Tributes 2009-04-24

William E. Berendt, 84

HUBBARD – Private services and calling hours were Thursday at the Thompson Funeral Home for William E. Berendt, 84, who died Sunday morning at his residence.

William was born Sept. 30, 1924 in Youngstown, a son of the late George and Katherine Kisch Berendt.

He had worked as a machine operator for Truscon Steel for over 30 years, retiring in 1982.

William served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and World War II and was a member of the Newton Falls American Legion.

He leaves his wife, the former Gertrude Spears, whom he married Sept. 14, 1946; a son, Wiliam G. (Lisa) Berendt of Dundee, Fla.; three daughters, Sandra J. Blackburn of Hubbard, Deborah L. (John) Reder of Hubbard and Michele L. (Dean) Allcorn of Berlin Center; a brother, Martin Berendt of Struthers; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by a brother, George Berendt.

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Nicholas Blasko, 82

STRUTHERS – There will be funeral services Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at the Kirila Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church for Nicholas Blasko, 82, who died Thursday morning, April 23, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Boardman Campus after a short illness.

He was born July 16, 1926 in Campbell, a son of the late Jacob and Anna Cifrik Blasko.

Nicholas was a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a PFC with the Infantry Regiment in Japan, during World War II. He worked as a millwright for Cold Metal Products.

He was a member of St Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church and was active in various organizations at the church.

He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and loved sports, especially the Ohio teams, the Browns, Indians, Cavaliers and Ohio State University.

He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Gromofsky, whom he married July 26, 1952; a daughter, Barbara Benedict and Craig Snyder, both of Keokuk, Iowa; a son, Richard G. (Laurie) Blasko of Hubbard; two sisters, Martha Macala of Poland and Irene Waliga of Campbell; and a brother, Joseph (Teresa) Blasko of Campbell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, John, William and Raymond Blasko.

Friends may call today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where a Panachida service will be held at 4:45 p.m.

Interment will be at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Cemetery.

Please visit www.kirilafh.com to view this obituary and send online condolences to the family.

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Veronica M. Bozick, 83

CAMPBELL – A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John Catholic Church for Veronica M. Bozick, 83, who passed away April 23, 2009 at Hospice House.

Veronica was born Jan. 20, 1926 in McKees Rocks, Pa., the daughter of George and Veronica Schultety Ceryan Frklich and moved to Campbell shortly after her birth.

She was a 1944 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. She was also a member of the church, the church choir, the Pennsylvania Ladies Slovak Catholic Union and the Campbell Seniors.

Veronica worked for 20 years as a seamstress for three locally owned coat factories, including Weatherbee Coats.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Lawrence (Elayne) Bozick of Youngstown; a daughter, Patricia M. Hale of Pulaski, Pa.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, George Frklich, who along with her mother, raised her; her husband, Michael (Miller) Bozick; and her only brother, Joseph Ceryan.

The Bozick family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home.

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Louis P. Damore, 88

SANTA ANA, CALIF. – Louis P. Damore, 88, died April 19, at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, Calif.

Louis was born Dec. 19, 1920 in Youngstown, the son of Peter C. and Almerinda DeChellis Damore.

After graduating from Chaney High School, he attended Youngstown College, and then entered the U.S. Army, serving his country heroically during World War II in Italy, Germany and France.

Louis returned to Youngstown and within a year moved to California, where he formed a contracting company building hotels, commercial buildings, homes and shopping plazas in the Los Angeles area.

He is survived by his wife, Ingalill, whom he married in April of 1962; sons, Larry Damore of San Diego, Christopher Damore of Fullerton, Calif. and Lawrence Damore of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; and a daughter, Merinda Damore of Portland, Ore. Also surviving Louis are eight grandchildren; a brother, Guy F. (Jayne) Damore of Canfield; and two sisters of Austintown, Ann Mastro and Jean (Henry) Doinoff.

Louis will be missed by all who knew him.

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William Hetrick Jr., 86

NEW CASTLE, PA. – William Hetrick Jr., 86, died Monday, April 20, 2009, at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, Fla.

Mr. Hetrick was born Jan. 18, 1923 in New Castle, the son of the late William Silas and Margaret Wood Hetrick.

He was married to the late Rita Winkler Hetrick for 50 years. She died in March of 1992.

He was employed at Youngstown Sheet and Tube, where he retired from the maintenance department. He enjoyed being a handyman in his spare time.

Mr. Hetrick attended the Bethel United Brethren.

He is survived by his wife, Lyla (Dawes) Hetrick, whom he married Oct. 9, 1994; one daughter, Sharon (Mike) Jerasa of Bessemer, Pa.; two sons, James (Darlis) Hetrick of Negley and Robert (Nancy) Hetrick of New Middletown; and three grandchildren, Fred Ryan, Ronald Ryan and Michael Jerasa.

Arrangements are being handled by the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road in New Castle, where the family will receive friends today from 4 to 8 p.m.

Funeral service will be at R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009. The Rev. William Shaw and Rev. Charles Baker will officiate.

Interment will be at St. Mary’s Resurrection Mausoleum in New Castle.

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

Please visit cunninghamfh.com to send online condolences.

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Labrine K. Kastellorios, 90

BOARDMAN – Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman for Labrine K. Kastellorios, 90, who passed away Wednesday morning.

Labrine was born May 6, 1918 in Youngstown, a daughter of Gregory and Diamando Magoulakis Kokinos.

She  was a bookkeeper for Mahoning Meat, which was a family business and an office manager for her husband, Dr. Nicholas Kastellorios.

Labrine was a member of the church, the Philoptohos Society, the Panicarian Club, the Daughters of Penelope, and the Youngstown Symphony Guild.

Her husband, Dr. Nicholas Kastellorios, died Sept. 24, 1981.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a sister, Bessie Veck of Canfield. 

She was preceded in death by a sister, Vasilia Kokinos and a brother, Jack Kokinos.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Fox Funeral Home and from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

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

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Odell “Poochie” Oakley Jr., 61

YOUNGSTOWN – Odell “Poochie” Oakley Jr., 61, of 356 Alameda Ave., passed away Friday, April 17, 2009, at Forum Health Northside Medical Center.

He was born June 4, 1947 in Youngstown, the son of Odell and Rosie Bell Oakley.

Odell was employed as a driver for the Mahoning Valley News. He was an avid basketball and football fan. He loved Western movies and the TV show, Sanford and Son.

Odell is survived by his wife, Wanda Hendrix Oakley, whom he married July 17, 1967; three sons, Odell Oakley III, Marcus L. Oakley and John Clark, all of Youngstown; three daughters, Denise Oakley and Karemah McDonald, both of Youngstown and Gwen Clark of Baltimore; one brother, Clifford (Carol) Bell of Youngstown; four sisters, Nora (Gus) Waller, Blanche (Murray) Hines, Margaret Bailey and June (Wallace) Phillips, all of Youngstown; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at noon today, April 24, 2009, at the Heavenly Place Church of God in Christ.

Preceding him in death were his parents and sisters, Carrie Shaw and Rosetta Ragsdel.

Friends may visit Sibley-Murray@neo.rr.com to e-mail condolences.

Professional services were entrusted to the Sibley-Murray Funeral Home in Alliance.

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Audrey M. Raiti, 87

GREENVILLE, PA. – Audrey M. Raiti, 87, of S. Pymatuning Township, passed away at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Sharon Regional Health System.

Mrs. Raiti was born Dec. 26, 1921 in Hartford, the daughter of Vernon and Laura Smith Gilliland.

She was a graduate of Vernon High School in Vernon.

Mrs. Raiti was a homemaker. She did work many years ago at the Orangeville Telephone Company.

She was a member of St. John’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa. She was a member of the Transfer Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and a former majority inspector for the Mercer County Board of Elections.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, reading and feeding birds. She also enjoyed following the Cleveland Browns and Indians and Ohio State.

On Oct. 12, 1941, she married John Raiti Jr., who preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1993.

She is survived by five daughters, Helen Papsun of Conneaut Lake, Pa., Margaret (George) Adams of Cortland, Betty (Stephen) Zombar of Howland, Rebecca (Robert) Kapusta of Hermitage, Pa. and Joanne Raiti of Cortland; a son, Thomas Raiti of Greenville; four grandchildren, Michelle Andromalus, Edward (Andrea) Papsun, Natalie (Alan) Fridel and Jennifer Zombar; and four great-grandchildren, Cody Papsun, Samantha and Jennifer Andromalus and Felicity Fridel. She is also survived by her long time friend and caregiver, Edna Riffe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and a sister.

Friends and relatives may call at the Galloway-Onstott Funeral Home, 3451 state Route 7 in Hartford from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today, April 24, 2009. A Panachida service will be held at 8 p.m.

A Divine Liturgy will be held Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Orthodox Cemetery Chapel in Hermitage, with a brief service at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m.

Burial will be at St. John’s Orthodox Cemetery.

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James A. Shaw Jr., 65

YOUNGSTOWN – James A. Shaw Jr., 65, of 52 Haseltine Ave., passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Hospice House in Poland.

He was born May 21, 1943 in Youngstown, the son of James A. and Carrie Bell Shaw.

James is survived by his wife, Carolyn Shaw of Youngstown; son, Maurice (Crystal) Johnson of Campbell; daughter, Yolanda Shaw of Atlanta, Ga.; stepdaughter, Audrey (John) Thomas of Las Vegas; and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at noon today, April 24, 2009, at the Heavenly Place Church of God in Christ.

Preceding him in death were his parents; grandmother who reared him, Rose Bell Harris; and sisters, Martha Davis and Mary Tucker.

Friends may visit Sibley-Murray@neo.rr.com to e-mail condolences.

Professional services were entrusted to the Sibley-Murray Funeral Home in Alliance.

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