Obituaries

Richard C. “Dick” Streckeisen, 73, of Ellwood City, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at his son’s residence in Castlewood . He was born in New Castle on July 12 1943 to the late Donald C. and Mary E. Bair Streckeisen. Dick graduated from Lincoln High School, with the class of 1961. He was employed for over 35 years, as a machine operator and shipper at the Ellwood City Forge Co. (Ellwood Group) until retiring in 2003. He was a veteran of the US Army, in the 82nd Airborne Battalion, serving during the Vietnam War…

Jean Kirkwood, 90, formerly of Wampum passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at Rhodes Estates in New Castle following an extended illness. Born May 9, 1926 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late John and Elsie A. Cunningham Grinnen. She was married for 73 years to Walter R. Kirkwood who passed away December 2, 2016.  A homemaker, Jean was a member of the Wampum United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Bette Jean (Dave) Capots of West PIttsburg; two sons, Walter Jack Kirkwood of New Castle, Gary Lee (Jana) Kirkwood of Wampum; son in law, Elmer McClain;…

Mrs. Laureen D. DeCampli, 90, of Perry Twp. passed away at the residence of her son, Billy DeCampli in Zelienople on Tuesday evening, March 28, 2017. Mrs. DeCampli was born on January 16, 1927 in Beaver Falls to the late Charles Klear and Clara Gerwig Klear Steffler. Laureen grew up in Fombell on the farm of her loving step-father Bill Steffler and her mother. She graduated from Zelienople High School in 1944. She worked at the GC Murphy Company in Ellwood City. Laureen met her future husband, Nick, at the store when he asked her to help him choose Christmas…

Mrs. Hilda Huseonica, 99, formerly of Ellport passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017 in the Grove in Harmony. Mrs. Huseonica was born on July 29, 1917 in Arden, Pa to the late Daniel and Lidia Hobart Pocza. She was a member of the Ellport Presbyterian Church, the Hungarian Women’s Club, and the Wurtemburg-Perry Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, and flower gardening. Hilda is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (William) Petz of McMurray, Pa, her daughter-in-law, Dorothy Huseonica of Franklin Twp., her grandchildren, Deborah Lynn Petz, Jeffrey W. (Caroline) Petz, Diane (Greg) Lower, Randy…

Mr. Louis S. Froce, 94, of Ellwood City went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 26, 2017. Mr. Froce was born on January 7, 1923 in Ellwood City to the late Antonio and Philomena Wolfe Froce. He enlisted with the U.S. army on March 17, 1943 and served with the 310th Signal Operation Battalion until his discharge on February 21, 1946 with the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He had worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel…

Samuel N. Ferrante passed away Friday, March 24, 2017 at Northview Estates, where he lived with his wife Minnie. They were married for 63 years and formally lived in Rock Dell. Sam was born on December 16, 1923 in Chewton, PA to the late Anthony and Lucy Tancreti Ferrante. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1941, he served with honor and pride in the United States Navy Air Corp as airman 3rd class aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin which was known as Big Ben “The ship that wouldn’t die.” Sam was proud to receive the Navy Air Medal…

Mrs. Lillian E. Barbati, 83, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017 in the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Mrs. Barbati was born on June 22, 1933 in Ellwood City to the late John A. and Ricka Sue DeThomas Mathas. Lil graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1951, and from the St. Francis School of Nursing in New Castle in 1954. She also attended Slippery Rock University and Youngstown State University. She had worked at the Ellwood City Hospital, the Visiting Nurses of Lawrence County, and at Lincoln High School as the school nurse. Lil…