Dorothy Palmer, 96, formerly of Baden, passed away on August 12, 2024. She was born on June 3, 1928, and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert V. Palmer. She is survived by her sister, Estelle Sudar of Avon Lake, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. She was passionate about sewing and gardening, and was renowned for her exceptional baking skills, particularly her wedding cakes. Dorothy will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. In accordance with her wishes, her arrangements are private, and her obituary and arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez Hahn Funeral and Cremation Services of Ambridge.

Joseph Paul Bednar, 84, of Conway, passed away on Sunday, August 11 after an extended illness. He was born on November 20, 1939 in Revloc, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Lena Bednar. He was preceded in death by his in-laws and numerous other relatives. He is survived by his brother Robert Bednar (Christina) and his sister Patricia Smith. After graduating from Cambria High School, he went on to study education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He taught English at Ambridge area school district for 34 years. He is most remembered by his former students by reciting their prepositions. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy. Together they had two children, John (Samantha) of Sewickley and Karen (Jeff) of Beaver, a sister-in-law, Joan (Ron) Pence, of Missoula, Montana. He was the proud pappy of Jonathan and Brandon Suhayda, Riley Bednar, and Greta and Grant Faulkner. Joe’s favorite hobbies were playing bridge and poker, traveling on cruises, watching the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers going to the casino and eating ice cream. He will be most remembered by his friendly smile, quick humor, and fierce determination. He was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 15, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM in the Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Saint Luke/Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Donations in his honor can be made to the Beaver County Humane Society. The family would like to thank all the staff at Celebration Villa of Chippewa and Gateway Hospice for their loving care and friendship.

Darlene Ann Krajac of Beaver passed away on August 10th, 2024.

She was the daughter of the late Frank and Stella Pickell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth and brother, Frank. She is survived by many beloved family and friends.

Darlene was a graduate of Avonworth High School.

She lived her life working in finances and caring so much for others, people as well as animals.

She will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Aliquippa.

There will be no funeral services. Arrangements and obituary information are entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services of Monaca.

Shirley (Massoud) Klak, 89, of Ambridge was surrounded by the love of her cherished family when she passed away on August 7, 2024. She was born in Aliquippa on October 25, 1934, the daughter of the late Tofic and Lottie Massoud. She is survived by her faithful husband, Edward Klak, her two daughters, Debra (Stan) Darpino and Kathleen (Troy) Erwin, her grandchildren, Paige (John) Full, Edward Erwin, and Natalie Erwin, and her great-granddaughter, Vivian, and one on the way, her siblings, Anthony (Lee) Massoud, Liz (Nick) Williams, Marie Venanzio, John (MaryAnn) Massoud, her sisters-in-law, Flo Jula and Joanne (Joe) Barna and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley was a member of Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Catholic Church. She held a strong devotion to her Catholic faith throughout her life. She was proud of her Lebanese heritage and was delighted to show it by preparing her many famous Lebanese dishes, including grape leaves and kibbeh, for her family and friends to enjoy. She was truly the consummate hostess, welcoming everyone who walked through her door with unconditional love and of course a plate of food or cup of coffee. She would not take “no” for an answer when it came to food, especially a slice of her cheesecake. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Sitto,” their small but mighty Sitto. Shirley’s dedication as a wife, mother, Sitto, Little Sitto, and homemaker will always remain with her family. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements and obituary information are entrusted to Alvarez Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC of Ambridge.

James Melvin Lortman, 74, of Beaver Falls, formerly of Newberry, South Carolina, passed away at his home on August 5, 2024. He was born on August 28, 1949 to the late Marion Workman Lortman and Nelson Lortman in Newberry, South Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert, Thomasina, Carnell, and Kathleen, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He is survived by a brother, Nathaniel Lortman, wife, Doris, 3 daughters, 1 son, 3 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, and devoted family members during his lengthy illness, Alana Mathews and Gina Stratton.

He was a 1967 graduate of Gaulman High School.  He was a veteran of the United States Army.  He worked for a government printing company for several years, before moving to Pennsylvania, where he would work for Geneva College.

His visitation will be on Wednesday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 11 a.m. at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

James S. Ayers, 85, of Monaca, passed away on August 9, 2024, in Providence Care Center.

Born on March 27, 1939, in Conway, he was the son of the late Willis and Edna (Brimner) Ayres. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marian (Strobel) Ayres in 2014; his five brothers, Willis Jr., George, Roger, Frank and Edward Ayres; and his five sisters, Ruth Deller, Ida Johnson, Ethel McCue, Amanda Ayres and Mary Hewlett. He is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Mark Friday; his granddaughter, Brittany Lynn (John) Newcomb; his great-granddaughter, Aubree Rose Newcomb; and his step-grandson, Mark Friday, Jr.  He was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, having a special bond with his niece and her husband, Brenda and Ray Thomas; and Marie Musser and Michele Seaman, both of Ohio.

He retired as a nurse’s assistant from the Medical Center of Beaver County in 2001.  Prior to retirement, James worked in the Rochester Hospital and Beaver County Hospital.  He enjoyed spending time with family, movies, TV shows and most of all music.  His faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, was very important to him.  He served as a eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s in Beaver Falls.

Friends and family are invited to attend his memorial visitation, which will be held on Saturday, August 17^th from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES- 340 Third St., Beaver. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, August 19^th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, 628 Virginia Avenue, Rochester.

Inurnment will follow in St. Cecelia’s Cemetery.

 

Mitchell J. “Mitch” Yanyanin, 74, of Baden, passed away on August 8, 2024, after a lengthy battle with kidney disease. He was born on September 17, 1949, and was preceded in death by his parents Mitchell “Butch” and Dorothy J. Yanyanin of Freedom, father-in-law and mother-in-law Andrew and Mary Matika, sister-in-law Pamela Budris, nephew Steven Maslek, cousin Robert Karwoski and many aunts and uncles. Mitch was the beloved husband of Nancy Matika Yanyanin; loving father to Nicholas Yanyanin (fiancé Elissa Ebaugh) and, dedicated brother of Cheryl Yanyanin Maslek, Larry Yanyanin (Jayne), and Laureen Yanyanin Youtes. In addition to his wife, son, brother and sisters, he is survived by a brother-in-law William Budris, nephew Anthony (Brandi) Budris, four nieces, Ellen Maslek (Joe) Filar, Kristen Budris, Johnna Haller and Alexa Yanyanin, great nephew Mitchell Maslek, four great nieces, Vie and Sera Filar and Afton and Amzey Budris, cousins George and Marilyn Winovich, Marty Radulovich  and Albin “Sluggo” Alvramovich, Jr., James (Marta) Karwoski, Thomas (Debra) Karwoski and Beverly Karwoski and special friends Karen Holiday and Lorraine Walley.

Mitchell was a graduate of Freedom High School where he was a standout athlete especially in track and field, setting milestones and achieving state records.  He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with a degree in Community Recreation/Social Studies and Education.

Mitchell spent the majority of his career as a Manager for New Brighton Recreation Board.  He followed this as a Librarian/Athletic Director/Computer Teacher and Network Administrator at Quigley Catholic High School.  He never lost his interest in working with young athletes, serving as the Head Men’s and Women’s Coach for Cross-Country and Track & Field teams at New Brighton High School.

Friends will be received at Huntsman Funeral Home, 502 Adams Street, Rochester on Tuesday, August 13 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will occur at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel, 1020 W. State Street, Baden on Wednesday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation, 2403 Sidney St Ste 205, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; the Sisters of St. Joseph Greatest Need Fund at www.Stjoseph-baden.org; the Humane Society of Beaver County at beavercountyhumanesociety.org.

Ella Mae Gouldsbarry, 94, of Midland, formerly of Chippewa Township, passed away on August 7, 2024, in Villa-St. Joseph.

She was born on May 1, 1930, in Beaver Falls, the daughter of the late Ralph and Josephine (Verdiglione) Camp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Gouldsbarry; two brothers, Nick and Eugene Camp, a son, Richard P. Gouldsbarry and a grandson, Joseph Ward.

She is survived by her children, Robert P. (Jenan) Gouldsbarry, Steven P. (Kim) Gouldsbarry, Sandra T. (Bob) Ward, Edward P. (Lisa) Gouldsbarry, daughter-in-law, Cindy Gouldsbarry; her grandchildren, Elizabeth (Josh) Gossner, Ryan (Abby) Gouldsbarry, Rebekah (Derek) Cummins, Christy Gouldsbarry, Jennifer (Matthew) Knight, Heather (Paul) Warzynski, Danielle (Brian) Zupp, Anthony (fiancée- Amanda Gavalya) Ward, Abigail (David) Peralta, Danelle Gouldsbarry, Jeslyn Gouldsbarry, Hudson Gouldsbarry; her great-grandchildren, Elyana Gossner, Kaylin Gossner, Lillia Gouldsbarry, Nolan Gouldsbarry, Joel Gouldsbarry, Judah Gouldsbarry, Micah Gouldsbarry, Asher Cummins, Laurel Cummins, Zoey Cummins, Brooklyn Byrd, Marlee Gouldsbarry, Cierra Gouldsbarry, Brandin Knight, Lance Funkhouser, Christopher Knight, Paige Warzynski, Samantha Knight, Logan Warzynski, Josephine Peralta, Aubrey Elkins, Alivia Elkins; and a goddaughter, Susan DeBartolo.

Throughout her life, Ella Mae was deeply committed to her faith.  She was an active member of the former Christ the Divine Teacher (now St. Monica church of St. Augustine Parish), where she volunteered her time to various groups, including the Catholic Daughters of America, the Ladies Guild, and the Christian Mothers.

Friends will be received on Monday, August 12th from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SVCS., INC-117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. Prayers will be offered in the Funeral home on Tuesday, August 13^th at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 AM at St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls, with Fr. Kim Schreck as officiant.

Private inurnment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ella Mae’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital- ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

William D. Bradley, 63, of Baden, passed away on August 8, 2024. He is survived by his cherished father and closest companion, William H. Bradley, and loving friend and sister, Amy Rosenberg.  Bill had a passion for music, enjoyed visits to the casino, and loved watching television. His trips to Rogers, Ohio with his dad were especially meaningful to him. Private arrangements have been made, and services have been entrusted to Alvarez Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC of Ambridge.