Obituaries

Ann Vignovich Staymates Lemke, 92, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on January 31, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Nikolai and Melicia (Evolivich) Vignovich and was born July 30, 1928 in Wayne Twp. Ann is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She will be profoundly missed by many; including the following family members whom she so dearly loved and cherished: Paula Ford of South Beaver Township; Wendy Davis of New Galilee; Kathy Davis Dyke of Chillicothe OH; Kelly Davis of Ashville OH; Stacy Lemke Lawson from Courtland OH, and Sonia Brezniak Thorpe of Tewksbury NJ. A graduate of…

Marion Louise Downey, 88, of Wampum passed away Friday, January 29, 2021 at her residence following an extended illness. Born June 12, 1932 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late William and Catherine Locke Martin. She married the late Ernest E. Downey Sr. on March 5, 1949. He died on July 10, 1989. Marion was a member and past president of the Wampum American Legion Auxiliary. She retired after over 20 years from Joseph’s Supermarket. She enjoyed traveling, going to Las Vegas Casinos, camping, and sitting around the campfire. Marion loved being surrounded by her family. Survivors…

Charles E. “Chuck” Crawley Jr., 59, of Ellwood City lost his short but valiant battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family on January 26, 2021 at UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Twp. Born June 24, 1961 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Charles E. Crawley Sr. and Vivian M. (Eady) Crawley. Chuck graduated from Lincoln High School in 1980. He had been employed at many places in Ellwood City including the Recycling Center, Trader Horn, Ellwood City Hospital, and currently at Tony’s Beer Distributor. Chuck enjoyed playing, managing, and coaching softball as well as playing…

Leah Kathryn Stauffer Kiesling of Ellwood City died in the Christian faith and in hope of the resurrection to eternal life on the morning of Saturday, January 23, at the age of 99 years. At the time of her death, she was convalescing at Seneca Place in Verona, PA. She was the daughter of the late Howard L. Stauffer, Sr and Katherine E. (Buehler) Stauffer and was born July 9, 1921, in Harmony, Pa. Leah is survived by her two sons; Terry G. Kiesling (Karen) of Scottsdale, AZ, and Dennis D. Kiesling (Margaret) of Cranston, RI, and one daughter; Kimberly…

Ella J. Funkhouser, 86, of Wampum passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at her residence. Born July 28, 1934 in Punxsutawney, she was the daughter of the late David and Violet Matheny Chapman. She was married to the late Clyde A. Funkhouser. Ella, a woman of strong faith, was a member of the Chewton First Baptist Church. She belonged to the Pastor’s Aid Society. Ella was artistic and enjoyed crafting and crocheting. She had a happy go lucky personality and was loved by all. Ella loved dogs. Her most cherished moments were spent with family. Survivors include four daughters, Janet…

William G. Bartle Jr. of Beaver Falls passed away after a brief illness on December 25, 2020 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Born on March 20, 1940 to William G. Bartle Sr. and Iona V. (Fortney) Bartle. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Delores, a step-daughter, Mary Jean Stevenson, his parents, a brother, Arthur J. Bartle of Noblesville, Indiana and a sister Margaret (Bartle) Herko of Harmony, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bartle was baptized on October 14, 1958 and was a faithful member of First Christian Church of Ellwood City. Although he had only an elementary education,…