August 09, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Harry A. West, age 94 of Clairton, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021 in Jefferson Hospital. Born January 12, 1927 in Dunbar, he was a son of the late William H. and Olive S. (Ulander) West. He was a fire chief for U.S. Steel Clairton Works Fire Department for 37 years and a US Navy Veteran, serving during World War II. Harry was a member of the American Legion Daniel Keffer Post #75 and VFW Post #803, both of Clairton, He enjoyed woodworking in his shop at home, fishing, travel, and had an aviation pilot’s license.
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August 09, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
George Allen Sevcik, age 78, of Elizabeth Twp., passed away after a prolonged illness on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at home. He was a retired chief financial officer for the Veterans Administration in Pittsburgh. A Navy veteran serving during the Vietnam War, he was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Clairton Anglers Club. Born August 1, 1943 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Adam Sevcik Jr. and the late Irene (Szabo) Sevcik. He is survived by his wife, Corrine E. (Conley) Sevcik; sons, William (Debra) Sevcik of Greenock and Thomas Owen (Garnet) Sevcik of Elizabeth Twp; grandchildren, Coni, Corey, Cody and Colton; stepchild, Samantha.
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August 04, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Jon M. Washburn Sr., age 77, of Chalk Hill, formerly of Elizabeth Twp., passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 29, 2021 in North Carolina. Born April 24, 1944 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Charles W. and Eleanor (Anderson) Washburn. An accomplished jazz pianist, he shared a piano bench with Count Basie, Ahmad Jamal, Bo Diddley, and – most importantly – his grandchildren. He retired as the owner of Washburn Accounting and Tax Service in Elizabeth Twp. An avid jogger and member of many gyms over the years, Jon was known by his neighbors for carrying a bag on his runs to clean up trash along the road.
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August 04, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Joseph Dean Minyon, age 54 of Versailles, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021. Born August 13, 1966 in McKeesport, he is the son of Donald C. Minyon of Millersville, DE and Cecelia (Ronald) Zebroski of McKeesport. A member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - Corpus Christi Church in McKeesport, Joseph was the owner of Sophia's Convenience Store in Christy Park who enjoyed motorcycles and automobiles in his spare time. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife Tara (Thomas) Minyon; his daughter Sophia Minyon; his sister Dr. Dawn (Rodney) Minyon-Sarver, D.O. of Bethel Park; his aunt Linda Nagy of McKeesport; his mother-and-father-in-law Millie and Robert Thomas of McKeesport; and also many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
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August 02, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Eileen C. "Duckie" Ebner, age 81, of Lincoln Borough, passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at home. A graduate of Glassport High School, she was a member of the Red Hats Society and a former member of the Lincoln Borough Mother's Club. Born December 14, 1939 in Lincoln Borough, she was a daughter of the late William and Anna (Kefover) Herget. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William H. Ebner; daughter, Bethanne E. (Keith) Clark of Lincoln Borough; grandson, William "Billy" Clark of Lincoln Borough; sister, Sara Herget of Lincoln Borough; brother, Edward (Linda) Herget of Lincoln Borough; also, nieces, nephews and cousins.
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August 01, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
John V. Colonna, age 81 of Jefferson Hills, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021 in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born June 24, 1940 in Clairton, he was a son of the late Valerio and Angeline (Stevens) Colonna. John served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and worked as a systems analyst for US Steel Clairton Works. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Sandra (Major) Colonna; his daughter Kim (Tony) Piloseno of Medina, OH; his son Shawn Colonna of Tampa, FL; his grandchildren Anthony, Angela, and Alyssa Piloseno; his siblings Ronald and Daniel Colonna and Valerie Secrease; and also nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Edward Colonna.
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July 29, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Colleen Trainer, age 67, of West Elizabeth, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Pittsburgh. A former employee of Dillner Transfer Company in West Elizabeth, she retired as a service representative for Pennsylvania One Call System. She was always overly generous to all, loved playing Scrabble, and celebrating Christmas. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family especially her children and fur grandchildren. Born December 27, 1953 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Berlin and Elizabeth (DiLiberatore) Pearsol. She is survived by her daughters, Amie (Adam) Henry and Abby (Travis ) Johnston, both of Pittsburgh; granddog, Walter; grandcats, George and Penny; also, nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother, Darryl Pearsol and grandcat, Winston.
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July 27, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Nickolas A. Ionadi, age 92 of White Oak, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Brookdale of Mt. Lebanon. Born August 21, 1928 in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late Giuseppe and Rosa (DeLuca) Ionadi. A cement mason with his union, Local #526, Nickolas was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - St. Patrick's Church in McKeesport and also a volunteer with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. He joins his wife, the late Dorothy J. (Baglos) Ionadi, who passed away January 3, 2017. Nickolas is survived by his children Nickolas R. (Cheri) Ionadi of Collier Twp., Dominic (Daryl) Marks of Freedon, and Mary Jo (Alan) Lincoln of Mt. Washington; his grandchildren Nicole (Troy) Williams, Caitlin (Sean) LaVelle, Daniel Marks, Amanda (Mario) Romanelli, Lisa Smith (Vince) Butts, Shanna Howser, Aleigha Johnson, and Addison Lincoln; his great-grandchildren Sean Thomas LaVelle, Jr. and Mila Romanelli; and also nieces and nephews.
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July 27, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Goldie Beluschak Jarvis, age 87 of Forward Twp. and formerly of Clairton, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Jefferson Hills Manor. Born January 12, 1934 in Clairton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Ulbrich) Werner. A 1953 graduate of Clairton High School, Goldie worked as a crane hooker at US Steel - National Tube Works in McKeesport. In her spare time, she enjoyed making homemade candy and working her farm. Her family will remember her as a hard worker, doing all she could for her family, and an amazing mother and grandmother. Goldie joins her husbands, John Beluschak, Sr., who passed away November 30, 1975, and Milton "Red" Jarvis, Jr., who passed away April 15, 2011. She is survived by her children Deborah L. (the late Arthur) Hohn of Forward Twp., John (Laura) Beluschak of Fredericktown, and Greg (Jodi) Beluschak of Elizabeth Twp.; her granddaughter Deborah Sue Montgomery of Charleroi, and also nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her siblings Theodore Werner and Irene Andresik.
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July 25, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Christine (Secasky) Savol, age 67 of Boston, passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2021 in St. John's Nursing Home in Mars. Born December 30, 1953 in McKesport, she was a daughter of the late William C. and Elizabeth Y. (Strangis) Secasky. A member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - St. Patrick's Church in McKeesport and the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge #146 of Versailles, Christine volunteered with John J. Kane Regional Center in McKeesport and International Village. In her spare time, she enjoyed word search puzzles, visiting and helping at the area animal shelters, listening to music, cooking and watching cooking shows, and going to restaurants and diners with her dear companion, the late Thomas Kennedy. Christine is survived by her daughter Amanda (Todd) Moreland of Cranberry Twp.; her grandchildren Dreu, Brendan, Erick, and Sophia; her siblings Robert Secasky of Boston, William L. (Carol) Secasky of Duquesne, and Anita Rice of Florida; and her nieces Kristin (Brett) Rice of Quakertown and Desiree Secasky of Irwin; and her great-nieces-and-nephews Karissa, Stasek, Kevin, Hausmann, Kyler Kirk, and Lyric. Besides her parents, Christine was preceded in death by her son Jason Secasky.
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July 23, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Irene Venturini, age 87 of White Oak and beloved wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Irene was born on December 15, 1933 in McKeesport and was the youngest child of the late Joseph and Anna (Masley) Morosko. A member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - St. Angela Merici Church in White Oak, Irene, or "Gumby" and she was known by her loving grand and great-grandchildren, will be missed for many things, not least of all her cooking. Her specialties included stuffed cabbages, pierogies, chicken soup and her famous chocolate cake with cream frosting. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Matthew Venturini and her siblings: Ann Benjamin, John and Joe Morosko, Mary Douglas, Helen Stovar, Michael and Pete Morosko. Irene is survived by her husband of 67 years Ciro J. Venturini. Irene and Ciro met at a polka dance at St. Mary’s in McKeesport and have been together since then. They travelled the world, enjoying trips to Las Vegas, throughout Europe and her homeland Slovakia. She is also survived by her children Peter J. (Sandi) Venturini, Perry M. (Donna) Venturini, and Denise (Keith) Byers; her grandchildren Jenna (Bill) Bernabe, Dominic and Meghan Venturini, Chelsie (James) Boldry, and Peter C. Venturini; her great-grandchildren Giovanni Ash, Kiernan, Luca, Samantha, Gino, Mia, Lena, Willow and Flora June and also many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed.
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July 22, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Shane R. Lantz, age 36, of Donora, passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021 at home. He was a chef at Kodiax Barn & Grill in Charleroi. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and photography. Born September 26, 1984 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Lorelei Lantz. He is survived by his uncles, Russell (Michele) Lantz of Boston, Anthony J. Lantz of Homestead and Henry (Valerie) Lantz of Floreffe; also, numerous cousins. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by uncles, Ronald and Wesley Lantz. No visitation or services are planned. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
July 21, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Helen Smith Gray, age 86 of McKeesport, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 in UPMC McKeesport Hospital. Born August 30, 1934 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Jeno and Mary (Hollis) Schmidt.
A retiree of KMart in Pleasant Hills and a former member of Wesley United Methodist Church in White Oak, Helen worked in her later years as a lunchlady for McKeesport School District and was a member of both the Boston Vets and the CFU Lodge # 146 of Versailles. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing bingo, going to the casino, playing video poker, playing cards with her family, crafting, sewing, quilting, and going out socializing and dancing with her dear companion of 25 years Albert DiBattista. But, her proudest accomplishment was her six beautiful children and all of her grandchildren and their families.
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July 19, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Michael J. Simon, age 65 of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021 in Jefferson Hospital. Born February 17, 1956 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Andrew and Diane (Chubra) Simon. A member of New Hope Assembly of God Church in Elizabeth Twp, Michael retired as a maintenance engineer for Bettis Labs in West Mifflin, was a self-employed cement finisher, and the former owner of Simon Hauling and Construction. He was also a basketball coach for 22 years, coaching Elizabeth Forward boys and girls, Clairton boys, and McKeesport boys. In his spare time, Michael loved to play basketball, especially the Duquesne Serbian League, and golf. But, most importantly, he was a well-liked member of his community and an amazing husband, father, brother, and uncle. Michael is survived by his wife of 45 years Stacey (Shaffer) Simon; his children Tyranee and Seth Simon, both of Elizabeth Twp.; his sister Lisa (Stan "Stush") Oslowski of Glassport and their son Scott; his sister-in-law Darlene (Butch) Basic of Elizabeth Twp. and their children Courtney and Brett; and his brother-in-law Doug (Becky) Shaffer of Scottsdale, AZ and their son Derek.
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July 17, 2021 |
By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Raymond H. Shepherd, age 87 of North Huntingdon, passed away at home on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Born June 24, 1934 in Coulter, he was a son of the late Plummer and Estelle (McLaughlin) Shepherd. Raymond was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council 955; a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, #146 and member and past president of its Men's Club; a member of the Elizabeth Twp. Historical Society; and the St. Patrick's Holy Name Men's Club. He worked for thirty-five years as a railroad-man, employed by the B&O, C&O, and CSX Railways and receiving many awards. Raymond also loved his family dearly, and devoted much of his time to helping them and others, his friends, and his hometown of Coulter. He helped write the book detailing the history of Coulter and Alpsville and was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish - St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in McKeesport. Besides his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by his children Raymond Shepherd, Jr. and Joseph Shepherd; his brothers John, Plummer, Frank (Mike), and James Shepherd; his brother-in-law George Haines; and his great-grandson Frankie Rivera. He was a loving husband to his wife of forty-five years, JoAnn (Champ) Shepherd. Raymond is also survived by his daughters Michelle (Dave) Skarzynski, Estelle (Barry) Minkel, Stephanie Shepherd, and Jean (Todd) Shepherd; his grandchildren Julie, Daniel, Elaina, Sean, Allison, Ryan, Dalane, Todd, Jr., and Grace; his great-grandchildren Ronan, Maeve, Emery, and Tomás; his cherished sister Carol Haines; his sisters-in-law Janet and Theodora Shepherd; and also nieces and nephews.
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