Obituaries

Mr. Frank “Cheech” B. Fotia, 83, of Ellwood City passed away on January 3rd, 2022 at Jameson Hospital. Cheech was born on March 17th, 1938 in Ellwood City to the late, Ralph and Mary (DeMasse) Fotia. He attended Lincoln High School, and worked at the Babcock and Wilcox Companies for 20 years in yard shipping. For a short period, Cheech also was the owner and operator of Cheech’s Car Center on the corner of Fifth street and Wampum Avenue where 711 is today. A man of faith, Cheech was a member of Holy Redeemer Church, where he served as an…

Mrs. Aldena G. “Dena” Jinar, 88, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Hospice, Heritage Valley. Mrs. Jinar was born on November 9th, 1933 in Sanford, North Carolina to the late Arthur and Ruby (Brown) Griffin. She had graduated from the Jonesboro High School in North Carolina. For a brief period of time she worked at Benjamin’s Pharmacy in Ellwood City. Then from 1967 until her retirement in 2011, Dena worked for the Spoa family at Christy’s Market in Franklin Twp., Value King in Ellwood City, and Save-A-Lot also in Franklin Twp.. She…

Shirley I. Gibson went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday December 31, 2021.  She was currently residing in Camdenton MO with her daughter and family.  She was a long-time resident of Tionesta PA.  Shirley was born September 24th, 1934 in New Castle PA, the daughter of the late Earl H. Maxwell and Emma Schoder Maxwell. On November 14th, 1953 she married her husband of 56 years Theodore B. Gibson Sr.  Together they raised four children, Bonnie, Becky, Ted, and Linda. Shirley was an accomplished vocalist. In her youth she sang on the local radio…

Ingrid Lydia Abraham, 81, of Wayne Township, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Holiday, Florida. Born in Ingolstadt, Germany, Ingrid was the daughter of the late Edmund and Lydia Hummer Seufert. Ingrid is survived by her husband, Paul D. Abraham whom she married on June 5, 1957 in Bergrheinfeld, Germany.  Ingrid graduated high school in Germany and later took accounting courses at Lawrence Co. VoTech.  She worked at the Ellwood Knitting Mill, as an independent home healthcare aide and a part- time accounting and payroll clerk.  In Ellwood City she was a member of the Moose Lodge and…

Ms. Marjorie A. Jackson, 70, of Zelienople passed away on Wednesday, December 29th 2021 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township. Marjorie was born on March 14th, 1951 in Pittsburgh to the late George R. and Audrey (Heitz) Jackson. She graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 1969. She worked for Carol’s Bakery in Zelienople as a bakery assistant for over 25 years. Marjorie was a member of the Harmony Zelienople United Methodist Church, where she also cleaned. She enjoyed being around her family and friends, making jewelry, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins. She is survived…

Albert R. Leopardi, 83, of Franklin Township, passed away at Butler Memorial Hospital on Monday, December 27, 2021. Born in Ellwood City on October 4, 1938, Albert was the son of the late Albert and Thressa Ritorto Leopardi.  Albert is survived by his wife, the former Linda Fabian, whom he married on February 19, 1994.  He had worked as a machinist at American Steel and later retired from the Ellwood City Forge. After his retirement, he worked at Trader Horn.  Albert was a Veteran of the Navy serving on the USS Wasp.  While on the USS Wasp he visited both…

Mr. Lou L. Gatto, 93, passed on from this Earth on December 23rd, 2021 at 3:00 pm. The world will greatly miss our patriarch, but heaven will rejoice. Dad talked with God and got his prayers answered. He was able to pass away at home with his children around him and in his sleep. He is survived by his precious sister Sandy, his children Doug, Beth, and Chris, his grandchildren Dani and Rocco, and great grandchildren Isaiah, Noah, Isabella, Dylan, and Jude. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Cynthia, his daughter Linda and five precious brothers who…