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William Murphy Funeral Home, 349 Adams Street, Rochester, PA (2026)

06/18/2026

Naomi C. Bergwall Williams, age 86, of Slippery Rock, passed away Tuesday June 16, 2026. Naomi was born June 30, 1939 in Providence Hospital, Beaver Falls, to the late Carl and Ruth Mader Bergwall. She was a graduate of Rochester Area High School and Robert Morris Business School with an Associates degree in business. After graduating from business school, she worked at the former Beaver Trust Company and then at Mellon Bank, in Bookkeeping. Naomi then worked in Ohio for the Hartford Rubber Company Accounting Department. Upon moving back to PA, she began working at the former Rochester General Hospital and then the Medical Center of Beaver County, now known as Heritage Valley Beaver, in Accounts Payable, where she worked for thirty-three years leading into retirement. Naomi was a member of the Slippery Rock United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir as well as helped with auditing the books. She had many hobbies including reading, crossword, word search puzzles and taking pictures. Her favorite hobby was cross-stitch, she completed many pieces. She made beautiful Christmas stockings for her family. Naomi was formerly a part of the Rainbow Girls and Scouting. Naomi is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas E. Williams, in 2022, as well as her parents-in-law, John and Bertha Williams, a sister-in-law, Donna Williams, two aunts, Josephine Weber (Ed) and Burnice McCune (Sam), and two cousins, Bill and Carl Weber
Surviving Naomi are one son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Mary Williams, and a daughter, Laurie Williams, as well as her grandchildren, Kimberly Williams and Evan Williams (Chelsea Schmidt), two cousins, Bernice Reda, Diane Barkley, and several nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation. A memorial funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 30th, at 3pm, at the Slippery Rock United Methodist Church. Following Naomi and Thomas will be laid to rest at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park and Cemetery. All arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Slippery Rock United Methodist Church at 130 Franklin Street Slippery Rock, PA 16057.

06/12/2026

Darlene Ann DeChellis, age 88, of Center Township, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family, on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026. Born December 15, 1937, in Freedom, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Margaret A. (Drumm) Wilson. She was preceded in death by her only son and greatest joy, Charles E. “Chuck” DeChellis and her brothers, William L. Wilson, Sr., Bernard J. Wilson, and John C. “Jack” Wilson, with whom she shared a lifelong bond of love and devotion and two half sisters, Patti and Elizabeth. She is survived by two half siblings, Thomas J. Wilson and Colleen Koenig, of Washington, numerous nieces, nephews, as well as dear friends, who have cared for her over the years, will mourn her loss, and remember her with love. She will be thought of as a generous spirited redhead who never backed down from a challenge and who delighted in cooking, hosting gatherings, and sharing laughter with those around her. A graduate of Ambridge Area High School and the Community College of Beaver County, receiving an Associates Degree in Business Management, Darlene enjoyed a varied career, including positions with Phoenix Glass, J&L Steel, Progressive Home Health - Liberati Family, UPMC Aliquippa Hospital, where she worked in the Materials Management Department. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church - Mary Queen of Saints Parish, of Center Township. Friends are invited to gather with the family at St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church, on Wednesday, June 17th, from 9:30am until the time of Mass at 11am. All arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Organization through the St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church - Mary Queen of Saints Parish.

06/09/2026

Susan Jean (Davis) Emerick, age 77, of New Sewickley, went home to her savior and Lord on Monday, June 8th, after a 7-month battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Born August 31st, 1948, Susan was the daughter of the late Howard Blair and Emma Jean Davis. She was a graduate of Freedom Area High School, class of 1966.
Susan married Carl “Mac” Emerick, age 83, on July 15th, 1966, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Rochester. Together they had two girls. Susan worked with Carl at Emerick’s Greenhouse for forty-three years. Over the years they traveled to all but two of the fifty states. Susan loved to read, build puzzles, play Solitaire and Sudoku, as well as loved to bake. She was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and was a great listener to other people’s troubles. In addition to her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Howard Blair Davis Jr (Juliann) and sister and brother-in-law, Karen Irene Shultz (Nelson). Susan is survived by her husband, Carl M. Emerick, her stepmother, Dorothy Davis, her sisters Catherine Louise Davis, Rebecca Lee Miller (Ron), Margaret Alice Grafton (Barry), her children Diana Lynn Nye (Donnie), Georgia Ann Vargo (Louis), grandchildren, Andy, Rosalyn, Heath, Niki, Courtney and great grandchildren, Kane, Frank, Koa, Stella, Keston, Goldie, and Lewis. She had a special love for her dogs Joe and Corky. As per her wishes, Susan will be cremated with no viewing. All arrangements are entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at 5pm, in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Rochester. All memorial contributions can be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 393 Adams Street Rochester, PA 1504, or the Beaver County Cancer Society in her name. The family would like to give a special thank you to the Good Samaritan Hospice for their extraordinary care and comfort for Susan and the family.

06/08/2026

Wanda R. Ruckert, age 71, of Brighton Township, passed away Monday, June 8th, 2026 in her home. Born September 20th, 1954, in Rochester, Wanda was the daughter of the late Frank Wallace and Regina Gordon. She was a retired caregiver through multiple outlets amongst the county and a member of Family Bible Church, New Sewickley. Wanda loved her fur babies very deeply. She is survived by her husband of twenty-four years, Michael Ruckert, two daughters and one son-in-law, Wanda and Jaime Bailey, and Lori Harvey, two sisters and a brother-in-law, Linda and Sam Gray, and Jane Vargo and her late husband, Louis “Butch” Vargo, three grandkids, Austin Bailey, Lauren Bailey and her fiancé, Cole Johnston, and Taylor DiMarzio and her fiancé, Dylan Goodrich, two great-grandchildren, Leiya and Jackson Johnston, her mother-in-law, Judy Ruckert, two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Shelly Probst, and Tina and Sam Harden, two nephews, Dylan Probst and Tristan Harden, two nieces, Danika Valko and Skylie Harden, two great nieces, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Wanda is preceded in death by her special nephew, Jeff Gray, and her father-in-law, Ron Ruckert.Friends will be received Sunday June 14th, 2026, from 1pm until 4pm, with a service following at 4:30, at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. Officiating will be Pastor Ed and Austin Bailey.

06/08/2026

Bonita Jean Smith McDanel, age 73, of Beaver, passed away on June 6, 2026. Born February 17, 1953, she was the daughter of the late John Charles Smith and Jean Eleanora Robinson Smith. Bonita was a graduate of Center High School, class of 1971, and retired from Atcheson Oral Surgery where she devoted many years of dedicated service. In her final years, Bonita faced Alzheimer’s disease with the quiet dignity that defined her throughout her life. Though the illness took much from her, it could not diminish the love her family held for her or the mark she left on those who knew her. She is survived by her son Marc Elliot Justice and his wife Renee Christine Justice; her daughter Kimberly Ann Justice; her stepson Adam McDanel; her grandchildren Sean Mark Justice, Colin John Justice, Gabriel Alyse Baclit, and Maison Frederick Hogue. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter S. McDanel Jr.; her parents John Charles Smith and Jean Eleanora Robinson Smith; her son Shaun Charles Justice, lost at birth; her sister Joyce Smith Grandstaff; and her nephew John Scott Merriman. All arrangements are entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. A private interment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

06/05/2026

Cheryl M. Simpson, age 76, of Freedom, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born May 27th, 1950, in Rochester, to the late William F. and Lenora Watson Baker. Cheryl was a retired computer scientist with Computer Science Corporation in Falls Church, VA. She was a member of the Pinehurst Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Sewickley. She was a graduate of Freedom High School and received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Spanish from Thiel College, Greenville, PA. Cheryl loved her family and was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Thomas A. Simpson, as well as one daughter, Lisa M. and Aaron Sipps, and one granddaughter, Ava Marie Sipps of Barrington, NJ.
Friends will be received Thursday June 11th, 2026, from 4pm until 6pm, a service will take place following at 6:15pm, at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. Officiating will be Pastor Dale Roberts. Private interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Freedom.

06/04/2026

Nancy J. Mignanelli, 86, of Rochester, passed away peacefully June 4, 2026, in her home. Nancy was born July 30, 1939 in Aliquippa. She was the daughter of the late Pompilo and Angeline Temassi Vespaziani.
Nancy was a retired clerk with various banks, including, Huntington Bank, Rochester, formerly Beaver Trust, Sky Bank, First Western Bank. She also worked for Federal Colonial Bank in Monaca, also a former employee with J. C. Penney of Conway.
Nancy was a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Valley, Rochester.
She loved cooking, traveling and spending time with family.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 59 years, Anthony "Tony" J. Mignanelli, one son, Anthony J. Mignanelli II and husband Matthew Healy, Durham, North Carolina, one daughter and son in law, Melissa "Missy" Ann and Doug Hiltz, Monaca, two grandchildren, Kole and Noah, two sisters in law and one brother in law, Peggy Morris, Charles and Suzy Mignanelli and several nieces and nephews.
Nancy was preceded in death by one grand daughter, Kylee Hiltz and two brothers, Jerry and Richard Vespaziani.
Friends are invited Tuesday, June 9, from 9am until 10:45 to gather with the family at St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Rochester, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Celebrating will be Father Alan Morris. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet cemetery in Hopewell.
Family requests donations to Alzheimer's Foundation of Pittsburgh.
The family wishes to thank the Three Oaks Hospice nurses, Theresa, Rose, Maria and Nicole for their care and comfort given to our Mom.
Arrangements are being handled by The William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester PA 15074.

06/04/2026

Milen Cokrlic, Jr.— a follower of Jesus Christ, left this world on June 3rd, 2026 surrounded by love from his family and accompanied by answered prayers for mercy from loved ones near & far. He passed into eternity leaving behind a legacy of fortitude that will continue to inspire those who knew him. Milen had passionate gratitude for Constitutional liberty and enjoyed studying the Bible in the privacy of his home. His favorite verse was “The Word of God is alive & powerful— sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” –HEBREWS 4:12. Born January 1st, 1948, in Sewickley, Milen’s life journey was a testament to unwavering commitment to the good of his country as well as loyalty to his family & friends. His passion project was printing, purchasing, and personally installing his thought-provoking banners with his singular design that illustrated a row of coffins draped with American flags headlined by this admonition: WHY WE STAND. Milen’s early years in Conway, Pennsylvania strengthened him in a small-town community, which he deeply appreciated as he fondly looked back on a childhood spent creating adventures in the river, creeks, basketball courts, bowling alleys, pool halls, and woods with his friends. He was the only son of Mr. & Mrs. Milen (Betty Ferrence) Cokrlic, Sr. As a man, he was devoted to his parents and to all of his in-laws as they aged. He was preceded in physical death by his younger sister Ylona; his older sister Elaine (Shawl) resides in Texas. In 1970, Milen married the love of his life, Osana “Suna” Suszynsky after his active duty as a Marine in the horrors of the Vietnam War; he was a devoted care-taker to his wife until Suna passed into eternity in early 2025. They raised their cherished children, Michelle (married to Michael Denk) and Milen III, in New Sewickley Township. Beyond supporting the college education of his two children, “Daddy” evidenced all the fruit of The Holy Spirit to them over the course of their adult lifetime which is remarkable, precious, and admirable to behold in any mere mortal: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness, Temperance. His children bear witness that their earthly father bore these gifts and will keep them as their imperishable memorial along with shared Faith in Christ which is their Rock and bond in unity. Milen’s constant admiration and effective prayers for his only grandchild Andrew Thieme Denk kept him optimistic about the future; “Papa” wholeheartedly supported & followed ATD’s performing arts, sporting events, piano practice, sports commentating, and disciplined pursuits at Baylor University where his grandson follows Christ and pursues career goals toward Sports Broadcasting, Pre-Chiropractic, and Spanish. Milen cared deeply for his lifelong friends such as Rose (Ruddick) & John Pavlovic, Ray Katekovich, Kathy & John Feher, Johnny Feher, Deb DeDominicis, John Johnson, the extended Padezanin family, the members of North Boroughs Sportsmen’s Association, his “Silver Splash” work-out pals at YMCA Aquatic Fitness, and his longtime neighbors such as Mark Sainer, Keith Ruckert, Penczak family, Tyler Family, and neighbor Bob Cantella. After Milen’s beloved wife passed, he enjoyed a new caring relationship with Deb Katekovich. All of his sisters-in-law (Mary & Sylvia) and brothers-in-law (Peter, Paul, Mark, Don, and Karol) loved Milen very deeply. “Great Uncle Milen” enjoyed hearing from his adult nephews & nieces, who adored him and made time to visit & remain in touch.
Milen was a 1966 graduate of Freedom High School and enjoyed winning seasons under the exceptional leadership of his respected basketball coach Eugene Cercone. Milen retired from Conrail after decades as a conductor. He is known by many to be generous and a “straight-shooter” literally & figuratively (excelling at Sporting Clays: 25/25), yet those who knew Milen best can attest that the most important thing to him was that we humble ourselves to accept the finished work Jesus Christ accomplished at the cross on our behalf which is the essence of the Gospel; in conversations with his loved ones, he exhorted unbelievers toward accepting the grace gift that we all have received and to pray at all times in your prayer closet. “Big Milen” lived a big life that exhibited a spirit of forgiveness, strength balanced with tenderness, and commitment based on the trust he held in his own eternal life through Christ. Milen leaves behind two adored grand-dogs (River & Mac) that he spoiled in return for their simple reminders of God's wonderful creation and for how Jesus Christ works all things together for the good of those who love Our Creator. Milen’s immediate family held a small private viewing with service of Christian committal. Interment with full military honors followed at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. We request that in respect of our mourning, please personally read The Gospel of John, or listen to it being read aloud on audio so that you will meet Jesus of Nazareth for yourself, and then realize that our family does not grieve without inexpressible hope & the peace that surpasses all understanding. “Laku noć Papa...You will see us first...from the other side!” Interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Thursday June 11th, 2026, at 11am. Friends are welcome to attend. Arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #862 will provide full military honors for their fellow fallen comrade. The Department of the Navy awarded the Navy Achievement Medal to Corporal Milen Cokrlic, Jr. for meritorious service during his active years of December 1967 to January 1969.

05/31/2026

Deborah Maxine (Hirst) Lawson, 75, passed peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on May 30, 2026. Born on February 3, 1951, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of William and Marguerite (Weimert) Hirst. She spent her childhood in Marklesburg, Pennsylvania, where she developed the deep love for family, faith, and home that would remain at the center of her life.
She attended Huntingdon Area High School and married her former husband, Richard Lawson in 1968. Together they welcomed three daughters: Shannon Pfeuffer (Steven Pfeuffer) of New Sewickley, Pa, Hilliary Lawson Coe (deceased), and Summer Kirkpatrick (Chad Kirkpatrick) of Ellwood City, Pa. In 1980, she and her family moved to New Sewickley Twp, Pa. where she resided most of her life.
Deborah dedicated her life to being a homemaker. She created a home that was beautiful, peaceful, welcoming, and full of love. Her family was her world, and she cared for them with a gentle spirit, a soft heart, and quiet strength that made everyone around her feel safe and deeply loved.
She found joy in tending to her flower gardens, decorating and caring for her home, quilting, time with close friends, and simply being surrounded by the people she loved most.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She attended the Rochester Free Methodist Church for many years. Her trust in the Lord guided the way she lived and loved, and she found comfort and strength in her faith throughout her life.
Deborah was a proud and loving grandmother to Shane and Brooke Pfeuffer; Jackson (Sonny) and Sam Coe; Taylor, Reese, and Connor Dean; and Gracyn, Emma, and Ava Kirkpatrick. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Naomi, Stevie Rose, Abraham, Emery, and Sophia, all of whom brought her tremendous joy.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Hilliary Lawson Coe, in October 2024.
Though her family’s hearts are deeply broken, they find peace in knowing she is now resting in the arms of the Savior she loved so dearly. The love she gave, the faith she lived by, and the warmth she brought into the lives of those around her will never be forgotten.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 5, 2026, at William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, in Rochester, Pennsylvania, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Deborah's life will immediately follow at 7:15 p.m.. A graveside service and interment will take place at Union Cemetery in Marklesburg, Pennsylvania.

05/29/2026

You may already know our faces, but we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce the staff that is here to support families every step of the way. 🤍

These are the people you’ll see when you walk through our door.
A team always ready to help, listen, and serve families with dignity and kindness.

We are honored to continue supporting our community and walking alongside families during life’s most difficult moments.

William Murphy Funeral Home

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