Obituaries

Mrs. Rosalyn Marie Peffer, 73, of Franklin Township passed away on Monday, November 14th, 2022 at the UPMC Passavant-McCandless Hospital. Mrs. Peffer was born on August 4th, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late John and Rose Marie (DeCola) Gurgacz. She had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1967. Rosalyn had worked at Shenango Pottery in New Castle, and later for the Riverside School District at both the Middle School and High School cafeterias. For over 40 years she along with her husband Doug was a co-owner/operator of Doug Peffer’s Deer Cutting and Smoke House located in…

Mr. Charles A. Schweinsberg, 88, of Franklin Township passed away at his residence on Sunday, November, 13th, 2022. Mr. Schweinsberg was born in Ellwood City on May 14th, 1934 to the late Emmett and Bertha (Mook) Schweinsberg. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1952, and served with the U.S. Army in Korea after the Korean Conflict had ended with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Charles had worked at the U.S. Steel bar mill in Ellwood City from 1952 to 1958. Following his service with the army he was employed by Columbia Gas for 37 years…

Mrs. Diane Proper, 69, of Wayne Township passed away at her residence on Saturday, November 12th, 2022. Diane was born in Sewickley, Pa on November 29th, 1952 to the late Mike and Stella (Maravich) Lackovich. She had graduated from Hopewell High School. She , along with her husband Brian, was the co-owner and operator of Animal Box Distributing, a sharpening service. She had been affiliated with the St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa. She was a member of the AKC where she showed her English Springer dogs, and enjoyed camping. She is survived by her husband, Brian Poper, and…

Darlene C. Carcaise, 86, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, November 10th, 2022 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. Darlene was born on October 7th, 1936 in Ellwood City to the late William L. and Mary Margaret (Hinkle) Atkinson. She graduated from the Lincoln High School with the class of 1955. Darlene worked at the Pentagon as a secretary for four years, was the co-owner and operator at Bill’s Bargain Bedding in Ellport, and lastly, at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at the West Gate toll both as a toll collector. She is a member of the Free Methodist Church and…

Mrs. Catherine Prestia, 94, of Ellwood City, passed away Monday, November 7th, 2022 at the Allegheny Health Network Hospital in Wexford, after a lengthy illness. Born June 16th, 1928 in Bari, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Gennaro and Angela Lorusso. She was married to Rocco Prestia who passed away January 27th, 2002. They met while her husband served in the Army in World War 2, instantly fell in love and then married on April 25th, 1946 and went on to enjoy 56 wonderful years together. She was an exceptional cook, had a beautiful voice, and she enjoyed…

Vida MacMurdo Sweeney, 86, of Freedom, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Allegheny General Hospital. Born in Ellwood City, PA on April 22, 1936, Vida was the daughter of the late Isman “Easy” and Ursuline “Sue” Rubino Mariotti.  Vida graduated from Lincoln High School and Geneva College.  She taught kindergarten at B.V.M. School in Ellwood City, was a past president of the Ellwood City Municipal Women’s Club and a former member of the Connoquenessing Country Club where she enjoyed golfing with her friends.  She owned and operated Lady Vi’s clothing store in Volant for over twenty years.  Vida…

Mrs. Kathleen A. Szakelyhidi, 72, of Franklin Township passed away on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Kathleen was born on June 23rd, 1950 in New Castle to the late Clyde E. and Ethel (McKinney) Miller. She graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1968, and from the Butler County Community College where she studied nursing. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for various hospitals and nursing homes in the area, including, Providence in Beaver Falls, Evergreen Nursing Home, Jamison Care Center, Hillview Manor, and the Ellwood City Hospital, from where…