Fred Polesky Sr., 92, died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford, PA on Sunday, April 21st, 2024. He was born on January 25, 1932, in the coal mining community of Bentleyville, PA, where he grew up on a small family farm with Polish immigrant parents and graduated from Bentworth High School. He continued his education at what was then Shippensburg State Teachers College, and later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. His teaching career began in 1955 in Coraopolis, PA, where he soon transitioned to working in Special Education within the Allegheny County Intermediate Unit. His remarkable 35-year tenure impacted the lives of so many special needs children and their families, in part thanks to his tall stature and commanding presence.

Fred also had a dual career as a small business owner. In 1957, he established the Polesky Insurance Agency out of his home in Moon Township, proudly representing Erie Insurance. His sales ability, starting from childhood experiences hawking his mother’s farm products to neighbors, allowed the insurance agency to grow rapidly. With the assistance of his wife and agent, Lucille Polesky, the agency moved from the basement office space to become The Polesky Agency, Inc., employing many over the years. Later, his son, F. Paul Polesky Jr., became a partner and now the agency owner.

Fred’s competitive spirit extended beyond insurance. His love for negotiating, buying, selling, and making deals served him well throughout his life. His gregarious, boisterous, booming voice, and “larger than life” personality, combined with a genuine concern for people he met, made him a natural teacher, counselor, and advisor. Whether sharing engaging stories or participating in teacher buddy activities, Fred also used his sales talents to promote educational organizations and contribute to local fundraising efforts associated with both his employer and his children’s schools. Fred took special attention and pride in the education milestones of his children and grandchildren. Over the years, he sponsored many exchange students to live in his home.

Fred’s lifelong passion for fishing led to friendships with a diverse group of individuals. From customers to coal miners to surgeons, anyone who shared an interest in fishing would be convinced to follow his leadership on elaborately planned fishing excursions. These adventures took them to various destinations, from local lakes to Atlantic coast marinas, Great Lakes charters, remote Canadian lodges, and wilderness Alaskan fishing locals.

Fred was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (St. Margaret Mary) in Moon Township. Of course, as a former defensive lineman in high school football and a local Yinzer, he was a devoted and enthusiastic fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Together with his wife, Lucille, and fellow traveling friends, Fred enjoyed the personally enriching experience of world travel. His outgoing and adventurous spirit was generously shared with whoever would listen to his travel tales – and he would tell of having visited some 37 countries around the world.

Friends will be received on Friday April 26 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM in The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Twp. (1522 Coraopolis Hts. Rd.) Where a closing prayer will be said on Saturday at 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 AM in St Margaret Mary Church, Moon Twp. Committal will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Moon Twp.

Albert “Toby” Wade, 82, formerly of Darlington, currently of Wampum passed away Monday, April 22, 2024.
Toby was born on August 9, 1941 in Waynesburg, PA to the late Curtis and Marjorie (Tedrow) Wade. He was a veteran of the United States Marines having served from 1960 to 1966. He was a Laborer for Local Union #833 for 34 years. Toby was a member of the West Mayfield Vets. He loved riding his motorcycle “Moon Beam” and was an avid Steelers fan.
Surviving are his two daughters, Christine (Chuck) Harlan, New Castle and Michelle McCall, Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren, Rachelle (Ricky) Jones, Wesley, Taylor and Hannah McCall; two great-grandchildren, Kendall and Karter Jones; three brothers Jack (Nancy) Wade, Beaver Falls, Jerry (Laura) Wade, Darlington and Gene Wade, Beaver Falls and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rosa and a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Michael) Sturm.
A Military graveside service was held at Grandview Cemetery, Big Beaver Boro on Friday, April 26 th at 11:00 am by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Delores Grace Steinecke, 86, of Darlington, passed away on April 20, 2024, at Celebration Villa of Chippewa.

Born on August 30, 1937, in Patterson Township, she was the daughter of the late Willard and Vera (Breckenridge) Staneart.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Harvey Lee McKim.

She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 49 years, Donald Steinecke; children, Judith (Scott) Campbell, and their children; Andrew and Nathan Campbell, Mark McKim and his children, Shannon (Dan) Gillin, Ryan McKim, and Kyle (Miranda Moore) McKim, and Laurie (David) Meyer and their children, Jessica and Megan Meyer; one great granddaughter, Olivia Grace McKim; siblings, Joyce Hall, Keith Staneart, Karen Thompson-Fink, and Lydia Clingerman; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Delores was a homemaker for the majority of her life and loved caring for others.  She was a faithful woman with a close relationship with her Savior.  Delores was a gracious lady who led a life full of compassion, gentleness, kindness and selflessness.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, from 9:30 A.M. until time of services at 11 A.M. at Pathway Church, 239 Braun Road, Beaver Falls.

Private interment will be in Little Beaver Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Delores’ name to Pathway Church Benevolence Fund, https://pushpay.com/g/lifeatpathway?fnd=uPgL5bRo-LQWCFvTEKTXUw&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl

 

Brent Alan Farmer, 49, of Beaver Falls, passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2024.

Born on March 31, 1975, in Sewickley, he was the son of Kevin L. Farmer and Linda (Wesche) Smyda. He is survived by his mother, Linda Smyda, father, Kevin (Diane) Farmer, children, Ericka Farmer, Brent Dylan Farmer, and Jakob Daniel Farmer, grandson, Odin Orlowski, sister, Natalie (Adam) Dufresne, and brother, Darren (Shalon) Farmer.

He worked various jobs the most recent being a laborer for a carpet installation company.  Brent loved music and political news.  He was a good cook.  Brent will be remembered for being generous and helpful to others.

Friends will be welcomed Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 7 p.m., in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Ave, New Brighton.

Howard Vern Brown, 87, of New Brighton (North Sewickley Township) passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024.  He was born on April 29, 1936 to the late Herbert and Stella Brown. While his first name is Howard, most people knew him as Vern.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters: Flora Shaw, Anna Zahn, Eva Cusick and Naomi Elsbury; and four brothers: Bill Brown, Ken Brown, Jack Brown and Harold “Pete” Brown.

Vern is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Shirley Brown, one brother, Herbert (Jean) Brown and a sister, Estelle “Toots” Measel, two sons, Richard (Cathy) Brown of Canton, Ohio and James (Terri) Brown of McKinney, Texas, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Vern served his country in the US Army from May 1957 to May 1959, and for eighteen months of that time, he was stationed in Germany.  After serving in the military, he returned to work at McDanel Refractories as a machinist and later supervisor of the machine shop.

Vern was a 1954 graduate of Beaver Falls High School.  He was an active member on the Class Reunion Committee.  Vern attended Penn State, Beaver Campus for 2 years where he received an associate degree.  Vern was past President of the Beaver County Management Club.

Vern faithfully attended Concord Methodist Church where he served on various committees and was an usher for over 60 years.

Vern loved sports and coaching his kids. He coached Farm League, Little League, Pony League and Legion.  He was the first manager of the Riverside Legion Team.  He was passionate about youth sports.  He was part of the crew that built Bradshaw Park and was the 2nd President of the Northeastern Athletic Association (now RBF) and served in that role for 3 years.  After his sons went off to college, Vern played softball for Concord United Methodist Church where he was an outstanding pitcher.

Vern and his wife loved to travel and watch their children and grandchildren play sports. They were avid fans of the Pirates and Steelers.

Friends will be received Wednesday April 24, 2024 from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, 3801-4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Additional visitation will be held Thursday April 25, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. in the Concord Church, A Global Methodist Congregation, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls. His pastor, Rev. Chris Kindle, will officiate.

Members of the Veteran’s Honor Guard will meet at the funeral home on Wednesday April 24 at 3 P.M. to provide full military honors.

Interment will follow in the Concord Church Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff of Three Oaks Hospice for all of their special care for Vern.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Concord Church Memorial Fund or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Nancy Stelzig, 80, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on April 19, 2024.  Nancy was born on October 22, 1943, in Rochester to the late Anna Elizabth Coulter and Leo John Bullian. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Joan Ryan in 1990 and her daughter Joni Charlton in 2023.  She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Max Stelzig, brother Leo (Marsha) Bullian, sister in-law Carol (Bob) Miller, son Michael (Srisuna) Stelzig, cousins: Susan Loughridge, Karyn (Dale) Petty, John (Graciella) Loughridge, and Greg(Francis) Loughridge; nieces and nephews, Dawn (Sandi) Ryan, Amy Scogna, Heather(Chuck) Warren, Daniel (Kim) Miller, Jeff Miller, Ryan (Billie Jo) Miller, Lisa (Ron)Hancock, and Michelle Bullian; grandchildren Sawyer and Maiya Stelzig, grandnieces and nephews Shane (Sarah) Potter and Billy (Haley) Anskate, Carl “CT” (Morgan) Hill, Morgan (Nate) Charlton, Cheyenne Warren, Danny Miller Jr., Austin Miller, Alex Miller, Adam Miller, Chase (Dani) Miller, Skyler Miller, and Jaden Miller; and great grand nieces and nephews, Jayce Henry, Carson Anskate, Lilly Hill, Khloe Potter and Dakota Miller. She spent most of her youth growing up in Beaver Falls and Sewickley where she graduated from Quaker Valley High School in 1961. She attended the Duffs – Iron City Business Institute in Pittsburgh in 1962 and worked as a secretary. She met the love of her life Max Stelzig at a dance at the American Legion in Sewickley in 1963. They were married on April 4th 1964.  Together they had two children, Joni Elizibeth and Michael Paul. During the 1970s, she and Max raised the kids, moving several times from Sewickley to Masontown, Carmichaels and then Indiana, Pennsylvania before returning to settle in Sewickley.  In 1984 she returned to work at Yankello’s TV and Radio shop where she became a fixture in the Sewickley community for the next 30 years. She loved working there because she was able to meet so many fascinating people from the local area.  Upon retirement she spent her time doting on her extended family of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In her spare time, she loved reading romance novels, local history stories and doing puzzles. In the summer she loved “sitting on the porch” and chatting with the neighbors. Friends will be received on Monday April 22, 2024 from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday April 23, 2024 at 11 A.M. Private burial will take place in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

Travis “Trey” Levelle Williams, 39, of Aliquippa and Washington, Pennsylvania passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on April 17, 2024. He was born in Sewickley on August 31, 1984, and is the son of Ernest and Athena Williams, Jr. Travis was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Oliver and Eddie Mae Thompson. In addition to his parents, Travis is survived by his beloved wife, Leigh Ann (Marcischak) Williams, a cherished son, Nico Williams, paternal grandparents, Rita and Wilbert Singletary, a sister and brother-in-law, Tamica and Donald O’Connor, nephews, Marvin Reed, Jonathan O’Connor and Jaxson Reed, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Darlene Marcischak, a brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael & Terri Marcischak, Valerie Sadler and many wonderful friends.
Travis worked for Coen Markets, Inc. as a Business Development Fuel Manager.
Travis was family oriented. He was devoted to his wife, his son and his family and would not hesitate to help anyone. Travis had a great zest for life. He enjoyed traveling, good food and spending time with his best friends. His passion for football began when he was a young boy and never left his heart. Travis was an avid fan of the Aliquippa Quips and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He recently secured a position as an assistant football coach at Rochester Junior High and was looking forward to mentoring his son, Nico.
Family and friends are welcome to attend the visitation on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 3-8 p.m. at Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, with additional visitation on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Patricia A. Moreira Kalish, 93, passed away on April 19, 2024. She was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania to Fred and Anne Lewis. She was preceded in death by 3 husbands, Ralph Angelo Moreira Sr., Edward Matsey and Edward Kalish, her 3 oldest sons, Ralph Jr., Richard and David.  She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Moreira-James (Stephen), two sons; Gregory Moreira (Christine) and Douglas Moreira (Margie), many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, sister Virgina Dawson of Midland, and brother William Lewis of Columbus, Ohio.  At the age of 15, she moved to Brazil and became a model for an American clothing company.  She eventually met her future husband, a Franciscan Monk, who she later married.  They decided to return to the U.S. after having their first child.  They built a home in Ohioville having raised five boys and one girl who she affectionately called Mi Niña. She worked for many years as a nurse in the field of oral surgery for Dr. Campbell, Dr. Atchison and Dr. Chewing. She was a stunning woman full of grace, very well read, and always the go to for advice or to help anyone at any time.  She was a longtime member of Faith Community Methodist Church in Rochester.

A very special thank you goes to the staff at Beaver Meadows for the wonderful care and compassion to Patricia and her family.  Friends will be received on Wednesday April 24, 2024 from 3 p.m.-7p.m. in Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, where a service will be held for close family and friends on Thursday April 25, 2024 at 11 a.m.  Private interment will take place in Beaver Cemetery.

Anthony F. Taormina, Sr., 85, of Brighton Township, passed away on April 18, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital of Pittsburgh surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 10, 1938, in New Brighton, he was the son of the late Anthony (Tom) and Mary (Nunzir) Taormina.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his first wife and mother of his children, Karen (Hosack) Taormina; his second wife, Donna (Lee) Laykish Taormina; a sister, Lena McCoy; and a step-daughter, Betsy Kreigisch.

He is survived by his children, Tricia (Adam) Taormina Peterson and Anthony (Susan) Taormina, Jr.; step-children, Terry (Maria) Laykish, Kathleen (David) Boyde, Sr., Karen (Paul) Wozniak, and Lisa (George) Bedekovich; 2 grandchildren, Trevor and Tyler Taormina; 13 step grandchildren; 17 step great-grandchildren; sister in-law, Gwen Hosack Lydon; and nieces Michelle McCoy and Mary Anne (Bernard) Pazanowski.

Anthony retired from Beaver Area Schools as former Athletic Director/ previous Vice Principal, Guidance Counselor, and History Teacher. He graduated from Beaver Area School in 1956. Anthony was awarded the Kay Lewis Scholar Athlete Award. Lettering in baseball, football, and basketball, he received a teaching degree from Clarion University in 1961.

He was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and had a fondness for coaching youth and high school sports and helped coach the Blackhawk freshman football team to an undefeated season.  He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish of Rochester. He was also a member of the Rochester BPOE #284 where he served as a former officer.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 from 5-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver.

Prayers will be offered in the funeral home on Thursday at 9:30 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. at Sts. Peter & Paul Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 200 Third Street, Beaver.

Interment will follow in Beaver Cemetery.

Edna L. Sinovic, 87, of Rochester, passed away on April 18, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver.

Born on September 6, 1936, in Rochester, she is the daughter of the late Richard and Geraldine (Kidd) Horstman.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynette Polce, granddaughter, Jenna Baker, and a grandson Paul Kincaid.

Edna is survived by two daughters, Pam Collins and Darla Sinovic; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Edna was retired from C.C.B.C. where she worked as a secretary for 40 years and was a cheerleading sponsor for the C.C.B.C. Titans basketball team.  She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Friends will be received Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 11 a.m. until time of blessing service at 1 p.m. in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton.

Inurnment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Beaver Falls.