Tributes 2009-04-25

William Glenn Brubaker, 84

AUSTINTOWN – Private services were held for William Glenn Brubaker, 84, who passed away Friday morning at Greenbriar Nursing Care Center.

Bill was born March 26, 1925 in Altoona, Pa., the son of Donald L. and Elda M. (Estep) Brubaker.

He was a graduate of Altoona High School class of 1943 and served in the 95th Infantry with the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Germany.

Bill worked as a computer service representative with IBM until his retirement in 1987. Bill, along with his wife, were owners of LaPlume Cattery, where they raised and showed Scottish Fold Cats. He was a member of the Cat Fanciers’ Association and the 95th Infantry Division Association. His hobbies included computers and reading mystery novels.

Bill leaves his wife, the former Patricia Ray, whom he married April 9, 1966; two children, Roxanne Heitkamp of New Haven, Ind. and Paul Brubaker of Oakton, Va.; one sister, June Brubaker of Altoona; and four grandchildren, Therrin, Reece, Jackson and Gavin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

There were no calling hours.

Arrangements are by the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

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

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Ann C. Durochia, 86

CAMPBELL – There will be funeral services Monday, April 27, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at the Kirila Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church for Ann C. Durochia, 86, formerly of Vasu Manor, who died Thursday evening, April 23, 2009 at Hospice House.

She was born Oct. 9, 1922, in Emlenton, Pa., a daughter of the late George and Mary Lindberger Tomko.

Ann was a graduate of North High School and was a homemaker. She was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Church for over 71 years, where she was on Parish Council, a Eucharist Minister and she taught CCD classes. She was also a coordinator and Eucharist Minister at St. Elizabeth Health Center for over 22 years, accumulating over 6,000 volunteer hours.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Durochia of Clayton, N.C.; a son, Richard Durochia of Poland; two brothers, John Tomko of Poland and Joseph Tomko of Campbell; and five grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Durochia, whom she married June 25, 1949 and who died Oct. 13, 2000; three brothers, Anthony, George and Michael; and four sisters, Pauline, Elizabeth, Mary and Helen.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Kirila Funeral Home in Struthers.

Interment will be at St. John Cemetery.

The family requests that contributions be made to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH 44514.

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

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Arlene P. Gerner, 87

NEW SPRINGFIELD – Arlene P. Gerner, 87, passed away at 7:11 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown from complications of heart surgery.

She was born Feb. 15, 1922, in New Middletown, the daughter of John and Ada (Williams) Persing.

Mrs. Gerner was a homemaker and a helper at Vivian’s Antiques in Columbiana. She attended the Free Methodist Church of New Middletown and recently the Grace Church in Columbiana, and was active in T.O.P.S. and the Republican Women’s Club. She enjoyed an active life with her family and friends.

Arlene was preceded in death on Oct. 9, 1987, by her husband, Donald Gerner, whom she married on Oct. 3, 1942.

She is survived by three daughters, Carole (Richard) McCoy of Columbiana, Virginia (Larry) Snyder of Columbiana and Tammy (Dave) Roder of Twinsburg; two sons, Robert (Donita) Gerner of Columbiana and Thomas (Ginny) Gerner of East Palestine; two sisters, Blossom Colwell of New Springfield and Marjorie Morlan of New Middletown; 10 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gerner was preceded in death by two brothers, William, who died as a young child and Donald Persing.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at the Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima, with the Rev. Dan Neville officiating.

Friends and family may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral service from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

The family requests that material tributes be made to the Columbiana Grace Church, 140 South Main St., Columbiana, OH 44408.

Friends may visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to view this obituary, sign the guest register or send private condolences.

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Alice M. Huffman, 73

BOARDMAN – Alice M. Huffman, 73, formerly of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Boardman Campus.

She was born on Oct. 30, 1935 to the late Marshall and Cora (Woodring) Conner in Marion.

She was married to Lester E. Huffman, who preceded her in death in September of 1999.

Alice was a homemaker, who loved and lived for her family. Later in life, she enjoyed watching the Food Network channel.

Alice is survived by her daughters, Pam (Allen) Bowlby of Boardman, and Bonnie (Mike) Gist of Caledonia; grandchildren, Matt (Tara) Gist of Delaware, Ohio, Nick Gist of Lewis Center, Amanda Bowlby of Boardman and Misty (Chris) McGarry of Medina; great-grandchildren, Rylea and Reghan Gist of Delaware, Ohio.

Preceding Alice in death were her brothers, Richard and Marshall Conner and sisters, Mae Fair and an infant sister.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors, 347 West Center St. in Marion.

A funeral service will be on Monday, April 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 4535 Smeltzer Road in Marion, with Pastor Carol Ramseth officiating. Burial will follow at Marion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart or Lung Association or to the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.gunderhallandfolk.com

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Martha L. Salvator, 81

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday at Saint Maron Church at 1555 S. Meridian Road, for Martha L. Salvator, 81, who died Thursday morning at Ron Joy Nursing Home with her family and friends at her side.

Martha was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Youngstown, the daughter of Felix and Caroline Vitacqula DiGiacco.

She attended East High School and was a lifelong area resident.

Her husband, Ben A. Salvator, whom she married Jan. 22, 1946, died in 1997, after celebrating 62 years of marriage.

She leaves two daughters, Mary Lou Crook of Campbell and Kathleen (Fred) Beshara of Canfield; three grandchildren, Janine Michaels, John Crook Jr. and Sable Beshara; and three great-grandchildren, Courtney Michaels, Caylee Michaels and Collin Michaels.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Philip and Frankie A. DiGiacco; and a son-in-law, John Crook Sr.

There will be no calling hours.

The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Assistance & Referral Network, 4214 Market St., P.O. Box 3383, Youngstown, OH 44513.

Arrangements are being handled by the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman.

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

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Thomas “Tom” Smith

TAMPA, FLA. – Thomas “Tom” Smith died April 7, in Florida, following his battle with cancer.

He was born in Kokomo, Ind. in 1938, to Charles and Floris Smith.

His life with his parents and brother took him to Indianapolis, Lakewood, Ohio and Youngstown. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1956 and entered the Navy after high school. He enrolled in Youngstown State University School of Engineering after his discharge in 1959, graduating in 1965 with a B.S. in electrical engineering. He retired from IBM after 30 years, during which he worked in Youngstown, New Jersey and Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny; his mother, Floris; his daughters, Debra, Doreen, Crystal, Cathy and their husbands and 15 grandchildren; his aunt, Frances and uncle LaRue; his brother, Mike; and brother-in-law, Roger.

A family service was held at his home in Tampa. He was cremated.

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William A. Swartz, 56

HUBBARD – William A. Swartz, 56, died Thursday morning at Forum Health Northside Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 17, 1953 in Youngstown, a son of Leo and Helen Stewart Swartz and was a lifelong area resident.

Mr. Swartz worked for True2Form Collision Repair Center. He was of the Catholic faith. He enjoyed fishing and motorcycle riding.

He leaves his life partner, Lisa Lippolis of Hubbard; a brother, Kenneth (Roberta) Swartz of Lancaster; three sisters, Carrie (William) Inglis of Hubbard, Rose (David) Sheets of Bealeton, Va. and Hiley Shabella of Hubbard; four nieces; and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends may call today from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held today at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Please visit www.kelley-robb.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to the family.

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Gene Richard Tisone, 74

NORTH LIMA – Prayers will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Fr. Philip Rogers at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Boardman for Gene Richard Tisone, 74, who passed away Thursday afternoon.

Gene, who also went by Richard, was born Nov. 20, 1934 in Youngstown, a son of Clarence and Cesina Torello Tisone.

He was a 1952 graduate of South High School and a musician and instructor at ETUDE Music Studio in New Middletown. Richard was a member of the church and loved to golf. He was a Army veteran, serving from 1955 to 1957.

He leaves to cherish his memory, three sisters, Jean Tisone of North Lima and Maryann Perretti and Cececila Bisconti, both of Boardman; a brother, Dr. James Tisone of Milwaukee; and several nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Andy and Dr. John Tisone.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman.

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

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