Obituaries

Shirley V. Harper, 76, formerly of Denny Schill Manor, Ellwood City passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 at Heritage Valley – Beaver Hospital following an illness. Born Nov. 19, 1939 in New Brighton, she was the daughter of the late Lester Boyd and Isla Naomi Smurthwaite Cook. She was married to David D. Harper who passed away in 1991. Shirley was a homemaker and of the Methodist faith. Her most cherished time was spent with her children and grandchildren. Survivors include four daughters, Rebecca Murray of Ellwood City, Gail Hackett of Florida, Susan (Robert) Musgrave of Biglerville, Pa., Sandra Dee…

Alice L. Biego, 68, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 in her residence. Alice was born on Oct. 5, 1947 in Ellwood City to the late William J. and Ruth P. Baley Cole. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1965. Alice had worked at the Aetna Standard Engineering Co. as a secretary, Wolverine Plastics as a machine operator, and presently with the Ellwood City Area Historical Society. She enjoyed collecting historical memorabilia. She is survived by her son William Biego of Ellwood City, her brother, Loren (Donna) Cole of Perry…

Mary Frances Conti, 86, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015 in her residence surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on Dec. 13, 1929 in New Brighton to the late Leonard G. and Mildred A. Reynolds Babcock, Sr. Mary is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ellwood City. She had worked at the Ellwood City Glass Plant, Christy’s Grocery Store, and later at Value King grocery store which was located on Wampum Ave. in the deli department and as a checkout clerk. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother….

Deborah E. Gillespie, 63, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015 in the Butler VNA. Deborah was born on March 22, 1952 in Ellwood City to the late Charles and Betty Senior Kriedisch. She is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1971. She enjoyed doing embroidery and reading. She is survived by her husband, Craig E. Gillespie whom she married on Aug. 19, 1979, her three sons, Jared, Troy and Darrin Gillespie all of Florida, her three sisters, Barbara Fink of Monaca, Sharon Brytczuk, and Cheryl Ansbach of South Carolina, her mother-in-law, Anita Gillespie of…

Dana Kaye Banko, 67, of Franklin Twp. passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015 in her home. Dana was born on Feb. 18, 1948 in Ellwood City to the late Paul “Bus” and Kathleen Allen McKinney. She is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1966, and the Holy Redeemer Parish. Dana had worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill for 16 years, and later at the Eat-N-Park restaurant in Cranberry Twp. as a server for 25 years. Dana lived for her children and husband, and adored all activities with them. She…

John R. Toth, 83, of Ellport passed away on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015 in the Ellwood City Hospital Emergency Room as the result of an automobile accident. Toth was born on April 20, 1932 in Ellwood City to the late John and Helen Remack Toth. John served with the U.S. Navy from April 21, 1950 until his discharge on Feb. 16, 1954 with the rank of Seaman First Class. He had served on the USS Soley, USS Putnam and the USS Loeser during the Korean War Era. He had then worked at the J&L steel mill in Aliquippa for over…

John A. Pistachio, 74, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 in his residence. Pistachio was born on Jan. 14, 1941 in Ellwood City to the late Samuel R. and Lucy K. (Greco) Pistachio, Sr. He had attended Lincoln High School, and served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 22, 1958 until his discharge on Jan. 12, 1962 as a aviation machinist mate. While growing up, John worked at his families service station and junkyard. Following his service with the Navy he worked at Tita Brothers, and then with the Babcock and Wilcox Steel Mill for 26…

Jane M. Hamilton Jackson, 93, of North Sewickley, formerly of New Galilee and Beaver Falls, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Dec. 17, 2015, in Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver, surrounded by her family. She was born to the late Floyd S. and Mary E. McCaughtry Hamilton on Jan. 30, 1922, in Chippewa Township. She graduated from Darlington High School in 1939 and attended The Missionary Training Institute, Nyack, N.Y., graduating in 1948. She went on to earn a B. Elem. Ed. from Geneva College in 1952, followed by a M. Ed. From Westminster College in 1967. She…

Emilio “Emil” Carosi, 87, formerly of Ellwood City passed away peacefully in his home in Melbourne, Fla. on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 surrounded by his family, and became reunited with his loving wife Lucy in the Kingdom of Heaven. Carosi was born on May 29, 1928 in Pittsburgh to the late Umberto and Josephine Maggi Carosi, Sr. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1947. Emil served with the U.S. Navy from May 8, 1946 until his discharge on March 10, 1948 with the rank of Seaman First Class. Following his service with the Navy, Emil…