Elias F. Alexander Jr.

AUSTINTOWN - Elias F. Alexander Jr., known lovingly as Eli, of Austintown, Ohio, passed away on May 28, 2026, at the age of 74 at University Hospital.

He was born on September 20, 1951, in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of Elias F. Alexander Sr. and Louise (Payne) Alexander.

Eli was a 1969 graduate of Ursuline High School. He built a successful career as a business owner, founding Wesco, a garbage company, before going on to take over operations of the family vending business. He served as treasurer for the Mahoning County Coon Hunter's Sportsman's Club and dedicated 12 years to the Canfield Zoning Board of Appeals.

Above all, Eli fiercely loved his family and cherished every moment spent with his wife, his sons, and his never-ending list of friends — a love matched only by how deeply they loved him in return. Quick-witted, endlessly resourceful, and never short on humor, he was the guy who "knew a guy" for everything. No matter the problem, his answer was the same, "ain't no big deal," and somehow, with him, it never was. Tough as they come and unmistakably his own man, it's rumored he was the muse behind Sinatra's "My Way." A legend in every sense, he will be profoundly missed by all who were blessed enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Francine (Bielik) Alexander; sons, Elias (Lea) Alexander III of Canfield and Travis (Emily) Alexander, of Willoughby; sisters, Sheila Alexander-Hernandez, of Austintown and Celeste (George) Lafko, of Chapel Hill, NC; grandchildren, Maeve and Jude; and sister-in-law, Lynda Alexander, of Ellsworth.

In addition to his parents, Eli was preceded in death by his brother, David and his brother in law, Amil Hernandez.

Calling hours will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, leading into a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Old North Church in Canfield, officiated by Pastor Rhett Dodson. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel. Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences.