Tributes 2009-09-05

Robert M. Birskovich, 68

NILES – Robert M. Birskovich, 68, of 2957 Carl St., passed away at 12:55 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Renaissance Nursing Home in Warren.

He was born March 11, 1941 in Youngstown, the son of Frank and Helen Schuller Birskovich.

Robert was a 1959 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and a 1965 graduate of Youngstown State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in mathematics. He was a computer analyst for IBM and ITT and a self employed Systems Engineer

He was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, former historian at the Vienna Air Base, enjoyed fishing and shooting pool.

Robert was sworn into the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1965 and graduated from Officers Candidate School in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in May of 1966. He was promoted to 1^st Lieutenant in 1969.

He will be deeply missed by his mother, Helen of Niles; a brother, David Birskovich of Niles; three sisters, Jean Searfoss and her husband, Victor of Iron Station N.C., Susan Sturgeon and her husband, Stephen of Niles and Barbara Graham and her husband, Marc of Noblesville, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank and a sister, Nancy Birskovich.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Joseph Rossi & Sons Funeral Home in Niles where the Mt. Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct prayers at 5:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, with Fr. Larry Frient officiating, preceded by a 9 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Joseph Rossi & Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Niles.

Visit www.josephrossifuneralhome.com to send condolences.

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Carolyn L. Chomos

NORTH PORT, FLA. – Carolyn L. Chomos passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, at Tidewell Hospice Care Center in Port Charlotte, Fla., following a lengthy illness. Carolyn was a cancer survivor of eight years.

Mrs. Chomos was born in Sharon, Pa. on June 15, 1949, a daughter of Roger E. and Eleanor L. (Thomas) Hayes.

She was a 1967 graduate of Hubbard High School, and married Joseph P. Chomos on Feb. 14, 1969.

Carolyn was employed as a waitress at the former Schuster’s Steak House in Masury and also as a Pharmacy Technician at the former Greenwood Pharmacy in Sharpsville, Pa.

Since her move to Florida, Carolyn was a member of the North Port American Legion Post No. 254 Auxilary.

She was a resident of Brookfield until she and her husband moved to Florida in 2001.

Mrs. Chomos is survived by her husband, Joseph at home; her two sons, Jeffrey Chomos and his wife, Tiffany of North Port and U.S. Army Captain Willam Chomos and his wife, Christine stationed at Fort Knox, Ky.; four grandchildren, Nicholas Sheets and Haley Chomos of North Port and Stephen Chomos and Abby Chomos of Fort Knox; two brothers, Robert Hayes and his wife, Wealthy of Bay Village and John Hayes and his wife Ronda of Summerville, S.C.; her sister, Patricia Takash and her husband, George of Masury; and also surviving are several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She will be sadly missed by all those who loved her, including her dog, Chance, a retired greyhound.

Calling hours will be held Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lane Funeral Homes, Madasz Chapel in Brookfield, where a funeral service will begin at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey T. Moore of the Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hermitage, Pa. officiating.

Burial wll be at Brookfield Township Cemetery.

Carolyn and her husband were actively involved with the Relay for Life program in North Port, the family suggests that contributions be made to the North Port Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Sarasota Unit, 2801 Fruitville Road 250, Sarasota, FL 34237 or Tidewell Hospice, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.

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

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Michael J. Hudak, 89

CAMPBELL – Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wasko Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Youngstown for Michael J. Hudak, 89, who passed away Friday morning at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

Michael was born July 15, 1920 in Youngstown, the son of Albert and Mary Olenick Hudak and was a lifelong area resident.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and retired from the Mahoning County Engineers Department as a Draftsman.

He was a member of the church, the Cy-Me Men’s Club, Infant Jesus of Prague and Jenota. He was also a commentator and served as a councilman.

He was a graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and attended Youngstown State University and the University of Notre Dame.

His wife, the former Eleanor J. Berquist, whom he married on Aug. 26, 1948, passed away on Sept. 11, 1977.

Mike loved his family and will be sadly missed by his daughter, Michelle Barry and her fiancé, Dave Ramun of Youngstown; his son, Michael G. (Nancy) of Aurora, Colo.; two granddaughters, Joclyn (Tom) Horton of Warren and Debra Barry of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; a brother, Edward (Ann) of Youngstown; sister, Anne Allgower of Pennsylvania; his loving companion, Bette Kovach of Youngstown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three brothers, Albert, Joseph and John; and two sisters, Mary and Catherine.

The Hudak family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will received friends Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m.

Donald L. “Don” Tomlinson Sr., 75

CORTLAND – Donald L. “Don” Tomlinson Sr., 75, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at his residence.

Don was born on Oct. 31, 1933 in Mecca, the son of the late John Chester and Evelyn Avonia (McPheron) Tomlinson.

A lifetime area resident, Don was a 1951 graduate of Maplewood High School, where he went to study aviation engineering at Tri-State. He was a member of the Mecca Community Church, a charter member of the Mecca Volunteer Fire Department, member of the Cortland Moose Lodge No. 1012, Cortland Masonic Lodge No. 529, Mecca Grange and the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, and was an avid investor. Don enjoyed aviation and received his pilots license.

Don was employed as the manager of Tri-Cash & Carry Lumber, Busy Beaver, Fagen’s Inc., and was president of the Ideal Investment Club. He also owned and operated Tomlinson’s Trucking Inc. and had his own farm, which he was active with up until his passing.

Don married the former, Sadie Dunlap on Dec. 15, 1951, by whom he is survived. Together they shared 57 years of marriage. Also surviving Don are his children, Donald Lee (Teresa) Tomlinson Jr. of Cortland, Sherry McFall of Kellar, Texas, and Kimberly Tomlinson of Mecca; grandchildren, Adrienne Avonia Rawl, Patrick J. McFall and Paige L. Miller; three great-granddaughters; and a sister, Carolyn Rowe of Mecca.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland.

The family will be receiving friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service.

A Masonic service will be held at 5:45 p.m.

Interment will be at East Mecca Cemetery.

Material contributions can be made in Don’s memory to the Cortland Moose Lodge No. 1012, 6400 St. Rt. 46, Cortland, OH 44410 or to University Hospitals Department of Institutional Development, P.O. Box 74947, Cleveland, OH 44101-9927.

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

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