Obituaries

Our dear Verna Lee Cortes, 85 of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, May 25th, 2023 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township. Verna Lee was born on January 13th, 1938 in Ellwood City to the late Violet M. (Matheny) Chapman. She was a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, where she was a Christian Mother and Bazaar Volunteer for many years. Verna Lee worked in sales at Airway Industries and then as a beauty consultant for Elizabeth Arden at Kaufmann’s and Lancome at Horne’s. She will be always loved, never forgotten, and forever missed. She…

Joseph Ralph Young Sr., 88, of New Galilee passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at his residence after an extended illness. Born November 29, 1934 in Darlington Township, he was the son of the late Arthur and Margaret Louise McCoy Young. He was married to June Wharry Young. Joseph had graduated from Darlington High School. Following graduation, he worked at the B&W until his retirement. He was a member of the Enon Presbyterian Church and former Board Member of the White Church Cemetery. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed feeding the neighborhood. Survivors include his wife of 64 years…

Susan Jane Swanik, (Sue), passed away unexpectedly on May 24, 2023, at the age of 82, in New Castle, PA, Lawrence County. She was born on August 12, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Marion Stillwell and James Mullan. Sue was a loving wife, mother, aunt, and doting grandmother. She is survived by her husband Mike, children Jim and Buz, and grandchildren Brenden, Alex, Gabby, Matthew, and Maria. Sue was preceded in death by her parents. Prom Queen at her high school in Newark, NJ, she later attended Westminster College for higher education, establishing and cherishing life-long friendships along the way….

Charles E. “Chuck” Gwin, 96, of North Beaver Township passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at his residence. Born December 19, 1926 in North Beaver Township, he was the son of the late Edwin Lee and Matilda Hopper Gwin. He was married to Betty J. Beatrice for 42 years when she passed on March 30, 1987. He was married to Shirley Kelly when she passed on April 14, 2018. Chuck was a Veteran of the Army serving during WWII. Chuck was retired from Essroc (Bessemer Cement) where he worked as an electrician. He was the oldest member and past commander…

Shane Craft Sr., 35, of Enon Valley passed away on Saturday, May 20th, 2023. Born in Beaver, PA on December 29th, 1987 Shane is the son of the late Fred Cook and Jodi Craft of New Brighton. He had attended Mohawk High School and graduated from Lawrence County Vo-Tech where he studied auto body repair. Recently he had worked for NVR Building Products in Darlington. Shane enjoyed the outdoors especially camping, building cabins, and dirt bike riding. He is survived by his mother Jodi, wife Teralynn (Yuricha) Craft whom he married on August 18th, 2018, daughters Katherine Shutack and Mary…

Kathy Watterson Sapp, 68, of Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023 following a courageous battle with cancer. Born July 8, 1954 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Audrey Glitch Watterson. She was married to Jack Sapp on October 24, 1986. Kathy had graduated from Lincoln High School. Following high school, she worked at Romar Textile and the Ellwood Knitting Mill. She was a current member of the Lighthouse Assembly of God in Ellwood City. Kathy was a Steelers fan, enjoyed painting, and going camping. Survivors include her husband Jack; son, Roy Joseph…

Michael G. Halikos, 57, of Industry passed away Friday, May 19, 2023 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. Born November 12, 1965 in Poland, OH, he was the son of the late James Michael and Elizabeth Katherine Davis Halikos. He was married to Mary Ellen Halikos. Survivors include his loving wife Mary Ellen; daughter, Dina Ritchie (Kevin) Gasior; two sons, Ryan Ritchie and James Halikos; three grandchildren; Olivia, Aliana, and Cameron; sister, Vicky (Jeff) Dinard, and two half-sisters, Sherry Hudson and Ruth Reid. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his half-brother Terry…

Antoinette M. Foreman, 90, of New Castle passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023, at her daughter’s home. She was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Florence (Crans) Rossi and was born March 28, 1933, in Ellwood City She is survived by her daughters; Lisa White and her husband Ronald of New Castle, Susan Morgenstern and her husband Paul of New Wilmington, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, her sister; Joyce Hart of Fombell, and sister-in-law; Erma Rossi of Tionesta and a many nieces, nephews and friends. She attended Lincoln High School. She met and married the love of her life, Russell…