All Obituaries

YOUNGSTOWN — Anna Mae Franko Durkin, 86, died peacefully with family by her side, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.  She was born in Youngstown, on June 2, 1935, the daughter of Michael and Anna Franko.  Anna Mae graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953 and went on to Youngstown College, where she obtained a degree in education. Anna Mae taught second grade at St. Nicholas School until it was time to raise her family with her husband, Jack, whom she married April 27, 1957....

CANFIELD - Dr. William Moskalik, 90, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at home, surrounded by his family. William was born Sept. 20, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., the son of Fred and Rose Moskalik. He was a graduate of The Rayen School and enlisted in the Army after graduation, serving in the Korean War. William returned and attended John Carroll University, and graduated from Marquette University Medical School. After graduating, he opened his practice as an OB / GYN and felt privileged...

POLAND - Joann Mary Smith (nee Bendik), age 86, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Hampton Woods Nursing Home.   She was born on January 28, 1935 in New Springfield, Ohio to the late Joseph and Catherine (nee Jurek) Bendik.   She grew up on a farm and graduated from Springfield Township High School in Petersburg, Ohio.  Her first job was at Howard Johnson’s on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where she was responsible for the bookkeeping and...

POLAND - Bette Louise (Grubb) Lockhart, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 17, 2022. She was born July 30, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Frederick A. and Nellie L. Welch Grubb. Bette married Harry F. Lockhart on October 18, 1950, and they remained united for more than 70 years until his death in August, 2021. Harry and Bette retired to Hudson, Florida in 1991 returning north to live in Poland in 2009. Bette was a 1944 graduate of Bartlett High School in...

BERLIN CENTER - Cheryll S. "Cherie" Gibson, 73, passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 13, 2022, with her family by her side. Born Aug. 27, 1948, in Youngstown, to the late Chester and Florence Garrett Stoddard. She grew up in Struthers and graduated from Struthers High School in 1966. Cherie has lived in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, returning to Ohio in 1984. She was kind, loving, wise and generous. Cherie treated everyone like they were...

AUSTINTOWN - Cecilia Faye Briel, 89, died peacefully Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at home surrounded by her family.  Cecilia, affectionately known as Faye, was born March 9, 1932, in Youngstown, the daughter of Ernest and Lucille Whalen Cecil.  She was a 1950 graduate of Ursuline High School. Along with her husband, George, Faye owned and operated their family's business, Briel's Flowers, where she worked in the office and managed the books for the company. The shop closed...

YOUNGSTOWN — David W. Spohn, 74, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 10, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital. He was born Sept. 21, 1947, in Youngstown, a son of the late David W. and Helen Toth Spohn Sr. David was a 1967 graduate of The Rayen School. He kept himself busy working several jobs. David was Bus Driver No. 3 for Boardman Schools, did transports for FHS livery service, and retired from Y&N Railroad and the steel mills. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling and...

NEW MIDDLETOWN - Roger G. Sherman, 80, died Monday, January 10, 2022. He was born on August 30, 1941, in Youngstown, a son of Ralph and Hepsy (Evans) Sherman.  Roger was a 1960 graduate of Canfield High School. He was employed by Metal Carbines as a tool builder and machinist. He was an active member of Prayer Tabernacle.  Roger is survived by his wife, Donna J. Danchise, whom he married on July 28, 1962; daughter, Carla (Raymond) Menzolini, of Knoxville, TN; son, David...

HILLIARD - Loreen Pero was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 2, 1925 and died January 9, 2022 in Hilliard, Ohio. Loreen was raised in Youngstown and was the daughter of John Vincent and Lucille Mahoney (Constable).  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Mahoney (Phyllis), and her husband of 68 years, John Pero.  Loreen attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from The Rayen School in 1943. Loreen married John on May 20, 1950 at Immaculate...

YOUNGSTOWN — Martha L. McDonald, 74, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 8, 2022, at her home. She was born June 10, 1947, in Fayetteville, N.C., a daughter of the late Theo and Carrie Johnson Fisher. Martha devoted her life to taking care of her family and raising her children. Martha is survived by her husband, Larry McDonald Sr.; three children, Charles McDonald of Youngstown, Tonya McDonald of Youngstown and Crystal (Adrian) Swanson of Las Vegas; 10 grandchildren; and three...