Charles Garvin

Charles “Smokey” Garvin, 67, of Pittsburgh and New Castle PA passed away unexpectedly, in the family’s Pittsburgh residence, on October 1, 2022. Smokey as he was known since Dr. Crawford nicknamed him at birth, was born in New Castle, PA on August 11, 1955 to Charles L and Jane Haven Garvin who predeceased him in 1996 and 1991 respectively. Smokey completed his BS in Sociology and Political Science at Westminster College in New Wilmington PA and continued studies at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science to pursue his lifelong passion as a licensed funeral director. He worked in various funeral homes in the New Castle area and most recently retired from Readshaw Funeral Home, Inc. in Pittsburgh

Smokey was a lifelong member of Highland Presbyterian Church in New Castle where he served on session, as a deacon, elder and choir member. He joined Southminster Presbyterian Church after he and Cindy moved to Pittsburgh in 1999. In addition to his church commitments, he was an active member of the Syria Shriners, Blue Lodge and a 32nd degree Free Mason with the Valley of New Castle Scottish Rite, Hiram Council No .45. Smokey spent 30 plus years as a volunteer fire fighter and treasurer of the Neshannock Volunteer Fire Department. Smokey also volunteered for the Medical Eye Bank of Pittsburgh performing eye enucleations so that others could have the benefit of sight.

Smokey married Cynthia Weimer Garvin on October 26, 1991, and is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Cindy, sister-in-law, Cheryl (John) Pugliano of Herriman UT, Nieces: Anna (Matt), Sara (Luke) and Dana and nephews: Tony (Catie), Joe (LaReesa) and Ezra. Eight great nieces and nephews and cousins Katie (the late Denny) Scalise, State College, PA, Jane (Gary) Frantz and Jim Garvin of Florida.

Visitation will be held at the Readshaw Funeral Home, Inc. 1503 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh PA 15210 on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 4-8 PM. Funeral Services on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the Southminster Presbyterian Church, 799 Washington Road, Pittsburgh PA 15228 (Everyone Please Meet At Church) by Pastor Sharon Stewart, immediately followed by a brunch at Eat' n Park 1250 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. Burial will be private at Castle View Cemetery, New Castle PA 16105.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Smokey's name to Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 3201 Cross Timbers Rd Bldg. 4 Ste 300 Flower Mound TX 75028 https://www.ktef.org/ or Ronald McDonald House Charities, 451 44th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 https://rmhc.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Smokey Garvin, please visit our floral store. 

John Paul Kopicki

John Paul Kopicki, 44, of Kingston, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at his home.

John Paul was a 1997 graduate of Bishop O'Reilly High School. He was a 2001 graduate of Simmons School of Mortuary Science. He continued the family tradition and worked with his grandfather and father at AJ Kopicki Funeral home.

John Paul was an extraordinarily kind, gentle, humble man with a keen sense of humor who was known equally for both his bear hugs and one-liners. He had a way with words and always knew just the right thing to say. To know JP was to know loyalty beyond words. He was there for anyone, any four legged animal in need or even a stranger.

His family, faith and friends were a cherished part of his world. Spending time with his family and his dogs, Jasper and Sammy, was his favorite pastime. He was a rock for his siblings, who knew he was just a text or phone call away when they needed him.

When he wasn't spending time with family or Jasper and Sammy, he enjoyed many hobbies which included golf, Halloween decorating with his best friend, Dave, cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies, the Buffalo Bills and Penn State.

He was passionate about helping others and volunteered at his church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, any way he could.

John Paul is survived by his parents, Carol Buss, Forty Fort, and Mark Kopicki, Kingston; siblings, Megan Marx (John Marx), Kelsey Wolsieffer (Kyle Coslett), Luke Buss, Joseph and Daniel Kopicki.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Anna Mae Potomis, and Clare and Paul Kopicki; and stepfather, Mark Buss.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerbey Ave., Kingston. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Swoyersville. Interment in Denison Cemetery will follow. 

John F. Ott

John F. Ott, 56, of North Huntingdon passed away Friday October 21, 2022. He was born February 1, 1966 in Jeannette, the son of the late Joseph F. and Virginia (Yeager) Ott. He was a member of The Immaculate Conception Church in Irwin. John was a 1984 graduate of Norwin Senior High School and graduated from of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1987 as a licensed funeral director. John owned and operated Ott Funeral Home at 504 Oak Street in Irwin from 1995 until 2015, at which time he moved to Ott Funeral Home, Inc.’s present location at 805 Pennsylvania Avenue in Irwin. He also owned and operated Norwin Monument Company for the past twenty years. John was a very active member of the Norwin Community, sponsoring many sports, school, and community activities. He was a member of Norwin Rotary Club, the Norwin Chamber of Commerce, the Westmoreland County Funeral Director’s Association, he was a fourth-degree member of The Knights of Columbus, former firefighter for Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, and former Norwin Middle School lacrosse coach. John was an avid archery hunter and outdoorsman. He thoroughly enjoyed regular hunting trips to Illinois and Montana, and loved showing off his trophy room with his many deer, elk, and turkey mounts. John also enjoyed traveling across the United States with his family, visiting all 30 Major League Baseball parks. John will always be remembered by his charming smile, extreme generosity, compassionate and caring nature, and his quick wit and sense of humor. He truly had a monumental impact on the community, and his legacy will live on forever. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Beverly Ott and Mary Jo Ott. Surviving are his wife of 29 years Susan Dubaich (Susie), sons John Morgan Ott and his wife Joy of Auburn Hills, MI, and Adam Troy Ott of Pittsburgh; siblings Kathleen Vesco of Irwin, Joseph F. Ott Jr. (Jay) and his wife Cathryn of Saltsburg, and Theresa Ott of Irwin; Sister-in-law Mona Dubaich of North Huntingdon and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 8 pm at Ott Funeral Home, Inc., 805 Pennsylvania Avenue, Irwin. Parting prayers will be at 9:30 am Thursday in the funeral home followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church. Interment will follow in Irwin Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Immaculate Conception Church, 308 Second Street, Irwin, PA 15642. To send online condolences, please visit www.ottfuneralhome.com.