Obituaries

Christopher B. Yahn, 67, of Northview Estates in Elwood City, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021, in Allegheny General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Ellwood City on August 15, 1953, to the late Franklin and Cleo Caldwell Yahn. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1971 and Westminster College in 1975. He also studied at Penn State, Beaver Campus, Community College of Beaver County, and Slipper Rock University. He was employed at the Ellwood City Area School District for 42 years, most recently in the business office as the accounts receivable clerk. For 10 years…

Mrs. Josephine P. Pratt, 92, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Mrs. Pratt was born in Ellwood City on February 15, 1928 to the late Joseph and Josephine (Valvano) Moliterno. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944 and the Holy Redeemer Parish. Josephine had worked at Fishers Big Wheel which was located in Franklin Twp. for 18 years as a clerk. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and mostly time spent with her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Bernadette (Dave) Pelliccioni of Ellwood…

Bailey Dwyer, 19, of North Sewickley Township, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at UPMC Montefiore. Born in Ellwood City on July 3, 2001 Bailey was the daughter of Chad and Becky Follett Dwyer.  A 2019 graduate of Riverside High School, Bailey played softball for the Lady Panthers and cheered for 13 years.  She was a student-journalist for EllwoodCity.org and also enjoyed theater.  Bailey was currently a sophomore at Kent State University, majoring in journalism with a minor in multi-media. She loved the arts, especially music and writing.  She also loved attending concerts and took each of her brothers to…

Lucy A. Severson, 68 formerly of Ellwood City, presently Grove City, passed away on Sunday January 3, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. Lucy was born on September 27, 1952 in East Liverpool, Ohio to the late James F. and Carmen Fay (Bellomy) Balser. She had graduated from Western Beaver High School with the class of 1970, and studied computer technology in Pittsburgh. For 25 years she worked at Leeds and Northrup in Ellwood City as a machine operator. She also served as Union President and Representative several times while at L&N. Lucy enjoyed reading, playing scrabble,…

Carmella “Carmie” Colatruglio Bettoni, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Sister, 91, of Ellwood City, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 at Carriage Manor. Born in New Castle, PA on February 13, 1929, Carmella was the daughter of the late Antonio and Dina Martini Colatruglio. She married Arthur P. Bettoni on August 1, 1966 and he preceded her in death on May 17, 1993. Carmella formerly worked at Shenango Pottery and she was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish in Ellwood City. When she was able, she enjoyed playing golf, bowling, playing volleyball and playing cards with friends. Carmella is…

Richard Melvin Klingensmith, 81, of Waycross, passed away Thursday afternoon, December 31, 2020, at his daughter’s residence, following an extended illness. He was born September 15, 1939 in Ellwood City, PA, where he grew up and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy for six years. He served as a firefighter on the USS Ingraham. He moved to southeast Georgia in 1975 and had lived in both Pierce and Ware County. He was a retired truck driver, having been the owner of RK Trucking. He and his wife had attended Kettle Creek Southern Congregational Methodist Church in Waycross. He was preceded…

Mr. Casper W. DeFilippo, 95, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. Born December 23, 1923 in Ellwood City a son of the late John and Mary (Montango) DeFilippo. He was a 1941 graduate of Lincoln High School. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on May 27, 1943 and served with the 9th Field Artillery Battalion Battery B until his discharge on November 25, 1945 with the rank of Technician 5th Grade. He had fought in the battles of Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the…