Obituaries

Mr. James R. Smilak, 74, of North Sewickley Twp. passed away on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Mr. Smilak was born in New Brighton on September 11th, 1948 to the late Alex and Rose (Simko) Smilak. He is a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1966. James enlisted with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War on November 28th, 1967 and served until his honorable discharge on July 11th, 1969 with the rank of SP 4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following…

Patricia Ann (Myers) Pyles, of Zelienople, formerly Darlington passed away peacefully on July 18, 2023 at the Lutheran Passavant Senior Living Community. She was beloved wife Of Robert Thomas Pyles, who passed away May 16, 2021 at the same facility. She struggled with his absence the rest of her life, having been side by side for 70 years (married November 13, 1950). She was born April 2, 1933 to Elfreida J (Merz) Myers and Corbett Vance Myers. Her father was an engineer on the Pittsburgh Lake Erie Railroad until his retirement as well as a farmer in Darlington PA. Patricia…

Gloria Ann Scheller, 93, formerly of Ellwood City passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Rochester Manor. Born August 20, 1929 in Everett, PA, she was the daughter of the late Porter and Faye Bottomfield DuVall. She was first married to the late Maynard Sheffield, then to the late Frank Scheller. Gloria had graduated from McConnellsburg High School. She was a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Ellwood City. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved music and traveling. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt. Survivors include three sons, Terry (Sandra) Sheffield of Phoenix, Eric (Marge) Sheffield…

Randy A. Barkey, 55, of Ellwood City, PA passed away on July 18th, 2023 at UPMC Jameson following an extended illness. Randy was born the youngest of four children to the late Randolph and Evelyn Partington Barkey of Beaver Falls, PA on October 3, 1967. Randy, known to many as Butch, graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1986. He was the owner of Barkey Construction for over 30 years. He was a member of the Beaver Valley USBC and participated in numerous leagues at Sims Bowling Lanes his entire life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His love…

Phyllis Jean LeViere, 95, of Perry Township passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 at Quality Life Services in Grove City. Born July 12, 1928 in Cedarville, OH, she was the daughter of the late Donald P. and Mabel C. Strobridge Snarr. She married David L. “Big Pa” LeViere on July 11, 1953. He passed away on April 22, 2006. Jean went to elementary school in Yonkers New York and had graduated from Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis IN. She then attended Indiana University in IN for 1 year before attending Anderson College in IN where she earned her bachelor’s…

Ruth Mae Assalone, 88, of Kennerdell, Rockland Township, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, July 15, 2023. She was born in Fombell, Beaver County on April 24, 1935 to the late Phillip and Treva (Raisley) Ketterer. She was married to Vincent E. Assalone on June 25, 1952 while on a three day pass from the Air Force. They celebrated 71 years of marriage. Ruth loved spending time with her family, playing games (especially when she was beating her husband and her great-granddaughter, Adriann), building puzzles, reading Amish books, and of course, being on Facebook and watching Fox News….

Viola Angelucci, 99, of Franklin (formerly of Ellwood City) passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 at The Caring Place in Franklin after a brief illness. Born March 17, 1924 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Luigi and Anna Joseph Salvati. She was married to Anthony C. Angelucci when he passed away on April 5, 2005. For over 20 years, Viola was the manager at the Women’s Specialty Clothing in Levittown. She also worked in quality control for American Can. She was a member of the Divine Grace Parish Holy Redeemer Church where she belonged to the…

John August Bennett, 95, of Wayne Township passed peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at UPMC McCandless surrounded by his family. John was born in Darlington on January 1, 1928. He was the son of the late Elizabeth Binder and William J. Bennett. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Dora (Duff) Bennett who passed away June 8, 2023. John proudly served in the US Army. He worked at Babcock and Wilcox in Fittings and Forging until his retirement. In his retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, working in his garage, shooting pool, gardening, going…