Robert R. “Bob” Toothman, 84, of Moon Township, passed away on November 21st, 2025 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Aliquippa on October 11th, 1941, the son of the late James & Opal (Davis) Toothman. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen M. (Gilbert) Toothman, two children, Christopher Toothman (Teresa) of Columbus, Ohio, Aimee Gelston of Collier Township, Pennsylvania, six grandchildren: Alexandria Toothman, Alyssa Gelston, Emma Gelston, Tyler Fitzgerald (Brittany), Jordan Gallagher (Thomas) and Brendan Fitzgerald; as well as a great granddaughter, Ellie Fitzgerald.

Robert was noted for his offbeat sense of humor, one liners and jokes. His humor was generally self-depricating, topical and spur of the moment. He was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, with a BA degree in Journalism and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned an MBA in Marketing. He spent his career working in advertising, public relations, employee communications and financial relations for two major advertising/public relations agencies and a major corporation in Pittsburgh. In 1986, he started his own communications agency, which he headed for 26 years before retiring in 2012. During those years, he served clients in several cities and states including: Pittsburgh, Washington (DC), New York, Cleveland, St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Charleston, Florida, Alabama, California and Indiana. He was drawn to the communications business because he loved ideas and explaining complex concepts in a way that made it easy for others to understand. Teaching and coaching were two of his passions. He served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne’s Graduate School of Communications and Robert Morris University, teaching a variety of marketing and communications courses for more than 20 years. He coached boys’ basketball, baseball and football, and girls’ basketball and softball teams, in a variety of different grade levels and programs, primarily in the Moon area. He served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for six years. After active duty, he served at one of the local Nike sites, which were built to defend the northern U.S. border from air attacks during the Cold War. Volunteering for charitable and fund-raising activities was also part of his life. He helped raise money for the United Way and American Kidney Foundation, and served on the boards of the Greater Pittsburgh Boy Scouts of America and the Moon Township Public Library. Since 1968, he was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Moon Township where, at various times, he served on the church council, taught Sunday school and chaired the Mutual Ministry Committee. He always felt that, “If you can leave the world in a little bit of a better place than when you got here, you’ll have done your part.” He felt that through the kindness and the accomplishments achieved by his children and grandchildren he has reached his goal.

Friends will be received on Tuesday November 25^th from 3-7 P.M. in The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Moon Township. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, November 26th at 10:30 A.M. in St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 987 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township. Everyone is asked to please meet at the church. Private interment will take place at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery of Moon Township, 100 Resurrection Road, Coraopolis.

Memorial donations can be made in Bob’s honor to the American Cancer Society’s Melanoma Foundation. www.cancer.org

Larry “Bull” Croston, 77, of Beaver Falls, passed away on November 20th, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Beaver Falls on October 1st, 1948, a son of the late Troy and Norine (Dalton) Croston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Stanley “Stas” and Suzie Lapinski. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia “Patti” (Lapinski) Croston (married at Holy Trinity Church), his son, Neal (Danielle) Croston, his daughter, Lesley Croston, his grandchildren, Ryan, Sean and Adam Croston, his brothers, Gary (Sharon) Croston and Tim (Kris) Croston, a brother-in-law, Bob Lapinski, his best friend/best man, Bob (Cathie) Wagoner, along with numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.

Larry was known as a sports enthusiast and for over 50 years, he was a Beaver Valley referee/umpire for football, basketball and softball. He didn’t travel anywhere in Beaver County without knowing someone. He worked at B&W Steel Mill, but when the mills shut down, he became a maintenance mechanic at VEKA until retirement. He played football, baseball, and basketball at Beaver Falls. His lifelong childhood friends  were known as the 5^th Avenue Boys. He was a member of the West Mayfield VFW and the New Brighton Eagles Club. He played on numerous softball adult rec teams and as a pitcher had an arc that touched the sky. During the holidays, he played Santa for children’s events. He coached both of his daughter’s and son’s rec ball teams. His biggest love was watching Pymatuning Valley sports for his son’s coaching and his grandson’s football, baseball, and basketball games. His chair was always on the sideline watching win or lose. He would sing along pregame to the national anthem with his booming bass voice. He enjoyed golfing and bowling leagues and was an avid fan of the Steelers and Pirates. He loved traveling with his wife, Patti, on various beach trips & cruises with friends and family, sending postcards of their travels. He loved genealogy and was very proud of his family’s Appalachian roots and tracing family back to the Revolutionary War. He visited many historic sites and loved to learn and share stories. He never left a historical marker unread. He respected his ancestors by cleaning and maintaining their graves. He carried a pocket bible everywhere he went. His final act of kindness was being a skin graft donor.

In accordance with Larry’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to care for Larry and his family during this most difficult time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

Sheila (Kolder) Smith, 54, of Baden, passed away on November 19th, 2025. She was born on June 29th, 1971, a daughter of the late Rudolph and Constance Kolder. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Raymond Smith, her children: Kaylee Smith, Zachary Smith, Chelsey Smith and Courtney Smith (fiancé, Nicholas Benton); as well as her sister, Darla (Bob) Bershok and her five beloved rescue cats.

Sheila was a graduate of Ambridge High School and was employed with UPS. She had a deep love for animals and cherished every moment spent with her husband and children.

Services are private and entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Ralph R. Dyson, 95, of Beaver Falls, a proud United States Air Force veteran, passed away on November 20th, 2025. He was born in New Brighton on July 24th, 1930, a son of the late Mildred (Sheets) and Ralph Dyson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ethel E. Dyson, his brothers, Jack and Rick Dyson and sister-in-law, Mary Dyson. He is survived by his son, Rick A. Dyson and his husband, Mark Hinzman of Beaver Falls, his brother, Bob Dyson of Chippewa Township, his sister-in-laws, Susan Dyson of Tuscan, Arizona and Karen Dyson of Sagle, Idaho and several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Ralph honorably served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. His pride in his service continued throughout his life as an active member of the American Legion Post #19. He also enjoyed being an organizer with the Golfing Gophers, where he built lasting friendships.

Throughout his working years, Ralph brought integrity and compassion to every role he held. He worked for Bell Telephone Company, Townsend Company and Washington National Insurance Company, before spending 20 years with the Department of Public Welfare as a case worker, retiring after a long and meaningful career helping others.

Above all, Ralph loved his family deeply. He cherished every moment spent with them and held a special, unwavering love for his late wife, who remained forever in his heart.

While no services are planned, Ralph will be laid to rest at the Beaver Falls Cemetery Mausoleum, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph R. Dyson, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home by clicking here.