Obituaries

John W. “Bill” Crees, 74, of Big Beaver Boro, went home suddenly to be with his precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ with his loving wife of 42 years, Donna by his side. Born December 27, 1944 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late John O. and Ruth V. Murphy Crees. Bill retired from Armstrong World Industries. He also enjoyed working on his family farm. He was an active member of the Christian Assembly Church in Ohioville where he taught the Victorious Living Class and was a Prayer Partner. Bill had also formerly taught Sunday School at the…

Hazel L Fosnaught, 95, of Wayne Twp.passed away Monday, January 21, 2019 at the Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver following a short illness. Born February 8, 1923 in Frisco, she was the daughter of the late Archie and Garnett Lewis Powell. She was married to Eugene W. Fosnaught Sr. for 48 years when he passed away March 17, 1990. Hazel retired as the store manager from Lawson’s Grocery Store in Ellwood City. She was a member of the Chewton Christian Church and a lifetime member of the Chewton Fire Department Auxiliary. Hazel was an avid Pirate fan and enjoyed crocheting,…

M. Eleanor Orr, 90, of Ellwood City, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday morning, January 18 2019, from  The Grove at Harmony. She passed away only two weeks after her husband. She was born in Ellwood City on June 16 1928 to the late  Wilbert  and Ethel Kennedy  Jessop. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1946, and  worked at the Bell Telephone Co. office in Ellwood City as an operator.  Later she worked as head cashier at Christy’s Market. Eleanor was a longtime faithful member of Park Alliance Church in Ellwood City. …

Larry W. Burns, 69, of Portersville Rd., Ellwood City passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019 at UPMC Passavant Hospital following a brief illness. Born September 19, 1949 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Kenneth E. Burns Sr. who passed away in 2014 and Helen Burns of Ellwood City. Larry was a CPA for over 30 years at Snodgrass Accounting. He was a Veteran of the Army, serving in Vietnam with the Military Police. He enjoyed hunting and cooking. In addition to his mother, survivors include two brothers, Kenneth E. (Peggy) Burns Jr., Randy (Patty) Burns; a…

Denis H. Boots, 66, of Ellwood City passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 17, 2019 following a courageous battle with cancer. Born November 2, 1952 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Donald D. and Ethel Hutchison Boots. A 1970 graduate of Riverside High School, Denny served in the US Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He retired from General Electric in Grove City. Denny enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, and traveling to Alaska. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Diana Ecenrode Boots and their son, Nathan Boots, both of…

Mrs. Vilma Bellissimo, 89, of Ellwood City, passed away in the comfort of her home on Sunday, January 13,2019, surrounded by her family. Vilma was born on May 7, 1929, in Ellwood City, to the late Johan “John” Bizyak and Jerca “Gertrude” Baloh Bizyak. She was married for 58 years to the late Vito Bellissimo, who passed away in September 2011. After Vilma graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947, she worked as a bookkeeper for Joe Summers’ Lawrence Motor Sales (Ford) in Ellwood City. Vilma was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish and a member of Ladies of Charity….

Mrs. Julia Kotuba, 79, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the Passavant Retirement Community. Mrs. Kotuba was born on June 27, 1939 in Ellwood City to the late Metro and Olga (George) Tamelcoff. She had attended Lincoln High School, and was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Ellwood City. She, along with her husband Paul, was the co-owner/operator of Paul’s Market in North Sewickley Twp. from 1963 until it closed. Julia was a fabulous cook, and loved being with her family. She is survived by her daughters, Tina (Fred) Pflugh of North…

Mr. Pasquale S. “Pat” Marinaccio, 92, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at his home. Mr. Marinaccio was born in Ellwood City on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926 to the late Dominic “Luigi” and Angela Rosa Marinaccio. Pat was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish in Ellwood City. Pat enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corp on December 27, 1943. After basic training he was switched to the U.S. Army Infantry, and had to go through a second basic training. He saw active duty in Germany with the 104th Infantry division. He was with the…

James P. Douglas, 83, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. Born December 18, 1935 in Wampum, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Julia I. Laughlin Douglas. He was married to Donna Irwin Douglas who survives. Jim served as the Union President of Local # 8183 of the United Steelworkers of America for 29 years. He worked at St. Joe’s Zinc Corporation. Jim served in the United States Marine Corp. He was a member of the Concord United Methodist Church. Jim enjoyed gardening and taking care of…