Obituaries

Donald A. Lemke, 93, of Ellwood City, PA, formerly of Austintown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020 at Heritage Valley Beaver Medical Center. He was the son of the late Arthur H. and Minnie Scherer Lemke and was born on January 27, 1927 in Youngstown, OH. He is survived by his loving wife, of 22 years, Ann Vignovich Lemke, of Ellwood City, three sons: Donald A. Lemke, of Houston, TX, Keith A. Lemke and his wife Mary Ann, of Austintown, OH, and Gene Lemke of Melbourne, FL;  and numerous multi-talented and greatly cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and…

Mr. Alvin Lester Schaffer, 81, of Fombell passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 ( which was also his mother’s birthday) at his residence, with his loving family at his bedside. Mr. Schaffer was born on July 6, 1938 in Muddy Creek Twp. to the late Frank P. and Christina K. (Quiring) Schaffer. Alvin retired from WR Grace in New Castle in 1991 working there for 30 years. Alvin was always busy. He loved to mow grass, cut down trees and work with his high lift, and loved to hunt. He has a certificate for getting a turkey, a deer,…

Sharen A. Atkins ,73, of Fairview School Rd. Ellwood City, passed away May 10, 2020, at her residence following a lengthy illness. Born January 2, 1947 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of Ethel Wallis Snare and the late Russell Snare. She was married to Harry “Curt” Atkins Jr. for 54 1/2 years, he survives. Sharen was a graduate of Lincoln High School, class of ’64. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping at RV Village in Mercer, PA. Watching her grandkids’ sporting events has been the joy of her life. Her most precious time was spent with her…

Mary C. “Little Miss Mary” McKerahan, 73, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at her residence. Mary was born on March 10, 1947 in Pittsburgh. She was a nurse at the Passavant Lutheran Home for 21 years until her retirement. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church where she was a dedicated volunteer at the Holy Redeemer Food Bank. Her fellow volunteers described her as very energetic, enthusiastic, and would run circles around them, and that they will greatly miss her. Little Miss Mary will be extremely missed by her family. Survivors include two…

Roberta Mae “Bobbye” Kennedy, 95, of Slippery Rock Twp. passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the Haven Nursing Home. Born October 14, 1924 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mabel (Main) Kirkham. She was married to Lester Ray Kennedy for 61 years when he passed away April 29, 2008. Bobbye graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942. She was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church where she taught the pre-kindergarten class for 40 years. Her life revolved around the church and their activities. She enjoyed shopping. Bobbye cherished time spent with her…

Tara A. Boariu, 32, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at her residence. Born November 19, 1987 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of Terry “Turk” Boariu of Ellwood City and the late Laura Stoyanoff who passed away in 2018. Tara graduated from Lincoln High School. She was a waitress at Hugger Muggers in New Castle. She was an avid Steeler and Penguin fan. In addition to her father, survivors include her boyfriend, Qualin Davis; two sons, Azzure and Atavian; two grandmothers, Vonnie Boariu and Octavia Stoyanoff, all of Ellwood City; two sisters, Melissa Boariu…

Mrs. Anne T Smith, 91, died on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at the Northview Estates after a short illness. She was born on April 27, 1929, to John F. Boyle and Josephine Smeltz Boyle. A lifelong resident of Ellwood City, she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947, after which she worked in the office at the local U.S. Steel Corp. plant. She married Harold Ray Smith on Oct. 14, 1949, at St. Agatha Catholic Church. Together, they had four children. She was a charter member of the church’s Christian Mothers organization, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America…