Biagio John Pagani (Badge), 90, of Beaver, passed away on January 30th, 2025. He was born in Fallston on October 22nd, 1934, a son of the late Gerolomo James and Margaret Gaz Pagani. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Zita, his sister and brother-in-law, Irma and John Smakosz, brother, Livio Pagani, and a nephew, John Smakoz Jr.  He was also preceded in death by his wife’s family: Michael and Anna Smelko, Margaret and John Reedich, Eleanor Smelko, Elizabeth Smelko, Mary Ann and Francis Stablow, John and Mary Ellen Smelko, Theresa Bernadette Penczak; as well as his nephew, John Reedich Jr.

He is survived by his wife Alice Mary (Smelko), daughters, Joy Ann (Jeffery) Wintersgill and Lynn Marie (Michael) Akins, granddaughters, Allison Grace and Elizabeth Claire Wintersgill, brother, Eugene Pagani, in-laws, Barbara Pagani and Leonard Penczak, along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Biagio was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and attended the Saints Peter and Paul worship site, where he served as an usher.

Biagio graduated from New Brighton High School and Geneva College.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a petroleum laboratory specialist in Okinawa, Japan.  He was employed at Freedom Oil/Ashland for forty-three years as a chemist.  For many years, Badge was on the Board of Directors at Freedom United Credit Union and was Treasurer of the Beaver Valley Chapter of Credit Unions.

Biagio was a lifelong lover of model trains.  For many years, he was a volunteer for the train display at the Festival of Trees.  He also loved dancing and, along with his wife, was a member of the New Brighton Croatian Kolo Ensemble. He enjoyed traveling and especially visiting his family in Italy.  Christmas was his favorite holiday.  He loved decorating the house and hosting his family’s Christmas Eve celebration.  In the summertime, his favorite season, you could find Badge soaking up the sun with his “pool buddies” at the Beaver Pool or in his backyard.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Friends and family will be received at the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton on Wednesday, February 5th, from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Beaver at 10 A.M. on Thursday, February 6th. He will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Freedom.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 300 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009 or to a charity of personal choice.

Lonnie Dale Croston, 66, formerly of North Sewickley Township, passed away on January 31st, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver.

He was born in New Brighton on April 24th, 1958, a son of the late Charles and V. Burndetta (Poe) Croston.

He is survived by his siblings, Tracy Croston, Joy Mayle, and Charles (Debra) Croston; as well as several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews.

No services are planned at this time.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and the staff of Heritage Valley Beaver for the love and care they gave to Lonnie. They would also like to thank all those who reached out to them with condolences and words of support.

Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls was honored to help Lonnie’s family during this difficult time.

Victoria R. Orlowski, 86, of West Mayfield, passed away unexpectedly on January 29th, 2025, while attending Mass at St. Monica Parish.

She was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on August 25th, 1938, the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Lewandowski) Koncewicz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward B. Orlowski, her daughter, Linda Marie Orlowski, three brothers, Charles Koncewicz and his wife Joan, Thomas Koncewicz and Raymond Koncewicz. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Danielle) Orlowski of West Mayfield, Joseph (Patricia) Orlowski of Canonsburg and Thomas (Kim Liberty) Orlowski of Chippewa Township, daughters, Katherine (Scott) Brink of Bethel Park, and Mary Orlowski of Beaver Falls, sister-in-law, Donna Koncewicz of Union, New Jersey, five grandchildren, Ashley Sutton, Jessica Sutton, Samantha Orlowski, Max Orlowski and Cole Orlowski and two great-grandchildren, Conner and William Sutton.

Vicky was a secretary at Metropolitan Insurance in New York, a waitress at Corner Tavern, and retired as an administrative assistant at the Mental Health Association in Center Township. She was also an active member of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, the Divine Mercy Parish, the St. Monica Parish, and the St. Augustine Parish. Vicky was a very active member of the community, especially the Catholic Church. She was a Eucharistic minister, CCD teacher, she helped with funeral lunch ministry, the Ladies Guild, a member of the Rosary Society, a Lecturer, on Parish Council and a member of SFO (Secular Franciscan Order). She was the ultimate church lady! Vicky was also a member of the Blackhawk Football Mothers, and the PTA West Mayfield Elementary School.

Friends will be received Monday, February 3rd from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 4th at 10 A.M. at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Charles Raymond “Ray” Vos, 79, of Daugherty Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 22nd, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver.

He was born in Clay Center, Kansas on August 7th, 1945, the son of the late Dr. J.G. and Marian (Milligan) Vos. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Daniel Joseph Vos, two brothers, John “George” Vos and James “Mel” Vos and a sister, Catherine Vos Boushey. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ruth Caroline (McCready) Vos, three sons, James Vos, Jason Vos and Benjamin (Ruby) Vos and six grandchildren: Joshua James Vos, Jonathan Oliver Vos, Sara Grace Vos, Joseph Martin Vos, Charlee Raye Vos and Matthew Levi Vos.

Charles was a 1963 graduate of Beaver Falls High School and a 1967 graduate of Geneva College. After graduating from Geneva, he spent his working life serving others. After working at the Youth Development Center in New Castle, he served as the Director of the Children’s Home in New Brighton, and then as the Executive Director of Passavant Memorial Homes in Rochester. Ray then pursued a degree in nursing from Ohio Valley General Hospital, graduating in 1991. During his nursing career his main focus was rehabilitation, working at D.T. Watson/HealthSouth, Ohio Valley General Hospital, Western Penitentiary, the Beaver County Jail and the Mars Home for Youth. He especially enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren. One thing he especially enjoyed was baking with them, using old family recipes dating back to the 19th century. He also loved making breakfast for them. Over the years, Ray led many Bible Studies at various churches. He was a member of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church in Patterson, and had also attended Marion Hill Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, and the former Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church, where he had served as a Deacon. For many years, he also supported two children from Burkina Faso through Compassion International.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. An additional time of visitation will be held at 10 a.m. before a memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1st, at the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, 209 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the First Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Cheryl D. (Luciana) Birnesser, 76, of Darlington, passed away on January 28th, 2025 in the comfort of her home.

She was born in Rochester on April 11th, 1948, the daughter of the late John and Evelyn (Stewart) Luciana. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Luciana III. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-one years, Paul Birnesser, her daughters, Renee (Walt) Young and Angela (Mark) Franks, a grandson, Adam Franks, two sisters-in-law, Patty (Jerry) Keeton and Diane Johnke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Cheryl had worked for Bell Telephone Company for ten years and later worked as an associate at Home Depot. She was also a member of St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish. She was devoted to her family and enjoyed trips to both the beach and the casino.

Friends will be received on Friday, January 31^st from 2-6 P.M. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Departing prayers will be offered in the funeral home on Saturday, February 1st at 9:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. at St. Monica Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls.

Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001, or the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/donate.html.

Gladys Ripper, 92, formerly of Rochester Township, passed away on January 30th, 2025. She was born in Munberf, Pennsylvania on December 26th, 1932, one of nine children to Charles and Regna McFadden. She is survived by her son, Eric (Dannielle) Ripper, daughter, Rebecca (Kenneth) Lewis and her grandchildren, Alex Lewis and Autumn Lewis.

Gladys spent her childhood on her parents’ dairy farm and attended a schoolhouse where one of her teachers was her sister, Myra McFadden. Gladys began her career at Bell Telephone as a telephone operator in Clarion, Pennsylvania and then transferred to Rochester. She retired from Bell Telephone in Pittsburgh in 1994.  Gladys loved being outside. Her flower, vegetable gardens and ponds beautified her yard. She could almost always be found outside working on them. Gladys was talented at sewing, knitting and quilting. She also made many beautiful ceramic pieces that she would give as gifts and display at her home. Gladys was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester for over fifty years where she served as an elder and Sunday School Secretary. She was also involved in Bible school, good news clubs, the church choir. She also played the piano. Gladys loved learning and was still taking computer and sewing classes well into her eighties. She was always available to help with last minute babysitting and giving people a ride wherever they needed to be.

Gladys will be sadly missed by her family who she truly cared for and loved.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, February 2nd from 12 noon until the time of Funeral Service at 3:30 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester.

Private interment will take place in Munderf Cemetery.

Teresa Marie (Andrews) Cheuvront, 73, of Baden, passed away on January 28th, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. 

She was born in Sewickley on June 13th, 1951, a daughter of the late Peter Andrews Sr. and Elizabeth (Shelkons) Andrews. Teresa graduated from Rochester High School. She was married for 50 years to her beloved late husband, Wallace L. Cheuvront. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Peter Andrews Jr. and Raymond Andrews Sr. and her sister, Audrey Mlechick. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Annette (Sean) Trehar and their children, Ethan & Hannah Trehar, Teresa (Michael) Hajtol and their children, Taylor and Connor Hajtol, Wallace A. Cheuvront, Melissa (Michael) Coley and their children, Madison and Maralyn Coley and Beth (Glenn) Yocum, their daughter, Isabella Yocum, great-grandson, Cash Pander, her siblings, Rose Marie (Doyle) Maloni and Victor Andrews, along with many sisters & brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and dear friends. 

Teresa dedicated over twenty years of service to the former Friendship Ridge Nursing Home, where she took great pride in caring for others. Her passion for helping those in need was at the heart of everything she did. She loved volunteering, hosting poker parties, great food, black coffee, music, traveling, a good book, a challenging puzzle and most of all, spending time with her family. Teresa left a lasting impact on all who knew her. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2nd, from 1-3 P.M. and 5-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. In accordance with her wishes, the burial will be private. 

Thomas Joseph Candle Sr., 87, of Ohioville, passed away with his family by his side at home on January 28th, 2025.
He was born on September 19th, 1937, a son of the late John and Stella Candle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jobe and his brother, John “Jack” Candle. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Darlene Candle, son, Thomas J. Candle Jr. of Wellsville, Ohio, two daughters, Jody (Daniel) Pridemore and Dana (Mark) Elliott, all of Calcutta, Ohio, sister, Dolores Shelton of East Liverpool, Ohio, nine grandchildren: Gabrielle, Darian, and McKenna Candle, Hannah (Carlo) McIltrot, Mark and Connor Elliott, Dean (Summer) Pridemore, Adrienne Doyle and Michael Gault; as well as six great-grandchildren: Damon, Brooklynn, Lily, Christopher, Matthew and Celeste.
 

Thomas had been a resident of Midland and Ohioville for most of his life. He was a member of St. Blaise Catholic Church of Midland. He had retired from J&L Specialty Steel after forty years. He had enjoyed gardening, traveling, and playing Texas Holdem. He also loved his family to the very end.

Friends will be received on Sunday, February 2nd, from 2-5 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home Inc., 629 Midland Avenue, Midland. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
Private Entombment will take place at the Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum.