Barbara L. Burau, 80, of Beaver Falls, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 6th, 2025.

She was born on April 13th, 1944, a daughter of the late Peter “Pietro” and Ida Reda Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Ann Marie Phillips and a brother, Patrick “Pasquale” Phillips. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Walter Keith Burau, two sons, Christopher (Patricia) Burau of Ventura, California and Adam (Cherise) Burau of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, two sisters-in law, Mary Lou Phillips and Shirley Schmidt, along with several cousins, friends and kind neighbors.

Barbara was a 1962 graduate of New Brighton High School. She was the rock of her family and was an amazingly talented homemaker. She took joy in raising her two sons, caring for her husband, keeping a spotless home, and providing for her family.

Barbara was a legendary home cook. She specialized in preparing family-style meals, including her famous Italian pasta dinners topped with homemade meatballs and hot sausage. Each Christmas for decades, she baked hundreds of scratch-made holiday cookies that required weeks of care and preparation.

In typical Italian mother fashion, Barbara remained focused on keeping her grown sons well fed, sending baked goods across the country via U.S Priority Mail or waiting up until well after midnight for them to arrive home after hours on the road. She was always there with a warm hug and asking: “Are you hungry? Can I heat up a plate for you?”

If there was any doubt about who ran the household, Barbara would laugh and point to her favorite refrigerator magnet, which reads, “The opinions expressed by the man of this house are not necessarily those of the management.” Indeed, Barbara often minced garlic, but never her words.

After raising her children, Barbara stepped outside the home and donned a different kind of apron as a cashier at the former Builder’s Square home center in Chippewa Township. She later took a job at a local manufacturing company, learning to solder circuit boards used in electronic equipment, which was a testament to her tireless work ethic.

Barbara also was a voracious reader, finishing novels by Agatha Christie, Danielle Steele, Anne Rice, and other favorite authors in mere hours. She traded grocery bags full of books regularly with her dear sister, Ann Marie.

Barbara is already sorely missed and the dinner table will never be the same without her.

There will be no public visitation in accordance with Barbara’s wishes. Interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls, 1301 7th Ave, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Marcella H. Mason, 95, of Economy Borough, passed away on March 6th, 2025 in the Lakeview Personal Care Center of Darlington. She was born in Huntingdon, Tennessee on August 12th, 1929, a daughter of the late James E. and Thelma R. Smith Hilliard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Hilliard and two sisters, Patsy Mueller and Barbara Droz. She is survived by her husband of 77 years, George B. Mason, two sons and daughters-in-law, George D. “Butch” and Linda Mason of Economy Borough, and Donald W. and Jaci Mason of New Sewickley Township, four grandchildren, Michael G. Mason of New Sewickley Township, Michele “Shelly” L. and Bill Och of Cranberry Township, Cory W. and Jessica Mason of New Sewickley Township and Jennifer N. and Jay Bradel of New Sewickley Township, nine great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Ryan, Madelyn and Dylan Och, Olivia and Peter Mason, Lucas, Wyatt and Ellie Bradel, one sister and brother- in-law, Carole McCoy and her husband Duke of Huntsville, Alabama, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Marcella was a retired program librarian with Armco Steel of Ambridge and had been employed with the Ambridge School District cafeteria. She was part owner with her husband George of Mason’s Road Escort Company. She was a member of St. John Lovi Church of Cranberry Township where she was a former church council member. She was a 1947 graduate of Ambridge High School. Marcella received her Associate Degree in data processing from CCBC in 1977. Friends will be received on Monday, March 10th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the William Murphy Funeral Home, 349 Adams Street, Rochester. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 11th at 11 A.M. in St. John Lovi Church, 1001 Freedom Road #4801, Cranberry Township. Interment will be in East Carmel Cemetery, Carmel Achor Road, Rogers, Ohio.

James “Egidio” Faiella, 58, of Hopewell Township passed away on March 6th, 2025. He was born on May 30th, 1966, a son of Eugene “Benny” and the late Linda Sue (Woodson) Faiella. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia “Patti” (Barnat) Faiella, a son, Christopher Faiella, paternal grandparents, James Egidio and Mary Bove Faiella, two brothers, Mark and Matthew Faiella, a brother-in-law, Michael Barnat and uncle, Bill Weyand Sr. He is survived by his beloved stepdaughter, Ashley Barnat and cherished grandchildren: Cameron, Ava, Blaze, Bronz and Emma, two brothers, Anthony (Karen) Faiella and Eugene Faiella Jr., a sister, Gina Faiella and a brother-in-law, Anthony (Jewel) Barnat, his aunt, Rosemary Weyand, an uncle, Joe Faiella and cousins, Vanessa (John) D’Orazio and Bill (Stephanie) Weyand Jr., along with many loving members of the Faiella family, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
James was proud of his Italian heritage, attending many Italian festivals with his wife Patti, where he was also invited multiple times to play the mandolin. He also enjoyed performing for numerous other occasions, including weddings. He held a strong devotion to his family, heritage and music.
In accordance with James’ request, there will be no public services. Donations may be made in memory of James to the American Diabetes Association, 100 W Station Square Drive #1900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Thomas Arthur Duncan, 81, of Hopewell Township, passed away on March 6th, 2025 after a long illness. He was born in Monaca on September 3rd, 1943, the son of the late Samuel Edwin Duncan and Ruth Ida (Miller). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his six Duncan siblings: Donald, Marianne (Earl) Swogger, Eleanor (John) Spagnoli, Walter (Jan), Esther Taylor and James; sister-in-law, Susan Pearson and brother-in-law, Bill Glover. He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughters Lori Sorvillo of Middletown, Connecticut, Debra Calhoon of Raccoon Township, Lisa (Terence) Flanagan of Mount Kisco, New York, four grandchildren: Thomas Calhoon, Amanda (Peter) Moore, Tyler (Sabrina) Calhoon and Terence Flanagan; two great-grandchildren, Joseph Calhoon and Caleb Moore, sister-in-law, Georgene Duncan, brother-in-law, William B. Taylor, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Thomas was a 1961 graduate of Monaca High School where he loved playing football. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He met Judith Glover at Eat’n Park in Aliquippa when it was still a carhop. They married on May 7th, 1966 and shared a lasting love for nearly 59 years. He was a girl dad through and through raising three daughters who adored and looked up to him. He was a role model not only for them but also for their close friends – his “bonus kids”. He was a teacher at heart and enjoyed reading all the historic markers along family road trips sometimes eliciting groans from his young girls. He was proud of his grandkids and loved to make them laugh. He was a storyteller, a Pittsburgh sports fanatic, a fisherman, and a lover of sweets. Thomas was a steel worker for J&L/LTV for nearly 20 years before beginning a career at Glade Run in Zelienople as a Child Care Specialist, where he loved being a mentor. In addition, he and Judy parented over 19 foster girls. He was a man of strong faith, devoting much of his life to serving the New Life Presbyterian Church (Aliquippa) in various roles: youth group leader, teacher, elder, custodian and tenor in the choir. Through life’s ups and downs, there was always laughter and a sense of peace and calm that was rooted in his Christian faith.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, March 11th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, March 12th at 11 a.m. at New Life Presbyterian Church, 2795 Patterson Drive, Aliquippa. All are welcome.

Interment will take place in Mill Creek Cemetery of Hookstown.

David Eugene Vandine, 65, of New Sewickley Township, passed away unexpectedly on March 6th, 2025 in his home. He was born in Rochester on June 4th, 1958, a son of the late Isaac and Alice A “Bert” Vandine. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Beverly Barker and Carol Vandine. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Kathy Vandine, a step-daughter, Donnell Michalec, three grandchildren, Cody Michalec, Colten Michalec and Kaylin Michalec, all in Texas, siblings, Isaac “Luke” (Lynn) Vandine of Norfolk, Connecticut, Jane (Michael) Price of Independence Township, Charlotte (Michael) Paunovic of Aliquippa, Alice Campbell of Sisterville, West Virginia, a sister-in-law, Peggy (Barry) Kowalick of Independence Township; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

David loved to do outside activities, especially riding his Harley.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and doing fun things with them. He was a veteran of the U.S Army.

All services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Josephine “Despina” Mrkonja, 80, of Ambridge, passed away at Forbes Hospital on March 6th, 2025, following complications from a recent illness. She was born on August 9th, 1944 in Sewickley Hospital, a daughter of the late Michael and Lillie Aspiotes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved siblings: her twin, James, brothers, Gus, Louis and John, and her sisters: Mary, Effie, Frieda and Rena. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 57 years, John Mrkonja, daughters, Angel (Shawn) Ross and Christina (Nicholas) Sheleheda, grandsons, Nico Sheleheda and John Ross, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Josephine was a 1962 graduate of Ambridge Area High School. After attending the Beaver Falls Beauty Academy, Josephine had a successful career as a beautician before becoming a full-time homemaker. She was proud of her Greek heritage and loved her family fiercely. She could brew a pot of coffee and assemble a plate of food in record time if she knew you were stopping by her home. She was a classroom volunteer for both of her daughters during their education and an active member of their parent teacher organizations. Her beautiful smile and sharp wit will forever stay with everyone who knew her.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, March 9th from 1-5 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. Family and friends will gather for a funeral service on Monday, March 10th at 10 A.M. in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 Beaver Road, Ambridge.  Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery.

Jay Douglas Campbell, Sr., 80, of Chippewa Township, passed away on March 6th, 2025, at St. Barnabas-Gibsonia.

He was born in New Brighton on May 2nd, 1944, a son of the late James M. Campbell and Nellie (Douthett) Campbell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Jerry Campbell. He is survived by his loving wife and partner in crime of 59 years, Barbara Jean (Phillips). They loved to sing and dance and often were the first couple on the dance floor at social events.  They were inseparable even in his final days. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren, his daughter, Lisa (Helen Smith), his two sons, J.D. (Carrie) and Jesse (Nikki Nocera), six grandchildren: Lauren (Chris) Ryan, Anthony (Megan) Esoldo, Joseph (fiancée Ashley Stein), Chloe Campbell, Phoebe Campbell and Niko Campbell; as well as three great-grandchildren, Gianna and Declan Ryan and Alessia Esoldo. He is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Shirley) Campbell and Bruce (Cheryl) Campbell and his sister-in-law, Ruth Campbell.

Jay attended New Brighton High School where he excelled in sports, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.  His love for sports continued throughout his life taking great joy in watching his children and grandchildren play in high school and college, never missing a game.

Jay was an avid golfer and proud member of the Bandits golf league at the Beaver Valley Country Club.  “Hook” and “J-Bird”, as he was known on the links, was always up for a “mergency 9”.

Jay started his banking career as a teller at WPNB in Beaver Falls while attending night school at Geneva College.  After graduating from Geneva, Jay worked his way up to branch manager at Equibank before moving on to Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. After retiring from PNC in 2006, Jay continued to learn, adapt and challenge himself, developing a remarkably open mind and heart and unconditionally supporting the people he loved most.

Jay never wavered in his love for his family or his commitment to living his life fully, whether on the beach, in the casino, or hosting his infamous Christmas Eve parties.  He was a guy’s guy, the life of the party and a devoted family man. He was known as Big Daddy Jay to his kids’ friends who he taught to “let it settle!”  There may or may not have been some Maker’s Mark involved.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 10^th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, March 11^th from 10 a.m. until the time of the blessing service at 11 a.m. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. Father Kim Schreck will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Jay’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation- 2835 Carson St., Suite 200, Pittsburgh PA 15203.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at St. Barnabas Gibsonia for their care and compassion during his stay.