Dorothy A. Nenadich Balog

YOUNGSTOWN - Dorothy Nenadich Balog, 83, passed away peacefully late Saturday evening, April 28, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born Feb. 20, 1935, in Struthers, Dorothy was the second child of the late Zakarija and Anna Bacak Nenadich, and was a 1952 graduate of Struthers High School.

She married Richard N. Balog of Youngstown on Aug. 16, 1952, and they spent over 43 happy years together until his death in May of 1996.

After marriage, the couple moved to Cleveland, where their three daughters were born. A son was born when the family moved back to Youngstown, living on the city’s west side.

Mrs. Balog worked in the housewares department of Strouss’ Department Store in downtown Youngstown for 24 years, until the store’s closing in 1986.

An excellent cook, she was well-known in her circle of family and friends for her homemade apple strudel and other delicious dishes. Dorothy enjoyed crocheting, and was an avid sports fan who loved to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. Mrs. Balog had a lovely voice, which she added to the Strossmayer Singing Society, where she sang in the mid-1960s.

She was a member of Holy Apostles Parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Youngstown. Dorothy was also a member of Croatian Fraternal Union, St. George Lodge No. 66, and of SNPJ Lodge, No. 153.

Dorothy leaves her children, Darlene (Greg) Fejka of Moon Township, Pa., Kathleen Balog, with whom she shared her home, Joann (Edward) Jopek of New Castle, Pa., and Joseph Balog (Denise Fletcher) of Austintown; five grandchildren, Cara (Krassi) Kassabov, Stefanie (Luke) Dybalski, Lisa (John) Kettler, Matthew Balog, and Nicholas Fejka; eight great-grandchildren, Gaby, Mimi, Kali, Johnny, Kenzi, Kaylan, Kristian, and Nelie, with another great-grandchild “coming soon;” three sisters, Rose Horvat of Youngstown, Theresa Ulicney of Columbus, and Kathy (Edward) Gries of Youngstown; a brother, Joseph (Karlynn) Nenadich of Boardman; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a half-sister, Mary Plesh Hamarik, and by half-brothers, Thomas and John Plesh.

Family and friends may gather from noon to 1 p.m., Saturday May 5, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 421 Covington St., Youngstown, where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m.

Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.