Bernice Leona Derekos

Bernice Leona Derekos, 89, of New Castle, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Quality Life Services, New Castle.

Mrs. Derekos was born March 11, 1936, in Wampum, a daughter of the late Francis and Effie May (Staine) Swogger. A lifelong resident, she graduated from Shenango High School in 1954.

Bernice was a homemaker for many years.

She had a green thumb and loved taking care of her flower garden; she also enjoyed traveling. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren, affectionately known as "Grandma Birdie."

Bernice is survived by her five children, Elizabeth Cwynar, Ernest Derekos II, Christine Griffin, Kathleen Steingasser, and Nancy Derekos; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Derekos, whom she married in 1955, he passed away in 1996; her sister and brothers; a grandson, Joey Cwynar; and two sons-in-law, Dave Steingasser and Timothy Cwynar.


Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday (1-16-26) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.