Tributes 2007-01-06

Mark M. Amendolara, 45

BOARDMAN– There will be memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Church for Mark M. Amendolara, 45.

Mark was born March 6, 1961, in Youngstown, a son of Charles J. and Elizabeth Doerr Amendolara Sr. and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1979 graduate of Ursuline High School and attended Youngstown State University. He was the co-owner of Amendolara’s Pizza.

Mark was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and Board “60.”

He will be sadly missed by his brother, Charles J. (Christine) Amendolara Jr. of Canfield; his sister, Maria L. (James) Ruane of Cuyahoga Falls; two nieces and two nephews, Mark C. Amendolara, Katelyn E. Amendolara, Joel R., Amendolara and Grace E. Ruane; numerous cousins and friends; and his dog, Lolly.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by the Fox Funeral Home.

Family and friends may visit at www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

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Lucille A. Bassett, 93

NILES – Lucille A. Bassett, 93, of 2565 Niles-Vienna Road, died at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday at Autumn Hills Care Center.

She was born Feb. 22, 1913 in Niles, the daughter of Gaetano and Letina Salerno Altiero.

Lucille was a 1931 Niles McKinley High School graduate and also graduated from Kent State University with a two-year degree in primary education and from Youngstown State University with a two-year degree in special education.

She was a kindergarten teacher for the Niles City Schools for 30 years and also taught the hearing impaired before retiring in 1973.

She was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, a member and past president of the Catholic Women’s Guild, was a Red Cross volunteer and enjoyed golfing.

Her husband, Joseph Bassett, whom she married Oct. 31, 1942, died Jan. 17, 1982.

She will be deeply missed by a brother, David Altiero of Niles; a brother-in-law, Don Brine (Lena) of Niles; three sisters-in-law, Fanny Altiero (Dr. Nicholas) of Niles, Lucille Altiero (James) of Girard and Lucille Altiero (Dr. A.J.) of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Joseph, James, Dr. Nicholas J. and Dr. Anthony J. Altiero, and five sisters, Louise Altiero, Rose Bernard, Mary Brine, Angie Tricomi and Lena Brine.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Joseph Rossi Funeral Home in Niles, where the Mt. Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct 3:30 p.m. prayers.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, preceded by a 9 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Joseph Rossi Funeral Home.

Visit www.josephrossifuneralhome.com to send condolences.

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Betty M. Bowen, 81

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Monday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, for Betty M. Bowen, 81, who passed away Thursday morning at the Inn at Christine Valley.

Betty was born Jan. 18, 1925 in Lowellville a daughter of the late William and Julia (Armour) Powell.

A homemaker, she was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Niles. She participated in the Rotary and the 1st Ladies Fashion Show and enjoyed fishing, completing jigsaw puzzles and gardening.

Betty is survived by her husband, Donald L. Bowen, whom she married Nov. 15, 1944; five children, Janet (Robert) Miller of McDonald, Julia (Bill) Marquard of North Olmsted, Gale (Steve) Brogley of Warren, Dale Lee (Jenni) Bowen of Elyria and Beth (Paul) Poole of Goeffstowne, N.H.; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Martha Reinhart and Rita Yost.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Youngstown Chapter, 3736 Boardman-Canfield Road, P.O. Box 321, Canfield, OH 44406-0321 in Betty’s name.

Friends and family may visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com to view this obituary and send condolences.

William Anthony Cifalde Jr., 53

STRUTHERS -- There will be funeral services Monday at 10 a.m. at the Kubina Yuhasz Funeral Home, Boardman Chapel, 5925 Market St., and at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, Struthers, for William Anthony Cifalde Jr., 53, who died Wednesday.

He was born June 24, 1953 in Youngstown, a son of William Anthony and Theresa Elizabeth Myers Cifalde Sr.

Mr. Cifalde graduated from Hubbard High School in 1972 and received an associate degree in business from Youngstown State University. He was a corrections officer in the Ohio penal system for the past 15 years and never missed a day of work. Previously to working in the penal system, he had worked at General Fireproofing.

He was a member of the church and his hobbies were collecting railroad memorabilia and going to flea markets and garage sales.

He is survived by his wife, the former Beverly Masko, whom he married Oct. 12, 1974; a daughter, Jennifer, at home; his father of Hubbard; and his grandmother, Rose Cifalde of Hubbard.

He was preceded in death by his mother and a brother, Stephen.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Adeline “Lolly” Santine Galanses, 87

BOARDMAN – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony of Padua Church for Adeline “Lolly” Santine Galanses, 87, who died Wednesday evening at her residence.

“Lolly” was born Dec. 30, 1920 in Youngstown, a daughter of John and Antoinette Fabrizio Santine.

She was a 1938 graduate of The Rayen School and a member of the church. She was a caring, loving person with many talents and a consummate homemaker and cook. “Nana” was a woman of simple pleasures, enjoying the company of four generations of family the most.

“The heavens above now have the pleasure of a true angel. Please look after her and take care of her. The world has lost a remarkable woman.”

She will be sadly and deeply missed by all her family and friends and yet forever loved.

She is survived by a son, John of Costa Rica; a daughter, Carol A. (Dennis) Gomez, with whom she made her home; two grandchildren, Laurie (Bob) Henes of Cary, N.C., and John (Debbie) Gomez of Canfield; four great-grandchildren, Elly and Jordan Henes and Mary and John Gomez; two sisters, Lucy (Peter) Suszczynski of Struthers and Ann (James) Bokone of Howland; a sister-in-law, Betty Santine of Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Galanses, whom she married June 22, 1944 and died May 4, 1959; and two brothers, James Santine and Benjamin J. Santine.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Schiavone Funeral Home.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Fred Hafner ,75

DIAMOND – There will be funeral services at 1 p.m. Monday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, for Fred Hafner, 75, who died early Friday morning at his home.

Fred was born April 16, 1931 in Akron, the son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Kramer) Hafner.

He had been a bricklayer and later had worked for General Motors in Lordstown retiring in January of 1993, where he was a member of U.A.W. Local 1112. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post in Lake Milton, a former member of the AmVets in Newton Falls and had served in the U.S. Air Force.

Fred was a 1949 graduate of Palmyra High School and enjoyed bowling, golfing, yard work, reading and had a love for horse racing.

Fred is survived by three daughters, Marsha (Dale) Minton of Lordstown, Linda (Randy) Hafner-Durig of Lake Milton and Beth (Tim) Canada of Hubbard, and leaves his beloved Lorraine Hafner. He leaves a sister Elizabeth Rupert of Bautzen, Germany; seven grandchildren, Rodney Stroup, Cindy Sebastian, Lindsay Gintert, Lauren Hanshaw, Louis Canada, Andrew Minton and Haley Durig; and five great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Andrew Hafner.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.

The family requests that material contributions be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Friends and family may visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com to view the obituary and send condolences.

Joseph R. Michael, 79

BOARDMAN – Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at the Fox Funeral Home and 10:30 in Saint Dominic Church for Joseph R. Michael, 79, who died Thursday afternoon at Saint Elizabeth Health Center.

Mr. Michael was born May 1, 1927, in Youngstown, a son of Samuel and Alma Khoury Michael.

He was a 1945 graduate of Ursuline High School and a graduate of Youngstown State University. He sold donuts from the time he was 15 years of age till he was 44 and was known as “The Donut Man.” He then worked briefly as a real estate agent and for the past 33 years worked as an insurance agent for the Knights of Columbus.

Joe was a member of St. Dominic Church where he went to Mass daily. He was a 4th degree knight with the Knights of Columbus Council No. 274. He was a Cardinal Mooney High School Booster. Joe was a big Notre Dame and New York Yankee fan and loved golf.

Besides his wife, the former Nancy M. Tinkler, whom he married Aug. 24, 1954, he leaves a son, David (Marilyn) Michael of Rocky River; four daughters, Meg (Greg) Hildebrandt and Marie (Denio) Leone, both of Rocky River, Anne (Glenn) Daly of Shrewsbury, Mass., and Mary Therese (Kevin) Konrad of Rocky River; two brothers, Eddie Michael of Newport News, Va., and Willie Michael of Austintown; a sister Mary Karkafi of North Lima; and 14 grandchildren, Sarah, Joe and Liz Michael, Ellie, Ian and Alex Hildebrandt, Annie, Denio, Mary and John Leone, Mary Therese and Patrick Daly, Katie and Michael Konrad.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Rose Meena, Amy Nassar and Ada Michael, and a brother, Freddie Michael.

Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to either Saint Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius, Youngstown, OH 44507 or the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Northern Ohio Chapter, 902 Westpoint Pkwy., Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44145.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

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Frank A. Pennel, 87

WARREN – Frank A. Pennel, 87, formerly of Boardman, passed away Friday at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

He was born June 13, 1919 in Youngstown, the son of the late John and Anna (Mastadonna) Pennel.

He was employed as a general foreman and bricklayer at Youngstown Sheet & Tube.

He attended Campbell schools and was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of St. Lucy Church and its men’s society.

He was an avid bowler and golfer. He played and pitched for the Highlanders baseball team and was a boxer under Pete Kish with the Golden Gloves.

Survivors include his wife, Antoinette (Mediate Rich) Pennel of Warren, whom he married June 22, 1968; two daughters, Anna Jean and Martin Conti of Youngstown and Cynthia and Dr. Lawrence D’amico of Warren; four sons, Frank Jr. and Amy Pennel of Struthers, John and Porsia Pennel of Austintown, Dr. Frank and Dolores Rich of Canfield and Michael and Dolores Rich of Canfield; a sister, Anna Marie Mainero of San Clemente, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Elsie (LaManna) Pennel, who passed away in 1959; and two sisters, Rose Briglio and Philomena LaManna.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Fabrizio Funeral Home, 619 E. Indianola Ave. in Youngstown, where the St. Lucy’s Ladies Guild will have prayer service at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

There will be funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Lucy Church.

Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Youngstown.

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Violet Lucille Popovich, 65

BOARDMAN – Violet Lucille Popovich, 65, of 230 Waggaman Circle, passed away at 9:50 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

She was born Feb. 20, 1941 in Youngstown, the daughter of Charles Popovich and Sophia Kusic.

She was a 1959 graduate of Wilson High School. She worked for Medfield Solutions in Canfield as a medical claims adjuster. She had previously worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a supervisor for 25 years.

She was a member of the Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Austintown and was very active in church activities.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Walter (Mildred) Wilfong of Boardman and nieces and nephews, Walter and wife, Mariann Wilfong Jr., Charles and wife, Shawne Wilfong, and Michele and husband, Andrew Basile.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rossi Bros. Funeral Home, 4442 South Avenue in Boardman.

There will be funeral services Monday at 11 a.m. at the Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 420 N. Raccoon Road in Austintown with the Rev. Mijoljub Matic.

A Pomen service will be Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Poland Cemetery in Poland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 420 N. Raccoon Road, Austintown, OH 44515.

Arrangements are being handled by the Thomas S. Podleyon Funeral Services in Hermitage, Pa.

Gayle B. Shutt, 84

NORTH LIMA – There will be memorial services at 11 a.m. Monday at the Davis Funeral Home for Gayle B. Shutt, 84, formerly of Boardman, who passed away Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Shutt was born Aug. 21, 1922 in Sugarcreek, a daughter of Lister and Mildred Boyd Burkey.

She was a homemaker and member of the Boardman United Methodist Church.

Surviving her are her husband, Kenneth Shutt, whom she married June 26, 1946; three sons, Tom (Adrienne) Shutt of Baltimore, Craig (Mary Kay) Shutt of Chicago and Joel (Susan) Shutt of Cleveland; five grandchildren, Eric, Wendy, David, Antonio and Abigail; two nephews, Jeff and Kim Burkey; and a niece, Gayle Heater.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Boyd Othello Burkey.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Arrangements handled by Davis Funeral Home.

Anne C. Skarosi, 85

HERMITAGE, PA. – Anne C. Skarosi, 2250 Shenango Valley Freeway, John XXIII Home, formerly of Farrell, Pa., passed away at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at John XXIII.

Anne was born Aug. 6, 1921 in Farrell, a daughter of the late Dominic and Lucy White Pellis.

Living in Farrell most of her life, she was a graduate of Farrell High School. Anne worked as a waitress and caterer for many years and was also a crane operator at Sharon Steel’s former Farrell plant during WWII. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Sharon, Pa., and a former longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Farrell and its Altar and Rosary Society.

She was a member of the Farrell Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post No. 5286 and a former member of the Thursday Night Ladies Bowling League at Sunset Lanes in Farrell. Anne enjoyed cooking and family get-togethers.

Her husband, Stephen L. Skarosi Sr., whom she married Jan. 11, 1940, passed away Feb. 6, 1988.

Surviving are four daughters, Betty Whiting and her husband Richard of Largo, Fla., Linda Platteborze and her husband Tom of Farrell, Patricia Logan in Hermitage and Cindy Foster and her husband Dana of West Middlesex; a son, Stephen L. “Butch” Skarosi Jr., and his wife Shari, Burghill; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters; a brother; and a granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St. in Sharon.

Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Email McGonigleFuneralHome@verizon.net to send condolences.

Cremation will be in the funeral home’s crematory.

Mary Jane Theis, 83

BOARDMAN – There will be services at 1 p.m. Monday at the Fox Funeral Home for Mary Jane Theis, 83, who died Friday morning at Mahoning Valley Hospital.

Mrs. Theis was born April 2, 1923, in Youngstown, a daughter of Mark and Lillian Leatherman.

A 1941 graduate of South High School, Mary Jane worked at the offices of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. In 1960, her husband, Ed Theis opened the doors of Boardman Bowling Lanes with Dick Wilson. Mary Jane was the bookkeeper at the lanes for 25 years. She bowled in many leagues and held various offices in leagues.

Mary Jane was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy was her family.

She and her husband, Edward Richard Theis, whom she married Aug. 3, 1946, just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends.

Besides her husband Ed, she leaves her two sons, Michael (T.J.) Theis of New Middletown and Robert (Karen) Theis of Boardman; a daughter, Jane (Bob) Morris of Canfield; a daughter-in-law, Linda Theis of Columbus; her grandchildren, Tracy Smith of Columbus, Terry Theis of Columbus, Angie Theis of San Diego, Michael Theis of Columbus, Jessica Muniz of Alliance, Holly Theis DeCaria and William Theis, both of Bethesda, Md., Nathan Morris of Washington, D.C., Janine Morris of Canfield and Mark Morris of Canfield; four great-grandchildren; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Terry Theis and her sister, Louise Gainan.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

Thomas Edward Walsh, M.D., 57

WATERVILLE – Thomas Edward Walsh, M.D., 57, formerly of Niles, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2.

He was born Dec. 18, 1949 in Youngstown to John P. and Twyla N. (Shoupe) Walsh Sr. and was a 1967 graduate of Niles McKinley High School.

Tom received his bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati, receiving his master’s degree in quantum physics. He earned his medical degree from the then Medical College of Ohio, where he completed his cardiology fellowship and later became the director of transplantation. He was currently a physician and associate professor with the University Medical Center and served as director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship Program.

He was a licensed pilot and began his flight time at the age of 16 studying under Ernie Hall, an ACE of WWII. His love of flying evolved into becoming a builder of airplanes. He was a vice president and board member of the E.A.A. and enjoyed flying for the Young Eagles. He was an avid musician who enjoyed playing and collecting guitars. He will be remembered most by his unique sense of humor, quick wit, compassion and endless acts of selflessness.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joanne M. (Burkard) Walsh, whom he married June 23, 2001 at the Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg; his daughters, Sara Gillespie-Walsh of Toledo and Kayla Yan Yu Walsh of Waterville; son, Nicholas John Walsh of Waterville; sister, Catherine “Kay” (Leonard) Marino of El Cajon, Calif.; brother, John P. (Ginny) Walsh of Niles; mother-in-law, Catherine Burkard of Venice, Fla.; and sisters-in-law, Sally A. (Richard) McBride of Whitewright, Texas and Mary Kay Courtney of Bonham, Texas; along with many dear nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, John Burkard.

Friends will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary, in Perrysburg.

There will be funeral services at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at the Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Ave. in Perrysburg, with Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum, Pastor Steven Knape and Pastor Meg Knape officiating.

Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the account benefiting the children of Thomas and Joanne Walsh at any Sky Bank Branch.

Contributions to a memory book may be made through the American Heart Association.

Please visit www.witzlershank.com where condolences may be made directly to the family.

Debra A. (Sylvester) Will, 48

BOARDMAN – There will be services at 8 p.m. Sunday evening at Rossi Bros. Funeral Home in Boardman for Debra A. (Sylvester) Will who passed away Friday afternoon.

Debra was born Aug. 3, 1958 in Youngstown, the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Kramer) Sylvester. She was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Debra was a partner with E&S Accounting. Debra was a 1976 graduate of Poland Seminary High School and a 1980 graduate of Youngstown State University, where she earned a bachelor of science in business administration degree, majoring in accounting.

She will always be loved and remembered by her husband, Raymond Will, whom she married July 15, 2006; a sister, Carol Sylvester of Chicago; her kitty cat, Pasquale; and numerous family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The family has requested that contributions be made in Debra’s name to the American Diabetes Association, 1815 W. Market St., Suite 108, Akron, OH 44313.

Rossi Bros. – A Family Owned Funeral Home