Obituaries

Mr. Guido R. “Bob” Clerici, 93, of New Galilee peacefully went to be reunited with his loving wife and son on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Mr. Clerici was born on November 30, 1924 in New Galilee to the late Anthony and Giacinta Franchi Clerici. Guido is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1942. After high school he was drafted into the Glider Troops and later into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served with the 17th Airborne Division, Company H. 515th Parachute Infantry Regiment  with the rank of Private First Class from April 29, 1943 until his…

Ida Ottaviani, 93, of Hazel Avenue, Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at VNA Hospice in Butler Township. Born in Ellwood City on May 19, 1924, Ida was the daughter of the late Vincent and Mary Grace Zona Riccardi.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Ottaviani in 2010 after 68 years of marriage.  A member of Holy Redeemer Parish and the Christian Mothers of the Church, Ida was also a member of the Opti-Mrs. Club.  She enjoyed golfing and playing cards. Ida is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alice Nunes and Regis Young…

Mary Spiker, 82, of Franklin Twp. passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018 at West Penn Hospital following a brief illness. Born May 24, 1935 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Ethel Bartholomew Hutchison. She was married for 64 years to Donald M. Spiker as they were married on December 26, 1953. He survives. Mary graduated from New Castle High School. She was a former member and Sunday School Teacher at the United Bretheran Church in Ellport. She currently is a member of the Free Methodist Church. Mary enjoyed making wedding cakes and was a…

Mrs. Virginia Y. LaCava, 91, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at The Grove in Harmony. Mrs. LaCava was born on September 22, 1926 in Wampum to the late Keith and Martha Boone Hazen, Sr.. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944, and the Providence Baptist Church. Virginia had worked at the U.S. Steel Tube Mill in Ellwood City during World War II, the Ellwood City News Stand, and Straws Bakery. For many years she volunteered with the Ellwood City Hospital Auxiliary, the Golden Agers, and served as a Girl Scout…

Mr. Robert E. Mohrbacher, 91,  formerly of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the Cumberland Crossing at UPMC Passavant Hospital. Mr. Mohrbacher was born on December 15, 1926 in Marion Twp. to the late Frederick and Anna Borman Mohrbacher.  He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944. Robert enlisted with the U.S. Navy on January 3, 1945 and served as an Apprentice Seaman until his discharge on November 22, 1946. He was awarded the Word War II Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Ribbon. Following his service with the Navy, Robert…

Eugene “Gene” Ierace, 88, of Whispering Oaks, Hermitage, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018 at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born on January 4, 1930 in Ellwood City, Gene was the son of the late Dominic and Bertha Florio Ierace.  He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Joyce Fosnaught, whom he married on September 15, 1956.  Gene retired from Air Products and Chemicals where he was a plant supervisor.  A Veteran of the US Army, Gene served in Korea from 1951 to 1953.  He enjoyed fishing, music, home remodeling projects and spending time with his family. Gene…