Virginia “Ginny” L. Tavern, 78, of Koppel, passed away peacefully at home on January 8th, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Beaver Falls on August 25th, 1947, in Beaver Falls, a daughter of the late Louis and Nellie (Halsac) Ferrigno, Sr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick A. “Buzzy” Tavern, her brother, Louis Ferrigno, Jr. and two sisters, Elizabeth Pizzella and Mary Lou Fillinger. She is survived by two daughters, Tiffany (John) Wayne of North Sewickley and Tonya Tavern of Koppel, three grandsons, Bryce and Colton Wayne and Tyler Knox and a sister, Jeannie Heinrich.

Virginia found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, especially her cherished grandchildren, who brought endless smiles and laughter to her life. She had a lifelong love of polka dancing and could often be found on the dance floor at SNPJ, where she enjoyed music, friendship, and community. She also delighted in attending craft shows, always appreciating the creativity, colors, and handmade treasures she discovered along the way. In accordance with Virginia’s wishes, all services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Shirley Rose Caton, 90, of Hopewell Township, passed away on December 22nd, 2025.  She was born in Hopewell Township on July 10th, 1935, the daughter of the late Arthur and Harriett Hill.In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Daniel Caton, Sr. She is survived by her four sons: Michael Caton of Hillsboro, Ohio, Scott & Dianne Caton of Baden, Dr. Paul &Alisa Caton of Brighton Township and Daniel Caton Jr. of Hopewell Township; as well as seven grandchildren: Jenny (Josh) Minzler, Michelle (Kyle) Clemons, Michael (Katie) Caton Jr., Christopher (Emily) Caton, Lauren (Jacob) Harlich, Thomas Caton and Megan Caton; along with great grandchildren and her dog, Bailey.

Shirley was an accomplished singer. She won first place at the All State Choir competition in 1953, singing for Hopewell High School. She sang at both President Nixon and Senator Heinz inauguration balls. She also performed at numerous weddings over the years. She worked for more than 30 years as the Choir Director for the Beaver United Methodist Church. She also worked as a Deputy Prothonotary in Beaver County, and previously worked as an Executive Secretary for Chester Engineering. Shirley also volunteered with the Bureau of Elections for years.  She loved to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins and going to the casino. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. The love she showed through always being there, cooking delicious meals, attending all sports activities, and being a mom to everyone, will never be forgotten.

In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, there will be no viewing.  A Celebration of Life for Shirley will be held on Monday, January 19th at 11 a.m. at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, 1555 Brodhead Road, Moon Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department 1401 Gringo Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Ann “Babe” Ross please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Nellie Katherine Loftus, 96, of Pulaski Township, passed away on January 6th, 2026 in her home. She was born in Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania on October 4th, 1929, a daughter of the late James and Ethel White. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William, her stepmother, Dolly (Yeager) White, a daughter, Carol Mahovlich, a grandson, Pete Mahovlich, her son-in-law, Steve Cline, her nine brothers: James, Clark, Ben, Everett, Glenn, William, Leslie, Ordie, and Bob; as well as three sisters: Dorothy, Helen, and Betty and four step brothers: Elmer, Gilbert, Darrel, and Walter Yeager.

She is survived by her two sons, William & Carol Loftus of Baden and Richard Loftus & Margaret Beakes of Hobe Sound, Florida and her daughter, Bonnie Cline of New Brighton, eleven grandchildren: Susan, Christie, Butchie, Michael, Karen, Patty, Matthew, Ricky, Heather, Nichole, and Jason; as well as 27 great grandchildren and numerous great great grandchildren, and her partner and friend in life, Nelson Mitchell.

Nellie was a retired custodian for Western Beaver School District, a long-time member of Faith Community United Methodist Church in Rochester and a lifetime member of both Woodlawn Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rochester VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing cards and building jigsaw puzzles.  She thoroughly loved going camping and watching her hummingbird feeders and she also loved visits with her family and friends.

Friends will be received on Saturday, January 10th from 11 a.m. until the time of a Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Private interment will take place in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Rochester VFW, 179 Virginia Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074.

Anna Lee Spinnicchio, 95, of Ambridge, passed away on January 8th, 2026.  She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 22nd, 1930, the daughter of the late Evelyn (Walter) O’Bryan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Spinnicchio, and a son, Richard O’Bryan. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen O’Bryan.

Anna’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Lawrence “Larry” E. McGown, 78, of Daughterty Township, passed away at home on January 5th, 2026, at his home. He was born in Beaver Falls on July 26th, 1947, the son of the late Duane and Eileen (McClure) McGown. She is survived by his loving wife, Linda Davis McGown, her children: Vona Lynn (Bruce Rupert) McGown, Sean Eric McGown, and step-children, Lesley Davis and Aaron (Kelsey) Davis, his sisters, Laraine McGown and Sharon (McGown) Henry, his grandchildren, Cameron Todd, Alexis Todd, Henry Davis and Dawson Davis and lastly, one great-grandchild, Marella Todd; as well as his niece, Lindsey (Henry) Sise, his nephews, Eric Henry and Ryan O’Shea, his great-niece, Emilyn Sise and his great-nephew, Zander Sise.

Lawrence’s life was defined by service, humor, and deep-rooted traditions. He worked for NOVA Chemicals for many years and honorably served in the United States Navy and was a Vietnam veteran, a chapter of his life he held with great pride. He was of strong Scotch Irish heritage and was known for his appreciation of a good Scotch whiskey and the stories that often came with it. He enjoyed golfing, and all things related to the Civil War. He had a great sense of humor with a gift for making people laugh and keeping the spirit light. He was deeply involved with the ARC of Beaver County for several years and was a member of both the Beaver Falls Owls and the Baden American Legion where camaraderie and service to his fellow veterans were important to him.

Lawrence was very proud of his Irish heritage and because of this, his family will be holding an Irish wake in his honor, on Monday, January 12th, from 2-6 P.M. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where an additional viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 13th, from 10 A.M. until the time of service for the celebration of his life at 11 A.M., and a luncheon will follow at the Daughtery Township Fire Hall, 4198 Marion Hill Road, New Brighton. A private burial with honors for Lawrence will be held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, on Wednesday, January 14th.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence E. “Larry” McGown, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

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.