Robert David Spann, 88, of Petersburg, Ohio, passed away on June 11th, 2025 at Providence Care Center of Beaver Falls.

He was born in Beaver Falls on June 23, 1936, the son of the late Martin and Margaret (Graham) Spann. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dwight Spann, Sr., his sister, Sandra Shield, 1 grandchild, 1 great-grandchild and a son-in-law, Shawn Raab. He is survived by his wife, LuValta K. (Knight) Spann, his children, Susan Raab, Roberta (Danny) Parrott and Robert E. (Erika Myers) Spann, 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Robert was a proud member of the Air National Guard in Pittsburgh. Following his service, he spent his life as a truck driver and a journeyman electrician. He also attended the New Galilee Church of the Nazerene. Robert enjoyed the time he spent with his family and flying his Cherokee 140 low-wing aircraft. He was also a ham radio operator, call sign WA3QZK.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, June 18th from 2 P.M. until the time of a service at 7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Interment will be private in Seceder Cemetery.

Alesa James Carr, 60, a devoted mother of two and visionary attorney known for her dedication to equity and public health, impeccable style and generous spirit, passed away on May 25th, 2025 in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

She was born in Beaver Falls on January 28th, 1965, a daughter of George E. James and the late Marian R. (Richardson) James. After graduating from Beaver Falls High School, Alesa earned her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

Alesa’s legal career included corporate counsel, litigation, and directing housing policy initiatives in Detroit to address the foreclosure crisis. She consulted on environmental policy to support clean air, water, and soil in marginalized communities. Alesa also founded a healthcare nonprofit, working with federal and international organizations to improve access to medical devices for underserved populations.

She was known for her taste in fashion, love of music, global travel, and talent for design. A dedicated daughter, sister, and aunt, Alesa enjoyed buying the perfect gifts for her loved ones. In addition to countless fun and memorable moments with her family, Alesa cherished her time with her childhood and lifelong friends and cousins, including Sandra (Frazier) Evans, Jacqueline Montgomery, Brenda (Madden) Patton, Marcee Richardson, Regina (Williams) Crawford, Shawn (DeBerry) Johnson, and April (Petty) Hauser.

Beaver Falls, Bridge Street, Tabernacle Baptist Church, South School, St. Mary’s, and Beaver Falls High School were where she learned her essential life lessons.

In addition to her father, she is survived by her children, Michael Carr II and Kendal Carr, her sisters, Alexis (Melvin Jr.) Steals and Alaina (Jesse Washington) James and her nieces and nephews: Coletrane, Alanna, Corinne, Zachary, Zora, and Drew.

The family will receive visitors on Saturday, June 21st at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at noon at Christian Assembly Family Church, 6241 Tuscarawas Road, Industry. Rev. Bill Anzevino will officiate.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Michael Alexander Sanko, Sr., 75, of Aliquippa, passed away on June 10th, 2025. He was born on July 17th, 1949, a son of the late Michael and Mary Sanko.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael “Moose” Sanko, a brother, John “Butch” Sanko and his niece, Tiffanie Sanko. He is survived by his brother, Daniel (Sharyn) Sanko and his niece, Sunny (Donald) Dillon.
He is also survived by his 2 stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and many loving great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa. 

Connie M. Sano, 75, of South Beaver, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2025, at Rochester Manor. Born September 1, 1949, in Beaver Falls, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Wilma Cowie Tindall. In her younger years, Connie enjoyed motorcycle rides and singing in her band. She loves to sit outside in the fresh air, but most of all she loves spending time with her family. Surviving is her loving husband, Ronald L. Sano; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great nieces, and great-great-nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dennis R. Tindall; in-laws, Mary and Sam Sano; and many brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2-8 PM in CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC – 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Augustine Parish, St. Monica Church, 116 Thorndale Drive Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Interment will be private at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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Charles S. Hrelec, Sr., 98, of Center Township, passed away on June 10, 2025, after a succession of illnesses during the last few years. Chuck was born to the late Evan and Veronica (Ilic) Hrelec at home in Aliquippa on May 2, 1927. He lived through the Great Depression and had many tales of his antics, survival schemes, and dreaded pumpkin and flour soup dinners. It was this boyhood that shaped his appreciation of delicious foods, his simplicity of living, and his flair as a prankster and jokester.

Chuck dropped out of high school to enlist in the Coast Guard as a Steward’s Mate in World War II. There he became a cook and also furthered his pranking skills. After his honorable discharge, he advanced from local recreational baseball to the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team as a pitcher. Two of his fondest baseball memories were pitching against Whitey Ford and meeting and being photographed with Bill Mazeroski.

Chuck met his future wife, Jean E. Domitrovich, also of Croatian heritage, at the Aliquippa A & P, where he was a meatcutter. Nearly inseparable, they were happily married for 51 years. He later worked at several other grocery stores, retiring from Giant Eagle. He continued to cut meat—processing deer for relatives, friends, and local shops.

A longtime resident of Center Township, Chuck was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Church, SOAR, and 79-year member of ALCRO Lodge. He looked forward to monthly meetings and activities of the Croatian Club. He visited the Motherland 3 times and loved everything Croatian, especially potica and Croatian Day at Kennywood. Chuck enjoyed deer hunting, watching baseball, and baking his gifts of English muffin bread and fruitcake. He was a genuine, loyal, and giving man.

In addition to his beloved wife, Chuck was preceded in death by his devoted daughter, Katrina Kaiser, and cherished brothers, William, John, and George.

His loving children and their spouses who survive him are Cynthia (Dennis) Novotny; Charles S. (Sandra) Hrelec, Jr.; Suzanne (Philip) Knox; Jeanne (Anthony) Ciaccia; and Martina (John) Markowicz; as well as caring son-in-law, Joseph Kaiser; and cherished sister, Caroline McWilliams.

Chuck is also survived by his dear 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. His Novotny grandchildren are Katrina, Martina, Aimee, Rebecca, and Dennis; Hrelec grandchildren are Charles, Jason, Candace; Knox grandchildren are Gabriel, Justin, and Amber; Ciaccia grandchildren are Antonio, Veronica, and Joseph; and Markowicz grandchildren are Jessica, Victoria, Angela, and Alexandra. His great-grandchildren are Braylen, Cynthia, Elyse; Charles, Carina; Noah, Jacob, Isaac; Abigail,  Selah, Hadassah; Elena, Henry, Chloe; Cora, Colton; Oliver, Birdie; Franco, Marco, Vera, Enzo; Wade, Rosalyn, Vaughn; Maverick, Vincent; and Geneva and Francesca.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where Prayers will be offered Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions can be made to Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers or Ronald McDonald House.

Thomas Evoy Owczarzak, 65, of Hopewell Township, passed away Tuesday, June 10^th 2025, in Aliquippa, PA. Born October  3^rd 1959, he was the son of Patricia Heiden and Henry Owczarzak. He was the husband of Terri Owczarzak (Biddle), dad to Donald Sanders, father-in-law to Abigail Sanders, and grandpa to Xerxes Ingrassia and Sterling Sanders.

A native of Hammond, Indiana, shortly after graduating high school, Tom joined the United States Army as a paratrooper in 1978. There he served as a military policeman in the 82^nd Airborne Division and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was immensely proud of his service, and for the rest of his life, he sounded off with a loud and thunderous “AIRBORNE” whenever the Chicago Bears scored a touchdown.

After leaving the Army, Tom briefly worked in a steel mill before starting his career in commercial underwater diving, supporting marine construction. Tom dove for many years and eventually rose through the ranks at Marion Hill Associates  where he worked for 15 years, before retiring in 2024 as the company’s general manager.

Tom met his wife, Terri in 2009 and was married in 2011. They enjoyed a happy life in Hopewell Township for many years, always with pets and hosting good friends. In addition to his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, Tom is greatly missed by his mother-in-law, Audrey Biddle, his father in law, Donald Biddle, his sister-in-law, Tracy Young (Biddle), his brother-in-law Richard Young, his nieces, Sara Allen (Jim Riffle), Kat Sanders, and Patti Jo Stewart, his nephew, Jordan Sanders, his beloved friends Kurt and Jo Marie Sanders, Debbie Sgro, Robin Hurni, Bob Hurni, Christine Hurni, and Cindy Kincaid, his dogs Casper and Baxter, and his parrot Joey.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Heiden, his father Henry (Hank) Owczarzak, step-father Bun Heiden, and his sister Patti Jo Stewart.

Tom enjoyed hosting parties, spoiling his grandchildren, bird watching, and traveling. He will be remembered as a man with a big heart. He made his own family in life and he loved them more than anything.

A private service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held Saturday, June 14^th, 11 AM at Huntsman Funeral Home in Aliquippa.

Alexander Brandon Mulig, 44, of Brighton Township, died unexpectedly on Monday, June 9, 2025, at his home.

Born on July 2, 1980, in Ellwood City, he was the son of Jeanie (Lutz) Socci and her husband Stephen and the late Alexander Mulig, Jr.

Brandon was an electrician by trade and had a heart of gold.  Always there to help when someone needed him. He was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sitting around the campfire, and hanging out at his garage with the ones he cherished. He always has an “ols” school character line and he always left with a handshake and “I’ll catch you in the rebound, uh huh!” Brandon was always there to lend a helping hand.

In addition to his mother, Brandon leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 18 years, Stephanie (Macom) Mulig; their son, Brandon Alexander “Alex” Mulig; his siblings, Stephen Mulig and his children, Kyle, Codi, and Katelyn, Melissa Mulig and her son, Xavier, Donnie Mulig, Randy Mulig, Kori Colich; step-siblings, David and Tiffany Keisling; his siblings-in-law, Allen Macom, Amanda (Kenneth) Redding, and Emily Macom; his mother-in-law, Linda Macom; numerous aunts, uncles, and friends.

Friends will be received on Friday, June 13^th from 2PM until the time of services at 6PM in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 340 Third Street, Beaver.

Mary Elaine Brittain (Armstrong), 86, of New Galilee peacefully entered her Heavenly home on her birthday, June 9th 2025, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mary was born to the late Carl Armstrong and Roberta Armstrong Myers (McKissick) in Darlington, PA.

A graduate of Darlington High School, Mary also graduated from Garfield Business School in Beaver Falls and Santa Ana College in California. After relocating to Florida, Mary worked as a team leader in the medical tray department at Johnson and Johnson.

Mary was predeceased by her father in 1950, her mother in 2012, a brother (Donald Armstrong) in 1960 and her husband (Herman Muller) in 2022. She was also predeceased by her first husband John R. Brittain Jr., who was the father of her surviving children Alan Brittain, Debra (Dave) Shee and Jon (Teresa) Brittain.

Also surviving Mary is her sister Linda Smith, her four grandchildren Christie (Bob Marzec) Shee, Casey Shee, Wesley and Mark Brittain, as well as several cousins.

Although Mary enjoyed many hobbies including crocheting, oil painting, and singing, her greatest joys in life were her children, grandchildren and serving her Lord. Mary was an active member of Our Father’s House church in Odessa Florida, and she loved singing with the Friendship Singers as they ministered to the residents of assisted  living facilities and retirement homes. Mary’s sweet personality, friendly smile, and kind soul endeared her to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

Friends will be received on June 13th from 3:00-7:00pm at Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. A brief memorial service and committal will follow Mary’s viewing.

Mary’s family is forever grateful for the team of hospice employees from Good Samaritan Hospice for their wonderful, compassionate and dignified care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Good Samaritan Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association in Mary’s memory.