Obituaries

Mrs. Regina (Pecoraro) Santamaria, 62, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Regina was born in New Castle on September 28, 1958 to the late Elio and Amalia A. (Parente) Pecoraro. She had graduated from Lincoln High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing in New Castle as a Registered Nurse. For many years she worked as a registered nurse and in 2018 became the owner and operator of Peace of Mind Sarasota Home Watch. She is a member of the St. Martha Catholic Church in Sarasota. Regina enjoyed family, cooking,…

Clarence Boots Jr., 87, of North Beaver Twp. passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Clen Moore Place in New Castle. Born June 21, 1934 in the Newport area of Wampum, he was the son of the late Clarence and Geraldine Cook Boots Sr. He was married to Shirley Wigley Boots for 58 years when she passed away June 17, 2011. Clarence was a third generation carpenter and contractor with 60 years of building custom homes for Boots Construction. He was an active member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. Clarence served as a member…

Kenneth Warren Jorgensen, 92 of Zelienople, formerly of Ellwood City and Alexandria, passed away at Allegheny General Hospital on Monday, July 19, 2021. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 13, 1928, Kenneth was the son of the late Johannes and Evangeline Harnes Jorgensen.  At the age of 17, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  After boot camp, Kenneth was assigned to Camp David where he had the honor to guard both President Truman and President Eisenhower.  While stationed in Washington D.C., he met Leatrice Koach on The Mall, who later became his wife of 70 years.  Leatrice passed away…

Dawn Catherine Dittmer, 48, of Beaver Falls passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her residence. Born February 26, 1973 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Diorio and Joy Gibson Diorio-Dixon of Ellwood City. Dawn was the owner and operator of the former Dusty Dawn’s Cleaning. She enjoyed trips to the ocean. She loved spending time with her family. Survivors include her mother Joy (James) Diorio-Dixon of Ellwood City; daughter, Danielle (Christopher) Healey of Butler; two sons, Hunter and Cameron Dittmer of Butler; granddaughter, Evelyn Healey; sister, Joy O’Rourke of Butler; and a brother,…

Richard D. Gibson, 81, of North Beaver Township passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021 at his residence following a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born August 9, 1939 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Ruth Elizabeth Shoaf . He was married to Nancy J. Kennedy Gibson for 58 years. Richard was a US Navy veteran, serving in Vietnam. He retired from Blair Strip Steel in 1998 where he worked as an electrician. Richard was an active member of the Bethel E.P.C. He served as an Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, served on the Hospitality Committee,…

Paul Robert Schaffer, Jr, 64, of Ellwood City, died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at his home. He was the son of Mary Lou (Lockrouit) Usselman and the late Paul Robert Schaffer, Sr. Paul was born December 13, 1956, in Ellwood City He is survived by his mother; Mary-Lou Usselman and her husband John Usselman of New Brighton; his stepmother; Joanne Porter of Zelienople, his companion, of 21 years, Kimberly Bennett of Ellwood City, one brother; William Porter and his wife Kerri in Butler; his niece and Apple of his Eye, Remi Porter and one stepsister; Karen Souffrant and her husband…