Obituaries

Mrs. Shirley M. Smith, 96, of Shenango Township passed away on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 at her residence. Mrs. Smith was born in Wayne Township on April 15th, 1928 to the late Ralph E. and Edith P. (Moore) McMunn. A homemaker, she enjoyed playing cards and games, bowling, needlework, working on puzzles and camping, and most of all spending time with family and friends. She was an active member of the Corner Stone Community Church in New Castle, and belonged to a camping club and a travel club. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law; Judie and Don Minteer…

Mrs. Shirley Jean (King) Larry, 89, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 at her residence. Shirley was born on December 31st, 1935 to Richard and Frances (Holler) King in New Galilee (Wampum, PA). Some of her favorite activities were painting and crafting, which she enjoyed with her dear friend Betty Phillippi. She also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her family. Shirley enjoyed her flower gardens, listening to Tom Jones, and reading James Patterson novels. She is survived by her children: Sharon McCullough, Toni (Dan) Lutz, Sam (Renee) Larry, Jeffrey (Janice) Larry, and Jeffrey McCullough….

Jessie Virginia Berkebile, 82, of Koppel passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. Born September 28, 1942 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret McCloskey Swogger. She was married to Robert Russell Berkebile when he passed away on January 17, 2023. Jessie graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1960. After graduation she enlisted in the United States Air Force where she worked in the Medical Career Field until her discharge in 1966 after six years of honorable service. She returned…

Robert J. O’Brien, 93, of Ellwood City passed away March 19, 2025 at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. Born May 16, 1931 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late George O’Brien and Grace (Stiefel) O’Brien. He was married to Jane Karen (Merritt) O’Brien until her death on February 1,1973. Bob was a graduate of Lincoln High School. He worked as paper boy for the Ledger for several years. He was a veteran, serving four years in the Navy, May of 1951 through April 1955. He worked briefly at Ellwood City Forge and then attended Kentucky Christian College…

Janice Lee Boone, 79, of Ellwood City died peacefully in Palmetto, FL on Friday, March 14, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Edward K. and Ida Mae (Reese) Boone and was born July 11, 1945, in Ellwood City. She is survived by her brother; Thomas Boone and his wife Susan of Palmetto, FL, her nieces; Kylie Boone Freed and her husband Dan of Elwood City, Rhiannon Boone of Shenango Twp, Marissa Boone of Ocala, Fla, her cousins; Sarah Kruger and her husband Zach, Andrew Calve, Carli Gilchrist and her husband Tanner, and Samantha Young. She was a 1963…

Mr. S. Dale Benedum, 69, of  Zelienople passed away on Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at UPMC Passavant-McCandless Hospital in McCandless Township. Dale was born on July 22nd, 1955 in Ellwood City. He was the son of the late Glenn and Marium (Floss) Benedum. He had graduated from Riverside High School and later from the University of Pittsburgh earning a Doctorate Degree in Business. Dale was affiliated with the Ellwood City Children’s Center and Rochester Alloy. He also is a member of Divine Grace Parish. Dale enjoyed motorcycles in his younger days, and presently going to car shows and was an…

Mrs. Irmtraud “Judy” Reidy, 86, of New Brighton passed away on Sunday, March 16th, 2025 at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden. Mrs. Reidy was born in Weisbaden, Germany on May 12th, 1938 to the late Elizabeth Teutsch. She had graduated from high school in Germany and later from Nursing School as a Registered Nurse. She had worked at the New Brighton Hospital and at various other hospitals while she was living in Virginia. Judy loved everything about Christmas, ceramics, and watching detective shows. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Susanna and Donald DiFrischia of Scott Township…

Ella Mae Forbush, 101, formerly of New Castle PA, went to be with her Lord on Friday morning, March 14, 2025, after a brief illness. She was born in Shenango township near Duck Run, Castlewood, PA, on October 6, 1923, to the late Harry Edward Ort and Lyda Pearl Ewing Ort. Ella Mae graduated from Shenango High School in 1941. She married Chauncey J Forbush on February 18, 1944. Before her marriage, Ella Mae worked in the office of the former National Tube Company Ellwood Works. In 1950 she became one of the founders and the co-owner of Forbush Frozen…

Mr. Robert E. Neal, 68, of Wayne Township, passed away on Friday, March 14th, 2025 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Robert was born on November 9th, 1956 in Bellvue to Robert Anderson and Jacqueline (McConnell) Neal. He attended Freedom High School and worked for Armstrong World Industries in Beaver Falls as a Fork Truck Operator. An outdoorsman, Robert liked to hunt and fish, but most of all, it was time with his grandchildren that he really cherished. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his loving daughter, Caitlin (Colton) Gardner, grandchildren, Madeline, Parker and Nova Gardner, life-long friend,…