Obituaries

Ashley D. Smith, 37, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, August 21st, 2022 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Ashley was born on June 21st, 1985 in Ellwood City the daughter of the late Robert D. “Snuffy” Smith and Loretta (Buda) Smith of Ellwood City. She had worked at the Ellport Junction and most recently she was hired at 7-Eleven in Ellwood City both places as a clerk. She is survived by her mother Loretta, brother Derek and his wife Jessica Smith of Ellwood City, niece Lenarose Smith, nephew Luca Smith, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and…

Michele S. Burton, 74, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital. Michele was born on September 27th, 1947 in Ellwood City to the late Clayton and Virginia (DiFrishia) Daufen Sr.. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1965, and attended the Wurtemburg United Methodist Church. Over the years she had worked at Heraeus, Fotia Bros., Allsy Lighting, Airway Industries, and the Ellwood City Knitting Mill. She is survived by her sons, Samuel (Tammy) Burton of New Brighton and Thomas Burton of Houston, Texas, grandchildren, Amber, Elizabeth, Samuel, Joshua,…

Melva J. Nagel, 87, of Franklin Township, passed away at Northview Estates on Monday, August 15, 2022. Born in Ellwood City on February 13, 1935, Melva was the daughter of the late Willard and Delores Cunning Crowl.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore W. Nagel, on May 6, 2015.  They were married on March 2, 1953.  Melva was a graduate of CCBC and worked as a LPN at both Blair Nursing Home in Beaver Falls and Passavant Health Center in Zelienople.  She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, baking and cooking and her humming birds.  Melva liked…

Matushka Anne “Anya” Hopko, née Schmemann, for the last two decades of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and previously, for many years, of Crestwood (Yonkers), New York, fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday afternoon, August 4, 2022. She was 78 years old. At the time of her repose in the Lord, Matushka Anne was in care in a hospital in L’Annonciation (Rivière-Rouge), Quebec. She had suffered a sudden stroke on Wednesday, August 3, while with family members together on summer holiday in Lac Labelle, Quebec. Matushka Anne was the beloved wife of the late Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (+2015). She is survived…

Mary Florence Loccisano, 95, died peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospice Beaver on Friday, August 12, 2022. She was born in Forestville, PA on December 5, 1926 to the late Michael and Angeline Isacco Carozza. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School. Mary was the adored and adoring wife of Raymond Paul Loccisano whom she married on April 12, 1948. Mary was a homemaker and a marvelous cook. In earlier years, she served as a Cub Scout den mother. A quiet woman, she possessed a generous and caring heart and was deeply loved by family and friends. She was a…

John L. Wiley, 86, of Franklin Township, passed away at his residence on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Born in Ellwood City on January 29, 1936, John was the son of the late Jack B. and Evelyn B. McKinney Wiley.  John is survived by his wife, the former Helen Wilson, whom he married on January 9, 1956.  John retired as a meat packer after 37 years at Luger Meat Packing.  He was a member of Lillyville Church of God.  An avid hunter, John was past president and a 50-year member of the Beaver County Coon Hunters Association. Besides his wife Helen…

Mrs. Marilyn “Dusty” Minnocci, 76, passed away peacefully in the early mornings of August 9, 2022. She was surrounded by her family. Dusty was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Dusty was born August 12, 1945 to the late Kathryn “Kappy” Linville and the late Paul “Dwayne” Jessop. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963 and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Geneva College. In March 1966, she married her high school sweetheart Marty Minnocci. Some of Dusty’s hobbies were baking and cooking and many can attest to her abilities in the kitchen. She touched the lives of…