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Tributes 2009-02-21

Ruth Eleanor Allen, 62

PULASKI, PA. – Ruth Eleanor Allen, 62, of 1077 Maple Lane , passed away the morning of Feb. 20, 2009 at Jameson Hospital North in New Castle, Pa.

She was born Jan. 21, 1947 in New Castle, Pa., the daughter of Everett and Mary Lou Vanatten Allen.

She was a dock worker for Delphi-Packard of Ohio and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in New Castle.

Miss Allen is survived by four brothers, James Allen of Pulaski, Raymond Allen of Hermitage, Pa., Norman Allen of Pulaski and Harry Allen of Pulaski; two sisters, Donna Himes of Dallas, Ga. and Carol Campsey of Harwood, Texas; 19 nieces and nephews; and 20 great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Edward and Robert Allen; one niece, Stacie Lee Allen; and one great-nephew, Jonathan Ryan McCaffery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road in New Castle.

A service will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Kenneth Meyer of the First Assembly of God will officiate.

Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society Lawrence/Mercer Unit 3208B, Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.

Please visit cunninghamfh.com to send online condolences.

George Chaklos, 85

SHARON, PA. – A memorial service will be Saturday for George Chaklos, 85, 368 Elm Ave., who passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, at his residence.

George was born March 29, 1923 in Braddock, Pa., the son of Michael and Mary Matey Chaklos.

A decorated war veteran, George had an extensive military career having served with the U. S. Marine Corps in World War II, during the Korean Conflict and reached the rank of sergeant. His military specialty was as a heavy antiaircraft artillery director and computer mechanic. He participated in the Wonsan-Hungnam-Chosis Campaign in Northern Korea and in operations against enemy forces in South and Central Korea and was honorably discharged in October of 1952.

He retired from the former U.S. Steel, Homestead Works. He enjoyed dancing at Kuzman’s and Avon Oaks in the Youngstown area.

His wife, the former Mary Szakach, whom he married on May 29, 1986, survives in Hermitage, Pa. He is also survived by his three brothers, Ray and his wife, Audrey of Turtle Creek, Pa., Clarence and his wife, Ann of Salem, Mass. and Donald of North Huntingdon, Pa., as well as grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Mary; a brother, John; and George’s two children, Barry Chaklos and Judith Szewczyk.

Calling hours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. today, Feb. 21,2009, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St. in Sharon.

Please visit www.mcgoniglefuneralhomeandcrematory.com to send condolences.

A memorial service will be today, Feb. 21, 2009, at 3 p.m. at the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Sharon, officiating.

James Cioffi, 82

WEST MIDDLESEX, PA. – James Cioffi, 82, of 122 Clubhouse Circle, passed away the evening of Feb. 18, 2009 at Sharon Regional Hospital in Sharon, Pa.

Born April 23, 1926 in New Castle, Pa., he was the son of Dominic and Clara Kruger Cioffi.

He was married to Elaine S. Kublanow Cioffi on April 17, 1977 and she survives in West Middlesex.

Mr. Cioffi was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.

He was a real estate developer and developed a lot of property in Union Township in New Castle and many of the state police barracks in Western Pennsylvania. He was also a self-employed owner of James Cioffi Motor Sales.

Mr. Cioffi was an associate member of the Temple Hadar Israel.

He loved animals and loved to read.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Lori Cioffi of New York City, Patricia Updegraff of Cleveland and Cynthia Brody of Potomac, Md.; one sister, Dorothy James of Winchester, Ky.; three grandchildren, Gudrin Updegraff, Max Brody and Benjamin Brody; and two stepgrandchildren, Kathryn Schwartz-Goel and Kelly Stienke.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter, Gizelle Updegraff.

Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 from noon to 1 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.

A service will be conducted Sunday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Rabbi Martin Shorr of the Temple Hadar Israel will officiate.

Burial will be at the Temple Israel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lawrence County Humane Society, P.O. Box 62, New Castle, PA 16103 or the American Cancer Society, Lawrence/Mercer Unit, 3208B Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.

Please visit cunninghamfh.com to send online condolences.

David Brant Daugherty, 57

MASON – David Brant Daugherty, 57, passed away Feb. 19, 2009.

Devoted husband of Mary Beth (Hirt) Daugherty and loving father of three: Adam, Brant and Kathleen Daugherty. Cherished son of the late Gid and Harriett (Gettman) Daugherty.

Formerly of North Jackson, David resided in Mason with his family. He was a beloved art teacher at Mason Middle School, where he influenced the hearts, minds and futures of thousands of young students. His presence and influence on the community will never be forgotten. He was a lifelong artist, and despite his many works, David had no project more dear to him than encouraging his family, friends and students to express their creativity and follow their dreams. He will always be remembered and will always be missed.

Friends may call at the Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Road (Route 42) in West Chester, Ohio on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. and at Good Shepherd Church Chapel, 8815 East Kemper Road in Montgomery, Ohio on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David Daugherty Memorial Art Scholarship, c/o Fifth Third Bank, 225 West Main St., Mason, OH 45040.

Ronald Lee “Bootsy” Katz, 72

YOUNGSTOWN – Ronald Lee “Bootsy” Katz, 72, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, at Hospice House.

Ron, affectionately known as “Bootsy,” was born Oct. 28, 1936 in Struthers, the son of Alvin and Ruth Sweed Katz.

Ron grew up in Struthers and attended Struthers High School. After high school, Ron worked at Youngstown Sheet and Tube until their closing. He then worked in maintenance for Boston Retail Products until May of 2008.

He leaves his wife, the former Doris Winkleman, whom he married July 25, 1959; two daughters, Debra Katz of Youngstown and Darlene (Domenico Jr.) Aliberti of Austintown; two sons, David (Paula) Katz of Struthers and Alvin (Cheryl) Katz of Boardman; 10 grandchildren, Dominic, Tiffany and Kaylee Aliberti and Julia, Jessica, David Jr., Michael, Michelle, Andrew and James Katz; and two great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Stewart and a grandson, Daniel Katz.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers. Interment will follow at Lake Park Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

The family requests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Mr. Katz’s name to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH 44514.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

Grace A. Knittle, 85

YOUNGSTOWN – Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the Thompson Funeral Home, 4221 Market St. in Boardman for Grace A. Knittle, 85, who died early Friday morning at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Grace was born June 8, 1923 in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Harry P. and Matilda Jones Lutz and was a lifelong area resident.

Her husband, Ramond F. Knittle, whom she married March 21, 1945, died Dec. 21, 2000.

She leaves four sons, William L. (Jackie) Knittle of Dallas, Terry R. (LuAnn) Knittle of Canfield , John T. (Jan) Knittle of Boardman and Don A. (Judy) Knittle of North Jackson and four grandchildren, Gary Knittle, Larry Knittle, Brandon (Emily) Knittle and Jaimie Knittle.

Besides her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by a son, Robert F. Knittle, whom she lovingly cared for until his death in 2007 for 61 years; two brothers, Harry Lutz and Jack Lutz; and four sisters, Charlotte Keith, Mary Agar, Harriet Lutz and Mae Lutz.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The family requests material tributes take the form of contributions to Shriner’s Hospital, Wheels of Mercy Foundation, P.O. Box 302, North Lima, OH 44452

George Machaskee Sr., 95

CLEVELAND – When my mother, Martha, passed away nearly 12 years ago, her priest, Father John Rajlich of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, said “God plucked a flower from this Earth.” “As my mother was the flower of the family, my father, George, has always been the rock of the family, solid in values and integrity,” according to his son, Alex Machaskee, retired Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of The Plain Dealer.

George Machaskee Sr. 95, died Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Cleveland

Clinic.

“My dad spent most of his working life as a crane operator in the steel industry in Warren. From his heart he always radiated heat like molten steel, and he could be as firm in his beliefs and work ethic as a bar of highly polished finished steel,” his son Alex stated.

Mr. Machaskee was born in Isabel, Pa., on May 9, 1913, to immigrant parents from the former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Machaskee spent most of his life in Warren. He went to work as a crane operator, pouring hot steel in the electrical division of Copperweld Steel Co. in 1941 for 70 cents an hour. He retired in 1980.

Mr. Machaskee was a faithful member of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, and sponsored some of its improvements such as the dome lighting. For the last five years he was a resident of Judson Park, 2181 Ambleside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106.

In addition to his job at Copperweld Steel, Mr. Machaskee helped his widowed mother-in-law immensely, plowing the fields on her 148 acre farm while adding basics to the household, like electricity and indoor plumbing during the 1940s.

“My father was a musician and passed along to me and his grandsons an unquenchable thirst for music and the importance of being part of a loving, peaceful family,” stated his son, Alex.

Machaskee’s other son, George Jr., retired owner of Miss Kitty’s Steak House in Copley Township, said, “He was always there for everybody.”

It is unusual for someone to be recognized as an “octogenarian graduate.” Mr. Machaskee graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1932, but through a clerical quirk never received his diploma. With the help of his grandson, Lex, and granddaughter-in-law, Mary, Mr. Machaskee, at the age of 82, applied for the diploma he should have received in 1932. Upon reviewing school records, officials corrected the record and presented him with his high school diploma 70 years later.

Mr. Machaskee was a source of inspiration to all of his family members and to his extended family. Friends such as Sam Miller, Co-Chairman of Forest City Enterprises, Margaret Wong, the immigration attorney, and Dr. Fred Loop, retired Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Clinic, would often pay him a visit at Judson Park.

His wife, Martha, preceded him in death April 21, 1997. They were married 60 years. A brother, Lazo, died at the age of 7.

Besides his sons, Alex (daughter-in-law, Carol Ann) and George Jr., Mr. Machaskee is survived by seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, and a memorial service (Pomen) will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Road N.E. in Warren.

A memorial service (Pomen) will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel and a funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 53 Laird Ave. in Youngstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 53 Laird Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509, or International Orthodox Christian Charities, Inc., 110 West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, MD 21204.

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Mary Rose Maley, 93

NILES – Mary Rose Maley, 93, of 1500 McKinley Ave., died at 4:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Home in Niles

She was born Nov. 25, 1915 in Moon Run, Pa., the daughter of Natale and Mary Ferraro Folino Gallo.

Mary Rose was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Niles, Rosary Club, Catholic Women’s Club and The Companion of Foresters. She was also a member of The Eagles in Girard, miscellaneous card clubs, and enjoyed swimming, summers at Lake Erie, and playing cards.

Her husband, Michael Maley, whom she married Nov. 25, 1939, died May 10, 1975.

She will be deeply missed by a son, Thomas Maley and his wife, Debbie of McDonald; a sister, Virginia Dunlap and her husband, Thomas of Girard; three grandchildren, Michael “Matthew” Maley and his wife, Nicole, Brian Maley and his wife, Erin, and Corey Maley; and one great-grandson, Avery Maley.

She was preceded in death by eight brothers, Tomaso Folino Gallo, Frank Gallo, Anthony Gallo, Patsy Gallo, Sam Gallo, Orlando Gallo, Thomas “Tim” Gallo, and Fred Gallo, and three sisters, Sara Christopher, Nicolina Vallus, and Adeline Grosbeck.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Joseph Rossi & Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Niles, with Fr. Thomas Kraszewski officiating, preceded by a 9:30 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Niles Shepherd of The Valley Employee Appreciation Fund.

Arrangements are being handled by the Joseph Rossi & Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Niles.

Please visit www.josephrossifuneralhome.com to email condolences.

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George Miller, 84

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman for George Miller, 84, who died Thursday morning at Hospice House. He passed away after a short illness with the love of his life, Esther Kaluza, at his side.

Mr. Miller was born March 27, 1924 in New Castle, Pa., the son of Michael and Helen Sieric Miller, and was an area resident for most of his life.

He was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and Youngstown State University. He worked many years as an accountant, owned Miller Motors car lot on Wick Avenue from 1978 to 1983 and was co-owner of the Sandwich World on Youngstown-Poland Road with Esther, from 1984 to 1999.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Esther Kaluza; her children, Anna Kaluza Fitzgerald of North Lima and Joseph (Lisa) Kaluza of Youngstown; grandchildren, Jason and Tyler Fitzgerald and Joshua and Tiffany Kaluza; a great-grandchild, Dezarae Lynn Fitzgerald; and a stepbrother, Michael Koscak of Sarasota, Fla.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. today and from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joe Kaluza Fund, c/o any Huntington Bank location.

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

Sybil Jo Owen, 60

HUBBARD TOWNSHIP – Sybil Jo Owen, 60, of 3776 Pothour-Wheeler Road, passed away Feb. 19, 2009, at 2:01 a.m. at Sharon Regional Health System in the Emergency Room.

Mrs. Owen was born to Mildred (Paddock) and Joseph Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1948 in Sharon, Pa.

Mrs. Owen graduated from West Middlesex High School in 1966 and Sharon General School of Nursing in 1969. She then went to Farris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., where she received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1975.

Mrs. Owen worked at Mercer County Career Center in Sharon in the nursing program. She enjoyed scrabble, reading, jeopardy, and was an avid player of word games. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Youngstown.

Mrs. Owen is survived by her husband at home, Hugh Owen, whom she married Feb. 20, 1971; three daughters, Elizabeth Leslie and her husband, John of Boardman and Kathleen Owen and Rachel Owen, both of Hubbard; two sisters, Loree Schmidt of Sharon, Pa. and Dulce White and her husband, Ed of West Middlesex; three brothers, Clark Schmidt and his wife, Marsha of Sharon, Keith Schmidt and his wife, Amparo of Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Brian Schmidt of West Middlesex; and a grandson, Owen Leslie.

Mrs. Owen was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Vance Schmidt.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Youngstown, with Rev Kenneth Kelly officiating.

Friends may visit remember@flynnfuneralhome.com to email condolences.

Visitation will be on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and Tuesday at 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Burial will be at at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage, Pa., followed by a cremation.

Arrangements are being handled by the John Flynn Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

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Joan M. Plessinger, 70

CENTERVILLE – Joan M. Plessinger, 70, passed away Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at the Sanctuary at 10 Wilmington Place.

She was a graduate of Struthers High School. After 20 years of service, Joan retired from KW Electronics as a financial manager.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ann Bencekovich.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Jack) Price of Dayton; sons, Brett (Linda) Riebe of Dayton and Todd Riebe of Kettering; grandchild, Melissa Riebe; brother, Joseph Bencekovich; and her dog, Lacy.

A gathering of friends will be today, Feb. 21, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road in Kettering.

Contributions may be sent to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, OH 45420.

Visit www.routsong.com to send condolences and other remembrances.

Doris E. Rice, 82

BROOKFIELD – Doris E. Rice, 82, died at 3:05 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at her home surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Rice was born on the family farm in Brookfield on Feb. 5, 1927, a daughter of Elmer D. and Leora E. (Jones) Lohr.

A 1945 graduate of Brookfield High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Ray J. Rice on May 5, 1946 in Detroit, and together they shared 46 years of marriage.

Mrs. Rice was a lifelong member of the Brookfield United Methodist Church, where she had served as a trustee. Her many activities included being a Charter Member of the Opti-Mrs Club since its inception in 1954, the Brookfield-Masury Womens’ Club, Brookfield Noonday Club, and with her husband, the Good Sam Travelers Club.

Mrs. Rice was well-known for her famous cooking and baking talents, especially her pies, chicken noodle soup and special birthday cakes. She will be remembered most as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a truly devoted friend.

Survivors include her two sons, Ray J. Rice Jr., Judge Ronald J. Rice and his wife, Judge Cynthia W.; two daughters, Attorney Teresa Rice Daugherty and her husband, James D. all of Brookfield, and Patricia E. Inskeep and her companion, Randy DeMoss of Hubbard; her sister, Shirley M. Yassall and her husband, Anthony D., also of Brookfield; her eight grandchildren, Ray J. Rice III, Adam J. Daugherty, Brian J. Daugherty, Tyler W. Rice, Madison W. Rice, Morgan W. Rice, Daniel A. Inskeep, and Scott G. Inskeep; two great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Rice and Connor Rice; and many nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life and beloved husband, Judge Ray J. Rice, who died April 4, 1992; by an infant daughter; and her sister, Bernice Rawe.

Funeral services will be at noon on Monday at the Lane Funeral Homes, Madasz Chapel in Brookfield, with Rev. Bill Johnson of the Brookfield United Methodist Church, Pastor.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Brookfield Township Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests contributions be made to the Brookfield United Methodist Church.

Family and friends may visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com to send condolences.

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Emily N. (Moschella) Vinion, 85

“Together Again”

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be funeral services at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home in Boardman for Emily N. Vinion, 85, who passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 19.

Emily was born Feb. 2, 1924 in Barnesboro, Pa., the daughter of Albert and Gertrude (Hibbard) Rogers and came to Youngstown as a child.

She was employed by Youngstown Steel Door as a riveter during WWII. She was a waitress and bartender for many years at the Ma-Fe Club. Emily was a member of the Pilgrim Collegiate Church.

Her husband, David L. Vinion, whom she married July 21, 1967, passed away Nov. 6, 1994.

Emily will always be remembered by her two sons, Hubert “Ted” Moschella and Thomas Moschella, both of Youngstown, William Vinion of Virginia, Samuel Vinion of Liberty, and Randall Vinion of Youngstown; a daughter, Pearl Ward of Florida; a brother, Jay Rogers of Youngstown; 36 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her three sons, Timothy Moschella, Richard Vinion, and Ronald Vinion; a granddaughter, Kathleen Vinion; a sister, Florence Kotouch Zumrik and a brother, Edward Rogers.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home at 4442 South Ave. in Boardman.

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Helen R. Witherstine, 87

COLUMBIANA – There will be a funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Helen R. Witherstine, 87, who passed away Thursday evening at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Helen was born Jan. 14, 1922 in Watson, N.Y., a daughter of the late Robert and Eva (Fritz) Cheese.

She retired as a bookkeeper from Schwebel’s Baking Company. She was a member of the Boardman Christian Church, ABWA, where she served as past president and won “Woman of the Year 1991,” O-MY-O Chapter.

Her husband, Walter S. Witherstine, whom she married Oct. 24, 1947, passed away Oct. 23, 1983.

Helen is survived by her four children, Donald (Carolyn) Witherstine of Spartanburg, S.C., Marjorie (Clifford) Mead of Columbiana, Edward (Christina) Witherstine of Gardendale, Ala. and Leroy (Glenda) Witherstine of Salem; stepchildren, Walter Witherstine of Felton, Del., Mildred Elswick of Lake Wales, Fla., Rita Bergner of Magnolia, Texas, William (Pam) Witherstine of Hammondsville and Rosemarie (Phil) McGuire of Canfield; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Helen is preceded in death by one brother, Frank Cheese; three sisters, Magdelene Rubosky and Theresa Cheese and her twin sister, Veronica Stobinski; and a grandson, Christopher Witherstine.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

Family and friends may visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com to view this obituary and send condolences.