December 06, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Alma J. Smay, age 94 and formerly of Cresson, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 in LGAR Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Turtle Creek. Born August 26, 1929 in Cresson, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Kathleen (Rudolph) Smay. A retired secretary for the Butteric Pattern Co. of Altoona, Alma was also preceded in death by her siblings, Betty Lou Shay and Merle T. Smay. She is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families: Bonnie Baker, Kitty Shay-Lenart, Bill Shay, and Wayne, Chris, Carl, Mark, Charlotte, and Gene Smay.
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December 05, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Gregory Swank, age 66 of Liberty Borough, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born April 23, 1957 in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Glenn A. and Loretta (Stanchik) Swank. A member of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish, St. Eugene Site and a member of the V.F.W. Post of Irwin, an avid Steelers fan and a talented musician and fix-it man, and was always available for family and friends. Greg retired from Durabond Steel and also worked at Camp Hill & Erasteel for 25 years. Greg is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deborah (Milice) Swank; his children Michael (Sara) Swank, Alexi Jean (Brandon) Darr, Chelsi Loretta Swank, Aubri Lee Swank; his grandchildren Dylan, Ethan, and Drew Swank and Conrad Clark Darr; his siblings Glenda Davis, Judi Lawson, Cynthia Swank, Polly Swank, Lorri (Paul) Remai; his aunt Bernice (Tim) McDonald; his uncle John Stanchik; his cousins Beth, Bob, Eric, John, Dennis, Debbie and Doug; his nieces and nephews Nicole, Lauren, Lenny, Nathan, Devon, Jeremy, Cody, Shaun, Sam, and Schawn; and his great-nieces-and-nephews Samantha, Micah, Margaret, Zachary, Maddison, Bennett, Jace and Abigail. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Vivian Lucas and his cousin Amy Wallace.
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December 05, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Martha (Domer) Drusbasky, age 76, of Forward Twp., passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at home surrounded by family. She retired as a technician for Eye & Ear Sales in Pittsburgh. She was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church (St. John 23rd Parish) in Jefferson Hills and she enjoyed music, especially Neil Diamond. Born March 8, 1947 in Floreffe, she was a daughter of the late John R. and Myrtle (Lawrence) Domer and wife of the late Robert P. Drusbasky. She is survived by daughter, Christine (Rick Hickey) Reitzel of Elizabeth; son, Brian (Diane) Drusbasky of Pleasant Hills; grandchildren, Kurtis Drusbasky, Brianna (Brian Schaum) Drusbasky, Timothy (Haley McKelvey) Reitzel Jr., Paige (Michael) Safreed and Kevin Drusbasky; step-grandchildren, Jonathan and Shannon Bilski; great-grandchild, Michael Tate Safreed; sister, Rita Petticord of Monessen; brother, Emil Domer of Plum; in-laws, Faye Domer of Duquesne, Peter Fernace of Forward Twp., Peggy Ziegmond of Forward Twp. and Arvil T. Randall of Houston, TX; long-time neighbors, Betsy Porter and Kathy McCovish, both of Forward Twp.; also, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Genevieve (the late Neil) Ferry, Mary Randall and Barbara Janicki, and brothers, Robert, Joseph, Thomas and John (the late Cheryl) Domer; and her dog, Kolby. A memorial gathering will be in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 2 PM until the time of service at 4 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Rick Bennett officiating. Private burial will be in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Offer condolences at
www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
December 02, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
We are saddened to announce Rev. Thomas A. Wagner, a beloved Catholic priest, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the age of 66. Fr. Wagner passed away surrounded by loved ones. He was born on September 5, 1957, of Allison Park, son of the late Arthur G. and Lois “Dolly” (Hertweck) Wagner. He is survived by his sister, Diane (Steve) Burke; brothers, William (Kathy) Wagner, Gary (Kim) Wagner, Kurt (Elaine) Wagner; and many loving nieces and nephews. He attended St. Mary’s Glenshaw where he was first called by God to priesthood. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1975, Duquesne University in 1979, and completed his seminary at St. Vincent. On June 25, 1983, he was ordained a Catholic Priest at St. Paul Cathedral. Fr. Wagner was a faithful servant of God and a beloved member of the Catholic community. He served various assignments throughout his priesthood, most recently as pastor to St. Michael’s, Queen of the Rosary, St. Eugene ministering to the people of God until his illness. He will be missed by many. Fr. Wagner's family, friends and fellow Clergy will gather to pay their respects at Saint Joachim and Anne Parish, Saint Michael’s Church, 101 McLay Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037 on Wednesday, December 6
th from 2 PM until the time of Mass of Translation at 7 PM with Bishop Mark Eckman presiding. A second viewing will take place on Thursday, December 7
th, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Saint Mary of the Assumption Church, 2510 Middle Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116 from 12 PM until Mass of Christian Burial at 2 PM with Bishop David Zubik presiding. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery of Saint Mary in Glenshaw. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your home parish for their needs or to The Mary of Nazareth Catholic School. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at
www.bekavacfuneralhome.com Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
December 01, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Daniel “Danny” Lazar Jr., age 45, of Elizabeth, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023. He was a bricklayer for 20 years for Hillcrest Builders and was a member First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. Born September 3, 1978 in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Daniel Lazar of West Newton and Debra (Oates) Kadar of Elizabeth. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his children, Daniel
III, Danika, Zander and Nyiah; sister, Timi (James) McEndree of Elizabeth; brother, Christopher Lazar of Clairton; maternal grandfather, Frank Oates of Elizabeth; also, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Monday, December 4, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Benjamin Schneider officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Offer condolences at
www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
November 29, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Virgil D. DeAngelis, age 94, of Jefferson Hills, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Jefferson Hospital. He was born in Clairton and raised in Compotosto and Rome, Italy. He returned to Clairton in 1948 and later graduated from the Pittsburgh Barber Academy. He worked and retired from Kane Hospital as a barber and owned and operated his own barber shop in Glassport for many years. Virgil loved spending time with his family and friends. He was active in his community and was an avid TJ high school football fan. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, and tending to his garden and fig trees. He loved meeting and talking with everyone he encountered and knew no stranger. He was an eternal optimist and truly enjoyed every day to the fullest. He was a member of Triumph of the Holy Cross in West Mifflin. Born November 27, 1929, he was a son of the late Aniceto and Erminia (Sansoni) DeAngelis. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen D. (DiClemento) DeAngelis; daughter, Sandra (the late Ron) Fussaro of Myrtle Beach, SC; sons, Barry (Carol) DeAngelis of Pleasant Hills and Bryan (Doreen) DeAngelis of South Park; grandchildren, Wayne (Kari) Fussaro, Matthew (Chelsea) DeAngelis, Michael (Erin) DeAngelis, Stephanie DeAngelis and Jessica (Tyler) DeAngelis; great-grandchildren, Jake, Nick and Elizabeth Fussaro, and Helen and Jude DeAngelis; also, nieces, nephews and sisters- and brothers-in-law. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Fulvio and Primo DeAngelis, and sister, Josephine Valentini. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 9 AM until the time of blessing at 11 AM with Deacon Victor DeFazio officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a charity of one's choice. Offer condolences at
www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
November 28, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Johanna Rupcic, age 86 of North Versailles, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at home. Born September 25, 1937 in Rankin, she was the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Majan) Zvonkovich. A member of the former Sacred Heart Church in McKeesport, she worked as a receptionist for the Croatian Fraternal Union and was a member of CFU Lodge No. 3. She was the wife of the late Edward Rupcic who passed away December 28, 2001. Johanna is survived by her children Anna (the late John) Dormihal of Buena Vista, Paul (Laura) Rupcic of Bethel Park, Denise Rupcic of North Versailles, Joann (David) Wiehagen of East McKeesport, and Barbara (Ken Molitaris) Allenbaugh of North Versailles; her grandchildren Nicholas Dormihal and Stephanie (Sean) Cammarata; and also nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Theresa Stanley, Josephine Hlavac, and Lenore Puskaric.
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November 27, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
L. Elaine (Vitori) DeChicchis, age 89, of Elizabeth, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at home. She retired as chief financial officer for J&E Building in Elizabeth and was a member of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish (Saint Michael Church). Born in Clairton on October 10, 1934, she was the younger daughter of the late Jack and Ann (Rossi) Vitori and wife of the late Joseph E. DeChicchis. She is survived by a daughter, Diane (Tony Brown) DeChicchis of Peters Twp.; sons, Joseph DeChicchis of Elizabeth, David (Alesia) DeChicchis of Pittsburgh and John (Melissa) DeChicchis of Peters Twp.; grandchildren, David, Jacob and JR Brown, and Joseph, Louis, Jiovanni, Vincent, Sabrina and Nico DeChicchis; great-grandchildren, Leo and Elaine Brown; sister, Mary Lou (Gene) Paschal of Danville, CA; sister-in-law, Joanne Vitori of Pittsburgh; also, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her only brother, Eugene Vitori. Visitation is private. All are welcome to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 12 Noon at St. Michael Church, Saints Joachim and Anne Parish. Procession will follow to burial at Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills. In lieu of floral tributes, please consider planting a tree or contributing to one of Elaine's favorite charities: Saints Joachim and Anne Parish, 101 McLay Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037; Historic Elizabeth, P.O. Box 214, Elizabeth, PA 15037; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be mailed ℅ Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth, PA 15037, or offered at https://www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
November 22, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Elizabeth A. (Hadar) Mendlowitz, age 68, of Glassport, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at UPMC Presbyterian. She was a custodian at South Allegheny High School. Born October 15, 1955 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Charles A. and Fern Ruth (Kaler) Hadar. She is survived by her son, Brad Mendlowitz of Glassport; brother, Charlie Hadar of Irwin; sister, Donna (Joe) Sobac of Fort Lauderdale, FL; also, several friends and extended family members. No visitation or services are planned. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
November 20, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Josephine Aceto, age 92 of Glassport, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at home. Born April 15, 1931 in Italy, she was the daughter of Raphael and Concetta (Amore) Norelli. A member of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish - Queen of the Rosary Church, she was a former member of Christian Mothers of Holy Cross Church in Glassport. Josephine worked as a cook at Berto's Restaurant, Johnny K's, Dukes Restaurant, Mossberg’s, and also at Fisher Body and C.C.A.C. Josephine is survived by her husband Anthony, her son Frank (Antoinette) Aceto of Jefferson Hills, and grandchildren: Anthony and Joanna Aceto.
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November 20, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Branka Simunek, age 69 of Versailles, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023 in Harmon House Care Center. Born April 27, 1954 in Velemirovac, Croatia, she was a daughter of the late Ivan and Ivka Ruff. A member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - St. Angela Merici Church in White Oak, Branka worked as a cook at Auberle Boys Home in McKeesport. She is survived by her husband Stephen Simunek and her children Natalia and Stephen Simunek.
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November 19, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Richard G. Rothey, Sr., age 67, of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, in Jefferson Hospital. He was the Vice-President of McRo Construction, Inc. in Elizabeth and was a member of Bethesda United Presbyterian Church and Stephen Bayard Masonic Lodge #526, both of Elizabeth. Born November 8, 1956 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Donald C. Rothey, Sr. and Betty Jane (Tarr) Rothey. He is survived by his wife of 44-years, Bobbie L. (Jobb) Rothey; daughter, Kimberly (Keith) Duco of Finleyville; sons, Rich (Ashley) Rothey, Jr. of Elizabeth Twp. and Rob (Kimberly) Rothey of Millstone Twp., NJ; four granddaughters, Juliana, Makenna, Norah and Stella Rothey; brothers, Donald C. (Linda) Rothey, Jr. of Elizabeth Township and Eric G. (Linda) Rothey of Elizabeth; also, nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 3-7 PM. No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Four Gateway Center, 444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Offer condolences at
www.bekavacfuneralhome.com
November 17, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Wilma R. Primorich, age 87 of Jefferson Hills and formerly of South Lyon, MI, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023 in Celebration Villas of South Hills. Born September 3, 1936 in Clairton, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Lucy (Runatz) Primorich. Wilma retired as a job parts specialist for the Ford Motor Company after 40 years in 1999. In her spare time, she loved to go to auctions and flea markets, listed to her Croatian radio, and go out and treat for dinner with family and friends. She also loved her four siamese cats and will be remembered by her family as warm hearted, conversational, and always easy to make friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Iko, Ante, Mirko, Eneric and Emil Planich, Milan Primorac, and Albert and Nick Primorich. Wilma is survived by her sister-in-law June Primorich of Finleyville and nieces and nephews.
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November 17, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Albert P. Ranalli, Jr., age 96 of Clairton, passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Jefferson Hospital. Born December 19, 1926, he was a son of the late Albert Ranalli, Sr. and Catherine (Macioce) Ranalli. A member of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish - St. Clare of Assisi Church in Clairton and a US Army Veteran of the Korean War Era, Albert worked for over 50 years in the meatcutting department at Marraccini's Supermarket in Clairton. He also worked at H&R Block as a tax preparer and at Carmike Theaters as a ticket agent. In his spare time, Albert was an avid tennis player and gardner and a great believer in "common sense." He is survived by his wife Lenore (Nesti) Ranalli; his three sons Larry (Helen) Ranalli, Donald (Christine) Ranalli, and Kenneth Ranalli; his granddaughter Nicole (Matthew) Dalton; his three great-grandchildren Logan, Lucas, and Nadia; his brothers Charles (Sue) Ranalli and Joseph Ranalli; and also nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his brother Daniel Ranalli.
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November 16, 2023 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Jeremy M. Little, age 45, of Elizabeth, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at West Penn Hospital. He was a parts manager for more than 10 years at the former Angel’s Cycles in Rostraver Twp. He loved riding dirt bikes and quads in his earlier years, and enjoyed working on motorcycles. Born September 27, 1978 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Reginald Little Jr. and the late Valerie (Urban) Little. He is survived by his maternal grandmother, Twilia Urban of Elizabeth; brother, Eric J. (Kim) Little of Forward Twp.; nephews, Kameron and Laine Little; aunt, Cheryl (Dave) Thomas of Apollo; uncle, Sean Urban of Michigan; also, cousins. No visitation or services are planned. Private burial will be in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1640, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
