Josephine T. Pietruch

YOUNGSTOWN - Josephine T. Pietruch, 99, passed away peacefully early Tuesday evening, March 5, 2019, at Omni Manor.

Josephine was born May 13, 1919, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Stephen and Frances Colaric Benedict, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a graduate of East High School and worked as a cashier at Malkoff’s Handy Service on Oak Street in Youngstown and for S.S. Kresge Company in downtown Youngstown. She then worked for 17 years for Ryan Service on Mahoning Avenue, retiring in 1980.

Josephine was a lifelong member of Holy Apostles Parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Croatian Church in Youngstown. She was also a member of Croatian Fraternal Union St. George Lodge No. 66 and the Kolo Dance Group.

Mrs. Pietruch enjoyed baking, yardwork, listening to and dancing to Croatian music, and she loved spending time with her family.

Josephine leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Dorothy Ristich of Canfield; her grandchildren, Michele and James Gatts, Melanie and Michael Fromel, and Marsha and James Mannion; five great-grandchildren, India Gatts, Sabrina Gatts, Alex Fromel, Andrew Fromel, and Carissa Mannion; and many nieces and nephews.

Josephine will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her husband, Michael J. Pietruch, whom she married Oct. 31, 1942, passed away in 1982. Besides her husband, six sisters, Ann Zugcic, Frances Benedict, Rose Miller, Margaret Resek, Julia Halicki, and Helen Benedict; two brothers, John and Joseph Benedict; and a son-in-law, Milan Ristich, preceded her in death.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, March 9, at the funeral home, and will continue at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Sts. Peter & Paul Croatian Church on Covington Street in Youngstown.

Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery in Coitsville where Josephine will be laid to rest next to her husband.

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