Obituaries

Jan 14, 2021

YOUNGSTOWN - Helen Ruscak, 93, of the city's West Side, passed away peacefully early Thursday afternoon, Jan. 14, 2021, at Omni Manor after a long and fulfilling life.

Helen was born Sept. 20, 1927, in Youngstown, the youngest of 11 children of the late John and Rosie Toth, and she lived her life in this area.

Jan 12, 2021

AUSTINTOWN - Donald F. "Don" Tomasino, 79, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, Jan. 12, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack. Donald was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Youngstown, a son of the late Frank V. and Anna Marie Mihalko Tomasino, and lived in the Mahoning Valley for most of his life. Don was...

Jan 12, 2021

BOARDMAN - Mary Lapushansky, 99, formerly of Rhoda Avenue on Youngstown's West Side, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, Jan. 12, 2021, at her home at Continuing Healthcare.

Mary was born Jan. 2, 1922, in Europe in Poland, a daughter of the late John and Anna Iwanycka, and came to this area as a young woman on...

Jan 11, 2021

AUSTINTOWN - HelenRae Gibson Tarantino, 73, loving wife and mother of three children, passed away early Monday morning, Jan. 11, 2021, at her home with her loving family by her side.

HelenRae was born May 31, 1947, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Kelan and Margaret Stoll Gibson.

She graduated in 1965 from Wilmington...

Jan 6, 2021

CANFIELD - Marvin B. Ripple Jr., 71, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home. Marvin was born June 6, 1949, in Youngstown, a son of the late Marvin B. Sr. and Rose Romeo Ripple, and lived much of his life in this area. He was a...

Jan 6, 2021

MCDONALD - Stephen Firment, 89, passed away early Wednesday morning, Jan. 6, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital following a battle with COVID-19.

Stephen was born Sept. 10, 1931, in McDonald, a son of the late Adam and Suzanna Hajmacher Firment, and was a lifelong area resident.

He proudly served in the United States Army...

Jan 6, 2021

GIRARD - Louis Patrick Brine, Sr., 92,  passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, Jan. 6, 2021, at Assumption Village in North Lima.

Louis was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Girard, the son of the late Joseph and Rose Lorenzo Brine, and was a lifelong Girard resident.

He graduated from Girard High School and on July...

Jan 4, 2021

AUSTINTOWN - Roberta Kay Gibson McNab, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Monday morning, Jan. 4, 2021, at her home.

Roberta, who was affectionately known to many as "BobbieDee," was born May 17, 1948, in Uniontown, Pa., and was a daughter of the late Robert and Kathleen Talbert Gibson. She was a 1966 graduate of...

Jan 3, 2021

AUSTINTOWN - Robert E. "Bob" Beckett, Sr., 70, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, Jan. 3, 2021, at Omni Manor Health Care Center in Youngstown, with grandsons, Dustin and Austin, who followed his footsteps into the military, by his side. Robert was born Sept. 15, 1950, in Youngstown, a son of Carl Beckett and Caroline Eitemiller Beckett, and lived most...

Jan 1, 2021

AUSTINTOWN - Sylvia A. Poventud, 78, formerly of Youngstown's South Side, passed away of complications from Covid-19 Friday afternoon, New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Sylvia was born July 29, 1942, in Youngstown, and lived most of her life in Youngstown, which she always considered "home."

Sylvia worked for Geordan's...

Jan 1, 2021

AUSTINTOWN -  Zouhair Rached Tabbara, 80, passed away early Friday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2021, at Austintown Health Care Center.

Zouhair was born Nov. 28, 1940, in Beirut, Lebanon, and was the son of the late Rached Tabbara and Lawahez Chaban Tabbara. Zouhair came to America and this area as a young man of 21.

Mr....

Dec 28, 2020

GIRARD - Perry Joseph De Steven, 100, passed away peacefully Monday morning, Dec. 28, 2020, at Shepherd of the Valley in Liberty.

Perry was born July 18, 1920, in Girard, a son of the late Louis and Lucy Gelsomino De Steven, and was a lifelong Girard resident.

He was a 1938 graduate of Girard High...

Dec 27, 2020

AUSTINTOWN - Sandra K. "Sandy" Arden, 74, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 27, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.

Sandy was born Oct. 13, 1946, in Chesapeake, W.Va, and was a daughter of the late Charles and Helen Moore Jarrell. She was a 1964 graduate of East Bank High School in West Virginia, and came to this...

Dec 26, 2020

BOARDMAN - Christine Esther Terlesky, passionate advocate and beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, coach, teacher, and friend, died in her home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 48, after a long, courageous, and public battle with ALS.

Christine was born Sept. 18, 1972, in Youngstown, a daughter of...

Dec 25, 2020

YOUNGSTOWN - Nanette Cecelia Gasser, 70, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Christmas morning, Dec.  25, 2020, at Omni Manor Health Care Center.

Nanette was born in Youngstown two months prematurely on July 19, 1950. She was a daughter of the late Frederick A. and Louise R. LaRiviere Gasser, and lived her life in this area....

Dec 25, 2020

YOUNGSTOWN - David T. Penezich Sr., 78, of the city's West Side, passed away peacefully Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2020, at Omni Manor Health Care Center.

David was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Youngstown, a son of the late Frank and Anna Stanko Penezich, and was a lifelong area resident. He attended Chaney High School and worked...

Dec 24, 2020

BOARDMAN - Patti Armstrong, 78, passed away peacefully in her sleep Christmas Eve afternoon, Dec. 24, 2020, at Park Center. Patti was born June 29, 1942, in Altoona, Pa., and was a daughter of the late William R. Wolfe, Sr. and Helen Wertz Wolfe. She graduated from Altoona High School and came to this area in the late 1960s....

Dec 24, 2020

YOUNGSTOWN - Aloysius William "Ben" Oberman, 95, departed this life Thursday morning, Dec. 24, 2020, having left an indelible mark on everyone whose lives he touched.

Born Aug. 14, 1925, in Youngstown to Polish immigrants, the late John Oberman and Malvina Bojda Oberman, he was the fifth of eight children and grew up on Youngstown's South Side....

Dec 23, 2020

AUSTINTOWN -  Stephen R. Prusak, 85, passed away peacefully late Wednesday evening, Dec. 23, 2020, at his home with family by his side.

Stephen, who was known affectionately to many as "Shorty," was born Nov. 17, 1935, in Youngstown, a son of the late John and Adela Steinager Prusak, and was a lifelong area resident.

...

Dec 22, 2020

AUSTINTOWN - Edward Joseph Dyer, 72, passed away Tuesday evening, Dec. 22, 2020, at The Woodlands at AustinWoods from complications of COVID-19. Edward, known to his family and neighborhood friends as "Hub," which was a childhood nickname that stuck, was born in Youngstown on Christmas Day in 1947 to John F. and Catherine Shelar Dyer. He moved with his...