Obituaries

Douglas Allen Minteer, 69, of Bacliff, Texas passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026 in Bacliff. He was born July 1, 1956 in Ellwood City to Donald and Betty Minteer. Douglas graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1974. He married Patricia Ann Gavrile of Ellwood City on June 8, 1982 and who passed away March 7, 2025. Douglas worked at the former Calgon Plant in Ellwood City prior to moving to Texas. He retired 4 years ago from Universities Science and Research in Houston, Texas. Douglas is survived by his parents, 4 children: Damian of Harmony, PA, Jamie…

Madeline A. Prestia, 74, of Ellwood City, passed away on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at UPMC Passavant-McCandless after a sudden illness. Born on October 10, 1951 , she was the eldest daughter of Rocco and Catherine Prestia. Anyone who knew her well, affectionately knows her as ‘Mimi”. She worked as her late uncle Anthony Lorusso’s business assistant in the tailoring business for over 20 years out west in Palm Springs, Ca and later returned home to become her mother’s diligent caregiver for over another 20 year span after her father’s passing in 2002. She loved her parents dearly and was…

Gerald Richard “JR” Horinka, 35, of Wayne Twp. passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 27, 2026. Born July 22, 1990 in Clarion, he was the son of Gerald L and Connie L. (Hazen) Horinka of Wayne Twp. He was married to Samantha (Krimm) Horinka. JR was a Sergeant at the SCI Mercer State Prison. He was a 10 year Veteran of the Army, having served in Afghanistan. He was affiliated with the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his parents, wife, Samantha, and two children, Emilia and Ronald Horinka. Private Funeral Services were held and interment followed at Slippery Rock Presbyterian…

Donna L Freed, 65, of North Sewickley Twp. Ellwood City passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford following an illness. Born February 10, 1961 in Beaver Falls, she was the daughter of the late Donald Walter and Lillian Kline Blinn. Donna worked for Patriots Home Health Care in Beaver Falls. She attended Riverside HIgh School. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening. She also had fun playing Bingo and going to the casino. Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Robert L Freed Sr. two sons, Robert L. Freed Jr. of Ellwood City, Christofer…

Marie C. Keul, 88, of North Sewickley Twp passed away on Friday, February 28, 2026, at ANH Hospital in Wexford. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Dybka) Chrobak and was born May 20, 1937, in Rochester. She is survived by her daughter; Jean Marie K. Householder and her husband David of North Sewickley Twp, her grandchildren; Devin Tyler Householder and his wife Lauren, Hillary Anne Burkett and her husband John, her siblings; Joyce Greaves and nephew John from Clakston, MI, Jeanette Wright of Hamburg, NY and her beloved cat Muffy. She was a 1955 graduate of…

Donald R. Aiken, 95, of Ellwood City passed away Friday, February 27, 2026 at Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. Born October 23, 1930 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Oliver C and Mildred (Smith) Aiken . He was married to Esther Jean Aiken for 64 years when she passed away on March 2 2017. Donald retired from the Ellwood City Iron and Wire where he was a layout man. A Navy Veteran, he served as a Seabee during the Korean War. Donald was a member of the North Sewickley Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, and…

Matthew Ryan Plavecsky, 45, of Cranberry Township passed away unexpectedly on February 21st, 2026. Matt was born in New Castle on March 15th, 1980 to Marie (Liska) Plavecsky and the late Robert Plavecsky. Matthew graduated from Lincoln High School, Class of 1998. After graduation, he worked for Trader Horn, Airway Industries, Great Lakes Cold Storage, and KIK Corporation. During his youth, he participated in Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation, playing Instruction League through the Colt league. Matthew was also active in the BVM CYO activities, playing basketball. Matthew’s passion was fishing and deer hunting. He enjoyed fishing at the Zelienople…

Jack Reda, of North Sewickley Twp., passed away on Thursday, February 26th,2026. Jack was the beloved husband of wife Dawn (Dettinger), father of daughter Lori, and dog Daisy Jane. Born on July 17th ,1 953, in Ellwood City, Pa, he was the son of the Late Ralph and Rose (Duca) Reda. ln addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brothers, Lou, Nick and Andy, and his sister Patty Ann in infancy. He is survived by his sister Rachel Reda, sister-in-law Cindy Reda, Connie Reda, and JoAnn Reda, Debbie (Ron) Atkinson, and brother-in-law Bill (Devona) Dettinger. Jack…

David Louis “Buck” White, 59, beloved son and brother, passed away on February 23, 2026, surrounded by his family. Buck lived in Wampum all his life with his loving parents and brother. For over 20 years, he worked at Lark Enterprises helping assemble various products. In his later years he enjoyed participating in activities at the Lawrence County Adult Training Facility in New Castle. Buck had a strong spirit; he faced several medical crises during his life but never complained. Buck loved watching Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife in the Andy Griffith Show. He was also fan of Hogan’s…