Obituaries

James Foster, 60, of Ellwood City passed away on June 24, 2026, at UPCM Jameson. In New Castle. He was born August 29, 1965, in Waynesburg, Ohio. Hi survived by his former wife; Ashley Foster, their children; James, Elijah and Natalie, His two sisters; Debbie Adkison and Marie Ledbetter. Jim enjoyed camping and fishing. He enjoyed collecting, just about anything. He also enjoyed the paranormal, including watching Ghost Adventures or just about anything related to the paranormal. Cremation Arrangements entrusted to the Turner-Hyde Funeral & Cremation Services located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City.

Charles “Charlie” Stuart Prestopine, 89, of Hackettstown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Morristown Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife, Phyllis, and devoted family and friends. Born in Flemington, N. J., a descendant of famed Cavalry General J. E. B. Stuart and raised in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Charlie was the son of the late Joseph and Marie Stuart Prestopine. He and his beloved wife, Phyllis, moved to Hackettstown from Teaneck, NJ, in 1969, establishing deep roots in the Hackettstown community they would call home for over five decades. A respected educator by profession, Charlie earned…

Mark A. Majors, 67, of Chewton passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 surrounded by his daughters. Born January 23, 1959 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Aubrey C. “Ted” and Madelyn F. Main Majors. He married Debbie J. Wimer Majors on May 16, 1981, and together they shared 44 years of marriage until her passing on February 5, 2026. Mark attended Lawrence County Vo-Tech and took great pride in his work as a machinist. He retired from Blair Strip Steel in New Castle after a long career. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, racing and…

Mr. Joseph “Joe” R. Raman, 87, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township. Mr. Raman was born in Ellwood City on April 5th, 1939 to the late William and Nad Lena (Regna) Raman Sr.. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1957. Over the years Joe worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill, Koppel Steel, and Halstead Industries. He is a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, and an active member of Camp Lease Associates out of Grand Valley, PA. An outdoorsman,…

Mrs. Connie Kreshon, 85, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 at UPMC Passavant Hospital in Cranberry Township surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Kreshon was born in Ellwood City on January 17th, 1941 the daughter of the late John and Laura (D’Angelo) DiBuono. She had graduated from Mount Gallitzin High School in Baden with the class of 1958 and later from Duquesne University where she earned a degree in education. Over the years she worked at Highland School later known as Blackhawk School District, Ellwood City Area School District, and Riverside School District having taught World…

Laura Gravatt, a long-time resident of Franklin Park, passed away following a well-fought battle against illness on June 14, 2026, at UPMC McGee Hospital in Pittsburgh. She is predeceased by her father Harry M, mother Mona L, brother Harry, and two aunts. She is survived by her life partner of 33 years Rick Steranko, and her many cherished horses, Mastiffs, and Parson Russell Terriers. Laura worked 43 years as an engineering assistant, first with Westinghouse and later Emerson.Twice educated, first in retail management and later in computer programming at Allegheny Community College, just shy of a four-year degree. Laura worked…

Mary Jo Vesco, 85, of Johns Lane, Wayne Twp. passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Born September 12, 1940 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Anna Johns Babcock. She was married to Robert E. Vesco for 56 years when he passed away on December 22, 2013. Mary Jo attended Lincoln High School and earned her GED in 1968 from Riverside. A caring and compassionate person, she dedicated many years to home health care. She also worked at the Ellwood City Knitting Mill and Airway. She was a current member of…

Troy A. Follett, 56, of Frisco passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at UPMC Hamot, in Erie. He is the son of Connie (Barton) Follett and the late Larry J. Follett and was born July 31, 1969, in Ellwood City. He is survived by his wife, of 15 years, and the love of his life, Kris Follett, one step-daughter; Ashley Bishop and her husband Ben of Tiffin, OH, two grandchildren; Bailey and Braxton Bishop, his siblings; Lori Ziegler and her husband Bill of Mercer, Jennifer Miloszewski and her husband Mike of Darlington, his sister-in-law; Cheryl Barnhart and her husband…

Michelle L. Farone, 51, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 at the UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. Michelle was born in New Castle on September 20th, 1974 to Rita (Siesing) Farone with whom she resided and the late George “Tippy” Farone Jr.. In 1992 she graduated from Lawrence County Vo-Tech where she studied health assistance and later from the New Castle Beauty Academy where she studied cosmetology. She had worked at Lori L’s and Famous Hair as a beautician. Michelle is a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. She is a die-hard Pittsburgh…

Steven “Steve” Bernard Vardzel, 57, of Portersville, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at AHN Allegheny General. He was born on July 25th,1968, in Pittsburgh, PA to Kathy Lynne (Wasko) Vardzel and the late Bernard Joseph Vardzel. Steve was a graduate of Slippery Rock High School and attended Butler Community College and IUP. He worked for various transportation companies in the western PA/eastern Ohio area. Steve was a member of the Ellwood-Parian Lodge No. 599 and New Castle Consistory. Steve Vardzel is survived by his wife Beth (Hogue) Vardzel, sons Elijah (Gabby) Vardzel, and Alexander Vardzel. Granddaughters…