Obituaries

Mrs. Hilda K. Blaskowitz, 92, formerly of Big Beaver returned home to reside with the Lord on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Blaskowitz was born on November 17, 1927 in Beaver Falls to the late Edward and Kathryn (Pavlinich) Abert. She had worked at the Holiday Inn in Beaver Falls for 24 years as the housekeeper supervisor. Hilda had attended St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church (Queen of Heaven) in Koppel until it closed and presently is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. She enjoyed traveling to casinos with her husband, gardening,…

Mildred E. Blough of Daugherty Twp., formally of Ellwood City, passed away on December 25, 2019, her 90th birthday. Born in Power, West Virginia on December 25, 1929, she was the daughter of the late C. Curlis and Melba (Strickler) Howard.  She was married to Edward J. Blough, who preceded her in death. As a young girl, Mildred moved with her family from West Virginia to Ellwood City, where she resided until August 2019.  She was a 1947 graduate of Lincoln High School.  Mildred was an avid interior decorator, a crafter, an accomplished seamstress, and an animal lover who was…

Mrs. Frances C. “Kena” (Costa) Battaglia, 76, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2019, at the Northview Estates. Mrs. Battaglia was born on February 6, 1943 in Ellwood City to the late Patsy L. and Clara (Statti) Costa. She had graduated from Lincoln High School, and is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Kena had worked at Health Mart as a clerk, at the office of Dr. Mary Ann DiBiagio as a medical technician, and for Century 21 as a real estate agent. She enjoyed cooking, but most of all being with her grandchildren. She is survived by her…

Jill (Thellman) Romanoski, 67, of Koppel passed away Saturday, December 21, 2019 at the Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehab Center following a long courageous battle with cancer. Her husband of 40 years, Darl L. Romanoski preceded her in death 9 years ago to the day as he died December 21, 2010. Born November 7, 1952 in Beaver Falls, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Rebecca (Huffman) Thellman. Jill graduated from Lincoln High School and was a member of the Koppel United Methodist Church. She enjoyed hosting Steeler parties. Jill remembered special dates of all her friends and…

Mrs. Lori Jo (Gerard) Gillespie, 59 of Beaver Falls passed away on Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Akron General Hospital. Mrs. Gillespie was born on June 28, 1960 in Ellwood City to the late Joseph C. and Martha Ann (Havern) Gerard. She had attended Lincoln High School. For 25 years, Lori worked as a manager at the CoGo’s in Midland. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Gillespie whom she married on June 21, 1975, her sons, Christopher (Tonya) Gillespie of Shaler Twp., C.J. (Lisa) Gillespie of Stow, OH, and David…

Judith Vogel Protain, 71, of New Castle passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital following an illness. Born June 17, 1948 in Rochester, PA, she was the daughter of the late Reno and Marion (Murphy) Frati. She was married to Donald L. Vogel Sr. who died in 2013 and currently Howard E. Protain who survives. Judy retired from the Grove of New Castle where she was a nurses aide. She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, survivors include two daughters, Kimberly (Terry Sr.) Craig of Ellwood City,…

Dennis “Denny” Sabatino, 70, of Beaver Falls, formerly of Ellwood City, died December 14, 2019 at UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless, PA. He was born on August 30, 1949. He is survived by his mother; Joyce Arkwright Wiley of Ellwood City, son; Dennis M. Sabatino of Beaver Falls, PA, brother; Ronald Sabatino and his wife Shirley of New Brighton, PA, nephews; Ronald Sabatino, Jr and his wife Criss of Ellwood City, Danny Sabatino and his wife Pam, of Greenville, SC and Jeffrey Sabatino of New Brighton, PA. He is preceded in death by his father; Frank Sabatino and one son;…