Tributes 2008-08-07

Joseph M. Bednar Jr., 54

STRUTHERS – Joseph M. Bednar Jr., 54, of Hampton Ridge, formerly of West Wilson Street, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Hospice House following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Bednar, affectionately known as “Joe,” was born Feb. 27, 1954 in Youngstown, a son of Joseph M. Bednar Sr. and the late Margaret Ann Yaroscak Bednar.

He was baptized at and attended St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church and School in Struthers. He was a 1972 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Youngstown State University, Class of 1976; while attending he was on the All Sports Cheerleading Squad.

He was an avid YSU Alumnus and a member of the Struthers AARP No. 3105.

While living in Colorado, Florida, and Hawaii, Joe worked in the retail furniture business. Upon returning to the area, he was employed as a part-time 911 Emergency Dispatcher at the Struthers Department of Public Safety until becoming ill.

Joe will always be remembered as willing to lend a hand to those in need, his sense of humor and charismatic personality. He was a renowned cook and baker.

He is survived by his father; a brother, Richard (Maggie) Bednar; four nephews, Richard Jr., Jeffrey, Michael and Eric Bednar, all of Gainesville, Fla.; several aunts and uncles in the area; numerous cousins including, Nancy George of Naples, Fla., John P. Sveda of Struthers, and Annajean Dean of Boardman; and his beloved dogs, Aspen and Buttons.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel with Sister Pat Fesler, H.M., officiating.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of service.

A portion of Mr. Bednar’s ashes will be interred with his mother at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Campbell, as well as burial in Florida and Hawaii.

Joe’s family request that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512, or to Struthers FOP Lodge 41 “Police Dog Fund,” or to the Struthers Fire Fighters Association, 6 Elm St., Struthers, OH 44471 in his memory.

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Isabelle Doubrava, 88

CANFIELD – Funeral services will be today at 10:30 a.m. at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, and at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Catholic Church for Mrs. Isabelle Doubrava, 88, who entered into rest Sunday evening at Briarfield Manor Nursing Home.

Isabelle was born Sept. 21, 1919 in Youngstown, the daughter of the late John and Mary (Jackman) Horvat.

A graduate of South High School, Mrs. Doubrava was also a homemaker, and a member of the church and its Infant Jesus of Prague.

Her husband, Darwin Doubrava, whom she married March 1, 1946, passed away June 4, 1989.

Isabelle will be sadly missed by many, including her brother, Raymond Horvat of Bethlehem, Pa.; three sisters, Mary Krupa, Irene Sharkey and Martha Horvat, all of Youngstown; two nieces, Paulette Migletz of Poland and Mary Wolf of West Orange, N.J. She also leaves a nephew, Ted Krupa of Youngstown; two great-nieces, Clara and Emily Montgomery, and a great-nephew, Dylan Wolf, all of West Orange.

Besides her parents and husband, Mrs. Doubrava was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Donna Meijer; a brother, John Horvat; a sister, Carolyn Horvat; and a great-niece, Michele Migletz.

Please visit www.vaschak-kirilafh.com to view this obituary or to send condolences to the family.

Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Dedicated To Caring Since 1907

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Gary Vincent Gaida, 44

BOARDMAN – Gary Vincent Gaida, 44, of Boardman, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Gary was born Nov. 15, 1963 in Youngstown, a son of Gary and Mary Lou Fantone Gaida.

He was a 1982 graduate of Wilson High School and was a laborer. He had worked for Astro Shapes in Struthers for 11 years and at his father’s convenient store, Tiny’s, in Youngstown.

Besides his mother, Mary Lou Wagner and stepfather, John Wagner of Campbell, Gary leaves his wife, the former Tina Cole, whom he married Jan. 10, 1998; one daughter, Krista at home; one son, Brandon, also at home; one sister, Vicki Gaida of Campbell; one brother, Anthony Gaida, also of Campbell; and many nieces and nephews, especially Amir, Leala, Nadia, and Adam.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Gary Gaida.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers.

Interment will follow at Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown.

Friends will be received Friday from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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Doris Mae Gollan, 83

BOARDMAN – Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel in Glenellen, 9661 Market St. in North Lima, for Doris Mae Gollan, 83, who passed away peacefully of respiratory failure on Aug. 5, 2008, with numerous family members at her bedside.

Daughter of the late Ernest and Margaret Gollan of Youngstown, Miss Gollan was born on May 8, 1925 in Youngstown.

She graduated in 1942 from South High School and worked for over 30 years at U.S. Steel as a senior accounts bookkeeper

As a golf enthusiast, Miss Gollan enjoyed playing on the local greens and garnered numerous friendships and awards over many years

Miss Gollan enjoyed traveling as well, and particularly enjoyed trips to Florida, New England, Michigan, and California. Each November, she flew out to California to stay with her sister, Jane Stenger, and would return home to Boardman in March. This was an annual ritual since her sister’s family moved from Youngstown to California in 1963.

While in California for the holidays, “Aunt Doris,” as family members referred to her, spent weeks at a time baking holiday cookies and pastries and candies, including her signature kolache and pumpkin roles.

Miss Gollan is survived by her sister, Jane Stenger of Woodside, Calif. and brothers, Ernie Gollan of Vienna and Norman Gollan of New Middletown. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Donald Stenger of Woodside; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Gollan of Vienna and Barbara Gollan of New Middletown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Rita and brother, Wesley.

Visitation will be on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in Struthers.

Interment will be at Belmont Cemetery.

Material contributions can be made to Angels for Animals, 4750 W. South Range Road, Canfield, OH 44406 or to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

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Robert John Kay

LIBERTY – Robert John Kay’s long courageous battle with heart failure, diabetes, and cancer ended Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008.

Robert was born in Youngstown April 19, 1931, a son of Robert C. and Gladys Simons Kay.

He was a Korean War veteran, having served in U.S. Air Force.

He was a graduate of Liberty High School, where he later was a teacher and administrator for 30 years. He received a BS in education at Youngstown State Univeristy and a Master’s degree at Kent State University. After retiring from the Liberty School Systems, he was a nursing home administrator for Windsor House Inc. and also Omni Manor for several years.

He was the past president of the Liberty Teachers Association and life member of LEA, OEA, NEA, and Trat. He was a member of the Churchill United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher.

He loved to golf, garden, and dance. He was a member of the Churchill Golf League, Howland SCOPE players, The Dewitt McConnell American Legion Post No. 235 of Girard, president of the Carousel Dance Club, Trailers Square Dance Club, the Liberty Optimist Club, and the Salty Dog Entertainers. He also coached Little League and high school baseball for many years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, the former Joann Milliman Kay; children, Kerri Barclay (Kevin Kaelber) of Youngstown, Robert A. (Susan Kay) of Liberty Township and Brent C. (Heidi) Kay of Hubbard; a brother, William (Annette) Kay of Canfield; two grandchildren, Robert R. Kay and Amber Marie Kay; and his faithful pet, Baby. He will be sadly missed by all those who were honored to know him, and fondly remembered for his sense of humor.

Services will be held at the Blackstone Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at 11 a.m., where friends may call one hour before the service. Rev. David Gilbert is officiating.

Calling hours will also be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Churchill Cemetery in Liberty Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like material contributions to go to Celtic Healthcare Hospice, 3550 Belmont Ave., Suite 7 in Youngstown.

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Gussie Mae McGrady, 82

YOUNGSTOWN – Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today at the F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home for Mrs. Gussie Mae McGrady, 82, who departed this life Saturday at Forum Health Northside Medical Center.

Mrs. McGrady was born Feb. 7, 1926 in Wetumpka, Ala., a daughter of Toby and Malinda Cook Zimmerman.

She was a homemaker, a member of the Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, and its Nurses Guild.

Her husband, James E. McGrady died July 4, 1995.

She leaves her children, James L. (Bridgett) Payne of Liberty, Kenneth A. (Vanessa) Payne, Steven A. (Janet) Gardner and Corinne Payne, all of Youngstown; siblings, Jimmie Ann Berry and George Zimmerman, both of Montgomery, Ala.; 37 grandchildren, including, Rondelle, Brittany and Stephanie, whom she reared; host of grandnieces and grandnephews; and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her children, Warren Payne and Linda Gardner; three brothers; and a sister.

Viewing was held Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

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

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Michael James Mercure, 74

COLUMBIANA – Michael James Mercure, 74, of 4454 Signal Road, died at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth’s Health Center Boardman Campus.

Mr. Mercure was born June 15, 1934 in Salem, a son of Michael and Lucille Mangiamilli Mercure and had lived in the Columbiana area all his life.

Michael was a owner-operator of a local auto dealership for several years.  He attended the St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana.

He is survived by his wife the former Carol Ann Gallo, whom he married April 23, 1960; a daughter, Denise Ginocchi of Columbiana; a son, Michael Joseph Mercure of Canfield; and three grandchildren, Caroline Mercure, Michael Jonathan Mercure, and Michael Joseph Ginocchi..

He was preceded by a brother, Thomas David Mercure.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Reverend Thomas Ziegler officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

If friends desire, material tributes may take the form of a donation to the American Cancer Society 525 N Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406.

Visit www.familycareservices.com to sign the guest register and send condolences.

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Theresa M. Polito, 93

YOUNGSTOWN – A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church for Theresa M. Polito, 93, who passed away early Wednesday morning at Austinwoods Nursing Center.

Theresa was born Jan. 9, 1915 in Struthers, the daughter of Charles and Philomena Pacifico Zillo.

Therese moved to Dayton in 1984 and then returned to the area in 1999. She graduated from Struthers High School. Theresa was a member of the Sons of Italy Italian Mothers Club and St. Anthony Lodge in Struthers. She was a member of St. Charles Church. She was active with the Hithergreen Senior Center in Dayton and traveled with them extensively. Theresa enjoyed traveling and loved to cook. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.

Her husband, Nicholas J Polito, whom she married Sept. 26, 1935, passed away Aug. 7, 1988.

Theresa leaves her daughter, Josephine M. Subler of Boardman; her two grandsons, Jeff (Nikki) Manuel and Jim (Xiomara) Manuel; her four great-grandchildren, Haley and Marisa Manuel, Nicholas “Nick” Manuel and Andy Johnson; and her three sisters, Carmel Butch, Josephine Rich, and Mary Colantone

Besides her parents and husband, Theresa was preceded in death by a sister, Jenny Jackintell; and two brothers, Mike Zillo and Jim Zillo.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel and Saturday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

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Genevieve W. Solley, 89

WARREN – Genevieve W. Solley, 89, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at 3:15 a.m. at Gillettes Nursing Home in Warren.

She was born Sept. 24, 1918 in Bloom Township, Pa., the daughter of the late Merle and Dessie Leach Weber.

Genevieve worked for the Copperweld Steel, and General Motors Fabricating Plants’ cafeteria, 20 plus years as a waitress. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, reading and crocheting. She formerly attended St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Genevieve is survived by two daughters, Patricia (James) Hionas and Jacqueline (Thomas) Atkinson, both of Warren; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Lou Keiser of Grampian, Pa.; one brother, Donald Weber of Pembroke, Mass.; two sisters-in-law, Peg Weber of Warren and Janet Swaney of Youngstown.

Other than her parents, Genevieve was preceded in death by her two daughters, Barbara Theriault and Linda Taylor; her son, Leland L. Solley; and her brother, Doyle Weber.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, where family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to one’s own charity of choice.

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Joseph C. Taylor, 82

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Szabo & Sons Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen of Hungary Church, for Joseph C. Taylor, 82, who passed away Monday evening at Ron Joy Nursing Home.

Joseph was born Nov. 5, 1925 in Pittsburgh, a son of Edward and Barbara Yurko Taylor.

He worked for the Erie Railroad, later Conrail Railroad, for 43 years in the communications and signal department, retiring in 1986. He also worked for the Szabo & Sons Funeral Home.

Joe was a member of St. Stephen of Hungary Church, where he was a past councilman and a past officer and member of the Holy Name Society and a CCD principal of the church.

He was a WWII Army veteran serving in the European Theatre, where he received a Purple Heart. Joe was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart No. 186, the DAV No. 17, past commander of the Mahoning County United Veterans Council, American Legion Post 15, VFW 3538, and the WWII Heritage Group. Joe was also a member of BORS No. 109, a director of the Erie Lackawana Credit Union, board member of the Refugee Resettlement Home, a member of the Youngstown American Hungarian Federation of Churches and Societies, William Penn Branch No. 28, and a devoted blood donor for the American Red Cross.

Joe married the former Julia E. Kiraly on Sept. 1, 1951.

He is survived by his wife, Julia; a daughter, Judith Horner of Boardman; two sons, Jeffry J. Taylor and Jerry (Adele) Taylor, both of Youngstown; five grandchildren, Erika, Adrian, Justin, Janine and Jenny; and two great-grandchildren, Steven and Jade.

Joseph was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Jr., who passed away in 1954; and a brother, Edward.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

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Genevieve Vallinger, 98

POLAND – Genevieve Vallinger, 98, of Hampton Woods, formerly of Island Drive, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Nursing Home.

Mrs. Vallinger was born Saturday, Oct. 9, 1909 in English Center, Pa., a daughter of Casmir and Victoria (Krysgowski) Przybylawicz.

She was a member of the Holy Family Church in Poland, where she was a member of its Senior Club at one time. She worked for Youngstown Receiving Hospital, she was a part time Avon representative, and was a cook for the Famous Recipe. Mrs. Vallinger loved decorating, crocheting and was an excellent seamstress and cook.

Her husband Frank Vallinger whom she married June 26, 1928, died Feb. 14, 1992.

She leaves two daughters, Carol (Bob) Huck of Poland and Virginia (Vic) Moss of Canfield; nine grandchildren, Pete (Debbie) Moss, Paula (Jeff) Sanders, Jenny (Bob) Payne, Pam (Roger) Root, Kathy (Doug) Davis, Keith (Debbie) Huck, Jo Kaminski, Kim Huck, and Tom Kaminski; seven great-grandchildren, Victor, Conrad, Ryan, Evan, Kayleigh, Kristen and Darien.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Pauline Kaminski; two sisters, Blanche Wanat and Millie Kohowski; two brothers, John Presby and Frank Presby.

There will be no calling hours.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Family Church, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Richard Whetstone officiating. Interment will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland.

Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com.

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John B. Weatherall, 77

YOUNGSTOWN – Services will be Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home for Mr. John B. Weatherall, 77, who departed this life Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Mr. Weatherall was born March 20, 1931 in Lee County, Ark., a son of Erskine and Laura House Weatherall.

A 1984 retiree of Republic Steel, John enjoyed gardening and social game. He was a self-employed masonry contractor. He was an Army veteran.

His wife, the former Naomi Wade, passed away in 1988.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory 12 children, Marilyn Gibson, Carol Weatherall and Jay Simmons, all of Nashville, Tenn., Howard Wade of Maryland, Donald Weatherall of Mississippi, Carolyn Weatherall, Judy Dickerson, Gay Weatherall, Curtis Wade, Charles Wade, Gregory Anderson and John R. Weatherall, all of Youngstown; a sister, Lucille (Joseph) Glaspie of California; two brothers, Booker (Beulah) of Hamilton and Walter (Shirley) of Canfield; his companion, Shirley Anderson; 26 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, other family and friends.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mable Perry.

Friends may call today from 1 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

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