Obituaries

Richard D. Gibson, 81

Richard D. Gibson, 81, of North Beaver Township passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021 at his residence following a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born August 9, 1939 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Ruth Elizabeth Shoaf . He was married to Nancy J. Kennedy Gibson for 58 years. Richard was a US Navy veteran, serving in Vietnam. He retired from Blair Strip Steel in 1998 where he worked as an electrician. Richard was an active member of the Bethel E.P.C. He served as an Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, served on the Hospitality Committee,…


Paul R. Schaffer, 64

Paul Robert Schaffer, Jr, 64, of Ellwood City, died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at his home. He was the son of Mary Lou (Lockrouit) Usselman and the late Paul Robert Schaffer, Sr. Paul was born December 13, 1956, in Ellwood City He is survived by his mother; Mary-Lou Usselman and her husband John Usselman of New Brighton; his stepmother; Joanne Porter of Zelienople, his companion, of 21 years, Kimberly Bennett of Ellwood City, one brother; William Porter and his wife Kerri in Butler; his niece and Apple of his Eye, Remi Porter and one stepsister; Karen Souffrant and her husband…


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Shirley (Gills) Scott, 86

Shirley (Gills) Scott, 86, of Morristown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ, surrounded by loving family. Shirley was born on October 28, 1934, to the late Howard and Nina (Abernathy) Gills in Ellwood City, PA. She is survived by her husband, Edward Scott, whom she met in Ellwood City As high school sweethearts they spent 70 years together and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Shirley was a 1952 graduate of Ellwood City High School and a lifetime member of The Ellwood City Chapter of The Order of the Eastern Star. She studied for…


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Paul Henery Siovaila, 92

Paul Henery Siovaila, 92, of Ellwood City, departed for heaven on July 16th, 2021 at Northview Estates. Born August 17th, 1928 in Ellwood City, PA, he was the son of the late George and Victoria Siovaila and husband of the late Lois (Schalois) Siovaila. They were married for 68 years. In October of 1946, when Paul was 17 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Fireman 2nd Class on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier until 1948. Paul then joined the U.S. Army in 1949, and with the rank of Corporal (CPL), he served as…


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 Linda “Lory” Miller, 71

 Linda “Lory” Miller, 71 of Ellwood City passed away at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Born in San Antonio, Texas on November 23, 1949, Lory was the daughter of Ernest Y’Barbo of San Antonio and the late Diana Garza Tschappatt.  Lory worked as an apartment manager in San Antonio before moving to Ellwood City.  She was a Pink Lady Volunteer at the former Ellwood City Hospital. Besides her father, Lory is survived by her daughter, Michele (Sean) Rush-Steighner of Ellwood City, 2 grandchildren, Joey and Sara Rush, a sister, Donna (John) Lee of Houston, TX, a brother,…


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John Robert “Bob” Luca, 78

Mr. John Robert “Bob” Luca, 78, of Ellport passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Beaver. Mr. Luca was born on November 15, 1942 in Ellwood City to the late John and Mary (Simon) Luca. Bob is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1960, and the Holy Redeemer Parish. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on July 19, 1964 and served until his discharge on March 21st, 1970 with the rank of Corporal (E-4). Following his service with the Marines, Bob worked for 42 years in the International…


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Joseph T. Taranto, Jr., 71

Mr. Joseph T. Taranto, Jr., 71 of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Beaver following a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born in Ellwood City to the late Joseph T. and Maggie (Condell) Taranto, Sr. on February 3, 1950. He had graduated from Lawrence County Vo-Tech with the class of 1969 where he had studied welding. For over 20 years he worked as a supervisor for the former Leeds & Northrup in Ellwood City, and later retired from Penn State Special Metals LLC where he was a mill worker….


Mary Elizabeth Dombeck, 58

Mary Elizabeth Dombeck, 58, of New Castle passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital following a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born January 7, 1963 in Fort Knox, KY, she was the daughter of J. Charles Dombeck and the late C. Patricia Vlah. She passed on March 12, 1988. She was employed at the Lawrence County Courthouse from July 18 1994, currently the Judicial Executive Secretary to President Judge Motto. She also worked part time at the former K-Mart and at Aldi’s. She was a graduate of Mohawk High School in 1980, attended Clarion University, and…


Mathew C. Reese, 41

Mathew C. Reese, 41, of Chewton passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 12, 2021 at his residence. Born July 22, 1979 in Rochester, he was the son of the late James and Karen Statton Reese. He was married to Jami Hamrick Reese for 11 years. Matt was a manager at the Ellwood City Forge. He enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the beach and Jamaica. He was an avid Steelers fan and loved playing fantasy football. He loved food and his puppies. Matt cherished times spent with his family, particularly with his grandchildren. In addition to his wife Jami and his…


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Darlene B. Tillia, 88

Darlene B. Tillia, 88, of Ellwood City, passed away in her residence on Monday, July 12, 2021. Born in Molitor, Wisconsin on July 10, 1933, Darlene was the daughter of the late William and Minnie Zimkie Parkhill.  Her husband, Everett Tillia predeceased her in 1991.  They had met in Wisconsin while Darlene was working for Wisconsin Bell Telephone and when Everett heard her voice on the line, he knew he had to meet her.  Darlene was a Jehovah’s Witness and she enjoyed walking and reading. She is survived by her children; Duncan (Frances)Tillia of Riverside, CA, David Tillia of Osceola,…