LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - Barbara A. (Howard) Sostaric, 87, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, August 3, 2024, after a short illness.

Barbara was born November 21, 1936, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John and Eleanor (Mullen) Howard and was raised in Youngstown.

She was a proud graduate of Ursuline High School, Class of 1954. Shortly after graduation, Barbara met her beloved husband, Herman Sostaric. Together, they celebrated 55 years of marriage, raised six children and were active within their community and St. Rose Church.

Barbara and Herman enjoyed the companionship of a wide circle of friends, followed the travails of their adored Cleveland Guardians, made numerous cross-country road trips, and never missed the opportunity to celebrate each milestone in the lives of their children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

While in her late thirties and managing the demands of a large family, Barbara enrolled at Youngstown State University to study Education, earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree.  For more than twenty years, she taught reading skills to struggling students in the Lordstown and Youngstown school districts.

Barbara is survived by her children, Patricia (James) Polko, Christine (Lawrence) Gallagher, Joseph (Katherine) Sostaric, Pamela Marshall, Jennifer Sostaric, and John (Christy) Sostaric; eight grandchildren, Laura Polko, Emily Polko, Alex (Carley) Polko, Thomas (Monica) Gallagher, Megan Gallagher, Sean Sostaric, Jack Marshall, and Ella Prosko; two great-grandchildren, Breeze Folkerts and Luca Polko and a sister, Carol (Howard) Metzinger of Medina.

Besides her husband, Herman; and parents, John and Eleanor; a brother, William Howard; and a sister, Joan (Howard) Conroy, preceded Barbara in death.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 222 South State Street, Girard.

Funeral services will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024, at the funeral home and continue with a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St. Girard.

Interment will follow at Belmont Park Cemetery where Barbara will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Herman.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Rose Catholic Church 48 E. Main St., Girard, OH 44420 in Barbara's memory.