Tributes 2009-05-11

John E. Barb, 92

BOARDMAN – A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Church in Boardman for John E. Barb, 92, who passed away Saturday evening.

John was born Nov. 13, 1916 in Youngstown, a son of George and Savina Pitici Barb and was a lifelong area resident.

John retired in 1979 from Republic Steel, where he worked as a heater in the Bar Mill. He was a member of the church and the Friday Niners Bowling League. John was a World War II Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific.

His wife, the former Ursuline Zimbardi, died Oct. 12, 2000.

He leaves to cherish his memory a son, Dr. John E. Barb of Amherst; a daughter, Bonnie M. Sabula of Houston; a sister, Aurelia Simon of Boardman; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, John was preceded in death by a son, Ronald L. Barb, who passed away in March and a granddaughter, Kellie Rex.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Church in Boardman.

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

Material tributes may be made to the American Cancer Society, 525 North Broad St. Canfield, OH 44406.

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

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Agnes M Belyusar, 81

STRUTHERS - Prayers will be held Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel and at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church for Agnes M Belyusar, 81, who passed away Saturday at the Hospice House with her family by her side.

Agnes was born Jan. 16, 1928, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Radcik) Potkanowicz.

Agnes resided in Struthers for over 60 years. She was a retail clerk at Gray’s Drug Store for 20 years.

She was a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church. She was a member of the St. Stanislaus Infant Jesus of Prague and Altar and Rosary Society, Catholic War Veterans Womens Auxillary and the Senior Citizens. Agnes loved to garden and fish.

Agnes was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. Her greatest love was for her family, especially her grandchildren and babysitting her great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Bill Belyusar, whom she married in 1947, passed away in 1992.

Agnes will be sadly missed by her son, Bill (Mary) Belyusar of Poland; her sister, Sophie Sosnowski of Canfield; her brothers, Joe (Annette) Potkanowicz of Poland and Bernard (Maryann) Potkanowicz of Boardman; her grandchildren, Dominic and Sam Muto, Alycia Patierno, Dan, Joe and Chris Belyusar, and Frank and Dan Caparso; and her six great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Agnes was preceded in death by her daughter, Anna Marie; her sisters, Helen Krazy, Rosie Sackela and infant Mary; and her brothers, Edward Potkanowicz and Thomas Pitkin.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

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Anthony J. “Bear”

Berarducci, 79

Together Again

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio officiating preceded by a 12:15 p.m. prayer service held at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman for Anthony J. “Bear” Berarducci, 79, of Youngstown, who passed away on Friday afternoon, May 8, 2009.

Anthony will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends.

He was born June 10, 1929, in Youngstown, the son of Amedio and Isabella (Orsini) Berarducci and was a lifelong area resident.

Anthony retired from Trail Mobile as a mechanic and then was in maintenance at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Austintown for many years.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown, the Catholic War Veterans Post 1292, and a former member of the Vestibule Club at the church.

Anthony attended Woodrow Wilson High School and was a United States Army Veteran of World War II and earned the rank of Private First Class.

He truly enjoyed playing cards, golfing, and gardening.

His wife, the former Laura Brown, whom he married on April 30, 1955, died January 24, 1993.

He leaves behind to hold on to his precious memories two brothers, Victor Berarducci of Youngstown and Joseph (Betty) Berarducci of Colorado Springs; a sister, Yolanda (Dick) Fitzwilliams of Youngstown; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Sabella and Erma Niziolek; a brother, Albert Berarducci; and a companion, Mary Hough.

Friends may call on Tuesday, May 11, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

Burial will take place at Lake Park cemetery with military honors provided by the Trumbull County American Legion.

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Jessie Marie Colapietro, 84

GIRARD – Jessie Marie Colapietro, 84, died Friday, May 8, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

She was born Oct. 20, 1924, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette Zarlenga.

She lived for 73 years in Smoky Hollow and was a 1942 graduate of The Rayen High School. She worked for 47 years with Strouss and Kaufman’s Department Stores, retiring in 2006. For many years she worked in the bridal department of the downtown Youngstown store. She was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Youngstown.

Jesse was a kind and caring person, who loved spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed baking cookies.

She is survived by a daughter, Lori (Jim) Hungerford and two grandchildren, Kristen and Jimmy Hungerford, all of Girard.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dominic Zarlenga.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the McClurkin Funeral Home in Girard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Carmel Church, with prayers at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

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Roxanne Marie

Cook, 33

CORTLAND – Roxanne Marie Cook, 33, died Saturday evening, May 9, 2009, at her Dad’s home in Cortland, after a 14 month battle with cancer.

She was born June 16, 1975, in Warren, the daughter of Raymond E. Cook and Debbie Kay (Seiple) Hartshorn.

Roxanne lived in Powell in the Columbus area for the last 10 years.

She worked for AIG as a claims representative for the last five years and previously worked for Immke Honda dealership in Columbus.

She was a 1994 graduate of Lakeview High School.

Roxanne enjoyed scrapbooking and was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan.

She is survived by her father, Raymond E. (Wendy) Cook, with whom she made her home after her illness; her mother, Debbie Kay (Gerald) Hartshorn of Youngstown; one daughter, Alexis E. Seitz of Niles; one brother, Daniel E. (Shannon) Cook of Newark; and one nephew, Porter S. Cook.

Arrangements are being handled by Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel in Warren, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral services will be at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009, with Pastor Gary E. Rozier officiating.

Cremation will follow.

The family expresses special appreciation to Roxanne’s nurse, Patty Morrow, for her excellent and compassionate care.

Memorial contributions may be made to benefit the educational trust fund for her daughter, Alexis.

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

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Helen S. Danesi, 96

BOARDMAN – Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Good Hope Lutheran Church for Helen S. Danesi, 96, formerly of Canfield, who passed away Thursday evening at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center.

Helen was born Aug. 18, 1912 in Youngstown, the daughter of Simon and Emma (Rossler) Schrom and was a lifelong area resident.

She worked as a sales clerk with Strouss for 23 years, retiring in 1975. Helen was a member of the church since 1940, also a member of the Miram Chapter of the Eastern Star, a past member of the Caldron, and a charter member of the Saxon Club.

Her first husband, Frank E. Boros, whom she married May 23, 1930, passed away March 6, 1951. Helen’s second husband, Ralph J. Danesi, whom she married July 19, 1958, passed away April 17,1999.

She leaves three sons, Frank E Boros Jr. of Cape Coral Fla., William (Grace Ann) Boros of Austintown and Terrence L. (Janet) Boros, both of Cape Coral, Fla. Helen also leaves 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husbands and parents, Helen was preceded in death by a grandson; four brothers, Carl, Edward, William and John Schrom; and two sisters, Emma L. Lochard and Eleanor Morelli.

The family will receive friends after the 10 a.m. service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that material tributes take the form of donations to the church in Helen’s name.

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

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Irene M. Getchey, 88

Together Again

POLAND – Irene M. Getchey, 88, died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Greenbriar.

Mrs. Getchey was born July 17, 1920, in Youngstown, a daughter of Andrew and Julia Kopsco Lutheran.

She was a 1939 graduate of Chaney High School and a member of the Hungarian Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a member of its Rainbow Club, and a member of the Presbyterian Women.

Mrs. Getchey was a manicurist working for Strouss Department Store, Frederic’s and LaPrima Tressa, retiring after 40 years.

Her husband of 62 years, John Getchey, whom she married December 1, 1945, died March 12, 2008.

She is survived by one son, John (Kathy) Getchey of Poland; one daughter, Carol (Don Agler) Davis of Boardman; two grandchildren, Megan (Mike) Daley of Poland and John (Kristin) Getchey of Haskins; and five great-grandchildren, Lauren Getchey, Natalie Getchey, Leah Getchey, Michael Daley and McKenna Daley.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Owen; and two brothers, Steven and Andy Lutheran.

Services will be held Tuesday at the Hungarian Presbyterian Church, 755 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown at 10 a.m., where friends may call from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

Interment will follow in the Tod Homestead Cemetery.

Friends will be received today from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland.

Contributions may be made in Mrs. Getchey’s name to the Hungarian Presbyterian Church 755 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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Olga Kurylak, 85

YOUNGSTOWN - Olga Kurylak, 85, passed away Saturday morning, May 9, 2009, at Hampton Woods Rehabilitation Center in Poland, surrounded by her children.

Olga was born May 31,1923, in Peremysl, Ukraine, the daughter of the late John and Maria Smerchansky and came to the United States in 1929.

She was a 1942 graduate of The Rayen School, and earned a bachelor of science degree from Northwestern University in German and Spanish, as her mother had taught her to love language. Olga continued her education by later receiving certifications in high school education from Akron University and in elementary education from Youngstown State University. Mrs. Kurylak also did post-graduate study at Kent State and Slippery Rock Universities.

Olga was a teacher for over 33 years, beginning in Austintown, then teaching for 30 years in the Youngstown City Schools.

Mrs. Kurylak also taught special education and especially loved her 25 years of teaching physically-handicapped students. Olga was a lifetime member of the OEA, NEA, and Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Youngstown Education Association, where she held the office of Vice President, served on the Executive Committee, and was a convention delegate.

As a member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in her early life, she participated in the Boyan Choir, St. Anne Guild, the church’s bingo project, and taught CCD. Later, as a devoted member of St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olga actively worked on the festival, pyrohy, and kolachi projects, and served as president of the Mother of God Society. She was also a volunteer in the classrooms of St. Anne School.

Olga enjoyed gardening, sewing, singing, listening to Ukrainian music, cooking Ukrainian dishes, and especially working for her church.

Mrs. Kurylak leaves her son, Edward (Laura) Kurylak of Austintown; her daughters, Marion (Ted) Jennings of New Holland, Pa., Frances (Brian) Chadwick of Canfield and Mary Kay Rossetti of McKinney, Texas; her grandchildren, Ondrea, Adrienne, Jason, Katie, Beth, Anastasia, Alexandra and Nicholas; and her great-grandsons, Isaac and Jonah.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Kurylak, to whom she was married for 36 years; and her brother, Michael.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, May 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, and continue at 10 a.m. at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Olga’s family would like to thank her doctors, the staff at St. Elizabeth Health Center, and the staff at Hampton Woods for their excellent care of Olga over the years.

Please visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences online.

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Mary Lally, 88

YOUNGSTOWN – Mary Lally, 88, died Sunday, May 10, 2009, at Hospice House.

She was born March 25, 1921, in Youngstown, the second of seven children to Joseph Lettau and Katherine Welsch Lettau.

She initially attended church and school at St. Joseph on the North Side of Youngstown, later transferring to St. Patrick’s on the South side. She was the class vice-president and the valedictorian of her Ursuline High class of 1939.

After brief employment elsewhere, Mary went to work as a secretary at U. S. Steel in 1940. During the war years, she attended night classes at Youngstown College in drafting and mechanical drawing, and over the ensuing years, she worked her way up to office of the General Superintendent, where she had charge of the secretarial pool and did some drafting.

In 1950 , Mary left U. S. Steel and married Richard T. Lally, a city of Youngstown policeman.

In 1968, when her children were all in school, Mary went back to work at St. Patrick’s School as a secretary, soon moving to the parish office. There she remained church secretary through many changes and pastorates, finally retiring in 2001 at the age of 81. That year she was also recognized by the Youngstown YWCA as a Woman of the Year.

In her younger days, Mary was fond of horseback riding and ice skating. She also enjoyed sewing, baking and reading. St. Patrick’s Church was a very important part of her life and besides her employment there she was active in many capacities, especially in the choir.

Her husband, Richard, passed away in 1986.

She is survived by six children, Patrick (Youngstown), Richard (St. Paul, Minn.), Miriam Holden (Austintown), Martha Hurtuk (Poland), Anne (Canfield), and Kathleen Burkhardt (Strasburg); a brother, the Rev. David Lettau (Madison-on-the-Lake); nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Msgr. John J., Paul C., Joseph N. and Richard Lettau; and a sister, Miss Jeannette Lettau

Calling hours are Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McVean, Hughes & McClurkin Funeral Home, Youngstown.

Funeral Mass is Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, Oakhill Youngstown with prayers at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial is at Calvary Cemetery.

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Violet Deane Poe

CANFIELD – Violet “Deane” Poe passed away Saturday evening May 9, 2009. She died peacefully at the Hospice House in Poland, following a long and hard fought battle with cancer.

She was born July 15, 1934, in Simpson, W. Va., the daughter of the late Alvin and Hazel Marie (Hart) Workman.

Violet was a 1952 graduate of Flemington High School in West Virginia. She moved to Ohio in 1960.

Violet was a homemaker and loved to babysit her grandchildren. She was a motorcycle enthusiast.

She and her husband served as Directors for the Chapter Q and were also members of Chapter M Goldwing Road Riders Association. She has been a member of the Youngstown Model T Ford Club for over 40 years. The members enjoyed reading her monthly newsletters, which often included comical antics from their travels. She had also been active in the Tri-State Antique Auto Club.

Violet especially loved traveling extensively across the United States. She received great joy in watching her grandchildren play sports and sing. She also loved her dog, Chico, who never left her side.

Mrs. Poe is survived by her husband, Morrison “Jim” Poe of Canfield. Violet married Jim on January 26, 1953.

She also leaves two sons, Roger Poe of Tulsa, Okla., and Alan (Delia) Poe of Monroe, N.C.; a daughter, Susan (Marcel) McCree of Poland; and seven grandchildren, Adam, Evan and Elyssia Poe of Harrisburg, Pa., John and Christin Poe of Charlotte, N.C., and Marcel and Chelsea McCree of Poland. She also leaves a brother, Billy G. Workman of Grafton, W.Va., and a sister, Sarah Marie Archer of Akron.

Besides her parents, Violet is preceded in death by a brother, David Workman of Flemington, W.Va.; and a grandson, Jason Poe, who died at birth.

Violet was a Christian and was of the Protestant faith.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., and one half hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, 3100 Canfield Road

Funeral services will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, where Pastor Brent Allen of Old North Baptist Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Prunytown, W.Va., where a graveside service will be held prior to burial.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Rd., Poland, Oh 44514.

Please visit www.vaschak-kirilafh.com to view this obituary or to send condolences to the family.

** Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Dedicated To Caring Since 1907 **

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Rev. Paul T. Williams, 96

NILES – Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Robert P. McDermott Memorial Home with the Rev. G. Ben Reed officiating for the Rev. Paul T. Williams, 96, of 155 E. State St., who died Saturday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Briarfield of the Ridge.

Mr. Williams was born Oct. 21, 1912 in Niles, a son of David John and Sarah Ann Thomas Williams.

Rev. Williams had been employed by RMI, Thomas Steel and several other steel mills in this area for 22 years. He attended and graduated from the New England Bible Institute, Philadelphia School of Bible, and the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland.

On May 29, 1949, he was ordained at the Weymouth Community Church, one of Ohio’s seven oldest churches. He then served in three congregations, the Weymouth Community Church for 5 1/2 years, the Grace Baptist Church in Willoughby for 9 1/2 years, and the South Canaan Baptist Church in Athens for 15 1/2 years, retiring Aug. 3, 1980.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and David Williams and four sisters, Margaret Barrett, Ruth Glunt, Mabel Titus and Mary Morrall.

He is survived by his wife, the former Flora Ocie Kline, whom he married Dec. 30, 1936, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday for one hour prior to the services.

Burial will be at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

Arrangements and care has been entrusted to the Robert P. McDermott Memorial Home, 614 Warren Ave. in Niles.

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John Medbury Wilson, 59

POLAND – John Medbury Wilson, 59, of Duncan Drive, died April 25, 2009.

John was born March 31, 1950 in Youngstown, the son of the late John Howard and Alice Carroll Wilson, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1968 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, and attended Youngstown State University. A proud Army veteran, John served as a Military Police Officer in Germany in the late 60s into the early 70s. He was an alumni and active supporter of the Youngstown YMCA’s Camp Fitch where he spent every summer from the 1950s thru to his college years. John served as the United Way Agency Director for the Boardman Youth Center, one of the foremost highlights of his career years. He then moved into the blow-moulding plastics industry as a salesman and regional sales manager traveling the central and south central United States.

He leaves one sister, Elizabeth Gay (Gary L. Green) Wilson of Quinton, Va.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Youngstown YMCA’s Camp Fitch Scholarship Fund, 12600 Abels Road, North Springfield, PA 16430.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Poland Presbyterian Church.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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Nick E. Yacovone, 83

LAKE MILTON – A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church with Fr. Stephen Popovich officiating, preceded by closing prayers to be recited at 9:30 a.m. at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Nick E. Yacovone, 83, who passed away at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Humility House in Austintown after a battle with lung cancer.

Nick was born July 3, 1925 in Carovilli, Italy, the son of the late Michael and Orazia (Testa) Yacovone and moved to Aliquippa, Pa. in October of 1938 and to the Mahoning Valley in 1946.

Nick worked as an electrician in construction and for General Electric, retiring after 33 years of service in 1978.

Nick was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served with the 1256th Combat Engineer Unit in Central Europe in the Rhineland during World War II and received the EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal before being honorably discharged on May 16, 1946.

Nick was the former Mayor for the Village of Craig Beach, a former Councilman for the Village of Craig Beach, a member of the Carovilli Mutual Aide Society, Knights of Columbus Lake Milton Chapter; American Legion Post 737 of Lake Milton, VFW Post of Youngstown, Disabled American Veterans of Youngstown, was president for many years of the 1256th Combat Engineer Reunion Group, and was vice president of the Library Association of Craig Beach. This group with his leadership helped to organize the building of the Library in Craig Beach. Nick designed, made and donated the stain glass window which is hung in the entry way of the library.

Nick enjoyed photography, stain glass and reading. He built his home and through the years took great pleasure in remodeling and adding to it.

Nick was married on Sept. 10, 1949 to the former Betty Jane Rich and they were married for 59 years until her recent passing on April 28, of this year.

Nick is survived by three children, Randall A. (Rose Anne) Yacovone of Pittsburgh, Lynette M. (Richard) Cadle of North Jackson and Debra A. (James) Steinhaus of Columbus; a sister, Rita Wise of Hubbard; and three grandchildren, Corbin Steinhaus, Anne Marie Cadle and Christine Steinhaus.

Besides his parents and wife, Nick was preceded in death by a brother, Salvatore Yacavone.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial with full military honors provided by the American Legion Post 737 of Lake Milton will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

The family would like to thank all of the staff of Humility House for their care and concern that they showed to Nick and his family.

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

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