Tributes 2009-05-29

Dr. Beverly A. Copper-Butler

BOARDMAN – A funeral Mass will be held Saturday May 30, 2009, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church for Dr. Beverly A. Copper-Butler, formerly of Toledo, who made her transition from earth to heaven on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, after a lengthy and courageous battle with ALS.

Bev, as she was affectionately known, was born and raised in Plainfield, N.J. She was the daughter of the late Isaac J. and Anne E. Jordan Copper.

She attended Findlay University, where she received her B.S. degree. Bev developed a strong quest for education and was driven by her own desire to learn and share her experiences and findings in education. During her 32 years of teaching elementary school in the Toledo Public School System, she was always searching for new ideas and techniques to benefit the teachers and students. She earned a Permanent Teaching Certification, Grades 1-8 Reading Teacher’s Certification, Elementary Principal Certification and Elementary School Supervisor’s Certification. She received her Master’s Degrees and Specialist Degrees from Toledo University. Receiving a scholarship to The Ohio State University, she studied cultural diversity focusing on Middle Eastern Culture. Bev was also the recipient of a scholarship to NASA, which allowed her to become Luna certified This gave her the opportunity to bring the “moon rocks” back for the enlightenment of the city of Toledo. Bev earned her Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, having her dissertation, ”Parental Participation in Education,” published in 2008.

Bev was well known for her skills as a Grant writer, directing monies into Ohio for the benefit of education for all of Toledo’s City Schools. She was invited to work in the TAPESTRIES project as a science support teacher for several schools for over five years. She was responsible for team teaching in her district and for professional and curriculum development.

She was a presenter of Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts In-service sessions. She won the honor of being named a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar.

Bev spent many years supporting and guiding practice teachers. She was very instrumental in developing the HOSTS program, which proved to be very beneficial to the students throughout the entire city. She also was an input liaison for many book companies when they designed new editions of their social studies textbooks.

She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an educational fraternity; Toledo Federation of Teachers; Toledo Area Writing Project; National Association of Mathematics; and National Association of Black School Educators. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and the KISS Chapter of Toledo for the Red Hats Society. In 2007, Bev was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame at Central Catholic High School, Toledo, for her involvement as a parent.

Before coming to this area, Bev was a member of St. Patrick’s of Heather Downs, Toledo, and was also an active member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Boardman.

In addition to her mother, of Boardman, Bev leaves to cherish her memory a devoted and supportive son, Stephen A. Copper-Butler of Erie, Pa.; her special gift and sister, Pam (Kevin) Parrish of Boardman; a loving brother, Dr. Derrick “TC” Copper of Heidelberg, Germany; a nephew and godson, Brian Parrish of Columbus; a niece and goddaughter, Autumn Parrish of Boardman; and a host of friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father, Isaac J. Copper.

Calling hours will be held today, May 29, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church.

Interment will be at Franklin Memorial Park in Franklin Park, N.J.

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

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Christine N. (Bugno) Heffron, 27

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. in Boardman, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Peter Polando, officiating for Christine N. (Bugno) Heffron, 27, who passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009.

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

She was born July 23, 1981 in Cambridge, Mass., and moved to the Youngstown area as a young child. She was the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Whitten) Bugno.

Christine was a homemaker and a member of St. Mathias Church.

She was a very outgoing person who always helped anyone in need, especially the elderly. Christine enjoyed gardening and going to the park.

She leaves behind to hold onto her memories, her husband, Leo Heffron; parents, Christopher (Elizabeth) Bugno of Struthers; three sons, Jonathan, Jacob and Joseph; three brothers, Jeremiah (Katie) Bugno, Richard Stiles and Alex Bugno; paternal grandparents, Edward (Irene) Bugno; and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Monserrate Mercado.

Friends may call Saturday, May 30, 2009, from noon to 1:55 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. in Boardman.

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Frances N. Leonard, 74

BOARDMAN – Frances N. Leonard, 74, passed away the evening of Friday, May 22, at Valley Renaissance in Boardman.

Frances was born in Coitsville on April 28, 1935, a daughter of Eugene and Anna Smith Steib and lived in the area all of her life.

She attended Liberty High School and was a homemaker. A member of St. Matthias Church, Frances formerly belonged to the Sacred Heart Church, where she had served as a Eucharistic minister, doing readings during Mass and distributing Holy Communion. She and her husband also were members of the Family Life Study Group.

She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frances also was a fan of WKBN television. She especially treasured her friendship with newsman Rich Morgan and very much appreciated his visits to her during her illness.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John E. Leonard Jr., whom she married Jan. 28, 1954 and who died July 13, 1985; her infant daughter, Vicki Ann Leonard; her brothers, Charles Ryan, Robert Steib and Harold Steib; and by her sisters, Clara Smith and Elvira Ferguson.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, John (Linda) Leonard III of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Jeffrey (Melanie) Leonard Sr. and Robert Leonard, all of Youngstown; her daughters, Joan (Ron) Rhodes of Youngstown, Linda (George) Beshero of Poland and Kelley Ravotti of Youngstown; her grandchildren, Nicole (Josiah) Wheeler of Texas, Jennifer (Dave) Majors of Florida, Sam (Kristin) Petrony Jr. and Scott Petrony, all of Nevada, Robert (Amy) Leonard Jr. of Boardman, Ashley (Mark) Tilton of Warren, Shauna (Ryan) Munhollen of New Castle, Pa., Travis Leonard of Youngstown, Lauren and Rachel Beshero of Poland, Jeffrey (Theresa) Leonard Jr. of Youngstown and Brianna Leonard of Austintown; her great-grandchildren, Alex, Madison, Gabriella, Kadence, Tyler, Gianna, Grace, Lauren and Sammy; her goddaughter, Melissa (Lee) Beaty of Virginia; her special little sister, Mary Anne Muzzarino also of Virginia; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Valley Renaissance for the special care and love shown to Frances while she was there. She truly loved each and every one of them.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 5925 Market St., where a memorial service will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Visitation will take place at the funeral home, one hour prior to the memorial service.

Visit kubinayuhasz@sbcglobal.net to send condolences.

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Thomas Walker “Tommy” Russell, 65

SALEM – Thomas Walker “Tommy” Russell, 65, of Green Township, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 3:15 p.m. at Forum Health Northside Medical Center in Youngstown.

He was born Aug. 24, 1943 in Warren, to the late James and Catherine (Wilkinson) Russell.

Tom retired Dec. 31, 2000, from Keffler Bridge in Canfield as an operating engineer for 30 years, and from the Operating Engineers Union (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Local No. 66 with 32 years of service. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was an active member of the Greenford Christian Church, where he served as an Elder for 32 years, an Elder Leader, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Group Leader and Small Group Leader. He took an active part in helping to build the buildings on the grounds of the church, as well as the Center of HOPE Building. He was an avid worker at the Center of HOPE.

In the winter months, when he was in Florida, he would attend services at the Lake Placid First Baptist Church, where he was also a strong supporter. Tom was the one that could be called upon to help people through very hard times. He would listen, encourage, mentor and counsel with true accountability, and be there as your friend when you needed him.

He and his family enjoyed camping in Cooks Forest, fishing, going to sporting events of the children and grandchildren and school programs. He was a true mentor to his family as they spent time together, as well as his extended church family. He would have breakfast with his sisters from month to month to keep up on the news of friends and family.

He attended his children’s baseball games over the years, as well as helping to keep all the equipment in working order at the field.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, the former Chris L. Gallatin, whom he married Nov. 12, 1966. He was a loving Dad to his children, Tammy and Abilio Sebastian of Delaware, Ohio, Robin and Brian Dustman of Lisbon and Scott and Nicole Russell of Manassas, Va.; his sisters, Ellen and Louie Sheldon of Niles and Betty Garland of Mineral Ridge; and his grandchildren, who knew him as their “Lil’ Papa,” Katie and Tony Sebastian of Delaware, Mallorie and Darrin Dustman of Lisbon and Beckett Russell of Manassas.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday at the Greenford Christian Church starting at 11 a.m.

A time of visitation will be today from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Greenford Christian Church in the Worship Center, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Burial will take place at Washingtonville Cemetery following the service with full military honors being provided in joint cooperation by the Salem Amvets Post No. 45 and Salem VFW Post No. 892.

The family has requested that donations be made to the Building Fund of the Church or the Center of HOPE.

Arrangements and service were entrusted to the care of the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen Funeral Home in Salem.

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Donna Marie Scott, 81

“Together Again”

CANFIELD – There will be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Monday at the Lane Funeral Home, Canfield Chapel for Donna Marie Scott, 81, formerly of Austintown (pre 1974) and Boardman (1974 to 2005).

Donna was born March 2, 1928 in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Fredrick Neuman and Gertrude Williams Neuman Dietz.

Donna worked at “Static Microphone” in her teens, and was a senior merchandise manager for JC Penney, retiring in 1989 after 29 years of service.

She was a former member of the Penney’s retirement club, enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also liked doing jigsaw puzzles, walking at Southern Park Mall, listening to talk radio and cooking.

Her husband, George Scott, whom she married Dec. 19, 1948, passed away March 20, 2005.

Donna is survived by four children, Cathy (William) Braham of Mecca, Carol (Paul) Foster of Canfield, George (Rhonda) Scott of Ellsworth and Robert (Lori) Scott of Austintown; five grandchildren, Amy Nabb, Jessica Foster Vallecorsa, Jason Scott, Tara Scott and Robert Scott; four stepgrandchildren, William Braham, Randy Braham, Joseph Braham and Mario Rotunno; and 10 great-grandchildren, Taylor Nabb, Austin Nabb, Ashton Nabb, Nicholas Baetty, Nevaeh Baetty, Shawn Beckett, Caryn Beckett, Riley Fincham, Bailey Braham and Brianna Braham.

Besides her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by one brother, Fredrick Neuman.

Memorial contributions may be made to MVI Hospice, in Donna’s name.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

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

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