Jay Bryan Funeral Home,Inc.

03/17/2026

J. Michael Ackelson,age 85 of Butler formerly of Prospect died Saturday March 14,2026 at UMPC Cranberry after an illness. Mike was born December 18,1940 in Leechburg,PA and was the son of Arthur E. and Lois E. Chikar Ackelson. Mike was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during the Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a 1958 graduate of Slippery Rock High School and a 1986 graduate of Thiel College. He was a registered nurse and had worked at the VA Hospital in Oakland. He also had worked Johns Manville Company and also was an insurance salesman,he also worked for many years at the Jay Bryan Funeral Home and as a school bus driver for Bryan Bus Company in Prospect. Mike was a lifelong member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prospect and was a member of the Harrisville American Legion. He was an avid race car follower and at one time raced. He also was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan,enjoyed reading ,hunting and fishing. Mike was a devoted husband,father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Shirley Ballew Ackelson whom he married May 31,1963, 1 son Michael Martin ( Beth) Ackelson of Butler,1 daughter Kimberly Sue (Victor) Kubit of Sanford,NC, 1 brother Robert Ackelson of CA,1 sister Naomi Ruth (Preston) Edsel of Troy,PA and by 6 grandchildren Lyric (Zac) Sessa,Brendan (Courtney) Ackelson,Ashley Kubit,Joshua Kubit Zachary Kubit and Trevor (Claire Bishop) Ackelson and by 1 great grandchild Reverie Sessa. He was preceded by 2 sisters Penny Davis and Myra Ackelson,1 brother in law Bill Davis and 1 niece Karen Bader.
Visitation will be Sunday March 22 from 1:00-3:00 & 5:00-7:00 from the Jay Bryan Funeral 443 Main Street Prospect. Funeral services will be held Monday March 23 at 11:00 am from the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prospect with the Rev Tara Lynn officiating. Military services will also take place at the church. Burial will follow in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Prospect. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prospect or to the Prospect Community Library.

03/16/2026

Darlene J. Oliver,age 82 of Prospect died Saturday March 14,2026 at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness. She was born on March 12,1944 in New Castle and was the daughter of John and M. Evelyn Collins DeGasto. Darlene had been a school bus driver for the former Bryan School Bus Company in Prospect as well as Laidlaw Bus Company. She was a member of the Mountville Presbyterian Church in Portersville where she had served as a deacon. Darlene enjoyed quilting and caring for her family and anyone else in need. She was tough on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside.
Survivors include 3 sons David ( Carol) Oliver of Greensboro,MD,Daniel “Boonie” Oliver of Prospect,Dennis “DJ” (Tracey) Oliver of Butler also 3 daughters Darla (Michael) Donahue of Youngstown,OH,Dana Jo Oliver of Portersville and Destiny Oliver of Evans City, 1 brother Terry (Victoria) DeGasto of Perrysburg,OH also by 1 daughter in law Bonna Oliver, 19 grandchildren,31 great grandchildren,6 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.Darlene was preceded by her husband David John Oliver Sr whom she married on January 10,1959 he passed away October 1,2009, 1 son Darren Oliver,2 brothers Roger and John DeGasto and 1 grandson Brandon Lucas. Visitation will be on Thursday March 19 2:00- 4:00 & 6:00-8:00 from the Jay Bryan Funeral Home 443 Prospect.Funeral services will be held on Friday March 20 at 11:00 am from the Mountville Presbyterian Church in Portersville with the Rev Elija Bombeck officiating. Burial will follow at the Mountville Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mountville Presbyterian Church or to the Prospect Community Library.

01/28/2026

Karen E. Dietrich,age 81 of Prospect died Friday January 23,2026 at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness. Karen was born in Butler November 5,1944 and was the daughter of Walter and Dorothy Allen Kniess. Karen had been a school bus monitor for STA. She was a graduate of Seneca High School. Karen was a loving and caring wife, mother,grandmother,sister and aunt. Karen’s memory will be forever cherished in our hearts. Survivors include 1 daughter Carrie Lavorini of Butler,1 son Michael (Sally) Dietrich of Butler,2 brothers Dave (Adrienne) Kniess of Prospect and Ken ( Janet) Kniess of Butler,4 grandchildren,7great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded by her husband George Dietrich whom she married November 27,1963 he died November 14,2023 and by 1 son Frankie. As per her wishes there will be no public visitation. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association. Arrangements were entrusted to the Jay Bryan Funeral Home in Prospect.

11/26/2025

Eleanor Anne Cooper,age 90 of Gaithersburg,MD formerly of Slippery Rock and Grove City, died Friday November 21,2025 at the Medstar Medical Center in Olney,MD after an illness. Eleanor was born on January 22,1935 in Pittsburgh and was the daughter of Leo and Anne Barnauskas Pulman. Eleanor had previously worked for Cooper Brothers in Slippery Rock as a bookkeeper. She was a member of St. John’s Orthodox Church in Hermitage. Eleanor loved reading,gardening,quilting and traveling to Ocean City,MD and Gatlinburg,TN.She also loved her dogs and was known within her family for her Christmas nut rolls. She was dedicated and loved her family. She embraced every challenge with grace and resilience. Later in life and young at heart Eleanor raised her grandson Daniel Corridori. She would always encourage him to try something new because it makes you think.
Survivors include 3 sons Daniel (Amy) O’Leary of Butler,Tom (Kim) O’Leary of Millsboro,DE and Bob ( Janie) O’Leary of Waukee,IA also 1 daughter Janet (Mike) Sorce of Gaithersburg,MD and by 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded by her husband James Cooper, 1 daughter Kristine Corridori and 1 grandson Dylan O’Leary-Welsko.
Visitation will be held on Monday December 1,2025 -9:30-10:30 AM from Holy Sepulcher Church 1304 E. Cruikshank Road Butler,PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will take place at Butler County Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Butler. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to the Laytonsville District VFD ( checks should be made payable to LDVFD) 21400 Laytonsville Road Laytonsville,MD 20802. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Jay Bryan Funeral Home in Prospect.

11/04/2025

Nancy L. Brenneman age 61 of Slippery Rock died Saturday November 1,2025 at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness. She was born October 10,1964 in Ellwood City and was the daughter of Raymond and Peggy Michaels Brenneman. Nancy was a 1982 graduate of Slippery Rock High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She had formerly been employed at the STA Bus Company as a school bus driver. Nancy was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Portersville, and was a Life Member of the Portersville/ Muddy Creek Volunteer Fire Department where she also had been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. In 1982 she was honored to receive the Fireman of the Year Award. Nancy loved to go kayaking and camping,she loved Bluegrass and attended wine tasting events.
Survivors include her mother, 1 brother John Brenneman of Harmony,2 sisters Patti (John) Robinson of Portersville and Wanda ( Sam) Mathias of Portersville and by several nephews and nieces and numerous cousins. She was preceded by her father and her nephew Tony Grandinetti.
Visitation will be held on Friday at the Presbyterian Church Portersville from 11:00-1:00. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 with the Rev. Dana Opp officiating. Burial will take place at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Portersville/Muddy Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Jay Bryan Funeral Home in prospect.

09/11/2025

Anthony Nicola Grandinetti age 37 of Portersville passed away Sunday September 7,2025 at his residence. Anthony was born in Ellwood City on August 25,1988 and was the son of the late Nicola D. Grandinetti,SR and Patti Ann Brenneman Robinson. He was employed as a truck driver for McClymonds Trucking in Portersville. He was a graduate of Slippery Rock High School,Keystone Diesel and The Butler VoTech. He was an avid hunter and fisherman,and loved boating. Anthony was a jack of all trades and always willing to help everyone. He had belonged to Boy Scout Troop #368 in Portersville where he was an Eagle Scout. Anthony was a very loving and devoted father.

Survivors include his wife Patricia Ayres Grandinetti whom June 27,2020,also by his mother,1 son Michael 2 daughters Autumn and Amber,1 sister Rachel (Josh) Grandinetti of Slippery Rock,his grandma Peggy Brenneman of Portersville,1 nephew Oliver and his friend and mentor Tim Kerry. He was preceded by his father,his maternal grand grandfather Ray Brenneman and his Paternal grandparents.
Visitation will be on Saturday September 13 2:00-5:00 from the Jay Bryan Funeral Home 443 Main Street in Prospect. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop #33 in C/O Adam Welle 115 Church Street Prospect,PA 16052.

09/05/2025

Daniel Francis Fletcher,age 82 of Butler passed away Wednesday September 3,2025 at his residence. He was born in Bellevue,PA on November 12,1942 and was the son of Frank G. and Helen M. Barkell Fletcher. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and had been an independent trucking operator. Daniel enjoyed R.V. Camping,and traveling the country as a truck driver, he also enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his wife and family. He is survived by his loving wife Susan Swinderman Fletcher, 1 son Eric T. (Donna) Fletcher of Washington,PA 1 daughter Theresa L. (Michael) Siegel of Missouri, 3 grandchildren Amanda (Brandon) Everhart, Kari Siegel and Nikki Siegel, 2 brothers William (Doris) Fletcher of Union City and James(Shirley) Fletcher of Mars. He was preceded by his parents and 2 sisters Katherine and Linda. Visitation will be Tuesday September 9,2025 -2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 from the Jay Bryan Funeral Home 443 Main Street in Prospect. There will be no public funeral service. Private graveside services will be held at the Butler County Memorial Park and Mausoleum with the Rev. Steven Smith of the First Church of the Nazarene in Butler. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the V. A. of Butler.

08/14/2025

Scott L. Magee,age 69 of Stoneboro, PA formerly of Harmony passed away July 2, 2025 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh following complications from a serious illness. Scott was born January 9,1956 in Ellwood City to Roy L. and Mildred Aiken Magee. Scott was a 1973 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City and was a 1977 graduate of Grove City College with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had been employed at Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford,Illinois in their aerospace division doing work for the defense department including the Apollo Space Program. His interests included singing in a barbershop quartet as a young man. He also enjoyed fishing all his life especially fly fishing. Tying his own fishing flies was something he greatly enjoyed.
Survivors include a brother Shawn Magee of New Castle and sisters Debra ( Scott) Overcashier, Jill (Kevin) Sas and Kimberlee (Jeff) Cable all of Harmony also surviving. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents.
A Memorial Service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Jay Bryan Funeral Home in Prospect,PA.

07/05/2025

Catherine A. Gall age 90 of Butler formerly of Prospect died Wednesday July 2, 2025 at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness. Cathy was born in Pittsburgh on February 14, 1935 and was the daughter of William and Myrtle Daw Lightbody. Cathy was the longtime manager of Michael’s Restaurant in Prospect, she also had been employed at the former Roxy’s Diner in Prospect and Eric’s in Slippery Rock. She loved her family, cooking and baking, crocheting and was an avid bingo player. Cathy was very easy going and always willing to help everyone.
Survivors include 1 son Wesley Ronald Gall of VA, 2 daughters Sandra (Richard) Purvis of Butler and Cheryl (Thomas) Ochoa of Utah, also by 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband Wesley Gall whom she married September 1,1950 he died April 11,2011, 3 brothers, 6 sisters and 1 grandson.
Public visitation will take place Tuesday July 8 from noon until 2:00 PM from her church The Faith Fellowship Alliance Church in Butler. Funeral Services will follow immediately with Pastor Richard Jinks. Private burial will take place at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Prospect. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Faith Fellowship Alliance Church- 200 Faith Way Butler, PA. Arrangements were entrusted to the Jay Bryan Funeral Home in Prospect.

03/21/2025