Tributes 2009-06-22

Rosario “Rosie” Basile, 84

“Together Again”

HOWLAND TOWNSHIP – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 10 a.m. at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, preceded by a 9:15 a.m. service at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel for Rosario “Rosie” Basile, 84, who passed away Saturday evening, June 20, 2009, at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Rosario “Rosie” Basile was born Nov. 28, 1924 in Warren, the son of Andrew and Frances Fazio Basile.

He was a 1943 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

He married Maria Calabro on Feb. 13, 1960, and she preceded him in death on March 19, 2001.

He retired in 1986, after 40 years from LTV Steel, formerly Republic Steel, where he was a stocker in the rolling mill. He was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, and enjoyed gardening and working on his lawn. He was avid sports fan and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by a son, Atty. Andrew (Michele) Basile of Boardman; a daughter, Susan Cunningham of Howland; four grandchildren, Nicholas Basile, Stephanie (Christian) Kittle, Steven Cunningham and Alex Clark; and one great-grandchild, Sheridan Kittle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers, Joseph, Patrick and Tony Basile; and a sister, Mary Ann Ovacek.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 23, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel.

Burial will be at Howland Township Cemetery with Military Honors.

View Image

---

Robert H. Evans, 60

BEDFORD HEIGHTS – Robert H. Evans, 60, passed away June 9, 2009, at James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Fla.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He later joined the Muslim faith, taking the name Faheem Bilal.

Survivors include his wife, Tara; a daughter, Kellisha (Booker T.) McNeill; a son, Kelan Michael (Lynn) Bilal; his mother, Nettie Evans; a brother, James Evans; two sisters, Patricia Watson and Adilah (Wilson) Nadal; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.

Arrangements are being handled by the Sun City Center Funeral Home in Sun City Center, Fla.

View Image

---

Margaret Grace Fata

YOUNGSTOWN – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in Boardman for Margaret Grace Fata, who had been suffering with a form of ALS for the past two years.

Margaret was born Jan. 27, 1922, in Youngstown, a daughter of Albert LaCivita and Marietta LaCivita (Carosella).

She graduated from East High School in 1939 and lived in Youngstown her entire life. Early in her life, she was a seamstress, but then focused her energy on her family for the rest of her life.

Her husband, Oreste Fata, passed away in 1977.

She leaves four children, Michelina Biasella, Oreste J. Fata, Margaret M. (David) Nigro and Gregory (Terri) Fata; eight grandchildren, Lynne Biasella, Beth (Michael) Dowell and Matthew Biasella (children of Michelina), Michael Nigro and Kaitlyn Nigro (children of Margaret) and Nicolette, Kristianna and Alexandria Fata (daughters of Gregory) and one great-grandchild, Anthony Dowell, son of Beth (Michael) Dowell. She is also survived by two sisters, Ann Marie DiPasqua and Patricia Carlomagno.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Anthony A. Fata, who passed away May 8, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Rose Petrich, and four brothers, Angelo LaCivita, Ralph LaCivita, Lawrence LaCivita and Louis LaCivita

The family requests that donations be made to the ALS foundation or Hospice of the Valley.

Friends and family may call today from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church.

View Image

---

Lois D. Gorby, 89

COLUMBUS – Lois D. Gorby, 89, passed away peacefully June 20, 2009 at Sunrise of Bexley.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cecil G. Gorby; son, John C. Gorby; brothers, Joe Donlon and George Donlon; and sister, Patricia Hoon.

Lois is survived by her daughter, Jo Neal; grandchildren, Eileen (Jason) Bundy, Brittany (Tim) Gilla and their children, Sam and Addison, Chad (Heather) Gorby and their children, Riggs and Skya; and daughter-in-law, Darla Temple.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Sunrise of Bexley and to Harbor Lights Hospice for their wonderful care.

Visitation will be held today, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Woodyard-East Chapel, 2300 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus, where the service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m., with Pastor Lou Basslo officiating.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, June 24, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Glenview Cemetery in East Palestine.

---

Joseph G. Hammond Jr.

AUSTINTOWN – Joseph G. Hammond Jr. born April 7, 1955 made his transition June 20, 2009. He joins his son, Lawrence; sister, Char Davis; and nephew, Dow Davis Jr.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sue; his children, Melissa (T.J.) Clymer, Rose, Joe and Dan Hammond; and granddaughters, Adrienne and Lylah Clymer. Joe also leaves his parents, Eileen and Joe Hammond; sisters, Jaqueline McMillan, Anne Remias and Eileen Mitchell; and brother, John Hammond.

Joe was loved by many family members, brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, along with many dear friends.

Joe has touched many lives throughout the community. He was a pole vault coach for Austintown Fitch, Boardman Spartans, and the Canfield Cardinals. A pole vault enthusiast, he vaulted right up to the time he was stricken with pancreatic cancer one year ago. He enjoyed many hobbies, playing guitar, boating, fishing, hunting, gardening and riding his motorcycle.

He was an amazing spirit who always put others above himself, he was certainly an angel among men, and now in heaven to continue watching over all of us.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, or to www.carringbridge.com.

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

---

Richard E. Johnson, 68

STRUTHERS – There will be services at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Anstrom-Velker Funeral Home, 75 E. Midlothian Blvd., for Richard E. Johnson, 68, who died Saturday evening at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

He was born Feb. 14, 1941, in Youngstown, a son of LeRoy E. and Ada Mae Carlson Johnson.

Richard was an electrician employed by WCI Steel Co. for many years, retiring in 2004.

He was a 1959 graduate of South High School and then served his country in the U.S. Navy, stationed on the aircraft carrier, USS Forrestal.

Richard was a member of Argus Lodge No. 545 F.&AM in Canfield and was of the Protestant faith.

He is survived by his daughter, Heidi Johnson of Youngstown; his stepson, Ronald Kane of Boardman; his brother, D. Ronald (Sandra) Johnson of Girard; and his grandchildren, Jenna, Christian and Caila Johnson, Cheyenne Hamilton, Carl Kane and Angeleena Zeigler and his former wife, Sally Tomasic.

Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home, where Argus Lodge will conduct a Masonic Funeral Service at 1 p.m., prior to the service.

---

Julia M. Simon, 99

AUSTINTOWN - Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Grace Lutheran Church in Austintown for Julia M. Simon, 99, who died late Saturday night at Meridian Arms Nursing Home in Austintown.

She was born Dec. 17, 1909 in Detroit, a daughter of Frank and Betty (Timar) Yuhasz, and she came to this area as a child.

She had worked for the F.W. Woolworth Co. in downtown Youngstown though she spent the majority of her adult life as a homemaker caring for her family.

She was a longtime member of the Grace Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and she loved cooking, gardening and listening to opera music.

She married William G. Simon on Feb. 18, 1933 and he preceded her in death on May 6, 1975.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Nancy Simon of Austintown; two grandchildren, Robert Simon and Jackie Simon, both of Columbus; two brothers, Julius Yuhasz of Hubbard and Frank (Betty) Yuhasz of Struthers; and a sister, Dolly (Anthony) DeSantis of Hubbard.

Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, William R. Simon; five brothers, Andrew Yuhasz, Nick, Tom, George, and Ted Lupe; and three sisters, Betty Lupe, Florence Neri and Elizabeth Yuhasz.

Friends may call from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Grace Lutheran Church with services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are being handled by the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

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

View Image

---