Obituaries

Jeff Shablesky, 72, formerly of Ellport, passed away in his residence peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Arrangements were entrusted to the JOSEPH A. TOMON JR. FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 97 Grim Ave., Ellport.

Mr. Daniel T. La Gala Sr., 64, of Wampum passed away on February 24th, 2021 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Mr. La Gala was born on March 28th, 1956 in Ellwood City to Guiseppe “Joe” and Rose (Russiello) La Gala. He graduated from Lincoln Highschool with the class of 1974. He then enlisted with the U.S. Army on June 29th, 1974 and was discharged on June 28th, 1977 with the rank of SP-4 and received the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. La Gala worked at Castle Cheese in Slippery Rock as a plant manager for 20 years….

Mark Schaas, 55, passed away in his home surrounded by his wife of almost 30 years, family, and friends. After a valiant, three year, battle with cancer he is now pain free, in the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife Gina (Butchelle) Schaas, of Chewton, married June 8, 1991; Three children, Nikki (Ryan Hopkins) Sutter-Ierino, of Ellwood; Brandi (Roger Williams) Schaas of Chewton; and Luke (Nia) Schaas of Ellwood. His grandchildren; Julian Schaas, Lena, Marco Ierino, Logan and Tyler Hopkins. His siblings, Richard (Tammy) Schaas of Volant, Andrea Schaas of New Castle; and…

Longtime Ellwood City resident Rodney William Bird, 53, passed away at his residence on Friday, February 19th, 2021 after a long and courageous battle fighting cancer. Rodney was born on October 4, 1967 in Pittsburgh to the late Robert “Bob” Bird and Lynn Kay (Wilson) Bird of Chippewa Twp. He is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1986. He then earned his certifications in HVAC and plumbing from the Community College of Beaver County. For many years he worked at the Holiday Inn in Beaver Falls, and for 2 years as a funeral assistant at the…

Mr. Frederick “Rick” B. McDowell, 68, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, February 18th, 2021 at the Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Rick was born on November 15th, 1952 in New Castle to Boyd and Mary Ellen (Vogt) McDowell. Rick graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1971, and attended the Beaver County Community College. In his younger years Rick worked at Beatrice’s Gas Station in Ellwood City and New Castle and then for Jim Beatrice’s Food Supply. He then worked at his family’s business “McDowell’s Hotel” on Lawrence Avenue as a manager. Following that, Rick went…

Mrs. Edith (Rocco) Pacella, 95, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Jameson Health Center in New Castle where she had been admitted three days earlier. Born in Ellwood City on Sept. 19, 1925, to the late Samuel and Elizabeth (Arena) Rocco, Edith was a lifelong member of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish. She was married for 54 years to Arthur B. Pacella prior to his death on May 9th, 2001. Edith loved to cook and bake and spent many years volunteering for various activities and fundraisers at Holy Redeemer Parish. She also volunteered to…