Joe Pat Bettis, 92, passed away on February 17th, 2025 in the Butler VA Community Living Center. He was born in Brownwood, Texas on December 17th, 1932, a son of the late Frank Girard & Myrtle (Paterson) Bettis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy (Duke) Bettis, his brother, Richard Baker Bettis, and his daughter, Sherry Sue Bettis. He is survived by his daughter, Nanette Bettis Curtis (Richard) of Moon Township, grandchildren Joshua Richard Curtis and Leah Jo Curtis (Fiance’ Brian Roe), sister-in -law, Carol Gallagher and niece Tammy Green.

Joe graduated from high school in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He enlisted in the Army in 1951, and was a paratrooper with the 89^th Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.  He served stateside during the Korean War.  He claimed, and it has never been disputed, that he successfully kept the North Koreans out of Kentucky.  He was also a chef, attending a military baking school. His biscuits and gravy, and pies, were always a treat for family and friends.

Following the war, he married Nancy Duke in Wichita Falls, Texas. They were married 63 years until her death in 2018.

Joe was a self-taught geological draftsman in the oil and gas industry for many years, later working as a seismic broker.

Joe was a longtime friend of Bill W., celebrating 57 years of sobriety.  He often spoke how 57 years, “was taking sobriety way too seriously.”  Joe was not very anonymous about the program, as he helped countless individuals during those 57 years.

Even at 92 years of age, Joe was not intimidated by technology. He watched YouTube videos, managed his bank accounts online, and texted to everyone.  He loved communicating with his grandchildren who he adored.

Joe loved to build and fix things. He constructed model boats and airplanes, tied trout flies, and even converted a boat house to an apartment on his property in the Hill Country of Texas.  He often did things his own way.  Whenever an electrician or plumber comes for occasional repairs or maintenance of the property we typically hear them say, “I have never seen it done that way before!”

There will be no public viewing. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, on Saturday, March 1st at 11 a.m. Joe will be buried in the family plot in Whitesboro, Texas. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

The family is forever grateful to the staff at the Butler Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Butler for their kindness and wonderful care of Joe when he was in hospice care.

Janet L. Waddingham, 94, of Patterson Township, passed away on February 19th, 2025 at Concordia Villa St. Joseph.

She was born in New Sewickley Township on October 19th, 1930, the daughter of the late Clarence and Grace (Lutz) Young. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Waddingham and her brother, Wilbert Young. She is survived by two sons, Lee (Sandra) Waddingham and Stanley (Marlane) Waddingham, daughter, Gloria (Bob) Harris, four grandchildren: Robert (Lori) Harris, Timothy (Mia Walker) Harris, Bryan (Tammy) and Marc (Anne Whitney) Waddingham; along with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Janet was a painter for the Phoenix Glass Company and worked in Rochester Hospital. Janet enjoyed shopping, gardening and decorating the house.

Friends will be received on Monday, February 24th from 12 noon until the time of service at 1:30 P.M. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Pastor David Champ will officiate.

Entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

Marion C. Loughhead Simmons, 92, of Brighton Township, passed away with her family at her side on February 18th, 2025.

She was born in Monaca on September 30th, 1932, a daughter of the late Ralph and Marion Loughhead. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Simmons, Jr., son, Charles L. Simmons, III and brothers, Ralph “Buddy” Loughhead and Robert Loughhead. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Janet “Jan” Simmons of Brighton Township, brother, John (Karolee) Loughhead of Wampum, grandchildren, Charles Simmons IV of Pace, Florida and Courtney (Jimmy) Schwab of Port Charlotte, Florida, great-grandchildren: Adrianna, Cole, Cameron and Audrey Simmons and Jenna, Olivia, Ellie and Tessa Schwab; along with her special friend, Tarri (Mike) Barron.

Marion was a resident of Brighton Township most of her life. Marion was the former owner of Mister Donut of New Brighton along with her husband, Charles. She later worked retail for 30-years with Sears. Marion had been very active with the Beaver Rotary Club.

Friends will be received on Monday, February 24th, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Pastor Micah Ramsey will officiate. Online condolences may be shared a nollfuneral.com.

Memorial donations in Marion’s name may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rochester Manor, especially nurses Mary and Tammy, and Gateway Hospice for the extra special care given to Marion.

Keith J. Kraus, 53, of Rochester, formerly of Beaver, passed away unexpectedly on February 17th, 2025.
He was born in Sewickley on November 2nd, 1971, the son of Phyllis Kraus and the late Glenn Kraus. In addition to his mother, Keith is survived by his daughters, Chloe Marie Raine Kraus and Lily Marie Soleil Kraus, stepson, Kyle Aaron Matthew Johnson, former wife of sixteen years, Monique Marie Kraus, partner of fourteen years, Sharon Laszczynski, sisters, Amy (Dennis) Downer, Kara (Robert) McClain and Erin Dorsett, nieces and nephews: Jonathan McClain and Alli (Kara) McClain, Cailin Downer, Brenna (Amy) Downer, Jacob Goodlin and Spencer (Erin) Dorsett, as well as his faithful four-legged companion, Zen.

Keith was a 1989 graduate of Beaver Area High School and had worked for the FedEx IT Department.
Family and friends will gather on Sunday, February 23rd starting at 12 noon at Jus 1 More, 926 7th Avenue, Beaver Falls.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Keith’s name to Hay Dude Critter Rescue, 711 Farm 474 Boerne, TX 78006 or www.haydudeequine.org.
Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Matthew Ratkovich, 64, of Ohioville, formerly of Industry, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 13th, 2025.

He was born on July 12th, 1960, a son of the late Marko and Sueann Holmes Ratkovich, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Marko Ratkovich, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Nicole White of Midland, sisters, Marcietta Ratkovich of Florida, Maryann (Rob) Ratkovich of East Palestine and Susan (John) Minehart of Industry, grandchildren, Landon and McKenzie Wilkins, both of Midland, nephew, Shawn Ratkovich of Economy, two nieces, Chelsea (Kevin) Kester of Freedom and Mallory(Bob) Minehart of Calcutta, Ohio, great niece and nephews, Avery, Jace and Wyatt Kester and special friend, Linda Brath.

Matthew was a sales associate at Walmart in Monaca, having previously worked for many years at TGIF Fridays and at Pittsburgh International Airport. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Serbian Club, all in Midland. He loved the Pirates and Steelers. He never missed a day of playing the Pennsylvania Lottery.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted on Saturday, March 1st from 4-8 p.m. at the Midland VFW, 700 Midland Avenue, Midland.

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

Josephine (Samchuck) Lapic, 96, of New Brighton, passed away on February 15th, 2025, surrounded by her four devoted sons and their loving wives.

She was born in Freedom on September 11th, 1928, the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Dyrwal) Samchuck.

After graduating from Rochester High School, she went to work for Bell Telephone Company during WWII. She soon met Paul, the love of her life, a WWII US Navy veteran, at her uncle’s wedding. Paul was soon mobilized for service in China during the Korean War. Josephine lived in their unfinished house learning about country life. On his safe return, the small-town girl and the farm boy raised four rambunctious boys. During those years, she took a position at K-Mart where she retired with 10 years of service.

With their love of the land, and the instigation of Paul’s brother John, they soon started to experiment with grape growing. Winning wine awards made with their own grapes! This led them to open the Lapic Winery in 1977. They would be proudly granted the first Limited Winery license in Southwestern Pennsylvania since the Harmony Society. Josephine’s wonderful personality was a perfect fit to manage this award-winning commercial winery for the next 30 years.

One of her favorite memories were the friends they made and the customers who faithfully returned for their wine year after year.

She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She loved them all and remembered their birthdays and special occasions with cards and gifts.

Her home was full of life from the beautiful plants and flowers inside and out to the many celebrations we enjoyed in her home.

We are grateful and send our thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice who walked with us through her final days. We would also like to send a special “Thank you” to Josh Lapic for the hours spent taking care of her so that she was able to keep her home until the end.

Friends and family will be received Sunday, February 23rd at the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton from 2-5 P.M. Additional viewing will be held on Monday, February 24th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.

Private entombment will be held in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Joseph R. Pollock III, 69, a resident of Beaver, passed away at home on February 15th, 2025. He was born on January 8th, 1956, a son of Joseph R. Pollock Jr.  and Marjorie (Ewing) Pollock. He is survived by his children, Kelsey (Pollock) Rhea and Pierson Pollock, sister, Linda (Pollock) Antonini, brothers, Robert Pollock and Craig Pollock, grandchild, Victoria Rhea and a host of nieces and nephews. Joseph graduated from Farrell High School. He was a 1978 graduate from Clarion University with a degree in Business Administration and Management. He was a member of the Theta Xi Fraternity. He had a successful decades long career in banking marked with many years of community involvement. He retired from WesBanco. Joseph was a Christian who loved to golf, cheer on his beloved Pittsburgh sports team, and listen to classic crooners like Frank Sinatra.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21st, from 2-4 P.M. and 5-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 21st at 6:30 P.M.

Please consider a donation in Joseph’s memory to Gateway Rehabilitation Center. For information on how to donate, follow this link: https://www.gatewayrehab.org/resources/get-involved/donate-now.

Earl C. “Knute” Bryant, Jr., 78, of Beaver, passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2025, in Heritage Valley Sewickley. He was born and raised in Beaver County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl C. Sr. and Ellen Bryant and his siblings: Helen Jean Bryant and Mary Wilson and Albert and Dennis Bryant. He was one of twelve children and is survived by his wife, Paula Bryant, a son, Cliff (Vicki) Bryant, two daughters, Shari (Brian) Hoag and Kathy (Jerry) Howieson, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five sisters: Dolores Baker, Nancy Blystone, Betty Winkle, Janet Seevers and Deborah Jones, two brothers, Robert and Donald Bryant. His numerous nieces and nephews will remember their uncle with fondness and admiration.

Earl was a devoted family man, a respected veteran, and a cherished member of his community.

Earl graduated from Beaver Falls High School in the class of 1965. Shortly thereafter, he answered the call of duty and served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman 2nd Class during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1970. Following his military service, Earl continued to enrich his knowledge and skills by attending the Community College of Allegheny County, where he earned his diploma in heating and air conditioning.

For the majority of his life, Earl worked as a machinist and spent his final working years with Moltrip Steel.

He had a passion for music and shared his love for it with others as a disc jockey at weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties. His faith was a cornerstone of his life. He joyfully served as a worship leader for Fishers of Men Community Outreach and was an active member and small group leader at Victory Family Church in Cranberry.

He was also an avid fisherman. Earl found solace and peace at Moraine State Park, one of his favorite spots to cast a line and reflect on the beauty of nature. Above all, Earl was a family man, and his greatest joy was spending time with his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Rick Pelloni officiating. Military honors will be rendered following the service by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Chapter 862.

To share online condolences, view Earl’s video tribute and get directions, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.