Obituaries

Robert B. Jackson Jr, 86, of Jackson Lane , New Beaver Boro passed away Friday, September 8, 2017 at UPMC Passavant Hospital following a short illness. Born January 2, 1931 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Robert B. and Eleanor R. McKinley Jackson Sr. He was married for 66 years to Helen E. Little Jackson who passed away March 2, 2017. Bob was a lifelong dairy farmer, owning and operating Jackson Farms. Active in the community, he was a member and served as an Elder, Deacon, and Trustee of the Wampum Presbyterian Church. Bob served and…

Ruth Bleakney  Holzhauser, 97, of New Castle PA, passed away peacefully on  Monday, September  4 2017  after an  illness. The daughter of  the late Eugene  Bleakney, and   Edythe Magee Bleakney,  Ruth was born in Ellwood City in August 1920.  She was the devoted big sister to   Shirley Bleakney Houck (deceased),   and Kenneth Bleakney, and Norma Bleakney McClintick. Ruth married Jacob D. Holzhauser, who died in 2000, a decorated WWII Marine veteran, in 1946. Mourning her death, she leaves behind her children, Dennis (Diana) of Little Rock AK, and  Gerald (Joyce) of New Castle.   And also her grandchildren,  Jennifer (Alex) Holzhauser…

Marlene Joyce Doutt Altman, 80, returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 3, 2017 following an extended illness. Marlene was the youngest of three children born to the late Eugene and Grace Buttermore Doutt on October 31, 1936 in New Castle.  She married the love of her life Weston “Buck” Altman 62 years ago on October 7, 1955. He survives. Marlene graduated from Mount Jackson High School in 1954. She formerly worked at Airway Luggage and Wal-mart. She also was a loving caregiver to many. Marlene was a member of the Word Alive Church in Ellwood City. Her hobbies…

Wallace L. “Wally” Koch, 93, of Locust Terrace, Ellwood City passed peacefully away on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Hospice of the Valley in Poland Ohio. Born August 6, 1924 in Franklin Twp., he was the son of the late Ernest L. and Arvilla L. Leachman Koch. He was married to Thelma L. Evans who passed away in March of 1990. He then married Betty L. Carroll who passed away in May of 2016. Wally graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1941. He served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 as a surgical technician. Following his…

James Franklin Mentzer, 71, of Chippewa Twp, formerly of Shenango Twp, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Temple University Hospital. Born December 26, 1945 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Jack and Bess Kemp Mentzer. A 1964 graduate of Shenango Area High School, Jim worked for the Ellwood City Forge Corporation for 37 years starting as a tool grinder and retiring as a purchasing agent in 2004.   Jim was a lifelong member of the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, Elder, and clerk of session. He belonged to the Masonic…

Ronald M. Sheeler Sr., 80, of Madison Ave., Ellwood City passed away Friday, August 25, 2017 at the Ellwood City Hospital. Although in ill health death was unexpected. Born November 27, 1936 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John and Stella Moczan Sheeler. He was married for 58 years to Lallie Mehaffay Sheeler who survives. They were married August 28, 1959. Ron retired from the Ellwood City Post Office in 1988 following 33 years of service as a Mail Carrier. He was a 1954 graduate of Lincoln High School. Ron was a member and usher at…