Tributes 2009-06-15

Ruth D. Brennan,73

AUSTINTOWN – There will be a Mass of Memory Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mineral Ridge for Ruth D. Brennan, who passed away Sunday morning at Hospice House surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born Dec. 1, 1935, in Braceville, a daughter of the late George and Catherine (Haivich) Paloski.

She retired after 30 years from Packard Electric. Ruth was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mineral Ridge, the 55 Plus Club, Packard Electric Retiree’s and SCOPE. Ruth was an avid card and bingo player.

She is survived by two children, Bob (Mirtha) Brennan of Tucson, Ariz., and Deborah (James) Ferranti of Boardman; one sister, Theresa Seidel of Boardman; her former husband, Robert Allen Brennan of Tucson; and cousin, Sandy Krepke of Poland.

Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Steve and John Paloski; and one sister, Anne Erickson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House in Ruth’s name.

Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.

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

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Eileen Johnston Gordon, 73

SALEM – Eileen Johnston Gordon, 73, of 1456 East 11th St., died Sunday morning, June 14, at Salem Community Hospital due to complications from multiple myeloma.

She was born Sept. 2, 1935, in Lockport, N.Y., the daughter of the late Eugene E. Johnston and Anastasia (Horvath) Johnston.

Eileen graduated from Denison University and received a masters degree from Kent State University.

She retired after a 25 year career as an administrator at Kent State University, Salem Campus.

Survivors include her husband, Bruce P. Gordon, whom she married July 3, 1957; three children, Douglas Bruce Gordon of Centerville, Geoffrey Scott Gordon (Roberta) of Canton and Diane Gordon Vaughn (Eric) of Dublin; and six grandchildren, Ensign Andrew Douglas Gordon, Bethany Laurel Gordon, Derek Johnston Gordon, Celynn Andrew Vaughn, Meredyth Morgan Vaughn and Rhys Gordon Vaughn. In addition to her immediate family Eileen had a special relationship with her former exchange student “daughter,” Bridget Hunter, Bridget’s husband, Jim, and their children, Kyle and Kara Hunter.

Per Eileen’s explicit wishes there will no formal funeral service, nor any calling hours.

Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.

Among her favorite charities were the Scholarship Fund of the Salem Community Foundation, P.O. Box 553, Salem, OH 44460 and Habitat for Humanity, 468 Prospect St., Salem, OH 44460.

Arrangements were handled by the Stark Memorial Funeral Home.

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Norman G. Jaussen, 79

HOWLAND TOWNSHIP – Norman G. Jaussen, 79, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 13, 2009, at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Born Jan. 30, 1930, in Donora, Pa., he was the son of the late August and Laurette (Brunett) Jaussen.

A Warren area resident for most of his life, Norman was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Conn., and was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He retired in 1976 from the food service industry, where he was a restaurateur for many years.

Norman attended the Calvary Bible Church in Bazetta. He was an avid golfer, and loved to bowl. Above all, he was a devoted family man, adored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had many dear friends with whom he enjoyed spending time with.

Norman will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Thelma (Cleal) Jaussen, whom he married June 22, 1951. Together they shared 57 years of marriage and three children. He is survived by two daughters, Lorene “Lori” (Joel) Rifkind of Greenwood, Ind., and Denise (Daniel) Whiting of Elyria; and a son, Norman Alan Jaussen of Lexington, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild expected to be born soon; and also by his brother, Paul (Delores) Jaussen of Greenville, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a granddaughter, Antoinette Marie Jaussen.

Pastor Daniel Weber will conduct a funeral service on Wednesday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at the Calvary Bible Church at 2878 Warren-Meadville Road in Cortland.

Family and friends may visit for one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m.

According to his wishes, Norman will be cremated following the funeral services.

Material contributions may be made to the Calvary Bible Church at 2878 Warren-Meadville Road, Cortland, OH 44410 or to the American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel.

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

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Gail Lillie Miller, 52

YOUNGSTOWN – Memorial services will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home for Ms. Gail Lillie Miller, 52, who departed this life Thursday, June 11, 2009, at her home.

Ms. Miller was born, July 31, 1956, in Youngstown, a daughter of Yaraldean and Geraldine Hall Thomas.

A homemaker, Gail enjoyed cooking, shopping for clothes and Cadillac cars. She formerly attended Antioch Baptist Church and Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church.

She is survived by three sons, Yaraldean and Jerry Thomas and Edmund Miller; a daughter, Neena Miller; a brother, Edward Thomas; 14 grandchildren; and a host of family and friends, who will miss her dearly.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Denee Heard.

Friends may call from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

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William E. Reagan, 83

FAIRLAWN – William E. Reagan, 83, loving husband and father, died June 11, 2009, at the Village at St. Edward. 

Calling hours will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 39 S. Miller Road in Fairlawn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Hilary Catholic Church.

Interment with military honors at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Hilary St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, OH 44333.

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Vernon Walter

Souders, 72

NILES – Vernon Walter Souders, 72, a longtime Niles resident, died at 3:55 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital following a one-year illness.

He was born in Needmore, Pa., on Jan. 16, 1937, to Walter W. and Beulah K. (O’Rourke) Souders.

Vernon was very active in his church and community. He was retired in 2002 from the field maintenance department at the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, where he was employed for 25 years. He was previously employed for 22 years as a body man for Shively Ford Sales and Service of Niles.

He was a member of the Niles First Christian Church, and served as a deacon, elder and trustee, and treasurer of the Koinonia Sunday School Class for many years. He was one of the original members of the Christmas Wreath committee and had served as chairman for the past 25 years.

His masonic activities include a 43-year membership in the Niles McKinley Masonic Lodge No. 794, serving Tyler for 20 years, Valley of Youngstown Scottish Rite, a 32nd degree mason in 1976, awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 2004 and served on the stage crew for 31 years. He was a member of the retired masons of Trumbull and Portage Counties, High Twelve group, Opal Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Trumbull Travelers Masonic Camping group, Keystone Cop, Niles Historical Society and society tour guide.

Vernon was a 1956 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and in his younger years was a 15-year advisor of the Niles 4H Miscellaneous Club, chairman of the Trumbull 4H advisory committee, former member of the Niles Park Board and active in the Crosstrailers Western Square Dance Group.

Vernon is survived by his wife, the former Carol Hawkins, whom he married Oct. 6, 1962; a son, Ward (Susie) Souders of Cuyahoga Falls; a daughter, Jo-May (Mark) Yoder of Johnston; four grandchildren, Solomon and Liza Yoder and Rachel and Ryan Souders; one sister, Shirley (Rick) Ziegler of Hazlewood, Mo.; and stepmother and stepbrother in the area.

Funeral services will be held at the Niles First Christian Church on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. with visitation from 1 p.m. at the church. Rev. Cynthia Klingemier will officiate.

Burial will be at Kerr Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, from 4 p.m. until the 7:30 p.m. Masonic Services.

Memorial contributions may be made, at the funeral home, to the First Christian Church or the Niles McKinley Masonic Lodge.

Friends and family may visit www.holetonyuhasz.com to send condolences.

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Florence E. “Johnny” Stenger, 92

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP – Florence E. “Johnny” Stenger, 92, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Amherst Meadows in Massillon.

Born in Huntington, W.Va., on Jan. 24, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Lewis C. and Elva Louise (Garris) Johnson.

A graduate of the former Massillon City Hospital School of Nursing, and of Kent State University, she worked in a variety of nursing positions, including the former Molly Stark Sanitorium and as a camp nurse for the YWCA. She also worked for many years at the Massillon Public Library, retiring in 1977.

She enjoyed hiking, bird watching, gardening, reading and traveling. She especially enjoyed working in the gardens at Massillon’s Spring Hill Historic Home, hiking and birding at The Wilderness Center and at Holly River State Park in West Virginia, and spending time with her Studies Abroad group.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Stenger, whom she married on Jan. 20, 1940; sister, Dorothy L. McMillen Fenton of Poland; and infant sister, Alice.

She is survived by sons, Kenneth J. (Sally) Stenger of North Lawrence and Richard L. Stenger of Prospect; a special niece, Mrs. Susan L. (Andy) Zagotti of Poland; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

At her request, there will be no calling hours.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at the Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon.

Suggested memorials are the Tree of Life program at The Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio and the Spring Hill Historic Home or to the donor’s favorite charity.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff of Amherst Meadows for their excellent care of Johnny during the last two years.

Visit www.atkinsonfeucht.com to share a fond memory of Florence or to sign the online guestbook.

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Leona Ulicny, 89

POLAND – Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery Chapel for Leona A. Ulicny, 89.

She passed away Friday evening at the Greenbriar Healthcare Center.

Mrs. Ulicny was born April 14, 1920, in Brackenridge, Pa., a daughter of William and Leona Gearhart Krause.

She had worked for Plackie Toys for 14 years, retiring in 1974, and was a member of St. James Episcopal Church.

Her husband, Joseph Ulicny, whom she married February 20, 1937, died May 6, 1987.

Surviving her is a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Paula Ulicny of Poland; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, William (Mary) Krause of Moon Township, Pa. She also leaves a son-in-law, Charles “Skip” Tindall; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Ulicny; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death besides her husband and parents is a son, Dr. Thomas Ulicny; a daughter, Mardianne Tindall; and a sister, Charlotte E. DeSanto

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 7640 Glenwood Ave. Youngstown, Ohio 44512

Arrangements handled by Davis Funeral Home.

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Blanche Ventresco, 87

YOUNGSTOWN – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Boardman, with the Rev Shawn Conoboy officiating for Blanche Ventresco, 87, who peacefully passed away at the Hospice House on Saturday morning, June 13, 2009, with her loving family by her side.

She was born Nov. 16, 1921, in Verona, Italy, and immigrated to the United States and settled in Smokey Hollow area of Youngstown in 1927. Blanche was the daughter of James and Maria (Bassi) Santangelo.

She was employed at Strouss’s Department Store in central wrapping and then was co-owner and cook at the Tel-Star Lounge for 20 years.

Blanche was a member of St. Charles Church, and a former officer of the Quota Club, Lowellville PTA, and CCD Teacher at the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville.

She was a graduate of South High School, and enjoyed reading, playing cards, hand held poker games, and bingo. Blanche also enjoyed going on gambling junkets, but she especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Blanche was a beautiful woman inside and out and the love she shared with her family, friends, and community will live on and never be forgotten.

Her husband, Perry A. Ventresco Sr., whom she married May 8, 1943, died April 16, 2001.

She leaves behind to hold onto her precious memories, her children Perry A. (Denise) Ventresco Jr. of Poland, Julia M. (Charles E.) Craig of Howland, Joseph M. (Linda T.) Ventresco Sr. of Youngstown and Gerald P. (Nancy) Ventresco of Austintown; a daughter-in-law, Mary (Steve) Held of North Lima; 10 grandchildren, Jason Ventresco, Michelle (Anthony) Cerminaro, Charles P. (Holly) Craig, Thomas (Kym) Ventresco Jr., Amy L. Ventresco, Joseph M. (JoAnn) Ventresco Jr., Angela M. (Robert) Burnell, Anthony S. (Sarah) Ventresco, Jennifer M. (Ryan) Rager and Sara L. Ventresco; four stepgrandchildren, Kelly M. (Alessio) Caruso, Ann Marie Borowski, Laura Jonda, Lisa Premec, six great-grandchildren, Annie, Jett, Ty, Maria, Anthony and Joseph “J.T.;” three stepgreat-grandchildren, Angelo, Donielle and Ron; and two sisters, Nerina (Daniel) Donatelli and Mary Jane Lilly, both of Boardman.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas V. Ventresco Sr.; a grandson, Edward A. Craig; and two brothers, Victor Santangelo Sr. and an infant brother, Augustino Santangelo.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. in Boardman and again on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Boardman.

Burial will take place at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Lowellville.

Material contributions can be made in Blanche’s name to the Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH 44514, or Blessed Sacrament Church C/O St. Vincent DePaul Society, 3020 Reeves Road, Warren, OH 44483.

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