Obituaries

Bernice Ruth Poholsky, 89, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, Jan. 11, 2016 at Family Hospice and Palliative Care Canterbury Campus in Pittsburgh. She was born in Ellwood City, on April 9, 1926 to the late John W. Duffy and the late Minnie Ladebu Duffy. Bernice graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1944. She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #212 in Ellwood City. Bernice worked in the industrial relations department at Aetna Standard Engineering until retiring in 1986. In…

Joseph G. Mesko, 66, of Franklin Twp. passed away on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 in Allegheny General Hospital. Joe was born on Dec. 3, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late Steve and Rose Irene Markus Mesko. He is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1967. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a helicopter mechanic. Joe then worked as a owner/operator Truck Driver for over forty years. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Joe is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Ryan) Dick of Parker, Pa, his son,…

Michael R. Reed, 54, of Blake Lane, Wampum (Taylor Twp.) passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 at the Jameson Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Born Aug. 20, 1961 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Raymond D. Reed Sr. and Annette Fandozzi Reed of Hubbard, Ohio. Michael enjoyed working on cars, hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his dogs. In addition to his mother, Annette, survivors include his former wife, Norma Kendall Reed; two sisters, Laura (John) DePolis of Corona, Calif., Cynthia (Dennis) Vestal of Hubbard; two brothers, Raymond D. (Susan) Reed of Mt. Jackson,…

Donna M. Ippolito, 65, of Ella St., Wampum passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic following an extended illness. Born Sept. 27, 1950 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Gene W. and Helen Irene Mecklem Roberts. She was married for 45 years to Kenneth F. Ippolito who survives. Donna graduated from Lincoln High School. She enjoyed gardening and making candy. In addition to her husband, Ken, survivors include two sons, Lucas and Thomas Ippolito, both of Wampum; sister, Jane (Dave) Badgett of Navarre, Fla.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by…

Lucy Rutter, 90, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 in the Northview Estates. Rutter was born on July 18, 1925 in Ellwood City to the late Alfredo and Mary Lordo Mazzant. Lucy is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1943. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing cards and most of all spending time with her family. Rutter is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Billy D. (Beverly)Rutter, Jr. of Ellport, and Howard L. (Lynn) Rutter of Rochester Twp., her five grandchildren, David (Jill) Rutter, Leann (Derrick) Lucarelli, Kristin (Keith) Jeffers, Kelly (Dennise) Rupp,…

Margaret “Peg” A. Malcolm, 82, of Fountain Avenue, Ellwood City, passed away in her residence on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Born in Chamberville, Pa., Peg was the daughter of the late Walter and Catherine Buggy Ednie. She married Russell B. Malcolm on May 5, 1952 and he preceded her in death on April 9, 1977. In her younger years, Peg worked at the Office on Aging in Indiana County and managed the Community Center there. She also worked as a day care aid. Later, Peg owned and operated Specialties Plus on the corner of Fifth Street and Beaver Avenue in…

Elizabeth A. “Beth” Boots, 56, of Stiefel Ave., Ellwood City (formerly of Tampa, FLorida) passed away unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at her residence. Born Sept. 9, 1959 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of David P. and Lois V. West Peeples of Fombell. She was married to Barry R. Boots for 38 years when he passed away April 7, 2014. Beth attended Riverside High School and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Jameson School of Nursing. She was currently employed as a Visiting Nurse for Vitas Hospice in Cranberry. She formerly worked at Heritage Valley – Beaver Hospital,…

Raymond M. Gibson, Sr., 85, of Fombell passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 in the Butler VNA Hospice House. Gibson was born on May 27, 1930 in Pittsburgh to the late Clyde B. and Margaret Tranter Gibson. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on Sept. 11, 1948 and served with the Company D 10th Engineering Corp until his discharge on Dec. 23, 1949 with the rank of Private First Class. Ray worked as a First Class Millwright for Johns Manville Co. in Zelienople for 30 years, and he retired in 1992. Ray is Protestant by faith, and enjoyed hunting,…

Darlene Donley, 58, of Harmony Fischer Ave., Ellwood City (Franklin Twp.) passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at her residence following a lengthy illness. Born Dec. 10, 1957 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Robert F. Donley and Hilda Egerer Donley of Harmony. Darlene worked as the Manager of Conley’s Best Western in Cranberry. She had also formerly worked at Airway Luggage in Ellwood City. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Darlene loved the ocean and vacationing in Puerto Rico. In addition to her mother, Hilda, survivors include two sisters, Kathleen…

June N. Goehring Gahagan, 96, formerly of Ellport passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at the Haven Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. Born April 24, 1919 in West Pittsburg, she was the daughter of the late Percy B. and Alice Fosnot Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harland “Fin” Goehring who died in 1973 and Harry L. Gahagan who died in 2008 and a brother, Donald Weaver. June was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church. She enjoyed going to flea markets. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Goehring of Ellwood City, Barry (Deborah) Goehring of…