Obituaries

Catherine Peffer Best, 63, of West Washington St, New Castle (formerly of Ellwood City) passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born July 12, 1954 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Donald R. and Edith M. Craven Peffer. Catherine graduated from Lincoln High School. Her most cherished time was spent with her family. Survivors include two daughters, Tami (James) Peffer-Palmer of Ellwood City, Jennifer (Luis) Nunez of New Castle; three sons, Justin (Emily) Best of Raleigh, NC, Joshua (Lesley) Best of Jacksonville, NC, Skylar (Shealyn) Peffer of New…

Mrs. Catherine “Kay” Migut, 97, of Ellport passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Northview Estates. Mrs. Migut was born on July 21, 1920 in Chewton to the late John and Mary (Brinsko) Lapatka. She was a 1938 graduate of the Wampum High School where she had played basketball. She is also a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish and the Christian Mothers of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Kay’s favorite activities where serving on the nutroll and pierogis committees for the St. Agatha and Holy Redeemer Church. Kay is survived by her daughters, Shirley Perry and Mary Kaye…

After a life of quiet faith and dignity, Shirley Louise McElwain Brown passed away peacefully on March 8, 2018 at home with family at her side. Born January 12, 1928 she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Mabel Reeher McElwain.  A graduate of the American School, Shirley worked at Providence Hospital in Beaver Falls and the Ellwood City Hospital as a Surgical Tech for may years. Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, James L. Brown who she married on September 30, 1947; her devoted daughter, Pastor Cynthia Antinossi, and her brother, Paul McElwain. She is survived by…

Mr. John E. Dengel, 74, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in The Grove at Harmony. Mr. Dengel was born on November 5, 1943 in Monaca to the late Michael and Elizabeth Chambers Dengel. John is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1963. He had worked at Matthews Conveyor, the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill, Young’s Excavating, and most recently with the Franklin Twp. road crew. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy, the Saxons Club, and the Hungarian Home. John enjoyed being at his camp in Kennerdell, fishing and hunting. Mr. Dengel…

Margaret E. “Peg” McBride, 86, of New Galilee passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Avalon Place. She was born March 11, 1931 and was the daughter of the late Mack and Minnie Minteer Cotton. She graduated from Mt. Jackson High School. Peg married Mont McBride on August 26, 1949 and they enjoyed 63 years together until his death on January 8, 2013. Peg was a homemaker and cherished her family. Peg loved living on the farm and the country life. She enjoyed flowers, especially day lilies and iris and pie baking. Peg was a member of Moravia Presbyterian Church…

Mrs. Virginia Herko, 84, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2018. Mrs. Herko was born on September 21, 1933, the daughter of Nick Ierino and Mary Torchio Ierino. Virginia was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. A Nurturing caregiver, a faithful friend. She enjoyed cooking, especially baking, and was a dedicated, enthusiastic homemaker. She was a life-long volunteer: a member of the Ellwood City Auxiliary, Christian Mothers and, later, a docent at Cracker Country, a historical site. Virginia was an active member of the Holy Redeemer Church most of her life. For a time, she was a…

Frank Pitelka, 89, of Hazel Ave., Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Ellwood City Hospital. He was born May 9, 1928 in Apatin, Yugoslavia to the late Mathias and Elisabeth Hauk Pitelka.  Frank graduated from high school in Apatin in 1944. On September 11, 1948, he married Frieda Theresia Viola in Ried im Inkreis in Austria. They emigrated to the United States in December 1951 and moved to Ellwood City in May of 1952 when he started employment at the Aetna Standard, where he worked until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of…