Merle V. 'Sonny' Burkes, 72, of 181 Wallace Circle, passed away the morning of July 31, 2010 at his residence.

Sonny was born in DuBois, Pa on March 23, 1938 to the late Frank and Elsie Taylor Burkes.

He married the Former Edyce Fee on April 12, 1958 and she survives him at home.

Sonny owned and operated the Brindle Printing Company for forty four years.

He was a member of the New Castle Council #512 Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree member of the Villa Maria Assembly. He was a member of B.P.O.E. #69. Sonny enjoyed golfing and bowled in the K Pulaski league. He was a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish, St. Mary Church.

Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters, Diana Lynn Petrella and her husband Michael of New Castle and Leane E. Bintrim and her husband Scott of Carmel, In. Two Sons, Robert M. Burkes and his wife Marianne and Gregg E. Burkes and his wife Paula all of New Castle. Also surviving are twelve Grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and John Burkes and three sisters, Peg Monsey, Betty Knarr and Barbara Costello.

Visitations will be on Tuesday from 7 - 9 and Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 W. Falls St.

A procession will leave the funeral home on Thursday at 8:30 A.M. for St. Mary Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:00 A.M. by the Rev. Victor J. Molka Jr., Pastor.

Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered by visiting our web site at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com 10260
Deann Elizabeth 'Lizzy' (Mason) Burkey, 645 S. Keel Ridge Rd., Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday (10-26-10) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after a courageous three year battle with breast cancer. She was 42.

Deann was born November 17, 1967 in Farrell a daughter of William 'Harry' and Christine Smegal Mason.

She was a 1985 alumna of Kennedy Christian High School, Hermitage, and received a business degree from Kent State (Ohio) University.

Deann began a career in banking at Bank One in Aurora, Ohio where she was head teller. Moving back to the Shenango Valley in the mid 1990's, she has been employed at First National Bank in Hermitage for the past twelve years, initially as a teller and most recently as a pre-closing specialist in the small loan department.

She is a member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell. Deann had a wide range of interests and was zealous in her deeds. Her most notable passion was her family. She was a wonderful mother to her son and a loving wife and daughter. Deann loved gardening, cooking and the music of U-2. She also enjoyed crafts, particularly cross-stitch, and worked for a short period at The Attic Treasure in Volant. Deann was an avid reader and was very fond of her pet dogs. She most recently was involved with Relay for Life and Stacking for a Cure as a volunteer and supporter. Her gentle and caring ways touched many and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Surviving are: her husband, David A. Burkey, whom she married October 23, 1993 in Our Lady of Fatima Church; and her son Joshua W. Burkey, a 3rd grade student at Artman Elementary, both at home; her mother, Christine Sakonyi, wife of Robert Sakonyi, Hermitage; two brothers, Jim Mason and his wife Shelly and their children Malayna and Mya, Hermitage; and Joe Mason and his wife Beth and their children Drew and Chloe, Sharpsville; several aunts and uncles, including Mary Ann and Jeff Reynolds, Hermitage; Susan and Bob May, West Middlesex; John Smegal, Houston, TX; Frank and Quoilla Gabriel, Farrell; Susi and Phil Leach, Farrell; Keenie and Gary Harrison, W. Middlesex; Mary Ellen Morsillo, Farrell; and Michael and Barb Mason, West Middlesex; cousins, Erik Reynolds, Rachel Biro, Jolene and Stacey; Monica, Jackie and Chris Mason; and Victoria, Trevor and Katie. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Lori Giorgio of Akron, Ohio and her children Andrea, Michael and Diana; her mother-in-la!

w, Barbara Burkey, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and four step-sisters and their families: Dr. Joy Sakonyi Diurba and her children Ava and Shea, Pittsburgh; Rachel Bertolasio, wife of Frank and their children Luca and Giada, Hermitage; Robin White, wife of Eric and their children Jack and Emma; and Christy Errett, wife of Dan and their daughter Grace, Elizabethtown, PA.

Deann was preceded in death by her father, William 'Harry' Mason, a former Farrell police officer who died in 1995; her grandparents, Jim and Corrine Mason; and John and Assunta Smegal; her father-in-law, John Burkey; and a cousin, Anthony May.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday (10-29-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. A Rosary will be recited at 6:45 p.m.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCremator.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday (10-30-10) in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.