Obituaries

Ralph E. Raisley, 71, of Big Beaver Blvd., Wampum passed away Monday, December 17, 2018 at his residence following a short illness. Born February 18, 1947 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late William John and Barbara Pogledich Raisley. Ralph worked at Jeffries Poultry where he drove truck and worked in the maintenance department. He enjoyed golfing and playing pool. Survivors include his wife, Maybelle Hall Raisley; four daughters, Darlene Mihalko of New Galilee, Brenda (Doug Beal) Raisley of Chippewa, Kathy Raisley of Big Beaver Boro, Bobbyjean Haines of New Galilee; three sisters, Barbara Raisley of New…

Ethel Irene Wardman, 97, of Wampum passed away Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Avalon Nursing Center. Born March 14, 1921 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late William A. and Icle Brown. She was married to Merle “Bud” Wardman for 49 years when he passed away January 26, 1991. Together, they fostered over 300 children from Lawrence County Child Welfare. Ethel had a long and varied career, starting at the age of fourteen. She worked in childcare, worked as a crossing guard, manager in retail, country singer on the radio and traveling with a small group of…

Elizabeth Householder Bodensky  passed  away on Friday, December 13 2018 at the age of 101, after living a long full life.   She was living at the Passavant  Retirement  Home in Zelienople. Elizabeth was born on September  4  1917, to the late Ruth and Norman Kramer.   After graduating from New Brighton High School, she married Elmer Hum, and moved to Virginia.   After his unexpected death, she became an elementary school teacher on a “War Certificate” and taught in both Virginia,  and later in a one-room schoolhouse near Ellwood City. She met Ralph Householder at Providence Baptist Church, and they were married…

Mr. Eugene Angelucci, 87, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Mr. Angelucci was born on July 19, 1931 in Ellwood City to the late Dan and Mary A. (Ferrell) Angelucci, Sr.. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1949, and is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Eugene enlisted with the U.S. Army on November 25, 1952 and served with the 298th Engineering Company until his discharge on September 29, 1954 with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service…

Jacob A. Kaskalavich, 28, of Darlington passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 10, 2018. Jacob was born on August 11, 1990 in Beaver to Benjamin Kaskalavich and Shelly (Wade) Pander. He had attended Blackhawk High School. Jacob worked at Valley Waste in Beaver Falls and most recently for UPS in Freedom in the shipping and receiving department. He enjoyed riding dirt bikes and physical fitness. Jacob was known for having a big heart and being a kind soul to all he met. He is survived by his parents, his brother, Ben “B.J.” (Heather) Kaskalavich of Elkton, Ohio, his maternal grandparents,…

Thelma Louise Figurel of Ellwood City, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 10, 2018, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Born December 27, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Vollrath) Ferrese. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Raymond T. Figurel, her son Charles (Chuck) L. Figurel, and her brother Robert Ferrese. She is survived by her daughters: Diane M. Linn of Ellwood City, Susan L. (Patrick) Byrne of Pittsburgh, Melissa A. Figurel of Ellwood City, and grandchildren: Taryn L. Byrne (fiancé Bill Hertzler) of Pittsburgh, Jocelyn…

Mr. Evan Nardone, 93, of Koppel passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at the Canterbury Place Family Hospice in Pittsburgh. Mr. Nardone was born on January 4, 1925 in Bellaire, Ohio to the late Saverio Nardone and Theresa (DiPalma) Nardone Esoldo. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1942. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy on March 30, 1943 and served as a Motor Machinist’s Mate, Second Class until his discharge on February 27, 1946. Following his service with the Navy, Evan graduated from the State Teachers College in Edinboro, Pa with a B.S. Degree…

James N. Porter, 78, formerly of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018 at the Passavant Retirement Center in Zelienople following an extended battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born December 8, 1940 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Harry N. and Martha Balkan Porter. He was married to Evelyn Mehard Porter for 54 years. She survives. Jim worked as a mechanical engineer at the former Aetna Standard in Ellwood City and at ARMCO in Butler. He graduated from Lincoln High School and received his degree in Engineering jointly from Geneva and the University of Pittsburgh. Jim…

Mr. Edward S. Fray, 97, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle following a brief illness. Mr. Fray was born on August 14, 1921 in Ellwood City to the late Martin and Mary (Krystynski) Fray. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1940 and is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on June 10, 1943 and served with the Headquarters Company 75th Infantry Division until his discharge on February 15, 1946 with the rank of Private First Class….

Patty Welsh, 86, formerly of Big Beaver Boro, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the Swedish Memorial Hospital in Englewood, Colorado. Born October 4, 1932 in Big Beaver Boro, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Pearl Baker Crees. She was married to William D. Welsh for 64 years when he passed away June 2, 2016. Patty will be remembered as a woman with a sweet smile, a gently spirit and a fierce love for her family and friends. She generously gave her time, attention and a listening ear to many who relied on…