Obituaries

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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,…


Nancy Jean Straessley, 86

Mrs. Nancy Jean Straessley, 86, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Straessley was born in Ellwood City to the late Peter and Veronica (Sibol) Sokoloski on October 23, 1934. She had graduated from Lincoln High School and is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. For many years she worked as a sales clerk for Gene’s Jewelers, and later as a caregiver for Home Instead. She was an avid reader and loved animals. She is survived by her daughter, Joni (Edward J.) Meiter of North Sewickley Twp., grandchildren, Braden (Tiffany)…


Mary Anne Meyer, 76

Mary Anne Meyer, 76 of Ellwood City passed way peacefully on Saturday, July 10th 2021 at her residence surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness. Born on March 6th, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Anne (Kelly) Sill. She graduated from the St. George’s Catholic High School and Duff’s Business School. She was married on September 23rd, 1967 to the late, Walter Meyer who was the love of her life for over 50 years until his passing on May 13th, 2018. Mary Anne worked many years for the FBI as an…


Mildred “Mimi” Statti-Salapak, 101

Mrs. Mildred “Mimi” Statti-Salapak a lifelong resident of Ellwood City, passed away Friday July 9th, 2021 at the Grove of New Castle Rehabilitation Facility in New Castle, Pa. She was born November 9, 1919 in Ellwood City, PA. She was the daughter of the late Primo S. and Teresa A. (Mucci) Spagiare. Both her parents immigrated from Northern Italy (Primo-1896 and Teresa-1909) to the Pittsburgh (Bridgeville) area prior to moving to Ellwood City in 1917. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938 and attended beauty school and was a beautician in her early years. She also worked as a…


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Darlene Joy Miller, 61

Darlene Joy Miller, 61 of Wayne Township passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021 in the Emergency Room of the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Born in Pittsburgh on September 20, 1959, Darlene was the daughter of the late Donald and Marion Crehan Jabaut.  She is survived by her husband, Arthur A. Miller whom she married on July 30, 1988. Darlene was a member of Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church.  She enjoyed playing bingo, fishing and working on puzzles but her favorite times where spent with her family, especially her 8 grandchildren. Besides her husband and grandchildren, Darlene is survived by her children,…