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Charles S. Hrelec, Sr., 98, of Center Township, passed away on June 10, 2025, after a succession of illnesses during the last few years. Chuck was born to the late Evan and Veronica (Ilic) Hrelec at home in Aliquippa on May 2, 1927. He lived through the Great Depression and had many tales of his antics, survival schemes, and dreaded pumpkin and flour soup dinners. It was this boyhood that shaped his appreciation of delicious foods, his simplicity of living, and his flair as a prankster and jokester.

Chuck dropped out of high school to enlist in the Coast Guard as a Steward’s Mate in World War II. There he became a cook and also furthered his pranking skills. After his honorable discharge, he advanced from local recreational baseball to the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team as a pitcher. Two of his fondest baseball memories were pitching against Whitey Ford and meeting and being photographed with Bill Mazeroski.

Chuck met his future wife, Jean E. Domitrovich, also of Croatian heritage, at the Aliquippa A & P, where he was a meatcutter. Nearly inseparable, they were happily married for 51 years. He later worked at several other grocery stores, retiring from Giant Eagle. He continued to cut meat—processing deer for relatives, friends, and local shops.

A longtime resident of Center Township, Chuck was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Church, SOAR, and 79-year member of ALCRO Lodge. He looked forward to monthly meetings and activities of the Croatian Club. He visited the Motherland 3 times and loved everything Croatian, especially potica and Croatian Day at Kennywood. Chuck enjoyed deer hunting, watching baseball, and baking his gifts of English muffin bread and fruitcake. He was a genuine, loyal, and giving man.

In addition to his beloved wife, Chuck was preceded in death by his devoted daughter, Katrina Kaiser, and cherished brothers, William, John, and George.

His loving children and their spouses who survive him are Cynthia (Dennis) Novotny; Charles S. (Sandra) Hrelec, Jr.; Suzanne (Philip) Knox; Jeanne (Anthony) Ciaccia; and Martina (John) Markowicz; as well as caring son-in-law, Joseph Kaiser; and cherished sister, Caroline McWilliams.

Chuck is also survived by his dear 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. His Novotny grandchildren are Katrina, Martina, Aimee, Rebecca, and Dennis; Hrelec grandchildren are Charles, Jason, Candace; Knox grandchildren are Gabriel, Justin, and Amber; Ciaccia grandchildren are Antonio, Veronica, and Joseph; and Markowicz grandchildren are Jessica, Victoria, Angela, and Alexandra. His great-grandchildren are Braylen, Cynthia, Elyse; Charles, Carina; Noah, Jacob, Isaac; Abigail,  Selah, Hadassah; Elena, Henry, Chloe; Cora, Colton; Oliver, Birdie; Franco, Marco, Vera, Enzo; Wade, Rosalyn, Vaughn; Maverick, Vincent; and Geneva and Francesca.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where Prayers will be offered Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions can be made to Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers or Ronald McDonald House.

Thomas Evoy Owczarzak, 65, of Hopewell Township, passed away Tuesday, June 10^th 2025, in Aliquippa, PA. Born October  3^rd 1959, he was the son of Patricia Heiden and Henry Owczarzak. He was the husband of Terri Owczarzak (Biddle), dad to Donald Sanders, father-in-law to Abigail Sanders, and grandpa to Xerxes Ingrassia and Sterling Sanders.

A native of Hammond, Indiana, shortly after graduating high school, Tom joined the United States Army as a paratrooper in 1978. There he served as a military policeman in the 82^nd Airborne Division and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was immensely proud of his service, and for the rest of his life, he sounded off with a loud and thunderous “AIRBORNE” whenever the Chicago Bears scored a touchdown.

After leaving the Army, Tom briefly worked in a steel mill before starting his career in commercial underwater diving, supporting marine construction. Tom dove for many years and eventually rose through the ranks at Marion Hill Associates  where he worked for 15 years, before retiring in 2024 as the company’s general manager.

Tom met his wife, Terri in 2009 and was married in 2011. They enjoyed a happy life in Hopewell Township for many years, always with pets and hosting good friends. In addition to his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, Tom is greatly missed by his mother-in-law, Audrey Biddle, his father in law, Donald Biddle, his sister-in-law, Tracy Young (Biddle), his brother-in-law Richard Young, his nieces, Sara Allen (Jim Riffle), Kat Sanders, and Patti Jo Stewart, his nephew, Jordan Sanders, his beloved friends Kurt and Jo Marie Sanders, Debbie Sgro, Robin Hurni, Bob Hurni, Christine Hurni, and Cindy Kincaid, his dogs Casper and Baxter, and his parrot Joey.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Heiden, his father Henry (Hank) Owczarzak, step-father Bun Heiden, and his sister Patti Jo Stewart.

Tom enjoyed hosting parties, spoiling his grandchildren, bird watching, and traveling. He will be remembered as a man with a big heart. He made his own family in life and he loved them more than anything.

A private service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held Saturday, June 14^th, 11 AM at Huntsman Funeral Home in Aliquippa.

Alexander Brandon Mulig, 44, of Brighton Township, died unexpectedly on Monday, June 9, 2025, at his home.

Born on July 2, 1980, in Ellwood City, he was the son of Jeanie (Lutz) Socci and her husband Stephen and the late Alexander Mulig, Jr.

Brandon was an electrician by trade and had a heart of gold.  Always there to help when someone needed him. He was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sitting around the campfire, and hanging out at his garage with the ones he cherished. He always has an “ols” school character line and he always left with a handshake and “I’ll catch you in the rebound, uh huh!” Brandon was always there to lend a helping hand.

In addition to his mother, Brandon leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 18 years, Stephanie (Macom) Mulig; their son, Brandon Alexander “Alex” Mulig; his siblings, Stephen Mulig and his children, Kyle, Codi, and Katelyn, Melissa Mulig and her son, Xavier, Donnie Mulig, Randy Mulig, Kori Colich; step-siblings, David and Tiffany Keisling; his siblings-in-law, Allen Macom, Amanda (Kenneth) Redding, and Emily Macom; his mother-in-law, Linda Macom; numerous aunts, uncles, and friends.

Friends will be received on Friday, June 13^th from 2PM until the time of services at 6PM in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 340 Third Street, Beaver.