Obituaries

Phyllis J. Bamberger, 82, of Ambridge, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Heritage Valley, Sewickley Campus Emergency Room. She was born on October 10, 1941 in Ellwood City, to the late Louis L. and Mary A. Zitell. She was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Baden. Phyllis enjoyed praying the Holy Rosary, word puzzles, coloring books, playing board games and cards, watching movies, shopping and going out to eat. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were a son, William Bamberger and granddaughter, Alyssa McKee. She…

Sarah M. Hardy, affectionately known as “Ma” to most, age 95, of New Castle, went home to be with her Lord and Savior the morning of Dec. 11, 2023, at UPMC Jameson Hospital. Born Jan. 7, 1928, in Ellwood City, PA, she was the daughter of the late William E. and Emma D. (Hall) Curry. On March 27, 1948, she married her husband, William Frank Hardy, Sr. He preceded her in death on May 30, 2019. Sarah was a graduate of Wampum High School. For several years, she worked as a clerk, employed by P&LE Railroad. In her younger years,…

David Muntean, 87, of Ellwood City passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. He was the son of the late Nick, Sr and Elizabeth (Toda) Muntean and was born December 19, 1937, in Ellwood City. David is survived by his wife, of 67 years, Norma Bookamer, his son; Todd Muntean of Ellwood City, his grandchildren; Rodney Wise of Ellwood City, Byron Wise and his wife Leti of Gulf Breeze, Fl, Brooke Muntean of New York City, Daniella Bazlar and Gabby Muntean both of North Carolina, his great-grandchildren; Lilly and Lilah Wise of Gulf Breeze, FL…

Barbara A. Lougee, 87, of New Brighton passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in Guyton, GA. She was the daugher of the late Clinton and Frances (Conyne) Megill and was born August 18, 1936, in Bloomfield, NJ. Barbara is survived by her son; David Lougee and his wife Michaela of Guyton, GA and her grandchildren; Brendan and Erin Lougee of Guyton, GA She was a 1954 graduate of New Brighton High School. She met and married her husband, Kenneth Lougee in 1965 and were married 23 years, until his passing in October 1988. She and her husband were long times…

Cathy Iva Ketterer, 72, of Wampum,went home to be with the Lord on December 8, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver, PA. She was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed by all. Cathy was born on July 28, 1951, in Ellwood City to David and Mary Alice (Wehr) Kelly. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School and later earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Westminster College. Cathy married the love of her life, Kenneth, in 1970 and they were married for 53 years. She was a devoted 50-year member of The…

Paige Yarzebinski, 55, of Ellwood City passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at her residence. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. She had battled Huntington’s Disease for many years. Born May 10, 1968 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anabelle Houk Yarzebinski. Paige worked at Kimmel’s Bakery in Ellwood City and also bartended at the Eagles Club. She was a member of the Hungarian Home and the Eagles Club in Ellwood City. Planting flowers, being outdoors in nature, being around children, and reading were some of the things that brought her joy. Paige…

Mary K. “Poppy” Quintanilla, 74, of Ellport passed away on December 6th, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. Mary was born on May 10th, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late John “Radar” and Louise M. (Barbarti) Mazzant. She graduated from Lincoln High School. Mary worked locally as a hairstylist at various shops, as a baker at the Chef D.A.Q. & Co. where she would assist in wedding cake designing and catering, in Ellwood City, and lastly, at Passavant Retirement Home in the dietary Department. Her passion was baking, especially ginger bread houses. She enjoyed spending quality…

Carolyn (Brewer, Weir, Workley) Riedel, 84, of North Sewickley Twp. arrived at her heavenly home on Thursday December 7, 2023 at UPMC Mercy following a short illness. Born February 4, 1939 in Morgantown WV, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Juanita (Mallott) Brewer. Carolyn graduated from Beaver Area High School with the class of 1957. She was a homemaker and had worked at Mellon Bank, Zeiden’s Clothiers and Brown’s Office Supply, all in Beaver Falls. She was a Social Rehabilitation Aide at Friendship Ridge for two and a half years. Carolyn was a former member of Berean…

Mrs. Charlene V. Fife, 63, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 at her residence. Mrs. Fife was born on October 3rd 1960 in Ellwood City the daughter of Norma (Eidenmiller) Johnston of Ellwood City. Charlene had worked at Romar Textile in Ellport and later at Wolverine Plastics. She is a member of the Ellwood City Eagles Club, Hungarian Home, Sons of Italy #608, MOOSE Lodge #93, and Ellwood City Women’s Pool League. She enjoyed motorcycle riding, going with her daughter on their annual casino trip, and shooting pool. She will be sadly missed by her…

James Szymoniak, Jr., 64, of Prospect, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023. Born May 13, 1959 in Sewickley, Allegheny County; he was the son of Dianne Lee Prasek Szymoniak Opsatnik and the late James Szymoniak, Sr. Jim was a 1977 graduate of Ambridge Area High School. After graduation he joined the US Air Force, and then proudly served from 1979 to 1989. He retired in 2020 from PepsiCo, where he worked his own route driving, selling, and delivering to his customers. He was a faithful member of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect. He utilized his gift of humor as a…