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Obituaries

Area deaths

SANDRA D. AVERY, 83, of Lake Milton, formerly Girard, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. SERVICES: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Blackstone Funeral Home, Girard. CALLING HOURS: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, funeral home. GERRY BANKS, 81, of North Jackson, died Thursday. Arrangements are pending. (Kinnick-Youngstown) ANNA MARIE PIZOR-BARRICELLA, 76, of Youngstown, died Wednesday. (Kinnick-Youngstown) TERRY DILLON, 74, of Youngstown, died Aug. 27. (Augustine) NORMA JEAN DIRENZO, 94, of Austintown, died Wednesday. Services are private. (Kinnick-Youngstown) KAREN DOUTY, 63, of Boardman, died Aug. 29. ...

Thomas Hupko Jr. 1938-2026

CANFIELD — Thomas Hupko Jr. passed away early Monday morning, Aug. 31, 2026, at his home. He was born March 29, 1938, in Ellwood City, Pa., the son of the late Thomas Sr. and Susan Dubinsky Hupko. Tom graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City and continued his education at the ...

Ann Caizza 1933-2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Ann Caizza, 92, formerly of Youngstown, passed away on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, surrounded by her children. Ann was born in Youngstown in 1933 to Ann Marie Stoick and Nicholas Drajic. She was one of five children and was preceded in death by her siblings, Steve, George, Nick and ...

Services

MARILYN CHIU, 84, Canfield. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, Zion Lutheran Church, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, church. DALE E. KACZMARK, 65, Girard. SERVICES: 6 p.m. Sept. 9, Kinnick Funeral Home, Girard. CALLING HOURS: 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9, funeral home. THOMAS C. McCLOSKEY, 85, Canfield. SERVICES: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. CALLING HOURS: 4 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, funeral home. GENE MELCHER, 89, Austintown. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, her home, 2630 Hamman Drive, Austintown.

Robert Karis 1950-2026

STRUTHERS — Robert “Sloopy” Karis, 76, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He was born on Aug. 24, 1950, in Youngstown. Robert was a graduate of Struthers High School, Class of 1968, and went on to earn an associate degree from Youngstown State ...

Rev. Charles F. Ellis 1953-2026

WARREN — The Rev. Charles F. Ellis completed his earthly journey on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, magnetic authenticity, unwavering advocacy and unconditional love for his community and family that will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him. He was ...