Obituaries

Mrs. Vita L. Prence, 94, of Koppel passed away on Saturday, February 25th, 2023 at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden. Mrs. Prence was born in Koppel on September 2nd, 1928 to the late Charles and Rose (Petti) Nardone. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1945. In May of 1946 she married her husband Edward Prence who later passed away on October 3rd, 1971. Following Ed’s passing Vita was hired at the Beaver County Court House in the Department of Voter Registration and worked there until her retirement in 1990. For many years she…

James L. “Butch” Buchanan, 78, of Ellwood City passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at his residence. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. Born November 25, 1944 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Wendell J. and Marjorie M. Knight Buchanan. He was married to Connie Powell Buchanan. Butch retired from the Koppel B&W after 40 years of service as a crane operator. He was a member of the Wayne Township Fire Department and the Chewton Polish White Eagles. Butch enjoyed NASCAR and dirt track racing, and in his younger years, hunting and fishing. Survivors include…

Paul L. Hazen, 88, of Ellwood City (Perry Township), passed away on February 20, 2023, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born May 17, 1934, in Ellwood City. He is survived by his children; Jeff Hazen of Greenville, NY, Shane Hazen and his wife Talitha of Ellwood City, Kim Kerr of New Galilee, grandchildren; Randi Sikora and her husband Rick, Scarlett Hazen, and Abigail Hazen, great-grandchildren; Max Knechtel II, and Asia Kerr, great- great-grandchildren; Bentley and Baxley Knechtel, and one sister; Mary Shouse. He is preceded in death by his wife, of over 60 years, Nancy (Stewart) Hazen….

Charles H Johns Jr.,88, formerly of Wayne Twp. passed away Tuesday, February 21 at Northview Estates. A lifelong resident of Wayne Twp., Charles was born the eldest of nine children on February 19, 1935. He was born and raised and lived his entire life on the Johns farm. He was the son of the late Charles H and Sarah Elizabeth (Thompson) Johns Sr. He was married to Marilyn (Rice) Johns for 67 years as they were married October 22, 1955. Charles retired from Calgon in 1990. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952 and was a member of Slippery…

We are sad to announce the passing of Genevieve “Jaye” Scopellite of Ellwood City, Pa on her 96 birthday, February 7, 2023 in Palm Springs, California after a brief illness. Genevieve was born on February 7, 1927 in Richwood, West Virginia. Genevieve is survived by her daughter Patti Greco of Palm Springs, California and her son, David Scopellite of Ellwood City. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tyler Greco and Allessandra Greco and her husband Emile Mosseri of Los Angeles, California, Gabrielle Greco of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Damian Greco of Las Vegas, Nevada, granddaughters Alicia Scopellite of Ellwood…

Brittani L. Buzzelli, 38, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, February 11th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center, after fighting a lengthy illness. Brittani was born on May 11th, 1984 in Beaver to Mark “Moe” A. and Karen S. (Heaton) Knetchel. She attended Lincoln High School. A homebody, Brittani enjoyed cooking and spending time with her two boys, whom she adored. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, Anthony Buzzelli of Ellwood City, whom she married on May 18th, 2002, sons, Kayden Maxamillion Samuel Buzzelli and Ryker James Buzzelli both of Ellwood City, aunts,…

Mr. James A. Alfera, 80, of Ellwood City passed away on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Twp.. Mr. Alfera was born in Ellwood City on October 15th, 1942 to the late Joseph Samuel and Esther (Cirelli) Alfera. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1961, and is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. For over 30 years Jim worked at Calgon Corp. as a laboratory Technician and in quality control. Jim loved following the Pittsburgh Steelers and local sports teams along with trips to the casinos….

Gina Fotia Usner, 60, of Center Township passed away on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Gina was born in Ellwood City on February 26th, 1962 to Frank “Cheech” and Frances J. (Folino) Fotia. She was a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1980 and later a graduate of the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. For over the past 20 years she worked at Cracker Barrell restaurant in Zanesville, Ohio and most recently in Robinson Twp. as a waitress. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ. She is survived by her mother Frances Fotia…