Obituaries

Frank R. Lagana, 69, of Franklin Township, passed away on Sunday, December 8th, 2024 at Quality Life Services in New Castle. Frank was born on June 22nd, 1955 to the late Frank G. and Mary (Lasso) Lagana in Ellwood City. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1973 and is Catholic by faith. Frank had worked at Nalco for 33 years and was the co-owner and operator of the Keystone Bar for the past 25 years. He enjoyed watching football and baseball, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates, gardening, playing the harmonica and was an avid Allman Brothers…

Mrs. Betty L. Fury, 97, passed away December 8, 2024, in Butler, PA, at the Advanced Care Center where she was undergoing rehabilitation to regain walking skills. She was born September 8, 1927, to the late Raymond S. and Mary Agnes (Phelps) Wiltrout. Betty enjoyed baking and made many kinds of homemade bread, which was made from scratch. Her last batch of bread was baked for Thanksgiving in 2023. Betty also baked many wedding cakes throughout the years. Betty graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1945. She married Charles H. Fury July 7, 1947 and together they…

Andrew R. Valentino, 28, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at his residence. Andrew was born in Ellwood City on May 12th, 1996 to Andrew and Elaine (Hawke) Valentino of Ellport. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 2014 and later earned an Associates Degree in Para-Legal from the Bradford School in Pittsburgh. Since 2017 Andrew has worked as the manager at Habitual Glass in Ellwood City. In his younger years he enjoyed drag racing and is a member of both IHRA and NHRA. He is survived by his parents, his girlfriend…

Lynn M. Taylor, 59, of Ellwood City passed away on December 4, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of the late Clyde and Margaret (Weigand) Adams and was born November 11, 1965, in Pittsburgh. Lynn is survived by her boyfriend; Todd Belles of Ellwood City, her sons; Patrick McElravy and his wife Rebecca of Ellwood City, Ryan McElravy and his wife Niki of Zelienople, Dallas Taylor and his partner Hazen Anderson of Ellwood City, her grandchildren; Lorelai McElravy, Jaxon McElravy, Faith Taylor, D.J. Taylor, Fynn McElravy, and Rosemary McElravy, her brothers; Mark Adams of Fenelton…

Brian M. “Pooch” Berendt, 62, of Ellport passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 25, 1962 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late William M. and Elsie L. Paul Berendt. Pooch graduated from Lincoln High School in 1981. He retired as a truck driver and also worked with his brother at Berendt General Contracting. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Saxon Club in Ellwood City. A lifelong Rolling Stones fan, Pooch was a roadie for many local bands specializing as a sound…

Bernard R. “Bernie” Lutz, 72, of Portersville passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at his residence. Born March 22, 1952 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Norman L. and Margaret L. Coast Lutz. He was married to Patricia L. Lutz for 49 years when she passed away on March 30, 2021. Bernie graduated from Lincoln High School in 1971. He retired from Koppel Steel after 20 years of service as a caster operator. In his younger years he worked as a mechanic for McClymonds Trucking and at B&W. He was a lifelong member of the…

Daniel K. “Danny” Keenan, 71, of Monaca passed away on December 1, 2024, at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late Daniel and Anna Keenan and was born August 2, 1953, in Bethesda, MD. Danny is survived by his sisters; Sheila Keenan of Aiken, SC and Trisha Keenan-Wilkie and her husband Din of Rainier, WA. He was a 1971 graduate of Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD and he received his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Maryland. Danny was an Oldies DJ at radio stations in Bethany Beach, De and Venice, FL….

Darla J. Anderson, 76, formerly of Ellwood City, passed away on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 at her residence in New Castle. Darla was born in Ellwood City on July 14th, 1948 to the late Milton C. and Gertrude M. (Cragle) Anderson. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1966, Geneva College with a degree in elementary education, and from Duquesne University with a Master’s Degree in Education. Darla worked for Butler, East Liverpool, OH, and retired in McKeesport as a school teacher. She also became a beloved substitute teacher to all of her students. She is a…

Joseph P. Genova, 72, of Butler, PA, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. Joe was born on June 30, 1952, in Ellwood City, to the late Frank and Laura (Lagana) Genova. Joe graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970, where he met his soulmate, Karen Foley, of 56 years, and worked for P & LE Railroad. He then graduated from New Castle Beauty School. Joe owned and operated Genova Hair Salon in Zelienople, PA, for over 25 years and was a Farmers Insurance Agent for 10 years. Joe was known for…