Diane Marguerite (Zube) LaForte, 79, passed away peacefully on May 12th, 2025, a few months before her 80th birthday.

She was the eldest child of Clara and the late Charles Zube and was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 6th, 1945. She didn’t remain an only child for long as eight siblings followed: Rita, Linda, Barbara, Loretta, Chuck, Sue, John and Janet. Diane set a high standard for her family, excelling at school and always helping her younger brothers and sisters.

Diane attended Saints Peter and Paul School and Maria High School before transferring to Fenger High School, where she met her high school sweetheart and husband, Joseph “Butch” LaForte. After graduation, she worked in downtown Chicago while taking night classes and then married Joe in 1966. Their first son, Joey (spouse Tina), arrived just days before Diane’s beloved father passed away. In the years that followed, Diane devoted herself to raising her growing family, her sons Chuck (Ivy) and Bryan (Christie) and her daughters Rene (Ben), Donna (Frank) and Christine (Tim).

She was from the South Side of Chicago and the family moved to Evergreen, Colorado, and then to Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Diane balanced motherhood with her professional career. She joined AT&T in 1993 and later worked for the IRS. Her stories of crazy taxpayers amused everyone. She retired in 2020.

After Joseph’s passing, she married James Bennett in 2017, welcoming him into her close‑knit family. Jim coaxed her into hunting a handful of times, but Diane’s true joys were reading, evenings out, and cooking: especially the bounty he brought home. Her family couldn’t get enough of her spaghetti, corned beef, casseroles, and chocolate chip pancakes. Thanksgiving won’t be the same without her signature stuffing, which she tweaked to match whatever ingredients she had, and “Pizza Fridays” with her grandchildren remained a cherished tradition.

With a keen intellect and mischievous sense of humor, Diane could turn any situation into fun. Her laughter lit up the room, and everyone around her would laugh until tears flowed. She loved tackling NYT games, playing Wordle with her sisters and sister‑in‑law Laurie, and shouting out the answers while watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Her boisterous energy and lively exclamations of “Aye yai yai!” will always stay with us. Her competitive spirit shone through in cards, Scrabble, and Qwirkle, whether she was playing with her siblings, her children, or her twelve cherished grandchildren—Marguerite, Francesca, Maxwell, Sam, Anna, Josephine, Carissa, Josselyn, Gianna, Gus, AJ, and Liliana.

Long before “sustainable” was a buzzword, Diane was into thrifting, sewing clothes for her children, and drinking boxed wine like a true environmentalist. She was supportive, kind, and affectionate and she delighted in connecting with loved ones and colleagues over red wine, though whether she loved her vino or her Dyson vacuum more will forever remain a mystery.

In accordance with Diane’s wishes, a funeral service will not take place. She embraced life fully and made the most of every moment with her loved ones. Donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in her memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

 

Ronald B. Mauch, 91, of Canonsburg, passed away at home with his family at his side on May 15th, 2025.

He was born in Patterson, New Jersey on November 28th, 1933, a son of the late Benedict C. and Nellie R. Hamelink Mauch. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Helen Wylie Mauch. He is survived by his son, Ben (Mary Sue) Mauch, his daughter, Kristen (John) Zanker, his grandchildren: Jessica (Dave) Brooks, Thomas (Anna) Toplak, Greg (Caroline) Toplak, Lauren (Nate) Berger, Bekah (Connor) Scisciani and Emma Zanker; along with his great-grandchildren: Hannah and Lilly Shaffer, Natalie, Leanna, and Melody Berger, Camilla and Luna Toplak, Lewis and Lainey Scisciani, and Josephine Toplak.

Ronald was a proud veteran of the U.S Air Force who achieved the rank of Sergeant during the Korean Conflict. He currently attended The Bible Chapel of South Hills, having formerly belonged to Main Street United Methodist Church in Kernersville, North Carolina and Beaver United Methodist Church of Beaver.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 21st from 10 a.m. until the time of a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m., conducted by Pastor Tom Rojahn, in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions in Ronald’s name may be made to the Concordia Hospice of Washington County, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301.

Patricia Wozniak, 86, of Aliquippa, passed away surrounded by her loving family on May 14th, 2025. She was born in McDonald, Pennsylvania on September 10th, 1938, a daughter of the late Thomas and Elsie (Chappell) Bennett.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Wozniak, a sister, Debra Bennett, and a son-in-law, Robert Rybicki. She is survived by her three loving daughters, Wendi Rybicki, Sherri (Doug) Murdoch and Amy (Mark) Muslin, her cherished grandchildren: Christina (Mike) Litzenberger, Jesseca (Marcus) McCowin, Keith Murdoch and Mark Muslin, three beloved great-grandchildren, Karsyn Litzenberger, Norah McCowin, and Eva McCowin, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Paul Duringer, a sister-in-law, Mary Wozniak, a brother-in-law, Walter Wozniak and many nieces and nephews.
Patricia was a faithful member of the Ohio United Presbyterian Church in Hopewell Township where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She was employed by American Greetings and K and N Sales, but her most loved role was that of a mother and homemaker. She was a member of the Hopewell Women’s Civic Club and served as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts. She enjoyed reading, bowling, gardening and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers in her spare time.
All services were private and arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Robert D. “Rob” Allison, 55, of Beaver, passed away on May 13th, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on August 24th, 1969, a son of Robert and Linda Allison. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his beloved and cherished wife, Miriam, his brother, Shawn (Jessica) Allison, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kirk and Lorinda Troxler, his brother-in-law, Mark Troxler, her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Troxler, Anna Troxler and Lydia (Kevin) Paluk and his nieces and nephews: Natalia Troxler, Alexis Allison, Lexington Holly, Chase Allison, Theodore Paluk and Cillian Paluk.

Robert graduated from Beaver Area High School and the Youngstown College of Massotherapy. He enjoyed nature walks, waterfalls, and the beach. He was a vital supporter of his wife’s music instruction business who stage crewed for numerous recitals and musical events.

A private memorial service was held for the family officiated by Rev. Scott T. Homer.

Professional Arrangements were entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Sherry L. Poppenger, 67, of Raccoon Township, passed away on May 14th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Health System, Beaver Campus. She was born in Sewickley on December 16th, 1957, a daughter of the late Carl and Etta (Ritenour) Hall. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a stepson, Ray Poppenger, Jr. and a sister, Lynn Long. She is survived by her husband and best friend, Ray Poppenger, Sr., her children, Tammy (Rob) Forrest, Tomie (Brian) Kalinowski and Josh (Dawn) Kovacik, her grandchildren, Shyanne (Brandin) Hooper, Kaden Kalinowski and Conner Kalinowski, her siblings: Debbie (Dave) Johnston, Vicki Hall, Allen Hall, Carl (Bev) Hall, and Christina Hall; along with a brother-in-law, Albert Long, a niece, Kayla Long, her feline companion, Noel and numerous other family members and friends.

Sherry was an office administrator in the healthcare industry for many years. She was a past member of the Green Valley United Methodist Church of Shippingport. In her free time, Sherry enjoyed scrapbooking, crocheting, bird watching, taking pictures, and most importantly, spending time with her family.

Friends will be received on Sunday, May 18^th from 1-5 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton. A funeral service will also be held in the funeral home on Monday, May 19^th at 11 A.M. with Pastor Robert Kerns as officiant. Friends will also be received on Monday, May 19th at 10 A.M. until the time of that service at 11 A.M. in the funeral home.

Private interment will follow in Coraopolis Cemetery.

The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, has been honored to care for Sherry and her family during this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to Samaritan’s Purse-International Relief, PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607.

Theodoria Pauline Stasik Stedina, 74, passed away on May 14th, 2025 in Beaver after a lengthy illness. She was born on December 25th, 1950. She is survived by her daughter Laura Harding of Glendale, Arizona, her brother, Paul Stasik of Highland, California, her sister, Maria Stasik Cook of Oswego, New York and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen P. Stasik and Pauline Hardobey Stasik and her sisters, Stephettia Stasik Frey Shriner and Anna Stasik Bennett. Theodoria was born in Baden and lived most of her life in Baden, Beaver Falls, and Rochester. She was extremely fond of animals, rescuing numerous cats and dogs over the years. Additionally, she was an avid fan of reading and crossword puzzles. Theodoria will be interred at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester, after a private ceremony. Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Frank D’Amico, 94, of Beaver, passed away on May 14th, 2025.

He was born in Ellwood City on April 5th, 1931, a son of the late Nick and Frances D’Amico. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Marjorie Coene D’Amico, his daughter, Linda (Oliver) Hennessy, his brother, Patsy D’Amico and his sisters, Ann Colega, and Betty D’Amico.

He is survived by his children, Glenn (Dorothy) D’Amico of Ellwood City and Kimber Lee Baker (Thomas) of Brobeck, Florida, his sister-in-law, Carol Jane Coene Reynolds of Patterson Heights, his grandchildren: Matthew (Melissa) D’Amico, Mark (Rachel) D’Amico, T.K. (Leslie) Brobeck, Jessika Brobeck (Daniel) Barber, and Robert and Owen Hennessy; along with thirteen great-grandchildren.

Frank was a proud veteran of the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War who went on to have a long career as a real estate associate broker. He was a former member of the Beaver County Realtors Association and the Jolly Boy Investment Club. He was a faithful member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Beaver, as well as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Beaver.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 22nd at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, from 10 a.m. until the time of a memorial service at 11 a.m., with full Military Honors.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Celebration Villa and the staff at Gateway Hospice for the love and compassionate care given to Frank.

Geraldine “Gerry” (Lehtonen) Diffenbacher, 89, of Brighton Township, passed away on May 14th, 2025 at her residence. She was born in Mexico, New York on March 5th, 1936, a daughter of the late John and Bessie (Wilmot) Lehtonen. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Diffenbacher, two brothers, Howard and Harvellon Lehtonen, her sister, Ruth Weldon, her son, John R. Diffenbacher and her daughter, Sandra J. Garman. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth (Joe) Tress of Brighton Township, her son-in-law, Paul Garman of South Beaver Township, her grandchildren: Joshua (Amanda) Diffenbacher, Kasey Diffenbacher, Erin (Glen) Sovich, Stephanie (Michael) Stuck, Emily (Mathew) Dunning, Nicole (Michael) Scott, Anthony (Shannon) Tress; as well as sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson on the way, her brother, Carl (Barbara) Lehtonen of Mexico, New York, her sister-in-law, Janet Lehtonen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Geraldine was a self-employed beautician. She was also a member of the Chippewa United Methodist Church who was a worthy matron 9 times for Woodlawn Chapter No. 164. She was also a past Mother Advisor for United Methodist Women Rainbow Girls who was active in many bowling leagues. Friends will be received on Friday, May 16th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, where a service will be conducted on Saturday, May 17th at 11 A.M. Online condolences may be shared at www.corlessfuneralhomes.com. Entombment will take place in Beaver Falls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Geraldine’s name to the Chippewa United Methodist Church or the Order of the Eastern Star.