Robert L. “Bob” “Boomer” Morris, 91, of Vanport Township, passed away at home surrounded by his family on May 18th, 2025.
He was born in Rochester on January 20th,1934, a son of the late Thomas J. and Ada Brewer-Morris-Mathews -Falk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death after 54 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Ethel (Leist) Morris, his daughter, Peggy Lee (Joe) Pillar, his brothers, Thomas (Nina) Morris and Rickie Mathews and his mother and father-in-law, Marshal and Lillian-Beighey-Leist-Killian. He is survived by his sons, Robert (Linda) Morris Jr. and Thomas Morris, his daughters, Bonita (Neely – Wise – Priddy) Morris and Erin (Fluharty- Cochran-Berry) Morris and a sister, Terry Mathews Craft, fifteen grandchildren: Penny (Justin) Baker, Joseph (Angela) Pillar. Summer (Mario) Lockett, Heidi (Tony) Edwards, Robert (Lindsey) Morris, Jamie (Nadine) Morris, Carissa (Ronnie) Morris, Tina and Jamilyn Morris, Kendra (Ryan) Werner, Josh Fluharty and Shawn (Katrina) Cochran, as well as 22 great grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and special neighbors: Dot (Gene) Quigley, Mark and Linda Evans and Roy Hall, and longtime faithful dogs, Bear and Wrinkle. He worked at St, Joe Lead (Horsehead) for 44 years retiring as shift Foreman in 1996. While at St. Joe, he innovated many new designs and practices to improve plant operations. In 1983 he was assigned to St. Joe’s El Indio copper mine and smelter in the Andes mountains in Chile, S.A. to help get their new smelting roaster on line. He returned in 1984 to help smooth out operations. In 1985 he was assigned to Casa Grande, Arizona to trouble-shoot a restart of a copper smelter after a 10-year shutdown. He was also the owner of Patent # 429,678 for an R/V attachment. He was an avid bowler for 65 years he bowled a “300” game in 1991 and is in the bowling hall of fame in St. Louis, Missouri. His proudest moments were serving on The American Red Cross disaster team on 911 at Shanksville, Pennsylvania and numerous tornados and floods in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and Tennessee. His real passion was restoring mustangs. He and Ethel started the Vanport car cruise in 2004. In May 2019, Bob and his daughter began delivering Meals on Wheels every Tuesday, continuing for the past six years.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 22nd, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. A funeral service will take place on Friday, May 23rd, at 11 a.m. at Vanport Presbyterian Church, 289 Georgetown Lane, Beaver. Bob will be privately interred at Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Red Cross of Beaver County.

Grace Naomi (McClure) Crosby, 94, of Vanport Township, passed away of natural causes on May 18th, 2025 at the Stone Pear Pavillion in Chester, West Virginia.

She was born in Rochester on November 4th, 1930 in Rochester, a daughter of the late John and Hazel McClure. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons: William, David, Gerald and Dennis Crosby; as well as her daughter, Marcia Mineard, her grandsons, Jon Robert and Kenneth Crosby, her sister, Alice Barnes and her brothers, Larry and Jerry McClure.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Steinbring-Busch, two sisters, Carol Reid and Shirley Henley and 89 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Grace was a resident of Vanport Township who will be remembered as a caring mother and proud grandmother. She was a faithful member of Vanport Presbyterian Church.

Friends will be received on Friday, May 23rd from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, May 24th at 11 a.m. at Vanport Presbyterian Church, 289 Georgetown Lane, Beaver. Interment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vanport Presbyterian Church in Grace’s memory.

A special thank you goes out to the nurses and staff at Stone Pear Pavillion for the exceptional care and attention they gave Grace over the past 2 years while in their care.

Peggy Anne (Lutz) Marecic, 84, passed away peacefully in the loving comfort of her daughter Michelle in the early morning of May 19th, 2025. She was born on October 28th, 1940, the daughter of the late Roy and Betty (Fleeson) Lutz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, David Lutz and Michael Lutz and her husband of 58 years, Charles “Lunk” Marecic. Her and her husband dedicated their lives to raising their family together. She is survived by her brother, Thomas Lutz.

Peggy graduated from New Brighton High School and worked at the New Brighton Hospital. She was also a lifetime member of the North Sewickley Ladies’ Auxiliary and Beaver County Women’s Auxiliary who proudly served her community and made lifelong friendships. Peggy also enjoyed quilting and embroidery, as well as playing cards and games with family and friends. Her porch was always an important gathering place in any neighborhood she lived.

Peggy dedicated her life to raising her four children: Patrick Marecic (Courtney Brown) of Kansas, Chris (Mara) Marecic of New Brighton, Michelle (Tom) Woods of Ohioville and Lynda (Andrew) Marecic-Leckie of St Louis, Missouri. She also has 10 grandchildren and many granddogs she has poured her love into over the years. She was also an important caregiver to many throughout her life.

A Special thanks goes out from the family to Crossroads Assisted Living and Celebration Villa. A personal thank you goes out to Amanda from Transitions Hospice for making her last days peaceful and comfortable.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, May 23rd from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., with a memorial service following at 7 p.m. in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton. A memorial service will be officiated by chaplain Drew von Arx from Transitions Hospice.

Floyd Gerald “Jerry” Fry, 87, of Aliquippa, passed away on May 14th, 2025 in his home with his family by his side. He was born in New Brighton on June 13th, 1937, the son of the late Floyd and Rhoda Fry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Gladys June (Robert) Albaugh and Marilyn “Jeannie” (Louis) McPherson. He is survived by his wife: Susan “Sue” Fry, two children, Michael Ryan (Kelly Wheat) Fry and Jennifer Leigh (Chuck) Gibbons, four grandchildren:Joshua Michael Fry, Kyra Jeanette Fry, Olivia Grace Gibbons and Owen Charles Gibbons. Floyd was a graduate of New Brighton High School and Geneva College. After college, he was sent to the Army and was stationed at Ft. Lee. After his military service, he began his career as a Strategic Consultant working in multiple industries. A few of the companies he worked with were: Gulf Oil, Dickerson, US Steel, Planning Dynamics, and Roma Color. After 40 plus years in consulting, he started working as a Caseworker with the Department of Welfare, where he was known as “The Gov” and always happy to help those in need. In his free time, he loved flying, going bowling, riding roller coasters and attending the Beaver County Maple Syrup Festival. Most of all he enjoyed hanging out with his beloved family, friends and his high school buddies. He always wanted to be on the cutting edge of technology. He was also a long-time member of New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church of Aliquippa where he was an Elder.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at 11 a.m. in New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 183 New Bethlehem Church Road, Aliquippa, followed by a graveside service in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 183 New Bethlehem Church Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Gallagher Home Health and Hospice for the tremendous care they took of Floyd.

Leon K. Betlyn, Sr., 89, passed away on May 19th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 16th, 1936 and was preceded in death by his wife, Lilian Betlyn and his daughter, Ruth Betlyn.
He is survived by his 5 children: Leon Betlyn Jr., Janet (Richard) Rump, Susan Welder, Sandra (Ken) Hunter and Mary (Scott) Hashman, 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa. A private burial will take place on Tuesday, May 27th at Coraopolis Cemetery, 1121 Main Street, Coraopolis.

Madaline Karnavas, 93 of Moon Township, passed away peacefully on May 18th, 2025.

She was born on December 1st, 1931, a daughter of the late John and Aphrodite Niaros. She was also the sister of her surviving siblings: Visilli (Bill) Vasilakis, Dimetri (Jimmy) Niaros and Isabel Capatides. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, the love of her life. They met in 9th grade in Ambridge High School and were married on June 12, 1955.  She lived an idyllic life with Jack in Harmony Township. Madaline was a proud and dedicated homemaker, making her children’s upbringing a priority, and filling her home with love.In addition to her siblings, she is survived by her 4 children: Andrea Schriver-Barksby (Nigel) of Moon Township, Nicholas (Karen) Karnavas of Shaler Township, Andrew Z. Karnavas of Moon Township and Sophia (Victor) Tonino, of Floral Park, New York: as well as six grandchildren: Zachary (Lauren) Schriver, Stephen Schriver, Eli and Eleni Karnavas, Norman Barksby and Kathryn (Donald) Noel; along with 3 great grandchildren, Xavier Barksby, Aidy Kathryn Noel, and Ava Madaline Noel.

Madaline was a longtime member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Ambridge as well as the Greek American Progressive Association. She also volunteered for over 20 years at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, formerly Friendship Ridge.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 21st from 4-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. An additional visitation will take place on Thursday, May 22nd from 9-10 A.M. in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 Beaver Road, Ambridge, where a Funeral Service will take place at 10 A.M. Entombment will take place privately in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

 

Nancy Ruth Garrett, 83, of Chippewa, passed away on May 19th, 2025 at Orion Personal Care Home of Allison Park. She was born in New Brighton on January 29th, 1942, the daughter of the late Raymond and Annette Bimber McFarland. She is survived by her son, Chad (Apryl) Garrett, two daughters, Kelly (Frank) Deramo and Megan Garrett, three grandchildren, Morgan (Ben) Foxall, Brandon Garrett-Lewis and Devon Garrett and two great-grandchildren, Lena Foxall and Ella Foxall.

Nancy’s greatest joy in life was her family, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. In accordance with Nancy’s wishes, all services were private. Professional services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Online condolences may be shared at www.corlesfuneralhomes.com.