Jean Grandovic (1924-2025)

Jean Grandovic, 100, formerly of Ambridge, passed away on January 1st, 2025, in Masonic Village Nursing Home in Sewickley.

She was born in West Aliquippa on November 8th, 1924, a daughter of the late Frank and Amelia Markovich Vidic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Leo, who was the love of her life, along with many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her three children whom she deeply loved, Roberta and husband Dale Miller, whom she loved as a son, John Grandovic, Leo Grandovic and Nancy Grandovic, whom she loved as a daughter, three grandchildren, Lee (Rachel) Grandovic, Ryan Miller, & Savannah Grandovic, great granddaughter Layla Grandovic, a loving brother Robert Vidic, sister Anna Mae Vidic, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Jean’s grandchildren were all deeply loved and cherished by her.

Jean was a member and a Christian Mother of Good Samaritan Parish, SNPJ Lodge 33, and KSKJ Lodge 109. She worked in the Ambridge High School as a cafeteria monitor for many years. Jean devoted her life to her family. She always put others before herself.  She was a kind, loving woman who was described by all who knew her as an “amazing” person.  She had a positive outlook on life and being kind to one another was of great importance to her.

Friends will be received on Monday, January 6th from 8-10 A.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a prayer service will be offered at 10 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery. Jean’s family wishes to thank Masonic Village in Sewickley for all the loving care she received, and also to Good Samaritan Hospice.

Richard L. Zahrobsky II (1968-2024)

Richard L. Zahrobsky II, 56, of Aleppo Township in Sewickley, passed away on December 29th, 2024 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 2nd, 1968, the son of Richard L. and Joanne Zahrobsky. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving family and his beloved wife of nine years, Tamey Zahrobsky (Bliley), three children, Connor, Owen, and Cara, three stepchildren, Tara (husband Andrew) Corace and grandson Luke, Brianna Sucharski, and Zachery Sucharski (fiancée McKenna Kaup), sister Cindy Zahrobsky and numerous other family members and friends.

Richard graduated from Connellsville Senior High School. He obtained a degree in polymer science at the University of Pittsburgh where he was a proud Delta Tau Delta. He traveled extensively around the world during his employment with various technology companies. He finished his career as the Director of Sales and Marketing with Beaumont Tech.

Richard loved Sewickley’s small-town presence and served on the board of the Aleppo Water and Sewer Authority. In his free time, he enjoyed biking, triathlons, sailing, skiing, and riding motorcycles. He was a ski instructor at Seven Springs Ski Resort, a founding member of the Pitt Crew rowing team at the University of Pittsburgh, and a trumpet player in high school and the Molinaro Band. He will also be remembered for his pure joy in teasing his family with dad jokes – the worse the joke, the better for him! He loved vacationing, especially at the beach where he could put his feet in the sand, search for shells, and have pizza while watching the sunset.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, January 6th, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. at Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be donated to cancer research non-profits.

Mary A. Garmen (1937-2025)

Mary A. Garmen, 87, of New Brighton, passed away on January 1st, 2025 in Cambridge Village of Patterson Township.

She was born in Beaver Falls on September 26th, 1937, a daughter of the late Raymond and Mildred (Dambach) Goehring. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert R. Garmen, and a brother, Eugene. She is survived by four daughters, Deborah (John) Zingaro, New Sewickley Township, Diana Garmen of Beaver Falls, Denise (Mark) Pullinger, Daugherty Township, Donna (Robert) Wright of Tennessee; ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, sister Leona Nagel of Ohio; along with several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Mary retired from Beaver Area High School, where she was a custodian.

In accordance with Mary’s wishes, there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

The family would like to thank Monarch Hospice and the staff of Cambridge Village for their loving care.

Gary Gilbert Van Winkle (Passed on December 15th, 2024)

Gary Gilbert Van Winkle, 88, of Rochester, passed away on December 15th, 2024 at Post Acute Medical (PAM) Center in Beaver.  He was born in Abingdon, Illinois, a son of the late Garrett Van Winkle and Evalyn Lamb. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Rachel Lombardo-Van Winkle, first wife Carolyn Watkins, and second wife Charlotte (Shahan) Van Winkle. He is survived by his long-time companion Rebecca Finch, his five sons: Gary, Stephen, Paul, Douglas, and Gregory; daughter, Cynthia; eight grandchildren: Elizabeth Van Winkle, Benjamin Van Winkle, Jennifer Rowe, Alexander Pitt, Laura Lyons, Charles Lyons, Thomas Van Winkle, and Joseph Van Winkle; six great-grandsons: Colvin Rowe, Dylan Rowe, Tatum Rowe, Brayden Pitt, Bennett Pitt, and Bryson Pitt; two brothers, Joseph Kelly Van Winkle and James Van Winkle, two sisters, Patricia Stachew and Jean Van Winkle and several nieces and nephews.

Gary attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC and served with the DC Air National Guard.  Upon graduation from Gonzaga, he began a long and distinguished career in the computer technology industry.  He loved photography, fly-fishing, sports cars, and sports car racing.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Patricia Louise Lawson (1950-2024)

Patricia Louise (Salvano) Lawson, 74, formerly of Koppel, passed away on December 31st, 2024 at Sarah Reed Senior Living of Erie.

She was born in Beaver Faslls on June 22nd, 1950, a daughter of the late Joseph and Lois (Stanyard) Salvano. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William Lawson, her sister Joyce Salvano, her brother Joseph Salvano, her brother-in-law Richard Lawson and sister-in-law, Jill Docchio.

She is survived by her daughter Heather (Todd) Matlak, grandchildren Hayley and Madison, sister-in-law Adele Clerici, niece Melody Clerici and nephew Andy Richard, as well as numerous cousins and close friends.

Patricia graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1968 and United Hospital School of Nursing in 1971.  She then worked as a registered nurse at Beaver Falls Hospital until staying home to raise her family. She eventually returned to work as a nurse at Valley Internal Medicine where she met many wonderful, lifelong friends. She was married on August 28, 1971, to the love of her life and they were by each other’s side until William’s death in 2013.  While married, she and William enjoyed many camping and fishing trips together. Patricia was kind, caring, and compassionate, always putting others needs before her own. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Patricia and her daughter would like to thank the staff at Sarah Reed for their care of Patricia over these past years and to the close friends and family for their care and support.

According to Patricia’s request, services are private. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Gabauer Funeral Homes.

Inurnment will be in Grandview Cemetery.

Beaver County Radio to Debut New Show on Monday and Expand Another

(Logo designed by William Tittinger, St. Barnabas Marketing)

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) Beaver County Radio General Manager Frank Sparks announced on Thursday, January 2, 2025, that Beaver County Radio will be debuting a new show on 99.3 FM WBVP and 1230 WBVP while also expanding an existing show on 95.7 FM and 1460 WMBA.

Starting on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9 AM Beaver County Radio will debut “Something to Crow About” with Eddy Crow. The show will be weekdays from 9-noon on 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, and beavercountyradio.com. Eddy has a very unique outlook on things happening in our world today and he will share that outlook with the listeners. Eddy will also have monthly guests as well as ones that are making news locally, regionally, and nationally. He will also take phone calls from listeners to get their opinions as well.  Sparks said via release “It’s a time of change for Beaver County Radio and it’s time that Eddy Crow has a show that highlights his personality and his unique outlook. I am excited to see what the future holds with Eddy’s new show.” The show will be on 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, beavercountyradio.com, and also on the St. Barnabas Broadcasting App for both Android and Apple.

At the same time Sparks announced that the morning show on The Beaver Morning Show on 95.7 FM and 1460 WMBA will expand one hour and now will be from 6-10 AM weekdays. Sparks also said a separate release will be coming out on Friday Morning announcing who will be the permanent host of the show.

Richard Wagner (1954-2024)

Richard Wagner, 70, of Center Township, passed away unexpectedly in his home on December 14th, 2024.

He was born on February 16th, 1954, the beloved son of the late William J. Wagner and Stella (Gentile) Wagner. He is survived by his three daughters, Rachel Vixman, Hayley Wagner, and Lyndsey Wagner; his brother and sister, William D. Wagner and Susan Wagner, his niece and nephew, Danielle and Branden Thornton and his six grandchildren: Marley Vixman, Emma Vixman, Olivia Vixman, Leah Vixman, Kali Unis, and Frankie Unis.

Richard had a lifelong passion for the outdoors, whether it was going on nature walks, tending to his garden, berry picking, or hunting for arrowheads. He also enjoyed traveling and sharing stories of his many adventures. He had a way of making everyone laugh with his big personality and could always be recognized by his distinctive whistle, making him a truly memorable presence in the lives of all who knew him.

Richard was a retired union worker and a proud member of several clubs.

A celebration of life will be held for him in the spring. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Gabauer Funeral Homes.

Some information to note before approaching deadline to get a real ID in Pennsylvania

(File Photo of PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The deadline to get a real identification in Pennsylvania is May 7th, 2025. A driver’s license center has within a fifteen-day period to deliver a real ID in Pennsylvania, but there are fifteen centers in the state that give out real IDs when you arrive. Pennsylvanians need an original or certified birth certificate or an unexpired passport to prove their identity to get a real ID. Pennsylvanians also need a social security card and two forms that display your present address to get a real ID and prove both their security number and address. According to PennDOT, it is $30 as a one-time fee to get a real ID including a renewal fee for your photo ID card and driver’s license.

Mental health resources for the new year are available here in Pennsylvania if you need help

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Rear view at upset man feel pain depression problem addiction get psychological support of counselor therapist coach diverse people friend group help patient during therapy counseling session concept.

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) On December 18th, 2024, the administration of Governor Josh Shapiro met in Harrisburg to explain that resources for mental health can be a resolution for the new year. PA Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh gave a option to contact 988 if you need help. The service will give professional help needed if you struggle with some of the main problems regarding mental health. According to Arkoosh, if you have feelings that are overwhelming, depressing or isolating, contact this resource because it is available throughout the year.

One of the first babies born in 2025 was born in Allegheny Health Network’s Wexford Hospital on New Year’s Day

(Photo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Wexford, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, early Wednesday morning at Allegheny Health Network’s Wexford hospital, one of the first babies of 2025 was born. Rachel and Mark Cunningham of Pine Richland Township had a baby boy named Luka Gold Cunningham coming in at seven pounds and twelve ounces at 12:44 a.m. The release states that Luka is the first baby born out of the Greater Pittsburgh region in that hospital. The parents of Luka also received both diapers for free courtesy of the Western PA Diaper Bank and swimming lessons from Goldfish Swim School for free called “Lessons for a Lifetime.”