Obituaries

John E. Lon, 74, of Chewton passed away to joyfully rejoin his mother and wife onTuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Ellwood City Hospital following an extended illness. Born May 5, 1942 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Stanley J. and Josephine Kellner Lon. He was married for 42 years to Patricia J. Scheidemantle Lon who passed away December 24, 2004. John graduated in 1960 from Lincoln High School. He retired from Hall Industries in Ellwood City where he was a machinist. He was prominent at the Portersville Steam Show where he exhibited large engines. He…

Dr. Milton L. Caplan was born in 1915, son of the late Jacob L. Caplan and Gertrude Goldman Caplan, in Ellwood City, and lived in Ellwood most of his life, until  2003, at the age of 88, when he retired to West Palm Beach Florida. Dr. Caplan lived to be over 101, when he passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7 2017.  He would have celebrated his 102 birthday in May. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Smith Caplan, as well as his two sons, Mark Jeffrey Caplan, and Ronald Jay Caplan.  The last of his family,…

Charles (Charlie) Vance Solbrig, 88, of Ellwood City, PA passed away on March 5, 2017 at his home in Harrisburg, PA where he has been living with his wife, Rita Joyce Solbrig since becoming ill several years ago. Born December 7, 1928 in South Bend, IN, he was the son of Hardin Elsby and Maude Elizabeth Solbrig, and the brother of Betty (Solbrig) Spaid. He graduated from Washington Clay HS in South Bend, IN in 1946, then attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where, in 1951, he earned a B.S. degree in Geology. In college he served in the Air…

 James L.  “Captain Jim” Smith, of (Wayne Twp.) Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, March 3 2017 at the Ellwood City Hospital.  Jim was a loving family man.   He loved mowing his lawn, caring for his cars and was an avid boater.   Jim has spent his entire life, 92 years, in Ellwood City and has lived in the same house his father built. He was born in Ellwood City to the late Harry and Louise McKelvey Smith. He served in the US Army during World War II.   Jim worked at the former Ellwood Works of US Steel…

Esther Jean Aiken, 86, of North Sewickley Twp. Ellwood City passed away peacefully Thursday, March 2, 2017 at her residence. Born February 21, 1931 in New Brighton, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mildred Gorby Welsh. She was married for 64 years to Donald R. Aiken, who survives. Esther was a professional homemaker, taking pride in raising her four children. She was an active member of North Sewickley Presbyterian Church. Spanning 64 years, Esther was involved as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and served on the Kitchen Committee. She also worked on the Global Links Medical Mission…

Helen E. Jackson, 85, of Jackson Lane, New Beaver Boro passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital following a two day illness. Born May 16, 1931 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late James Ralph and Helen Esther Anderson Little. She was married for 66 years to Robert B. Jackson Jr who survives. Helen began her working career as a draftsman with Rexnord and Matthews in Ellwood City and then at Koppers in Pittsburgh. She was currently the Jury Commissioner for Lawrence County. She was an active member of the Wampum Presbyterian Church, serving…