Obituaries

Judy B. Gaston, 66

Judy B. Gaston, 66, formerly of New Castle, passed away on September 4, 2019 in Plain Dealing, Louisiana. Judy was born in West Liberty, Kentucky on May 9, 1953 to the late Sheldon and Lucy ‘Lewis’ Watkins.  She married Edward M. Gaston who preceded her in death on July 27, 2014. Judy worked as a PSA with various senior care facilities including Jameson Home Health, Cedar Manor and the former Greer House as well as having worked at West Penn Plastics.  She was also quite active with the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department and volunteered her time with the Union…


No Picture

Robert C. Smiley, 83

Robert Charles “Bobby” Smiley, 83, of Frisco, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Born in New Castle, PA on July 21, 1936, Bob was the son of the late Robert and Nettie Hoover Smith.  He married the former Kathleen Boyd on March 25, 1961 and they have enjoyed 68 years together.  Bob retired from Superior Drawn Steel in Monaca and then drove truck for M.E.I.  A US Navy Veteran serving during the Korean War, Bob was a member of Lillyville Church of God.  When Bob’s three sons were young, he coached baseball.  He was an…


Ila I. Schuster, 94

Ila I. Schuster, 94, of Orchard Avenue, Ellwood City, passed away peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, September 30, 2019. She was born in Warrendale, PA on September 10, 1925 to the late Glen L. and Lois M. Arnold Fowler. Ila married Carl F. Schuster, who preceded her in death on November 21, 1993. She had worked at US Steel, Fisher”s Big Wheel, and the CVS Pharmacy. Ila was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellwood City. She is survived by her children: Deborah (James) Kyle of Cherry Hill, NJ., John A. (Kimberly) Schuster of New Castle, Timothy…


Ted B. Householder, 92

Ted B. Householder, 92, of Fombell passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Northview Estates. Ted was born August 5, 1927 in Ellwood City, to the late Vincent and Mollie Treece Householder. He married the former Sally Lou Gillespie Householder June 30, 1950 and was married for 66 years prior to her death in 2017. Ted attended Lincoln High School and was first employed at U.S. Steel in Ellwood prior to his enlistment as a U.S. Marine during World War II. He worked as a fitter at Aetna-Standard (Blaw-Knox) for nearly forty years until the Ellwood operation closed. Farming always…


Julia G. Blatch, 97

Mrs. Julia G. Blatch, 97, formerly of Ellport passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Avalon Nursing Center in New Castle. Mrs. Blatch was born on March 18, 1922 in Ellport to the late Alexander and Mary (Takacs) Pazsint. She had worked the US Steel Mill in Ellwood City during World War II, the Ellwood City Knitting Mill, and as a waitress at various places in the Ellwood area. Julia is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish, and the Hungarian Home. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid bingo player. She is survived by her daughters, Norma…


Victor P. Jacobs, 81

Mr. Victor P. Jacobs, 81, of Franklin Township passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. Mr. Jacobs was born on August 26, 1938 in New Martinsville, West Virginia to the late Joseph and Yetta (Baker) Jacobs. Victor had worked at the Ellwood City Iron and Wire and later at Industrial Equipment Fabricators, Inc. in Ellwood City as a welder and layout man. He liked playing slow pitch softball for the Ellwood City Men’s Slow Pitch Softball League. An outdoorsman, Victor was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed listening to old-time country music….


Darrell K. Segura, 63

Darrell K. Segura, 63, of the Princeton Area passed away Friday, September 20, 2019 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital following an accident at his work place. Born July 7, 1956 in Oakland, California, he was the son of the late Joe A. Segura and Elsie (Young) Segura of the Princeton Area. Darrell was a welder at PMF Truck and Trailer Repair Center in Cranberry Twp. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, woodworking, traveling, and hiking. In addition to his mother, survivors include, a sister, Deborah M. (Daniel) Barron of the Princeton Area; three brothers, Charles of South Carolina, Joel A. (Jazmin) Segura of…


Kathryn M. Schiraldi, 75

Kathryn M. Schiraldi, 75, of New Beaver Borough passed away Thursday, September 19, 2019 at UPMC-Shadsyide following a several month illness. Born March 21, 1944 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late James and Betty June (Emery) Pollyblank. Kathryn was a lifetime member and past president of the Mahoning Township Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Ladies. Survivors include son, Martin J Schiraldi of New Galilee; daughter, Jessica (Andrew) Shanor of New Castle; two sisters, Patricia Huffman of Wampum, Linda Pollyblank of Wampum; brother, James (Shirley) Pollyblank of California; six grandsons, Robbie James Schiraldi, Martin Schiraldi III, Vincent Michael…


Frank Steffler, 92

Frank Boyd Steffler, 92, of Franklin Twp., Ellwood City passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at his residence. Born May 12, 1927 in Camp Run, he was the son of the late Frank I. and Elizabeth (Hess) Steffler. He was married to Wilma Boots Steffler who died in 1994. Frank retired from the Ellwood City Forge where he operated the “Big Press” for 41 years. He was one of the last operators when the press was converted from steam to hydraulic. Frank was a Veteran of the Army serving in WW II. He was a member of the Union Goodwill…


Naomi C. Howell, 80

Mrs. Naomi C. Howell, 80, of Baden passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. Mrs. Howell was born on June 28, 1939, in Ivydale, West Virginia to the Late Holly R. and Lora (Cart) Lowers. She had worked for the Jamison Madison University in the housekeeping department. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Harbein on Harrisonburg, VA, her son, David Howell of Baden, her stepdaughters, Millie Rae Eaton and Terry Lynn Creese, her stepson, Herbert Howell of Ellwood City, her grandchildren, Shakira Simmers, Skylar Harmon, and Maxwell Howell, three step-grandchildren, and four…