Lanny “Uncle Lanny” Fennell, 79, of Ambridge, passed away on August 15th, 2025 in the VA Medical Center of Butler, surrounded his loving family and friends.
He was born in Sewickley on July 23rd, 1946, a son of the late Blair and Genevieve Fennell. He is survived by three brothers, Jim (Georgia) Fennell, Larry (Barbara) Fennell of Georgia, Ronnie (Cathy) Fennell of Rochester, two sisters Linda (Florida), and Diana (Don) of Fair Oaks, and many nieces and nephews and good friends.
Lanny was one of 13 children and was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant (ES) with the US Marines and fought in the Battle of at Khe Sahn, north of the DMZ. He received the Presidential Unit Citation and many other metals for his services. He was a proud Marine Semper Fi. He loved his family and friends. He spent time at his camp in Tionesta after his (40) retirement as a diesel mechanic.
Friends will be received on Monday, August 18th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements and where the family will share memories of Lanny of Tuesday, August 19th at 10 A.M.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester with full military honors.

David M. “Do” Gengarella, 58, passed away suddenly at his home, on August 13th, 2025. He was born in Midland on February 20th, 1967, a son of Mary (Mullin) Woodeshick and the late Guy Ernest Gengarella. He was the youngest of three sons: a fact his older surviving brothers, Guy and John, never let him forget. In addition to his mother and two brothers, he will be missed by his beloved sons, Nicholas Gengarella (Kelsee Kaminsky) of Coraopolis and Ethan Gengarella of Midland. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Guy and Allison Gengarella of Gaithersburg, Maryland and John and Cyndie Gengarella of San Jose, California, his lifelong friend, David Masters and a large circle of friends and extended family, who will miss his humor, kindness and easygoing spirit. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents and his stepfather, Kenneth Woodeshick.

David grew up in Midland and often shared memories of playing basketball on 10th Street courts, Fourth of July celebrations, and swimming at the Midland Pool, (often after it closed for the day). He attended elementary school in Midland, then graduated from Quigley Catholic High School of Baden in 1985, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. He then attended Slippery Rock University, graduating in 1989 with a degree in Social Work. He worked for Beaver County Behavioral Health, retiring as a Program Specialist after 20 years. Outside of work, he found his greatest joy in time spent with his sons, Nicholas and Ethan, whether fishing, playing bocce or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In accordance with David’s wishes and at the family’s request, services for David will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. If desired, memorial contributions in David’s memory can be made to the Carnegie Library of Midland, 61 9th St., Midland, PA 15059.

Roseann (DeFrancis) Monaco, 82, of Midland, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on August 8th, 2025.

She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 14th, 1943, a daughter of the late Gino and Therna DeFrancis. She is survived by her son, Vince Monaco, her daughter, Marti Monaco and her significant other, Sam, her sister, Lucy DeFrancis, her grandchildren, Gino (Maria) Monaco, Logan (Mandy) Monaco and Jordan Monaco, her great-grandchildren, Matteo and Kai Monaco, her sister-in-law, Fran Steele, along with her nieces and nephews.

Roseann was a resident of Midland most of her life who worked in retail sales for several local stores, including Fashion Bug, Batchelor Furniture McKinney Furniture and A. K. Nahas. She was involved with both Pop Warner Youth Football and the St. Anthony Women’s Auxiliary. In her spare time, she could be found playing tennis, sailing, horseback riding or sunbathing next to her garden and Koi Pond. She was Catholic by faith.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. A private celebration of Roseann’s life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Lynn M. Parkinson, 69, of Fair Oaks, passed away on August 14th, 2025, in Heritage Valley Health System of Sewickley, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Sewickley on February 24th, 1956, a daughter of the late Robert and Nancy Jarvis Parkinson. She is survived by her two sisters, Cheryl Parkinson and Colleen (James) Fahey, two nephews, Roy (Marin) Ankrom and Sean Sabatini, her niece, Lexi Sabatini, her great niece, Ellie Ankrom, two aunts, Shirley Willison and Betty Jarvis, several cousins and her companion, Tim Chapel.

There will be no public visitation for Lynn and arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Benjamin P. Thayer, 90, passed away on August 13th, 2025. He was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania on April 4th, 1935, a son of the late Everette N. and Catharine Thayer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and David and his first wife, Edna (Lang) Thayer. He is survived by his second wife, Susan, a son, Wayne (Kristin) Thayer of Phoenix, Arizona, his stepchildren, Tim (Nancy) Gibson of Monument, Colorado, and Tammy (Chris) Anderson of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, his grandchildren: Emily and Isabelle Thayer, Jessica (Christian) Stempert, Andrew and Mary Beth Gibson, Elora Walsh and Sebastian Robinson; a sister, Susan Miller of Pleasanton, California and one brother, Rev. Nelson (Linda) Thayer of Franklin, Pennsylvania and one great-grandson.

Benjamin was raised in Crawford County. He graduated from Randolph-East Mead High School and Penn State University with a BS in Civil Engineering.

After completing US Navy Officer Candidate School, he served for 3 years as a “Sea Bee” working on design and construction issues for bases in Okinawa and Florida. Upon his discharge he worked for Brown Engineers in New York for 5 years before moving to Beaver County to join Michael Baker Jr., Inc. as a highway designer. After retiring from Baker in 1998, he continued to work part-time for Widmer Engineering in Beaver Falls for another 12 years. He was a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers and the PA. Society of Professional Engineers and was named the Beaver County Engineer of the year in 1998. He was also a 58-year member of the Little Beaver Lions Club and served on the Board of Directors for the Lighthouse for the Blind in New Brighton for over 20 years. He was also a faithful member of Chippewa Alliance Church of Chippewa. Friends will be received on Monday, August 18th from 3-7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangments and where a visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19th from 11 A.M. until the time of services at 12 noon. Rev. Daniel Muir will officiate. A private burial will be held at Mt. Hope United Methodist Cemetery behind the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church at 29034 State Route 27, Guys Mills, Pennsylvania.

Memorial donations in Benjamin’s memory may be made to the Chippewa Alliance Church Building Fund, 3629 37th Street Extension, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 or to Lighthouses for the Blind, 720 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066.

Kevin Thomas Majzlik, 69, of New Brighton, passed away August 11th, 2025 at his home.

He was born in Beaver on January 16, 1956, a son of the late Donald and JoAnn (DeVinney) Majzlik. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffrey Majzlik.

He is survived by his children, Laura McClain and Kevin Majzlik, his grandchildren, Sienna, Beau, Zane and Mac; his former wife and best friend, Debbie Majzlik, his sister, Sue Ellen Verlihay and his close friend, Bill Spratley.

Kevin retired as a supervisor from Pittsburgh Tubular Shafting in Rochester, where he was a hard worker for his company. He will be remembered for his big heart and loyalty to his family and friends. He liked listening to Pittsburgh Pirates games on the radio and he loved his grandkids.

Friends will be welcomed on Monday, August 25th, from 5-7 p.m., in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Debra Ann Shaffer, 69, of Beaver Falls, passed away on August 13th, 2025 at Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center of Beaver Falls, following a valiant battle with cancer.

She was born in Beaver Falls on January 15th, 1956, a daughter of Thora Martella (Herr) Lansberry and the late Robert Martella. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sisters: Mary (Ken) Whitmore, Theresa (Richard) Martella Chester, Cathy Beagle and Annette Martella; as well as a brother, Robert (Sandy) Martella, her step-siblings, Becky (Warren) Simons, Trisha Lansberry and Joe Lansberry and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Jack Lansberry.

Debra had worked as a manager for Burger King and worked as a cashier for Lowes, which was the workplace where she retired from. She was a kind-hearted woman and was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt. She will be dearly missed and remembered by each and every person who knew and loved her.

Debra’s wishes for cremation will be honored and no services are being planned at this time.

The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, is honored to be caring for Debra and her family during this time.

Michael D. Nelson, 64, of North Fayette, formerly of Warren and Beaver, Pennsylvania, passed away from stage 4 metastatic cancer at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on August 12th, 2025.

He was born in California on February 25th, 1961, a son of the late Robert and Ramona Pabon Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Kristen Lee Helmick-Nelson, his daughters, Marissa and Kara Helmick-Nelson and his brother, Kimio Nelson.

Michael was a RSM Technician at Giant Eagle and a member of New Salem Presbyterian Church of Midland, where he served as a musical director. He was an actor, director, and musician for R-ACT Theater Productions of Rochester and a director and board member for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Michael was involved in many musical endeavors, performing as a keyboard player for StreetSide Saints Band, and as a musician, director and actor for countless other musical and theatrical productions. He was an alum of Edinboro University and member of the Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity.

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

Memorial contributions in Michael’s name, may be made to New Salem Presbyterian Church, 348 Salem Church Road, Midland, PA 15059, R-ACT Theater Productions, 134 Brighton Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074 or Pittsburgh New Works Festival, 1225 Seitz Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.

Lewis J. Giammaria, 88, of Crescent Township, passed away on August 11th, 2025 in his home. He was born in Ambridge on June 2nd, 1937, the son of the late Enrico Giammaria & Josephine (Lepar) Giammaria-Vercheck. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Madeline (Cariati) Giammaria. He is survived by his Fiancé, Linda S. Vescio, two sons, Lewis F. Giammaria of Florida & Christopher M. Giammaria (Laura), a brother, Regis Giammaria (Barbara) & a sister, Marie LaCava (John J.).

Lewis was a graduate of Ambridge High School. His employment career includes McMasters Floral Shop in Sewickley, Bethlehem Steel and finally retired with over 30 years of employment with USAir. He loved all the Pittsburgh Sports teams especially the Steelers. He was a car enthusiast who loved going out every morning meeting up with his coffee friends and going out to dinner with Linda and friends.

Friends will be received on Friday August 15th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Moon Township, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, at 10:30 AM in St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley. Everyone is asked to please meet at the church. Interment and Military Honors will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 750 Old Thorn Run Road, Moon Township.