Julia (Yankulic) Petula, 94, of Ambridge, passed away on February 21st, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Yankulic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike Petula, as well as five brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Nancy) Petula and Larry (Janet) Petula; her grandchildren: Traci, Michael, Gwendolyn and Alyssa; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Julia had a passion for baking and cooking, and she loved playing bingo and cards. She enjoyed visits from her neighbors and always had the coffee pot brewing.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Julia’s dear friend and caregiver, Fred Cook, as well as family friend, Lucy Mouradian.

In honor of Julia, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to a charity of your choice.

In accordance with her wishes, funeral services will be private. The services and arrangements are entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Mary Jane “Janey” Helble, 73, of Sarver, Pennsylvania (formerly of New Brighton, passed away on February 21st, 2025.

She was born in New Brighton on August 3rd, 1951, a daughter of the late Chalmers and Mary Ann (Eckhardt) Helble. She is survived by five siblings: Susan (the late William) Cronin, Ruth Cattivera, Kathy (John) Orosz, Denis (Cheryle) Helble and Doris Nadzam; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two nieces and an infant nephew, Laura Ann Cronin, Angela Cronin Chadwick and Jeffrey Cronin.

After working at McGuire Memorial Home throughout her teenage years, Mary Jane moved to Hartford, Connecticut where she worked for Aetna Insurance for 20 years. In 1991, she returned to Beaver County where she lived with and was a wonderful companion to her mom for 27 years. While lovingly caring for her mom, Janey worked for Philips Production/ExxonMobil/XTO Energy for 25 years. Janey retired in 2016 to be home more with Mom. In 2018, after having finished her mission of caring for her mom, Janey moved to Sarver, Pennsylvania to live with her sister Doris who has lovingly cared for her for the past 7 years.

Mary Jane was a woman of many talents. She had a deep love for music and dancing, especially country line dancing, and could find the beat in any song, even if the rest of us had two left feet.

She was also a master of the small joys in life: solving word search puzzles like a detective, bringing paint-by-number art to life with patience and precision, and creating beautiful crafts that she and Mom would proudly sell at craft shows (or, let’s be honest, keep half of because they were just too nice to part with).

Dementia may have tried to dim her light, but it never took away her spirit. She continued to bring joy, laughter, and the occasional sassy remark to those around her. Her family will forever cherish the memories of her sharp wit, boundless creativity, and the way she could make any gathering feel like a party.

Family and friends will be received Tuesday, February 25th, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in J &J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton. Fr. Howard Campbell O’Neill officiate. A celebration of her life will take place at J&J Spratt Funeral Home in New Brighton, where we’ll share stories, play her favorite music, and maybe even do a little dancing in her honor, though none of us will do it quite as well as she did.

Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or take some time to dance to a song you love, lose yourself in a puzzle, start a craft project (even if you never finish it), and remember that life is meant to be lived with joy, creativity, and a little bit of rhythm.

Eleanor Eva Reynolds (née Kelly), 83, of Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 16th, 2025.

She was born in Vanport Township, Pennsylvania on December 10th, 1941. Eleanor lived a life defined by kindness, selflessness, and an unwavering love for her family and friends. She graduated from Midland High School in 1960 and went on to dedicate 22 years of her life as a custodian for the Beaver Area School District, where her hard work, reliability, and kind nature left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with.

Eleanor had a special gift for making people feel valued and loved. Her door was always open, and her heart was even more so. She found pure joy in life’s simple moments: spending time with her great-grandchildren, reading her Bible, making homemade chocolate candies, and watching her favorite game shows, especially Jeopardy. She loved reading the daily newspaper and completing crossword puzzles.

Above all, Eleanor’s greatest passion was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who made sure everyone felt deeply loved. Her wisdom, patience, and boundless generosity were felt by all who knew her. She was a gentle, caring soul who made everyone feel seen, valued, and loved.

She is survived by her loving son, Edward Reynolds, her adoring granddaughter, Emily Reynolds, Emily’s fiancé, Nathan Atkinson, her great-grandsons, Liam and Max, her great-granddaughters, Sienna, Aubree, Harper, and Riley (who will be welcomed into the world soon) and her sister-in-law, Gladys Kelly. She also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, and friends who cherished her deeply.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Edward Kelly and her siblings: Edward Kelly Jr. (and his late wife Gladys), John Kelly, Allan Kelly, Twila Holben (and her late husband Gene), Mary Hartman (and her late husband Joseph), and George Kelly. She was the last surviving sibling of her family, carrying forward the love and memories of each one.

Eleanor’s life was a shining example of kindness, compassion, and unconditional love. She had a way of making everyone feel like family. Her gentle nature, sweet smile, and the love she so freely gave left a mark that will never fade.

In honoring Eleanor’s wishes, there will be no public service. A private cremation will take place. All arrangements were entrusted to the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc. 340 Third Street, Beaver, who was honored to take care of Eleanor and her family.

Though she is no longer with us, Eleanor’s legacy of love, kindness, and family devotion will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She was truly one of a kind—a light in the lives of so many—and she will be missed beyond measure.

Janet Marie Miller, 67, of East Palestine, passed away unexpectedly in her home on February 21st, 2025.

She was born in Beaver Falls on February 14, 1958, the daughter of Margaret (Paliotte) Miller and the late Howard Miller, Jr.

Janet was a proud Veteran of the United States Army and was a member of both St. Cecelia Church of Rochester and the New Galilee VFW.  She worked as a construction inspector for many years and enjoyed playing bocce in her free time.

In addition to her mother, Janet is survived by her brothers, Thomas (Cynthia) Miller, Howard “Hem” (Carrie) Miller III, and David (Gaylen) Miller, a special friend, Linda Smega; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

In accordance with Janet’s wishes, she will be cremated.

Inurnment with full military honors will take place in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Monaca.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, were honored to provide care and guidance to Janet’s family and friends during this time.

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Patricia Jean “Nana Pat” Porter, 78, of Beaver, passed away on February 21st, 2025 in Heritage Valley Beaver.  She was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 16, 1947, a daughter of the late August and Evelyn Lorenzi. She was a former co-owner of Pizza Joe’s Pizza Shop in Beaver. She worked previously as a preschool teacher and in the cafeteria of Rochester School District. Patty’s most important job in life was her family.  The time she spent with her grandchildren watching sports, reading books, making sure everyone was happy, was what she enjoyed most.  She was always there to help her husband, children and grandchildren with whatever they would need. She was a true caretaker.  She also loved the time she spent volunteering at the Beaver Library.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother John Lorenzi.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Dave Porter; two daughters and sons-in-law: Stacia & Shawn Morrow, and Erica & Mike Keefer, six grandchildren: Braden Pattison, Cade Pattison, Whitley Morrow, Caysen Morrow, Judah Keefer and Porter Keefer; a sister, Vicky Flick; and her bonus grandsons: Omari Smith, Jesse Schaub, and Jayson Godart. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, and beloved friends.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 26th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, February 27th at 11 a.m. in His Place Fellowship Hall 908 Market St. Bridgewater, PA 15009. All are welcome.

Private interment will take place in Beaver Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaver Friends of the Library. 100 College Ave. Beaver, PA 15009.