Obituaries

Phillip G. Hoak of Franklin Township, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 following a motor vehicle accident. Phillip was born on August 26, 1986 in New Castle to Sherri Hoak and Kevin McCormack. He attended Riverside High School. Following high school Philip enlisted into the United States Army on August 23, 2011 and was discharged October 20, 2015. During his time in the Army, Phillip received the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Phillip was currently working…

James L. McBride, 68, of Slippery Rock Township passed away Friday, June 19, 2020 at Quality Life Services in New Castle following a lengthy illness. Born August 30, 1951 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Mont and Margaret Cotton McBride. He was married to Debra E. McBride who passed on April 23, 2005. Jim was a graduate of Mohawk High School in 1969. He was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church. Jim was a truck driver and had retired from the Rollins Trucking Company in Ohio. He enjoyed hunting and Pirate’s baseball but his favorite…

Helen M. Powell, 97, of Ellwood City, well known for her community spirit and accomplishments, passed away peacefully at her residence, on Thursday, June 18, 2020. She was born in Wurtemburg (Ellwood City), on October 26, 1922, the only child to the late Clifford L. “C.L” Bauder and the late Hilda M. Wallis Bauder. She was raised in Hazel Dell, (Ellwood’s North Side), then she moved to a farm in Wayne Twp, as a teenager. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School, class of 1941 and then she attended Southern Seminary in Buena Vista, VA. She then returned to…

Helen Mae Plaveczki, 92, born on February 17, 1928, to the late John King Brouwere and Geraldine Amelia Brouwere, died on Wednesday, June 17th, at Northview Estates. Helen was a 1947 graduate of Lincoln High School. She was a homemaker who enjoyed her flower garden and was an avid reader. She was married to her husband, Michael Joseph Plaveczki, Sr. for 64 years before his passing on October 7, 2011. She was a member of the Beaver Falls Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She is survived by a daughter, Marsha (Gary) Rutter, of Ellwood City, and a son, Michael Joseph (Michele)…

Amber Cherie LaGala, 32, Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 14, 2020 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital. Born November 7, 1987 in Beaver, she was the daughter of the late Bill Rankin and Tina Boots who survives. Amber was a graduate of Mohawk High School. Amber enjoyed motorcycle rides and outdoor activities, especially camping, fishing, and canoeing. Survivors include her mother and Step-father, Bill Pierce in Florida; daughter, Cynthia Frum of Wampum; four brothers, Joseph LaGala of Virginia, Daniel LaGala, Jr. of Wampum, Joshua and Ryan LaGala of Ellwood City; three sisters, Kayla Boots of Florida, Heidi LaGala of…

Gerald Lee Gasper, 66, of Beaver Falls passed away in the comfort of his home on June 15th after a 3 1/2 year battle with mesothelioma. Born November 22, 1953 in Ellwood City he was the son of the late Vincent T. Gasper, Sr. and Margaret (Eckler) Gasper and a stepmother, Irvina (Wright) Gasper. Upon graduating from Riverside High School in 1971 Jerry served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Jerry was retired from Reyerson Steel in Ambridge and prior to that he owned and operated the 5th Street Lounge in New Brighton. Jerry will be greatly missed by…