Obituaries

Agnes S. Bender, 102, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away in her residence in Manchester, NH on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Born in Ellwood City on February 19, 1914, Agnes was the daughter of the late Andrew and Esther Simon Swartz. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1933 and married Frederick W. Bender on August 7, 1937. Agnes worked as a clerk at Miller’s Gift Shop on Lawrence Avenue. The oldest living member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Agnes was also a member of the Ellwood City Hospital Auxiliary and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Saxon Club. She loved gardening,…

Mr. Ronald A. Perno, 58, of Franklin Twp. passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in the St. John’s Specialty Care Center. Ron was born on June 27, 1958 in Ellwood City to the late John J. and Antionette Malozzi Perno. He had graduated from the Lawrence County Vo-Tech in 1976 where he studied carpentry. Ron is also a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. He had worked at Ellcast for 5 years, and for Ryan Homes in Beaver Falls and then in Florida for over 14 years as a carpenter. After moving back to Ellwood City in 2000, Ron…

Mr. Ronald K. Popoff, 67, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in the Beaver Valley Nursing Center. Ron was born on August 19, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late Kime L. and Mary Fenechi Popoff. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1969, and the Light House Assembly of God Church. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on October 27, 1969 and served until his discharge on October 1, 1971 during the Vietnam War. Ron had worked at the Aetna Standard Engineering Co. for 14 years as a machine operator, then…

Mrs. Marian S. “Helen” Costa, 96, formerly of Ellwood City passed away on August 14, 2016 in Laguna Woods, California, Mrs. Costa was born on December 23, 1919 in Branchton, Pa to the late Sabastian “Sam” and Josephine Buano Costa. She had attended Lincoln High School. Marian had worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a Clerk in New York City. While living in Ellwood City she was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. She is also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees # 1588. Mrs. Costa is survived by her son, Samuel Barone of…

Mrs. Lillian F. Bellissimo, 90, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Monday, September 12, 2016 in the Ellwood City Hospital. Mrs. Bellissimo was born on February 3, 1926 in Ellwood City to the late Samuel and Marie Rozzi Pezzi. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944. Lil had worked at the Armstrong Cork in Beaver Falls and the Aetna Standard in Ellwood City during WWII, then at Ellwood City Knitting Mill, Dust Proof, Mine Safety and Giant Eagle as a cook. She was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish, Holy Redeemer Golden Agers,…

Mr. Thomas P. Costa, Jr., 66, of Wayne Twp. passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 10, 2016 in the Allegheny General Hospital with by his loving family at his bedside. Tom was born on January 24, 1950 in Ellwood City to Thomas P. and Isabella D”Ambrosio Costa, Sr.. Tom is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1967, and graduated from Case Western Reserve in 1971 with a degree in Health and Physical Education. He had worked for the Ellwood City Area School District as a Physical Education Teacher and assistant coach for the Junior High football team….