Tributes 2009-09-21

Edna M. (Young) Cosma, 86

LOWELL, MASS - Edna M. (Young) Cosma, 86, a resident of Lowell since 2005, died Wednesday morning, April 29, 2009, at Wingate at Lowell Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.

She was the loving wife of the late George Cosma, with whom she celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary prior to his death.

Born in Youngstown on Oct. 1, 1922, she was the daughter of the late William W. and Edna V. (Scargill) Young.

Edna made her home and raised her family in Youngstown and was a lifetime member of the Mahoning United Methodist Church. Active in the church community, she oversaw the church kitchen and was a member of the Friendship and Wesmeth Sunday school classes.

Mrs. Cosma was an excellent seamstress, cook and baker. Her family, friends and church community relied on her to provide the best-tasting food at every event. Her sewing skills provided her family with unique clothing and her home with custom designs.

Edna graduated from Chaney High School and was employed as a telephone operator with Ohio Bell prior to her marriage to George.

Edna leaves two devoted daughters and a son-in-law, Cheryl L. Calvin of Portage Lake and Janice L. and Patrick McCabe of Lowell, with whom she had resided since 2005.

She was the beloved mother of the late Suellen Cosma.

She was the loving grandmother to Mary McCabe and husband Ryan Gilday, Amanda McCabe, Maureen (Molly) McCabe and grandson Gabriel. Edna was thrilled to have a new great-grandson, Finnegan P. Gilday. Mrs. Cosma is survived by her loving brother and sister-in-law, William and Kay Young of New Middletown; and by her sister-in-law, Victoria Crawford. Edna was loved by her cousins, Dorothy and John Kaglic of Youngstown; many nieces and nephews; and a brother, James, who lives in Florida.

Edna was predeceased by her sister, Harriet.

Edna and her family truly appreciated the excellent care provided for her at Wingate at Lowell. The staff became a second family to her when she no longer could be cared for at home. All of them were a blessing to Edna and her family.

A memorial service for Edna will occur at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Youngstown. You are invited to come and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mahoning United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Local arrangements are being handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

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Ruth W. Courtney, 88

SALEM – Ruth W. Courtney, 88, formerly of Girard, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Pleasant View North in Salem. Before that, she had been residing at Gracewoods Senior Living, also in Salem.

Ruth was born Jan. 11, 1921, to the late Herman and Verle Petrie Monsler in Austinburg, Ohio and moved to Girard as a young child.

She graduated from Girard High School in 1938 and from Youngstown Business College in 1939. She was a lifelong member of the Girard First United Methodist Church.

Ruth worked in the office for Isaly’s and McDonald Steel before retiring from 35 years of employment at Ohio Bell, where she sang in the Ohio Bell Choir and was a member of the Pioneer Club.

She enjoyed many outdoor concerts with her husband and sister and also attending her great-nephews sporting events.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Monsler of Canfield, and his daughter, Zoe Monsler of Orlando, Fla. She is also survived by her niece, Cheryl and husband Robert of Salem; great-nephews, Charlie and wife Sarah of Greenville, S.C., Robbie and wife Holly of Upper Arlington and Allen of Cincinnati; her nephew, Ray “Speedy” Akins and wife Joanne of Richmond Hill, Ga., and his stepchildren, Vanessa, Kenny and Stacy; many cousins in Jefferson, Ohio; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Courtney, whom she married in March of 1977 and who died in October of 1989; and her sister, Marie Akins.

Services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Girard City Cemetery Chapel, where visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions to be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4300 Belmont Ave. Unit 3, Youngstown, OH 44505-1084.

Arrangements are being handled by the Blackstone Funeral Home.

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Minister Juanita Guss, 57

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be on Wednesday at noon at the Union Baptist Church for Minister Juanita Guss, 57, who departed this life Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at her home.

She was born Oct. 7, 1951, in Luverne, Ala., a daughter of James and Irie Lee Lowery Davis.

She was a graduate of The Rayen High School. She had previously been employed as a presser for the Youngstown Towel Supply. She became a licensed minister under the leadership of the Rev. Michael Harrison Sr. in 2007.

She enjoyed reading, shopping, traveling and going to movies, but most of all, she loved being with her grandchildren and taking care of her family.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her mother of Youngstown; two sons, David Lee Guss Jr. of Youngstown and Antwan C. Guss of Austintown; five brothers, Robert (Neece) Lowery of Florida, John E. McLean and Paul Andrew Talley, both of Youngstown, Ricky L. Hodges of Seattle, Wash. and John Lee Talley of Florida; a sister, Ann Lee Talley of Florida; five grandchildren, Ashlynn M., Jerae’ A., Kayla J. Guss and Tyrell D. and Tiffany L. Green; a niece, Norma J. Clayton; a daughter-in-law, Tiffany Green; an adopted son, James Mitchell; an aunt, Louise Talley; a good friend, Donald Rivers, all of Youngstown; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father; a sister, Ira Mae Clayton; and two brothers, Willie Ray and Willie Andrew Talley.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services from 11 a.m. to noon at the church.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.

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Bernice A. Jacob, 85

BOARDMAN – Bernice A. Jacob, 85, passed away at 1:03 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Briarfield of Mineral Ridge.

She was born March 11, 1924, in Youngstown, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Ocarz) First.

A lifetime area resident, she graduated from South High School. She was a devoted homemaker and was of the Catholic faith. Bernice enjoyed playing bingo.

Her husband, John Jacob, whom she married Aug. 30, 1947, preceded her in death Jan. 19, 2003. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Paul First and a sister, Helen Mullen.

Survivors include a son, David (Janet) Jacob of Howland Township; a daughter, Beverly (Tom) Stanec of Poland; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Henry First of Struthers.

There are no calling hours or services and the family requests that material contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512-5198.

The Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.

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

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Shirley A. Lukehart, 75

YOUNGSTOWN - Shirley A. Lukehart, 75, of the city’s west side, passed away Saturday afternoon, Sept. 19, 2009, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Shirley was born July 28, 1934, in Verona, Pa., a daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Pollack Scherder.

She was a graduate of Penn Hills High School and came to this area in the mid-1950s. She was a homemaker and had worked at Serex Vending for about 10 years. She was of the Catholic faith and a member of the Saxon Club.

Shirley leaves three children, Joseph (Georgiana) Lukehart of Youngstown, Darlene Schultz of Boardman and Thomas (Kathy) Lukehart of Boardman; six grandchildren, Nikki, Brooke, Kayla, Heather, Mandi and Sarah; three great-grandchildren, Ava, Jonah and Ellianah; and three sisters, Ruth (Merle) Jantz, Josephine Rock and Fran (Frank) Wible, each of Pittsburgh.

Shirley will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A brother, Robert Scherder, is deceased.

Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road in Youngstown.

Family and friends may also call on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home, where funeral services will take place at 11 a.m.

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

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Rosemary M. Gerlach Moore, 78

YOUNGSTOWN – Rosemary M. Gerlach Moore entered peacefully into eternal rest on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at 8 p.m. at the Hospice House in Boardman following a lengthy illness. She was 78.

Rosemary was born the loving daughter of the late Daniel Sr. and Rose (Hash) Coman on June 12, 1931, in Youngstown and had been a longtime resident of Youngstown East Side and Struthers.

Rosemary was a homemaker and attended the Romanian Orthodox Church in Youngstown.

In 1949, Rosemary was united into marriage with Andrew Gerlach and had shared several years until his passing in 1957.

Memories of Rosemary will be cherished and remembered by her family: son, Andrew Gerlach of Youngstown; daughter, Joan Cascarelli of Canfield; brothers, John Coman of Poland. Richard Coman of Struthers and Ron Coman of Canfield; sisters, Joan Naples of Canfield, Nancy Koutsourais of Campbell and Helen Kish of Youngstown; four grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Daniel, Roy and David Corman; and sisters, Ellen Rogers, Dorothy Greenwalt and Judy Larubina.

Services will be Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Youngstown. Officiating will be the Rev. Msgr. John H. DeMarinis.

Burial will be in Tod Homestead Cemetery in Youngstown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated to Serving Your Loved Ones.

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