Obituaries

Raymond “Ray” Hupko, 87

Raymond D. Hupko, 87, of Slippery Rock Township passed away with his family by his side on Monday morning, June 3, 2024, at UPMC Jameson Hospital. He was the son of the late Thomas and Susan (Dubinsky) Hupko and was born Oct. 21, 1936, in Ellwood City. He is survived by three sons and three daughters, Kathy (Jim) Swartz of Texas, Colleen (John) Yoho of Arizona, Todd (Barb) Hupko of New Castle, Amy Hupko of New Castle, Christian and his wife, Allyssa, of Kansas and Jamal Hupko of Maryland; his grandchildren; Ashley Tran and her husband Griffith, Jennifer Book and…


Dr. Anthony R. “Tony” DiBiagio, 96

Dr. Anthony R. “Tony” DiBiagio, 96, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at the Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown, PA. Dr. DiBiagio was born on March 11th, 1928 in Houtzdale, PA to the late Romeo and Josephine (Gatti) DiBiagio. He had graduated from Houtzdale High School with the class of 1946, and from Lock Haven University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Anthony then enlisted with the U.S. Army on December 14th, 1950 and served with the U.S. Army Dental Corps until his honorable discharge on November 24th, 1952. In 1957 he graduated from…


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Virginia A. Dufford, 90

Virginia A. Dufford, 90, of Wayne Township, passed away at her residence on Monday, June 3, 2024. Born in Ellwood City on September 14, 1933, Virginia was the daughter of the late Levi and Adaline L. Kirker Rape.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence V. Dufford on November 4, 2015.  They were married on December 14, 1953.  Virginia had worked at Leeds & Northrup and was a member of the former Knox Presbyterian Church.  Virginia enjoyed playing bingo and her scratch-off tickets.  She also enjoyed quilting, but mostly enjoyed the time she spent with her family. Surviving…


Helen Burns, 94

Helen Burns, 94, of Portersville Rd. Perry Township passed away surrounded by her family Sunday, June 2, 2024 at her residence after a lengthy illness. Born December 2, 1929 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Thelma Bartle McKinney Smith. She was married to Kenneth Burns for 66 years when he passed away in 2014. Helen graduated from Lincoln High School and was a member of the Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed spending time at home and at her camp in Marionville. Above all Helen cherished moments with her family. She is survived by her…


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Cheryl A. (Burcik) Thomas, 69

Cheryl A. (Burcik) Thomas, 69, of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.  Cheryl was a graduate of Riverside High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Dolores Burcik. Cheryl’s love of nursing over 45 years took her to Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Tampa, and back to Ellwood City, where she ended her career as a home health nurse. Her favorite job was working for Ellwood City Hospital and caring for the people in her local community. Outside of nursing, Cheryl loved swimming, reading, playing cards, and her…


Norma M. Boots, 95

Norma M. Boots, 95, of Pleasant Hill Rd. Perry Township passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at her residence. Born May 19, 1929 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late William Oris and Gertrude Gibson Houk. She was married to Paul N. Boots for 42 years when he passed away in 1993. Norma graduated from Harlansburg High School. She was a devoted homemaker. Norma enjoyed singing in the choir at the Wurtemburg Methodist Church and also in the Pennsylvania State Choir in her youth. She was a member of the Women’s…


Frances (Dombeck) Falcsik, 81

Mrs. Frances (Dombeck) Falcsik, 81, of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, at UPMC -Jameson Hospital. Frances was born on August 19th,1942, in Ellwood City to the late Frank S. and Mafalda R. (Ricci) Dombeck. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1960. She is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. On December 26th, 196l, she married the love of her life, Anthony A. “Tony” Falcsik who preceded her in death on September 18th, 2011. Frances was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and a friend to all. She worked…


Richard D. Keith, 75

Richard D. Keith, 75, of Darlington Township passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 27, 2024 at his residence. Born March 3, 1949 in Garrett, PA, he was the son of the late Russell D. and Ila Mae Ackerman Keith. He was married to Shirley A. Keith for 22 years when she passed away on June 16, 2012. Richard had retired from Koppel Steel where he worked as a crane operator. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed watching sports and was an ardent fan of any team from Pittsburgh. He is survived by his daughter, Dana (Steve)…


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Debra Sue Gordon, 67

Debra Sue Gordon, 67, of Ellwood City, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024 at her residence. Born in Ellwood City on March 13, 1957, Debra was the daughter of the late Donald and Phyllis Main Gordon.  Debra was a member of Park Gate Baptist Church.  She enjoyed attending church, shopping and attending family events. Debra is survived by her brother, Terry Gordon of New Castle, her sister-in-law, Brenda Gordon and her special friend, Ed Sutkowski. Friends will be received on Friday, May 31, 2024 from 5:30 PM until 6:00 PM at Park Gate Baptist Church.  A Memorial Service will follow…


Derrick M. Stevenson, 82

Derrick M Stevenson, 82, of Beaver Falls passed away Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the VA Medical Center in Aspinwall following a brief illness. Born December 25, 1941 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late William and Kay Porter Stevenson. Derrick graduated from Lincoln High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked as a Beaver Falls Policeman from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. He also owned Stevenson’s Exterminating for a time. Derrick was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the VFW and the American Legion. He enjoyed reading. Family…