Harold Charles Beck (1933-2024)

Harold “Hall” Charles Beck, 91, of Economy Borough, passed away at home on September 3, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 3, 1933, a son of the late William and Margaretha (Graham) Beck.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 3 sisters, Marion Sergeant, Johanna Clawson, Celia Jewell; and 2 brothers, James Beck and William Beck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carol (Dzubak) Beck; 3 children, Douglas (Joyce) Beck, Jeffrey (Susan) Beck and Amy (Robert) Fodor; 8 grandchildren, Stephanie (Adam) Miller, Michelle Beck and Andrew Beck, Jacob, Noah and Jordan Beck, and Alyssa and Britney Fodor; and 1 great-grandchild, Kayleigh Miller.

Until his retirement, Harold worked for ARMCO Steel for 35 years.  He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Baden American Legion, the Conway Lounge Golf League, and the Beaver Valley Bowling Hall of Fame.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, September 6, from 4:00 P.M. until time of funeral service at 7:30 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, with Pastor Jill McGregor officiating.  An Inurnment will take place at a later date, in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

Margaret Patricia Zell (1929-2024)

Margaret Patricia Zell, 94, of Beaver Falls, passed away on September 1, 2024, at Providence Health and Rehab Center.

She was born on November 23, 1929, in Beaver Falls, the daughter of the late Albert and Margaret Holtom.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, Ralph D. Zell and Hubert T. McCreary; son, David Scott Zell; two brothers, John Holtom and Robert Holtom; and three sisters, Doris Hurbanek, Grace Billie Hurbanek, and Marion Jones.

She is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Dan) Eichinger and Joni (Tim Young) Bodell; four grandchildren, Noah Eichinger, Kaitlin (Jim) McClain, Ethan Bodell, and Matthew Zell; four great-grandchildren, Victoria, Zoe, Ryland, and Covey; and one great-great-granddaughter, Emilia.

Margaret was a long-term member of Oak Grove Church of Christ and the Thursday Morning Ladies Bowling League where her joy and camaraderie never failed to brighten the room. Patty had an unmatched love for playing cards and her love for flower gardening was a testament to her nurturing nature, as she brought beauty and life to her surroundings.

As per Patty’s wishes, all services were private.

Professional Services were handled by the CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Health and Rehab Center as well as Grane Hospice for their kindness while she was in their care.

David P. Kielbowick, Sr. (1938-2024)

David P. Kielbowick, Sr., 86, of Economy, passed away on September 2nd, 2024, surrounded by his family. In life, as on the football field, David was a fierce competitor, not afraid to rise to the occasion and do what needed to be done. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His goal was always to create a better life for all those he encountered. He was born on July 12, 1938 in Patton, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph and Veronica (Haluska) Kielbowick. David is survived by his wife of 62 years, Christine and his children David Jr (Angela/Liz), Timothy (Judy) and Audrey Miller (JEP) and grandchildren, AJ (Christina), Keegan, Hunter (Lindsey), Hayden, Irina and Alex. In addition, he is survived by his siblings, Patricia (Joe) Hincherick, Judy (Dave) Smithmeyer and Fred (Deb) Kielbowick. To put himself through college, David owned a service station (Dave`s Sterling) in Patton, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelors and Masters of Science Degree in Education from Indiana (PA) State College. As a teacher at Ambridge Area High School for over 37 years, he passionately influenced the lives of countless students throughout his career. Improving the education for all of Ambridge Area, he served as President of the Ambridge Area Teachers Union advocating for improved school facilities and opportunities for students. David spent countless hours serving as advisor to student extra-curricular activities such as chess club and Student Council. During his term, Ambridge hosted the Pennsylvania State Student Council Associations State Convention in 1990. After he retired from Ambridge, David was able to substitute teach for his son, David Jr, who was teaching in Virginia at that time. Outside the classroom, David had many interests. He loved spending time outdoors hunting with his sons and with his brother Fred. He spent countless hours teaching his two sons and son-in-law how to be men. Under his guidance, they learned auto repair, home maintenance and other aspects of life. His beloved daughter Audrey was not exempt from the lessons. He loved the various dogs and cats that were in his life, Carina, Cassie, Lexie and Ariel. Family was very important to him. He made sure the family attended family reunions and hosted family get-togethers at his camp known as Pranta`s Woods in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Working with his wife Christine, they helped forge a strong family and a stronger community. David Kielbowick will be dearly missed by his family, friends, former students and others that he encountered. Per his wishes, there will be no public viewing. Donations in his honor should be made to organizations searching for cures in Parkinson’s Disease and Prostate Cancer. The family would like to recognize the excellent care provided By Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford PA. Services have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral and Cremation Services, LLC, Ambridge.

Karen Sue Potts (1966-2024)

Karen S. Potts, 58, of Brighton Township, passed away on August 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, following a hard-fought battle with multiple cancers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ruth Engelman, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Milton and Claire Potts.
She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, James Potts, Sr., and her children, James Potts, Jr. and his fiancé, Melissa Reighard, Jason, Ramsey, Simon, and Vivian Potts. Brother, Charles (Charyl) Engelman, Jr., niece Brittany (Michael) Gathagan, and nephew Charles Engelman III, sisters-in-law, Nancy (Rich) Mineard, and Barbara Boyd, granddaughter, Addi B., and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, special friends Mandy and Russ, Cammie and Jody, Susie and Dave, and Katie and Chris, and her two sweet boxers, Sadie and Shelby and her mean beagle, Samantha. Karen was richly blessed with so many more caring and loving friends, too many to mention all of their names.
Karen was a member of Four Mile Presbyterian Church.
A Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m., at Four Mile Presbyterian Church, 6078 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009. Fellowship will follow.
Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Karen’s name to Four Mile Presbyterian Church, 6078 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009, donate blood to your local blood bank, or do a random act of kindness.
A special thank you to all the members of Karen’s oncology team at Allegheny Health Network.

Ambridge mayor and other local leaders announce Governor Josh Shapiro’s Main Street Matters program

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 3, 2024 at 11:41 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) Representative Rob Matzie, along with other local leaders, including the mayor of Ambridge, announced Governor Josh Shapiro’s program that is titled Main Street Matters in Ambridge on Tuesday. These representatives visited with five Ambridge businesses and talked with both their owners and employees for his budget worth $20 million to increase the economic standpoint, jobs, and districts for downtown businesses.

Geneva College chemistry professor is in the hospital and responsive after being burned trying to make a solvent

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 3, 2024 at 11:35 A.M.)

(Beaver Falls, PA) A Geneva College chemistry professor is responsive and in the hospital after being burned with a solvent on Monday afternoon. A spokesperson from Geneva College confirmed that he was trying to make a lab solution before it started to catch fire at 5 p.m. There were no others injured after the accident. Normal operation at Geneva College will continue where the fire occurred, and the professor’s injury severity is undetermined. 

Vice President Kamala Harris will have another event in Pittsburgh to continue her presidential campaign

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 3, 2024 at 11:13 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Vice President and Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris is staying in Pittsburgh for a Thursday event. According to the White House, this is Vice President Harris’ 10th time in Pennsylvania in 2024. It is not confirmed what time the event is occurring on Thursday and what it will involve. This comes after Vice President Harris’ collaborative event with President Biden on Monday celebrating Labor Day on the South Side of Pittsburgh, where she announced that ownership of U.S. Steel will be domestic. 

Pennsylvania students respond to fall 2023 survey about mental health issues

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 3, 2024 at 11:10 A.M.)

(Pennsylvania) Adolescents and youth in Pennsylvania have reviewed their mental health habits from a fall 2023 survey. According to a survey conducted by Pennsylvania Youth Survey last year, they gathered responses from almost 263,000 students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. The Pennsylvania adolescents that were surveyed do not do drugs, consume alcohol, and smoke as much as the youth that were surveyed. Both students using marijuana and drinking alcoholic beverages have decreased over the last two years. However, more than a third of those surveyed experienced depression mostly with around 16% considering suicide and an estimated quarter of them did not feel comfortable at school because of external factors involving safety. 

Joseph John Smith (1964-2024)

Joseph John Smith, 60 of Raccoon Township, passed away unexpectedly on August 21, 2024 at his home.

He was born on February 11, 1964, the son of Rosemary Smith and the late Herbert Smith. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his uncle Gene Kohler.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his uncle and aunt, Art and Earlene Lantz, his 2 cats, and numerous friends.

Joe worked on the Response Team at the Shippingport Nuclear Plant for 16 years, and most recently he worked in the Parts Department at Crivelli Ford in Hopewell Township. He was a lifelong animal and nature lover.

Joe fought numerous health problems with strength and dignity. His mom wants the world to know he was the best son ever and brought her so much happiness. He will be forever loved and missed.

All services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Rd. Aliquippa, PA 15001.