Obituaries

Marcy L. Shaffer, 60

Mrs. Marcy L. Shaffer, 60, of North Sewickley Township passed away on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Marcy was born on October 3rd, 1964 in New Brighton to the late John P. and Patricia A. (Clark) Cavanaugh. She had graduated from American Schools with the class of 1983. Since 1983 Marcy has worked at Christy’s Restaurant in Franklin Township where she was very well liked by all her customers and co-workers and worked as a cook, server, and manager. She enjoyed time spent with her family especially her grandchildren and loved having cookouts and…


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Gareth M. “Gary” Blyth, 72

Gareth M. Blyth “Gary”, age 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 13, 2025, after a nearly 20-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1952, Gareth was the beloved son of the late William J. and Dolores E. Powell Blyth. He was preceded in death by his dearest sister, Carol Rose. Gareth is survived by the mother of his children, Susan Blyth of Ellwood City, PA. He leaves behind his loving children: daughter Robyn (Glenn) Nicklas of Ellwood City, PA, daughter Rebecca (Christopher) Rettinger of Georgetown, PA, son Gareth (Michelle) Blyth of…


Mary Machine, 79

Mary Machine, 79, of Beaver Falls passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Edna Householder and was born September 21, 1945. She is survived by her children, Todd (Beth) of Pittsburgh; Rebecca of Beaver Falls; and granddaughter, Sarah. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas (passed October 22, 2024) and daughter, Pamela. She operated a cleaning business for many years. Mary enjoyed bingo, garage sales, and occasional visits to casinos with friends. A celebration of life will be held for both Mary and Thomas Machine at…


Charles J. Hoffman, 72

Charles Jospeh “Charlie” Hoffman, Jr, 72, of Tarentum, PA, formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away January 3, 2025, at his home. He was the son of the late Charles, Sr. and Meredith (Glaab) Hoffman and was born May 27, 1952, in Port Jefferson, NY. He is survived by his son; Charles J. Hoffman, III (Hannah) one daughter; Jamie Lynn Hoffman, his grandchildren; Gauge, Sincere, Caliber, Emily, Matthew, Caleb and Sofia, his brothers and sisters; Theresa H. Rolfe (Mel), Joan Capobianco (Anthony Polizzo), George P. Hoffman (Margaret), James A. Hoffman (Susan), Diane M. Mongiori (William), Robert C. Hoffman (Francine) and he…


Richard A. Lechner, 83

Richard A. Lechner, 83, of Shenango Twp passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday January 7, 2025 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a heart attack. Born February 16, 1941 in Shenango Twp., he was the son of the late Theodore and Delpha Brandon Lechner. He was married to Wanda J. Dean Lechner for 61 years when she passed away on October 23, 2024. Richard graduated from Shenango High School in 1959. He retired from McElwain Motor’s in Ellwood City after 43 years of employment as a service advisor. After his retirement he worked for Tractor Supply in New Castle. He was…


Patricia A. Mullen, 87

Mrs. Patricia A. Mullen, 87, formerly of Perry Township, passed away on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at the Avalon Care Center in New Castle. Patricia was born on July 8th, 1937 in Pittsburgh to the late Clarence Arthur and Margaret “Mary” (Coleman) Ericson. She graduated from Perry High School in Pittsburgh and worked as a Registered Nurse at various places in the United States while traveling with her military based husband. Patricia is a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, Holy Redeemer Christian Mothers, and VFW Axillary Post 315. She liked being outside, tending to her gardens and…


Darin L. Hoak , 61

Darin L. Hoak , 61, of Franklin Township passed away on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at his residence. Darin was born in Ellwood City on September 12th, 1963 to the late Shelby J. (Jacobs) Hall and Leroy Hoak of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a member of the Riverside High School class of 1982. A contractor by trade, Darin was the owner/operator of Hoak Construction and had worked for Gant Restoration and Eric Boots Contracting. In his earlier years he had played slow pitch softball on a local travel team and was an avid hunter. He also enjoyed watching football…


Arnold F. Irwin, 68

Arnold F. Irwin, 68, of New Castle passed away Monday, January 6, 2025 at UPMC – Jameson Hospital following a one-week illness. Born March 3, 1956 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Arnold Lawrence and Elizabeth Headland. Arnold graduated from Lawrence County Vo-Tech. Through the years he worked many jobs in the area including at Golden Hill Nursing Home, Infocision as a telemarketer, N.C. Battery, and delivering for West Gate Furniture. He was an avid reader especially Steven King and a Steelers fan. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Debra A. Lutz Irwin; sister, Darlene…


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Geraldine “Jeri” Rough, 71

Geraldine A. “Jeri” Rough, 71, of Ellport passed away at her residence on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Born in Ellwood City on April 12, 1953, Jeri was the daughter of the late Jacob and Mollie Nocera Mazzanti.  She is survived by her husband, Ronald Rough, whom she married on February 6, 1971.  Jerri was a member of Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.  She was a 1971 graduate of Riverside High School.  Jerri operated the Snack Shack in the Emporium and later worked at Hall of Fame Lanes.  She also managed and operated the Ellport Family Restaurant.  Jeri was a…


Leona M. Puz, 96

Mrs. Leona M. Puz, 96, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at her residence. Mrs. Puz was born on April 30th, 1928 in Ellwood City to the late Leo and Michalean (Olzak) Franus. She graduated from the Lincoln High School with the class on 1946 and from Comptometer School in Youngstown, Ohio. She worked for the Ellwood City Knitting Mill, Ellwood City Water Company, and U.S Steel National Tube Mill. Mrs. Puz was an avid reader, who enjoyed playing the organ and dancing to Slovenian music. She was also known for being an incredible listener…