Obituaries

Donna J. Simmons, 67 of New Castle formally of Ellwood City passed away on May 13, 2023 after a brief illness. She was born on November 28, 1955 to the late Herman Simmons, Sr. and Lydia Simmons. She is preceded in death by her brother Herman Simmons, Jr, her sister Linda Prestia, and her grandparents Arlie and Marjorie Simmons, Josephine Davidson, and Charles Mathes. She is survived by her four children; Stevie (Staci) Simmons, Billy (Marie) Simmons, Christopher Simmons, Crystal (Robert) Federer, numerous grandchildren, her siblings; Elizabeth (Jay) Prestia, Charles Simmons, Elva (Tim) Klingensmith, Marjorie (Doug) Ehrenberg, and her companion…

Margaret M. “Maggie” Tritt, 72, of North Sewickley Township passed away on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. Maggie was born on March 4th, 1951 in Philadelphia to the late John and Helen (Wilkinson) McLaughlin. She graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1969 and also from Geneva College where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Science. She was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Maggie worked for Calgon from 1976 until 2000 as a quality assurance manager, at H.J. Heinz from 2002 until 2009 as a senior quality…

Ronald Arthur Hazen, 95, of Wayne Township passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at his residence. Born October 18, 1927 in Wayne Township, he was the son of the late Arthur Floyd and Elda L. Haine Hazen. He married the late Betty Jane Wehman Hazen in August 1948. They were married until she passed away on June 25, 2011. Ronald was a Veteran of the United States Army and served during WWII and Korea. For 40 years, Ron was the owner and operator of A.F. Hazen and Sons. He was a member of the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church and served…

Carol J. Franz “CJ”, 80, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023, at Northview Estates in Ellwood City. She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Victoria (Moskal) Biega and was born November 23, 1942. She is survived by her sons; James Franz and his wife Natasha of Ellwood City, Alan Franz and his wife Krista of New Castle, her grandchildren; Aaron Franz and his wife Chris of Ontario Canada, Rachel Thomas and her husband Wesley of Ellwood City, Kayla Weller and her husband Will, Rylee Franz, Maeson Cearfoss and her husband Robert, all of Ellwood…

Daniel Joseph Swartz, 54, of Butler, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital following a brief illness, with his family by his side. Born Feb. 5, 1969, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Daniel J. and Theresa M. Klir Swartz. He was employed as vice president of marketing at WesBanco Bank Inc., at the Ellwood City location. He was a member of the ABA (American Bankers Association). Dan was currently serving on the board of directors for the Butler County Chamber of Commerce. He served from 2007 to 2018. Within those years, he served six years…

James “Jimmy” F. Raybuck, 42, of Ellwood City, passed away on Monday, May 8th, 2023 at his residence. Jimmy was born on April 6th, 1981 in Beaver to David and Annie (Farrell) Raybuck Sr.. He graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 2000. Jimmy worked for U.S. Airways, Fed Ex, Holy Redeemer Parish as a maintenance man, and most recently in packaging at U.S. Liner in Harmony.  He was a member of Holy Redeemer Church. Jimmy will be remembered as a very kind person who enjoyed relaxing and the ocean. He was also very proud of his Irish…

George R. Stafford, 68, of Beaver Falls passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. He was the son of the late Herman and Pearl (Phillippi) Stafford and was born February 16, 1955 in Fombell. George is survived by his wife, of 35 years, Nancy (Atkinson) Stafford, his brothers; Robert Reisinger of Ellwood City, Charles Reisinger of California, Herman Stafford of Portersville, his sister; Minnie Lutz and her husband John of Fombell, uncles; Perry Phillippi of Ellwood City, Sam Phillippi of Fombell along with a host of nieces newphews, great-nieces and newphews and many friends….