Tributes 2008-08-25

Howard O. Best, 95

NORTH LIMA – Howard O. Best, 95 of Caprice Home Health Care Center, passed away at 7:55 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Salem Community Hospital.

Mr. Best was born on June 19, 1913 in North Lima, the son of Elam and Anna Barger Best.

Howard was a lifelong area resident. He farmed all his life, working for area farmers. He also worked at Felger’s Plant Farm in New Springfield.

Mr. Best was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in New Springfield. He was also a member of the 50+ Senior Citizens in New Springfield.

Howard is survived by two sisters, Mary Coler of North Lima and Mrs. Leroy (Virginia) Zouck of New Springfield; and one brother, Ronald Best of Columbiana.

He was preceded in death by seven brothers, Elim, Harry, George, John, Rev. Frank, Roy and Donald; and two sisters, Elizabeth Black and Evelyn Schultz.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima, with Rev. Randy Morocco officiating.

Burial will be in New Springfield Cemetery.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima.

Friends may visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to view this obituary, sign the guest register or send private condolences online.

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Mary A. Brajkovich, 86

POLAND – Mary A. Brajkovich, 86, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on Saturday at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman after a short illness.

Mary was born in Campbell on March 7, 1922, a daughter of the late Carlo and Fannie (Flasck) Testa.

She graduated from Campbell Memorial High School with the January Class of 1941. On June 22, 1946, she married Joseph P. Brajkovich, who preceded her in death on June 3, 1968.

She worked for several years in the bakery department of Valu King in Campbell, Plaza Donuts in the Lincoln Knolls Plaza, as well as for her cousin Edward Parise, who owned the Gondolier Restaurant on Albert Street. Mary enjoyed her monthly meetings with her classmates from Memorial High School.

Mary’s life revolved around her family and she did all she could to make her home a source of pride, comfort, and happiness for all of them. “She loved all of us unconditionally and will always be remembered for her sweet smile and sparkling green eyes that danced with joy.”

She will be sadly missed and always remembered by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and Richard Szenborn; her beloved partner of more than 20 years Edward Swartz; her sister, Margaret (Frank) Shiminsky; her brother, Carl (Delores) Testa; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wasko Funeral Home.

Services will be held Wednesday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph the Provider Church, where Mary was a member.

“We want to thank the ICU staff at St. Elizabeth’s, especially Jillian, Gene, and Roberta, who made Mary’s last days comfortable in every way.

Ma, you loved me since before my first breath. For this I thank you and will hold you forever in my heart.”

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Royal E. Ficke, 89

BOARDMAN – Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Clemente Funeral Home in Struthers for Royal E. Ficke, 89, who died Sunday morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Boardman Campus.

Royal was born Oct. 20, 1918 in Joplin, Mo., a son of Homer and Leona Pellin Ficke. He came to the area in 1935.

He had been a truck driver for Stonebrenner Trucking and Simmons Mattress. He had also been a driver and chauffeur for Sutton Tours in Boardman for many years. He was also a member of the Salvation Army.

His wife, the former Alice M. Smith, whom he married April 5, 1937, died June 4, 2007.

He leaves a son, Donald (Paula) Ficke of Warren; a daughter, Esther (Ray) Spencer of Rickman, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A brother, Donald Ficke is deceased.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the funeral home.

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Catherine Marie Jaczko Rosapepe, 91

ROANOKE, VA. – Mrs. Catherine Marie Jaczko Rosapepe, 91, formerly of Wheaton, Md., died Friday morning, Aug. 22, 2008, at Westover Continuing Care Center in Hamilton.

She was the wife of the late Carl J. Rosapepe Sr., who preceded her in death in 1996.

Born on August 27, 1916 in Budapest, Hungary, whe was the daughter of the late Joseph and Eva Jaczko.

Mrs. Rosapepe formerly taught in Silver Spring, Md., and Roanoke, Va.

Surviving are three children, Karen Rosapepe Duvall of Germantown, Md., Carl Rosapepe Jr. of Roanoke and Karen Grubbs of Hamilton; three granchildren,Julie, Christina and Anthony Joseph; and two great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amy.

Friends may call at the Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, Md. on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, Md.

Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Colonial Foundation, 520 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45013.

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Robert J. Urban Sr., 58

MCDONALD – Robert J. Urban Sr., 58, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at the Cleveland Clinic.

He was born Dec. 4, 1949 in Youngstown, the son of Emil and Kathryn (Fedyski) Urban.

He was a graduate of McDonald High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from Youngstown State University. He served in the Air Force Reserve from 1968 to 1974. He retired in 2006 after 23 years experience in automotive sales industry including 17 years in auto sales management. He worked at Crown Ford, Stupka Motors, and finished his career at Stateline Auto Group in Andover.

Previously he was a police officer for the Village of McDonald for 12 years. He served from 1988 through 1995 as councilman for the Village of McDonald including time as president pro tem. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles.

He is survived by his mother, Kathryn Urban in McDonald; two sons, Robert J. “Bo” Urban Jr. (Melissa) of McDonald and Christopher Urban of Hilton Head, S.C.; a daughter, Rachel Urban of Columbus; two brothers, David (Barb) Urban of McDonald and Mark (Kelly) Urban of Indianapolis; two sisters, Bonnie (Tim) Fauls and Mary (Mark) Springberg of Gurnee, Ill.; his former wife and companion, Jeannie Urban of McDonald; nine nieces and nephews; and a great-niece and great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his father, Emil Urban.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the McClurkin Funeral Home in Girard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Carmel Church in Niles with prayers at 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be made to the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org and look for the “Robert Urban” page, and United Network for Organ Sharing, visit www.unos.org for more information.

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

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Louis A. Vernell, 90

HUBBARD – Louis A. Vernell, 90, died Saturday evening, Aug. 23, 2008, at Briarfield of Ashley Circle.

He was born April 7, 1918 in Hubbard, a son of Joseph and Jennie Marquette Vernell and was a lifelong area resident.

Mr. Vernell worked for Jennings Manufacturing in Masury for 35 years retiring in 1980. A member of St. Bernadette Church in Masury, he belonged to the Masury VFW, enjoyed carpentry work and building and was a graduate of Brookfield High School. He served with the U.S. Army in WWII, where he was an air operations specialist, setting up bombing missions, working with the tower sending out B-24 aircraft and guiding battered planes back to safety.

He was a proud member of the Jolly Rogers 90th Bomb Group and was awarded five bronze stars while serving his country in the Asiatic Theater, Southern Philippines, Luzon, Papuan, New Guinea, and Bismarck Archipelago.

Louis was a kind gentleman, generous and trusting to a fault. He always gave and never took and proudly served his country in WWII and never asked for anything in return. He was a good son, brother, father, grandfather, and soldier.

His wife, the former Marion Engrao, whom he married May 24, 1947, died Nov. 16, 1968.

He leaves a son, Louis Vernell of Ft. Myers, Fla.; a daughter, Linda (David) Madeline of Hubbard; a brother, George Vernell of Hubbard; a sister, Annabelle Sauline of Hubbard; two grandchildren, Justin (Christina) Bettura and Matthew Bettura, both of Masury; and one great-grandson, Camron Louis Bettura of Masury.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Delores Vernell and Margaret Yankovich; a brother, Joseph Vernell; and his best friend of many years, Louis Izzo.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512.

Please visit www.kelley-robb.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to the family.

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