Rose Marie Peterson (1935-2025)

Rose Marie Peterson, 89, passed away on July 11th, 2025, at Orchard Manor in Grove City, Pennsylvania. She was surrounded by her family for the two weeks that led up to her passing. She was born into a Catholic family in Aliquippa on November 30th, 1935, a daughter of the late Lorenzo and Anastasia DelTondo, who she loved deeply. Rose often said that she was “the last Rose of November.” In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Michael Peterson, her brother, Felice “Phil” and his wife Carolyn DelTondo and her sister, Mary Mullins. She is survived by her three children, Linda Peterson (Ed Cline), William Peterson, and Michael Peterson (Nancy Luna), her brother-in-law, Robert Mullins, her nieces and nephew, Rachael, Magic and Jeffery, her five granddaughters, April, Holly, Lydia, Jennifer, and Taryn and her great-grandchildren, Kaelin, Benjamin and Charlotte.

Rose was many things: a daughter, who learned to cook Italian meals with love; a wife, who tended bar and shot pool alongside her husband at their bar, Rose and Bill’s Fifth Street Cafe; a mother, who raised a nurse and two police officers; and a grandmother, who lived with her son and triplet granddaughters who taught them everything her parents had taught her.

Due to her progressing dementia, Rose spent her last two golden years at Orchard Manor, only fifteen minutes away from her home in Grove City. Even in her old age, Rose was known as the “firecracker” of the skilled nursing facility. Despite her initial escape attempts, she grew to call Orchard Manor a second home because of the loving individuals who took care of her.

Rose’s memory will always consist of regularly bowling a 185, dancing with her left-footed triplets to Mollie B.’s Polka Party and playing cards because “her father told her not to.” Her resilience and strength will continue to inspire all that had the pleasure of knowing her over the 89 years of her beautiful life.

All services for Rose were private. The family would like to thank GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, for caring for Rose during this difficult time. This funeral home was in charge of her arrangements.

Rose Marie Persin (1940-2025)

Rose Marie Persin, 85, of Baden, passed away peacefully on July 4th, 2025.

She was born in Baden on January 7th, 1940. Rose was a lifelong member of the community she loved. She was married to her husband, William Persin, and together they raised five children: Leslie, Daniel, Jill, Gail, and Jeff. She was also a proud grandmother to many grandchildren, and these relatives all survive her.

Rose was the heart of the family-owned business, Persin’s Tavern, where she spent much of her life. Social and warm, she loved chatting with people and had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. She dedicated herself fully to running the business.

She had a passion for cooking and baking, and in her younger years enjoyed painting, reading, and bowling. Rose was known for her kind and caring nature. She will be remembered always in the hearts of her family, loyal patrons, and all who loved her.

Funeral arrangements are private. Services and arrangments are entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Donald I. Pfirrman (1951-2025)

Donald I. Pfirrman, 74, of Economy Borough, passed away on July 12th, 2025.

He was born in Pittsburgh on April 7th, 1951, a son of the late William and Violet Boyle Pfirrman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Debra Pfirrman and a brother, William Pfirrman, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Karen Carmack of Texas.

In accordance with Donald’s request, no services were held. Private Interment took place in the Lakewood Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Allegheny Health Network offering sports physicals to Ambridge High School student athletes at Ambridge High School

(File Photo of the Allegheny Health Network Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, AHN’s pediatric institute will offer sports physicals to student athletes at Ambridge High School today at noon. This AHN initiative helps to give access that is convenient to sports physicals that are required, making sure students are prepared for the athletic season that is upcoming. Walk-ins can be accepted and students need to be enrolled the Ambridge School District to receive these physicals. If you are planning on going, call 412-596-2679 by 10:30 a.m. today (Tuesday, July 15th, 2025). On the site of Ambridge High School, free parking will also be available.

Vince Gill thrills in Pittsburgh

By Scott Tady

PITTSBURGH — For three-hours, eight-minutes, Vince Gill provided real deal country music to a nearly sold-out Heinz Hall on July 12.

“We’re loaded up on pickles and ready to go,” Gill joked upon taking the stage at 7:30 sharp, referencing the sprawling Picklesburgh festival right outside the hall’s front doors.

Gill’s guitar wizardry is enough to make other guitarists green with envy, as he demonstrated from the get-go, starting the set with a blazing “One More Chance.”

The 68-year-old Oklahoman is a top-notch storyteller, too, stirring up laughs and tears. The funny moments included his tale of a mean-looking cowboy in an Amarillo dive bar telling him he looks just like Vince Gill except much heavier.

Vince Gill headlining Heinz Hall on July 12.

Gill also elicited smiles when praising country music for its predilection for cheating songs, noting all that cheatin’ also has resulted in a bunch of gospel songs. Gill performed a few of both those sub-genres.

He talked about sad songs, too, praising an early mentor, Vern Gosdin, for writing the poignant line “you don’t know sorrow till it’s etched in stone.” The only song sadder than that is “Old Shep,” a traditional folk song about a young man having to put down his beloved, crippled dog, according to Gill, who mentioned how his dad tormented his childhood by singing him that song.

“But after years of therapy…’ Gill wisecracked.

The night’s most touching moment came when Gill set up “Benny’s Song,” a tribute to his childhood friend and longtime musical collaborator Benny Garcia, who died in 2020 in hospice care just hours before Gill was scheduled to visit him one last time.

Gill tipped a hat to two of his biggest influences, soaring through Merle Haggard’s “The Bottle Let Me Down” and Buck Owens’ “Together Again.”

Surrounded by a stellar band —  Jim “Moose” Brown (keyboards), Tom Bukovac (guitar), Eddie Dunlap (steel guitar), Jedd Hughes (guitar, vocals), John Jarvis (keyboards), Wendy Moten (vocals), Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass), Billy Thomas (drums), and Jeff White (guitar, vocals) — Gill shined on hits (“Look at Us,” “When I Call Your Name”), and deeper cuts like “Colder Than Winter.”

The country star gave well-deserved spotlight time to vocalists Hughes and Moten, who both bedazzled on lead mic, with crowd-pleasing performances, respectively, on “Loving You Is The Only Way to Fly” and a cover of “Ode to Billie Joe.” Some fans in the audience wore Moten concert T-shirts, familiar with her runner-up appearance on NBC’s “The Voice” and her work as a harmonizing vocalist on Faith Hill and Martina McBride tours.

Vince Gill headlining Heinz Hall on July 12.

For Gill, songs like “Guitar Slinger” and the delightful pre-encore romp “Oklahoma Borderline” provided a musical landscape to stretch out a bit and thrill spectators with his guitar prowess.

Briefly mentioning his “other gig,” as a member of The Eagles the past eight years, Gill finished one song by riffing a guitar solo snippet from that famed band’s “New Kid in Town.” Later would come a quick Allman Brothers guitar medley that included “Blue Sky.”

Powered by musicianship, songcraft, storytelling, work ethic and a genuinely friendly disposition, Gill captivated from start to finish.

Standout South Side High School football player commits to Syracuse University to play college football as a punter there

(File Photo of Busses Parked at South Side Area School District)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hookstown, PA) A high school football player that stood out at South Side High School in Hookstown committed to Syracuse University to play college football there as a punter on Thursday. The commitment by Mateja Pavlovich to Syracuse University is rare air for South Side High School to get an athlete to commit to a Power football program. According to the South Side Area School District Athletic Department, the commitment by Pavlovich is potentially the first South Side football player to commit to a Power football program since the early 1980s. Aside to being a punter at South Side High School, he was a running back, tight end and kicker there during his four years there. He also got offers to be a punter at Robert Morris University, Bowling Green and West Virginia and as a linebacker at some Division II schools. He also got kicker offers in 2023, with Kentucky most notably. He also joins former South Side standouts to go to Division I programs, joining Harold Garren, who committed to the University of Virginia, Mark Shaw who committed to the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) and Doug Wassel, who committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Victoria L. Johnson (1944-2025)

Victoria L. Johnson, 80, of Potter Township, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away on July 12th, 2025. She was born in Punxsutawney on October 10th, 1944, a daughter of the late Joseph and Betty Gilarno. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Judi Bergman. She is survived by her husband, her children, four grandchildren: Kyle (Nicole) Johnson, Jonathan, Hannah, and Nick Flaugh; as well as a great grandson, Max Johnson, a brother, Dan (Rose) Gilarno, a sister, Tracy (Robert) Sutton, and many nieces and nephews. Victoria married the love of her life, John H. Johnson and they shared nearly 60 years together. She will always remain his “princess.” They built a beautiful life with their children, Laura (Patrick) Flaugh and Aaron (Jenn) Johnson. Her greatest delight came in being a grandmother, and more recently, a great grandmother. Her faith was central in her life, and she was active in her church as her health allowed. She took special pride in managing the children’s library at Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa. She found joy in cooking and baking, spending time with family and friends, and the gals in her long-standing card club. She was funny and could make people laugh with her quick wit and one liners. Despite enduring various illnesses, her resilience was remarkable. 

Friends will be received on Wednesday, July 16th from 4–8 p.m. and a service will be held on Thursday, July 17th, at noon at the Gabauer-Todd Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 340 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

People say to her as she always said to them, “We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” 

Josephine “Jo” Lorraine Park (1926-2025)

Josephine (Jo) Lorraine Park, 99, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on July 12th, 2025.  She was born in Rathmel, Pennsylvania on March 17th, 1926, a daughter of the late Charles and Edna (Melton) London. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Anthony Park, a daughter, Rosalie Tanner, her brothers, Lyman, Leonard and Percy London and a sister, Maxine Halowell. She is survived by her granddaughters, Cindy Tanner (John Lucic), Linda (Jason) Natali, great grandchildren Nolan and Aidan Natali, son-in-law George (Shirley) Tanner nieces Alice Kyle and Cathy Santillo, and her devout canine companion, Stella.  

Josephine was a 1943 graduate of Reynoldsville High School where she met the love of her life, Anthony. She was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of New Brighton where she was a choir member and deacon for many years. She was employed by Montgomery Ward in Beaver Falls and also the New Brighton 5 and 10 until her retirement.   

One of Josephine’s greatest pleasures were her granddaughters whom she guided and loved through their lives after the passing of their mother.  She also took immense pride in her great grandchildren whom she was able to watch grow and mature.  Jo was an accomplished seamstress who created many formal dresses of her own design for her granddaughters dances and other events.  She also enjoyed cooking for weekly Sunday dinners for her family.  

She will be remembered as a kind and generous woman who lived her life as an inspiration to others.  Her hands were always busy helping others whether it was making a meal for someone, offering a listening ear, or simply showing up when it mattered most.  She taught by example that the greatest gift we can give is love without condition or judgement.  Her selfless attitude and warm heart will live with all who have known her.   

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Robert Palguta and his staff at New Covenant Family Practice and all other medical professionals who provided for her care.  We would also like to thank all of the members of her church family who she loved dearly and were always available in times of need. 

Friends will be received on Wednesday, July 16th, from 5-8 p.m. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements. A service will also be held on Thursday, July 17th at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 115 North Mercer Avenue, New Brighton, PA, 15066 at noon with a short viewing prior to the service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to jjsprattfh.com. 

Thomas Willard Reiff (1941-2025)

Thomas Willard Reiff, 83, of Crescent Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by his three loving children in his home, on July 10th, 2025. He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on August 3rd, 1941, the son of late Willard and Ruth (Yocum) Reiff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Francis (Biseli) Reiff. He is survived by his three children, William Reiff (Lora) of Ohio, Jennifer Wood (Donald) of Ohio, Julie Armstrong (Jesse) of Moon Township, six grandchildren: Thomas & Jackson Reiff, Spencer & Tyler Wood, Jacob & Colton Armstrong; as well as a sister, Suzanne Berg (Doug). 

Thomas graduated from Collegeville Trappe High School in 1959.  After graduating, he went on to obtain his auto mechanic license from Spring Garden Institute in 1961.  From there, he joined the Navy and served from 1962 through 1966.  After honorable discharge, he attended Teterboro School of Aeronautics and became a licensed aviation mechanic. He worked for US Airways for 38 ½ years as an aircraft mechanic and foreman. 

After retirement, Thomas enjoyed spending time with his family, attending grandchildren’s events, sailing, going to the gym, and having coffee with his friends. 

Friends will be received on Tuesday July 15th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. in the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremations Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Moon Township, who was in charge of his arrangements and where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 16th at 11 A.M.  Interment will follow at Mt Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 2831 Prospect Avenue E, Cleveland, OH 44115 or Wake Forest Medical Center Boulevard c/o Dr. Anthony Bleyer 7th Floor Winston-Salem, NC 27157. 

Jesse Sturm (1993-2025)

Jesse Sturm, 31, of Beaver County, passed away on July 12th, 2025, held forever in the hearts of those who loved him most.  He was born on August 31st, 1993, the son of Deanna (Buczynski) Redmond. In addition to his mother, Jesse is survived by his stepfathers, Jeffery Giles and Brian Redmond, his beloved son, Brayden Sturm, his sister, Brittany (Garrett) Covalt, his brother, Hunter Giles and his grandparents, Donna Buczynski, Penelope Giles, and Larry Giles, his niece, Zoey Sade, his nephew, Parker Covalt and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Raymond Buczynski. 

Jesse was a passionate, kind, and spirited young man whose memory will forever be cherished. From an early age, Jesse’s world revolved around sports. He had an uncanny ability to remember every stat and score, often favoring ESPN over textbooks. He traveled the country with his mom to attend games, soaking in the excitement of stadiums and arenas across the United States. Jesse didn’t just watch sports: he played them. Baseball, golf, soccer, and football all filled his youth, but his most treasured moments were spent fishing with his beloved pap. Jesse also loved playing video games and poker; a passion he carried with him throughout his life. Whether relaxing after work or spending time with friends, gaming was one of his favorite ways to unwind and connect.
His other great passion was cars: especially Volkswagens and Audis. He found joy in attending annual Volkswagen enthusiast shows with his friends, turning a hobby into a career he loved. He was exceptional at sales in the auto industry, known not just for his knowledge and drive but for the genuine connections he made with those around him. Above all, Jesse was a loving father. The birth of his son Brayden in October 2021 brought him immeasurable joy and purpose. Whether they were playing cars, wrestling on the floor, or letting the family dogs Koby and Finn join in the fun, Jesse enjoyed every moment with Brayden. He often spoke of his dream of one day seeing Brayden lace up skates and play hockey: a dream that speaks to the hope and love he held for his son’s future. Jesse’s life, though far too short, was filled with passion, integrity, and love for his family and friends.  He will be remembered for his big heart, his sharp wit, and giving someone the side eye when he didn’t agree. He will be missed more than words can express. 

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15th, from 4 P.M. until the time of a funeral service at 6:30 P.M. in the Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.