Obituaries

Maryellen Evans Stalker, 51

Maryellen Evans-Stalker, 51, of Pittsburgh and formerly of Philadelphia passed away on December 16, 2024, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. She was the daughter of Bonnie (Beatty) Evans and the late Ronald Evans and was born May 29, 1973 She is survived by her children; Evan Stalker of Mount Pleasant, NJ, Erin Duffy of Chalfont, PA, and her brother; Mark Evans of Southampton, Pa. She was a graduate of Little Flower Catholic School in Philadelphia. She was a nurse’s aide and a home caregiver. She loved to color and she loved music, especially Justin Timberlake. Cremation Arrangements entrusted to the Turner-Hyde…


J. Eugene Montozzi, 97

J. Eugene Montozzi, 97, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Celebration Villa of Chippewa. Born September 27, 1927 in Chewton, he was the son of the late Guido and Anna Leopardo Montozzi. He married the late Donna Jean Ferrucci Montozzi on February 3, 1951. They were married for 65 years when she passed away on June 26, 2016. Eugene graduated from Wampum High School in 1945 and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951. A proud Veteran, he retired as a Major after 20 years of service in the Army including his time in the Reserves. Following his military…


Sandra L. Allison, 79

Sandra L. Allison, 79, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Velma (Thomas) Burson and was born October 23, 1945, in Beaver Falls. She is survived by her sons Paul H. Allison, Jr. and his wife Kim Jr of Jacksonville, FL, Scott A. Allison of Ellwood City, one daughter; Shannon Lee Allison-Leszek and her husband Cris of Erie, her grandchildren; Lauren Allison, Tanek Leszek, Jordan Allison; her siblings; Ruth Eisenhuth and her husband Larry of Clover, SC, and Beth Toth of Clover, SC and numerous nieces and nephews…


No Picture

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Ray, 87

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Ray, 87, of Wayne Township, passed away in her residence on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Born on April 3, 1937 in Oakland, California, Beth was the daughter of the late George and Catherine Oesterling Flecken.  She married James L. Ray on June 27, 1958 and they enjoyed fifty-eight years together until his passing in 2017.  Beth graduated from the Butler County School of Nursing in 1958 and she worked as an RN at Butler Hospital and later in her career at Hillview Manor.  She was a very active member of Harmony Baptist Church. She volunteered, along with…


Pamela “Pam” Hallberg, 76

Pamela R. Hallberg, 76, of Ellwood City went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Dorothy (Harper) Tritt and was born December 3, 1948, in Ellwood City. She was survived by her husband of 42 years, David Hallberg of Ellwood City, her children; Emily Flatt and her husband Nathanael of Ellwood City, Laurie Hallberg of Ellwood City, grandchildren; Isaiah, Judah, Eliyanah, Joannah Flatt; her siblings; Kim Kennedy and her husband Mike of Ellwood City, Tammy Upton and her husband Brian of…


Frank R. Lagana, 69

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…


Betty L. Fury, 97

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

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…


No Picture

William “Bill” Smith, 61

William “Bill” Smith, 61, of New Beaver, passed away unexpectedly at Heritage Valley Beaver on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Born in Ellwood City, Bill was the son of Betty Moon Smith of New Beaver and the late Billie Smith. Bill owned and operated a produce stand in Darlington. He was also a chainsaw carver who enjoyed sharing his talent, setting up at events all around Lawrence and Beaver Counties. Bill would give anyone the shirt off of his back and he had a soft spot for kids, who wouldn’t leave the produce stand empty-handed. In addition to his mother, Bill…


Lynn Marie Taylor, 59

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…