Obituaries

Mar 8, 2026

Youngstown - Elisabeth (Born) "Liz" Caplen born November 19, 1930, Nuremberg, Germany.

As a young girl, Elisabeth survived WWII, but she only spoke of courage and strength from that hardship and the others she faced throughout her life. There was never a time when she did not thank God for a new day, speak with a positive...

Feb 23, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Edwin "Rick" Berger, 79, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2026.

Born Oct. 1, 1946, Rick graduated from Westmoreland Central High School in New York. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania and later received his Master of Science degree in education from Youngstown State University....

Feb 23, 2026

Canfield - John Michael Fedor, 85, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Heritage Manor in Youngstown, Ohio.

John was born on October 30, 1940 in Youngstown Ohio, a son of Michael and Catherine Fedor.

He graduated from East High School in 1958 and wed Gloria Guerrieri on July 22, 1961 at St. Elizabeth...

Feb 20, 2026

Boardman – With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Laura C. (Ciminero) Sammartino, 76, of Boardman, who made her transition to her heavenly home on Friday evening, February 20, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Laura will always be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She will never be forgotten for...

Feb 10, 2026

Boardman - Steven Michael Soriano, 47, of Boardman, passed away on February 10, 2026.

Steven was born on October 21, 1978, in Youngstown and was a lifelong resident of the area.

Steven was known for being a good friend and a devoted brother. He had a deep love for music, tattoos, movie collectibles, and especially...

Feb 8, 2026

Austintown — Joseph Regis Christopher Sr., 57, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026.

Joseph was born on September 2, 1968, the son of Patsy and Rhea (Polidori) Christopher, and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a 1986 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School and also attended the Mahoning County Joint Vocational School, where...

Feb 8, 2026

Canfield – Emilio Steven Sebastiani, 53, of Canfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening, February 7, 2026, following a brief illness.

Emilio will always be remembered for his warm smile, generous spirit, and remarkable ability to make a friend of everyone he met. His kindness and genuine nature left a lasting impression on all who knew him....

Feb 7, 2026

Youngstown — Connie Russo Dudley, 73, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Connie was born on January 13, 1953, at Northside Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. She was the only child of Daniel F. Russo and Connie (Sbrocco) Russo and spent her entire life in the Youngstown area, most...

Feb 1, 2026

Youngstown – Evan James Benedict, 68, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Evan was born on September 12, 1957, in Youngstown, a son of James J. and Beatrice Mae (Bierman) Benedict. He was a lifelong resident of the area and took pride in the community he called home.

He was employed...

Jan 31, 2026

Campbell – Louis Porfilio, 85, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026.

Louis was born on July 19, 1940 to devoted parents Ralph and Mary (Demain) Porfilio as the third of four children raised in Youngstown.  Lou graduated in 1958 from East High school and enlisted into the US Army where he was stationed in France.  After...

Jan 27, 2026

Youngstown - Shirley Plevniak, 64, of Youngstown passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Shirley was born February 1, 1961 in Youngstown, the daughter of John and Minnie (Bagley) Stanley and was the baby girl of twelve siblings and was affectionately known to her family as "Brat." Feisty and fierce—some might say stubborn—she carried a spirited personality...

Jan 26, 2026

Dellann Arden Petrallo (née Santoro), 81, of Boardman, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026.

Born October 27, 1944, in New York, Dellann was raised in Valley Stream, New York, and graduated from Elmont High School in 1962. She later made her home in Boardman, Ohio. She was devoted to her family and will be remembered...

Jan 26, 2026

Poland - Phyllis Marie Protopapa, 85, of Poland, passed away on January 26, 2026.

She was born on August 27, 1940 in Youngstown and was a proud graduate of Ursuline High School. She was employed with the City of Youngstown as a clerk at City Hall and later at Floral Plus. Blessed with a lifelong sweet tooth,...

Jan 25, 2026

Nellie Mae Meadows, 84, of Boardman, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, surrounded by what she cherished most—her family.

Born on October 12, 1941, in Dalton, Georgia, Nellie was the daughter of the late John and Minnie (Bagley) Stanley.

In September of 1956, she moved with her family to Youngstown, Ohio, where...

Jan 19, 2026

Youngstown - Joseph Anthony Tufaro, 70, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2026.

Joseph was born on April 21, 1955 to Vincent and Connie Tufaro. He was the youngest of four children.

He was a graduate of Liberty High School class of 1973 and then received from Youngstown State University a...

Jan 9, 2026

Youngstown – Beverly M. Savnik, 84, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, January 9, 2026, at her daughter's residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Beverly was born December 21, 1941, in Mesopotamia, the daughter of Charles and Ellen (Cummings) Netroe.

A proud homemaker, Beverly worked hard throughout her life to provide for her family....

Jan 8, 2026

Youngstown – Mary Frances Bland, 87, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, January 8, 2026, with her loving husband by her side.

Mary was born on June 14, 1938, in Youngstown, the daughter of Henry and Sadie (Cole) Fleischer, and was a lifelong resident of the area. She grew up on the South Side of...

Jan 6, 2026

Boardman – William S. "Bill" Candella, 76, of Boardman, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday morning, January 6, 2026.

Bill was best known for his kind heart, wonderful sense of humor, and his gift for storytelling—often sharing tales from his life's many adventures. He was born on May 23, 1949, in Youngstown, the son of...

Jan 2, 2026

Berlin Center - Anthony Farinelli, 82, passed away on January 2, 2026, at Burton Health Care Center under hospice care, following complications of pancreatic cancer.

Anthony was born on January 3, 1944, at Northside Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, to Jennie (Cipriano) and Emilio Farinelli. He grew up in Youngstown's Smoky Hollow neighborhood and attended East High School...

Dec 31, 2025

Poland – Coleen G. Villone, 82, of Poland, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Coleen was born on July 3, 1943, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Homer and Laverne (Barnett) Smith. She moved to the Youngstown area in the 1960s, where she made her home and raised her family.

A proud homemaker,...