William J. Kopchick, 91, of Economy, passed away on January 27th, 2025.

He was born in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania on May 1st, 1933, a son of the late Michael and Anna Kopchick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Michael, Peter, Nick and Steve and four sisters, Mary Kovalyak, Anne Chemsak, Helen Kosinski, and Margaret Konarski. He is survived by his wife Sonia (Popovich) Kopchick, his son, William, his wife, Deborah, their two daughters Emily and Mary, son Michael D. Kopchick, his brother John Kopchick, and many nieces and nephews.

William graduated from Ambridge High School in 1951. He proudly served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army and achieved a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from California State College in 1955. At California State, he was member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and held lead roles in several college theatrical productions.  Ultimately, he attained a Master’s Degree in Education from West Virginia University in 1960.

William was a career Educator in Beaver County as a long time Industrial Arts Teacher in both the Ambridge and Blackhawk School Districts. During the summers, he was a Guidance Counselor at Penn State Beaver Campus for matriculating students. He was a Guidance Counselor in the Blackhawk School District during the 1980’s and 1990’s, retiring in 1995.

William was a member of St. John’s Orthodox Church in Ambridge having served as Church President in the mid 1970’s and greatly enjoyed singing liturgical responses during services. He immensely enjoyed gardening and was a prolific giver of his excess produce.  He was an avid golfer where he lettered during college and won a Beaver County Senior Open Title.  He also enjoyed hunting with his sons and friends, neighborhood gatherings ranging from bible study to happy hour, and workout times with his buddies at the Cranberry YMCA. He met Sonia (Popovich), his wife of sixty-five years, while attending California State and they very proudly enjoyed raising their two sons in Economy.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 30th from 4-6 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31st at 1 P.M.  Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at 2:30 P.M. with full military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. John’s Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Drive Ambridge, PA 15003.

Judith A. Sosack, 86, of Rochester, passed away on January 26th, 2025 at Providence Care Center of Beaver Falls.

She was born on March 21st, 1938, a daughter of the late Joseph and Ann Birge. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Sosack and a son, Joseph M. Sosack, Jr. She is survived by her children, Keith E. Sosack, Jackie M. Bogani and Theresa R. Sosack, grandchildren, Jimmy and Crystal, three great-grandchildren, a sister, Harriett Culizma, her K9 companion, Nala, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Judith was a homemaker who loved animals.

All services were private.

Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery of Industry.

The GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver, was honored to assist Judith’s family.

Scott E. Kokoski, 47, of Ambridge, passed away at home on January 28th, 2025. He was born on April 11th, 1977. He is survived by his devoted father, Henry “Koke” Kokoski, who was also his “taxi”, his brothers Darren and Christopher, his sister Raubyn and her husband Brian, his mother Darlene and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Scott graduated from Ambridge High School as a member of the class of 1997.  He was the starting goalie for the Ambridge High School ice hockey team during its inaugural season in 1993 and was honored as a WPHIL All-Star. He worked at Shop and Save in Harmony Township for twenty-one years. He was also an active member of the Polish Falcons where he held numerous positions. Scott was passionate about playing darts and loved cheering for his favorite Pittsburgh sports teams. In accordance with his wishes, services will be private. Arrangements are entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in care of the funeral home.

John Stephen Watson, Jr., 86, passed away at home on January 24th, 2025.

He was born on September 1st, 1938, in the family home of John and Anabel (Dyson) Watson.He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Jacqueline McAlister, Norman Watson, Lois Freed, Patricia Glass and Michael Watson. He is survived by his wife, Judith Watson, his beloved daughter, Deirdre Holobinko, son-in-law Scott Holobinko of Monaca, three stepsons, Eric and Tammy Beers of Alabama, Gordon and Valerie Beers and David and Brandi Beers of Pennsylvania, two grandchildren, Sean and Sara Mathews of Chippewa Township and Amanda (Mathews) and Justin Weismantle of New Brighton, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

“Steve,” as he was known to his family, loved to go hunting and fishing. He served in the Army in South Korea and was most proud of his time in the Beaver/Lawrence County Honor Guard honoring deceased veterans. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the VFW of West Mayfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beaver/Lawrence County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Jennine DeGori, 69, of Edgeworth, passed away on January 22nd, 2025 in Shadyside Hospital. She was born in Pittsburgh on March 3rd, 1955, a daughter of the late James and Mildred (Shaw) Amato. Jennine is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, James DeGori, a son, James (Megan) DeGori, a daughter, Adrian (John DiNapoli) DeGori, two grandsons, James and Gianni DeGori, four granddaughters, Isabella and Natalie DeGori and Vivia and Vienna DiNapoli, a step-grandson, Johnny DiNapoli, a brother, James (Lynne) Amato, two sisters, Ruth (the late Gary) Werb and Donna Amato, a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law, Leo and Cindy DeGori; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jennine was known by her grandchildren as “Bee Bee,” and her grandchildren were the joy of her life. When they were in her company, Jennine would garden and plant flowers with them. She also baked cookies with them. She was extremely artistic and creative and had a keen eye for taking beautiful photographs. Jennine enjoyed the holidays and enjoyed decorating for them. She absolutely loved to travel and took yearly trips to Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. Jennine was a huge New York Yankees fan and was over-the-top passionate about all things “Bee.” Jennine was undeniably a selfless woman and the best mom to her children, James and Adrian. She will be deeply loved and missed.

In accordance with the family’s request, services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Ernst Humer, 96, of Beaver, passed away unexpectedly on January 21st, 2025 at home.

He was born in Pinsdorf, Austria on August 26th, 1928, a son of the late Ernst and Franziska Humer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Anneliese Rothberger and a grandson, Matthew Hajduk. He is survived by his three loving daughters, Brigitte (Frank) Hajduk of Cranberry Township, Susan (David)
Peluso of Patterson Township and Kristina (Thomas) Kissick of Beaver,
seven cherished grandchildren: Mandy (John) Borys, Eric (Chrissy) Hajduk and Alex (Sami) Hajduk, Emily (Mike) McGovern and Megan (Nolan) Moffett and Wills and Sammy Kissick; and six cherished great-grandchildren, Hailey, Ava, and Sophie Borys, Anneliese Hajduk, Mila and Violet McGovern.

Ernst graduated from Voecklabruck High School and TGM Engineering in Vienna, Austria. He married Anneliese Rothberger in August of 1956 and
in 1958, they immigrated to the United States of America. Ernst had a 32-year career with Duquesne Light Company as the Director of Construction at Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit #2.

All services were private. Arrangements have been entrusted to
the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. Online
condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

 

Bruce Edward Whipple, 76, of Chippewa Township, passed away on January 25th, 2025 at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.

He was born in Rochester on May 30th, 1948, a son of the late Clarence and Hilda (Belvin) Whipple. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Clarence “Pete” Whipple and Ronald Whipple. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Marlene A. (Verrico) Whipple, two sons, Bryan Whipple and Bradley Whipple, his beloved granddaughter, Lindsay Whipple (Matthew Bedekovich), siblings: Gary (Janet) Whipple, Keith Whipple, Robert (Crystal) Whipple and Shirley (Tom) Germer; in-laws, Cindy (Jim) Swaoger and Jody (Rich) McCarty, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bruce was a master carpenter in his professional career where he owned his own business, Whipple Contracting. He was also an expert pool player and participated in two leagues.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Bruce’s memory. In accordance with Bruce’s request, all services were private.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

 

Ly Thi Ha, 87, of Pittsburgh, passed away in Beaver on January 23rd, 2025.

She was born in Vietnam on December 31st, 1937, the daughter of the late Ha Van Quyen and Vu (Thieu) Thi. She is survived by her five children: Nguyen Thi Loan, Nguyen Thi Phone Lan, Nguyen Hong Thao, Diana Ha and Thi My; fifteen grandchildren: Nguyen Lam Thanh, Vo Nguyen Tan, Nguyen Hoang Tuah, Nguyen Hoang, Nguyen Michael, Sarver Hannah, Biava Tina, Biava Dennis Scott, Nguyen Jimmy, Khuu Kathy, Khuu Kevin, Nguyen Marie Lynn, Pham Quang Vinh, Nguyen Yen Victoria and Nguyen Dat Jayden; six great-grandchildren: Nguyen Tuan Natha, Nguyen Tuan Jacob, Nguyen Thi Layla, Biava Banae Penelope, Biava Scott Nolan and Walker Kiomi Noa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Ly worked in sales for her professional career where she was able to sell anything. She was a hard worker in the rice fields when living in Vietnam. Ly loved to care for her children. She was known to be very easy to get along with. She was also Catholic by faith.

All services for Ly were private. Both her care and arrangements were entrusted to Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home and & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. The Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. was honored to take care of Ly and her family.