Obituaries

Mrs. Catherine “Cathy” A. Balser, 73, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Mrs. Balser was born on December 16, 1947 in Ellwood City to the late Joseph and Mary (Zona) Baros. She had graduated from the Purification BVM Elementary School and Lincoln High School with the class of 1965. Cathy had worked for Dom’s IGA, the U.S. Steel Tube Mill, Ellwood City Transit (Zona’s Busing), and Caputo Insurance Agency in Beaver Falls. She is a life-long member of the Holy Redeemer Church. An avid golfer, Cathy is a…

Jarred David-Levi Streckeisen, 25, of Shenango Twp passed away unexpectantly on Sunday, October 10, 2021. He was the son of Jason and Angela (Bradford) Streckeisen and was born September 24, 1996, in Pittsburgh He is survived by his wife, of 5 years, Hayley ( Avena) Streckeisen of Shenango, Twp, his two children; Rosalynn Jean and Levi Jason-Richard Streckeisen, one brother; Jorden Streckeisen,  and his wife Miranda of Ellwood City; grandparents; Pauline Bradford of Winchester, VA and Jackie Streckeisen of Ellwood City, one nephew; Everett Streckeisen, one niece; Everleigh Streckeisen, one brother-in-law; Rocco Avena, his mother-in-law; Kelley Avena, his aunts and…

Our Heavenly Father God has called our beloved Keith R. Winchell after a long battle with cancer on Saturday, October 9th, 2021. Keith was born on March 4, 1950 in Jersey City, New Jersey to the late Richard and Iridie Teresa Mercedes (O’Neill) Winchell. He had graduated from Riverside High School. Keith was a five time Golden Glove Boxing Champion, and had worked out for the Olympics as a swimmer until the games where cancelled by President Jimmy Carter. For many years, Keith worked as a truck driver. He loved studying about God, and enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, college…

Jeffrey E. Schwartz, 60, of Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Butler Health System. Born in Beaver Falls on September 28, 1961, Jeff was the son of Judith Hall Schwartz of Ellwood City and the late Kenneth O. Schwartz, Sr. An electrical engineer, Jeff worked at Ellwood Quality Steel in New Castle. He loved to ride his Harley, hunt, fish and spend time at camp. Jeff’s life revolved around his family, especially his children and grandchildren. In addition to his mother, Jeff is survived by his three children, Jason J. (Nicki) Schwartz, Leah (Pat Duncan) Schwartz…

Rita Mazzanti, 86, of Frisco, passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the home of her son, Ray in New Castle. Born on January 20, 1935 in New Castle, Rita was the daughter of the late Luigi and Virginia Pacella Nocera. She married Alfred “Fred” Mazzanti on July 18, 1955. Rita worked as a dietitian at both the Ellwood City Hospital and Hillview Manor. A member of Holy Redeemer Parish, Rita enjoyed attending Challenges and trips to the casino. She faithfully cooked dinner for her family every Sunday and she loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and…

Mrs. Vittoria Simeoni, 85, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2021 at Jameson Hospital. Vittoria was born on May 28th, 1936 in Baia e Latina, Italy, to the late Stefano and Maria (Paglia) Perrotta. She was trained as a seamstress in Naples, Italy. Vittoria came to the United States on May 20th, 1970 to start a new life with her family. She worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill until its closing, and then for 22 years at Fotia Brothers, as a seamstress, until her retirement. In her retirement, she made clothing alterations privately from her home…

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…