Lower-priced new cars are gaining popularity, and not just for cash-poor buyers

Michelle Chumley poses for a portrait beside her new Chevrolet Trax compact SUV, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in West Chester, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

DETROIT (AP) — Had she wanted to, Michelle Chumley could have afforded a pricey new SUV loaded with options. But when it came time to replace her Chevrolet Blazer SUV, for which she’d paid about $40,000 three years ago, Chumley chose something smaller. And less costly.

With her purchase of a Chevrolet Trax compact SUV in June, Chumley joined a rising number of buyers who have made vehicles in the below-average $20,000-to-$30,000 range the fastest-growing segment of the nation’s new-auto market.

“I just don’t need that big vehicle and to be paying all of that gas money,” said Chumley, a 56-year-old nurse who lives outside Oxford, Ohio, near Cincinnati.

Across the industry, auto analysts say, an “affordability shift” is taking root. The trend is being led by people who feel they can no longer afford a new vehicle that would cost them roughly today’s average selling price of more than $47,000 — a jump of more than 20% from the pre-pandemic average.

To buy a new car at that price, an average buyer would have to spend $737 a month, if financed at today’s average loan rate of 7.1%, for just under six years before the vehicle would be paid off, according to Edmunds.com, an auto research and pricing site. For many, that is financially out of reach.

Yet there are other buyers who, like Chumley, could manage the financial burden but have decided it just isn’t worth the cost. And the trend is forcing America’s automakers to reassess their sales and production strategies. With buyers confronting inflated prices and still-high loan rates, sales of new U.S. autos rose only 1% through September over the same period last year. If the trend toward lower-priced vehicles proves a lasting one, more generous discounts could lead to lower average auto prices and slowing industry profits.

“Consumers are becoming more prudent as they face economic uncertainty, still-high interest rates and vehicle prices that remain elevated,” said Kevin Roberts, director of market intelligence at CarGurus, an automotive shopping site. “This year, all of the growth is happening in what we would consider the more affordable price buckets.”

Under pressure to unload their more expensive models, automakers have been lowering the sales prices on many such vehicles, largely by offering steeper discounts. In the past year, the average incentive per auto has nearly doubled, to $1,812, according to Edmunds.

General Motors said it kept discounts in check and average vehicle prices steady around $49,000 from July through September. That produced a $900 million pretax earnings gain from a year ago, but the company doesn’t expect that in the fourth quarter.

Through September, Roberts has calculated, new-vehicle sales to individual buyers, excluding sales to rental companies and other commercial fleets, are up 7%. Of that growth, 43% came in the $20,000-to-$30,000 price range — the largest share for that price category in at least four years. (For used vehicles, the shift is even more pronounced: 59% sales growth in the $15,000-to-$20,000 price range over that period.)

Sales of compact and subcompact cars and SUVs from mainstream auto brands are growing faster than in any year since 2018, according to data from Cox Automotive.

The sales gains for affordable vehicles is, in some ways, a return to a pattern that existed before the pandemic. As recently as 2018, compact and subcompact vehicles — typically among the most popular moderately priced vehicles — had accounted for nearly 35% of the nation’s new vehicle sales.

The proportion started to fall in 2020, when the pandemic caused a global shortage of computer chips that forced automakers to slow production and allocate scarce semiconductors to more expensive trucks and large SUVs. As buyers increasingly embraced those higher-priced vehicles, the companies posted robust earnings growth.

In the meantime, they deemed profit margins for lower-prices cars too meager to justify significant production of them. By 2022, the market share of compact and subcompact vehicles had dropped below 30%.

This year, that share has rebounded to nearly 34% and rising. Sales of compact sedans were up 16.7% through September from 12 months earlier. By contrast, CarGurus said, big pickups rose just under 6%. Sales of large SUVs are barely up at all — less than 1%.

Ford’s F-Series truck remains the top-selling vehicle in the United States this year, as it has been for nearly a half-century, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado. But Stellantis’ Ram pickup, typically No. 3, dropped to sixth place, outpaced by several less expensive small SUVs: the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V and the Tesla Model Y (with a $7,500 U.S. tax credit).

The move in buyer sentiment toward affordability came fast this year, catching many automakers off guard, with too-few vehicles available in lower price ranges. One reason for the shift, analysts say, is that many buyers who are willing to plunk down nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle had already done so in the past few years. People who are less able — or less willing — to spend that much had in many cases held on to their existing vehicles for years. The time had come for them to replace them. And most of them seem disinclined to spend more than they have to.

With loan rates still high and average auto insurance prices up a whopping 38% in the past two years, “the public just wants to be a little more frugal about it,” said Keith McCluskey, CEO of the dealership where Chumley bought her Trax.

Roberts of CarGurus noted that even many higher-income buyers are choosing smaller, lower-priced vehicles, in some cases because of uncertainties over the economy and the impending presidential election.

The shift has left some automakers overstocked with too many pricier trucks and SUVs. Some, like Stellantis, which makes Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles, have warned that the shift will eat into their profitability this year.

At General Motors’ Chevrolet brand, executives had foreseen the shift away from “uber expensive” vehicles and were prepared with the redesigned Trax, which came out in the spring of 2023, noted Mike MacPhee, director of Chevrolet sales operations.

Trax sales in the U.S. so far this year are up 130%, making it the nation’s top-selling subcompact SUV.

“We’re basically doubling our (Trax) sales volume from last year,” MacPhee said.

How long the preference for lower-priced vehicles may last is unclear. Charlie Chesbrough, chief economist for Cox Automotive, notes that the succession of expected interest rates cuts by the Federal Rates should eventually lead to lower auto loan rates, thereby making larger vehicles more affordable.

“The trends will probably start to change if these interest rates start coming down,” Chesbrough predicted. “We’ll see consumers start moving into these larger vehicles.”

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AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber in Washington contributed to this report.

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Pennsylvania on Election Day

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania voters are almost sure to play a pivotal role in the Nov. 5 general election, with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress and the state Legislature in the balance.

With its 19 electoral votes, the commonwealth is the largest prize among the battleground states and an important piece of both campaigns’ path to victory. Both Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump have made frequent visits to the state since becoming their parties’ nominees, including for their sole debate in Philadelphia in September.

Pennsylvania was one of three “blue wall” swing states that went narrowly for Trump in 2016 after almost 30 years of voting for Democratic presidential candidates; the others were Michigan and Wisconsin. Four years later, Democrat Joe Biden won all three states back for Democrats with a margin in Pennsylvania of about 80,000 votes out of more than 6.9 million votes cast. The states remain key electoral prizes this year.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey seeks a fourth term against Republican Dave McCormick. Casey, the son and namesake of a former two-term governor, has one of the most recognizable names in state politics but this year he faces what has shaped up to be the toughest race of his Senate career. The seat is critical to Democratic hopes of keeping control of the narrowly divided chamber. McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO and Army combat veteran, ran for Pennsylvania’s other U.S. Senate seat in 2022 but lost the GOP nomination to Mehmet Oz, who went on to lose to Democrat John Fetterman.

Further down the ballot, a handful of competitive races could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House. In the 7th Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild seeks a fourth full term against Republican Ryan Mackenzie. In the neighboring 8th Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright seeks a seventh term against Republican Robert Bresnahan. The 7th District in eastern Pennsylvania narrowly went for Biden in 2020, while voters in the 8th District, which includes Biden’s hometown of Scranton, preferred Trump.

In the race to control the state Legislature, Democrats are defending the razor-thin state House majority they won in 2022 for the first time in 12 years and have since successfully defended in several special elections. All 203 state House seats and half the 50 state Senate seats are up for election this year. Republicans have a majority in the state Senate.

Here’s a look at what to expect in the 2024 election in Pennsylvania:

Election Day

Nov. 5.

Poll closing time

8 p.m. ET.

Presidential electoral votes

19 awarded to statewide winner.

Key races and candidates

President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Jill Stein (Green).

U.S. Senate: Casey (D) vs. McCormick (R) and three others.

7th Congressional District: Wild (D) vs. Mackenzie (D).

8th Congressional District: Cartwright (D) vs. Bresnahan (R).

Other races of interest

U.S. House, Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer, state Senate and state House.

Decision Notes

Several factors contribute to a relatively slow vote counting process in Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania law, elections officials must wait until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day before they can begin to process ballots cast by mail and prepare them to be counted. The actual tabulation of mail ballots cannot begin until after polls have closed. Because of the overall volume of mail ballots — they comprised almost a quarter of the total vote in the 2022 midterm elections — and the varying amounts of time it takes the state’s 67 counties to tally these votes, determining a winner in a highly competitive race could take several days, as it did in the 2020 presidential election.

The first vote results reported after polls close are expected to come from mail ballots. Results from later in the night are expected to be a mix of mail votes and votes cast in person on Election Day. Once the vote counting stretches into the day after Election Day and beyond, the vote results are once again expected to come mostly from mail ballots.

Overall, votes cast by mail have tended to favor Democrats, ever since the issue of early and mail voting became highly politicized during the 2020 election. This means the Democratic candidate in a competitive contest could take an early lead in the vote count in the initial vote reports after polls close, even though the race may tighten considerably as more votes are tabulated.

In 2020, Biden took an early, temporary lead after mail voting results began to be released shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. ET. By about 10 p.m. ET, Trump took the lead as more results from Election Day voting were released. By early Wednesday morning, Trump led Biden by nearly 700,000 votes, but that lead would gradually shrink as more mail ballots were tabulated. Biden eventually retook the lead by Friday morning.

The suburban “collar counties” around Philadelphia are key battlegrounds and have been trending toward Democrats in recent years. In statewide elections, Republican candidates tend to win overwhelmingly in rural areas statewide, while Democrats rely on lopsided support in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Erie and Northampton counties on opposite sides of the state may also hold clues on election night. They are two of only 10 counties across all the presidential battlegrounds that voted for Trump in 2016 and flipped to Biden in 2020.

The Associated Press doesn’t make projections and will declare a winner only when it has determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race hasn’t been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, like candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear it hasn’t declared a winner and explain why.

In Pennsylvania, races with a vote margin of 0.5 percentage points or less are subject to an automatic recount. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.

Past presidential results

2020: Biden (D) 50%, Trump (R) 49%, AP race call: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, 11:25 a.m. ET.

Voter registration and turnout

Registered voters: 9,036,833 (as of Oct. 14, 2024). About 44% Democrats, about 40% Republicans, about 12% unaffiliated.

Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 76% of registered voters.

Pre-Election Day voting

Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 38% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2022: about 23% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See AP Advance Vote tracker.

How long does vote-counting take?

First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 8:09 p.m. ET.

By midnight ET: about 54% of total votes cast were reported.

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Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut, Jonathan Poet and Maya Sweedler contributed to this report.

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Read more about how U.S. elections work at Explaining Election 2024, a series from The Associated Press aimed at helping make sense of the American democracy. The AP receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Norfolk Southern tops third-quarter expectations with a boost from insurance and rail sales

Norfolk Southern locomotives are moved through the Conway Terminal in Conway, Pa., Saturday, June 17, 2023. Norfolk Southern reports their earnings Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Norfolk Southern’s streamlined operations delivered strong earnings last quarter, even excluding boosts from insurance payouts related to the disastrous derailment in East Palestine and the sale of two rail lines.

The Atlanta company recorded a $287 million gain on the sale of rail lines in Virginia and North Carolina, and for the second quarter in a row it collected more insurance payments than it paid out for last year’s derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.

Norfolk Southern earned $1.1 billion, or $4.85 per share in the quarter, up significantly from a year ago, when profits were hurt by mounting costs related to the derailment. Excluding one-time items, the railroad earned $737 million, or $3.25 per share, beating the $3.15 forecast by analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Before the opening bell Tuesday, shares of Norfolk Southern Corp. rose 3%.

New CEO Mark George, who took over last month, isn’t expected to implement any strategic changes because he helped craft the plan a couple years ago that calls for keeping more employees on hand during a downturn, so the railroad can respond better when the economy recovers.

“It’s really about building out consistent, safe, reliable service with a network that’s resilient and can bounce back from events,” like it did when Norfolk Southern got all its major lines running again within 72 hours after Hurricane Helene hit, said George, who was promoted from Chief Financial Officer after Alan Shaw was fired for an inappropriate relationship with an employee.

Norfolk Southern has been in the spotlight ever since the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine triggered a national focus on railroad safety. Earlier this year, the railroad also had to fend off a takeover bid from investment firm Ancora Holdings. The investor ultimately won only three seats, insufficient to make the sweeping changes it sought.

The railroad redoubled its efforts to lower costs in the spring, hiring Chief Operating Officer John Orr to help reduce the number of times railcars get switched and enable Norfolk Southern to operate fewer, longer trains. It’s operating expenses, when adjusted to remove costs related to the Ohio derailment and other one-time items, fell 6% to $1.93 billion. Norfolk Southern is working to improve its profit margin enough to catch up with the other major freight railroads.

“We’re seeing the results. And I don’t have a whole lot of patience for lack of execution or acceptance of mediocrity,” George said.

The railroad’s revenue of $3.05 billion was just below analyst expectation for $3.09 billion.

Norfolk Southern is one of the nation’s largest railroads, with tracks crisscrossing the Eastern United States.

Dolores (Gerner) Burlett (1937-2024)

Dolores (Gerner) Burlett, 87, passed away on October 19, 2024, in Villa St. Joseph of Baden, after fighting a prolonged battle with Multiple Myeloma & Myasthenia Gravis. She was born on February 13, 1937, in Bruin, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Ernest & Margaret Gerner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, brother and sister-in-law, Charles & Ruth Gerner, brother, LeRoy Gerner, and sister, Loretta Slater. She is survived by her daughter, Teresa, with whom she resided, son, John (Bonny) Burlett of Economy, grandson Andrew (Casey) Burlett of Cranberry, great-grandson, Garrett, brother in-law, Russell Slater, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Dolores was a 1955 graduate of Karns City High School. In 1957, she married Edward Burlett and the couple chose to reside and raise their family in Bell Acres, where they remained until Dolores’s move to Beaver last year. She spent 31 happy years as the cafeteria manager for the Quaker Valley School District before her retirement, as well as 27 years as a baker for the Allegheny Country Club. A member of Good Samaritan Parish and Christian Mothers/Ladies Guild of Ambridge, Dolores enjoyed serving her church and community. Most of all, Dolores loved being with her family and was a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Dolores will rest in peace with her faithful companion Buddy. The family would like to send special thanks to Dr. Richard Hogan, Dr. Remtulla, Dr. Sherry & Moon Oncology, and the staff of Villa St. Joseph for the exceptional care they provided to Dolores over the years. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 2-6 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. A funeral mass will take place on Thursday, October 24th at 10 A.M. to meet at the church, which is Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow in Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery.

Anita J. Reese (1947-2024)

Anita Jane Reese, 77, more affectionately known as “Nunni” to many, passed away in her home on October 20, 2024 with her loving husband by her side.

She was born on August 6, 1947, in Beaver Falls, a daughter of the late Victor and Jane (Brocius) Mannerino. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Thelma Mannerino and brother, Vince Mannerino. She is survived by her husband, Dennis Reese, sister, Jean (Bob) Hessenauer, brothers, Fred (Barb) Mannerino, and Danny (Ginger) Mannerino; grandchildren, Corinne (Rebecca) Weaver, Joey Yarosz, and Seneca Fuze, great-grandchildren, Jacen, Zoey, Damaree, and Demarco, as well as many nieces and nephews, which include Colleen (Brian) LaNeve, who showed love and support through this difficult time.

Anita lived her childhood years in her loving family home in Beaver Falls.  She proceeded to graduate from Beaver Falls High School and attended Garfield Secretarial School.  She started her career at Century Bank and finished with Huntington Bank after 44 years.  At the young age of 28, she met the love of her life, Dennis, who continuously showed her unconditional love and support.  They would go on to live a life that many dreamed of.  Throughout her life, Anita showed her love for the Lord and her unwavering devotion to her family.  She was a beautiful person who spread joy and happiness wherever she went.

In accordance with Anita’s wishes, there will be no viewing or funeral services.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to assist Anita’s family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anita’s name to McGuire Memorial, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066.

June E. Stalnecker (Passed on October 20th, 2024)

June E. Stalnecker, 93, of Monaca, passed away on October 20, 2024, at the Providence Health Care Center of Beaver Falls. She was born in Monaca, a daughter of the late Harriet and Lewis Smith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert ‘Bill’ Stalnecker, Sr., and her siblings, Evelyn Wojnarowski, George, Charles, James, and Donald ‘Buck’ Smith. She is survived by her devoted children, Barbara (Ron) Sciarro, Susan (Rob) Dobo, and Robert W. (Karen) Stalnecker, Jr., as well as her adoring sister, Hattie Gitts. June’s joy was multiplied by her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. June was the matriarch of her family.

Professionally, June was a dedicated employee at Johnson’s Flowers in Monaca. Her commitment to service extended beyond her professional life, as she was a life member of the American Legion Post #580 Auxiliary. In her role as Secretary/Treasurer, June demonstrated her organizational skills and dedication to the veteran community.

She relished the thrill of playing Bingo, the excitement of a day at the casinos, and the camaraderie of watching sports.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Grane Hospice for their exceptional care, with special thanks to RN Alexis and aide Don for their compassionate attention. The nursing staff at Providence Health Care Center, especially Becky RN, Tammy, Dawn M., Heidi, Kelly, Toni, Dawn, Ariel, and Christine, provided comfort and support that will always be remembered and appreciated.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, October 22nd 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 Wednesday, October 23rd at 10 a.m. with Reverend Robert Saul officiating. Interment will follow in Beaver Cemetery next to her late husband.

To share online condolences, add photos, get directions, please www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Cheryl Ann Hogue (1958-2024)

Cheryl Ann Hogue, 66, passed away on October 19th, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.

She was born in Beaver Falls on September 28th, 1958, the daughter of the late Thelma and Pete Hurbanek. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather George Modro and sister Dorothy Davis.

She is survived by her loving family, husband Charles Hogue, children, Chelsea Obenauf (Hogue) and Ryan Hogue, son-in-law Andrew Obenauf, beloved granddaughter Lenna Obenauf, brother and sister-in-law, George and Mary Hurbanek, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Lucy Hogue, nieces and nephews: Crystal Tomaino (Hogue) and family, Charli Davis and family, Tara Hurbanek and family, Heidi Monata (Davis) and family, George Robert Hurbanek II and family, Darcy Koach (Davis) and family, and special friends Brittany Lamey and family, and Sandra Edwards.

She was most proud of becoming a Gigi, a gift that was taken from her too soon.

Cheryl will be remembered for her kind, loving, and genuine heart. She always knew how to bring laughter to a room. She will be deeply missed and forever loved and remembered.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 26, from 1-3 p.m. at Center Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3, 110 Van Kirk Road, Monaca. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/33f4cf39.

Condolences for the family may be offered online at www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Donato J. “Dino” Mazreku (1945-2024)

Donato J. “Dino” Mazreku, 79, of Moon Township, passed away on October 17, 2024 at home with his wife by his side. He was born in Monopoli, Italy on March 10, 1945. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Peggy Mazreku, a son, Matthew Mazreku (Glenna) of Moon Township, daughter in law, Colleen Mazreku, 5 grandchildren: Matthew Mazreku (Emily), Allyssa Mazreku (Jack Martinez), Hayley Mazreku, Aidan Mazreku, Connor Mazreku; and 3 great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Elizabeth, and Ally Rai.

Donato retired from U.S. Airways after 34 years. He was a veteran of the US Navy. 

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, October 27th, from 1-5 P.M. in the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township where a blessing service will be held on Monday, October 28th at 10:30 A.M. A celebration of life luncheon will be held after the service. 

Thomas Michael Poulos (Passed on October 16th, 2024)

Thomas Michael Poulos, 68, a longtime resident of Beaver, passed away on October 16, 2024 at his residence. He was born in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Nicholas and Dorothy Poulos. He is survived by his cherished daughter Nicole and her husband Doug, who brought joy and pride to his life, especially through his grandsons, Douglas Sutter III and Garrett Sutter. He is also survived by his siblings: James (Janet) Poulos, Steve (Michelle) Poulos, Kathy Poulos, Teresa (Rich) Roy, and Carolyn Poulos, his nieces, nephews, and his three feline companions, Molly, Andy, and Buddy, who were the recipients of his affection and playful spirit.

Thomas’ formative years were spent in Beaver, where he graduated from Beaver Area High School. He devoted many years as a manager of several area restaurants. His leadership and work ethic were matched only by his ability to connect with people. 

In his later years, he had many friends from the Corner Grill in New Brighton, who became family.  He was an ardent supporter of Pittsburgh sports, who had a special place in his heart for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His loyalty to his teams was steadfast. Tom’s love for politics was matched by none. He thoroughly enjoyed and respected a good argument from anyone willing to debate him. Tom was a man who lived by his own set of rules, never afraid to break the mold. His authenticity and courage to be true to himself endeared him to many and served as an inspiration for those who aspire to live life on their own terms.

A blessing service will be held on Wednesday, Oct 23rd at 3 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.  

Visitation will follow until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

To share online condolences, add photos, get directions, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com. 

Robert (Bob) J. Artim (1955-2024)

Robert (Bob) J. Artim, 68, of Beaver, passed away on October 17, 2024 with his loving family by his side.
He was born on November 19, 1955 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the son of the late John and Marlene Artim.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-son Adam Galletta. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Kerri Ann, daughter, Shawn Artim of New Brighton, step-son, Aaron Galletta of San Diego, brothers, Gary (Marites) Artim of Pittsburgh and Greg (Tracy) Artim of Pittsburgh, aunt, Carlie Parke of The Villages, Florida, as well as many close friends and coworkers.

Robert was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp and had been a plant superintendent with Rome Monument, for over 40 years, where he referred to himself as the second-best stone cutter on the East Coast. He also loved his cats.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, October 22, in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, from 3 p.m. until the time of a blessing service at 6 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date at Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the Beaver County Human Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.