Ronald C. Taylor, 86, of New Brighton, passed away peacefully at his home on January 5th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 20th, 1939, the son of the late Chester “Chet” and Mary (Stuber) Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Jerry Cummings, and his great-grandson, Stephen Michael Taylor, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jayme (Uebelhart) Taylor, his children: Rhonda (Jeff) Dean, Rick Taylor, Jennifer Taylor-Janectic and Jason (Jenny) Taylor; his grandchildren: Taylor and Lexi Janectic, Luke and Sofia Taylor, Stephen (Jessica) Taylor and Ricky Taylor; as well as his great-grandchildren, Faith and Dominic Taylor, his sister, Joanne Taylor and many extended family members.

Ronald was Pentecostal by faith and a longtime member of Life Family Church, formerly New Brighton Christian Assembly. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Geneva College, which led to a successful career with Airway Industry and Hussey Copper. He had a lifelong love of sports. He enjoyed racquetball, softball, bowling and baseball. He especially cherished watching his grandchildren play and never missed a game, proudly serving as their biggest and most devoted fan. He also faithfully followed all Pittsburgh sports teams. He was a fan of Elvis who enjoyed singing and loved playing the piano and guitar. Above all, he treasured his family and was a devoted husband to his wife, Jayme, with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, January 11th, from 1-5 p.m. at the J.J. Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. Ronald’s final viewing will be held Monday, January 12th at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. at Life Family Church in New Brighton.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald C. Taylor, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Delbert Allen Smilak, lovingly known as “Delbie,” 86, of Daugherty Township, passed away on January 6th, 2026, surrounded by family at his home. He was born on August 24th, 1939, a son of the late Rose and Alex (Simko) Smilak. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Smilak (Lina).

He was a devoted husband to his wife of 42 years, Susan (Black) Smilak and was a loving father to his daughters: Joy McDonald (Bill Alexander), Stephanie Smilak, Jessica Inscho (Brett) and Nikki Smilak Camp (Nathanael). He was a proud and playful “Pappo” to his grandchildren: Isaac, Lucas, and Adelaide Inscho, and Jessica and Brooke Barletto. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard Smilak, Rose Marie Smilak, and John Smilak (Patty).

Delbert was an incredible husband, father, Pappo, confidant, companion, and friend. He graduated in 1959 from Beaver Falls High School and worked 42 years as a Millwright Rigger for Babcock and Wilcox Steel in Koppel. He loved playing ball of any kind and carried that same enthusiasm into everything he did. He proudly coached his daughters’ softball teams in the New Brighton Recreational Softball League from 1992 to 2008. He was known for his goofy sense of humor and he could make anyone laugh, especially himself: often crying with laughter at his own jokes before he ever reached the punchline.

He loved adventures: camping, hiking, kayaking, and cooking s’mores over an open fire. He danced in the kitchen with ridiculous dance moves, sang wildly out of key to oldies, doo-wop, and polka songs, and never missed an opportunity to dress up in over-the-top Halloween costumes. He also attended Concord Church in Beaver Falls, where his faith was an important part of his life.

Friends will be received Saturday, January 10th, from 2-5 p.m., at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. An additional visitation will be held Sunday, January 11th, from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 4 p.m., at Concord Church, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls, with pastors Chris Kindle and Arthur Black officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Diabetes Association.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Delbert Allen Smilak, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Milad K. Louis, 81, of Ross Township, passed away on January 7th, 2026. He was born on January 5th, 1945 and is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Moaheb Louis, his children, Manal (Ed) Lee, Anwar Louis and Magdi Louis, his siblings, Gamal, Loutfy, and Afaf, his grandchildren: Christopher, Alexander, Nicholas, Johnathan, Austin, and Magdi; as well as his great-grandchildren, Lily, Kent, Kiro and Levi.

Milad was a linguist who proudly worked with the United States Army. He possessed a deep and steadfast faith in God and held a profound love for his church and his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 9th at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 995 Melrose Avenue, Ambridge and Milad’s burial will follow at Mount Royal Cemetery, 2700 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anthony , please visit the floral store of Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services by clicking here.

Patricia Diane (Laney) Wagstrom, 80, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2026, at Lakeview Personal Care Home in Darlington, surrounded by her loving daughter and the compassionate caregivers who attended her.

She was born in Sewickley on March 10th, 1945, the beloved daughter of the late Robert L. Laney, Jr. and Margaret A. (Pethtel) Laney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Robert Lenda, her beloved husband, Raymond Wagstrom and her brother, Robert L. Laney, III. She is survived by her loving children, Ellen Caputo (Gary) Young and David (Tracy) Lenda, her step-grandchildren, Madelene (Owen) North, Gage (Grace) Young, Kyle (Kaitlyn) Howe and Kacey Howe; as well as her cherished step great-grandchildren, Jolene and Wyatt. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kristy Laney-Palitti, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will fondly remember her kindness and gentle spirit.

Patricia devoted her life to caring for others, both personally and professionally. She began her career as a registered nurse and later retired as a quality assurance specialist, always bringing compassion, diligence, and integrity to her work. She was a faithful and longtime member of Raccoon United Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa who shared her deep love of music through worship and playing the piano and organ for many years. Her musical gifts were cultivated at God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she majored in voice and developed the beautiful talent that would become a defining part of her life. She generously shared her voice with all who knew her. She sang with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus, performed at Carnegie Hall, toured throughout Europe, and more recently found great joy performing with the Sweet Adelines. Whether on a grand stage or among family and friends, her music was a heartfelt expression of her faith and love.

Friends will be received on Saturday, January 10th, from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1 p.m. at GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREAMTION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Diane’s honor to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff of Lakeview Personal Care, especially Sarah, Danielle, Misty, Carol and Eric, as well as Heartland Hospice nurses, Alyssa and Kayla, for their kind and compassionate care that was shown.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Don Galzarano, please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Rosemarie C. D’Achille, 90, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on January 5th, 2026. She was born in Beaver Falls on May 31st, 1935, the daughter of the late Leon S. Kaleta and Mary Kaleta Nicholson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lorenzo “Larry” D’Achille, her brother, Leon “Bob” Kaleta, her sister-in-law, Barbara Kaleta, her brother-in-law, Guliano D’Achille and her sister-in-law, Dorothy D’Achille. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Theresa (William) Bair, Ron (Shari) D’Achille and Sharon (Todd) Hyre, four grandchildren: Jenna (James) Johnston, Adam (Anne) D’Achille, Alan (Amanda) D’Achille and Breana Hyre; as well as her great grandchildren, Elliot and Micah D’Achille and Kristina and David D’Achille.

Rosemarie was a member of the former Saint Mary’s Church in Beaver Falls. She was active in the church, teaching CCD classes, and helping with many activities. In her later years, she attended Concord Church in Beaver Falls with her husband. She loved gardening and kept beautiful flower beds throughout the yard. She enjoyed going to the farms in Ohio to purchase fresh produce and Amish baked goods and always had a hearty meal prepared for her family. She valued the importance of family gatherings, whether it was celebrating a holiday, birthday, or having a picnic. Food was always the center in the D’Achille household. She liked playing cards and taking her son-in-laws’ nickels in a good card game.

Friends will be received on Friday, January 9th, from 10 a.m. until the time of a service at 12 noon at Concord Church, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls. Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

A special thanks goes out to Three Oaks Hospice of Beaver for their support and care for Rosemarie and to special friends, Karen and Faith, for their love and helping to care for her. In lieu of flowers, plant a tree for Rosemarie by clicking here.

Otis “Uncle Sam” Smith, Jr., 68, of Ambridge, passed away on January 5th, 2026. He was born on October 7th, 1957 and he was preceded in death by his parents, Georgella and Otis Smith, Sr., his mother, Beatrice Kimbrough, his maternal grandparents, Henry and Birdie Bratton, his uncles, Phillip, Luther and Henry Bratton, an aunt, Carrie McIver and his nephew, Phillip James Bratton. He is survived by his sisters, Lucille “Candy” Williams and Roberta “Wendy” Kimbrough, his brother, Phillip (Pamela) Bratton, his nieces and nephews: Mikee (Kelly) Williams, Maury (Vena) Willaims, Damon (Jaime) Bratton, Darnell (Tracy) Bratton, Teylore Bratton, Sheree Bratton, Devonte Allison, and Durann Allison; along with numerous great nieces and nephews, his special friends, Roger Fike, Blue and Mike Jeter and his beloved dog, Ashley.

Otis was a crane man at Hussy Copper for thirteen years. He then worked for the Ambridge Borough Road crew for eighteen years. He then worked at Allegheny County Schools for 9 years working with children with special needs.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14th at 4 P.M. until the time of the funeral service at 6 P.M. at the Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Richard Halicek, 95, of Ambridge, passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sewickley on September 8th, 1930, a son of the late Mary and Frank Halicek, who were immigrants from Czechoslovakia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann (Charles) Glas and his brother, Frank (Sylvia) Halicek. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Patricia, three children, Richard Halicek, Rebecca (Charles) Dallara and Rachel (Gary) Kleemook, nine grandchildren: Emily, Eric, and Elaina Halicek, Marissa, Laura, and Elizabeth Dallara, and Chadd (Cassandra), Jeremy (Rachael), and Jamie Kleemook; as well as five great-grandchildren, Penelope, Nathan, Layla, Ella, and Kade. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Donna Donofrio, wonderful Aunt Rozel, and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Richard attended Divine Redeemer Catholic School where he received his blessed sacraments and Leetsdale High School before moving to Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Ambridge High School in 1947. Following graduation, Richard began studying at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Apprenticeship Program, where he met his future wife. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and was deployed to Korea, serving for two years as a Corporal in the 35th Infantry Regiment with the 25th Infantry Division. He spent his R&R in Japan where he purchased beautiful unique gifts for loved ones. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1952, Richard returned home and completed his electrical apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 712. He worked as a skilled and successful journeyman wireman until his retirement in 1992. He was a proud member of Local Union 712 for 77 years.
In his spare time, Richard enjoyed flying Cessna planes, boating, beating everyone at lunch at checkers, and water skiing with his family on the Ohio River. He also enjoyed traveling to Sanibel Island and providing scuba instruction at the Sewickley YMCA. He co-founded the Halicek-Weber’s Dive Shop in Baden with his best friend, Dick Weber. He had a rare blood type and selflessly donated blood throughout his life to help others.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 9th, from 9:30 A.M. until a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. The mass will be live-streamed as well at stluke.net>Resources>Good Samaritan Live 24/7. Interment will follow in the Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery there with the Beaver County Special Unit providing full military honors. All are welcome to celebrate Richard and pray for his soul.
Richard enjoyed caring for animals and watching/feeding all the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks in his yard. He sat on his bench and spent lazy afternoons in the sunshine admiring his beautiful oak trees and saying hi to anyone who walked by. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of his caregivers from Visiting Angels, Vitas Hospice, and Cornerstone, who kindly helped him over the past year, and more recently, the Medical Staff of Heritage Valley Beaver. A special thanks to his neighbors, Rick, Gerry, and Jeffrey Hughes and Howard and Cindy Miller, for their never ending friendship and support, and to everyone in the community that he loved spending endless hours visiting and talking to.

He was always laughing, smiling, and was a bright light in so many ways. He will forever be loved and dearly missed.

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