Obituaries

Rita K. Kennard, 67

Ms. Rita K. Kennard, 67, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 at her residence. Rita was born in Ellwood City on February 6th, 1958 to the late Katheryn (Santillo) Kennard and Charles Kennard. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1976 and the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Rita had worked at the Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport as an armed security guard. She led a quiet simple humble life who loved animals, enjoyed listening to Christian music, thirsted for reading material that gave her insight to God especially the…


Richard R. Baker, 83

Richard R. Baker, 83, of Shenango Twp. passed away Saturday, August 30, 2025, at his residence. Born November 3, 1941, in Akron, he was the son of the late William and Nellouise Frymyer Baker. He married Nancy Vaneman Baker on July 7, 1962. Richard graduated from Howland High School in 1959 and spent his career as a machine operator, working 20 years at Casings. He was affiliated with the Savannah United Methodist Church and faithfully listened to In Touch Ministries by Charles Stanley. He loved bird watching, listening to country music, and dogs. He was a car enthusiast, enjoyed riding…


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John Nicholas Perry, Sr., 86

John Nicholas Perry, Sr., of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, affably known as “Pappy,” passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025-the day of his 64th wedding anniversary-at home in the presence of his loving family. He was 86. John was born in Ellwood City on March 2, 1939. He was the descendent of Italian immigrants and the son of Nicholas Nazarene Perry, a steel worker, and Josephine Perry (nee Beatrice), a nurse. A multisport athlete, John graduated in 1956 from Lincoln High School, where he was an All-State Catcher—- and earned a baseball scholarship to Clemson University. At Clemson, under the watchful…


Jessica Anne Leonberg Williams, 42

Jessica Anne Leonberg Williams, 42, of Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Born July 25, 1983, in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of David and Patricia (Lutz) Leonberg. Jessica was always the life of the party, a jokester, who loved to make people smile. She was very caring, with a heart of gold, and always put others before herself. Sports were a huge part of life for Jessica she played slow pitch softball since she was seven years old into adulthood. She played on many women’s and co-ed teams throughout Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties. Jessica…


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Ronald E. Kennedy, Sr., 68

Ronald E. Kennedy, Sr., 68, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at his residence with his loving family at his bedside. Ronald was born in Ellwood City on December 2nd, 1956 to the late Rev. Lancet Charles Kennedy and Laura E. (Eicholtz) Kennedy. He married the love of his life Carol (Eddinger) Kennedy on October 11th, 2003. Ron had worked at Anchor Hocking in Monaca for 34 years as a machine operator and served as vice president of the union. He enjoyed Elvis and Conway music and family holiday cookouts. Ron lived for his family…


Donald A. Lutz, 88

Donald A. Lutz, 88, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Heritage Valley – Beaver following a brief illness. Born March 17, 1937, in Hoytdale, he was the son of the late Daniel and Hilda Deal Lutz. He was married to Karen Abraham Lutz. Donald worked as a maintenance supervisor for B&W and Koppel Steel in Ambridge until his retirement. He was a member of Concord United Methodist Church and attended the First Christian Church in Ellwood City. An avid outdoorsman, Donald was a skilled fisherman and hunter. He particularly enjoyed fishing at Pymatuning and hunting…


Denise Marie Hill, 68

Denise Marie Hill, 68, of Wayne Twp. passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at her residence. Born June 24, 1957, in Canton, OH, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Gibson and Ruby MacDonald Craine. She was married to the late Leonard Hill. Denise graduated from Lincoln High School and was a devoted member of the Chewton Baptist Church.  For many years, she worked in the kitchen at the Ellwood City Hospital. She enjoyed watching her favorite shows on T.V. and loved going fishing. She is survived by her mom, Ruby Craine of Ellwood City. In addition…


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Raymond D. Young, 70

Raymond D. Young, 70, of Wurtemburg, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Allegheny General Hospital. Born in Ellwood City on December 7, 1954, Ray was the son of the late Russell and Ruth Linzey Young. He married the former Amy Lose in 1985. Ray worked at the Ellwood City Forge for over twenty years. He enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting and fishing and watching racing. Ray is survived by his wife, Amy, his son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Raechell Young of Ellwood City, his two daughters, Keri Lynn Mengel of Wurtemburg and Dawnette Bober of Ellwood City, a…


Larry Bruce McCaslin, 82

Larry Bruce McCaslin of Ellwood City, PA was reunited with his parents in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of Sunday, August 24, 2025 at St. Barnabas at Beaver Meadows in Beaver, PA, three days following the 60th. wedding anniversary to his wife, Linda. Larry was born on January 9, 1943 in Ellwood City, PA to William “Pat” and Esther (Welsh) McCaslin. Larry’s youth was marked by adventures on Wiley Hill and, later, his love of and excellence in baseball. He met Linda Fusetti at Park Gate Baptist Church where they made memories participating…


Lawrence E. Leggiero, 83

Mr. Lawrence E. Leggiero, 83, of North Sewickley Township passed away on Monday, August 25th, 2025 at his residence. Mr. Leggiero was born on August 28th, 1941 in Ellwood City the son of the late John and Louise (Desanzo) Leggiero. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1959, and later from Geneva College and Penn State University where he majored in engineering. Larry had worked for Carl Baker Architects and Lynch Architects until his retirement. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife Carol Ann (Gustafson) whom he married on…