The Obituary Section

Donald T. Kroesen

, Pennsylvania

May 9, 2026

Donald T. Kroesen, age 92, of Edinburg, PA, passed away May 10, 2026, at the Haven Convalescent Home in New Castle.Born October 12, 1933, in New Castle, he was the son of Ralph and Marie (Campbell) Kroesen.He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Carolyn (Fox) Kroesen whom he married on July 23, 1983.Donald attended the former J.P. Byers Elementary School in South New Castle Boro and was a 1952 graduate of Shenango High School. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War.He was employed with Shenango Pottery as a trustee and union rep until he worked in the refractory until his retirement.In his younger years, Don played in numerous baseball leagues in the area and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan. He enjoyed gardening and loved dancing and spending time traveling with his wife.In addition to his wife, he is survived…

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Jean Cox

, Pennsylvania

May 11, 2026

Jean Cox, 91, of Hickory Township, in New Castle, passed away May 12, 2026, at Shenango on the Green, in New Wilmington, PA.Born June 4, 1934, in Grove City, PA, she was the daughter of Floyd and Mary (McConnell) Hockenberry and was raised by Jess and Lavinia Brown, in Harlansburg. She graduated from East Lawrence High School in Plain Grove Township.She married Wayne H. Cox on June 3, 1960. He preceded her in death in 2021.Jean worked at Carbis Walker in her early years and then was a homemaker where she enjoyed being on the farm with the family.Survivors include two sons, Daniel (Wendy) Cox and Darrell Cox, both of New Castle; one grandson, Daniel Cox; two step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren, along with one niece and two nephews.Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, John Hockenberry, and two nephews.In keeping with her wishes…

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Irene Lillian Fracul

, Pennsylvania

Irene Lillian Fracul passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, with her daughters by her side. Born on May 24,1934, she graduated from Shenango High School in 1952. In 1954, Irene eloped to Waukegan, Illinois, to marry her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Donald Joseph Fracul. Together, they ran Fracul’s Market, an independent grocery store, from 1958 to 1966. She was also employed for a time by Liberty Mutual, Shenango China, and the Country House Christmas Shop, a place she especially loved working. Her primary role, however, was that of a homemaker. She took great care to maintain a warm, immaculate home, where she never failed to offer guests a cup of coffee, something sweet, and good conversation around her table.Irene, known as “Renie” to her friends, joyfully sang in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church choir for thirty-five years. She was a loyal Steelers fan, sharing…

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