Michael E. LaNeve, 63, of Beaver Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 6, 2024.

He was born on May 12, 1961, in New Brighton, he was the son of Shirley (Householder) LaNeve and the late Frank LaNeve. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his loving companion, Lois Schweitzer; and a nephew, John Mitchell. In addition to his mother, he is survived by three siblings, Frank LaNeve, Mary (John) Mitchell, and Brian (Colleen) LaNeve and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Michael had attended Saints Peter & Paul Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and worked for Seven Oaks Country Club for 40 years.

Michael had a great love for friends and family, which included his work family at Seven Oaks Country Club. He always made time to celebrate special occasions and early Christmas morning visits with his nieces and nephews. If ever anyone was an optimist, it was Michael. No matter what life put in front of him, he never complained nor did he give up.  Whenever the professionals or doctors painted a dark picture, whether concerning his health issues or those of Lois, Mike would just say they have been wrong before and keep moving forward.

Friends will be received on Thursday, September 12^th from 4-7 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Ave., New Brighton.

A blessing service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, September 13^th, at 11AM.  Friends will be received one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, 15001.

Anna “Nina” Pelino 95, of Aliquippa passed away on September 1, 2024, in the comfort of her home. She was born on October 5, 1928, in Pacentro (L’ Aquila, Abruzzo), Italy, the eldest daughter of Virginia and Ettore Fabilli. She was preceded in death by her husband, Celestino Pelino and her sister Argentina Manfre (Frank). She is survived by her two daughters, Louise McDonald (Dennis) and Donna Emery (Richard), four grandchildren Denny and Celeste, Anna Emery and Stephanie Harm (Chris), two great grandchildren, her sisters, Flora Lucci, (the late Biagio), Violetta Rubino (Germano), Amelia Garofolo (Nick), her brother Giovanni Fabilli (Emma) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Anna was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had four sisters and one brother. She was affectionately called “Mama” by her family.
At the age of 16, on September 6, 1946, she married Celestino Pelino in Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria della, Misericordia Church. Together they lived an exemplary life of devotion to God, family and friends. If anyone needed help, they were there before anyone would ask. They taught their children it is better to give then receive.
Celestino immigrated to the United States and found employment at J&L Steel, where his father Salvatore, a World War I combat veteran of the Italian army and a World War I veteran of the U.S. Army, was working. Celestino then sent for Anna. With her first-born daughter, Luisa, she boarded an ocean liner and headed for America, landing at Ellis Island. She went to Americanization classes to learn English. While she embraced her new country, her home in Aliquippa was a bit of Italy. She kept many values and traditions she learned growing up in the well-preserved medieval village of Pacentro, a town of about 1,200 residents near Sulmona and 110 miles east of Rome.
After settling into a home on Plan 12, they had a second daughter, Donna. It was at this home they had gardens, growing their own vegetables. The aroma from Nina’s kitchen brought you back to Italy. She was a superb cook. The doorbell always rang on Sundays, and you never knew who to expect to join the family for dinner. She and Celestino were the happiest sharing their home with family, friends, and strangers. They were perfectionists in everything they did, whether it was cooking, sewing, cleaning or gardening. Her home was spotless. In addition to her culinary achievements, Nina helped make homemade wine ratcheting the wine press when Celestino and Salvatore were at work, even though she never drank a drop of it.
While Nina was an excellent cook, she was also a talented seamstress. She worked at Stoff’s men’s clothing shop in Aliquippa, altering men’s suits. When Gimbels opened in the Beaver Valley Mall, she was employed in the bridal department specializing in wedding gown alterations, and other premium alterations. She kept a storehouse of fabric. The volume of completed projects waiting for the right moment to be bestowed upon a loved one was astounding. She created wedding gowns, Holy Communion, Confirmation and prom dresses, as well as three-piece suits and coats. There was nothing that Nina could not sew.
As a matriarch of the family, in her quiet but strong ways, she was a graceful, gracious and generous woman, with profound wisdom, an immeasurable, kind heart, and deep faith. Her love for her family was paramount. She cherished being a mama to her grandchildren with whom she shared her abundance of love and care.
A Mass of Christian burial be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 10, at St. Titus Church of Mary Queen of Saints Parish, where she was a member for more than 70 years. Private interment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Richard Stephen Bender, 60, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on August 30, 2024, at Heritage Valley Beaver. 

He was born on March 13, 1964, in New Brighton, the son of Judith Bender-Dickinson and the late Richard Bender. In addition to his mother, he is survived by stepfather Donald Dickinson, and many friends.

Richard graduated from New Horizon in 1985, an accomplishment that made all that knew him extremely proud. He also attended HAP Enterprises and worked with Beaver County Rehabilitation Center (BCRC). He enjoyed attending meetings with the Beaver Falls Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses whenever possible. 

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 15th from 1 P.M. until the time of Memorial Services at 4 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s name to jw.org. 

Elizabeth A. (Kehoe) Tesla, 98, of Moon Township passed away on September 6, 2024 in Good Samaritan Hospice House of Wexford. She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on March 4, 1926, the daughter of the late Edgar & Agnes (Sloan) Kehoe.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George M. Tesla and two siblings, Edgar Kehoe Jr. & Lois Tesla. She is survived by her three daughters:  Elizabeth A. Miller (Edward A.) of Moon Township, Judith K. Malinowski (Paul A.) of North Carolina, Georgette Sorosky (Frank) of Moon Township, six grandchildren: Lauren M. Earp (Dennis C.), Ryan E. Miller (Amy), Kevin M. Malinowski (Damita M.), Jane Fischer (Alfred), Ben Sorosky, Sara E. Fox (Morrell), six great-grandchildren:  Allison E. Earp, Cameron A.  Malinowski, Aubrey M. Earp, Elle Fischer, Ava Fischer, Elizabeth M. Fox, a brother, Robert Kehoe (Virginia), and many nephews and nieces.

Elizabeth graduated from St. Veronica’s High School of Ambridge. She worked as a USAir reservation agent and enjoyed traveling. She enjoyed Sunday family dinners in her home as well as the flowers and wild birds in her garden.

All services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery of Moon Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Flower fund at Concordia at Rebecca, Allison Park. (www.concordialm.org)

A special Thank You to the staffs at Concordia at Rebecca, Allison Park and Good Samaritan Hospice of Wexford for their wonderful care.

John G. Fritzley, 80, of New Sewickley Township, passed away on September 2, 2024 at Heritage Valley Beaver.

He was born on September 4, 1943 in Brighton Township, the son of the late John and Margaret (Smith) Fritzley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Spinelli. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Gayle (Morse) Fritzley; his children, Michael (Amanda) Fritzley, James Fritzley, Dominick (Cheryl) Marchionda, and Rachel (Jon) Marchionda; grandchildren, Sarah (Brian) Simmons, Ian Marchionda, Connor Marchionda, Abby (Dom) Carter, Gwyneth Carter, and Beck Harry; a niece, Missy (Bill) Kerr; and numerous friends.

John retired from Westinghouse/Eaton Corporation with more than 40 years of service.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, trap shooting, and was particularly fond of his grandkids and enjoyed attending their events.  He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Friends were received on Friday, September 6^th from 2-4 P.M. and 6 P.M. until the time of services at 8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Midland Sportsman’s Club, PO Box 505, Midland, PA 15059.

Paula Waslo, 67, of Baden, passed away unexpectedly at home on September 5, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born on September 17, 1956 in Sewickley to the late Paul and Jackie (Wagner) Waslo. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sharon Prokopovich.  

She is survived by her brother, Richard (Wendy) Waslo, nieces and nephews, Brian Waslo, Melissa (Josh) Hopkins, Shana (Vernon) Krepps IV, Erin (Bob) Blazier, Eric Prokopovich, 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.  

Paula was a dedicated and industrious employee, working in administration at Tenaris Ambridge for over 30 years. She was an avid Pittsburgh sports team patron, loved her niece’s and nephew’s endlessly, and had one of the kindest of kind hearts. Paula will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

Family and friends will be received on Monday, September 9 from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where prayers will be offered on Tuesday, September 10 at 11:15 A.M., followed by a funeral service at 11:45 A.M. in the Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th Street, Ambridge, with Father Michael Polosky officiating. Interment will follow in the Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.