Obituaries

Darlene L. Wisbith, 77

Darlene L. Wisbith, 77, of Dennis Lane, Beaver Falls passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at her residence following a brief illness. Born October 6, 1946 in Fairmont, WV, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Betty Markley Sapp. She was married to her sweetheart Jerry Wisbith with whom they raised their 3 children in Chewton “on the Beach.” Darlene was a member of the Ellwood City Saxon Club, where she spent years shooting darts and playing pool. She enjoyed helping people, leading her to her former employment driving van for special needs children…


Violet Mae Kelly, 80

Violet Mae “Gigi” Kelly, 80, of Neshannock Township passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024. Born March 10, 1944 in New Castle, she was the daughter of the late Leroy W. Blashak and Elsie McClain Blashak Goodland. She was married to James F. Kelly when he passed away on July 21, 1993. Violet worked as a private duty nurse’s aide at the Golden Hill Nursing Home and St. Francis Hospital. She loved to bake, sew, craft, and listen to music. Her most cherished moments were with her family. Survivors include daughter, Roxane (Fiance William Ferguson) Kelly with whom she resided; son,…


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Cheryl Vogler Franus, 77

Cheryl Vogler Franus passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on September 13, 2024, at the age of 77 at Celebration Villa of Chippewa. Born on January 1, 1947 in Ellwood City to the late Wilbur “Bill” and Ethel “Delores” Jessop Vogler, Cheryl had the designation of being the Ledger’s First Baby of the New Year, 1947. She graduated from Riverside High School in 1964 and Clarion University. She married Gerald “Jerry” Franus on June 16, 1973. A beloved retired school librarian and cherished community member, Cheryl spent over thirty-seven years in the Ellwood City Area School District, first…


Rose Marie (DiMasi) Fox, 86

Rose Marie (DiMasi) Fox died peacefully August 30, 2024 at age 86, in Salt Lake City, UT. Rose was born in Ellwood City, PA, to Patsy and Jenny DiMasi on 4/26/1938. She attended Lincoln High School and in 1962, married Edward Fox, a “bad boy” who made her laugh. They had two children, Gregory and Christie, and moved the family to Florida in the late 1970s. In Florida, Rose worked at Operation PAR for more than 20 years and the PAR family quickly joined her family. Eventually she opened the Detox unit at PAR and made a difference in countless…


Renee Burnworth, 45

Renee Burnworth, 45, of Perry Township passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Born March 1, 1979 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late James K. “Hoopy” Burnworth and Ann Gillespie Nelson of Ellwood City. Renee worked as a secretary and in sales for Precision Cabinets. She enjoyed fishing and trips to the casino. Above all else, Renee cherished being a mother and loved her family deeply. Survivors include her mother, Ann; fiancé, Tim Stiles of Perry Township; sons, Joshua and Colten Stiles both of Perry Township; sister, Jaime (John) Meyer of Ellwood City;…


Ryan D. Russo, 43

Ryan D. Russo, 43, formerly of Ellwood City passed away in St. Petersburgh, Florida, in a heroic effort he made to save his girlfriend’s life in 2018, after pushing her out of the way of an erratic driver, Ryan was left in a coma which later claimed his life on September 5th, 2024 . Ryan was born on October 8th, 1980 to Peter and Lorraine (Izzo) Russo-Fresca. He attended both Lincoln High School and the Lawrence County Vo-Technical School. In Florida Ryan worked as a handyman for various construction companies. He loved writing and listening to music. Ryan also enjoyed…


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Carol J. Challis, 80

Carol J. Challis, 80, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at the Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople. Carol was born in Ellwood City on January 26th, 1944 to the late Lester and Edna (Blum) Boots. She is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1961 and the Wiley Hill Baptist Church. Carol’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, two sons, fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one on the way, four step great-grandchildren, and one brother. She was preceded in death…


Josephine Shubert, 103

Josephine Shubert, 103, of Glendale California (formerly of Wampum) passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024. Born February 28, 1921 in Renton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Jordano Mento. She was married to Frank Shubert when he passed away on July 27, 2000. Josephine worked at the Ellwood Knitting Mill for 24 years as a seamstress and was a member of the former Queen of Heaven St. Monica Church in Wampum. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. The last of her family, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six…


Crystal Wawrzynski, 37

Crystal Wawrzynski, 37, of Ellwood City tragically passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Born October 11, 1986 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Randal Cunningham and Jean Diegdio and the stepdaughter of Diane Himes Cunningham. She married Jonathan Wawrzynski on September 19, 2009. Some of Crystal’s interests were reading, watching dramas, playing pool, and throwing darts. She loved cats and riding motorcycles. Above all, she cherished the moments shared and the memories made with her children, grandson, and her husband Jon. Survivors include her parents and stepmother, her beloved husband Jon who she spent 21 years of her…


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Ronald W. Curtis, 69

Ronald W. Curtis, 69, of Ellwood City passed away in the ER of UPMC Jameson Hospital on Friday, September 6, 2024. Born in Ellwood City on November 14, 1954, Ron was the son of the late Harold and Dorothy Swogger Curtis.  Ron was a machinist and had worked at the Ellwood Forge and retired from Ellwood Crankshaft and Machine Co in Hermitage.  A 1973 graduate of Riverside High School, Ron was a Steeler, Wrestling and Harley Davidson fan.  Ron enjoyed traveling with friends and family on his Harley Davidson. Ron is survived by his daughters, Billie Jo and Joe McQuistion…