Obituaries

Funeral services were held Saturday for Ellwood City native, Gene L. MacDonald, 85 of Zanesville, OH.  He passed away on May 17, 2017 at Genesis Hospital in Zanesville. The oldest of 10 children of Eugene A. and Isabell Means MacDonald, he was born on June 3, 1931.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949 and worked at National Tube while attending Westminster College, graduating in 1953 with a degree in journalism.  He worked for the Ellwood City Ledger, New Caste News and Youngstown Vindicator and was active in Chamber of Commerce work in Clarion, Pottsville and Sharon before moving in…

Mr. Joseph F. Cucunato, 93, formerly of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017 at his residence in Cullman, Alabama. Mr. Cucunato was born on April 21, 1924 in Richwood, West Virginia to the late Luigi and Josephine DeMasse Cucunato. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1942.  He enlisted with the U.S. Army on March 11, 1943 and served with the Headquarter Company 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry Division until his discharge on July 20, 1945 with the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded on August 8, 1944…

Mrs. Alice J. Piper, 87, formerly of Franklin Twp. passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017 at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge in Erie, Pa. Mrs. Piper was born on August 22, 1929 in Ellwood City to the late George and Jeanette Creese. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1947. Alice had worked at the Knox United Presbyterian Church and later at the Calvin Presbyterian Church as a secretary. She was a member of the Franklin Twp. Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and the Beaver County Fire Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling, and crocheting. Mrs. Piper is…

Mr. Mario A. Morini, 79, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in his residence. Mr. Morini was born on July 28, 1937 in Ellwood City to the late August “Custie” and Pauline N. Colao Morini. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1955 and attended Penn State University. Mario had taught 7th and 8th grade math at the Purification BVM School for several years. He then worked as a Data Base Administrator for BF Goodrich in Akron and American Greetings in Cleveland. Mario then was the owner and operator of Morini and…

Roma C. Philips, 81, of Shenango Township, passed away in the emergency room of UPMC Jameson Health System on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.   Born in Alvy, West Virginia on June 24, 1935, Roma was the daughter of the late James and Elizabeth Talkington.  She married Robert Philips on October 2, 1953 and he preceded her in death in 2003.  Roma owned and operated the Heavenly Drive-In on Route 422 in Shenango Township.  An avid yard-saler, Roma also loved spending time with her grandchildren.   Roma is survived by her children; Tracey (John) Tomon, of Wayne Twp., Rodger (Chris) Philips…