Category: Obituaries

Frank J. Wilhelm (1926-2025)

Frank J. Wilhelm, 99, of Moon Township, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford on December 12th, 2025. He was born in McKees Rocks on July 24th, 1926 and he moved with his family to Moon Township during the Great Depression. His home had no indoor plumbing, and heat was supplied by a woodstove. Though money was tight, Frank enjoyed a good childhood with his family.

Frank lived an incredible life. His reserved kindness, gentle spirit, and boundless optimism will be remembered by everyone who knew and loved him.

In 1944, at the age of seventeen, Frank joined the US Army Air Force. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan at the end of WWII as a relay station operator. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after earning several service medals.

After returning home, Frank met the love of his life, Esther Baldassare, and they were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Coraopolis in 1950. They built a home in Moon Township and made a beautiful life together with their two children for over 65 years.

Frank became an electrical designer in 1950 when he was employed by Carl J. Long & Associates where he worked for 75 years. He achieved his professional engineering license and eventually became the president and owner of CJL Engineering.  He was very respected in the engineering community and worked on a number of buildings in the Pittsburgh area, notably many hospital projects, the fountain at Point State Park, Bell Telephone jobs and the Civic Arena. Frank was known for his professional integrity and dedication to his employees and customers. As the firm grew, Frank was proud that the company provided a good living for many families.

Beyond his professional life, Frank was a devoted family man. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Frank also enjoyed athletic endeavors, especially golfing with his friends.  He was on record for twice achieving the accomplishment of shooting a hole-in-one.  In his later years, Frank once shot nine strokes under his age – quite a feat!

He enjoyed tinkering with all things mechanical and could fix anything.  He was known to lovingly ruffle his wife’s feathers with his attention to detail and his many cooking suggestions.  He took tremendous pride in keeping his home and lawn maintained to perfection.

Frank is survived by his children, John Wilhelm and Janet Wilhelm Liggett (Lanny), his four grandchildren: Rebecca (Steven), Allison (Dylan), Curtis (Emily) and Lena (Luke); as well as two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary, his wife, Esther, his sister, Gloria Sefton and his brother, Stewart.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 15th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a blessing service will be held on Tuesday, December 16th at 10 A.M. Committal will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Moon Township after which Frank will later be laid to rest privately beside his beloved wife, Esther.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Frank’s memory to Good Samaritan Hospice, c/o Concordia Lutheran Ministries Foundation, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023 with a memo line to GSH Hospice Wexford.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the care Frank received from Delana Getty, his wonderful caregiver and friend during the past eight months.  We are also extremely grateful for the kind and loving care from the nurses and staff at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.

Frank will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of honor, hard work, and unconditional love for his family and friends will live on forever in the hearts of those he knew and loved.

Sylvia Rae Edenfield (1936-2025)

Sylvia Rae Edenfield, 89, formerly of Monaca, passed away on December 11th, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Crescent Township on May 14th, 1936, a daughter of the late Edith and Kenneth Morrison. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 44 years, Morris Michael Hoover, her second husband of 20 years, Walter Edenfield, her grandson: Sean Snyder, and two siblings, Kenneth Morrison Jr. and Joan Kephart. She is survived by her three children, Tamera (Michael) Scheers, Michael (Terri) Hoover and Leianne (Vito) Vigna, ten grandchildren: Justin Hoover, Shane Hoover, Chad Hoover, Lena Pitzer, Shannon Stojan, Frank Bullock Jr., David Kozik, Jordan Snyder, Kolton Vigna and Preston Vigna; as well as twenty great grandchildren, a sister, Linda (Edward) Heinlein and a beloved niece, Tricia Slugo Sebastian.

Sylvia worked for more than 25 years at JCPenney’s where she was a Supervisor. She also loved her time working at Green Valley Personal Care Home where she helped to cook and care for the residents. She also enjoyed her time as president of the Tri State Brigade with which she and her late husband Morris Michael Hoover would travel with in their Bounder motorhome. She was also a longtime member of Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, December 14th from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, where a funeral service will be held on Monday, December 15th at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 450 Penn Avenue, Aliquippa.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimers Association in Sylvia’s memory.

The family wishes to thank Life Beaver and Three Oaks Hospice especially Theresa, Maria, and Chaplin Nicki for the wonderful care that they took of Sylvia.

Betty Mae Marchegiano (1934-2025)

Betty Mae Marchegiano, 91, of Midland, passed away on December 11th, 2025.

She was born in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania on June 18th, 1934, a daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Beth Kinney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Marchegiano and her three brothers, Howard, Wilbur and Dale Kinney. She is survived by her daughters: Karen (Dale Gardner) Hunter and Galion, Ohio, Janet (Lou) Hudson of Industry, Brenda (James) Martina, of Louisiana, and Connie (Ruel) Seno of Ambridge; along with her brother, Harold (Judy) Kinney of Galion, Ohio, three sisters, Shirley Aspert of Delaware, Doris Javens of Ohio and Mary Louise Alpert of West Virginia, her grandchildren, Lou (Maria) Hudson and Zachary (Nathaly) Hudson, all of Pittsburgh, Erin (Bejan) Etezad of Canada and Lee Ann (Bill) Bowman of Galion, Ohio, her great-grandchildren, Preston, William and Alexis Bowman, along with two great-great-grandchildren, Atlas and Kinzlee.

Betty, a long-time resident of Midland, loved to make warm nut rolls and homemade manicotti crepes. She also enjoyed delicate embroidery and sharing her faith with others as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1960. She will mostly be remembered as a loving mother to her four girls and proud grandmother.

Friends will be received on Saturday, December 20th, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

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

Margaret Finch (Passed on December 10th, 2025)

Margaret Finch, 81, of Conway, passed away on December 10th, 2025 at her home after a year long struggle with cancer. She was born in Monaca, a daughter of the late Wayne and Edna Pearl Bennett. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Delbert R. Finch. She was the mother of four children: Cheryle, Matthew, Christopher and the late Darren. She was the grandmother of Sabella and Hailey and one great granddaughter. She was also the last of nine children: Dave, Bob, Leonard, Charles, Roy, Edna and Geraldine.

Margaret was a homemaker who cared deeply about her family.

A private family visitation took place at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES , 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Raymond Frederick May (1942-2025)

Raymond Frederick May, 83, of Center Township, passed away on December 9th, 2025. He was born in Shippingport, Pennsylvania on April 9th, 1942. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rozan May, his daughter, Beverly Bowser, his sisters, Margaret Proya and Charlene Nedrow, his brothers, Thomas Winkle and Jerry Winkle. He is survived by his son, Michael May, his daughter, Shonda Snavely, his sister, Janice Winkle, his brother, Harry Winkle, his cherished grandsons, Kevin and Keith Krznar and numerous nieces and nephews.

Raymond was a proud veteran of the United States Army and a retired machinist from Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he dedicated many years of hard work and craftsmanship. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who found peace and fulfillment in the outdoors throughout his life. In retirement, he devoted his time to restoring classic Oldsmobile muscle cars and creating meaningful woodworking projects, taking great pride in the beauty and detail of his work. He also deeply enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie found at the American Legion in Monaca, Pennsylvania, as well as the Sons of Italy, also located in Monaca.

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, December 13th, from 2-5 p.m. at Simpson Funeral and Cemation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Catherine Manfredi Ferrari (Passed on December 9th, 2025)

Catherine Manfredi Ferrari, or Bubba, as she was known to her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, passed away on December 9th, 2025 at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden.

She was born in Clarksville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Rachela and Luigi Manfredi. She is survived by her children, Valerie Ferrari Harley (husband – George) of Monaca, Cathi Ferrari of Monaca and Rob Ferrari of Elwood City, and her grandchildren, Erin Harley Carnevale (husband – Vincent), Matt Harley (wife – Lauren), and Ryan Ferrari (husband John) and her great grandchildren, Gia and Nick Carnevale, Alaine and Justine Harley. She is also survived by a wealth of nieces, nephews, and their spouses, great nieces, great great nieces and nephews.

Catherine was the youngest of nine children. She frequently talked about her youth in Clarksville, sneaking off to Iona’s grocery store to indulge her life, long obsession with potato chips and Pepsi and going to Hupp’s Dairy Bar to dance with friends on weekends. She met her husband, Robert (Bob) Ferrari, in Fredericktown, a nearby coal mining town. They were married on November 18th, 1950, and she and Robert lived for a while in the Manfredi family farmhouse in Clarksville before moving to Monaca. Catherine was grateful for those years at the farm. Family was most important to Catherine and the memories she shared with her siblings who were always dropping by stayed with her throughout her long life. Those siblings were Angeline Zurzola, Frank Lucia, Jim Manfredi, Jeno Manfredi, Mary Kacz, Louise Domon, Edith Greskovich, and Pete Manfredi. Catherine loved her life in Monaca, raising her children, worshipping at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, participating in book clubs, traveling and playing 500 with friends. Among her proudest accomplishments was her career at the House of Fabrics, where she rose form counter attendant to store manager despite having only a high school education. She credited her success to being “testadura,” an Italian expression meaning hard headed.

Friends will be received on Sunday, December 14th, from 2-6 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will be offered on Monday, December 15th at 10 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m., in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca and the burial will take place in the cemetery of that church.

Those who wish to commemorate Catherine with a donation can do so by contributing to Our Lady of Fatima Angel Fund in Hopewell Township and the Monaca Public Library, 998 Indiana Ave, Monaca, PA 15061.

Dorothy Ann (Mannino) Colella (1932-2025)

Dorothy Ann (Mannino) Colella, 92, passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2025 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her immediate family.

She was born in Rochester on December 11th, 1932, a daughter of the late Antonio V. Mannino and Mary A. (Pedaline) Mannino. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael A. Colella, her sisters, Constance (Mannino) Elefterin, Rose (Mannino) Purrachio and Annette (Sano) Brenzo and her brothers Sam Mannino and Domenic Sano, all of Beaver County. She is survived by her brothers: John Sano, Eugene Sano, Ronald Sano, and Larry Joe Sano; as well as her sister, Gloria (Sano) Grant, her son, Michael E. Colella, and his wife, Carol Anne (Smith) Colella, their children, David Colella and Rachel (Colella) Aquino, her daughter Deborah R. (Colella) Hayward and her husband, William “Randy” Hayward, their children, Leigh Ann Hayward, Bradley Hayward and Lauren (Hayward) Davidson, and her son, Nicholas J. Colella, and his children: Aletheia Orpanidys, Nicolo Colella, Tommaso Colella, and Giacomo Colella; along with her seven great grandchildren.

Dorothy graduated from Beaver Falls High School and the Community College of Beaver County. She was a Jury Commissioner of Beaver County, a nurse at Beaver County Medical Center and Pittsburgh Tube Company, as well as a program manager at Penn State University, Beaver Campus. She was also active in the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and assisted several political campaigns. She was known to be resourceful throughout her life. A funeral mass will be held for Dorothy at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls on Monday, December 15th at 10 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Corless Funeral Homes. In accordance with Dorothy’s request, there will be a private, immediate family only viewing prior to her funeral Mass. She will be buried at St Cecilia Cemetery, 761 Allendale Road, New Brighton.

Arlene DelSota Braun (1943-2025)

Arlene DelSota Braun, 82, of McCandless Township, formerly of Beaver, passed away on December 7th, 2025 surrounded by her family at Ridgecrest Senior Living in Pittsburgh.

She was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on May 26th, 1943, a daughter of the late Salvatore and Margaret DelSota. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert DelSota. She is survived by her husband, Howard J. Braun, Jr., her daughters, Amy Lynn (Thomas) Hansen Jr. and Kerri Ann Very, her sister, Peggy (Don) Frankland and her grandchildren: Madison, Rileigh, Sydney Very, Zachary, Braydon, and Lauren Hansen, her sisters-in-law, Judy DelSota and Karen Tremaine and her entire extended family.

Arlene worked as a manager for a medical office, but her greatest passion was for her children and six grandchildren. She was at every event, proudly supporting them.

Friends will be received on Sunday, December 14th, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 15th, at 10:30 a.m., at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Arlene’s name, may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

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

Michele Smith (1954-2025)

Michele Smith, 70, of Monaca, passed away peacefully on December 8th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Rochester on December 23rd, 1954, the daughter of the late George and Mildred (Deer) Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving partner of many years, Crystal Kemp. She is survived behind her one and only son, Otis Smith, and her grandson, Omari Smith.

Michele will be remembered as a woman whose heart and home were always open. For more than 20 years, she served as a dedicated nurse at Friendship Ridge at Beaver where she cared for others with compassion, patience, and a steady presence that brought comfort to countless people. Her generosity extended greatly beyond her work. Michele was the kind of person who became a mother figure to every child who crossed her path. Many lovingly called themselves her “sons,” whether related by blood or not.

Michele’s home was known as a safe place, a warm kitchen where hot food and cold drinks were always waiting, and where anyone who needed support could find it. Michele’s instinct to nurture was a constant in her life. She cared for her own mother with deep devotion, ensuring her final days were filled with dignity, love, and ease.

Her lovability, humor, and quiet strength made her someone people naturally gravitated towards. Michele built a family not only through blood, but through the many lives she touched.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, December 14th, from 2-4 P.M. and 5 P.M. until the time of a service at 7 P.M. with Pastor Gary Hilton officiating, at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements.

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

Robert Wright (1959-2025)

Robert Wright, 66, of Beaver Falls, formerly of Midland, passed away after battling a long-term illness, on December 6th, 2025, at Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center in Beaver Falls.

He was born on in East Liverpool, Ohio on May 20th, 1959, a son of the late Rosemarie Trevino Wright Elkins and Herbert Wright. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Carl Elkins, his brother, Richard Wright, Herb Wright and Randy Wright, his sister and best friend, Candy Prince and his niece, Shawndell Hogan.

Robert is survived by his family and friends, his brother, Mitchel (Deb) Wright, his brother-in-law, Doug Prince, his sister-in-law, Louise Wright, his special and close niece, April Richards, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Robert was a faithful member of St. Augustine Parish and St. Blaise Catholic Church in Midland where he taught CCD for over 25 years.

In accordance with Robert’s family’s wishes, all services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences maybe shared at nollfuneral.com.

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