Obituaries

Barbara Cippel Grinnen, 63, of Wampum (formerly of Ford City) passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022 after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Born December 24, 1958 in Ford City, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Martha Beno Cippel. She was married to James R. “Tex” Grinnen. Barb graduated from Ford City High School in 1977. Then she attended Seton Hill and Penn State University where she earned a master’s degree in dietetics. She was employed at UPMC Jameson Hospital for over 41 years as a dietitian. Survivors include her husband of 35 years James;…

Vicky Elaine Grant, 56, of North Sewickley Township passed away Sunday October 30, 2022 at Heritage Valley – Beaver following a heart attack. Born October 18, 1966 in Riverhead, NY. She was married to Timothy Sickelsmith for 19 years. Vicky loved all kinds of animals, especially White Tigers. She met her husband Tim while working for Animal Control in McKee’s Rocks. She loved cooking shows, Q.V.C., trying new recipes, and learning about Native American Culture and History. She was a descendent of Ulysses S. Grant. Survivors include her husband Tim; sister-in-law, Cynthia Grimm; brother-in-law, Raymur (Tracy) Sickelsmith, and a number…

Patricia A. (Reese) Vargo passed away on October 29, 2022, at Trinity Oaks Personal Care Center, in North Sewickley Twp. She was born July 17, 1930, in Ellwood City. She is survived by her children; Gary and his wife Mary of Waldorf, MD, Cynthia “Cindy” Vargo of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Leslie Vargo of West Palm Beach, FL, grandchildren; John Vargo of New Oxford, PA, Thomas Vargo and his wife Rachael of San Antonio, TX, Meghan Carcaise of Marianna, FL, three great-grandchildren; Amelya, Ethan and Ava, one sister-in-law; Sue Reese of Ellwood City, as well as many nieces and nephews….

Edward P. Zikeli, 99, formerly of Ellwood City passed away Friday, October 28, 2022, at the Providence Care Center following a brief illness. Born November 19, 1922, in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John and Helen Blose Zikeli. He was married to his first wife Eleanor Zikeli when she passed away in 1996. He then married Janice Kellner Smith, and they were married until she passed away in 2017. Edward served as a Medic during WWII in Japan. He was retired from US Steel and also worked various odd jobs throughout the area. He was a…

Samuel John Panico was born in Ellwood City on October 21, 1938 and died on October 27, 2022. Those are the facts, But what’s truly important is how he lived. Hopefully, you knew him – and if you did, you loved him – but if you didn’t, you should come away from reading this knowing a few things. First off, he loved his wife of 51 years, Patty, more than the human heart can hold that emotion. He raised two boys, Noah and Sam, whom he was very proud of. He lived in a very, very, very fine house with…

William C. Bodnar, 69, of Cochranton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at his son’s residence surrounded by those he loved following a two-year illness. Born December 15, 1952, in Canonsburg, he was the son of the late William and Joyce Hopkins Bodnar. He was married to Karen Wagstaff Bodnar. William was a consultant for Bill’s Craning and Rigging Company. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed cooking. Survivors include his wife: Karen; son; William V. (Tiffany) Bodnar of Wampum; two stepsons, Jason and Chris Corbin both of Canonsburg; sister, Louann (David) DeJohn of…