Obituaries

Mr. Francis W. “Colonel” Keller, Jr., 83, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at the UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Mr. Keller was born in Ellwood City on August 9th, 1938 to the late Francis W. “Fritz” and Ruth (Shafer) Keller, Sr. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1956 and later from Slippery Rock University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education. He then did his post-graduate work at Georgetown University and Clarkson Institute of Technology. He later received his Superintendent Certification from Westminster College. Mr. Keller started…

Dennis J. Tammaro, 68, of Cortland passed away Saturday evening, September 25, 2021. Dennis was born on October 16, 1952 in Ellwood City, PA, a son of Joseph and Angie (Scioti) Tammaro. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1970 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s in education from Youngstown State University. Dennis had an extensive teaching career as an elementary school educator. During the summer months, Dennis also worked as a painter. He retired from the Lordstown School District in 2011, after 35 dedicated years. Besides his passion for his career, Dennis was a sports…

Mrs. Katheryn “Kathy” L. (Curtis) Thalmann-Blank, 84, of Franklin Township, devout and faithful wife and mother, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver. Kathy was born in Ellwood City on March 31st, 1937, daughter of Kenneth W. and Anna Mae (Malhowsky) Curtis. She was a devoted member of the Lincoln High School class of 1956 and served on the class reunion committee. She also graduated from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in Pittsburgh in 1959 as a Registered Nurse. For several years, she worked at the…

JoAnne G. Montgomery, 80 of Ellwood City, passed away at Jameson Care Center on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Born in Castlewood, PA on September 27, 1940, JoAnne was the daughter of the late John Clifford and Jessie Geraldine Kiesling Johnston.  JoAnne was preceded in death by her first husband, Ralph “Ted” Hoffman and her second husband, John “Jack” Montgomery.  JoAnne worked for over 40 years at Freeman’s Buick & Pontiac and later when it became Legend.  She later was one of the original founders of Autosoft International in West Middlesex, where she worked for over 20 years. In JoAnne’s younger…

Mr. David M. DeCampli, 63, of Perry Township, passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital following a long and courageous battle with cancer. David was born in Ellwood City on April 4, 1958 to the late Nick and Laureen (Klear) DeCampli. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1976. He is also a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. For 40 years, David worked for John Brown Trucking as a terminal manager. Dave was a Harley Davidson Motorcycle enthusiast, enjoyed antiques, and a World War II history buff. Most of all,…

Eva M. Main, 66, of Ellwood City passed away on September 19th, 2021 at the VA Hospital H.J. Heinz Campus in Aspinwall. Eva was born on October 31st, 1954 in Ellwood City to the late Woodrow and Rose (Rosaci) Main. She gradated from the Riverside High School with the class of 1972. Eva then enlisted with the U.S. Army on March 29th, 1988, and was honorably discharged on September 8th, 1995, she was a very proud veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Eva worked at Alsy Lighting in Ellwood City, and more recently at Walmart in Chippewa. Eva is survived by…

Mr. Paul “Dodds” Johnson Sr., 83, Of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021 at the UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Mr. Johnson was born in Pittsburgh on April 20, 1938 to the late Thomas and Josephine (Fowler) Johnson, and was an Elementary School teacher, Auctioneer, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Best Friend. He grew up in Zelienople, went to college in Edinboro (his favorite days) then to his farm in Fombell, PA where he raised his children. He loved music and could sing like an angel. His smile would light up the room and his hugs were the…