Obituaries

Shirley May Kelly Gwin, 92, of North Beaver Township died peacefully at UPMC – Jamison Hospital on Saturday April 14, 2018 following a short illness. Born December 2, 1925 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Anna Haggerty Watt. The last of the family, she was the 15th of 17 children all of whom are deceased. Shirley attended New Castle High School and worked for Bell Telephone and Shenango Pottery for several years. In 1948, Shirley married Donald Kelly, with whom they had four children, Richard, Patricia, Rodger, and Bruce. At this time, she lived…

Evgeniy Matthew Duffy, 31, of Mecklem Rd., New Brighton died unexpectedly Friday, April 13, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born April 15, 1986 in Vladimir, Russia, he was the son of Douglas R. and Renee Swick Duffy. Evgeniy had a magnetic personality and was fun loving. He was an avid Pittsburgh Penguin fan and enjoyed working with his hands. He was affiliated with the Concord United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, survivors include four sisters, Kristine (Dima) Blokhina of Russia, Katelyn (Lars) Kristianslund of California, Megan (Ryan) Ard of Fombell, Molly Duffy of New Brighton; two nieces, Josie and…

Joanne M. Aiken, 79, of Shenango Twp. went home to be with her Lord on Monday, April 16, 2018. She passed away at Clen Moore Place in New Castle. Born August 1, 1938 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Harrison and Della May Martin Bessell. She was married to Richard Oren Aiken for 54 years when he passed away March 29, 2011. Joanne graduated from Shenango High School in 1956. She was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church on Pulaski Rd. She enjoyed reading her Bible and sewing. Her most cherished time…

Dorothy “Dot” Anderson, 89, formerly of Shenango Twp. passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Northview Estates. Born August 20, 1928 in Coalport, PA, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Vanda Gmerek Stiles Sr. She married Donald R. Anderson on July 12, 1956 and they were blessed with 57 years of marriage when he died September 15, 2013. Dorothy was an active member of the Park Alliance Church. She had formerly worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill, Shenango Pottery, and Krebs Market. She enjoyed doing crafts and sewing. Dot also enjoyed cooking for the Wimodausis ladies…

Rosemary Anne Prah, 86, of Grandview Rd, Ellwood City passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018 at her residence. She was born May 21, 1931 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Evelyn Crewe. Rosemary graduated from University of Witwatersrand in 1952. In 1956, Rosemary wrote a novella: Lena, A Life, about black women in the townships of South Africa. These writings were proscribed by the then South African government and Rosemary endured harassment and intimidation from government officials. In 1958, she left for the U.K. after demonstrations and warnings from security officials about her…

Carl D. Platt, 90, of New Middletown, Ohio, formerly of North Sewickley Twp. passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Windsor Estates in New Middletown. Born June 4, 1927 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Percy and Jennie Welsh Platt . He was married to Bernice J. Shuster Platt for 66 years when she passed away December 11, 2015. Carl retired from Babcock and Wilcox following 30 years of service as a security guard. He was also a former Beaver Falls Police Officer. Carl was a former active member and Bible Study Leader at the Ellwood…

Thomas Copper, 87, formerly of Townwood Rd. North Sewickley Twp. passed away Friday, April 13, 2018 at Passavant Retirement Center in Zelienople following a lengthy illness. Born June 2, 1930 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Victor Z. and Hazel Buch Copper . Tom was married to Barbara G.”Bobbie” Barrows Copper for 63 years when she passed away June 23, 2015. Tom retired in 1985 as a crane operator from the Wallace Run Rd. mill of Babcock and Wilcox. He was a member of the Word Alive Church. Tom served in the Air Force and was…

Dakota C. Kennedy, 20, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. The son of Brandyn Kennedy and Anna Peffer, Dakota was born in Ellwood City on February 20, 1998. He had attended Lincoln High School and the Lawrence County Vo-Tech. Dakota loved riding and racing his dirt bike, cars, and fishing. He is survived by his mother, Anna (Matt) Peffer of Portersville, his father, Brandyn (Taryn) Kennedy of Ellwood City, his sister, Alania Peffer of Portersville, his maternal grandfather, James Massioni of Ellwood City, his maternal great grandmother, Bertha Wright, his paternal grandparents, Connie Kennedy (Rich Gnarra)…

Erik James Sobel, 22, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at his residence. Erik was born on November 17, 1995 in Ellwood City to Jason Sobel and Tammy Jones Sobel. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 2014. Erik was employed by PPT Technologies in Harmony, and was the owner and operator of Erik’s Lawn Care Service. Known for his great smile, he loved being with family and friends. Erik is survived by his mother, Tammy Sobel Jones of New Galilee, his father, Jason Sobel of Ellwood City, his sister, Autum (Jeff)…