All Obituaries

Henrietta Wilma Kowalewski Smotzer was born to Mary Mlynarski Kowalewski and Wilhelm Kowalewski Aug. 9, 1934, and passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents; late husband Michael "Mokey" Smotzer; two sisters, Mary Jane Misutka and Joann Horner. She is survived by daughters Linda Banas Reno, of Lower Burrell, Georgetta Smotzer, of East Deer, and Deborah (Stanley) Mielecki, of Sarver; sons, Michael (Darlene) Smotzer, of Hampstead, N.C., and David...

  Evelyn Sue (Steele) McCormick, 81, of Cheswick, went home to meet her Lord and Savior Friday, March 10, 2023. She was raised in Coeburn, Va., by her parents, Bascom and Ruby (Hall) Steele. A graduate of Radford University she had a deep love of children evidenced by her life's work in education. She was co-owner and director of Cheswick Presbyterian Church Pre-School for more than 25 years. Over the years, she also was a long-term substitute teacher in the Allegheny Valley School...

  Evelyn Mock Hirtle George, renaissance woman, pioneering science educator and environmentalist who loved the beauty and the people of the Allegheny Valley, died Friday, March 3, 2023, in Oakmont. She was 97. Evelyn was born May 24, 1925, at Magee Hospital, the first child of Dr. and Mrs. H.S.D. Mock, of Clintonville, Pa., in Venango County. When she was still an infant, her father moved his practice to Cheswick, along the banks of the Allegheny where the adventures of her...

Taylor Edward Pawlish, 42, of McKees Rocks, passed away late Monday night, Feb. 27, 2023, at UPMC Presbyterian. Taylor spent his early life in McKees Rocks, but moved to York, S.C., where he graduated from York Comprehensive High School. His passion for golf took him to different courses near and far; his favorite being playing the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, while on one of his many trips with his wife, Monica. His love for golf was surpassed only by his love for Heinz ketchup and...

  Lorraine M. (Dietz) Vidra, 91, of Springdale, passed away early Monday morning, Feb. 27, 2023, at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, after a brief illness. She was born April 27, 1931, in West Natrona, to the late John and Rose (Antkoviak) Dietz. Lorraine was a 1949 graduate of Har-Brack High School, where she was a majorette. She attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where she was a talented clothes designer, and designed and made her own fashionable clothes. After marrying Cyril C....

Ruth E. Mink, 90, of Springdale, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. She was born Sept. 12, 1932, to the late Harry and Grace Leasure. She was the loving wife of the late Henry Mink Jr.; loving mother to Randy (Jill) Mink, David (Renee) Mink and Ruth Ann (Joseph) Guzolik; grandmother to Jason Kirchoff, Nicole Swartz, Ryan Mink, Natalie Farina and Hannah Guzolik; and great-grandmother to Asher Henry Swartz. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Edna Mink, Nancy Andrasy and Lois Bell. Ruth...

  Deborah A. (Miller) Leskovic, 65, of Cheswick, passed away at home Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. She was born June 17, 1957, to her parents, the late Fred and Lorraine Schuller Miller, and had been a longtime resident of our valley. She graduated from Deer Lakes High School. Surviving her are sons, Keith (Elaine) Miller, of Cheswick, Robert (Jennifer) Layhew, of Springdale, and Shawn (Heather) Layhew, of West Mifflin; daughter, Molly (Greta) Leskovic, of...

Louis J. Peruzzi, 75, of Harmar Township, passed away at home, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. He was born Aug. 29, 1947, to his late parents, Paul and Ellen McLaughlin Kuth. He worked for Glenshaw Glass for many years where he eventually retired. Louis was of the Catholic faith and enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and his love of muscle cars, especially Mustangs. He was always very generous and liked helping people. Surviving him are longtime partner, Linda Ash; and son, Louis Peruzzi....

Neil Boggiano 84, of Lower Burrell, passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at home. He was born Dec. 12, 1938, to his parents, the late Walter and Margaret Hayes Batishko Boggiano and was a longtime resident of the valley. He graduated from Crafton High School and Served in the Army. Neil was of the Catholic faith and loved his trains. He was known as the "train man" to all who knew him and will be dearly missed. Surviving him is son, Neil J. Boggiano and fiancee, Allene Ecker, of...

Howard C. "Dusty" Rhodes, 90, of Cheswick, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. He was born Aug. 4, 1932, in Arnold, and graduated from Har-Brack High School, Class of 1950. He lived in the valley all his life and in Cheswick since 1966. Mr. Rhodes served in the Army Signal Corps. From 1953 until 1955 and served 15 months in Korea. Upon his discharge from the service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Korean...