Obituaries

Mary M. DeBlaso, 90 of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in her residence with her loving family at her bedside. Mary was born on Dec. 5, 1925 in Ellwood City to the late Salvadore and Sarah Casusa LaPenta I. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1943. Mary worked for many years at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill as a seamstress. She is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish and the Christian Mothers of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Mary also belonged to the Corona D’Italia Lodge #807, the Golden Agers, and…

Jerome “Jerry” A. Ambrose, 83, of Paden Road, North Beaver Twp. passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Jameson Memorial Hospital. Born Nov. 14, 1932 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he was the son of the late Henry R. and Beatrice Elizabeth Carkhuff Ambrose. He was married for 63 years to Delores “Dolly” McConnell Ambrose as they were married December 5, 1952. She survives. Jerome retired from Wampum Hardware. He was a member and former Trustee at the Moravia Presbyterian Church. Jerome was an avid hunter and fisherman. His most cherished time was spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. In addition…

Ann L. Hackett, 93, formerly of Wampum passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at Rhodes Estates in New Castle following an extended illness. Born March 13, 1923 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Ethel Binger Ferrucci. She was married for 50 years to James W. Hackett Sr. who passed away May 19, 1996. Ann was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish. She was a sports enthusiast, especially enjoyed following Notre Dame. Survivors include two sons, James W. (Joyce) Hackett Jr. and Randy (Stacie) Hackett, and two grandchildren, James M. Hackett and Taylor J . Hackett,…

Warren Austin Michaels, 91, of Marion Township, Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, March 27, 2016 in Golden Hill Nursing Home in New Castle following a brief illness. He was born in Ellwood City on July 6, 1924 to the late Lewis Michaels and the late Cora Miller Michaels. He graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He married his wife of over 65 years, Veda Mae Snyder Michaels, on Dec. 8, 1950, who survives. Warren worked as a saw operator and machinist at the Ellwood City…

Amelia “Amy” Oravitz, 61, of Schill Manor in Ellwood City, formerly of Monaca, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 3:25 p.m. in UPMC Mercy Hospital. Born in Ellwood City on Sept. 7, 1954, Amy was the daughter of the late Nick and Janice Barber Butchelle. Amy was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish and former member of St. John the Baptist Church in Monaca. A 1972 graduate of Lincoln High School, Amy enjoyed playing bingo but mostly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Amy is survived by three children, Jeff and Jamie Oravitz of Pittsburgh, Michelle and Steve Zeppelin…

Pauline Palatka, 89, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in the Ellwood City Hospital. Pauline was born on Sept. 15, 1926 in Ellwood City to the late Josef and Susanna Fletcher Savu. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1944. For several years, Pauline worked as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company in Ellwood City. She later worked at Edelman’s Shoe Store, and then at Palatka Fine Shoes. She is also a member of the Bell Memorial Church, and enjoyed going to Challenges. She is survived her son, Steven C….

Robert R. McGrady, 80, of North Sewickley Twp., passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016 in his home surrounded by his family. Robert was born on March 28, 1935 in Columbia, S.C. to the late Matthew M. McGrady and Leila Belle Coulter McGrady. Bob earned his GED in 1968 from Riverside High School and attended the Community College of Beaver County. He retired after 30 years service from Babcock and Wilcox in Koppel where he worked as a certified roll turner, crane operator, head timekeeper and bar mill recorder. Bob was also a professional painter at E.I. DuPont in Camden,…

Chauncey Jack Forbush, 93, of Shenango Township, went to be with the Lord on Palm Sunday morning, March 20, 2016 following a brief illness. He was born on Clover Avenue in Ellwood City on Sept. 30, 1922 to the late Arthur Norman Forbush and the late Mary C. Sowers Forbush.  Chauncey graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1941 and married his wife of 72 years, Ella Mae Ort Forbush, on Feb. 18, 1944, who survives.  He worked for the former National Tube Company Ellwood Works both before and after serving in the U.S. Army in WWII.  In…

Rev. Howard O. Parker, Jr., 76, of Patricia Drive, Ellwood City, passed away in his residence on Monday, March 14, 2016. Born in New York City on Feb. 16, 1940, Howard was the son of the late Howard and Violet Parker, Sr. He married the former Patricia Erbeck on June 20, 1965. Howard graduated from Bloomfield College and the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He was ordained a Presbyterian Minister by the Monmouth Presbytery in 1967. Howard served at churches in New Jersey and Massachusetts before retiring from Knox Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City in 2002. Howard is survived by his…

John L. Perno, 67, of West Pittsburgh passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in the Butler Memorial Hospital. John was born on Oct. 19, 1948 in Ellwood City to the late John J. and Antionette Melozzi Perno. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1966. John enlisted with the U.S. Army on February 20, 1968 and served with the Company A 14th Battalion until his discharge on Feb. 19, 1970 with the rank of sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam…