Tributes 2009-12-07

John O. Alexander, 60

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Howard-Rhoden Memorial Home for John O. Alexander, 60, who departed this life on Nov. 30, 2009.

Mr. Alexander, lovingly known as “Big John,” was born Aug. 3, 1949, in Youngstown, a son of the late Mrs. Evelyn (James) Collins and the late Mr. William Beverly.

He was a Sergeant in the Army, where he served two tours in the Vietnam War. He was awarded The National Defense Service Medal, The U.S. Vietnam Campaign Medal and The Vietnam Republic Campaign Medal.

He was also a skilled mechanic.

He leaves to cherish his memory eight children, Tracee Hewlett of Campbell, Felisha Anderson of Woodbridge, Va., Sherena Battles of Atlanta, Ga., Tina Alexander and La’Tonya Madison, both of Columbus, and John Alexander Jr., Tamika Madison and Estelle Artist, all of Youngstown; 27 grandchildren, two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; three brothers, Mr. Roger (Nora) Alexander of Warren, Mr. James Stevenson and Mr. Larry Alexander, both of Youngstown; three sisters, Ms. Loretta Gilbert of Youngstown, Ms. Faye Wade and Ms. Marilyn Gilbert Williams, both of Boardman; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother whom he adored, Mrs. Evelyn Collins; a stepfather, Mr. James Collins; and father, Mr. William Beverly.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Howard Rhoden Memorial Home.

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Donna Jean Rocco Buccieri, 82

PORT ST. JOE – Donna Jean Rocco Buccieri, 82, born Sept. 24, 1927, has gone to rest on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, where she will be reunited with her husband, Samuel Robert Buccieri I.

Donna is survived by her four children, Stephanie Wilbanks, Sandra Bish and Samuel and Seth Buccieri; her six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Originally from Youngstown, Donna moved to Miami, with her family in 1961, where she worked and retired from Southern Bell in 1982.

For the past seven years, Donna has resided in Port St. Joe along the panhandle coast of Florida, where she will be laid to rest at Holly Hill Cemetery with her husband.

The funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, conducted by the Rev. Phil Fortin.

She will lie in state at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday.

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Carolyn J. DiFlorio, 61

CAMPBELL – Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Wasko Funeral Home for Carolyn J. DiFlorio, 61, who passed away Thursday evening in St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Carolyn was born July 20, 1948, in Youngstown, the daughter of Emery and Allie Wilson Dutton.

She was a 1966 graduate of North High School. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and worked as the office manager at the Boardman Giant Eagle for 17 years.

Carolyn loved being in Florida, going to casinos and watching the Food Network, but most of all she loved the family lamb roasts, because it brought her whole family together.

Her husband, Edward DiFlorio, whom she married on April 3, 1969, passed away on Jan. 28, 2002.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Edward (Leah) of San Francisco, Calif., Vittoria (John) Williams of Boardman, Letizia (Randy) White of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Dino DiFlorio of Campbell; brothers and sister, Robert (Maria) Dutton of Struthers, Helen Raye Cora of Struthers, and John (Patricia) Dutton of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Derek Wagner, N’Dia, Eddie, Rocco and Vincenzo DiFlorio and Ali Williams; three sisters-in-law, Mary Dutton of Struthers and Sara Dutton and Eleanor Dutton, both of Youngstown; her beloved dog, Bobby D; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three brothers, Emery (Buddy) Dutton, William (Billy) Dutton and Kenneth Dutton.

The DiFlorio family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive friends Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

Please visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary.

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Sarfeeyan Malek, 81

YOUNGSTOWN – Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Third Baptist Church for Sarfeeyan Malek, 81, who departed this life Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Mr. Malek was born April 12, 1928, in Monroeville, Ala., a son of Hilliard and Fannie Nettles Malden.

He retired as supervisor of air conditioning and refrigeration at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

He was a deacon of the church, teacher of the Metoka Sunday school class and a member of Men-of-Goodwill.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He leaves his wife, the former Margaret Howard Mitchell, whom he married July 15, 1989; his children, Hylemia Ewing, Edward (Wanda) Mitchell Jr., and Sonji (Richard) Jackson, all of Youngstown; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

His parents; three sisters, Marie, Fannie and Bama; a brother, Frank; and his first wife, the former Hattie McGlothen, preceded him in death.

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

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

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Pamela A. Samarco, 59

GIRARD – Funeral services are Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 5925 Market Street in Boardman for Pamela A. Samarco, 59, was passed away Sunday morning at St. Elizabeth Health Center on Belmont Avenue.

Mrs. Samarco was born in Youngstown on Aug. 12, 1950, the daughter of Stanley and Valerie Boncyk Gozdewich, and was a life-long resident of the area.

She was a homemaker and an avid bingo player.

Pamela was preceded in death by her parents and by her son, Stanley J. Samarco.

Cherishing her memory are her husband, Thomas Samarco, Jr., whom she married on July 25 1968; her son, Thomas (Carrie) Samarco, III of Pittsburgh; her daughter, Danielle T. Samarco of Austintown; her grandchildren, Alyssa and Austin Samarco, Brooke and Daisy Thomas, and Danica McAllister; her brother, John Boncyk; and her uncle, John T. Samarco of Youngstown.

Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., prior to the services.

Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery.

Please visit kubinayuhasz@sbcglobal.net to send condolences.

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Katherine (Furillo) Serban, 83

MASURY – Katherine (Furillo) Serban, formerly of Budd Street, passed away Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at 2:15 p.m. at Nugent’s Nursing Home in Hermitage, Pa.

Mrs. Serban was born on May 28, 1926 in Sharon, Pa., the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Moderella) Furillo.

She married Leo Serban on May 15, 1948 and together they would share over 42 years of marriage.

Katherine was a former member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Masury, and had been a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and had a special love for roses.

She is survived by her son, Richard Serban of Masury; her daughter, Katherine Femia and her husband, Rocco, of Masury; her brother, Michael Furillo of Garrettsville; and her sister, Rita Massaro of Niles. Two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, on Dec. 27, 1990 and by her two sisters, Phyllis Palumbo and Josephine Jone.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lane Funeral Homes, Madasz Chapel in Brookfield, where a funeral service will begin at 5 p.m.

Burial will be at Brookfield Township Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1815 West Market St., Akron, OH 44313 in Katherine’s Honor.

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

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