Earl C. “Knute” Bryant, Jr., 78, of Beaver, passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2025, in Heritage Valley Sewickley. He was born and raised in Beaver County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl C. Sr. and Ellen Bryant and his siblings: Helen Jean Bryant and Mary Wilson and Albert and Dennis Bryant. He was one of twelve children and is survived by his wife, Paula Bryant, a son, Cliff (Vicki) Bryant, two daughters, Shari (Brian) Hoag and Kathy (Jerry) Howieson, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five sisters: Dolores Baker, Nancy Blystone, Betty Winkle, Janet Seevers and Deborah Jones, two brothers, Robert and Donald Bryant. His numerous nieces and nephews will remember their uncle with fondness and admiration.

Earl was a devoted family man, a respected veteran, and a cherished member of his community.

Earl graduated from Beaver Falls High School in the class of 1965. Shortly thereafter, he answered the call of duty and served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman 2nd Class during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1970. Following his military service, Earl continued to enrich his knowledge and skills by attending the Community College of Allegheny County, where he earned his diploma in heating and air conditioning.

For the majority of his life, Earl worked as a machinist and spent his final working years with Moltrip Steel.

He had a passion for music and shared his love for it with others as a disc jockey at weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties. His faith was a cornerstone of his life. He joyfully served as a worship leader for Fishers of Men Community Outreach and was an active member and small group leader at Victory Family Church in Cranberry.

He was also an avid fisherman. Earl found solace and peace at Moraine State Park, one of his favorite spots to cast a line and reflect on the beauty of nature. Above all, Earl was a family man, and his greatest joy was spending time with his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Rick Pelloni officiating. Military honors will be rendered following the service by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Chapter 862.

To share online condolences, view Earl’s video tribute and get directions, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Antoinette Marie “Toots” Caricchio Dioguardi, 95, of Beaver, passed away in her home on February 17th, 2025, two weeks following the passing of her husband, soulmate, and best friend of seventy-six and a half years, Reno Vince Dioguardi. She was born in Pittsburgh on November 8th, 1929, the daughter of the late John and Madeline Grasso Caricchio. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John A. and Gina E. Dioguardi of Beaver, one daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Fran Mantine, four grandchildren: Vincent John and his wife Christy Dioguardi of Brighton Township, Diane and Billy Happach of Beaver, Dr. Laura Mantine and her husband Shawn Hayweiser of Brighton Township, Michelle Mantine Esq. and her husband Dr. Brian Johnson of Sewickley; eleven great grandchildren, David, Michael, Hunter, John, Hayley, Mia, Sophia, Madeline, Henry Vincent, Joseph and Olivia.

Antoinette was a housewife and homemaker. She was also a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church of Rochester. Antoinette’s wish was to have no viewing. However, family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 20th, at 12 noon, at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester. The family also invites all to gather at the family garden mausoleum in the Beaver Cemetery following the mass. All memorial contributions are wished to be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. The motto that she lived by was “Prepare now to serve later.” Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

Robert “Bob” Morelli, 98, passed away surrounded by his family on February 16th, 2025. He was born in Beaver Falls on July 25th, 1926, a son of the late Agnes (Muoio) Morelli and Domenic Morelli, both immigrants from Cerisano, Calabria, Italy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma (Legge) Morelli, his brother and Joseph (Rose) Morelli, his sisters ,Eleanor and Mary (Tom) Magnifico, as well as his sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (Gilbert) Tarquinio and Patti Legge. He is survived by his daughter, Maria (Rob) Morelli, his son, Robert (Melanie) Morelli, a brother-in-law, Aldo Legge and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Robert was a man of deep faith, devotion to his family, hard work, boundless humility, and a true example of the American Dream. During the Great Depression, he worked as a child selling newspapers and Liberty Magazine on 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls and making deliveries from his uncle’s grocery store to help the family make ends meet. At 16, he got a job at B&W sweeping floors. While there, he suggested using water from the Beaver River in the steel making process, as the mill was using and paying for city water. For this, he got a bonus.

Next, his ambition, steely determination, and adventurous spirit led him to get his A&P license at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics; to get to the city for classes, he took a daily train from Beaver Falls and walked three miles to get to the PIA hangar for classes. Sometimes he missed the evening train and stayed overnight in the hangar. When Robert said he walked uphill both ways in the snow to build the life he wanted, he truly meant it.

He was drafted into the US Army Air Corp in December of 1944. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the European theater at the end of the war, based in France and Germany. When he returned, he worked for All American Aviation doing mail delivery in the days when a hook was lowered from the plane to pick up and drop off mail bags. He also obtained his private pilot license during those years.

In 1949, he and his brother took over their father’s small business and he grew it into a very successful enterprise. As founder and president of Northway Petroleum Equipment, Inc., he sold, installed, serviced and maintained all brands and types of service station equipment in Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. In 1975, he became the founder and president of Exxon Brodhead Car Wash and Gasoline in Monaca.

After retiring from both businesses in the 90s and 2000s, Bob spent most of his time with his family, traveling with his wife and friends, visiting his children in far-flung states, and pursuing his two passions: landscape maintenance at his home and volunteering at Air Heritage Air Museum restoring vintage aircraft. He worked on B17s, the Memphis Belle movie aircraft, the 909, a Fairchild 24, and a Stinson Reliant similar to the one he worked on with All American Aviation;he also taught and mentored many of the volunteers who worked there with him. Robert was also a founding member of the Beaver Falls Wolves Club and a member of Air Heritage Museum, the Moose Club and the American Legion.

Gratitude goes out to all of our loving and compassionate caregivers and family members who in one way or another, helped in caring for him and in giving Robert a comfortable and dignified end of life transition in his home: Teresa Morelli, Joey and Rick Lehner, Sarah Zielinski, Debbie R., Kim C., Jenny C., Amanda A., Nancy V., Morgan C., Tammie H., Kathy S., and Alivia A. Those are also forever grateful for the attentive care of Robert’s physician, Dr. Carl Sestito, and the teams at Pinnacle Hospice and Advanced Home Health. Those couldn’t have kept Robert in his home to the end without all of your loving care. It truly takes a village.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, February 21st from 12 noon-2 P.M. and 5-7 P.M. at the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 22nd, at 10 A.M. at St. Monica Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls.

Donations in Robert’s memory can be made to Air Heritage Museum, St. Mary’s school’s Angel Fund, Alzheimer’s Association, or the Beaver Falls Salvation Army Food Bank.

Carl J. Troy, 64, of Beaver Falls, passed away unexpectedly in his home on February 15th, 2025. He was born in Beaver Falls on November 9th, 1960, the fourth of seven siblings and a son of Pat (Cavanaugh) and Carl S. Troy. He was preceded in death by his paternal Grandparents, Louis and Angeline Troy, maternal Grandparents, John and Catherine Cavanaugh, infant sister, brother, David ( Judy) Troy and brother in law, Robert Coy. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his four sisters: Marianne (Rick) Knouse, Patty (Robert) Selby, Janet (Robert, deceased) Coy and Kathleen Troy, sister-in-law, Judy Troy and brother, Mike Troy. He is also survived by sixteen nieces and nephews, and eight great nieces and nephews, as well as many friends, including his good friend Gina Heineman from Durango.

Carl graduated from Blackhawk High School in 1979 before venturing west and living most of his adult life in Long Beach, California, and Durango, Colorado.

Carl loved to cook and made it his profession for many years. In his retirement, he returned to Beaver Falls where he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and helped care for his parents, Pat and Carl.

Carl was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He was masterful in remaining kind and goofy despite being in chronic pain from lifelong health issues. He always had a smile on his face and was often the cheeriest and loudest person in the room.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 22nd from 11 A.M. until the time of a Blessing Service at 2 P.M. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Chippewa Meals on Wheels.

Richard Floyd Russo, 72, of Aliquippa, passed away on February 16th, 2025 after his fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Sewickley on November 16th, 1952, a son of the late Peter F. Russo and Catherine R. Russo (Strano). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michaela A. Russo. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of ten years, Naomi Russo, daughters, Lisa and her husband Joe Gill, Michelle and her husband Jordan Vinroe, sisters, Terry (Russo) Zinsmaster and Diana Russo, brother, Mario and his wife Barbara Russo, five grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Quaker Valley High School in 1970, Richard attended Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan, majoring in music education and minoring in physical education. His career involved several different teaching positions. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He held a black belt in judo. He played football and wrestled during high school. He was inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 with the 1967 football team. He wrestled in college and was inducted into the Adrian College Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 with the 1970/71 wrestling team. He was also a member of Theta Chi fraternity and was in the marching and concert band. He served God by playing the trumpet and singing in church choirs all of his life. He most recently served as an elder and in other ministries at New Hope Community Church where he was a member. He fondly remembered hunting with friends and family and the good ol’ days with the ‘Hill Boys.’

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 22nd from 10 A.M. until the time of memorial service at 12 noon at New Hope Community Church, 592 Beaver Road, Ambridge. Flowers are asked to be sent directly to the church.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.