Tributes 2009-07-02

Lawrence Frank D’Eramo, 63

AUSTINTOWN – Lawrence Frank D’Eramo, 63, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, at his residence in Austintown.

He was born Aug. 4, 1945 in Youngstown, the son of the late Daniel D. D’Eramo and Mary (Frattaroli) D’Eramo.

The family includes son, Frank D’Eramo of Boardman; and his brother, Robert (Tammy) D’Eramo of Yorktown, Va. He also leaves a niece and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He attended South High School. He was employed at General Motors. He enjoyed world history, music and monitoring shortwave radio.

Calling hours will be at the Fabrizio Funeral Home, 619 East Indianola Ave. in Youngstown on Friday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

His services will be at the Fabrizio Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 3.

Burial will be at Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown.

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Betty Louise Benford Hodge, 85

YOUNGSTOWN – A funeral service celebrating the life of Mrs. Betty Louise Benford Hodge, 85, will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Phillips Chapel C.M.E. Church.

Mrs. Hodge was born Feb. 24, 1924 in Youngstown, a daughter of Charles and Bertha Gibbs Benford.

She was a 1942 graduate of East High School and in 1947 she married William P. Hodge. In 1997, she and her husband celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mrs. Hodge was a devoted wife and mother who spent her spare time as a volunteer with the Jefferson Elementary PTA. She also volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for many years. Her many scouting activities included taking her troop to tour Washington, D.C.

She was a lifelong member of the Phillips Chapel C.M.E. Church and she will be missed by those that knew her.

On June 30, 2009 our heavenly father cast his eternal light onto Heritage Manor and beckoned her home.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, William; her son, Philip B. Hodge and his wife, Catherine of Hubbard; her daughter, Michele and her husband, Jesse of Atlanta; her sister, Barbara Jean Betters of Youngstown; two brothers, Charles L. Benford Jr. of Toledo and Lawrence Benford and his wife, Mary of Austintown; four grandchildren, Terrence Hodge of Stow, Shanna Cargill of Niles and Brian Dukes and Ericka Dukes, both of Atlanta; a great-grandson, Tyler Cargill of Niles; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clement Benford; and a sister, Dorothy Ricketts.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.

Condolences may be faxed to 330 782-2050 or e-mailed to JEWASHTON@aol.com

Ministry of comfort provided by J. E. Washington Funeral Services Inc.

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Bertha Johnson, 88

YOUNGSTOWN – Private services were held Wednesday at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home for Mrs. Bertha Johnson, 88, who departed this life Friday, June 26, 2009, at Forum Health Northside Medical Center.

Mrs. Johnson was born Sept. 19, 1920 in Greenville, S.C., a daughter of John Henderson and Pearl Jones.

She had worked as a retailer in the A & P Stores for 28 years, retiring in 1982. She was a former member of the Holy Trinity Baptist Church and enjoyed sewing and loved cooking.

She leaves to cherish her beloved memory, a daughter, Margaret (Bufus Jr.) Berger of Washington, D.C.; a son, Harold Tomlin, with whom she made her home; four grandchildren, Debra Staples, Carla Tomlin, Kimberly Ezell and Gary Tomlin; four great-grandchildren; beloved friends, Mabel Greene and Nell Jackson; and a host of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Russell Tomlin; and second husband, Lewis Gus Johnson.

There were no calling hours.

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Amanda Lucky-Robinson, 58

GIRARD – A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009, at the New Hope Renewing of the Holy Gospel Church for Mrs. Amanda Lucky-Robinson, 58, who departed this life Wednesday, June 30, 2009, at Hospice House.

Mrs. Lucky-Robinson was born Oct. 5, 1950 in Gosport, Ala., a daughter of Archie and Lula Keiser Robinson.

She was a bus driver and bus attendant for Youngstown City Schools. She attended Youngstown State University and Akron University, majoring in Psychology.

She leaves two daughters, Tressey Beasley of Warren and Pauline Lucky of Youngstown; a son, Paul Lucky of Youngstown; four siblings, William (Denise) Robinson, Mattie (Willie) Webb and Dorthann Robinson, all of Akron and Larry Robinson of Monroeville, Ala; a half-brother, Robert Lewis of Buffalo, N.Y.; her best friend, Milreta (Derrick) Lewis of Indianapolis; and eight grandchildren.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by the F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home Inc.

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Loretta L. Slanina, 90

POLAND – Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Wasko Funeral Home and at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Campbell for Loretta L. Slanina, 90, who passed away Tuesday evening at Hampton Woods Nursing Home.

Loretta was born Nov. 16, 1918 in Starford, Pa., the daughter of August and Anna Liptak Leskovjanski.

She was a member of the church.

Her husband, John R. Slanina, whom she married Nov. 20, 1943, passed away on Sept. 3, 1997.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, John (Jane) Slanina of Youngstown, Bob (Patti) Slanina of Poland, Frank (Pat) Slanina of Toledo and Teri (Matt) Novotny of Boardman; brothers and sisters,  Ed (Mildred) Leskovjanski of Santa Rosa, Calif., Ken (Ellen) Fayak of Baltimore, Delores Dobish of Cleveland, Richard Fayak of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Francis Fayak of Washington, D.C. and Annabelle (Ron) Sheredy of Cleveland; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; brothers, John and Joe Leskovjanski; and Bernie Fayak; stepfather, Andy Fayak; and great-grandson, Diego Alejandro Slanina.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Hampton Woods Nursing Facility for their care and friendship and also a special thank you to Hospice of the Valley.

The Slanina family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive friends Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m.

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John “Jack” Wilson, 90

BOARDMAN – John “Jack” Wilson, 90, formerly of Struthers, died early Wednesday morning at his daughter’s residence.

Jack was born Feb. 28, 1919 in Jessup, Pa., a son of Percy and Florence Hodgett Wilson. He lived most of his life in Struthers before moving to the Boardman area in 1999.

A 1938 graduate of Struthers High School, Jack worked in Property Protection for Youngstown Sheet & Tube for 30 years. He then worked for O’Neil Awning for 15 years. For many years, Jack was employed with Gold Cross Limousine in Struthers. Jack was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre in France, the Rhineland and Ardennes.

Jack was a member of Poland Lodge F&AM No. 766 and a 32 degree Mason of Youngstown Valley of Scottish Rite. He served as Past Monarch for the Aut Mori Grotto in 1987, where he was a member of the Patrol, the Old Timers Revel Unit, where he was Captain for 12 years, and was made a Kentucky Colonel for his humanitarian deeds.

His wife, the former Ruth Jones, whom he married June 8, 1940, died April 16, 2003.

He leaves his daughter, Deborah Wilson, with whom he made his home; a son, Gary (Judy) Wilson of Struthers; four grandchildren, Laurie and Cassie Wilson, Jackie (Raymond) Boila and Christopher Wilson; and one great-grandson, Vincent Boila.

Besides his parents and wife, Jack was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Waldele; and four brothers, Francis, Thomas, Harold and Robert Wilson.

Services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Bethel Friends Lutheran Church in Boardman with Pastor Brett Rizzo officiating.

Friends will be received Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland Chapel where a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m.

Visitation will also be from 9 to 9:45 a.m., prior to the service at the church.

Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, c/o Robin Blass 2109 Adelbert Road, T101, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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