Tributes 2009-05-18

Mary Armeni, 92

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a funeral service held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Lake Park Cemetery Chapel, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio officiating for Mary Armeni, 92, who passed away on Saturday morning, May 16, 2009, with her loving family by her side.

Mary will always be loved and remembered by her family and friends.

She was born May 17, 1916, in Youngstown, the daughter of Coradinto and Maria (Miladore) Fioravante and grew up in the Briar Hill section of Youngstown.

Mary was a homemaker and a member of St. Rocco’s Church.

She was an excellent baker and enjoyed cooking.

Her husband, Samuel P. Armeni whom she married Feb. 17, 1939, died Dec. 1, 1999.

She leaves behind to hold on to her memories a son, Ken (Karen) Armeni and a daughter, Karen (Rodney) Nespeca, both of Boardman; six grandchildren, Ken Armeni Jr., Terri Chiovitti, Russell (Michelle) Armeni, Nikki Armeni, Rodney D. Nespeca, and Gregory Nespeca; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel and Harry Fioravante; and three sisters, Rose Stefan, Lou Pilolli and Yolanda Susack.

Burial will take place at Lake Park Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. in Boardman.

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Rita D. Berry, 90

Together Again

HOWLAND TOWNSHIP – Rita D. Berry, 90, of 6099 Mines Road SE and a lifelong Howland resident, died at 12:57 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the residence following an extended illness.

She was born in Howland Township on Sept. 3, 1918, to John and Minnie (McNaughton) Durig. Her parents owned farmland that is now a part of the Eastwood Mall.

Rita was an active member of Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church, the Niles Catholic Womens Club and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years.

On Dec. 2, 1937, she married Clifford D. Berry Sr., and he preceded her in death on Sept. 17, 1996. Two sons, Clifford D. Berry Jr. and John Thomas Berry; three granddaughters and two great-granddaughters are also deceased.

She was a loving and caring mother to her 18 children and a devoted wife for 59 years to her husband.

Rita is survived by six sons and 10 daughters, Rita Coriene Berry of Warren, Donald (Florence) Berry of Dayton, Charles (Joy) Berry of Champion, Barbara (John) Amrich of Vienna, Mary Catherine (Charles) Frew of Andover, Bonita (James) Caton of Plymouth, Minn., Robert (Joanne) Berry of Vienna, Dennis (Christine) Berry of Bristolville, Madeline (James) Cage of Champion, Randall (Susan) Berry of Southington, Melanie (Dennis) Gallagher of Palm City, Fla., Lorraine Irons of Stow, Timothy Berry of Waterloo, Ind., Nancy (Andrew) Fabis of Poland, Jane (Albert) Frederick of Logan and Carol (Joseph) Stuber of Cortland; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Berry of Cortland; two sisters and three brothers, Anna Martin of Louisville, Ky., Patricia Wolford of Mineral Ridge, Brother Daniel Durig (Brothers of the Holy Cross) of Austin, Texas, Joseph Durig of Columbus and Charles Durig of Warren; 60 grandchildren; 105 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Other than her immediate family members, Rita was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters, Adelbert, John and Robert Durig, and Marie O’Connell, Rosemary McElhaney, Kathleen Minnick and an infant sister.

Friends may call at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles on Tuesday, May 19, 1009, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Saint Stephen’s Church with the Rev. Thomas Kraszewski officiating.

Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery.

Contributions may be made at the funeral home to either Hospice of the Valley or the Tuition Angel Fund of Saint Stephen’s School.

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

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William A. “Bill”

Grinta, 82

AUSTINTOWN – A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for William A. “Bill” Grinta, 82, who died Saturday afternoon at his residence surrounded by his family.

Bill was born March 31, 1927, in Warren to the late Louis and Rose (Semeraro) Grinta.

He graduated from Warren Harding High School, class of 1945. He also attended Youngstown College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Italy after World War II.

He retired in 1984 from Republic Steel in Warren with 35 years of service in Supervision. After retirement, he and his wife spent winters in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Bill enjoyed amateur HAM radio, his call sign was WM8X. He was a member of the 20/9 Radio Club. He was a do-it-yourselfer, an accomplished gardener, and a tinkerer able to improve most anything. He could cook up a storm, and he made the best pizza.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Jane (Dawson) Grinta, whom he married Sept. 23, 1950; a daughter, Janine Grinta of Garden Grove, Calif.; two sons, Jeff Grinta of Vancouver, Wash., and Jim (Ana) Grinta of Simi Valley, Calif.; a sister, Vera (Robert) Lenton of Austintown; three grandsons, Gabriel, Lennon and Sage Grinta; and a granddaughter, Athena (Wency) Severi; a great-grandson, Ares Severi; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view the obituary and to send condolences.

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Lucille I. (Becker)

Hartman, 77

CANFIELD - Services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, for Lucille I. (Becker) Hartman, 77, who died early Sunday morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman.

Lucille was born May 11, 1932, in Youngstown, the daughter of John and Marie Becker, and was a graduate of the Rayen School.

She is survived by her husband, Jerald W. Hartman, whom she married Aug. 27, 1950; two sons, Ken (Carol) Hartman of Raleigh, N.C., and Gary Ray (Laura) Hartman of Boardman; two grandchildren, Jennifer Breedlove and Gary Hartman; and a brother, John Becker of McDonald.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Marie Horvat and Irene Modarelli.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and send condolences.

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Ann Bayne (Varner) Olsavsky, 79

YOUNGSTOWN – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Brendan’s Church, and prayers offered at 9:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Ann Bayne (Varner) Olsavsky, 79, who died Saturday afternoon at Hospice House surrounded by her family.

Ann was a 1947 graduate of Chaney High School and a member of St. Brendan’s Church.

She will be remembered fondly as a world traveler, spending many vacations with her husband, children, and grandchildren. An artist and musician, she was a lifelong student of world culture.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James S. Olsavsky, whom she married July 14, 1951, he died June 12, 2003; and her sons, Stephen and Daniel Olsavsky.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Beth (Gene) Celio of Youngstown and Leah (David) McClain of Youngstown; sons, Jeff J. (Rosemary) Olsavsky of Youngstown, Robert Olsavsky of Seattle, and Thomas J. Olsavsky and David Olsavsky, both of Youngstown; grandchildren, Elisa, Daniel, Matthew, Bernadette, Bridgette, Nicholas, Jessica, Rachael, Maria and David; a sister, Linda (Walter) Evanoski of Warren, brother, Larry (Carolyn) Varner of Akron; and daughters-in-law, Sharon and Kathy Olsavsky.

Friends may call Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley or St. Brendan’s Parish.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view the obituary and to send condolences.

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Edward Guy Pompili, 78

HUBBARD – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hubbard for Edward Guy Pompili, 78, who passed away Saturday at home.

Edward was born Nov. 22, 1930, in Hubbard, a son of Eugene and Raphael Scarpine Pompili and was a lifelong resident.

He was a millwright at GATX in Masury and McKenzie Muffler for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He also was a precinct committeeman and an auxiliary policeman. His life revolved around his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed hunting and fishing while spending time at the cabin in the mountains.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict.

He will be sadly missed by his family, his wife, the former Ann M. Pontino, whom he called “Annie,” whom he married on May 21, 1955, and was blessed with 54 years of marriage; his son, Edward A. Pompili; two daughters, Regina (Robert) Gatti and Lisha (Brian) Baumiller, all of Hubbard; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves his brothers, Eugene Pompili of Hubbard, Vince Pompili of Canfield and Paul Pompili of Cortland, and a sister, Lucille Hardin of Plumbers Landing, Ky.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, John Pompili and Joseph Pompili Sr. and sisters, Philomena Pompili, Dora Pompili and Antoinette Foley.

There will be calling hours Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church and prayers on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Stewart-Kyle Funeral Home.

The Pompili family would like to extend a thank you to all their family and special friends for their loving care of Ed, with a special thanks to Barb.

Burial will be at Hubbard Union Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard.

“Ed, it was an honor and privilege to be your wife. You will always be the love of my life.” Love, Annie.

Family and friends are invited to visit the funeral home’s Web site at www.stewart-kyle.com to share memories and condolences with the family.

Stewart-Kyle Funeral Home

Providing Funeral Service

Since 1850

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Kathryn Giba Sovik, 83

YOUNGSTOWN - Kathryn G. Sovik, 83, passed away Saturday morning, May 16, 2009, at her home, with her family by her side.

Kathryn was born May 22, 1925 in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John and Katherine Paliga Giba, and had lived in Youngstown her entire life.

Mrs. Sovik was a life member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Youngstown and was a daily Communicant all of her adult life. She was a member of the Rosary Society for 58 years, serving as an officer for 50 years, mostly as its President. She founded and then directed St. Mary’s Rosary Makers for 15 years; this group constructed 350,000 Western and Eastern Church rosaries which were distributed free of charge locally and all over the world. She was also a member of St. Mary’s Golden Pillars and the Church’s Adult Enrichment Class, the St. John Chrysostom Society, and the Carpatho-Rusyn Society. She was professed as a member of the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans.

Kathryn earned her Bachelor of Education Degree from Youngstown State University, and she earned her Master of Education Degree and completed the course work for her Doctoral Degree at the University of Akron.

Kathryn was an English and Reading teacher at Austintown Fitch High School, retiring in 1989. She received the Martha Jennings Scholarship Award in 1975 for Excellence in Teaching and was voted Austintown School System’s “Teacher of the Year” by her colleagues in 1978. She was a member of Austintown Retired Teachers Club, the Mahoning Retired Teachers Association, the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

Her life was a testament to her strong faith, devotion to her family, and dedication to her church.

She leaves her husband, Paul Sovik, whom she married on July 21, 1951; one son, Dr. Thomas (Adrian) Sovik of Saginaw, Texas; one daughter, Dr. Mary (Gustavo) Benedetti of Cincinnati; and three granddaughters, Sarah Sovik of Reynoldsburg, Rebecca Sovik of Grove City and Sabina Sovik of Saginaw. She also leaves a daughter-in-law, Pamela Sovik of Grove City; a brother, Paul (Alice) Giba of Austintown; a sister-in-law, Anna Mae (Boyd) Keenan of Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews.

Six brothers, Michael, John, Joseph, Andrew, Frank and Frank David Giba, and three sisters, Mary Thomas, Ann Wikete and Helen Shellesky, predeceased Kathryn.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today, May 18, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road in Youngstown, where prayer services will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral services will begin Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church on South Belle Vista Avenue.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery on South Schenley Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kathryn’s name to the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, 500 West Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401, or to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences.

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