Howard W. Cope, 61, of Aliquippa, lost his hard-fought battle with cancer on March 28, 2024. He was the son of the late Howard B. and Blanche L. Cope. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nieces Samantha Renee Sitler and Myla Lynn Rushman. He is survived by his siblings, Timothy (Paula) A. Cope, Garth Cope, Duane Cope, Cherish Miller and friend Jim Lamey, Jason E. Cope and friend Patricia Eaton, very special friends, Rick and Cathy Miller, many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and loving friends. Howard was a graduate of Hopewell High School and served our country proudly in the United States Army as a combat engineer. He was the owner and operator of Cope Construction for many years. Howard went on to work as a project manager for Shawrose Construction and Local 833 Laborers Union until he was stricken ill with cancer. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, and garden. Friends will be received on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 2-4 PM and 6:00 PM until time of funeral service at 8:00 PM in the Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, 724-266-2549. Full military honors will be held at 4:00 PM at the funeral home by the Beaver County Honor Guard. Burial is scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made in Howard’s name to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Lois A. “Dolly” Bruno, 91, of Freedom, passed away on March 26, 2024. She was born in Rochester, PA on May 12, 1932, a daughter of the late Louis and Adeline (Mustalo) DeNucci.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Bruno and her siblings, Delores Yannachione and Thomas DeNucci.

She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne (Bruce) Vaughn; her grandchildren, Michael (Angela) Vaughn, Christianne (Alan) Harpster, and her two great grandchildren, Katherine Vaughn and Avrie Harpster. She is also survived by her brother, Gerald DeNucci.

There will be a private family viewing in the funeral home, then a public Mass of Christion Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 2 at 10 AM, in Our Lady of the Valley Parish, St. Felix (Freedom). Cemetery interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Freedom.

Roger Earl Cramer, 78, passed away on March 2, 2024 in Channelview, Texas. Born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 1945, he was the son of the late Charles Pletcher and Betty Pletcher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Patti Wiper. He is survived by his daughters, Teresa Ware (Don) and Emily Yarborough; his sisters, Cynthia Collins (David) and Judy Kuzma; and his grandchildren, Donnie Ware (Danielle), Kristie Bedekovich (Eric), Bailey Tankersley and Baya Tankersley, and his great-grandchildren.

His post-service years were marked by a strong sense of community and camaraderie, as he built lasting friendships and made significant contributions to the organizations he was involved with.

Family and friends will be received Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. until time of Blessing Service at 11 a.m. in J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton.

Inurnment will follow in Grove Cemetery of New Brighton.

You can leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook of the memorial page of his obituary on jjsprattfh.com.

Leslie Margaret Nadzam-May, 76, of Brighton Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in the comfort of her home.

Born on September 7, 1947, in Aliquippa, she was the daughter of the late John and Eleanor (Kozar) Nadzam.

Leslie was a graduate of Center Township High School and had worked in payroll for the Welfare Office in Pittsburgh.  She was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church and part of various women’s clubs.  In her free time, Leslie could be found knitting and crocheting beautiful rugs.

She is survived by her husband, Paul May; a daughter, Larisa May; siblings, Lois Nadzam, Johnny (Mary) Nadzam, Norman Nadzam, Joel (Susan) Nadzam, Clint Nadzam; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Leslie was preceded in death by her brothers, Raymond and Allen Nadzam and her sisters, Lenore Walaschek and Lillyan Nadzam-Stevens.

Friends will be received on Thursday, March 28th from 2PM-4PM & 6PM until time of services at 8PM at the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver.

In accordance with Leslie’s wishes, she will be cremated following services.

Donald Koble, 81, of New Brighton, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024.

Born March 1, 1943, in New Brighton, he is the son of the late William E. and Dorothy (Schoaf) Koble Jr. Donald served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of the American Legion, Post 19, New Brighton. He was proud to be an electrician in multiple steel mills in the area. He was a passionate individual whose love for genealogy and woodworking touched the lives of many.  He dedicated countless hours to tracing family histories, preserving legacies, and uncovering stories from the past. He crafted masterpieces with skill and precision, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and craftmanship.  He also loved to collect coins and attend the casinos.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, William G., Richard and Kenneth Sr. Koble.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy “Dot” (Burchett) Koble, two daughters, Cheryl (Jason) Hickey, Susan McKinney; grandchildren, Carson and Macey McKinney, Christopher, Craig and Brandon Hickey; great granddaughter, Lily Hickey; a sister, Alice (John) Zugonics, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton.  Additional viewing will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the nurses, Dr’s, and staff members of UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for the loving care given to Donald.

Mildred Roppo, 90, of Economy, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, in her home. She was born on February 3, 1934, in Ambridge, to the late John and Mary (Samardzija) Bionda. She retired from customer service at Highmark after many years of service. Mildred was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Church, Ambridge. Her passions in life besides spending time with her family included cooking, baking, and homemaking. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents was her husband Michael and her two brothers, John and Anthony Bionda. She is survived by four children, John Roppo of Sewickley, Ronald Roppo of Tigard, OR, Robert Roppo of Economy, and Maria Cordes of Harmony Twp, five grandchildren, Marielle Roppo, Meagan (Donovan) Neumann, Johnathan (Amber) Roppo, Courtney Cordes, Caitlyn Cordes, and one great granddaughter, Marielle Cordes. Family and friends are invited to meet Thursday at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Church where a blessing service will be held at 1:30 PM. Private interment will take place in Economy Cemetery.

Helen Vukovic, 96, of Ambridge, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Ivan and Anna Vukovic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Robert Vukovic, special sister, Anne Orsag, along with several other siblings. She is survived by her nephews, Robert Orsag, David Orsag, great niece, Melanie Wagner, Jennifer Orsag, great great nephews, Devin Wagner, Cole Wagner, Chase Naquin, and numerous cousins. Helen was a devout catholic and member of the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ambridge. She enjoyed playing cards, especially Gin Rumi, playing the lottery, and watching her favorite game shows on television. Helen loved and adored her visits from her great niece and great great nephews. She was a kind and generous person; she will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. Services are private. The family asks that memorial contributions be made in care of the funeral home.

Walter Rees Laughrey, 85, of Spring City, TN, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at LifeCare Center of Rhea County, Dayton, TN.

Born on May 11, 1938, in Connellsville, PA, he was the son of the late Donald and Betty (Edwards) Laughrey, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Janice (Kimmel) Laughrey; two sons, Jeffrey Laughrey and Stacy Young; grandchild, Boaz (Alex) Laughrey; and two brothers, Donald and Gerald Laughrey.

Walt served as a reservist in the United States Army and had retired in 1996 from the Eaton Corporation following over 30 years of service with: Westinghouse > Cutler-Hammer > Eaton.  Starting as a Tool and Die maker his final position was Project Manager responsible for planning and building large manufacturing facilities.  He graduated from the engineering program at Penn State – Beaver as well as the Tool & Die School at Westinghouse Electric Corp.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, March 25^th at 11AM at Grandview Cemetery.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Twp., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to assist Walt’s family during this time.

 

Janette (Shaw) Russell, 84 of North Sewickley Township died Thursday March 21, 2024, in Good Samaritan Hospice, Heritage Valley Beaver.

Born April 3, 1939, in North Sewickley Township, she was the daughter of the late Thomas D. and Flora (Brown) Shaw. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years Robert A. Russell, 2007; a brother Thomas Shaw; and a sister Janice Tanner.

She is survived by her four children, Daniel Russell of North Sewickley Township; Deborah Teets of Rochester; Timothy and Pamela Russell of Maryland; and Beth and Ronald Bender of North Sewickley Township, grandchildren Carrie (Willie) Teets; Kelly (Jason) Gallaher; Ronald (Kate) Bender; Amie (Rich) Greathouse; Matthew Russell and Dan Russell, great-grandchildren Nicole, Hailey, Lillie, and Sophia Greathouse; Eric, Aubrey, and Owen Bender; and Jameson Gallaher, brother-in-law James Tanner and special friends Carole Dietrich and Karen Fink.

She was a member of the Concord Church, a Global Methodist Congregation, North Sewickley Township. She was active in Youth for Christ with the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. Janette loved cooking especially her delicious pies, enjoyed gardening and Roller Skating. She was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers.

Friends will be received Sunday from 2 PM to 5PM in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com, 3801-4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.  Additional visitation will be held Monday from 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM in the Concord Church, A Global Methodist Congregation, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Her pastor Rev. Chris Kindle will officiate.

Interment will follow in Concord Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made if desired to the Concord Church, A Global Methodist Congregation, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Jack J. Kruze, 82, of Moon Twp., died on March 23, 2024, in Heritage Valley Sewickley.  He was born in Brockway, PA on August 10, 1941, the son of the late George & Anna (Ferdak) Kruzelyak. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, George Kruzelyak.

Jack is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara A. (Pawlesh) Kruze, four children,  Kirk Kruze, N. Fayette; Kris Kruze (Erica) N. Fayette; Jaclyn Kruze of Moon Township; Jack Kruzelyak Jr. (Desiree), of Beaver, five grandchildren, Kameron & Karly Kruze, Kane, Scarlett & Harlow Kruzelyak, and a brother, Fred Kruzelyak.

A 1959 graduate of Coraopolis High School, he attended Duke University on a football scholarship.  A highlight of his football career was playing in the Cotton Bowl, January 2, 1961 against Arkansas and winning 7-6.  After graduation, he began his computer sales career with IBM.  Throughout his career he received many awards and earned Quota Club trips.

Jack’s one, true, enduring love was his family.  He cherished road trips and special memories on the golf course with his wife. His sons and daughter were his absolute pride and joy.  No father could have loved them more.  His wonderful grandchildren, who kept him young at heart, brought him immense happiness and seemingly endless laughter.

Jack was an avid hobbyist; he loved his toy soldiers and his trains. He began with WWII dioramas and then went on to enjoy medieval collectibles.  His collection was the envy of even the most discerning of hobby enthusiasts. His artistic talents and creativity turned his home into his castle, where he loved sharing his passion with others.

After owning a hobby store in Century III Mall in the 1980’s, he added another interest– LGB trains. He had them running through various scenes in his train room and eventually extending out to the railing of his deck.  A truly loving husband and father, he couldn’t spend enough time with his grandchildren– always looking forward to their next visit. He was lovingly known as Grandpa Choo Choo, Pop Pop, Papa, Dad, Friend, Honey, and Big Jack.

Friends will be received on Tuesday March 26 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM in The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Twp. (1522 Coraopolis Hts. Rd.)  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Coraopolis.  (Everyone please meet at the church) Committal and Military Honors will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville.  Following will be a reception at the Montour Heights Country Club, Moon Twp.