John and Viola St. Clair Lample.  Her husband, Robert Bollinger preceded her in death in 2013. Mary is survived by her children, Bob Bollinger and Tammy Taylor, her grandchildren, Leslie Freshkorn and Justin Taylor, four great-grandchildren, Cydney Smith, Cayden Freshkorn, Baron Taylor and Cain Taylor, six brothers; John (Judy) Lample, William (Sandy) Lample, Albert (Carole) Lample, Earl (Carol) Lample, Daniel (Maria) Lample and Joe (Brenda) Lample, a sister, Nancy…

Ms. Barbara A. “Bea/Barb” Barbati, 65 of Renfrew, PA, passed away on Monday, October 18th, 2021 at her residence. Bea was born on October 24th, 1955 in Ellwood City to the late James D. and Barbara (Getsay) Barbati. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1973, and then from Valencia Community College with a degree in nursing. After graduation, she went to work as a nurse in the operating room, at Florida Hospital, and then moved on to become a supervisor for out patient surgery. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with friends and family,…