Obituaries

Mr. James A. Alfera, 80, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Twp.. Mr. Alfera was born in Ellwood City on October 15th, 1942 to the late Joseph Samuel and Esther (Cirelli) Alfera. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1961, and is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. For over 30 years Jim worked at Calgon Corp. as a laboratory Technician and in quality control. Jim loved following the Pittsburgh Steelers and local sports teams along with trips to the casinos….

Gina Fotia Usner, 60, of Center Township passed away on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Gina was born in Ellwood City on February 26th, 1962 to Frank “Cheech” and Frances J. (Folino) Fotia. She was a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1980 and later a graduate of the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. For over the past 20 years she worked at Cracker Barrell restaurant in Zanesville, Ohio and most recently in Robinson Twp. as a waitress. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ. She is survived by her mother Frances Fotia…

Mr. Michelangelo “Mike” Nocera, 84, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Mike was born on December 14th, 1938 in New Castle to the late Antonio “Tony” and Margherita (Parente) Nocera. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1956. He enlisted with the United States Army on December 1st, 1961 and served until his discharge on December 2nd, 1963 with the rank of Sergeant. Throughout the years Mike worked at John’s Shoe Shine, Gus’s Shoe Shine, U.S. Steel Tube Mill, Aetna Standard Engineering Company in the…

Richard Claire “Dick” Main, 84, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully at AHN Wexford Hospital on February 9, 2023. He was the son of the late Claire and Pauline (Britton) Main and was born August 21, 1938, in Ellwood City. He is survived by his sons; Daniel Main, David Main and his wife Jackie (Clyde), grandchildren; Brandi Beachem and her husband Jim, Ethen Main and his wife Angela, Blake Main and; great-grandchildren; Mikayla and Jordyn Beachem, his longtime and devoted partner, of 33 years, Essie Stuart, step-children and step-grandchildren; Cindy, Gary, Ben Langer and their spouses, Bobbie Lyons and her children;…

Mrs. Colleen Agostinelli, 92, of Perry Township passed away on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at her residence with her loving family at her bedside. Mrs. Agostinelli was born in Ellwood City on July 26th,1930 to the late Karl and Grace (Irwin) Ketterer. She is a graduate of Lincoln High School with the class of 1948. Over the years Colleen worked at Bell Telephone, Riverside Pharmacy, Montgomery Ward, the Hallmark Store at Franklin Plaza, and Carleen’s Dress Shop. She along with her husband Carl also owned and rented many Ellwood City properties which became thriving businesses. She is a member of…

Mr. Louise R. “Tubby” Rozzi, Jr., 82, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully in the home he shared with his son on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. Tubby was born on July 2nd, 1940 to the late Louis R. and Francis (Mingione) Rozzi. He was a Lincoln High School 1958 graduate and then he served 2 years in the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge from military service he was employed for over 24 years at the former Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) steel mill in Koppel. He is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Tubby had coached…

Mrs. Eva Jane Cowan, 74, of Perry Township passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 following and extended illness. Jane was born on March 24th, 1948 in Ellwood City to the late Edward S. and Betty J. (Ryder) Locke. She was married to John R. “Jack” Cowan for 42 years until his passing on November 27th, 2008. She is survived by her two sons Robert and Ronald Cowan of Perry Twp., and her brother Timothy (Debby) Locke of Wayne Township. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, brothers James Edward, Robert Earl, Gary…

Robert W. “Rob” McCready, 69, of New Galilee passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 3, 2023 at his residence following an extended illness. Born September 23, 1953 in New Castle, he was the son of the late S. Wells and Sara Belle “Sally” Noggle McCready. He was married to Candy Johnson McCready. Rob had graduated from Mohawk in 1972. Working alongside his father and brother, he became the 5th generation owner and operator of the Indian Run Dairy Farm. He was a member of The Galilean Presbyterian Church where he served as a former deacon…

Krista D. Knechtel, 42, of Ellwood City passed away Monday, January 30, 2023. Born July 16, 1980 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of Deborah Kirkham Cottrell of Ellwood City and Gary Cottrell of Montana. Krista enjoyed painting and crafting. She loved the outdoors, especially spending time at Moraine, hiking at Buttermilk Falls, and spending time with her grandsons. In addition to her parents Deborah and Gary, survivors include two daughters, Cassidy Smith and Marilyn Knechtel both of Ellwood City; son, Elijah Knechtel of Ellwood City; three sisters, Jamie (Matt) Kelosky of Ellwood City, Halie Cottrell and Mellisse Garcia…