All Obituaries

Nellie J. Bakaitis Halgas, 98, of North Belle Vernon, passed away Friday, July 20, 2018 at Hallsworth House, Monessen.  Born March 31, 1920 in Warner, PA she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophie Yukna Bakaitis.  A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon, Mrs. Halgas was a member of St. Sebastian R.C. Church, was a homemaker and enjoyed playing bingo. She is survived by great nieces Colleen Hurley, Michele Peckyno, Stacey Mechum, great nephews Gary Mavrakis, Kevin...

Dorothy A. Dalola Pekar, 77, of Belle Vernon, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2018 at at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.  Born May 15, 1941 in New Eagle, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Rhea Hepner Dalola.  A resident of Belle Vernon for over 20 years, Mrs. Pekar was a member of St. Sebastian RC Church and was retired from Mon Valley Hospital where she worked in the dietary department.  She also enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, watching TV game shows and...

Gerald E. Frankie, 77, of Monessen, died Monday, July 16, 2018 at Washington Hospital, Washington.  Born March 28, 1941 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Elio and Nancy McCullough Stimmell Frankie.  A lifelong resident of Monessen, Mr. Frankie was a retired laborer from Whg-Pgh Steel, Allenport Plant.  He is survived by a son Jerome Frankie of Monessen; daughter & son in law Tina & Patrick Hull of Monessen; step sister Monica Adametz; and two grandchildren...

Robert L. Burke, 71, of Monessen, died Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Donnell House, Washington.  Born April 9, 1947 in Scranton, PA he was the son of the late Leonard and Elizabeth Gilmartin Burke.  A resident of Monessen for the past 15 years, Mr. Burke was a member of St. Sebastian RC Church, Belle Vernon.  Bob attended Scranton Prepatory School, the University of Scranton along with the American Press Institute, Inland Press Association and Penn State University.  Bob...

Sherman Ray Smith, Jr., 70, of Perryopolis, Perry Twp., passed away Friday, July 13, 2018 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Jefferson Hills.  Born August 20, 1947 in Oak Hill, WV he was the son of the late Sherman R. Smith Sr.  and Evelyn Osborne Smith who survives and resides in Perry Twp.   A resident of Perryopolis for the past 32 years, Mr. Smith was a member of Perryopolis First Christian Church and worked for General Motors until his retirement in 2005. ...

Elsie Mellon Kowasic, 79, of Fayette City, Naomi, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital, Latrobe surrounded by her family.  Elsie was born March 27, 1939 in Gastonville, PA she was the daughter of the late Cecil Homer and Doris Loadman Mellon.  A resident of Naomi for the past 53 years, Mrs. Kowasic was a member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church. She graduated from Mckeesport School District.  She worked as a secretary and eventually...

Virginia L. Vero Bellora, 62, of Belle Vernon, Rostraver Twp., died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Mon Valley Hospital, Carroll Twp.  Born May 11, 1956 in New Eagle, she was the daughter of her late birth father James Vero and her late parents Marco and Gilda Amatangelo Vero Volante.  Having previously residing in Monessen Virginia was a resident of Belle Vernon for the past 4 years and was a homemaker. She is survived by her two daughters Jessica Bellora of Rostraver Twp., Julia...

Beth Pirchesky Schaffer, 62, of Belle Vernon, Washington Twp., died Monday, June 25, 2018 at Donnell House, Washington.  Born July 3, 1955 in N. Charleroi, she was the daughter of the late Bernard and Ruth Ziskind Pirchesky.  A resident of Belle Vernon most of her life, Mrs. Schaffer was Jewish by faith, worked for Aetna Health Insurance as a customer care specialist, and loved to shop and collect antiques. She is survived by her husband Thomas Schaffer of Pittsburgh and...

Eugene 'Gene' Lancas, 69, of Carroll Township, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018. Born in Pittsburgh on October 3,1948, he was the son of the late Joseph and Lottie Volkavich Lancas. A 1966 graduate of Monessen High School, Gene was a guidance counselor for 39 years at Belle Vernon Area High School, where he helped to shape the futures of many young men and women who remember him fondly. But perhaps Gene was best known for his extraordinary musical talent. He was the founder and...

Ronald E. Britt, 68, of Perryopolis, Perry Twp., died Monday, June 18, 2018 at his home.  Born August 25, 1949 in N. Charleroi, he was the son of the late James E. and Rose Porter Britt.  Mr. Britt was a resident of Perryopolis for the past 40 years.  He is survived by a son & daughter in law Ronald & Amy Britt of Star Junction; daughter & son in law Marylin & Matt Crossland of Rostraver Twp.; grandson Cole Britt; two brothers & sister in law Frank &...