Obituaries
February 10, 2022

John J. Spina – Belle Vernon

By obits

 

John J. Spina, 84, of, Washington Township, Belle Vernon, passed away at home on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. A son of the late Joseph and Mary Marasco Spina, he was born in Monessen, on May 19, 1937. John was member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. He was a charter member of the Rostraver Sportsmen’s Association, where he was a former president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, helped organize the Washington Township football and softball organizations, and coached the Washington Township Redskin Football team in the 1970s. John enjoyed gun and coin collecting and working on his cars and trucks. He enjoyed work at The Thoroughbred Connection farm, his horse, “April”, and riding his side-by-side Mule. John worked for 47 years at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel’s Monessen plant, retiring in 2002 and was the owner and operator of the former Broad Avenue Texaco Station.  Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sally Ann Choker Spina; one daughter, Vicki Lynne Spina of Adah; a granddaughter, Gaby Marie Vilchek; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Spina of Claysville; one aunt, Carol Spina of Monessen; and his favorite dog, a Border Collie, “Puppy.” John is also survived by numerous relatives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Spina, in 2021; and a nephew, Jeremy Spina. Friends will be received 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-5300, www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. A blessing service will follow at 12:30 p.m. Friday, in the funeral home with the Rev. Michael Crookston. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Teddy Bear Connection, Carmichaels, Pa.

EF students urged to learn from examples set by veterans
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
November 12, 2025
Lt. Comm. Rick Elster was the guest speaker at the Veterans Day event. History is not just something in textbooks, but rather real people — neighbors who have protected our freedoms throughout the yea...
Donora’s AP Delsandro Veterans Memorial rededicated
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
November 12, 2025
More than a decade of planning went into the project, which was celebrated on Veterans Day. Under a cold, gray sky the sounds of a single bagpipe drifted through Donora as people walked together down ...
Teen flown to hospital after being shot in the head
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
November 12, 2025
Monessen schools are holding a flexible instruction day in response to the incident. A 16-year-old is in UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after being shot in the head Tuesday afternoon in Moness...
MVI sales rep Rob Hammond dies at 75
Death Notices, Latest News, Main
November 12, 2025
He was instrumental in the paper’s expansion into McKeesport and other Mon Valley communities. By the MVI A beloved member of the Mon Valley Independent newspaper team passed away Monday. MVI sales re...
Musical tribute to veterans at McKeesport Area High School
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
November 12, 2025
Choir, band and orchestra students presented a variety of patriotic songs. McKeesport Area School District students displayed their range of musical talents while expressing gratitude to area veterans...
Vehicle crash in Rostraver Township
Latest News, Main
November 12, 2025
Rostraver Township Fire Department responded to a vehicle accident Tuesday night on the 1200 block of Rostraver Road. The occupants of the car were evaluated by Rostraver West Newton EMS. Rostraver To...