Obituaries

Hercules J. “Herk” Platts Jr., 71, of Wayne Twp. passed away Saturday, October 17, 2026 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born February 18, 1955 in Ilion, NY, he was the son of the late Hercules J. Platts Sr. and Helen Jean Platts of Mohawk, NY. Herk graduated from Mohawk Central School in Mohawk, NY and enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1973, where he proudly served for four years. In 1975, he married Diana Sweet, also of Mohawk, NY. He worked as an inspector for the airline industry for 35 years, first at Empire Air, then…

Kimberly Grace Smith lived her life with a love for her family, a deep faith in God and Jesus, and a spirit that could not be held back. She passed away October 16, 2026. Born with intellectual disabilities, she never allowed that to define her or limit her love for life. She had her own special way of connecting with people, sharing her faith, and making her presence known wherever she went. Kim was born July 2, 1964, in Ellwood City to Donna Scheidemantle Anderson and the late Benjamin Anderson III. She married the love of her life, Burton Smith,…

John W. Raman, 62, formerly of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, October 11th, 2026 at UPMC Cranberry Place. John was born in New Castle on July 20th, 1964 to the late Joseph R. and Linda L. (Smetlz) Raman. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1984 having been enrolled in the special education program. From 1989 until 1994 John worked at the Holiday Inn in the kitchen and from 1994 until 2004 at Kimmel’s Bakery, he also did landscaping for Lark Enterprises Inc.. He is a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. John enjoyed…

Wanda Wehman Newton laid her head down for the last time on Earth on October 11, 2026. Born the youngest of 4, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Louis Cruise and Linda Greenawalt, and is survived by her eldest sister, Edna Bailey-Jones of Deltona, FL. After spending 23 years in the state of Alaska, which she dearly loved, Wanda returned to retire and enjoy the company of her family, “the jewels in her crown.” Her children are Matthew and Dawn Wehman, Sara Jay and Mike Shodd, and Laurie and Dave Fullerton. Her grandchildren, who knew her as Grammy,…

Helena Jean Winter, 73, of Wampum (North Beaver Twp.) passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a lengthy illness. Born February 15, 1953 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Charles R. Rice Sr. and Helen Mae Wilson Rice Putro. Helena worked as an LPN and retired from Providence Health Care in 2015 after many years of dedicated service. She was a current member of the Savannah United Methodist Church and the Mahoning Sportsman’s Association. She enjoyed camping and fishing, most of all at her family camp at French Creek where she…

Robert “Blainey” Blaine, 74, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at his residence. Born September 19, 1952 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late James and Shirley Babbitt Blaine. Bob married LuAnn Moritza on June 10, 1978. They shared 38 years of marriage until her passing on August 10, 2016. Bob retired from the Ellwood City Forge following 30 years of service as a heat treat craneman. A lifelong member of the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department, Bob served in many capacities, including as a diver. He was a loyal member of…

Phyllis Ann Book, 69, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 10, 1957 in Beaver County, she was the daughter of the late Dominick and Rose Marie Malagise Rossi. Phyllis graduated from Lincoln High School. She worked as an admission clerk at the Ellwood City Hospital for 18 years and then worked at Home Suites in Cranberry. She cherished time spent with her family, especially her grand and great-grandchildren. Survivors include two daughters, Monica Book of Palm Beach, FL, Kayla (Russell) Barr of Ellwood City;…