Obituaries

Thomas Maxwell, 68, of Ellwood City, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at his residence. Born Jan. 1, 1947, in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late James A. and Elizabeth Jean McMurdo Maxwell. He was married to Joyce McDevitt Maxwell, who passed away in 2005. Tom retired in 2008 after 40 years of service as an accountant for the Heritage Valley Health System. Tom was a poster child for polio when he was eight years old. Despite his handicaps, he saved the neighbor boy from drowning in his youth. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman,…

Joseph J. Caravella Sr., 90, of West Pittsburg passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his family following a one year illness. Born Aug. 5, 1925 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Joseph L. and Edna Jacobs Caravella. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Clara Fosnaught Caravella as they were married Feb. 14, 1947. Joe graduated from Mount Jackson High School. He retired from Sharon Steel following 39 years as the Assistant Superintendent in the Masonry Department. He also owned and operated Caravella Produce Farm for many years. Joe…

Scott M. Christofferson, 54, of Ellport, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at his residence. Scott was born on Feb. 27, 1961, in Geveva, N.Y., to the late James and Jean M. Jones Christofferson. He graduated from Staples High School in Westport, Conn. with the class of 1978. Scott then served with the U.S. Air Force for three years with the rank of E-3. Following his service with the Air Force, Scott graduated from Westminster College with a degree of Master of Education. He had worked as a Behavioral Specialist in Lawrence and Beaver County for various agencies….

George O. Sewall, Jr., 91, of Pittsburgh Circle, Ellwood City,Pa., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at the Jameson Care Center following a brief illness. Born July 13, 1924, in Rochester, Pa., he was the son of the late George O. and Elmira Fleming Sewall, Sr. of Newton Falls, Oh. He was formerly married to Mary Louise Gillespie Sewall who passed away March 26, 2011. George was a graduate of Kent University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He practiced law for over 60 years in Ellwood City and was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and…

Dale R. Newell, 55, of Franklin Twp., Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at his residence following a three year illness. Born June 26, 1960 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Harry and Ruth Clayton Newell. Dale had formerly worked at Romar Textiles and Cardello Electric. He graduated from Riverside High School in 1977. His greatest joy was his 1969 Chevy Pickup Truck. Survivors include sister, Linda Biddle of Ellwood City; brother, Chris (Brenda) Newell of Ellwood City; two nephews, David and Jason Biddle, nieces. Crystal (Doug) Fallecker, Jennifer (Roger) Brenneman; and great nieces,…

Shawnaann Renee Kaufman, 32, of Ellwood City passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 in the Ellwood City Hospital Emergency Room. Shawnaann was born on June 22, 1983 in Ellwood City to DeAnn Kaufman Reese. She had attended both Lincoln and Riverside High School. A home maker, she enjoyed cooking and the outdoors. She is survived by her mother and step-father DeAnn and Donald Reese of Jacksonville, Fla., her two daughters, Hazen and Harlee Anderson of Beaver Falls, her son, Kamoren Kaufman of Jacksonville, Fla., her sister, Dezra Kaufman of Ellwood City, her brother, Brent Hill of Ellwood City,…

Ruth I. Steckman, 96, formerly of Brighton Road, Ellwood City passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 surrounded by her loving family following a short illness. Born March 11, 1919 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Richard T. and Edna Sloan Stratton. She was married for 39 years to John C. “Jack” Steckman who passed away in 1975. Ruth and Jack owned and operated Steckman’s Memorial Studio in Ellwood City for many years. She was an avid and accomplished bowler having been inducted in the Ellwood City and the Lawrence…