Obituaries

Jul 1, 2023

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Richard E. Boughner, 82, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2023, surrounded by his family following a very brief illness.

Richard was born November 18, 1940 in Youngstown, a son of the late Jesse and Ann Galkus Boughner, and was a lifelong area resident.

He...

Jun 29, 2023

MCDONALD - Kenneth J. Griffiths, 75, passed away Thursday afternoon, June 29, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital following a brief illness.

Kenneth was born December 3, 1947, in Youngstown, a son of the late Oron O. and Rose Marie Cervone Griffiths, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1966 graduate of McDonald...

Jun 26, 2023

HUBBARD - Eric "Goofy" Gill, 36, passed away tragically, Monday evening, June 26, 2023, of injuries from a motorcycle accident.

Eric, who was affectionately known as "Goofy", was born January 7, 1987, in New Castle, Pennsylvania and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 2006 graduate of Brookfield High School and worked as a...

Jun 24, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Robert P. "Bob" Koch, 77, passed away Saturday evening, June 24, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

Robert was born May 13, 1946, in Youngstown, a son of the late Paul and Rose Marie Stefan Koch, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1964 graduate...

Jun 24, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - William R. "Bill" Grove, 79, of the city's west side, passed away Saturday morning, June 24, 2023, at Canfield Place.

William was born October 7, 1943, in Youngstown, a son of the late Thelma Grove and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1962 graduate of The Rayen School and worked at...

Jun 23, 2023

GIRARD - Hilda M. Dobson, 88, passed away peacefully, Friday morning, June 23, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Hilda was born July 28, 1934, in Poland, a daughter of the late Eli and Julia Pope Day, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a graduate of Poland Seminary High School and...

Jun 22, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Thomas F. "Tommy" Leash, 55, passed away Thursday morning, June 22, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital following a brief illness.

Thomas was born May 12, 1968, in Youngstown, a son of the late John and Grace Braund Leash, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1986 graduate of Chaney High...

Jun 15, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Joseph John Perehinez, 65, passed away peacefully, Thursday evening, June 15, 2023, at his home following a one year illness.

Joseph was born May 29, 1958, in Youngstown, a son of the late Josef and Rose Korol Perehinez, and was a lifelong area resident.

Joe was a 1977 graduate of Chaney High School...

Jun 12, 2023

CANFIELD - James Thomas "Jim" Davies, 95, passed away peacefully Monday morning, June 12, 2023, at his home with his family by his side.

James was born April 12, 1928, in Youngstown, a son of the late Sidney and Gwendolyn Mae Vaughan Davies, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1946 graduate of...

Jun 11, 2023

POLAND - Donald Edwin Hoelzel, 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 11, 2023, at his home with his family by his side.

Donald was born  April 25, 1933, in Bucyrus, Ohio, a son of the late Edwin and Bernice Oberlander Hoelzel, and came to the Youngstown area as a child.

He was a 1951 graduate...

Jun 7, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Richard Jerome "Jerry" Hames Sr., 86, of the city's west side, passed away Wednesday evening, June 7, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Richard, who was affectionately known as Jerry or Big Rich, was born on Easter morning, April 24, 1938, in Uniontown, PA., a son of the late George and Margaret Hyjuric Hames and...

Jun 5, 2023

AUSTINTOWN - Michael P. Elko Jr., 76, passed away Monday evening, June 5, 2023, after a short struggle with spinal cancer.

Michael was born May 2, 1947, in Youngstown, a son of the late Michael and Helen Szmara Elko, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1965 graduate of Ursuline High School and...

Jun 3, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Joseph Robert "Bob" Orofino, 83, of the city's west side, passed away Saturday morning, June 3, 2023, at Hospice House following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Joseph, who was affectionately known as Bob, was born May 11, 1940, in Youngstown, a son of the late Joseph and Ella Massaro Orofino and was a lifelong...

Jun 2, 2023

With heavy hearts, we are saddened to announce the death of John Albert "JJ" Johnson, 51, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend who passed away unexpectedly June 2, 2023, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

John was born August 1, 1971, in Youngstown, the son of Gerald and Jacqueline Backur Johnson. He grew up in Boardman and...

May 28, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Alice Marie Rair, 75, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 28, 2023, at Omni Manor following a lengthy struggle with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Born May 26, 1948, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Emil and Avalon (Lindsay) Drabison, Alice, lovingly known to her children and many others as "Honey", was a lifelong area resident.

May 26, 2023

With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the death of Mary Lou Luzar, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, who passed away peacefully, Friday evening, May 26, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Mary Lou was born June 7, 1937, in Niles, a daughter of the late Steve and Helen Krajnak Slavkosky, and was a...

May 25, 2023

YOUNGSTOWN - Sidna Lynn Mashiska, 75, passed away Thursday morning, May 25, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Sidna was born December 17, 1947, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Vekasy Holtzman, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1965 graduate of Chaney High School and worked for Youngstown...

May 24, 2023

MINERAL RIDGE - Debra L. "Debbie" Kascak, 67, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, May 24, 2023, at her home.

Debra was born April 5, 1956, in Warren, a daughter of the late Harry Leroy Bixler and Audrey E. Retzlaff Bixler, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1974 graduate of Austintown Fitch High...

May 22, 2023

CANFIELD - Michael P."Mike" Homsey, 70, passed away with family by his side Monday, May 22, 2023. As faith helps guide us through each day, fond memories and stories of those we have loved and lost sustain us.

Michael was born November 10, 1952,  in Stamford, CT, a son of the late Michael P. Homsey Jr., and...

May 21, 2023

MCDONALD - Thomas L. "Tom" Wynyard, 78, passed away peacefully, Sunday, May 21, 2023, at his home following a brief illness.

Thomas was born March 4, 1945, in Pennsylvania, a son of the late Gordon and Hazel Wynyard, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1963 graduate of Girard High School and proudly...