Obituaries

Frances Atkinson, 86, of Pittsburgh Circle, Ellwood City passed away Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver following a brief illness. Born July 14, 1929 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Janose. She was married to Robert D. Atkinson who passed away Oct. 18, 2013. Frances was a member of Holy Redeemer Church. She graduated from Lincoln High School and was a hostess at the Holiday Inn in Beaver Falls for many years. She enjoyed shopping and having lunch with friends. Survivors include a daughter in law, Sandy Atkinson,…

Bernice J. Platt, 84, of New Middletown, Oh. formerly of North Sewickley Twp. passed away Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman. Born Dec. 22, 1930 in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Dolly T. West Shuster. She was married for 66 years to Carl D. Platt who survives. Bernice was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Ellwood and a current member of the First Baptist Church in Beaver Falls. She was very active in summer Bible School Programs for numerous churches in the area. She was instrumental in…

Joseph John Galmarini, 83, of Galmarini Lane, Wampum passed away Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at the Providence Care Center where he was a resident for the past 29 months. Born Sept. 18, 1932 in New Castle, he was the son of the late John Joseph and Josephine Timpolio Galmarini. Joe was married for 62 years to Norma Montani Galmarini who survives. Joe retired in 1984 from Babcock & Wilcox where he was an inspector. He was a member of the former St. Monica’s Church in Wampum. Joe served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of…

Dianne L. Bair Cortez, 56, of Ellport, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at UPMC Mercy. Born in Ellwood City on July 15, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Howard C. and Dorothy Evans Bair, Sr. Dianne was a 1977 graduate of Riverside High School. She enjoyed riding her motorcycle and spending time with friends and family, but most of all, she loved spending time with her sons and grandson. Dianne is survived by her sons, Jeffrey A. Cortez of Ellwood City and Tyler R. Cortez of Ellport; a grandson, Sidney Michael Cortez; four sisters, Barbara Weingartner…

S. Bernice Houk, 100, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Ellwood City, passed peacefully into God’s hands on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 from Cherry’s Assisted Living Home in Tucson. She was born over a century ago in Jackson Center, Pa., on Oct. 11, 1915 to the late Clare S. and Mary Blanche Hillman Turner. Bernice had recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a large gathering of friends and relatives in Tucson. Bernice was a graduate of Farrell High School and later Westminster College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music. She also did graduate work at both the…

Betty M. D’Amico, 90, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 at Allegheny General Hospital. Born in Ellwood City on Oct. 18, 1925, Betty was the daughter of the late Nick and Frances Foderaro D’Amico. She retired from G.C. Murphy Co. in 1985 after 37 years of service as a bookkeeper and cashier. Betty was a member of Holy Redeemer Church. She always joined the Murphy Co. retirees for their monthly lunches. Betty was everyone’s favorite aunt. She enjoyed spending time with her family, always remembering birthdays and special occasions. Betty is survived by her sister, Ann…

Grace M. DeMark, 97, of Beaver St., Wampum passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 at Vibra Hospital of Mahoning Valley following a short illness. Born Sept. 7, 1918 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Theresa Aiello DeMark. Grace owned and operated Grace’s Beauty Shop in downtown New Castle for 45 years. She was a lifelong member of the former St. Monica Church in Wampum and a current member of Holy Redeemer. Grace graduated from Wampum High School and the New Castle Beauty Academy. She loved cooking, reading and cross stitching. Her most precious time was…

Ray M. Keener, 68, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 at his residence. Ray was born on Jan. 7, 1947 in Pittsburgh to the late James and Lillian Pulaski Keener. Ray was an auto body technician, and had been the owner and operator of Keener’s Auto in Wurtemburg. He had previously worked at Pearsall’s Auto Village and also Timpano’s Dodge in Ellport. He is a former member of the Sons of Italy in Ellwood City and the Polish White Eagles in Chewton. Ray was a CB Radio Operator and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Ray is survived…

Joziah John “Jo-Jo” Christofferson, 4, of Ellport, passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, in the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Joziah was born on Dec. 30, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pa. He is the son of the late Scott M. Christofferson and Holly Mulhollen Gatto-Christofferson of Ellport. Jo-Jo enjoyed camping, being in the outdoors, music, watching Barnie and the Wiggles and most of all being around people. Joziah is survived by his mother, Holly; his siblings, Carly, Kayla, Melissa, Eryn, Rachael, Cella, Xena, Audrey, Tigist, Ro, Sean, Davidson, Tyler, Keshawn, Sami, Zach, Paxton, Quinn, Austin, Hogan, Darion, Roni, Ashley, and Sayje; his…

Charlie Baird, 79, of North Sewickley Twp., Beaver Falls died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 at his residence. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. Born July 26, 1936 in North Sewickley Twp., he was the son of the late Thomas and Josephine Baird. He was married for 33 years to Shirley Baird as they were married Oct. 30, 1982. She survives. Charlie owned and operated his own trucking company for 35 years. He then drove for FBC Chemicals in Mars until his retirement in 1998. He was also a part owner of Eisenbrown, Baird International Harvester Dealer. He was a…