Obituaries

Aug 2, 2025

GIRARD — Virginia "Ginger" Smith, 77, passed away unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, Aug. 2, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Ginger was born March 20, 1948, in Girard, a daughter of the late Herbert and Kathryn M. Zimmer Rice, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1966 graduate of Girard High School and went...

Jul 30, 2025

BURGHILL — Gary Holtzman, 76, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2025, at St. Joseph Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Gary was born March 5, 1949, in Youngstown, a son of the late William and Elizabeth Vekasy Holtzman, and was a lifelong area resident.

A 1967 graduate of Chaney High School, Gary worked as...

Jul 29, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN — George A. Yakimoff, 71, of Youngstown's West Side, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, July 29, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

George was born Aug. 8, 1953, in Youngstown, a son of Alex Yakimoff and Consuela Mortaro Yakimoff, and was a lifelong area resident. He was a 1972 graduate of Chaney High School and worked...

Jul 27, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN -  Anna Marie Donnelly, 90, a lifelong resident of Youngstown's West Side, passed away Sunday morning, July 27, 2025, at Aventura Place, after a long and fulfilling life.

Anna Marie was born Dec. 12, 1934, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Andrew and Stephanie Prejs Strauch. She was a graduate of Ursuline High School and...

Jul 22, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN - Curtis Edward "Ed" Gibbs Jr., 67, formerly of Warren, passed away Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Boardman, following a brief illness.

Ed was born June 26, 1958, in Warren, a son of the late Curtis E. Gibbs Sr. and Arlene Armstrong Gibbs, and was a lifelong area resident.

...

Jul 12, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN — Joyce A. Polovischak fought the good fight, finished the race and kept her faith. She passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Born June 23, 1958, in Youngstown, Joyce was a daughter of William and Mildred Kizar Polovischak and lived in the area most of her life, with brief periods living...

Jul 12, 2025

AUSTINTOWN - Elaine M. Kovach, 82, passed away peacefully, Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the comfort of her home with her daughters by her side.

Elaine was born June 24, 1943, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Edward and Margaret Strasik Kravec and was a lifelong area resident

She was a 1961 graduate of...

Jul 9, 2025

GIRARD — Gloria Ann Wielbruda, 90, passed away Tuesday morning, July 9, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.

Gloria was born July 30, 1934, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Thomas and Clara Decola Leone, and was a lifelong area resident. She was a 1952 graduate of South High School and worked as a para professional...

Jul 5, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN - Elizabeth J. "Betty" Kana, 92, of Youngstown's West Side, passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, July 5, 2025, in the comfort of her home.

Betty was born May 11, 1933, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Leonard and Eleanor Herold Lampe, and was a lifelong area resident.

A devoted wife, mother,...

Jul 3, 2025

GIRARD — Robert Price, 89, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, July 3, 2025, in the comfort of his home.

Robert was born Oct. 20, 1935, in Conneaut, a son of the late Howard and Katherine Lower Price, and lived in the area most of his life.

He was a 1953 graduate of Girard High School...

Jun 30, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN — Richard A. Spellman, 67, passed away Monday, June 30, 2025, at Omni Manor.

Richard was born Sept. 17, 1957, in Youngstown, a son of the late Richard C. Spellman and Laura Grobosky Spellman, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1976 graduate of Canfield High School and earned a bachelor's degree...

Jun 29, 2025

CANFIELD- C. Kenneth "Ken" Shaffer, 93,  passed away peacefully Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Ken was born Nov. 28, 1931,  the son of the late Emmett C. Shaffer and Agnes (McCabe) Shaffer, and was a lifelong area resident.

Ken graduated from South High School in January 1951, where he...

Jun 28, 2025

LORDSTOWN - Bruce A. Carothers, 73, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital, following complications from a stroke with his wife by his side.

Bruce was born Oct. 3, 1951, in Youngstown, a son of Bernard Carothers Sr. and Adah Shira Carothers, and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from...

Jun 28, 2025

AUSTINTOWN - Carlos L. Godoy, 57, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Carlos was born Dec. 24, 1967, in Elizabeth, N.J., a son of Efrain and Nereida Godoy. He moved to the Youngstown area with his family as a child and was a 1986 graduate of East High School.

Jun 26, 2025

HUBBARD - Pamela J. Ferguson, 71, a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and treasured friend, passed away peacefully, Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Pamela was born July 14, 1953, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Alton Curry...

Jun 24, 2025

YOUNGSTOWN -  Kristen Lynn Hodge, 38, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, following complications from surgery.

Kristen was born Jan. 29, 1987, in Youngstown, a daughter of Dr. Richard and Denise Procopio Kalapos and lived in the area most of her life.

A 2005 graduate...

Jun 23, 2025

BOARDMAN — Debra Kruzel-Palkovic, 74, of Euclid Boulevard, passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 23, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, with her family at her side.

Debbie was born March 9, 1951, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late William and Patricia Dunn Bodnar, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1969 graduate...

Jun 18, 2025

AUSTINTOWN - Roxanne M. Korhan, 61, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, June 18, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital following a brief illness.

Roxanne was born Oct. 28, 1963, in Youngstown, a daughter of Richard A. Korhan and Josephine A. Chianello Korhan, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1982 graduate of...

Jun 16, 2025

HINSDALE, Ill, - Ronald Michael Preksta, 81, formerly of Youngstown's West Side, passed away peacefully Monday evening, June 16, 2025, in the comfort of his home.

Ronald was born March 4, 1944, in Youngstown, a son of the late John and Anastasia "Sadie" Wolsonovich Preksta. He was a graduate of Chaney High School and went on to...

Jun 15, 2025

BOARDMAN - Barbara Ann Boughner, 82, formerly of Youngstown's West Side, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Aventura at Assumption Village.

Born July 16, 1942, in Youngstown, Barbara was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ann (Takach) Hripko and remained a lifelong resident of the area. She graduated from Chaney High School in 1960,...