All Obituaries

J. Robert "Bob" Utz, age 70, of Mars, went home to spend the rest of eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday afternoon, April 16th 2024. He was surrounded by his family, listening to worship music, when he let go of their hands and took the hand of Jesus. Bob was quite a man. He loved God, his family, friends, basketball, waterskiing, golf, snorkeling, word puzzles and putzing around the yard. Bob adored his kids and 11 grandchildren. He was a member of...

Joseph A. Jansen, Jr., age 75, of Middlesex Twp., Valencia, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the comfort of his home, peacefully in his sleep of heart failure. Born on August 28, 1948 in West Berlin during the Berlin airlift, he was the son of the late Colonel Joseph A. Jansen, Sr. and Emily Regan Jansen. His father was an engineer officer with the US Army building and extending airfields.  Active with the Boy Scouts of America, Joe hiked the Tooth of Time Mountain at the...

Millard Martin “Marty” Decker, age 62, of Middlesex Township, passed away on Monday morning, April 8, 2024, while under the care of Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 1, 1961, he was the son of the late Millard and Evelyn Fritz Decker. Marty graduated from Clarence C. Brown Education Center, and worked at PARC Productions in Butler, PA. He loved collecting watches, going on trips to the Outer Banks with his caregiver Linda,...

Thomas William Heckert, age 68, of Middlesex Twp., Valencia, passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 4, 2024 in the comfort of his home. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 25, 1955, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Margaret Burrows Heckert, Jr. Tom was a lifelong resident of Middlesex Twp. and a graduate of Mars Area High School. Tom had been an electronics technician and was an animal lover with a special place in his heart for Dachshunds. Surviving are and uncle, John Burrows...

Joseph A. Burr, Jr., age 92, of Mars, passed away on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2024 at St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars. Born in New Castle, PA on August 8, 1931, he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret Coper Burr. Joe had worked in the maintenance department at M.S.A. in Callery for many years. He was a member of LifePointe Alliance Church and had been active in the Butler County Sheriff's Posse. He had also been a Boy Scout assistant leader for Troop 400 in...

Thomas Richard Wroblewski, age 88, of Valencia, Pennsylvania, was called to eternal life on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, in the comfort of his home with his family at his side. Born on Good Friday, April 19, 1935, on Polish Hill, Tom was the eldest son of the late Chester and Blanche Kopicki Wroblewski. Tom was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, the University of Pittsburgh, and did graduate studies at the University of Southern California.  He served in the United States...

Gary E. Dobson, age 75, of Cranberry Twp., PA passed away on Thursday morning, March 28, 2024 at Kane Regional Nursing Center in Ross Twp. Born in Punxsutawney, PA on April 1, 1948, he was the son of Willavene Shaffer Dobson and the late Jimmy Dobson. Gary took great pride in his work at Penn Telecom and North Pittsburgh Telephone Co., now Consolidated Communications. During his more than 40 years with the company, he advanced through various positions including lineman, phone system...

William W. “Bill” Rankin, of Gibsonia, PA passed away onWednesday, March 27th 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Carla, his two sons, Mark L (Mary) of Atlanta, GA and Matthew E. (Lea) of Doylestown, PA and a brother, Robert G (Daneen) in Cincinnati. He also leaves behind four grandchildren Matt, Lexi, Isaac, and Eve and many nieces and nephews. Bill Rankin was born in Pittsburgh in 1938, the son of Wesley O. and Mary B. Rankin. He grew up in Mt. Lebanon, PA....

Jill Ann Stewart, age 72, of Butler, passed away on Sunday evening, March 24, 2024 at Sunnyview in Butler. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 10, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Harry DeRoy and Mary Elizabeth McCandless Stewart. She was a 1969 graduate of Mars High School and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Jill had been a cook at Magnolia Place and Barkeyville Truck Stop. She was a member of the Butler Elks. Jill enjoyed Bingo, flower gardening and especially her pets. Surviving...

James “Jay” Richard Hilscher, age 67, of Beaver Falls, formerly of Moon Twp., passed away on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, while surrounded by his family. Jay is survived by his wife Jan Hilscher, son, Jay Hilscher Jr, daughter, Lindsay Freeman (Ryan), step-sons Ron Cramer (Julieann White), Andy Cramer (Courtney), step-daughter Monica Carusone (Anthony), 7 grandchildren, Isaac, Amelia, Evelyn, Aria and Ethan Hilscher, Kennedy Cramer, and Anthony Jr Carusone. He is also survived...

Floyd L. Caldwell, age 77, of Evans City, passed away on Thursday afternoon, March 14, 2024 at the Advanced Care Center of Butler. Born in Russellton, PA on September 8, 1946, he was the son of the late Frank and Ruth Stepp Caldwell. Floyd loved listening to the radio and the police scanner. Surviving are a sister, Mathilda Mahoney of Mars and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Josephine Osborn, Ramona Hardeson and Corlie Hardeson and his brothers, Thomas...

Ronald J. Socash, age 90, of Freedom, New Sewickley Twp., passed away on Thursday morning, March 7, 2024 at North Hills Skilled Nursing. Born in Middlesex Twp., PA on May 27, 1933, he was the son of Michael and Mary Jurek Socash. Ron was a painting contractor and owner of Ron Socash Painting. A member of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish/St. Kilian Church, he was a choir member there for many years.  He was a charter member of St. Mark the Evangelist Knights of Columbus Council 10175...

  Viktor Shevtsov, age 74, passed away peacefully on March 4th, 2024 at Mars, PA. Born in Ukraine, he dedicated his career as a chemical engineer to innovation and advancement, holding several patents that greatly influenced his field. His work and contributions will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Viktor was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, cherished by his family for his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life,...

James “Jim” Richard Mueller age 76 Passed away on Thursday February 29, 2024, while under the care of Good Samaritan Hospice House of Wexford. Jim was born  January 10, 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest son of the late Francis Anthony Mueller and Ann Elizabeth Walton Mueller. Jim was employed by the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad in his younger years and went on to be a highly skilled heavy equipment mechanic serving several companies, including...

Sarah “Chook” (Gross) Frisbee, age 91, of Mars, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 26, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by family. Born in Mars, on May 17, 1932, she was the only child of the late Sigmund A. and Sabina (Kennedy) Gross. On June 30, 1951, she married the love of her life, Roswell “Ben” Frisbee. They were married 69 years when Ben proceeded her in death. Sarah graduated from Mars High School in 1950 and then went on to business school....

James Lauteri of Adams Township/Mars (prior Monessen resident), passed away on February 26, 2024. He was born August 31, 1954, the son of the late Eleanor and Frank Lauteri. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife Kathleen of 45 years; and their children Kristen (Omar) Khan and David (Melissa) Lauteri and grandchildren Sophia and Hannah Khan and Alina and Luca Lauteri.  He is also survived by his brother John (Rita), and nephews Frank (Amanda), and Salvatore. He will also...

It is with great sorrow that the Cantella family shares the news of the passing of our kind, brave, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, sister in law and dear friend, Marta Antonia (Mazreku) Cantella.  Born in Albania on Feb 14, 1936, She and her family left Albania at a young age with her family and took a heroic journey from Albania to Italy and finally to America. Arriving in America was a dream come true. She was so grateful to be on...

Frank William Berk III age 68 of Jackson Twp. passed away Sunday February 25,2024 while under the care of Allegheny General Hospital. Born April 10,1955, He was the son of Frank William Berk Jr. and Ruth Steindedurf  Carroll. Frank’s hobby was working, and he was well known for his work ethic. Frank is survived by his beloved wife Patricia J. Charles Berk. His two sons Ryan Berk and his wife Gina and Travis Berk. His grandchildren Kellan Berk,Peyton Brucker,and  Hunter...

Marie "Pudgy" Edna Koch (Ruffalo) passed away peacefully on February 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 80. She was born on April 21, 1943, in Braddock, Pennsylvania, to the late Marie (Flynn) and Vincent Ruffalo. Pudgy was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Nonnie. Throughout her 80 years of life, she touched the lives of many, opening her home and heart to all. She was known for her kind and non-judgmental nature, never speaking ill of anyone....

Laura D. Thomas, age 90, of Cranberry Twp., passed away on Friday morning, February 16, 2024 at The Grove at Harmony. She was born January 1, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. Laura had been an insurance agent for Chance Associates in Etna. She was a member of Divine Grace Parish at St. Ferdinand's Church in Cranberry Twp. Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Thomas of Harmony. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren C. Thomas, who she married on September 12, 1959 and who died on...