Tributes 2009-05-16

Ruth Burns, 90

STRONGSVILLE – Prayers will begin at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. at Saint Dominic Church in Youngstown, celebrated by Father William Rock, O.P., for Ruth Burns, 90, formerly of Youngstown, who passed away Sunday, May 10, at Falling Water Nursing Home in Strongsville.

Mrs. Burns was born Dec. 17, 1918 in Glassport, Pa., the daughter of James and Margaret Burns McClafferty. 

She received her bachelor’s and her master’s in education from Youngstown State University. Ruth taught for eight years at Saint Dominic School and for 16 years in the Youngstown City School System, retiring in 1981.

Her husband, Thomas R. Burns Jr., whom she married Dec. 25, 1941, died Dec. 24, 1995.

She leaves a son, Thomas J. (Debora) Burns of Independence; a son-in-law, Forrest Dunsmoor of Brunswick; four grandchildren, William Dunsmoor, Diana (Derre) Buike, Kevin Burns and Brian Burns; and two great-grandchildren, Joseph Hubbell and David Hubbell.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Patricia Dunsmoor.

Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Material contributions may be made to The Hospice of Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Blvd., Cleveland, OH  44195.

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

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Glenn Leslie Clayton, 80

SALEM – Glenn Leslie Clayton, 80, of 1430 Brookview Drive, died at 6:15 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009, at Salem Community Hospital.

He was born Sept. 13, 1928 in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Glenn T. and Helen (Gilliford) Clayton.

Before his retirement in 1991, Mr. Clayton had been a Tool Maker at General Motors for 21 years. He had previously worked in construction as a crane operator for 21 years and had lived in the area for over 40 years. He graduated from high school in Pittsburgh.

He was a member of the Salem Elks B.P.O. 305. He was also a member of the Salem Scampers and the Carnation Kampers.

Glenn was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Indians fan. He enjoyed camping, golfing, hunting and spending his winters in Harlinger, Texas.

His wife, Betty (Domyan) Clayton, whom he married Jan. 14, 1950, survives him; along with three sons, Glenn L. (Dodie) Clayton Jr. of New Cumberland, W.Va., Bruce W. (Joanne) Clayton of Salem and Mark T. (Sandy) Clayton of San Antonio; a sister, Anna Schnars of Orbsonia, Pa.; four grandchildren, Paul (Jenna) Clayton, Mary (Jim) Long, Christopher Nathan and Justin Clayton; and 10 great-grandchildren.

His sisters, Shirley Goshorn, Evelyn Goshorn and Gloria Jean Clayton preceded him in death.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home with Father Thomas Eisweirth officiating.

Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home with an Elks Service following at 9 p.m.

Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery.

Memorial contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406.

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Robert J. Garber Sr., 82

HOWLAND – Robert J. Garber Sr., 82, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Robert was born July 15, 1926 to the late Cletis and Anna Knight Garber in Girard.

He worked 30 years in material control for Van Huffel Tube in Warren. Robert served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Girard and enjoyed fishing and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, the former Gloria M. Hunkus, whom he married April 7, 1951; a son, Robert J. (Kathleen) Jr of Warren; a daughter, Darlene (Ralph) Bell of Howland; a sister, Donna Dinko of Niles; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Arlene Wick and Betty Fisher.

Services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. Internment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

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Rayfield Johnson Jr., 39

UNION, N.J. – Funeral services will be at noon on Monday at the F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home for Rayfield Johnson Jr., 39, formerly of Youngstown, who departed this life Saturday, May 9, 2009, at his residence.

Mr. Johnson was born June 29, 1969 in Youngstown, a son of Rayfield Sr. and Thelma Hickson Johnson.

He was a customer care senior assistant for Hilton Hotel, and was of the Methodist faith. He was a 1987 graduate of Ursuline High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphasis in finance from Slippery Rock University in 1991. While at Slippery Rock, he was a residential advisor, elected to Outstanding College Students of America. He moved back here and worked for Gateway To Better Living in the Human Resource Department. He moved to Cleveland in 1994, working for 13 years for Progressive Insurance in the Human Resource Department, and then finally moved to New Jersey in August of 2007, working for Hilton Hotel in the Human Resource Department.

He leaves his parents of Youngstown; a sister, Taunya (Fred) Harvey; two nephews, Lee and Tyler Harvey, all of Columbus; and aunts, uncles, cousins; and other relatives and friends.

He is sadly missed by all who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Rodney Johnson and grandparents, Clarence and Roberta Johnson and Clifford and Mattie Hickson.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

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Jerold H. Rosenblum, 74

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Jerold H. Rosenblum, 74, husband of Jane Ginsberg Rosenblum, died Friday morning, May 15, 2009, at his home.

Mr. Rosenblum was born in Youngstown on July 27, 1934. He was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Morris S. Rosenblum.

Mr. Rosenblum and his wife, Jane, moved to Hilton Head in 1998 from Philadelphia, where Mr. Rosenblum lived for many years before moving to Hilton Head.

Mr. Rosenblum earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ohio State University and his J.D. Degree from American University.

Mr. Rosenblum retired as Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel of CIGNA Corporation’s Group Insurance Division in 1998. Mr. Rosenblum joined CIGNA’s predecessor, Insurance Company of North America in 1976, and, following successive increases in his responsibilities, he was named Assistant General Counsel of CIGNA Corporation and Chief Counsel of its Group Insurance Division in 1984. He had also served as Chief Counsel of CIGNA’s International Life Insurance Division from 1989 to 1995.

Mr. Rosenblum was involved in many outside activities. He was past president of Congregation B’nai Jacob in suburban Philadelphia and was a member of the Board of the Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Region of the Anti-Defamation League and past Chairman of its Civil Rights Committee. On Hilton Head Island, he was Chairman of the Legal Aid Society. He was a past member of the Board of Congregation Beth Yam on Hilton Head as well as the boards of several other corporate and philanthropic organizations. Mr. Rosenblum was a member of the Dolphin Head Golf Club.

Mr. Rosenblum is survived by his wife, Jane; and the following children and grandchildren, Dr. Bret and Susan Rosenblum, Cassady and Forrest Rosenblum of Pittsburgh, Micah and Nadine Rosenblum, Harrison and Artemis of Baltimore, Maryland, Eli and LeeAnn Homnick, Rachael, Esti and Rikki Homnick of Jerusalem, Israel and Mr. Tom Morse of New York.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel of the Gamble Funeral Service.

Interment will be at Bonaventure Cemetery.

Remembrances and memorial contributions may be sent to the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Ark., the Anti-Defamation League or Temple Beth Yam.

Gamble Funeral Service Inc. in Savannah, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.

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O. Jane Ruthrauff, 83

Together Again

SALEM – O. Jane Ruthrauff, 83, of Stratton Road, died at 1:36 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2009, at her home.

She was born Jan. 12, 1926 in Alliance, the daughter of the late Norman and Nellie (Battershell) Emery.

She was a 1944 graduate of Alliance High School and a 1947 graduate of the Alliance City Hospital School of Nursing.

Before her retirement, she had been employed as a nurse at Salem Community Hospital for 25 years. She was an avid quilter.

Mrs. Ruthrauff was a member of the First Friends Church in Salem and the Encouragers Sunday School Class. She was a former member of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau and a former 4H Advisor for Genial Goshenetts.

Her husband, Robert B. Ruthrauff, whom she married April 21, 1948, preceded her in death on April 15, 2008.

Survivors include two sons, Gregg (Mac) Ruthrauff and Brian (Karen) Ruthrauff, both of Salem; two daughters, Roberta “Bertie” (David) Graham of North Jackson and Sheryl (Jeff) Hoopes of Homeworth; two sisters, Donna Hoover and Lois Frederick, both of Alliance; and 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the First Friends Church in Salem with Pastors John Pierce and Bonnie Conser officiating.

Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Tuesday at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the services.

Burial will be at Bunker Hill Cemetery.

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Theresa Sacchini, 56

BOARDMAN – A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 18, at the Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Gerald DeLucia celebrating for Theresa Sacchini, 56, who passed away Monday afternoon, May 11.

Theresa was born May 18, 1952, in Youngstown, the daughter of Vienna (Larocca) and Patsy Sallustio.

She attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1970. Theresa attended Youngstown State University, majoring in biology.

She and her husband, Joe, loved keeping up with the Italian traditions for all the holidays. Theresa was famous for her baking and candy making. Her doors were always open to everyone and they enjoyed her gentleness and kindness. No one walked away from Theresa without a kind word, a smile on their face, or something good to take home with them.

Theresa was very devoted to the Madonna and her Patron Saint, St. Theresa. She promoted her devotion by distributing holy cards of Our Lady of Good Remedy and St. Theresa Novena. She was also involved in promoting the cause of two young, Italian men for Canonization, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Alberto Marvelli. Theresa was a member of the Legion of Mary, the Society of the Little Flower, the Society of St. Jude, Padre Pio Prayer Group, the Blue Army, and a Third Order of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

She was employed at Infocision and was nicknamed one of the “Golden Girls” along with Becky, Esther, Dottie and Shirley, whom she loved very much.

Theresa will be sadly missed by her husband, Joseph A. Sacchini Jr., whom she married Sept. 13, 1975, and was her constant companion and best friend; her daughter, Maria Centafonti; her three beautiful granddaughters, Nicole Marie, Jammie Michelle and Alyssa Gabrielle; her father, Patsy Sallustio of Columbus; a brother, Pasquale (Debbie) Sallustio of Columbus; her father-in-law, Joseph A. Sacchini Sr.; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Sacchini; her cousins, Vera and Cheryl Bianconi; her friend, Theresa Latham, whom she loved like a daughter; and her beloved family and friends. Theresa will be missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Vienna Sallustio.

Friends may call on Saturday, May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, May 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman, and for everyone to meet at the church on Monday at 10 a.m. for Mass.

“Theresa, it was an honor and privilege to be your husband. You will always be the love of my life.” Love, Joe.

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Olga L. Sanders, 79

FLORIDA – Prayers will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel and at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church for Olga L. Sanders, 79, formerly of Poland, who passed away Wednesday evening from a sudden heart attack at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Boardman Campus.

Olga was born May 19, 1929 in Midland, Pa., the daughter of the late Vaso and Margaret Novak Lubich. Olga was a member of the Holy Family Church and their Resurrection Choir.

Olga leaves her husband, Ronald B. Sanders, whom she married Oct. 5, 1957; two daughters, Kathy (John) Stone of Poland and Linda (John) Krieger of Moreland Hills; a son, Brian (Cyndy) Sanders of Streetsboro; three sisters, Emily Cummings of Green Coast Springs, Fla., Stella Bandurski of Flint, Mich. and Dorothy Kerry of Swartz Creek, Mich.; her brother, Alex (Betty) Lubich of Ellwood City, Pa.; and grandchildren, Emily and Amanda Stanavich, Colleen and William Krieger, Tyler, Julia, and Brandon Sanders and Michael and Nequel Stone.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Karen Sanders; four sisters, Mildred Boyle, Mary Sweet, Angeline McGraw and Helen Catracchia; and two brothers, John and George Lubich.

Family will be receiving friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family requests that material tributes take the form of donations to the Holy Family Parish Center Building Fund.

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John Leonard Scheetz, 89

AUSTINTOWN – Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown for John Leonard Scheetz, 89, who passed away Thursday evening at Briarfield at Ashley Circle.

John was born Dec. 28, 1920 in Youngstown, the son of the late Frank and Christina Restle Scheetz.

John was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II in the 180th Engineer. John was a self-employed CPA for over 55 years. He was an instructor in the Accounting Department at Youngstown State University for 17 years. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 3144 of Youngstown and in 1997, he was a 45-year member.

He was also a member of the Public Accountants Society of Ohio and former member of Ohio Society of Certifies Public Accountants.

His wife, the former Mary Pauline Salata, whom he married May 26, 1978, passed away May 25, 2007.

John leaves a two stepsons John (Debby) Gavalier of Columbiana and Dennis (Karen) Gavalier of Conifer, Colo.; a brother Charles Scheetz of Niles; and four grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his five brothers, Paul, Howard, Frank, Earl and Donald Scheetz.

The family will be receiving friends Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel and Monday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown.

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Norman F. Weeden, 73

COLUMBIANA – Norman F. Weeden, 73, of 30 Wind Rose Court, died at 5:55 p.m. Thursday at Hospice House in Poland.

Mr. Weeden was born June 23, 1935 in Canfield, a son of Fred and Ruth Bieber Weeden and lived in Columbiana for 12 years coming from Canfield.

Norman worked in the maintenance department for Canfield Schools for 37 years, retiring in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sue Mellinger, whom he married May 24, 1958; two sons, Greg (Cheryl) Weeden of Boardman and Eric (Lisa) Weeden of Pierpont; a sister, Dorothy Weeden of Canfield; two brothers, Donald (Marilyn) Weeden of Boardman and Paul (Cindy) Weeden of Columbiana; and four grandchildren, Alexis and Joseph Weeden and Lydia and Christopher Weeden.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home in Columbiana with his nephew, the Reverend David Garlich of the Calvary Baptist Church of Hubbard officiating.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

Material tributes may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

Please visit www.familycareservices.com to sign the guest register and send condolences to the family.

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