Obituaries

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Betty Lee MacDonald, 92

An Ellwood City native, Betty Lee MacDonald, 92, of Zanesville, Ohio, died Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Genesis Hospice Morrison House. She was born August 10, 1932, to the late Norman Harold and Nellie L. (Newton) Boots. She married Gene L. MacDonald on July 14, 1951. They were married 65 years until his death in 2017. Betty and Gene moved to Zanesville in 1966. She first worked as a teacher’s aide, then moved onto her career in Real Estate. She excelled at knowing the town and was a great resource for all things Zanesville. She also gave 50 years of…


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Mary Jean Schlemmer, 95

Mary Jean Schlemmer, 95, of Zelienople, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, while under the care of Passavant Retirement Community. Born September 6, 1929, in Harmony, she was the daughter of the late William Stanley and Mary Ann Buehler Wilson. Mary Jean was heavily involved in her community. She was formerly a faithful member of Bell Memorial Methodist Church in Ellwood City. Mary Jean was a member of several organizations, including the Ellwood City Hospital Auxiliary. She was a certified lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and a professional volunteer for the Beaver-Castle Girl Scouts Council, where…


Barbara Hempstead Rauch, 82

Barbara Hempstead Rauch, 82, of Zelienople and formerly Fulton NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at NewHaven Court of the Passavant Community in Zelienople. She was the daughter of the late Harold and Marie (Spagnola) Hempstead and was born December 20, 1942 Barbara is survived by her sons; Brian Curran and his wife Susan of Columbia, SC, Matthew Curran and his wife Deborah of Cranberry Twp, her grandchildren; Bryson Curran and his fiancé Kate of Jacksonville, AL, Kristen Curran of Cranberry Twp, Sara Grace Owen and her husband Franklyn of Columbia, SC, Kevin Curran and his wife…


Eileen F. Bamford, 94

Eileen F. Bamford, 94, of Zelienople (formerly of Ellwood City and Oklahoma) passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community in Zelienople, surrounded by her family. Born December 10, 1930, in Aliquippa, Eileen married the late Robert “Jim” Bamford Jr in January of 1953. Eileen worked as an RN and also served as the Lincoln High School Nurse for many years. She was Presbyterian by faith. She enjoyed golfing with her family and friends, was an avid and skilled quilter and seamstress, and liked to read. Most of all Eileen cherished moments spent with her…


Clyde M. “Red” Bartley, 98

Clyde “Red” M. Bartley, 98, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Northview Estates in Ellwood City. He was the son of the late Eugene and Mable (Kile) Bartley and was born April 29, 1927, in Harmony Junction, PA Clyde is survived by his son; Brad Bartley and his wife Sandy of Monaca, his grandchildren; Aaron Bartley of Monaca and his partner Will Wood, Jessica Bartley-Voytko and her husband Benjamin of McCandless Twp, two great-granddaughters; Madison Lee Miller of Dover, OH, and Evie Lee Voytko McCandless Twp. Red attended Zelienople High School School. He enlisted in…


Francis L. Winters, Jr., 77

Mr. Francis L. Winters, Jr., 77, of Franklin Township passed away on Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Mr. Winters was born on April 30th, 1948 in Ellwood City to the late Francis L. and Betty Winters, Sr.. Francis had graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1966. He had worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill in Beaver Falls and later as an over the road truck driver. He is survived by his wife Stella (Nye) Winters whom he married on February 18th, 2017, and his brothers, Timothy (Patty) Winters and John…


John O. Goebel Sr., 84

John O. Goebel Sr. 84, of Wampum passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Quality Life Services in New Castle following a lengthy illness. Born February 17, 1941, in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Gustive and Mabelle Lechner Goebel. He was married to Frances J. “Frannie” Mohr Goebel for 62 years. She passed away on March 13, 2023. John graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960 and then worked as a crane operator at B&W in Koppel until his retirement. He was a member of the Chewton Christian Church. John enjoyed living and working on his…


Shirley “Jean” Hogue, 88

Shirley “Jean” Hogue, 88, of Lynnwood Drive, Fombell passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at Quality Life Services following a brief illness. Born June 21, 1937, in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Everitt and Mae Gross McCracken. She was married to Ellis R. Hogue. They shared 51 years of marriage until his passing on September 27, 2009. Jean was a dedicated member of the Calvin Presbyterian Church, where she worked as a custodian along with her husband Ellis, and also a member of the Eastern Star #212 where she held multiple offices. Throughout her life, she…


Arthur R. “Butch” Newton, 80

Arthur R. “Butch” Newton, 80, of New Beaver Boro passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday July 1, 2025, at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehab. Born December 6, 1944, in New Brighton, he was the son of the late Wilbur Russell “Jim” and Mary Nulph Newton. He was married to Betty Jean Funkhouser Newton for 44 years until she passed away on May 21, 2011. Butch worked as a millwright at B&W in Beaver Falls and later at Koppel until his retirement. Following his retirement, he founded Newton’s Guns, which he operated for 20 years. He was affiliated with the Wampum Presbyterian Church…


Rosetta A. (West) Herbert-Colao, 88

Rosetta A. (West) Herbert-Colao, born in Crider’s Corners (Cranberry Township, PA) on her family’s farm on February 3, 1937, died, Saturday, June 28, 2025, after a lengthy illness. She was born to the late Abraham and Dorothy West. Mrs. Herbert-Colao was married to Nicholas V. Colao of Ellwood City, PA who survives on September 3, 2016. She was married to the late Robert W. Herbert of Ellwood City, PA for 42 years. Rosetta was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellwood City, PA. She was a long-serving member of the church choir, a Sunday School teacher, church council, Women’s…