David Eugene Vandine, 65, of New Sewickley Township, passed away unexpectedly on March 6th, 2025 in his home. He was born in Rochester on June 4th, 1958, a son of the late Isaac and Alice A “Bert” Vandine. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Beverly Barker and Carol Vandine. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Kathy Vandine, a step-daughter, Donnell Michalec, three grandchildren, Cody Michalec, Colten Michalec and Kaylin Michalec, all in Texas, siblings, Isaac “Luke” (Lynn) Vandine of Norfolk, Connecticut, Jane (Michael) Price of Independence Township, Charlotte (Michael) Paunovic of Aliquippa, Alice Campbell of Sisterville, West Virginia, a sister-in-law, Peggy (Barry) Kowalick of Independence Township; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

David loved to do outside activities, especially riding his Harley.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and doing fun things with them. He was a veteran of the U.S Army.

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

Josephine “Despina” Mrkonja, 80, of Ambridge, passed away at Forbes Hospital on March 6th, 2025, following complications from a recent illness. She was born on August 9th, 1944 in Sewickley Hospital, a daughter of the late Michael and Lillie Aspiotes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved siblings: her twin, James, brothers, Gus, Louis and John, and her sisters: Mary, Effie, Frieda and Rena. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 57 years, John Mrkonja, daughters, Angel (Shawn) Ross and Christina (Nicholas) Sheleheda, grandsons, Nico Sheleheda and John Ross, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Josephine was a 1962 graduate of Ambridge Area High School. After attending the Beaver Falls Beauty Academy, Josephine had a successful career as a beautician before becoming a full-time homemaker. She was proud of her Greek heritage and loved her family fiercely. She could brew a pot of coffee and assemble a plate of food in record time if she knew you were stopping by her home. She was a classroom volunteer for both of her daughters during their education and an active member of their parent teacher organizations. Her beautiful smile and sharp wit will forever stay with everyone who knew her.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, March 9th from 1-5 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. Family and friends will gather for a funeral service on Monday, March 10th at 10 A.M. in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 Beaver Road, Ambridge.  Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery.

Jay Douglas Campbell, Sr., 80, of Chippewa Township, passed away on March 6th, 2025, at St. Barnabas-Gibsonia.

He was born in New Brighton on May 2nd, 1944, a son of the late James M. Campbell and Nellie (Douthett) Campbell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Jerry Campbell. He is survived by his loving wife and partner in crime of 59 years, Barbara Jean (Phillips). They loved to sing and dance and often were the first couple on the dance floor at social events.  They were inseparable even in his final days. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren, his daughter, Lisa (Helen Smith), his two sons, J.D. (Carrie) and Jesse (Nikki Nocera), six grandchildren: Lauren (Chris) Ryan, Anthony (Megan) Esoldo, Joseph (fiancée Ashley Stein), Chloe Campbell, Phoebe Campbell and Niko Campbell; as well as three great-grandchildren, Gianna and Declan Ryan and Alessia Esoldo. He is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Shirley) Campbell and Bruce (Cheryl) Campbell and his sister-in-law, Ruth Campbell.

Jay attended New Brighton High School where he excelled in sports, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.  His love for sports continued throughout his life taking great joy in watching his children and grandchildren play in high school and college, never missing a game.

Jay was an avid golfer and proud member of the Bandits golf league at the Beaver Valley Country Club.  “Hook” and “J-Bird”, as he was known on the links, was always up for a “mergency 9”.

Jay started his banking career as a teller at WPNB in Beaver Falls while attending night school at Geneva College.  After graduating from Geneva, Jay worked his way up to branch manager at Equibank before moving on to Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. After retiring from PNC in 2006, Jay continued to learn, adapt and challenge himself, developing a remarkably open mind and heart and unconditionally supporting the people he loved most.

Jay never wavered in his love for his family or his commitment to living his life fully, whether on the beach, in the casino, or hosting his infamous Christmas Eve parties.  He was a guy’s guy, the life of the party and a devoted family man. He was known as Big Daddy Jay to his kids’ friends who he taught to “let it settle!”  There may or may not have been some Maker’s Mark involved.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 10^th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, March 11^th from 10 a.m. until the time of the blessing service at 11 a.m. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. Father Kim Schreck will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Jay’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation- 2835 Carson St., Suite 200, Pittsburgh PA 15203.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at St. Barnabas Gibsonia for their care and compassion during his stay.

Anthony G. DeChellis, 85, of Monaca passed away at his residence on March 4th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was a son of the late Fiore and Mary DeChellis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Binkoski, and his brother, John DeChellis. He is survived by his his beloved wife of 66 years, Shirley (Pallay) DeChellis, and together, they created a legacy of love and family that will continue to flourish. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jane Matich and Louise (Tim) McKim, their children, Mark (Wendy) DeChellis of Troy, Ohio, Shari (Patrick) Pauvlinch of Center Township, and Michael (Amy) DeChellis of Chippewa, who were a testament to the strong family values Anthony held dear. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Anthony DeChellis, Chelsey (Brandon) Busuttil, Carli Pauvlinch, Julianna DeChellis and Leah DeChellis, step-grandchildren, Adam Pauvlinch and Amy (Brent) Pauvlinch, and his great-grandchildren, Jemma, Scott and Sofia Busuttil, as well as step-great-grandchild Lena Conrad.

Anthony was a proud graduate of Monaca High School, part of the class of 1958, where he showcased his tenacity and team spirit on the football field. His early experiences set the stage for a lifetime of community involvement and personal achievements. After high school, he honorably served his country as a U.S. Army veteran before embarking on a fulfilling career. He retired as a superintendent of Teledyne Pittsburgh Tool Steel.

Following retirement, Anthony found joy in staying connected to his roots at Monaca High School. He could often be found assisting with the sports programs, maintaining “Tony’s Wall” with weekly sports predictions and athlete highlights, and serving the school as a maintenance employee. His dedication to the community also included serving as a former Monaca School Board Member.

His commitment to faith was evident in his membership at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. Additionally, he was a familiar face at the New Brighton YMCA, where he exercised regularly.

Coaching Monaca Youth Football allowed Anthony to share his passion for sports and mentorship with the younger generation. His love for the game was unwavering, as he remained an avid fan of Monaca and Central Valley Football throughout his life. His enthusiasm for athletics was matched only by his love for his family.

Those who knew Anthony will fondly remember his annual family trips to Rehoboth Beach. There, he took pride in crafting his homemade spaghetti sauce and hot sausage for the family, creating lasting memories with his grandchildren by the pool. His love for pizzelles, jelly beans, bingo and the thrill of scratch-off lottery tickets brought him pleasure.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 7th from 3-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where a blessing service will be held on Saturday, March 8th at 9:30 a.m. with Father Joseph Carr officiating. Interment will follow with military honors at St John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired in Tony’s memory, to the “Tunnel to Towers Foundation” and wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Advanced Home Health and Hospice.

To share online condolences, view Tony’s video tribute or get directions, please visit www.simpsonfunerahome.com.

Narciza Estrada, 90, a longtime Ambridge resident who left Mexico as a young bride in 1956 to start a new life in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but never wavered in her religious faith, devotion to family and friends and pride in the food, music and traditions of her native Tierra Linda, passed away of natural causes on March 4th, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born on January 22nd, 1935 and was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Estrada. She is survived by her daughters, Rosemary (Timothy) Taddeo of Cranberry Township, Mimi Rosenblatt of Fairfax, Virginia, Marcie (Brian) Laughlin of Rockledge, Florida, two sons, Louie (Lisa) Estrada of Nashville and Rudy (Trish) Estrada of Annapolis, Maryland and nine grandchildren: Ross and Tyler, Eva, Julia and Fredy, Kas and Mina and Marley and Tobin.

Narciza was known in her social circles as Alice or Licia. She saw the world in black and white, good and evil, much like studio wrestling, of which she was a fan from the days of Bruno Sammartino. Above all, she was a devoted Roman Catholic, praying the rosary eight times a day and until her health began to decline, attended Mass regularly and walked daily.

Narciza had a biting sense of humor and faith in God, Jesus and Mary the Blessed Virgin, who braced her in the toughest of times. She was a frugal homemaker who harvested vegetables from her backyard garden and turned-out plates of delicious food in the tiny kitchen of her home, where she raised her five children. She always made sure there were extra servings of food for visitors regardless of whether they wanted to eat or not.

During her early years in Ambridge, she hosted card games for the other Mexican families in town. Her boisterous laughter sometimes fueled by an occasional Highball-rose above the Ranchero music playing on the stereo. She volunteered weekly in the cafeteria of St. Veronica’s Catholic School and sang in the church choir.

She was born and raised in Michoacán, in west-central Mexico. She made efforts to maintain her connections to her home country. She arranged months-long family vacations to Mexico and fiercely defended Mexico in political debates.

She also passionately bragged about her grandchildren which amused her children because she often left the impression that they fell short of her standards.

She seemed to live the mantra of give as good as you get. She was dealt her fair share of bad hands, but she found joy as well in long summer evening walks through Ambridge’s neighborhoods, watching her favorite shows, slot machines at casinos, singing, seeking out Spanish-speakers for random conversations, but perhaps most of all, sitting around a dinner table with family and friends.

There was no public visitation for Narciza. However, family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 8th at 10 a.m. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow in the Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery.

Geri Goff Lint, 83, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on March 3rd, 2025 at Heritage Valley Sewickley.

She was born in Beaver Falls on December 26th, 1941, a daughter of the late Gerald and Anne (Krupa) Goff. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Lawson and Leslie Lint, grandchildren: April, Allison, Amanda (Jared) Andersen, Adam and Quintin; great-grandchildren: Michelle, Lillian, Aubrey, Kozmo, Gaius, David and Luke; her sister, Greer (John) Morelli, her brother, Gerald (Peggy) Goff Jr. and close family members, Tonie Labon and Deneen Muhl.

Geri retired from the Beaver County Unemployment Office where she worked as a case manager. Geri loved family time, having dinner together and game night. Some of her favorite games were Scrabble, crosswords and spades.

Friends will be welcomed to a Memorial Visitation on Saturday, March 8th, from 2-4 p.m., at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/ in Geri’s name.

Darrell N. Kotchka, 88, of Rochester, passed away on March 3rd, 2025 at Passavant Retirement Community of Zelienople, surrounded by his three daughters and granddaughter. He was born in Stuebenville, Ohio on June 22, 1936, a son of the late Norman & Alyce Kotchka. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Jean (Cervi) Kotchka, his sister and brother-in-law, Rita & Pete Adania, his brothers, David Kotchka and Gary (Patricia) Kotchka, a nephew, Brian Kotchka and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Janis Nola. He is survived by his three daughters, Kristen Theiss of Bethesda, Maryland, Karen Kotchka of Baltimore, Maryland and Kimberly (Robert) Grabel of Philadelphia, three grandchildren, Nikolas Theiss, Alexandra V. Theiss and Alexandra (Devin Kelly) Grabel, four sisters-in-law: Nancy Kotchka of Phoenix, Arizona, Mary (John) Gaydos of Beaver, Patricia Mrkonja of Coraopolis and Jan Nola of Bethel Park, one brother-in-law, James (Kathy) Cervi of Spencer, Massachusetts, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Darrell grew up in the Stephens Phillips Homes in Monaca and graduated from Monaca High School in 1954. He earned his Associates Degree in Business at Garfield Business Institute after serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. He worked his way up through industrial management at Colonial Steel and N F & M Titanium in Monaca, ultimately serving as Vice-President of Operations for the last decade plus of his career. Darrell was a member of St. Cecilia Church of Rochester where he was an 8th grade CCD Teacher for 35 years, a Eucharistic Minister and a valued Parish Council member. He coached Pony League Baseball in Monaca, led a Boy Scout Troop at the Monaca Waterworks and was a long-time volunteer at McGuire Home. Darrell was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Beaver County Holy Name Society.

Darrell married his wife Jean in 1958 and began a 62-year partnership that centered around family, faith, fun and hard work. They enjoyed visiting children and grandchildren in many corners of the country. Darrell was always ready for an adventure with his children and had no problem getting in a canoe with his daughter (though he couldn’t swim well), going to Jackson Browne concerts or riding a ski lift chair to the top of the mountain just for fun. Darrell loved music and reading and could frequently be seen on his front porch, immersed in a good book and listening to music. He believed strongly in justice, fairness and service to others which inspired those around him and left a legacy to follow.
Darrell loved his family unconditionally and set a glowing example of a life well-lived.

Arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams St., Rochester, where visitation will be held on Friday, March 7th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Cecilia Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester on Saturday, March 8th at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Cecelia Cemetery. Those who wish to express their condolences online can visit the William Murphy Funeral home webpage at williammurphyfuneral.inc.com for Darrell’s online tribute wall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Darrell may be made be made to the McGuire Memorial Foundation at https://mcguirememorial.org/mcguire-memorial-foundation/.

Michael Alle Nicholson, 61, passed away on February 27th, 2025.

He was born in Newport News, Virginia on October 23rd, 1963. He is survived by his former wife Rhonda Nicholson of Ambridge, his sister, Rose Nicholson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, his brother, Maurice Williams, his wife Clara of Pittsburgh, his nieces Maurissa and Mia Williams of Pittsburgh, his nephew, Cole Nicholson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, his stepfather, E. Philip Williams, (mother Rose Marie Nicholson Williams, deceased), formally from Economy Borough, along with his cousins and friends.

Michael graduated from Ambridge High School, where he played football. He also earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from West Virginia State University.

A visitiation will be held on Wednesday, March 5th from 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

 

Marjorie Ann Tatko, 90, passed away on March 3rd, 2025.

She was born in Rochester on June 18th, 1934, a beloved daughter of the late Ernest and Ann Inman, whose legacy of love and grace lived on through her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her adored sister, Sandy Senior, her cherished son-in-law, PJ Grimes and her precious granddaughter, Julia Eckman.

Marge’s unparalleled devotion and boundless love will forever be carried on by her steadfast and loving husband of 68 years, Robert Michael Tatko, who stood beside her through every triumph and challenge.

In addition to her husband, she is also survived by her incredible brothers, Ernest (Barb) Inman and Robert (Betty) Inman; her fiercely loyal sisters, Eva (Skip) Dornam and Shirley Jersey; and her beloved children: Cynthia (Richard) Cunliffe, Susan Tatko, Bobbi (Sam) Naples, Beth Eckman (Bill Parish), John “Buzz” (Jessica) Tatko, and Kathleen (Joseph) Alvarez. Marge’s legacy of love extends to her adoring grandchildren, who were the light of her life: Phillip (Jenna) Cunliffe, Ryan Kemerer (Katie Zahn), Mathew (Caley) Kemerer, Bradley (Sydney) Eckman, Leeanna (Will) Norman, Kaylie Tatko, JT Tatko, Logan Tatko, Jeremy Eckman (Amanda), and Jeffery Eckman. Her great-grandchildren — Holden and Maddox Eckman, Raylan Norman, Haven Kemerer, Everleigh Thompson, Baker Cunliffe and Lucas Eckman who brought immeasurable joy to her heart. Marge’s cherished friendships with Greg Kemerer and Rick Eckman were also a treasured part of her life.

Marjorie was a woman of deep faith who served for many years as a devoted CCD teacher, imparting the love of God to the next generation. She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, where her spiritual light shone brightly. She also demonstrated an unwavering work ethic and pride in her younger years when she worked for Bell Telephone. She was an active and integral part of the Christian Mothers and the Freedom Football Mothers, giving tirelessly to her community.

However, her true legacy lies in the founding of the family business, Tatko Auto Salvage, a testament to her strength, ingenuity, and determination. Above all, Marge’s greatest love was for her family, her books and the beautiful moments shared with those she held closest to her heart. She also had a deep affection for horses, a passion that brought her great joy.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Marge’s dear friends and caretakers, Liz Conrad and Kay Ohnezeit, for their unwavering love, care, and companionship. The family would also like to express a special thank you to Life Beaver for their compassionate care throughout the years, especially to Erin, whose dedication, kindness, and support brought comfort to Marge and her family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, March 5th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, where prayers will be held on Thursday, March 6th at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester with Fr. Paul Kuppe officiating.