Winona Jean Bills (1935-2025)

Winona Jean Bills, 89, of New Sewickley Township, passed away at her home on October 7th, 2025. She was born in New Galilee, Pennsylvania on November 3rd, 1935, the daughter of the late Carl and Viola Myers McCoy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver E. Bills Sr., (1989), as well as one daughter and son-in-law, Michelle E. and Robert Sutter, and one son, Carl A. “Andy” Bills. She is survived by one son, Oliver E. “Pete” Bills, Jr., of New Sewickley Township, with whom she lived, four grandchildren: Andy R. and his wife, Nicole Bills of Rochester, Kayla Marie Bills and her companion, Shawn, of New Brighton, Josha J. and his wife, Ashley Inman of Patterson Township, and Hunter Shayne of New Brighton; as well as five great-grandchildren: Laura, Nathan, Jayda, Malea, and Jensen; along with one great-great-grandson, Onyx, one sister and brother-in-law, Stacy L. and Mike Hinzman of Brighton Township, a special niece and nephew, Jacob C. Poling of Ambridge and Misti Amber Pumphrey, of Beaver Falls, as well as several other nieces and nephews.

Winona was Methodist by faith. She was also a retired former employee with Big Lots of East Rochester and was a former member of the F.O.E. Club of Freedom.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 13th, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements and where a service will follow, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Pastor Jason Gabauer will officiate the service. A private interment will take place at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Family wishes memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Samuel H. “Sam” Sozio (1941-2025)

Samuel H. “Sam” Sozio, 84, of Ohioville, passed away on October 8th, 2025, with his family at his side.

He was born on September 18th, 1941, a son of the late Adam and Dorothy Sozio. He is survived by his wife of 57-years, Betty Matthews Sozio, his son, Samuel J. Sozio, his daughter, Elissa (James) Tanner, his grandsons, Jonah (Nikita Langnecker) Tanner and Jacob Tanner, his granddaughters, Jaime and Sarah Tanner and great-grandchildren, Maria, Atticus and Theo.

Samuel graduated from the former Lincoln High School in Midland and Geneva College in Beaver Falls. He was a proud veteran of the U. S. Army, going on to work as an accountant for Crucible Steel of Midland. He later worked for the Pennsylvania State Departments of Welfare and Insurance as a financial examiner and auditor. He was a member of St. Augustine Parish, St. Blaise Catholic Church of Midland and the Knights of Columbus Council of Midland. He was an outgoing person who enjoyed helping with various church activities, attending Steeler games, and bowling with his friends. He especially loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sam will be very much missed by his family.

Friends will be received on Sunday, October 12th, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 13th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Blaise Church, 772 Ohio Avenue, Midland. Interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Samuel H. “Sam” Sozio, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc by clicking here.

Joseph Alexander Catalano, Jr. (1929-2025)

Joseph Alexander Catalano Jr., 96, of Rochester Township, passed away on October 7th, 2025 in his home. He was born in Rochester on April 3rd, 1929, a son of the late Joseph A. and Rose Catalano Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth O. Catalano and his sister, Angela Marie (Owen) Whipple. He is survived by his four children: Michael J. & Deborah Catalano of New Sewickley Township, John D. & Bronwyn Catalano of Ambridge and Jodi A. & Bobby Moxley of Beaver and Joseph A. Catalano & Regina Hunter; as well as his grandchildren: Dawn Lamenza, Dana Ratliff, Beth Peterson, Candace A. Glass, Chad Catalano, Brittany Hunter, David Hunter, Jeffrey Sypolt; along with his great grandchildren: Andrew, Alyssa, Kyleigh, Kelly, Ambrose, Leah, Ava, Emma, Ruth, Tyler, Benjamin, Lillian, Joseph, Lincoln, Lennon, Veronica, and Sawyer.

Joseph was a retired supervisor for Bell Telephone and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was also a member of both Our Lady of the Valley Parish and St. Cecelia Church of Rochester.

Friends will be received on Friday, October 10th from 2-4 P.M. & 6 P.M. until the time of a Blessing Service at 7:30 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Private interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery of Freedom.

Marilyn Kay Barnhart (1938-2025)

Marilyn Kay Barnhart, 87, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on October 3rd, 2025, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Ellwood City on April 9th, 1938, the daughter of the late Frank Zona and Jennie (Mitchell) Greer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald M. “Jerry” Barnhart, her brother, Frank Zona, Jr. and her sister-in-law, Carol (Jay) Davis-Dickerson. She is survived by her two nephews, Jason (Jamie) Zona and Dr. Justin (Toni) Zona, her great nieces and nephews: Samantha and Danielle Rosenburg, William Zona, Antonio Zona, and Carlena Zona, Rick McComas, a sister-in-law, Karen Zona, along with numerous extended family and many special friends.

Marilyn worked for many years as a manager of People’s Home Savings Bank and later as an attendant for the former Lutton Funeral Homes, as well as continuing to assist the Gabauer family until her retirement in 2020. She met many wonderful people who she genuinely cared for in these positions. She was a devoted member of Chippewa United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls where she sang in the choir. Marilyn was active in her younger years in many organizations, including the Ellwood City Area Civic Corral, Ellwood City Women’s Network, Outlook Club of Beaver Falls, Ellwood City Rotary Club, Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce. She also devoted her time to her class reunion board, having worked every one of her class reunions. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her loved ones.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, October 17th from 4 P.M. until the time of services at 7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Interment will be private in Locust Grove Cemetery, 1400 Brighton Road, Ellwood City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 in Marilyn’s honor.

Peggy E. Rodriguez Skidmore (1960-2025)

Peggy E. Rodriguez Skidmore, 65, of Baden, passed away on October 6th, 2025 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Augsburg, Germany on May 24th, 1960, a daughter of the late Joseph and Edith Kaube Rodriguez. She is survived by her two children, Jeffrey Allen (Romona) Skidmore Jr. and Alisha Key, her sister, Maria Lee, five grandchildren: Malik Strickland, Jalissa Strickland, Justin Burchell-Skidmore, Rebecca Stewart, and Liam Stewart; as well as two nephews, Matthew Robert Lee and Robert Donald Lee and many more family members and friends.

Peggy was a social butterfly who was always at the center of laughter and fun, whether at a party, a bingo game, or during her travels with her girlfriends. Her love for cooking and baking reflected her nurturing nature, providing comfort and happiness through a well-cooked meal or a freshly baked pastry. She had an exceptional talent for painting ceramics, a hobby that showcased her creativity and eye for beauty. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 12th from 1-4 P.M. at the Baden Borough Building, 149 State Street, Baden. Professional services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-MATTER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, LLC, 1133 Church Street, Ambridge. You can leave your memories of Peggy and upload photos to her memorial page by clicking here.

Skye Lynne Sheetz (March 19th, 2025-October 5th, 2025)

Skye Lynne Sheetz was born in Brighton Township on March 19th, 2025 and passed away on October 5th, 2025. She is survived by her loving parents, Marissa and Robert Sheetz, her maternal grandparents, Ronda and Mark Magness, her paternal great grandmother, Bette Magness, her uncles: Randy (Sarah) Neely, William Kislingbury, Benjamin Allman, and Damien Collins; as well as her great uncle, Dana Hoffman and her cousins, Nolyn and Hayden. She was preceded in death by her half-sister, Sabrina Piccirilli, her paternal grandfather, Albert Sheetz, and her maternal great grandparents, Rose Mary and Ronald Hoffman, and W Woodrow.

Even though her time on this Earth was brief, Skye will be remembered as the sweet baby girl with radiant blue eyes and a gentle spirit. She touched the hearts of all that met her. Her beautiful smile, soft coos, and presence alone brought nothing but pure joy and comfort to her family in ways words cannot fully express. Her life was filled with love and tenderness. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her spirit will always be remembered as a precious angel.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 10th, from 12:30 P.M. until the time of a service at 1:30 P.M at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements. Pastor Gary Hilton will officiate the service.

Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Skye Lynne Sheetz, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton by clicking here.

Dorothy (Eckroate) Zagorski (1933-2025)

Dorothy (Eckroate) Zagorski, 91, formerly of Beaver, passed away on October 6th, 2025 at Franciscan Manor in Patterson Township.

She was born in Beaver Falls on November 25th, 1933, a daughter of the late Edward P. and Marie C. (Willenbacher) Eckroate. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, her sister, Mary Augusta, her sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and John Majcher, her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Edward Grundza, her sister-in-law, Yvonne Eckroate and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Zagorski. She is survived are her 6 children and their spouses; Joseph M. Zagorski of South Beaver Township, James (Rose Mary) Zagorski of Center Township, Paula (Stephen) Miller of Grove City, Keith (Liz) Zagorski of Beaver, Jon (Cindy) Zagorski of Beaver and Aimee (Frank) Palakovich of Freedom; as well as eleven grandchildren: Tricia (Ben) Holland, Mike (Lydia) Zagorski , Emily (Nick) Morelli, Ryan (Bekah) and Chelsea Zagorski, Katie Miller, Megan Zagorski, Breanna and Kayleigh Zagorski, Jessica (David) McKenna and Sydney Palakovich; along with seven great-grandchildren, her brother, Edward Eckroate of Montgomery, Alabama, her sister-in-law, Veronica Stante of Tampa Bay, Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was a former secretary at Babcock & Wilcox of Beaver Falls. Her greatest accomplishments were tied to her marriage and the life she built raising her family with Joseph, her husband of 64 years. Her best times were wrapped around her husband, kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren and school events, life events, holidays, vacations at the beach were all opportunities to be with her family. She loved reading, traveling with Joseph, her monthly card club with friends in Center Township and occasional day trips to the casino with her sisters, Phyllis and Shirley. She was also member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Church of Beaver.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, October 10th at 11 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 200 Third Street, Beaver. Interment will follow at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver.

Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Avenue, Beaver PA 15009 or Our Lady of the Valley (St. Vincent DePaul) Food Pantry in memory of Dorothy.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy E. Zagorski, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Shawn Thomas Ratkovich (1974-2025)

Shawn Thomas Ratkovich, 50, formerly of Industry, passed away unexpectedly on September 4th, 2025.

He was born in Rochester on October 16th, 1974, he was the beloved son of Marcietta Ratkovich of Zephyrhills, Florida. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marko Sr. and Sueanne Ratkovich and his uncles, Marko Ratkovich and Matthew Ratkovich. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his aunt, Susan (John) Minehart of Industry, his cousins: Chelsea (Kevin) Kester, Jace, Wyatt, Avery Kester of New Brighton, Mallory (Bobby) VranJes of Calcutta, Ohio, Nicole White, Landon & McKenzie Wilkonson of Midland, his companion, Pam Presutti of Baden, his god-parents, Nick Ratkovich Sr and Rose Young and many other family and friends.

Shawn graduated from Western Beaver High School and then went on to get his commercial driver’s license to drive over the road. He was known for his kindness, dedication, laughter and his light touched everyone he met. Shawn was also very giving and his world was caring about his mom; they had a very close bond. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shawn Thomas Ratkovich, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Robert L. Poland (1949-2025)

Robert L. Poland, 76, of Hopewell, passed away on October 5th, 2025. He was born on January 27th, 1949, a son of the late Raymond and Evelyn Poland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Robert L. Poland Jr., his brothers, Raymond Jr. and Gary Poland and his life partner, Debbie McAdams. He is survived by his son, Timothy (Trisha) Poland, his granddaughters, Taylor and Torie Poland, his brother, Barry (Wanda) Poland, his sisters, Cindy Spiker and Lynn (Charles) Muir, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Robert was a 1966 graduate of Hopewell High School who went on to earn an associate degree in electronics from a college in Champaign, Illinois. He later retired from Cemex Concrete in Wampum after many years of dedicated service. He was an avid fisherman who loved trips to Lake Erie with his grandchildren, his partner, Debbie, and his loyal dog, Lucy. He had a contagious zest for life and enjoyed playing the lottery and scratch-off tickets. He was a devoted Atlanta Braves fan who cherished every moment spent with his son and grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received for a funeral service on Thursday, October 9th, at 11 A.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements and memorial contributions may be made directly to the funeral home. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 450 Penn Avenue, Aliquippa.

Randy Waxler, Sr. (1962-2025)

Randy Waxler, Sr., 63, of Baden, passed away on October 5th, 2025, in his home.

He was born in Aliquippa on June 19th, 1962, a son of the late Louis and Lena Jones Waxler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Novella Waxler. He is survived by his son, Randy (Michelle) Waxler, Jr., his daughter, Melissa Waxler, his stepson, Bobby Jones, his granddaughter, Rylee Waxler, his grandson, Jamarious Rudolph, his step grandson, Bradyn Burr, his sister, Louann Waxler, his brother, Richard (Tamara) Waxler, as well as numerous nieces & nephews.

Randy was a garbage slinger for 38 years and spent 36 of them working with Waste Management, which is where he retired. He was an avid golfer who loved motorcycles, enjoyed shooting pool, playing darts, watching TV, spending time with his family and frequenting local bars.

Friends will be received on Thursday, October 9th from 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randy L. Waxler Sr., please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.