Obituaries

Wilda L. Summers, 84 of Ellwood City passed away peacefully at The Grove at Harmony on June 10, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Dorothy (Peterson) Currence and was born October 9, 1938, in Weston, WV. She is survived by her daughter; Debra Summers of Panorama, CA, one sister; Declie Holbert of Odessa, FL, her adopted daughter; Michelle Mikosz of Ellwood City, several nieces and nephews,her one cat, Katie, and many close friends. Wilda was born and raised in the Weston, WV area. She was a 1956 graduate of Lincoln High School, and she attended Estella…

Barbara Lou Webb-Michlich-Mathews, 86, of Ellwood City passed away on June 8, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver. She was the daughter of the late Mary Lucile Beaver Webb and Reverend Merritt Hugh Webb and was born on August 31, 1936 in Summit, N.J. She is survived by her sons; Brian Lee Michlich and his wife Sandra of Scotrun, PA, Blake William Michlich and his wife Sheree Hockenberry of Ellwood City, Grandchildren; Kimberly A. Miller and her husband Zackery, Maksim J Michlich, her great-grandchildren Abigail Miller and Larisa Michlich. Barbara was born in New Jersey and was a graduate…

Dora Bennett, 89, of Wayne Township passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Cranberry Place following a brief illness. Born August 20, 1933 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Cleo Miller Duff. Dora enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family. She enjoyed time spent outdoors in her garden and watching baseball, especially the Braves. Survivors include her loving husband John Bennett; three daughters, LuAnn (Rick) Lutz of Ellwood City, Debbie (Bob) Burry of New Castle, and Barb (Curt) Peffer of Fombell; son, John (Rhonda) Bennett of Beaver Falls; six grandchildren, Lisa (Greg) Barchetti,…

Charles (Chuck) Gregory Essey, 65, of New Galilee, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital. Born October 3, 1957 in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of the late Charles Essey and Betty (Campbell-Essey) Kennedy. Chuck was an avid outdoorsman who spent much of his time in nature. His favorite places included the McKenzie River and the Santiam River areas in Oregon. He loved fishing, camping, and target shooting with his various guns and rifles. He also loved animals, especially his dogs, Toby and Buddy. Chuck was a wonderful artist and he found joy in creating…

Esther M. DeCaro Phillips Carosi, 94, of Palm Bay, Fla., passed away June 3, 2023, in Florida. Born in Elwood City on Nov. 6, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Luigi and Ciara Bilott DeCaro. She was employed as a government administrative specialist. She was a member of Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Palm Bay, Fla., and All Saints Parish, Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler. She was also a member of the Sons of Italy, of Palm Bay, the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center, Senior Resource Association in Vero Beach, and the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association…

Ronald J. Geddes, 72, of Ellwood City passed away Sunday, June 4, 2023 at UPMC Mercy Hospital after a long hard battle. Born October 9, 1950 in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late William L. and Virginia Ann Allen Geddes. Ron and his family lived in Mannheim, Germany until 1960. He then lived in Florida where he graduated from T.R. Robinson High School in 1969. He studied at Butler County Community College and Penn State. Ron had retired from Lark Enterprises where he worked as a supervisor from 1984 until 1999. After retiring, he worked…

Linda Menold Bates, 83, of New Castle passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Quality Life Services. She was born January 28, 1940, to Howard and Louetta (Nicholson) Menold, in Ellwood City. She was survived by her husband of 13 years, Donald “Don”  Bates of New Castle. Linda grew up in Ewing Park and was a 1958  graduate of Lincoln High School.  She then went on to nursing school and became an Operating Room Technician. Her career started in Pittsburgh, where she had worked on one of the first Kidney Transplant teams in the US.  In 1965, Linda moved to…

Carolyn J. Keane, 81, of Ellwood City passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023 at The Grove At New Wilmington. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. Born April 5, 1942 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late William and Lavada (Welsh) Sobeski. She was married for 55 years to Thomas W. Keane Sr. as they were married August 12, 1967. Carolyn was a member of the Divine Grace Parish and their Christian Mothers Association. She also was a member of their Banner Group and enjoyed making pierogies for the annual St. Agatha Bazaar. Carolyn graduated from Lincoln…

David L. Michels Jr., 64 of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. David was born on September 17th, 1958 in New Castle to the late David L. and Norma (Shaffer) Michels Sr.. He attended Laurel High School and Vo-Tech of Lawrence County. He worked for Burrelli’s in New Castle, and then for McElwain Motors in Ellwood City as an auto mechanic. David most recently was the owner and operator of Dave Michels’ Garage where he did major and minor car repairs. He enjoyed motorcycles, especially Harley Davidsons. He is survived by his…