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Beverly J. Sporio

June 20, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Beverly J. Sporio, age 65, of Jefferson Hills, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022 at home. She was a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker and a member of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Thomas a' Becket Church in Jefferson Hills. Born January 30, 1957 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late William P. "Salty" Jenkins Jr. and the late Marlyn (Grimm) Jenkins. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Robert A. Sporio; daughter, Leah Sporio of Greensburg; son, Michael Sporio of Elizabeth Twp.; uncles, Louis and Tom Grimm and Peter Lemak; brothers-in-law, Vincent (Sandy) Sporio of Clairton and Larry (Dinean) Sporio of Clairton; beloved family dog, Roma; also, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother, Ray W. Jenkins. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 5-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 10 AM in St. Thomas a' Becket Church. PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. Private burial will be in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. In lieu of flowers, Bev emphatically wished contributions be made to a charity of one's choice. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

 


Marlene DeSimone

June 20, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Marlene (Jurenek) DeSimone, age 84 of Clairton, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022 at Seneca Place in Verona. Born September 14, 1937 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Troychak) Jurenek.  Marlene, along with her husband, co-owned the M.J. DeSimone Fruit Company in Clairton and was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church (St. John 23rd Parish) in Jefferson Hills. Marlene engaged in many charitable works, particularly in her former parishes of St. Joseph and St. Clare in Clairton.  She was also known for making outstanding fruit baskets near the holidays. She loved crafts and gardening but her main focus was always her family. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Victor DeSimone, who passed away on November 12, 2020. She is survived by her daughters Rosemarie (Carl) Fetch of Monongahela, Victoria (Gene) Zombek of Wilkins Twp., Marlene (Scott) Stachowski of Milton, GA, and Carol (Samir) Joglekar of Duluth, GA; her grandchildren Hilarie and Jordan Zombek, Austin and Emily Stachowski, and Maya and Pierce Joglekar; her brother Don (Jane) Jurenek of Georgia; and also nieces and nephews.  

 
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Catherine C. Drake

June 18, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Catherine C. (Malena) Drake, age 79, of New Eagle and formerly of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at home. Born January 23, 1943 in Monongahela, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Helen (Morris) Malena and wife of the late Curtis L. Drake. She is survived by daughters, Denise Beluscak of Monessen, Sheryl Klingensmith of Jefferson Hills and Elizabeth Drake of Monessen; grandchildren, Jordan and Mitchell Drake; brothers, Vincent (Norma) Malena of Florida, Lawrence Malena of Fallowfield Twp., William (Clarene) Malena of California and Albert “JR” (Mike) Malena of Fallowfield Twp.; also, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was prceded in death by her sister, Alberta Malena. No visitation or services are planned. Private burial at Mon Valley Memorial Park. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

 


Shirley J. Williams

June 17, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Shirley J. Williams, age 89, of Forward Twp., passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Mon Valley Care Center. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, where she enjoyed volunteering. She also enjoyed volunteering with her late husband at Forward Twp. Fire Department fairs. Born October 14, 1932 in Coal Valley, she was a daughter of the late Fredrick and Jessie (Mayou) Achtzehn and wife of the late Clifford E. Williams. She is survived by son, Roy C. (Tracy) Williams of Forward Twp.; granddaughter, Kelly (Bill) Tomajko of Apollo; great-grandchildren, Madison (Bill Clark) Tomajko of Apollo, Jerzy Tomajko of Apollo, Ashley Williams of Monessen and Annikah Williams of Monessen; sister, Joan Lillico of Tarpon Springs, FL; brother, Wayne Achtzehn of Niceville, FL; also, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by grandson, Roy C. Williams Jr. No visitation is planned. Private burial will be in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

 


Joseph E. Elkowitz

June 16, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Joseph E. Elkowitz, age 78 of Clairton, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Jefferson Hospital.  Born June 11, 1944 in Clairton, he was a son of the late Mary and Joseph Elkowitz. Joseph worked as a crane operator for Irvin Works in West Mifflin for 40 years and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.  Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, the late Veronica (Papucic) Elkowitz, who passed away on February 21, 2019. He is survived by his sons Michael (Darlene) Mursch of West Mifflin, Jamie (Sarah) Elkowitz of Jefferson Hills, and Shaun Elkowitz of Clairton; grandchildren Marissa (John) Mursch, Holly, Ally, & Essy Elkowitz, Krista (Ziya) Hajiyev, and Allyn (Darci) Fenwick; great-grandchildren Marley Graham, Jayla and Aydin Hajiyev, and Maylanna and A.J. Fenwick; brother Charles Elkowitz of Confluence; and nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by sisters Joanne, Marjorie, and Mary Anne Elkowitz.

 
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George F. Gary, Sr.

June 15, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

George F. Gary, Sr., age 66 of Aliquippa, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022 in Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital.  Born October 4, 1955, in McKeesport, he was a son of the late John M. and Elizabeth "Betty" (Kurta) Gary.  George was preceded in death by his son George, Jr and brothers John and Dick Gary.  He worked as a Global Account Manager at Tazmanian Freight Systems.  George is survived by his wife Patty (Gray) Gary and their beloved dogs Kona and Elsa; granddaughters Taylar and Kalei Getsy; his brother Donald (Sharon) Gary and their children Carrie (Nick) Santonastaso (children Aubrey, Alex and DJ (Tawnya) Gary and stepdaughter Halley), and the many nieces and nephews and their children: Marlene Gary and her children John (Lynn) Gary and their children John IV, Jane and Margaret, Bob (Jill) Gary; Beth (Scott) Basmajian and their children Scott Jr, Ashley, and Sarah; and Stella Gary and her children Stella, his special niece, (Kerry) Keane and their children Matt, KJ, Josie, and Julianna; Richard Gary and his children Elise and Richie; Joey, his special nephew, (Rachel) Gary and their daughter Nihasa; Tony (Theresa) Gary and their children TJ, Tyler, and Albert; Mary Catherine and Regis Kiliany and their daughter Caitlin; Denise and Sam Pagani; Gail Gray and partner John Lawrence; Timothy Gray and special friend Diana Wade; Tori (Zach) and their children Amora and Ronan Miller; his special cousin Mary Jablonski; and his special friends Joe and Carol, Tracey and Tim, Val and Michael, Jo and Norm, Paul and Tiffany, Cindy, and George’s daughter Kandace Kettren.  George enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and, more than anything else, spending time with his family. 

 
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Michael McLaughlin

June 14, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Michael McLaughlin, age 75, of Clairton, was greeted into Heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 13, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. Born on December 8, 1946 in McKeesport, he was proudly raised in Clairton and was the only child of the late Mark McLaughlin and Anna (Tamburrino) McLaughlin Jones. He is survived by his partner of 24-years, Florence “Babe” Pryzbylski; his children, Ashley (Mark) Iddings and Ian McLaughlin; his step-daughters, Nikki Pryzbylski and Michelle (Jim) Ward; and he was the proud grandfather to his biological granddaughter Audra, in addition to Mackenzie, Emma, Chad, and Miranda, who adopted him as their own. Mike loved God, his family, Babe, the City of Clairton, red wine and Oldies. And not those commercialized oldies. He loved the “real oldies”. Authentic, street corner doo wop, for which he would DJ parties and dances. Mike never finished college, but managed to work his way up to garner several successful careers in sales, even being recruited from retirement because of his proven track record. He worked for Busy Beaver during its inception, Apple Computer during its early days and Wombat Security Technologies as a startup among many others. An accomplished kicker in football, he even passed first round open tryouts with the Pittsburgh Steelers. When asked why he did not go back for the second round, he would simply reply, “I was young and stupid.” He was proud of his roots, his family and friends, and was fiercely devoted to all of them. He will be missed on earth, but on a quiet night, if you listen carefully, you will hear doo wop playing in Heaven.

 
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Dolores E. DiGrandi

June 14, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Dolores E. DiGrandi, age 88, of West Mifflin, formerly of Scottdale, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Arrowood at Southwestern. She retired as a tavern owner with her husband in Ohio and Latrobe. Born July 12, 1933 in Scottdale, she was a daughter of the late Otto and Sarah (Parfitt) Enberg and wife of the late John DiGrandi. She is survived by sisters, Janora Disman of Elizabeth and Sara Mickey of Greenville, NC; also, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Private burial will be at Greenridge Memorial Park, Connellsville. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

 


Ethel Rodibaugh

June 13, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Ethel Rodibaugh, age 97 of Versailles, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022.  Born July 12, 1924 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Silvasi) Makatura.  A member of the Free Hungarian Reformed Church of McKeesport and a former nurse's aide at McKeesport Hospital, Ethel joins her husband, the late Paul E. Rodibaugh, Sr., who passed away January 2, 1996.

 
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Sylvester Skrinjorich

June 11, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Sylvester “Bootsie” Skrinjorich, age 87, of Forward Twp., passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Jefferson Hospital. He was a retired electrician at U.S. Steel Clairton Works, founder and owner of Sylvester & Tweetie’s Restaurant for the past 20-years, and was also the founder of Skrinny’s Auto. He was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, member and past worshipful master of the Stephen Bayard Masonic Lodge #526 in Elizabeth, and he loved polkas and football.

Born January 19, 1935 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Stanko and Mary (Hrvacic) Skrinjorich. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy M. (Beckinger) Skrinjorich; daughters, Dorothy (James) Wycoff of Elizabeth Twp. and Sue (Howard) Trail of Bunola; son, Ron (Sue) Skrinjorich of Forward Twp.; grandchildren, Mimi (Anthony Rash) Wycoff, Dayna (Ben) Muir, Chris and Mike Trail, Ron (Leah) Skrinjorich, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Harley, Savanna and Ben Muir, Teddi Lee and Danica Pavlack, Trystyn, Leon and Levi Skrinjorich; brother, Joseph Skrinjorich of Jefferson Hills; also, nieces and nephews.

 
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Carol Ann Grilli

June 10, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Carol Ann Grilli, age 73, of Clairton, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at home. She retired as clerk for the City of Clairton. She was a former employee at Sky Bank in Jefferson Hills, worked at Walnut Bingo Hall in Wilson, and was a former employee at Foodmart in Clairton. She enjoyed trips to the casino and was an avid reader.

Born November 3, 1948 in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Emerson Davis and Hilda (Trasp) Jones. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dean A. Grilli; daughter, Danielle (Brian) Pavlack of Elizabeth Twp.; son, Shawn (Cyndi) Grilli of White Oak; granddaughter, Seneca Thompson of Elizabeth Twp.; step-grandchildren, Hollah, Aria, Paige and Christopher; brother-in-law, Paige (Sandy) Grilli of Charleroi; also, aunts and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by stepfather, Paul Jones.

 
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Jessica L. Kaufman

June 10, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Jessica L Kaufman, age 32, of Elizabeth, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Born June 14, 1989 in Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of John "Jack" Kaufman Jr. of Florida and Sharon (Tim Butler) Kaufman of Jefferson Hills. In addition to her parents, she is survived by fiance, Shawn Holmes of Tarentum; children, Dominic Natale, Ryleigh Cranmer, Noah Cranmer and Gianna Holeva; sister, Alyssa (Clayton) Huff of Elizabeth; brothers, John (Samantha) Kaufman of Jefferson Hills, Kevin (Leah) Kalyn of Chesterfield, VA and Gary Kalyn of Pittsburgh; also, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Monday, June 13, 2022 from 4-8 PM. No services are planned. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

 


Setsue Mayhugh

June 08, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Setsue Mayhugh, 89, of Elizabeth, peacefully passed from this life on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 in the home that she loved, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born in March 1933 in the town of Chogiti on the island of Kyushu Japan to Sahachi and Tumo Kisu. She met her husband, Allen “Skip” Mayhugh who was serving in the U.S. Army, and emigrated to America in 1956. Moving to Elizabeth from Forward Twp. in 1964, she and “Skip” made a good, happy life for seven children. After studying on her own, she became a naturalized citizen in 1977. She loved America and was proud of her citizenship. Sadly, her busy life never allowed her to return to Japan for family visits as she hoped to do. She left behind many relatives and a twin sister. After raising her family, she got involved with Allegheny County’s Domicilary Care program. She spent more than 30 years providing in-home care for elderly and special needs clients, some who stayed and thrived in her home for more than 10 years. She cared for them as though they were family. She was very intelligent and artistic and was also an expert seamstress. She taught herself how to read and write English and learned to speak the language by watching her favorite westerns, “Gunsmoke” and “The Rifleman.” This brief outline does not begin to do her justice. She will be missed. She is survived by her children, John and James Mayhugh and Cathy Pierce, all of Elizabeth, Jackie Salka of Forward Twp., Susie Mayhugh of Tucson, AZ, and her primary caregiver for the last two years, Toni; also many grandchildren and relatives she never got to meet from Japan. In addition to her parents and husband/best friend, she was preceded in death by daughter, Liz. As per her wishes, there will be no funeral services. Arrangements by the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

 


Richard Lee Maraffi, Sr.

June 08, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Richard Lee Maraffi, Sr., age 79 of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 in Canterbury Place, Pittsburgh.  Born February 25, 1943 in Buena Vista, he was a son of the late Rancel and Alice (Smith) Maraffi.  A US Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War, Richard worked as a warehouse manager for G.C. Murphy Co. in McKeesport and also for US Steel in Duquesne.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Georgienne M. (Matola) Maraffi, who passed away March 13, 2020; his son Richard L. Maraffi, Jr., who passed away January 12, 2014; and his sisters Vikki Ankney and Darla Obal.  Richard is survived by his sons Ramon and Ronald (Wendy) Maraffi, both of Slippery Rock; his grandsons Ryan (Allie) and Kyle (Carlee) Maraffi; his great-grandson Carter Maraffi; and also nieces and nephews. 

 
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William J. Trasp

June 07, 2022 |

By Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory | Posted in: Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

William J. "Yogi" Trasp, age 75, of Espyville, formerly of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 in Elizabeth Twp. A Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he retired as an assembly line worker for Fisher Body in West Mifflin. He was a member of Elrama United Methodist Church. He enjoyed making stained glass windows, riding his motorcycle, wintering in Florida, and being with family and friends. Born November 1, 1946 in McKeesport, he was a son of the late William J. and Loretta Fern (Welch) Trasp and husband of the late Marcella (Letavec) Trasp. He is survived by sons, John N. (Joanie) Trasp of Mt. Vernon and Bill (Shelli) Trasp of Payne, OH; grandchildren, Jessica and John Letavec, Kara and Kevin Trasp, and Devlin and Raven Geroski; one great-grandchild; sister, Bonnie Popp of North Huntingdon; also, nieces, nephews and aunts. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Thomas and James Trasp. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A funeral service will take place on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 10 AM in Round Hill Cemetery Chapel, Elizabeth Twp., with the Rev. Dr. William K. Little officiating. Burial will follow. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.