Lois Palitti, 87, passed away on April 14th, 2025. She was born on October 20th, 1937, the daughter of the late Claire and Eva (Farrell) Ritchie of College Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, her son, Terry Johnke, and her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy (Thomas) Simmons. She is survived by four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, Deane Johnke, a very special and dear friend, Jeannie Biehls, along with special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Lois was a member of the 1955 Class of Beaver Falls High School, the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, and the “Morado Gang” of childhood friends. She was also a member of Big Beaver. She worked in Ford Service for over thirty years. Friends will be received on Monday, April 21st from 3-7 P.M. at CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. A service will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at 11 A.M. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1154 Shenango Road Beaver Falls, with Pastor Paul Cwynar officiating. Interment will be private in the Williamsburg Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, it was Lois’ wish to have contributions go to the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.

Hope Charity Harn, 65, of Industry, passed away on April 15th, 2025 at Beaver Valley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, with her husband and daughter by her side. She was born in Sewickley on August 21st, 1959, a daughter of the late James and Mary Holden. She is survived by her husband, Clarence J. Harn Jr. and her daughter, Leeann J. Harn, her sister, Carmen F. Traccio, her brother, Loyd Holden, her sister-in-law, Sherrie Tame, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Hope worked as a baggage handler for U.S. Airways for many years, but left due to an injury. Hope achieved an associate’s degree from DCI career institute as a computer application specialist. She last worked at Heritage Valley Hospital, first as a file room clerk, then as a pharmacy technician.

Hope will be remembered for the joy and laughter, she could bring where ever she went. She would never say no to a shopping adventure and she would always say, “shake the keys and I’ll be there.” Hope loved sharing a cup of tea with a dear friend, and just sitting in the yard admiring the spring flowers. Hope will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22^nd in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery of Freedom.

Peggy Sue Kelly, 67, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on April 13th, 2025 at her residence.

She was born in Rochester on February 17th, 1958, a daughter of the late Ralph and Mary Jane (Wilson) Collins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Kelly. Peggy is survived by her children: Jonica Houk, Scott Collins, Tory Kelly, George Kelly, Brandy Wills and Mistie Stull; along with numerous grandchildren, her sisters, Gertrude Rump and Cathy Tichnel and her brothers, Ernest Patrick Rump and Donald Rump.

Peggy was a beloved well-respected woman. She was a nurse and a loving mother and grandmother. She loved eagles and playing Final Fantasy. She loved riding on motorcycles, traveling, and crocheting.

In accordance with Peggy’s wishes, no funeral service was held. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

James E. Smith, 82, of Cranberry Township, passed away on April 14th, 2025 in the Butler V.A. Healthcare. He was born in New Brighton on April 18th, 1942, the son of the late Elberta Mae Smith Liggett. He is also preceded in death by the grandparents who raised him in West Virginia, Robert J. and Ella Smith, one sister, Betty Liggett Betters Corbin and one niece, Roxanne Betters Albanese. James was a retired Supervisory Commissary Program Manager with the Defense Commissary Agency in charge of worldwide military bases. He was a Vietnam War era veteran of the United States Marine Corp, a graduate of the U.S Army War College of Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Florida V.F.W., St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church in Cranberry Township, part of Divine Grace Parish and was an attendee at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church of Rochester. James is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carole F. Rotuna Ondrusek Smith, as well as two daughters and a son-in-law, Tina M. Ondrusek Gerencser, of Clearwater, Florida, and Deborah A. Ondrusek and Joseph Pfaff, of Gordonsville, Virginia, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Anthony G. Ondrusek, of Baltimore, Maryland, and James R. and Nan Smith, of Tampa, Florida, seven grandchildren: Samantha, Margaret, and her fiancé Osvaldo, Cate, Adaline, Aaron, Karsten and Angela, and Connor; as well as two great grandchildren, Kurtus and Rio, one brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Patty Liggett of New Brighton, one beloved niece and two nephews, Jennifer Laracuente, Chuck Betters and Ray Liggett, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Friends will be received on Monday April 21st, from 3-7 p.m., at William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 22nd at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, Rochester. Interment will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery. The Vietnam Veterans of America will provide full military honors for their fallen comrade on Tuesday, April 22nd at the Rochester church and cemetery at 11 a.m. Family wishes in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.

Edward C. Howarth, 88, of Chippewa Township, passed away on April 10th, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He was born on New Brighton on July 28th, 1936, the son of the late James and Mary Helen (Southwick) Howarth. Edward graduated from Beaver Falls High School with the class of 1954 and went on to graduate from Geneva College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served in the Korean War. Edward was a retired accountant for Globe Refractories in Newell, West Virginia who also worked as a learning support aide for the Blackhawk School District. He was a member of many different organizations including being a member of the Knights of Columbus #604, treasurer for St. Vincent DePaul Society, life member of the BF Elks B.P.O.E #348, member of St. Monica Catholic Church of Saint Augustine Parish, member of the Board of Directors for Chippewa Riviera, past president of the Institute of Management Accounts, and treasurer for the Blackhawk Quarterback Club. He wasn’t just a Blackhawk Football Fan, he was family. He bled Green and Gold in either rain, snow, or heat. He showed up and was a constant presence at games, QB Club meetings and events, always supporting, always believing, always there. Whether he was rallying the community, grilling at booster events, or just showing love to every kid who put on a jersey, his made a lasting impact. His dedication to the program and the people in it was unmatched. He didn’t just love Blackhawk Football he lived it. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irene C. (Mukanus) Howarth. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Edward C. II and Cindy Howarth of Aurora, Colorado. Friends will be received on Thursday, April 17th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. in CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, where full military honors will be held at 3 P.M. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Private inurnment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery.