Obituaries

Raymond Michael Bettoni, 60, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on October 19, 2017, ending his courageous battle with cancer. Born in Ellwood City on April 22, 1957, Raymond was the son of the late Raymond and Rose Delorenzo Bettoni.  He graduated from Riverside High School in 1975 and enlisted in the United States Navy the following year.  He served on the USS Tarawa during Desert Storm.  Raymond retired from the Navy in 2000 as a Petty Officer 1st Class.  He then worked as a computer analyst for CVS until he retired in March of 2017. Raymond…

George E. Strabel, 53, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. George was born on September 4, 1964 in New Brighton to the late Emery and Bertha Ann Cumberledge Strabel. He had graduated from Center High School with the class of 1982, and later from the New Castle School of Trade where he studied auto mechanics. George had worked for J.B. Boots Pittsburgh Welding Forge, Doren Inc., and the Ellwood City Forge. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on cars. George is survived by his daughters Jordyn Strabel of Ellwood City and…

Christefer J. Curtaccio, 30, passed away at his residence on Argonne Blvd. in Ellwood City, Pa on January 13, 2018. Chris will be dearly missed and is survived by his daughter Cameron Curtaccio, mother and step-father Emily (Don) Morris, father James Curtaccio, sisters Elysia Morris, and Amber (Josh) Haydo, brothers Travis and Nathan, aunt Teri (Edward) Dibuono, aunt Annamaria (Phillip) Elliot, cousins Isaac and Daniel Elliot, Noah DiBuono, and grandmother Vittoria DiBuono. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Itala G. Dibuono. Chris graduated from Lincoln High School. He enjoyed playing basketball, gaming, traveling, spending time with his…

Mr. Guido R. “Bob” Clerici, 93, of New Galilee peacefully went to be reunited with his loving wife and son on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Mr. Clerici was born on November 30, 1924 in New Galilee to the late Anthony and Giacinta Franchi Clerici. Guido is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1942. After high school he was drafted into the Glider Troops and later into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served with the 17th Airborne Division, Company H. 515th Parachute Infantry Regiment  with the rank of Private First Class from April 29, 1943 until his…

Ida Ottaviani, 93, of Hazel Avenue, Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at VNA Hospice in Butler Township. Born in Ellwood City on May 19, 1924, Ida was the daughter of the late Vincent and Mary Grace Zona Riccardi.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Ottaviani in 2010 after 68 years of marriage.  A member of Holy Redeemer Parish and the Christian Mothers of the Church, Ida was also a member of the Opti-Mrs. Club.  She enjoyed golfing and playing cards. Ida is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alice Nunes and Regis Young…

Mary Spiker, 82, of Franklin Twp. passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018 at West Penn Hospital following a brief illness. Born May 24, 1935 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Ethel Bartholomew Hutchison. She was married for 64 years to Donald M. Spiker as they were married on December 26, 1953. He survives. Mary graduated from New Castle High School. She was a former member and Sunday School Teacher at the United Bretheran Church in Ellport. She currently is a member of the Free Methodist Church. Mary enjoyed making wedding cakes and was a…

Mrs. Virginia Y. LaCava, 91, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at The Grove in Harmony. Mrs. LaCava was born on September 22, 1926 in Wampum to the late Keith and Martha Boone Hazen, Sr.. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944, and the Providence Baptist Church. Virginia had worked at the U.S. Steel Tube Mill in Ellwood City during World War II, the Ellwood City News Stand, and Straws Bakery. For many years she volunteered with the Ellwood City Hospital Auxiliary, the Golden Agers, and served as a Girl Scout…