Obituaries

Nov 2, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN - Chester Dudzik, 87, passed away peacefully early Friday morning, Nov. 2, 2018, at Omni Manor Care Center.

Chester was born June 25, 1931, in Poland, Europe. He was the son of the late Martin and Kathryn Dudzik, and came to America in 1949, settling in Orange, Va. before coming to Youngstown two years later.

Oct 29, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN - Kathryn Prystash, 86, passed away peacefully early Monday evening, Oct. 29, 2018, at her niece's home in Warren with her family by her side.

Kathryn, who was known to her family as "Aunt Kitty" was born Nov. 21, 1931, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Peter and Anne Lawryk Kurylak, and she lived her...

Oct 27, 2018

BOARDMAN - Elizabeth A. Butchko, 83, passed away early Saturday morning, Oct. 27, 2018, at her home following a brief illness.

Elizabeth, who was also known as "Betty" or "Liz," was born June 8, 1935, in Victor, Colo., a daughter of Roy and Mildred Young Andrews. She was a graduate of Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado...

Oct 26, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN – Patricia A. Ipe Ragan, 75, passed away Friday evening, Oct. 26, 2018, at Greenbrier Healthcare Center following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Patricia, who was known to all as "Patty," was born Oct. 13, 1943, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Byron C. and Mildred Finzel Ipe, and spent her life in this...

Oct 26, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN – Jason Wayne "J-Money" Rowbotham, 40, of the city's west side, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at his home.

Jason was born Dec. 4, 1977, in Youngstown, a son of Peggy Smallridge Porter, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, James "Kraut" Porter.

Jason was a 1996 graduate of Fitch...

Oct 25, 2018

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - Marie "ReRe" Ierace, 88, passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 25, 2018, at Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

Marie was born March 4, 1930, in Girard. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Julia Venzeio Marconi, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1948 graduate of Girard...

Oct 25, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN - Frederick L. "Fred" Davies, 82, passed away peacefully early Thursday evening, Oct. 25, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital with his family by his side.

Fred was born Aug. 22, 1936, in Lowellville, a son of Frederick and Ida Mae Davies, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1954 graduate of...

Oct 24, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN - Peter Gergel, 94, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, 2018, at Hospice House after a long and fulfilling life.

Peter was born June 2, 1924, in Henrietta, Okla., a son of the late Michael and Katherine Yaslik Gergel, and came to this area with his family as a child.

Pete was...

Oct 23, 2018

NORTH LIMA – Michael P. Maruskin, 70, formerly of Dover Road in Youngstown, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, at Ivy Woods Manor.

Michael was born March 5, 1948, in Youngstown, a son of the late Michael J. and Anne Olexa Maruskin, and was a lifelong Mahoning Valley resident.

He was a graduate of...

Oct 23, 2018

AUSTINTOWN – Martha Anne Vasko Laurie, 82, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 23, 2018, at her son's home with her family by her side.

Martha was born July 18, 1936, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Julius and Lillian Zadonia Vasko, and spent her life in this area.

She was a 1954 graduate of...

Oct 21, 2018

COPLEY - Barbara J. Olbrych, 85, formerly of Youngstown, entered into Eternal Rest Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2018, following an extended illness.

Barbara was born May 3, 1933, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine Sopkovich Bresko, and lived almost her entire life in this area.

She graduated from Chaney High School...

Oct 20, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN - Richard J. "Dick" Premec, 83, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Richard was born July, 27, 1935, in Youngstown, a son of the late Stephen S. and Katherine Bachani Premec.

He was a 1953 graduate of East High School and served in the...

Oct 18, 2018

GIRARD - Elsie Jane Lovitz, 85, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital following a brief illness.

Elsie was born Jan. 12, 1933, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late William and Era Lena Gladden Stanley, and was a lifelong area resident.

Mrs. Lovitz dedicated her life to raising and caring...

Oct 16, 2018

GIRARD - Josephine Cataffa, 75, passed away Tuesday afternoon Oct. 16, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Josephine was born April 12, 1943, in Sparanise, Italy, a daughter of the late Joseph and Carmela Ranucci Sorvillo, and came to the United States and the Youngstown area with her family at the age...

Oct 15, 2018

NORTH CANTON - Elizabeth O. "Betty" Waltman, 90, formerly of Youngstown, passed away Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Canton.

Elizabeth was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Polinsky.

She was a 1946 graduate of Chaney High School, attended Youngstown College, and was an assistant women's fashion buyer...

Oct 15, 2018

AUSTINTOWN – Sriprai Landgraver, 72, passed away Monday evening, Oct. 15, 2018, at St Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after a long illness, surrounded by her family.

Sriprai was born in Nong Bua, Saraburi, Thailand on Feb. 5, 1946, a daughter of Nang and Kam Pan Prosri.

Sriprai was the beloved wife of Barry Landgraver, whom she...

Oct 15, 2018

AUSTINTOWN – Sam J. "Red" Bezzarro, 82, passed away peacefully Monday morning, Oct. 15, 2018, at Omni Manor Care Center in Youngstown. Sam, who was known to many as "Red" for his auburn hair, was born March 25, 1936, in Youngstown, the son of the late Sebastian and Carmella Sabella Bezzarro, and was a lifelong area resident. He was...

Oct 14, 2018

AUSTINTOWN - William G. Nagy, 89, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 14, 2018, at his home after a long and fulfilling life.

William, who was known to all as "Bill," was born Jan. 5, 1929, in Youngstown, a son of the late Gabor and Helen Rohly Nagy, and was a lifelong area resident.

Bill was...

Oct 13, 2018

GIRARD – Catherine I. Steele, 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at Shepherd of the Valley in Niles after a long and fulfilling life. Catherine was born March 14, 1927, in Girard, a daughter of the late Terrence and Gladys Adams O'Neil, and was a lifelong area resident. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Steele...

Oct 12, 2018

STRUTHERS - Terry Strozier, 68, departed for heaven late Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018, passing on at his home.

Terry was born April 7, 1950, in Youngstown, a son of Robert and Odessa Strozier, and spent his life in this area.

Terry was loved by his family and his Turning Point family, and will be...