Obituaries

Mr. Thomas R. Tillia, 72, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in the Ellwood City Hospital. Mr. Tillia was born on April 22, 1944 in Ellwood City to the late Clarence E. and Mary E. Shields Tillia. Tom is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1962 and had attended Slippery Rock University. He enjoyed traveling at home and abroad. Tom Tillia was a devoted and committed member of the Red Barn Players theater troupe for nearly 50 years. His contributions to the group are too numerous to list, but he was a driving…

Mrs. Ann Bucci, 86, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in the Ellwood City Hospital. Mrs. Bucci was born on May 7, 1930 in Edinburg, Pa to the late John and Jennie Minutillo Fusco. She had attended Union High School. Ann is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish and the Holy Redeemer Christin Mothers. She was a wonderful homemaker, a great cook, and enjoyed doing crafts. Mrs. Bucci is survived by her daughters, Carmella (Michael) Delph of Ellwood City, Tonni Ann (William) Mikler of Scottsdale, Az, and Gloria (Randy) Archer of Mesa, AZ, her grandchildren,…

Arnold S. Armstrong, 68, of Stephenson, Virginia passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Winchester Medical Center in Virginia following a short illness. Born December 19, 1947 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Edwin Plummer and Mary Alice Deal Armstrong. He was married to Barbara Bable Armstrong who survives. Arnold retired on October 31, 1984 as a Radioman Chief from the US Navy. His military achievements included receiving the Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Battle Efficiency Ribbon. Arnold worked with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington DC. He was a…

Walter R. Kirkwood, 90, formerly of Wampum passed away Friday, December 2, 2016 at Rhodes Estates in New Castle following an extended illness. Born December 22, 1925 in Wampum, he was the son of the late James Dorse and Helen Ruth Nagel Kirkwood. He was married for 73 years to Jean Grinnen Kirkwood who survives. Walter retired after 41 years at Medusa Cement Company where he was a Foreman and Quarry Supervisor. He was a member of the Wampum United Methodist Church. Walter was a Veteran of the Navy where he participated in the D. Day invasion in Normandy. He…

Marshela   A. Heitzer, 68, of  Ellport,  (Ellwood City) passed away peacefully on Sunday  December 4 2016  at noon at her residence. She was born in Butler PA on March 23 1948 to the late  Paul Horst and the late Gladys Learn Horst. Marshela graduated from Slippery Rock High School, and  worked at Park Pharmacy, and later Newmans Pharmacy, and Uni-Mart, and Busy Beaver in Ellwood City, and later was  a manager  at Family Dollar in Franklin Township. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish in Ellwood City.  She enjoyed crocheting. Marshela was dedicated to her family, especially her grandchildren….

Mrs. Hazel J. LaRitz, 81, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016 in the Allegheny General Hospital. Mrs. LaRitz was born on August 11, 1935 in Ellwood City to the late Leamond L. and Esther A. LeFever Black. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1954 and the First Church of God in Franklin Twp.. Hazel had worked at the Green and Shears Bakery, Pettibon’s Dairy, Keller’s, and Health City all in Ellwood City. She is survived by her husband of 59 years John J.LaRitz whom she married on October 26, 1957, her…

Mr. Edward R. “Eddie” Bookamer, 59, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016 in the VNA Hospice. Mr. Bookamer was born on January 22, 1957 in Ellwood City to the late Edward V. and Martha N. Rugh Bookamer. He is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1975. Eddie had worked at Mayer China in Beaver Falls, and most recently at Veka in Fombell for 23 years. He loved the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers, and fishing along the Connoquenessing Creek. Eddie is survived by his wife, Cheryl Campbell Bookamer whom he married on June…

“My love and peace to you on this special day. At 7:32 AM, in the quiet of the morning, the angels, archangels and my Guardian angel surrounded me and carried me to the Heavenly Kingdom. I took my final breath at the place in which I was born, 1835 Brighton Road. I have now left this Earth after 95 years to be with God, Our Heavenly Father, Jesus, Our Brother and Savior and the Blessed Mother of Jesus, Blessed Mary, my friend and confidant. As practicing Catholics we believe in the Saints, Angels, and Archangels and their many interventions, the…