Vigil held for a man killed in a hit-and-run crash in Coraopolis; undocumented male immigrant suspect in ICE custody for allegedly causing that crash

(File Photo of Candle)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Coraopolis, PA) On Saturday, a vigil was held for the man that was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Coraopolis last Sunday. Sixty-one-year-old Ulises Media Montalvo of Coraopolis was killed last Sunday when a driver of a black SUV hit him when he was crossing Fourth Avenue in Coraopolis. This occurred near the Citgo gas station there, which was where the vigil took place to honor Montalvo. According to those that attended the vigil, Montalvo will be remembered as somebody that made his community a better place. The unidentified male suspect that allegedly caused the hit-and-run crash that killed Montalvo is in ICE custody after being arrested at his Ambridge home. That suspect is an immigrant that is undocumented and his identity has not been released yet.

Work currently taking place to reopen a Spirit Halloween store in Beaver County in August of 2025, which will be located in the Center Township plaza off Route 18

(File Photo of Open for Business Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Work is currently taking place to reopen a Spirit Halloween store in the Center Township plaza located off Route 18. It is not confirmed yet why this Spirit Halloween store will reopen, but it will be in the former location of the McKinney’s Furniture and Mattress Direct in that same plaza in Center Township to sell items like Halloween decorations and pop-up retail Halloween costumes. In 2024, a Spirit Halloween store was behind the Beaver Valley Mall in the spot where the Planet Fitness store there used to be located. A Spirit Halloween store was inside the Beaver Valley Mall in 2023. According to the Spirit Halloween website, Spirit Halloween has not yet announced a date to open its store in Beaver County, but it will be sometime in August of 2025. 

Alice M. Krivac (1930-2025)

Alice M. “Alice in Wonderland” Krivac, 94, of Beaver, formerly of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 3rd, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on August 16th, 1930, a daughter of the late George and Anna Solich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only son, Arthur Tagnosky, her grandson, Michael Tagnosky and her siblings: Mary, Mike, Frank, MIllie, Stella, Annie and George. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Gloria Tagnosky, her granddaughters, Joanne (John) McDermitt and Jessica Kovacs, her great-grandchildren, Rachel and Zachary McDermitt and Rebecca and Katherine Kovacs, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Alice was very proud to be Catholic by faith, having been a former member of St. Clement Church in Johnstown and then later at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Beaver of Beaver County.

A Memorial Mass will be conducted on Thursday, August 14th at 11 a.m. at St. Clement Church, 114 Lindberg Avenue, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Inurnment to take place at a later date at Grandview Cemetery, 801 Millcreek Road, Johnstown, Pennsylvania with her family.

Professional Services and arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be shared in Alice’s name to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Dana R. Hewitt (1975-2025)

Dana R. Hewitt, 50, of Beaver Falls, passed away on August 7th, 2025 at Covington Skilled Nursing and Rehab in East Palestine, Ohio following her courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.

She was born on April 7th, 1975, a daughter of the late Dwayne and Barbara (Mihalko) Hewitt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former partner, Robert Vail, Jr. She is survived by her children, Patience Karan and Curry Hewitt, her step-mother, Ruthann (Large) Sanor, her sisters, Melissa Stout and Amanda Hewitt, her brothers, William (Shalee) Hewitt and Jason (Chelsea) Hewitt, as well as her former partner ’s sister, Kathie Longmire.

Dana was a 1993 graduate of Riverside Highschool, as a part of their cheerleading squad. She was a lovingly devoted and caring nurse’s aide with the Beaver Valley Geriatric Center/Friendship Ridge for many years. She was a kind, gentle and loving young lady. There was a softness to her spirit that made you feel safe just being around her. Even in her pain and suffering she never lost the faith, and that beautiful smile and laugh that made her so special and warmed your heart.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 13th from 3 P.M. until the time of services at 7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMA TION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dana’s name can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1402. New York, NY 10018 (www .hdsa.org).

Thomas Paul Ellis (1952-2025)

Thomas Paul Ellis, 73, of Baden, passed away on August 8th, 2025 at Allegheny General Hospital of Pittsburgh. He was born on April 5th, 1952, the youngest son of the late John and Ann Ellis of New Brighton. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, his children, Ashley (Dustin) Spencer and Thomas (Wessam) Ellis, his grandchildren, Aiden, Eli, Lily and Scarlet, his brother, John (Kris) Ellis, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews and his Aunt Goldie.

Thomas worked for J & L Steel until lay-offs caused him to search for a new career. He got his foot in the door as a mail carrier for the post office and soon became a front desk clerk. He worked for the postal service for 35 years. He was a people person who enjoyed his job and the connections he made within the community. When he was not working or playing music, he could be found on the golf course. He loved all music, but tambura music most of all. It is hard to say what he enjoyed more, playing or teaching tambura. He taught tambura to anyone he had the opportunity to teach (his count had to be in the hundreds) and had “the patience of a saint.” Even up to the day before his passing, Thomas talked about songs and arrangements he thought would be a good fit to play. He traveled the country and Eastern Europe and meant so much to many people. Now he is on to his next grand adventure. “I put up a good fight, and I love everybody. Dovidjenja.”

A visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 from 2-4 P.M. and 5 P.M. until the time of a blessing service at 7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC., 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Burial will be private.

Thomas A. Rally (1938-2025)

Thomas A. Rally, 87, of Hopewell Township, passed away on August 5th, 2025 in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Sewickley on June 16th, 1938, a son of the late Anthony & Thomasina (Aiello) Rally. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Rally, his brothers, Donny Rally & Richard Rally and a brother-in-law, Ted Williams. He is survived by his sister, Shirley Williams and his four children: Lisa Cruthers (Paul), Thomas Rally (Ruth), Julie Humeniuk and Daniel Rally; as well as eight grandchildren: Thomas Rally (Linnea), Dylan Mospan (Helen), Alexander Rally (Kaitlyn), Morgan Johnson (D’Aundre), Brittany Mospan, Anthony Rally (Jenna Hansman), Madison Humeniuk and Sydney Rally; along with three great grandchildren: Audrey, Giovanna and Eleni.

Thomas was raised in Coraopolis and built a home in Hopewell where he resided for the past 50 years. He was a meat cutter by trade. However, his true calling was music. He was a drummer and vocalist for the oldies bands The Hi-Beams and Gingerbread, playing all about the Pittsburgh area for decades.

Friends will be received on Monday, August 11th from 6-8 P.M. at the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Aliquippa, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Committal Blessing and interment will take place on Tuesday, August 12th at 11:30 A.M. at Allegheny County Memorial Park, 1600 Duncan Avenue, Allison Park.

Friends and family are welcome to the family home at Temple Road on Tuesday, August 12th after the memorial service for a reception to celebrate the life of Thomas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org

George William Ralish, Jr. (1935-2025)

George William Ralish, Jr., 89, of Monaca, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025, concluding a life rich in hard work, service, and love for his family. He was born on August 30th, 1935, the son of the late George William Ralish, Sr. and Anna Belsky.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Martha Emert and his sisters, Jane (Charles) Merriman, Sophie (Leo) Donovan and Elaine (Jerry) Templeton.

He is survived by his three children, George, Shari, and Vicki (Ron), and by two cherished grandsons, Shea Beaumont and Alekzander Windham. He is also survived by his sisters, Dolly (Harold) Smith, Virginia (Paul) Horan and Catherine Shemer.

George proudly served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 as part of the 1st Armored Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He loved playing fast-pitch softball for the Sokol Club. He was employed at the former St. Joe Lead and later BASF, from where he retired. Even in retirement, George remained active, working with Budget Lawn Care and generously volunteering his time. He was also a dedicated volunteer driver for the Veterans Association, logging over 5,000 miles transporting veterans from Beaver County to Pittsburgh and back. He also served as a volunteer driver for Simpson’s Funeral Home, always willing to lend a helping hand. George was an avid gardener and a devoted Penn State fan who enjoyed attending countless football games over the years. He cherished time with his grandsons and would travel anywhere to support them in their activities, especially sporting events. He also took great pride in maintaining his vehicles, always keeping them in excellent condition.

A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate George’s life. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Alice M. Collins (Passed on August 8th, 2025)

Alice M. Collins, 83, of Chippewa, passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2025.

She was born into the loving family of Jack and Rachel (Chambers) Rodgers. Alice was raised in Beaver Falls. Her life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and her compassionate spirit. She was one of nine children and was preceded in death by her brothers, Jack, Robert, Donald, David and George Rodgers and her sisters, Betty Eudy and Delores (late Roy) Campbell. She is survived by her sister, Peg Gwaley (late Dan) and her sisters-in-law, Cathy, Naomi and June. She was also the beloved wife of the late James Collins, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage until his passing on August 15th, 2006. Alice’s love for her family knew no bounds. She was the proud mother of five children: LaRue (Guy) Frank, Valerie Collins, Brian (Marilyn) Collins, Steven (Kelly) Collins, and Mark (Anna) Collins. Her joy was multiplied with each addition to the family, including her nine grandchildren: Lindsay, Hillary, Robb, David, Brandon, Bryent, Tyler, Samantha, and Josh. The family circle grew wider with 19 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

Professionally, Alice dedicated 30 years of service as a nurse’s aide at the former Beaver County Geriatric Center, working in Annex 1. Her care for Alzheimer’s patients was not just a job but a calling, as she provided comfort and kindness to those in the twilight of their lives. Alice was a woman of many talents and interests. She was an accomplished cake decorator, known for her beautiful and intricate wedding cakes that graced countless celebrations. Her creativity in the kitchen was matched by her passion for literature, with James Patterson holding the title of her favorite author. She was an avid reader who found joy and solace in the pages of novels. Her impact extended beyond her immediate circle, as she supported causes dear to her heart, including the Epilepsy Foundation. The family has requested memorial contributions be made, if desired, to the Epilepsy Foundation, 3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie, MD 20716, 1 800 332 1000. Email – contactus@efa.org

The family would also like to extend a note of gratitude to Pinnacle Hospice for their care and compassion that they provided to Alice.

All services will be private in accordance with Alice’s wishes. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Robert Lee Dunn (1936-2025)

Robert Lee Dunn, 89, passed away on August 7th, 2025. He was born in Beaver Falls on February 23rd, 1936, a son of the late Mildred (Miller) Dunn and Louis L. Dunn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Harry (Buddy) Dunn. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy (Gussenhofen/James) Dunn. One of Robert’s favorite claims to fame was having served in the same Army unit with Elvis Presley, cherishing 2 Polaroids of Elvis playing guitar on his cot. He was passionately proud of his hometown of Beaver Falls, where he served on city council, worked as an alderman and was a volunteer firefighter while his brother was chief. He was first employed as a produce manager at Loblaws supermarkets, then for many years at Beaver Falls Municipal Authority as a class A Type I plant operator, “making water.” He was an ardent sports fan, playing basketball and baseball as a youth, umpiring girls softball games and attending Steelers games since they were held at Forbes Field and occupying seats in the stands beside Franco Harris’ uncle. He was especially happy to be part of the Liberty Hills 55 plus community. He enjoyed reading and watching murder mysteries, feeding birds on the patio, monthly breakfast gatherings with old coworkers, twice -a-month wing night gatherings and exploring new restaurants, wineries and breweries. Most of all, he loved to travel the world with Nancy at his side. They flew past Mt. Everest, crawled through an Egyptian pyramid, cruised on the Nile and Amazon Rivers, sailed on Windjammers in St. Maarten, the Grenadines and Belize, walked the Inca Trail out of Macchu Pichu and flew over the Nazca Lines in Peru, experienced the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, explored the Grand Canyon, Finger Lakes and Thousand Islands, snorkeled in Florida and Hawaii. He saw Stonehenge, Neuschwanstein Castle, kissed the Blarney Stone and much, much more. He was an easy-going soul who loved life and was thankful for his many friends. A private celebration of his life will be held at his home. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Corless Funeral Homes.

Joseph A. Nyoh (1961-2025)

Joseph A. Nyoh, 64, of Monaca, passed away on August 6th, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born on January 23rd, 1961. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Yoko) Nyoh and his wife, Cindy. He is survived by his two children, Joseph C. (Courtney) Nyoh and Leah Nyoh and his grandson, Easton Nyoh. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Handley and his brother, James Nyoh. His companion, Tina Smith, stood by him, bringing happiness and comfort to his later years.

Joseph was a 1979 graduate of Monaca High School where he played on the football team. He was a dedicated worker at St. Joe Lead since the early 90’s, later known as Horsehead. He was employed there until the plant’s closure. His commitment and work ethic were traits that he carried with him when he transitioned to Eaton Corp. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union #8183 who stood with his fellow workers advocating for their rights and well-being. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh sports fan, a passion that was ingrained in his identity. Whether it was cheering for the Steelers on a Sunday afternoon or rallying behind the Penguins during playoff season, his spirit and loyalty was unwavering. He was also a member of the Beaver Valley Sportsman’s Club for over 23 years and his presence there was more than a friend and member.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Presbyterian Hospital Comfort Team for their care and kindness that they provided in Joseph’s final days.

All services will be private and arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.