Obituaries

Chelsea Marie Bennett, 33, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at her residence following a heart attack. Born June 24, 1992, in New Castle, she was the daughter of Michael J. and Judy A. (Kosto) Bennett of Ellwood City. Chelsea graduated from Lincoln High School in 2011 and earned her Medical Assistant degree from Bradford School of Business. For many years, she worked as a waitress at Nico’s in Ellwood City. She was an active member of the SOI and loved all Pittsburgh sports. She enjoyed reading, watching movies and listening to music – particularly…

Paula Jean Allen Hilliard, 75, of Wampum passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, following a short illness. Born on August 23, 1950, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Jean Aley Allen. Paula grew up and attended elementary school in Wampum until the merger with Ellwood City and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968. Paula married Ed Hilliard and enjoyed 34 years of marriage until his untimely passing on January 13, 2010. Together they nurtured four children; Charlie Hilliard of New Castle, Katie Hilliard of Gates NC, Andy (Jess) Hilliard of Rutledge TN, and Jan…

David Paul Haniwalt, 64, of New Castle passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025, at UPMC Jameson Hospital following a brief illness. Born January 12, 1961, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Janet L. Mays Haniwalt. David graduated from Oil City High School in 1979 and then earned a B.S. from Edinboro University. He worked for 422 Auto Sales Online Auction’s where he sold buses and cars. He was affiliated with the Risen Savior Christian Church in Ellwood City and volunteered with Joshua’s Haven in Sharon and Prince of Peace in Farrell. He was…

Katherine C. “Kathy” Oliver, 73, of Indiana PA passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Beacon Ridge Nursing Home. Born March 7, 1952, in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Leonard S. and Patricia C. Mears Oliver. Kathy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970. Following high school, she went to IUP where she earned her B.A. in French and then her master’s degree in Counselor Education. She was first employed by Indiana County Dept. of Human Services as a Case Manager and then for the Indiana Community Guidance Center as a Case Manager for the chronically…

Abraham J. Stevenson, 73, of Wampum passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at his residence following a lengthy illness. Born September 19, 1951, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Robert F. and Mildred E. Forrest Stevenson. Abraham was Christian by faith. He had a decorated 20-year career in the Army as a SSGT where he earned a Bronze Star amongst many other accolades. Survivors include son, Christopher Stevenson of Washington DC (Elaine Pelton – partner); daughter, Suzanne Stevenson of Bryan, TX (Neil Gutierrez – partner); two grandchildren; Mason Joel Lobdell and Sarabelle Alison Stevenson Lobdell; six…

Harold M. Kumrow, 64, of North Beaver Twp. passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 4, 2025, at his residence. Born May 4, 1961, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Harold L. “Luke” and Elizabeth L. “Betty” Caravella Kumrow. Harold previously worked as a cook at Eat’n Park in New Castle. He enjoyed gardening and tinkering around the house. Survivors include two sons, Brandon (Monica) Kumrow of Hillsville and Harold M. Kumrow, Jr. of New Castle; two grandchildren; Khya and Kambria Kumrow; three sisters, Sherry (Arthur) Johnson of West Pittsburgh, Jo Ellen (Ronald) Harper of Beaver Falls, and…

Ms. Rita K. Kennard, 67, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 at her residence. Rita was born in Ellwood City on February 6th, 1958 to the late Katheryn (Santillo) Kennard and Charles Kennard. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1976 and the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Rita had worked at the Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport as an armed security guard. She led a quiet simple humble life who loved animals, enjoyed listening to Christian music, thirsted for reading material that gave her insight to God especially the…