Breaking News

British zoologist and Save the Elephants founder dies at 83

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Iain Douglas-Hamilton, a British-born zoologist and conservationist who dedicated much of his life to protecting elephants, has died, his Save the Elephants group said Tuesday. He was 83. Douglas-Hamilton was known for decades of conservation work, which included pioneering trackers and collaring to protect elephants against poaching and the illegal ivory trade. He died on Monday in Kenya, the statement said. Save the Elephants said he was “instrumental in exposing the ivory poaching crisis” and documenting the destruction of over half of Africa’s ...

Gerald R. Shaffer 1935-2025

NILES — Gerald R. “Jerry” Shaffer, 90, was called home to Heaven on Thursday evening, Dec. 4, 2025, surrounded by his family, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital. He is now in the presence of his Savior, worshiping with joy beyond measure, reunited with his beloved wife, who entered into glory ...

James P. Welch Jr. 1952-2025

POLAND — James “Jay” P. Welch Jr., born April 10, 1952, in Pulaski, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, with his beloved family by his side. He was 73 years old. Jay leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness that touched the lives ...

Area deaths

JORGE BRIGNONI, 71, of Boardman, died Friday at Park Center. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) VIRGINIA M. CAMPBELL, 90, of Mineral Ridge, died Saturday at Continuing Healthcare at the Ridge. SERVICES: noon Friday, Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, Niles. CALLING HOURS: 11 a.m. to noon Friday, funeral home. HELEN M. KUKURA, 100, of Virginia Beach, formerly of Youngstown, died Sunday. Arrangements are pending. (Kinnick) BRENDA MARTIN, 57, of Youngstown, died Friday. (Vaschak-Kirila) JOHN E. STANCHIN, 85, of Struthers, died Monday at Poland Village. Arrangements are pending. ...

Services

MARY HELEN BALOGH, 79, Masury. SERVICES: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Lane Funeral Home, Madasz Chapel, Brookfield. CALLING HOURS: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, funeral home. MELISSA A. CHRISTY, 43, Youngstown. SERVICES: noon Tuesday, Old North Church, Canfield. CALLING HOURS: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, church. ANNE E. COPPER, 97, Boardman. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Luke Church, Boardman. CALLING HOURS: 9 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. WILLIAM J. DAVIES, 81, Poland. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Martin Luther Lutheran ...

Bruce D. MacLellan 1945-2025

COLUMBIANA — Bruce Duncan MacLellan, 80, of Lisbon, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2025, at Parkside Health Care Center in Columbiana, with his wife beside him. Bruce was born May 29, 1945, in Youngstown, a son of William Duncan and Marion Wite MacLellan. A Liberty High School ...