Obituaries

Pearl E. McConnell, 82, of Old Rt. 18, New Beaver Boro passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 at UPMC Mercy Hospital following a brief illness. Born May 3, 1933 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Ralph W. and Ida M. Smith Brommer. She was married for 62 years to Harold R. McConnell who survives. They were married Aug. 7, 1953 Pearl worked with her husband, Harold for 47 years in McConnell Tax Service. She had previously worked at Reliable Luggage in West Pittsburgh. Pearl enjoyed playing the lottery and trips to the casino. She also enjoyed feeding…

John J. “Jack” Bowers, 87, of Wurtemburg Heights, Ellwood City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday morning, Jan. 14, 2016 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born in Muddy Creek Township on Aug. 3, 1928 to the late John C. Bowers and the late Blanche McCartney Bowers. Jack graduated from Zelienople High School in the class of 1946 and attended Geneva College. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan from 1946-48 and was recalled in 1950-51. He was a longtime member of Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, where he had served as both a deacon…

Bernice Ruth Poholsky, 89, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, Jan. 11, 2016 at Family Hospice and Palliative Care Canterbury Campus in Pittsburgh. She was born in Ellwood City, on April 9, 1926 to the late John W. Duffy and the late Minnie Ladebu Duffy. Bernice graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1944. She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #212 in Ellwood City. Bernice worked in the industrial relations department at Aetna Standard Engineering until retiring in 1986. In…

Joseph G. Mesko, 66, of Franklin Twp. passed away on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 in Allegheny General Hospital. Joe was born on Dec. 3, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late Steve and Rose Irene Markus Mesko. He is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1967. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a helicopter mechanic. Joe then worked as a owner/operator Truck Driver for over forty years. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Joe is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Ryan) Dick of Parker, Pa, his son,…

Michael R. Reed, 54, of Blake Lane, Wampum (Taylor Twp.) passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 at the Jameson Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Born Aug. 20, 1961 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Raymond D. Reed Sr. and Annette Fandozzi Reed of Hubbard, Ohio. Michael enjoyed working on cars, hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his dogs. In addition to his mother, Annette, survivors include his former wife, Norma Kendall Reed; two sisters, Laura (John) DePolis of Corona, Calif., Cynthia (Dennis) Vestal of Hubbard; two brothers, Raymond D. (Susan) Reed of Mt. Jackson,…

Donna M. Ippolito, 65, of Ella St., Wampum passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic following an extended illness. Born Sept. 27, 1950 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Gene W. and Helen Irene Mecklem Roberts. She was married for 45 years to Kenneth F. Ippolito who survives. Donna graduated from Lincoln High School. She enjoyed gardening and making candy. In addition to her husband, Ken, survivors include two sons, Lucas and Thomas Ippolito, both of Wampum; sister, Jane (Dave) Badgett of Navarre, Fla.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by…

Lucy Rutter, 90, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 in the Northview Estates. Rutter was born on July 18, 1925 in Ellwood City to the late Alfredo and Mary Lordo Mazzant. Lucy is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1943. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing cards and most of all spending time with her family. Rutter is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Billy D. (Beverly)Rutter, Jr. of Ellport, and Howard L. (Lynn) Rutter of Rochester Twp., her five grandchildren, David (Jill) Rutter, Leann (Derrick) Lucarelli, Kristin (Keith) Jeffers, Kelly (Dennise) Rupp,…

Margaret “Peg” A. Malcolm, 82, of Fountain Avenue, Ellwood City, passed away in her residence on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Born in Chamberville, Pa., Peg was the daughter of the late Walter and Catherine Buggy Ednie. She married Russell B. Malcolm on May 5, 1952 and he preceded her in death on April 9, 1977. In her younger years, Peg worked at the Office on Aging in Indiana County and managed the Community Center there. She also worked as a day care aid. Later, Peg owned and operated Specialties Plus on the corner of Fifth Street and Beaver Avenue in…

Elizabeth A. “Beth” Boots, 56, of Stiefel Ave., Ellwood City (formerly of Tampa, FLorida) passed away unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at her residence. Born Sept. 9, 1959 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of David P. and Lois V. West Peeples of Fombell. She was married to Barry R. Boots for 38 years when he passed away April 7, 2014. Beth attended Riverside High School and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Jameson School of Nursing. She was currently employed as a Visiting Nurse for Vitas Hospice in Cranberry. She formerly worked at Heritage Valley – Beaver Hospital,…