Obituaries

George Ream, 67

George Ream, 67, of Wampum, PA passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Edison Manor in New Castle PA. He was the son of the late Daniel and Audrey (Coyle) Ream and was born January 6, 1956 in Rochester, PA. He is survived by his sister; Kimberly Ream of Wampum, PA. His family is having no services, per his wishes. Cremation Arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES located at 5th and Park in Ellwood City.


Pamela Ann Grimm, 50

Pamela Ann Grimm, 50 of Chewton passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at her residence. Born October 27, 1972 in McKeesport, PA, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lewis and Marianne Connolly Cisler. She was married to Kirtis W. Grimm. Pamela was a graduate of Slippery Rock University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She worked as a Cytologist for 23 years at the Butler Memorial Hospital. She cherished time with her family especially her sons and grandchildren. She loved all animals; her seven beagle puppies, her German Sheppard, her goats, and ducks. Survivors…


Joseph R. DeSanzo Jr., 61

Joseph R. DeSanzo Jr., 61, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, May 15th, 2023 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital. Joseph was born in Ellwood City on October 28th, 1961 to Joseph R. and Shaleen “Shelly” (Morgan) DeSanzo. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1979, and the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. A police officer, Joe had worked as a patrolman for the Perry Twp. Police Department, Zelienople Police Department with the rank of Sergeant, and the Butler County Drug Task Force. He is a past president of both the Butler County Fraternal Order…


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Carol L. Kingston, 78

Carol L. Kingston, 78, of Ellwood City, passed away at her residence on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Born in Ellwood City on November 5, 1944, Carol was the daughter of the late Arthur and Irene McKim Bable, Sr.  She married Clarence “Barn” Kingston on May 11, 1962 and they just celebrated 61 years of marriage.  Carol worked at Fisher’s Big Wheel in New Castle and Ellwood City.  She also worked at the former ECASD employee credit union for many years.  A member of First United Methodist Church, Carol was part of their original “Apple Dumpling Gang”.  She was very active…


Donna Jean Simmons, 67

Donna J. Simmons, 67 of New Castle formally of Ellwood City passed away on May 13, 2023 after a brief illness. She was born on November 28, 1955 to the late Herman Simmons, Sr. and Lydia Simmons. She is preceded in death by her brother Herman Simmons, Jr, her sister Linda Prestia, and her grandparents Arlie and Marjorie Simmons, Josephine Davidson, and Charles Mathes. She is survived by her four children; Stevie (Staci) Simmons, Billy (Marie) Simmons, Christopher Simmons, Crystal (Robert) Federer, numerous grandchildren, her siblings; Elizabeth (Jay) Prestia, Charles Simmons, Elva (Tim) Klingensmith, Marjorie (Doug) Ehrenberg, and her companion…


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Carol J. Cox, 87

Carol J. Cox died and went to our Lord Jesus Christ on May 7th, 2023. She was 87 years old. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Margaret Jane Cox, then sister Mary Ann Cox Moore. She leaves behind her sister, Diana Cox Reynolds, 1 niece, Susan Crossland and 2 nephews, William Crossland and John Anangst. Carol’s funeral is being held at Domaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA, at 11:00 am on May 17th, 2023. Carol graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1953. Over her years she worked for the Department of the Navy…


Margaret M. “Maggie” Tritt, 72

Margaret M. “Maggie” Tritt, 72, of North Sewickley Township passed away on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. Maggie was born on March 4th, 1951 in Philadelphia to the late John and Helen (Wilkinson) McLaughlin. She graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1969 and also from Geneva College where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Science. She was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Maggie worked for Calgon from 1976 until 2000 as a quality assurance manager, at H.J. Heinz from 2002 until 2009 as a senior quality…


Ronald A. Hazen, 95

Ronald Arthur Hazen, 95, of Wayne Township passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at his residence. Born October 18, 1927 in Wayne Township, he was the son of the late Arthur Floyd and Elda L. Haine Hazen. He married the late Betty Jane Wehman Hazen in August 1948. They were married until she passed away on June 25, 2011. Ronald was a Veteran of the United States Army and served during WWII and Korea. For 40 years, Ron was the owner and operator of A.F. Hazen and Sons. He was a member of the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church and served…


Carol J. Franz, 80

Carol J. Franz “CJ”, 80, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023, at Northview Estates in Ellwood City. She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Victoria (Moskal) Biega and was born November 23, 1942. She is survived by her sons; James Franz and his wife Natasha of Ellwood City, Alan Franz and his wife Krista of New Castle, her grandchildren; Aaron Franz and his wife Chris of Ontario Canada, Rachel Thomas and her husband Wesley of Ellwood City, Kayla Weller and her husband Will, Rylee Franz, Maeson Cearfoss and her husband Robert, all of Ellwood…


Daniel Joseph Swartz, 54

Daniel Joseph Swartz, 54, of Butler, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital following a brief illness, with his family by his side. Born Feb. 5, 1969, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Daniel J. and Theresa M. Klir Swartz. He was employed as vice president of marketing at WesBanco Bank Inc., at the Ellwood City location. He was a member of the ABA (American Bankers Association). Dan was currently serving on the board of directors for the Butler County Chamber of Commerce. He served from 2007 to 2018. Within those years, he served six years…