Obituaries

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James “Sabu” DeCaria, 86

James “Sabu” DeCaria, 86, of Port Huron, Michigan, formerly of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, passed away on May 13, 2021, in Port Huron after an extended illness. Sabu was born March 21, 1935 in Ellwood City to the late Antonio and Rose Orrico DeCaria. He was a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1954 and served honorably in the United States Air Force and in 1963 moved to Port Huron where he lived until his passing. During his years in Port Huron he made many friends through his employment as a bartender in several bars and bowling centers, also…


Clarence Boots Jr., 87

Clarence Boots Jr., 87, of North Beaver Twp. passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Clen Moore Place in New Castle. Born June 21, 1934 in the Newport area of Wampum, he was the son of the late Clarence and Geraldine Cook Boots Sr. He was married to Shirley Wigley Boots for 58 years when she passed away June 17, 2011. Clarence was a third generation carpenter and contractor with 60 years of building custom homes for Boots Construction. He was an active member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. Clarence served as a member…


Kenneth Warren Jorgensen, 92

Kenneth Warren Jorgensen, 92 of Zelienople, formerly of Ellwood City and Alexandria, passed away at Allegheny General Hospital on Monday, July 19, 2021. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 13, 1928, Kenneth was the son of the late Johannes and Evangeline Harnes Jorgensen.  At the age of 17, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  After boot camp, Kenneth was assigned to Camp David where he had the honor to guard both President Truman and President Eisenhower.  While stationed in Washington D.C., he met Leatrice Koach on The Mall, who later became his wife of 70 years.  Leatrice passed away…


Dawn Dittmer, 48

Dawn Catherine Dittmer, 48, of Beaver Falls passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her residence. Born February 26, 1973 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Diorio and Joy Gibson Diorio-Dixon of Ellwood City. Dawn was the owner and operator of the former Dusty Dawn’s Cleaning. She enjoyed trips to the ocean. She loved spending time with her family. Survivors include her mother Joy (James) Diorio-Dixon of Ellwood City; daughter, Danielle (Christopher) Healey of Butler; two sons, Hunter and Cameron Dittmer of Butler; granddaughter, Evelyn Healey; sister, Joy O’Rourke of Butler; and a brother,…


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Joyce Ierace, 84

In loving memory of Joyce Ierace, who passed away on April 13, 2021. Joyce Fosnaught Ierace was born on May 12, 1936, in Ellwood City, PA. She married Eugene Ierace in 1956. They had four children: Kathy, Tom, Betty Jo, and Dan. They moved to Weirton, WV, in 1967 and lived there for many years. They moved to Laurinburg, NC, in 1979 and eventually moved back to Ellwood. In 2015, Joyce and Gene moved to Whispering Oaks Independent Living in Hermitage, PA. They were lovingly cared for by the staff there, including Quaryah Garner. Over the years Joyce worked as…


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Hildegard “Hilda” Falen, 70

Hildegard “Hilda” M. Falen, 70, of Ellwood City, passed away at UPMC Jameson on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Born in Pittsburgh on March 19, 1951, Hilda was the daughter of the late Charles and Georgina Keissling Wahl.  She retired from the Seneca Valley School District in 2004 where she had worked in the cafeteria and later as a custodian.  Hilda enjoyed time with her family, especially game nights where she would usually win at Skip-Bo. She is survived by her children, Jennifer Prinkey of Ellwood City and Bobby Falen of Harmony, four granddaughters: Aytymn and her husband, Mark, Angellica, Erika…


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…