Obituaries

Barbara Ann (Gongaware) Hufnagel, 80, went to be with the Father on the evening of September 11, 2019. She was able to spend her last days surrounded by family at her home. Born on January 5, 1939, she was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Bellian) Gongaware who are deceased. She had two sisters, Sylvia (Donald) Miller deceased and Lydia (Charles) Lewis of Waynesburg Ohio. She was formerly married to William Hufnagel, Sr. who is deceased. Barb had five children, Debbie Leddon (Rodger), Bev Galbreath (Paul Gazzo), William Hufnagel Jr. (Kitti Lucchesi) Sylvia Murray (Jim) and Pam Graham (Brad) She…

Deborah J. Langer, 66, of North Beaver Twp. passed away, while surrounded by family, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Avalon Place following an extended illness. Born December 7, 1952 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Ralph I. “Carbite” and Lucille (Goodland) Brommer Jr. Debbie married Stanley C. Langer, Sr. on June 15, 1972, who predeceased her on September 4, 1994. A homemaker, Debbie especially enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews. Survivors include two children, Stanley (Adrienne) Langer, Jr. of Edinburg and Rhonda (Earl) Lample of Ellwood City; three sisters, Nancy…

Velia Giovannini, 95, of Ellwood City, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. She was born in Ellwood City on December 19, 1923 to the late Filippo and Irene (Peuto) Giovannini. She enjoyed a long career in cosmetology, and was a well-known beautician at her Vel’s Salon in Ellwood City for more than 30 years. Before beginning her career in cosmetology, she worked at the Ellwood City Glass Company for 10 years. She graduated from the Maison Felix School in Pittsburgh in 1959, then continued her training at the Arnold Zegarelli School of Design, graduating in 1963. She then worked…

Betty J.  Weingartner Fontana, 96, of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday afternoon,  September  9,  2019. She was born  in Ellwood City on  January  11, 1923,  to the late Clarence  and Grace Newton                   Weingartner. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941, and worked as a telephone operator at the Bell Telephone office in Ellwood City.  She also worked at the Bell Memorial  Church Youth Center. She was a longtime member of Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she took attendance for years, and belonged to the Leona Lash Guild and Bell Tower Sunday School class. She…

Lois “Jean” (St. Clair) Milnes, 94, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, September 8, 2019 at Life Lawrence Services in New Castle. Born October 9, 1924 in Bessemer, she was the eldest child of the late Clarence and Carrie (White) St. Clair. She was married to James Milnes who passed away on January 28, 1994. Jean was a graduate of the Lincoln High School Class of 1942. She was a Lifelong member and Deacon at the Chewton Christian Church. She also belonged to the Wampum Senior Citizens Club and the Wampum American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening and sewing. Her…

Mrs. Margaret L. Innocent, 96, of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, September 2, 2019 at the Passavant Community in Zelienople. Mrs. Innocent was born on December 15, 1922, in Gallitzin, Pa to the late Paul and Anna (Harakzen) Lukovics. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1941 and is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. She had worked at the Riverside High School in the cafeteria as a cook and baker for nine years. She enjoyed being a member of the Golden Agers, cooking, and baking. Above all, she was a devoted mother, grandmother,…

David E. Jacobs, Jr., 44, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019, at his residence. David was born on December 3, 1974 in Ellwood City to David E. Jacobs, Sr. and Nancy (Crawford) Sadowski. He had attended Lincoln High School and the Lillyville Church of God. He is survived by his parents, his wife, Bobbie Jo (Cox) Jacobs, his son, Tyler Jacobs of Ellwood City, his stepmother, Joyce Jacobs of Ellwood City, his stepchildren, Kyle Walters and Kayla Walters both of Florida, his brothers, Christopher Jacobs of Kansas and Shawn Jacobs of Beaver Falls, and his stepsisters,…

James E. Houk Jr., 86, of Chewton passed away Monday, September 2, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver following a brief illness. Born July 25, 1933 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late James E. and Dorothy (Forbush) Houk Sr. He was married for 60 years to Gloria A (Burick) Houk when she passed away July 30, 2017. Jim retired from the Babcock & Wilcox East Works in Beaver Falls and also from Cochran Valve In Koppel. He was a Veteran of the US Navy serving aboard the USS Arcadia during the Korean War. He…