Obituaries

Larry D. Gaiser, 74, of Ellport passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Cambridge Falls following a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Born November 3, 1948 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John and Johanna Crowe Gaiser. He married Jill Young Gaiser on September 21, 1968 in the Calvin Presbyterian Church, where they are both members. Larry had graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966 along with his wife Jill. He joined the Army Reserves in 1967. Larry started washing cars at McElwain’s when he was in high school, advanced to a mechanic, and ultimately held the…

Benjamin M. Swesey, 39, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following a motor vehicle accident. Ben was born in Brighton Township on April 1st, 1984. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 2002. Following high school, Ben enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on December 14th, 2002 and served until his honorable discharge on December 29th, 2008 with the rank of Private First Class. He then enlisted with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he served until his discharge on August 16th, 2018. Over…

Joshua P. Lease, 36, of Wampum passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a short illness. Born May 3, 1987 in Beaver, PA, he was the son of the late Jeffrey P. Lease and Patsy McKinney Stoops of Wampum. Josh had graduated from New Castle School of Trades and worked as an HVAC Technician for Maier’s in Rochester. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and pets. In addition to his mother, Patsy; survivors include his fiancée, Desiree McQuiston of Wampum; daughter, Louise K. Lease at home; step-son, Kaden McQuiston of Fombell; mother-in-law, Darlene…

John D. Bender, 83, of East Palestine, OH peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, September 17, 2023, following a brief illness. John was born in Ellwood City, PA on August 17, 1940, to the late John and Eleanor Bender. Following his graduation from Lincoln High School in 1958, John served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Tilden in New York, as a Nike missile tracking operator from 1958 to 1961. Subsequently, he embarked on a career as a crane operator, dedicating 26 years of his life to the B&W Steel Mill and spent another 13 years at Koppel…

Patricia Ann (Price Wolosyn) Tollari, 49, was welcomed into the arms of her loved ones in Heaven last night after passing away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Allegheny Health Network in Wexford. Patty fought bravely against cancer for nearly a decade. She leaves behind her husband of 22 years, Anthony Tollari Jr., parents Edward & Cledith Price (all of Ellwood City), father-and mother-in-law Jim (Cassy) Tollari (Clintonville, PA); sons Brady Price (Courtney Lucy), Jordan Wolosyn (Katie), and Anthony Tollari III and daughter Shelly Marie Price & her fiancé John Rader, all of Ellwood City. Also surviving are her…

Kenneth “Ken” K. Dockter, 69, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, September 15th, 2023 at his residence. Ken was born in Rochester, Pa to the late Paul and Jacqulyn (Kramer) Dockter, Sr. on October 16th, 1953. He had attended Riverside High School. For many years Ken worked for Morabito Contracting, and later for Titan, Versitech, and Bee Mac Trucking. He enjoyed putting model kits together and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Martha (Venditti) Dockter, daughter Kimberly Dockter of Ellwood City, sisters Ruthann George of Aliquippa, Paula (Robert) Turyan…

Robert “Bob” I. Minteer, 96, of New Castle passed away, at his home surrounded by his family, on Thursday, September 14, 2023. He was the son of the late Frank A. and Ida Mae (Bleakney) Minteer and he was born September 1, 1927,in Rose Point He is survived by his daughter; Linda Guidish and her husband Kenneth of Rose Point, Donald Minteer and his wife Judie of New Castle, Judy Brenner and her husband Bruce of New Castle, Susan Zikeli and her husband Randy of New Castle, his grandchildren; Joel Guidish and his wife Tabitha, Chelsea Guidish, Lindsay Rader and…

Sheryl A. Deemer, 76, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully and into the arms of her loving Savior, Jesus Christ. She was the Daughter of the late Bert, Sr. and Boneta (Goff) Milnes and was born October 22, 1946 in Beaver Falls. She is survived by her husband of 56 years and the love of her life; Gary Deemer, her daughters; Traci Chewning of Ellwood City, Lynda Deemer of West Pittsburg, Brenda Deemer of Ellwood City; her two granddaughters; Rebecca Ahmad and her husband Shahin of Ellwood City, Miranda Chewning of Ellwood City, and one sister-in-law; Mary Ann Milnes of…

Richard Michael Cini, 88, of Monroeville and formerly Wampum, died on September 12, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. The deceased was born on November 1, 1934, in Chewton to Stella Sobczak Cini and Joseph Cini. During the depression, Richard and his brother were raised by his single mother with help from her siblings. Richard graduated from Wampum High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years, graduating Signal School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, and then serving in the reserves. His military records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)…

Mrs. Charlotte A. Ottobre, 91, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 at her residence. Charlotte was the daughter of Richard Santilli and Marie (Mike) Cavalier born on October 5th, 1931 in Ellwood City. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1949 and is a member of Diviner Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Charlotte had worked at Airway Luggage in West Pittsburgh then for the Ellwood City Candy Company for 47 years. She enjoyed going to Challenges, bingo, crocheting, traveling, casinos, sunbathing, and doing yard work. She is survived by her daughter and…