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Tributes 2009-05-25

Veronica F. (Chlebus) Arnoto, 83

STRUTHERS – Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home and 10:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church, both in Struthers for Veronica F. (Chlebus) Arnoto, 83, who passed away Friday morning at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Veronica was born on Sept. 3, 1925, in Lynch, Ky., a daughter of George and Ann Refka Chlebus. She moved to West Virginia as a young child and to Ohio as a young lady.

She worked as the head cook at the Italian Restaurant in Youngstown. She was also known for the personal pizza’s she made. She was a member of St. Nicholas Church.

Veronica was married to Joseph J. Arnoto and he passed away on Jan. 5, 1988.

She leaves four sons, Joseph A. Arnoto, Anthony P. Arnoto, Thomas P. Arnoto and Robert S. Arnoto, all of Struthers; one daughter, Frances A. (Hugh) Connolly of Youngstown; two sisters, Rose Ballotta of Struthers and Helen Ruschak of Howland; 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Stephen and Paul T. Arnoto; one brother, George Chlebus; and three sisters, Mary Kremin, Ann Schuley and Julia Benjyi.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in Struthers.

Please visit www.clementefuneralhomes.com to view this obituary and to send condolences.

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Judith Carlos, 68

POLAND - Prayers will begin Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church for Judith Carlos, 68, who passed away Sunday afternoon at Hospice House.

Judy was born March 19, 1941, the daughter of Walter and Catherine Cook.

She had worked at Ohio Bell for over 32 years retiring in 1990 as an engineering supervisor.

She was a member of the Holy Family Church and the Poland Knights of Columbus Council No. 4471’s Kcettes.

She is survived by her husband, James Carlos and a sister, Carol Kovacs of New York.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel.

John D. Chaff

SUPPLY, N.C. – John D. Chaff died Friday, May 22, 2009, at his residence.

He was born in Akron on May 15, 1952, to John B. and Betty Silvasy Chaff.

He was retired from the Liberty Township Police Department in Youngstown, where he served 17 years. He worked with the MAT narcotics unit for the state of Ohio, and as President of the Youngstown Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Calabash, NC.

Surviving are his wife, Cindy R. Chaff; a daughter, Mandi Mohler of Napoleon, Ohio; two stepsons, Brian Bosworth of Cleveland and Matthew Bosworth of Chardon; a sister, Diana Richardson of Leland, N.C.; nephews, Brad Nesselroade of Chesapeake, Va., and Christopher Nesselroade of Wilmington, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Kate, Elle and Thomas John Mohler and Emily and Julia Bosworth.

Funeral services will be conducted at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte.

The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local law enforcement association or FOP.

The family wishes to thank their many friends for their support during this very difficult time.

Condolences may be sent to the family at brunswickfuneralservice.com.

Brunswick Funeral Service,

Shallotte

Emil C. Conte, 85

AUSTINTOWN – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, and prayers offered at 10:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Emil C. Conte, 85, who passed away May 19, 2009, at Delray Beach Medical Center in Delray Beach, Fla., with his family by his side.

Emil was born July 16, 1923, in Montaguto, Province of Avellino, Italy to the late Luigi and Clotilda (Iannarone) Conte. He immigrated to America as a child in 1930.

He was a graduate of Newton High School in Newton, Mass., and attended Northeastern University in Boston.

In 1950, Emil moved to Austintown, where he co-owned and operated Schiavone’s United Family Foods for more than 30 years. Upon retiring, he spent winters with his wife at their second home in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Emil was very active in his community. He was president of the Grocers Association and a member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, the Eagles Club, ITAM, CFS, and UFF Grocers Co-op. A founding member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, he served as president of the Holy Name Society, was a church commentator, and served on the festival committee.

He also enjoyed bowling, bocce, and golf. Emil’s love of golf began as a caddy in Massachusetts and continued throughout his association with Tippecanoe Country Club in Canfield, where he earned many awards. He achieved his goal of a hole-in-one on June 29, 1988. His most enjoyable moments, though, were those spent with his family around the dinner table.

Besides his parents, Emil was preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph and Joseph Conte.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Yole Milene Schiavone, whom he married Oct. 28, 1946; his daughters, Valerie Conte Cardiero (James O’Connor Jr.) of Canfield and Bedford, Mass., and Sheila Conte (Jack) Koontz of Austintown; granddaughters Camille Cardiero (Peter) Radvanyi, Allison Cardiero (Sal) Papalardo, Hillary Koontz and Lindsay Koontz; great-grandchildren Kailee, Olivia, Alexis, Dominic and Adriana Radvanyi and Sophia Papalardo; and a sister, Vincenza “Nancy” Conte (Joe) Mucci of Needham, Mass.

Family and friends may call today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish or the charity of your choice.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary or to send condolences.

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John T. Courtney, 61

BOARDMAN – Prayers will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Fox Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Dominic Church, celebrated by Rev. Richard Jastrzebski, O.P. for John T. Courtney, who passed away Saturday afternoon.

John was born June 8, 1947, in Altoona, Pa., a son of John H. and Lois Smithmyer Coutney.

He was a 1965 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and had attended Kent State University.

John was the President of Courtney Vending Co. from 1979 to his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the church, a devoted father and grandfather and was an avid Harley-Davidson Motorcyclist.

He leaves to cherish his memory four daughters Jennifer (Roy) Aikey of Newark, Ohio, Kimberly (Mark) Haun of Boardman, and Tiffany (Seth) Meyer and Bridget (Don) Olson, both of LasVegas; his former wife Jean Clacko of Boardman; four brothers, Steven (Patti) Courtney of Boardman, Greg Courtney of Poland, Jim (Tina) Courtney of Rochester, Mich., and Ed Courtney of Youngstown; six sisters, Cindy Landers and Paula (Don) Humphries, both of Poland, Pat Drummond of Youngstown, Judy (Robert) Spin of Boardman, Janice (Clyde) Richards of Salem and Mary (Charles) Laycock of St. Louis, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Justin, Joe Haun, Courtney, Roy, Jr. and Kennedy Aikey and Dallas Olson.

Besides his parents, John is preceded in death by a brother, Lance Cpl. Michael Courtney, who was killed in action in Vietnan

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman.

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

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Kathryn D. Danicic, 96

YOUNGSTOWN – Kathryn D. Danicic, 96, of Brownlee Woods, died Saturday morning at Hampton Woods Nursing Home.

Mrs. Danicic was born Feb. 9, 1913 in Hubbard, a daughter of John and Mary Gresh Krett.

She was a 1931 graduate of Hubbard High School and was a charter member of St. Luke Catholic Church. Her life was characterized by deep faith, generosity and love for her family.

Her husband, Frank J. Danicic, whom she married June 12, 1937, died June 16, 2002.

She is survived by one daughter, Marlene (Richard) Protiva of Poland, one son, Richard (Elizabeth) Danicic of Bethel Park, Pa.; one sister, Ann Krett, formerly of Hubbard; and five grandchildren, Richard Danicic of Cleveland, David Danicic of Pittsburgh, Ashley Danicic of Pittsburgh, Christopher Danicic of Greenville, S.C. and Richard Protiva of Poland.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three daughters, Kathryn, Elaine and Carol Danicic; one son, Frank Danicic; one sister, Mary Krett; and two brothers, John and Steve Krett.

Family and friends will be received Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hubbard.

The Danicic family would like to thank Charlene and Janet with Home Instead and the staff of Hampton Woods Nursing Home for all of their love and care.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Danicic’s name to St. Luke School, 5225 South Ave., Boardman, OH 44512 or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

Reynard Joseph Fitori, 90

BOARDMAN – Reynard Joseph Fitori, 90, of Boardman, passed away May 20, 2009.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church.

The family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church, prior to the Mass.

Reynard was born Aug. 5, 1918 in Youngstown, the son of the late Joseph and Christina (Pavone) Fitori.

Rey was a lifelong resident of Youngstown and a 1937 graduate of East High School. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater and the Philippines. He was a self employed builder for new and existing construction and a member of St. Christine Church.

He leaves his wife, of 68 years, the former Virginia C. Yane; his five children, Joseph (Kay) Fitori of Overland Park, Kan., Christine Mastramico of North Lima, James (Priscilla) Fitori of Boardman, Renee Bitonte of Canfield and Virginia (Jeffrey) Charlotte of Sarasota, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church.

The family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church, prior to the Mass.

Reynard was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley and St. Christine Church.

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

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Mary D. Gorney, 84

CANFIELD – A private service will be held in Arizona for Mary D. Gorney,84, of Canfield who passed away Sunday morning in Sterling House. Mary was born September 19,1924 in Moundsville, W.Va., the daughter of Frank and Mary (Novel) Kenger.

She was a homemaker and a member of the catholic faith. Mary was an active dancer with the senior dance troop “Forever Young,” and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Mary designed and made hundreds of dance costumes over the years.

She leaves one daughter, Deborah Nard, with whom she made her home; two granddaughters, Ashley and Jillian Nard also of Canfield; and one brother, James Kenger of Arizona.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says “There, she is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

Henry Van Dyke

There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are by the Lane Funeral home, Canfield Chapel.

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

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Ann “Ancy” Joan Hulin, 95

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be held Tuesday at noon at the Szabo & Sons Funeral Home and at 12:30 p.m. at the Our Lady of Hungary Church for Ann “Ancy” Joan Hulin, 95, formerly of South Schenley Avenue, who passed away Friday evening at Humility House.

Ancy was born Jan. 17, 1914 in Vienna, Austria, a daughter of Josef and Johanna Purmann Knahl.

As a teenager, she was a governess in Hungary for the Bercsenyi Family. Ancy married Bertalan Bercsenyi in Hungary and had two stepchildren. She was a displace person in Germany from 1945 to 1952 with her first husband and stepchildren, who later preceded her in death.

Ancy was a Hungarian Red Cross nurse during World War II and an interpreter for the American Occupation Forces in Germany between 1945 to 1952. She came to Youngstown in 1952 and became an American citizen on June 21, 1957.

Ancy married Bela Hulin on May 29, 1965 and he passed away in May of 1994.

She was an insurance clerk at John Hancock Insurance Company, an organist at St. Elizabeth Church in Campbell, and a choir director at the Our Lady of Hungary Church, where she was a member.

Ancy was a longtime member of the World Federation of Hungarian Veterans Youngstown Branch and the president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Youngstown Branch. She was a delegate of the Youngstown American Hungarian Federation of Churches and Societies.

She and her husband, Bela, traveled extensively in the Unites States with her favorite vacation area being Florida, which they visited annually.

Friends may call Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Szabo & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Norman W. “Normie” Lancaster, Jr., 46

NILES – Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday at the Lane Funeral Home Niles Chapel for Norman W. “Normie” Lancaster, Jr., 46, who died Friday morning at his residence.

He was born July 12, 1962, in Warren, the son of Norman W. and Joyce (Patton) Lancaster, Sr., and he resided in this area all of his life.

He was a 1981 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. He worked in the shipping department of Niles Expanded Metals, where he had been for 13 years.

He raised pigeons, among his various hobbies. He also enjoyed boating, camping, fixing cars and attending car shows, fishing, attending swap meets, and he loved sports, music and movies.

Normie was a kind and loving man and he will be sadly missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Mary Ramsey of Niles; his mother and stepfather, Howard Moore of North Jackson; his fiancée Michaelene Glowicki, with whom he made his home; a sister Deborah A. (James Miller) Lancaster of Niles; two stepbrothers; six stepsisters; and a nephew, Frederick Harris, Jr. of Niles.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; three nieces; and his beloved dog, Brownie, who died in 2004.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the funeral home.

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

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Barbara J. Annibella Rolla, 71

BOARDMAN – Barbara J. Annibella Rolla, 71, passed away early the morning of May 23 after a long and courageous battle against lung cancer at her residence with her family by her side.

Born in Youngstown on Dec. 8, 1937, Barb was the daughter of Ned and Katherine Karas Annibella.

She graduated from The Rayen School in 1955 and worked as a secretary, first at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company and then at J & L Specialty Steel in Louisville, retiring in 1997.

She was a member of St. Charles Church. One of the things Barb enjoyed most was going to lunch with her classmates from Rayen as well as with her coworkers from J & L.

She leaves her husband of 44 years, Sam Rolla, whom she married Nov. 28, 1964; her brother, James (Carol) Annibella of Denver; three nieces, Debbie Annibella of Wellsboro, Pa., Maureen Rolla of Pittsburgh and Kim (Bob) Bungard of Austintown; and three nephews, Joe (Jodylynn) Rolla of Canfield, James Wallace of Beverly Hills, Fla. and James (Finola) Annibella of Arvada, Colo.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services for Barb will be Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Church.

Calling hours Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 5925 Market St. in Boardman and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Saint Charles Church on Wednesday.

The family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley in Barb’s memory.

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Alexander J. “Alex” Schultz, 83

YOUNGSTOWN – Alexander J. “Alex” Schultz, 83, passed away Friday afternoon, May 22, 2009, at Hospice House in Poland Township following a brief illness.

Alex was born Dec. 12, 1925, in Youngstown, a son of the late Alexander and Rose Simko Schultz, and was a lifelong area resident.

Mr. Schultz was a graduate of Chaney High School, served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and then served until 1963 in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

He worked for many years for United States Steel at the McDonald Works, retiring in 1979. Alex enjoyed bowling and doing crossword puzzles.

Alex was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Church in Youngstown, the Girard Eagles Club, and he was a member of the ITAM Club in Youngstown.

Mr. Schultz leaves his sister-in-law, Dorothy Schultz of Austintown; two nieces, Kathleen (Robert) Boris of Austintown and Patricia Loverich Bernard of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two nephews, Edward (Helen) Schultz of Austintown and David (Eileen) Schultz of Austintown; seven great-nieces; and two great-nephews.

His longtime companion, Evelyn Senich; two brothers, Stephen and Edward Schultz; and his sister, Rose Loverich, are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

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

Mary Louise Petrin Vukovich, 80

YOUNGSTOWN – Prayers will be held Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, followed by the funeral services at 10 a.m. at S.S. Peter and Paul Croation Roman Catholic Church for Mary Louise Petrin Vukovich, 80, who peacefully met Jesus on Saturday at her home.

In many ways, Mary was a woman ahead of her time. Born on Sept. 21, 1928, in Youngstown to the late Blaze and Jenny (Ivanka) Jakopcin Petrin.

She graduated from The Rayen School in 1946 and forged a path that differed from most of her contemporaries. In addition to being extremely proud of her position as bookkeeper at The Superior Chemical Company prior to her marriage in the late fifties, Mary was an avid sportswoman. She played softball and enjoyed golfing, winning several tournaments in each sport. She was most widely known, however, for her accomplishments in bowling.

Mary began her widely acclaimed career in bowling in 1948, back when she paid to have the pin boys set up the pins at Champion Lanes. Mary set her 718 series record in bowling, which stood for over two decades in the city in 1956. She competed in various local, state, and national tournaments with much success. Her many accomplishments, chronicled regularly by sportscaster Don Gardner and The Youngstown Vindicator, which resulted in her being inducted into the YWBA Hall of Fame in 1982 and being proclaimed citizen of the day by the Mayor of Youngstown.

Mary, a lifelong member of S.S. Peter & Paul Croation Roman Catholic Church, of which her parents were members, and a 50-year plus member of St. George Lodge 66. She was extremely proud of her Croatian Heritage. She was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for many years and a lifetime member of Les Dames.

She left her children with a great appreciation of helping others, an extremely generous nature, a unique sense of humor, and a passion for gardening and the outdoors.

Mary is survived by and will be missed greatly by her daughters, Diane (Steve) Gonda of Youngstown, Nancy (Tom) Bleggi of Canfield and Cathy (Chris) Cook of Cuyahoga Falls; and her grandchildren, Jennifer and Stephanie Gonda, Courtney, Michael and Jordan Bleggi and Andrew and Katie Cook. She also leaves several nieces and nephews including Thomas Vogrin, her godson.

Besides her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her siblings, Anna Asperger, Rose Petrin, John Petrin, Joseph (Happy) Petrin and Martin Petrin.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Vogrin.

The family will be receiving friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ravi and his staff for the excellent care they provided Mary Lou over many years. Because of their kindness, support, and sense of humor, Mary Lou looked forward to and enjoyed her monthly office visits.

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

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