Martha was born Sept. 3, 1926, in Youngstown, the daughter of Steve and Margaret Vaszily Haluska.

She married Andrew J. Ilko, on Sept. 14, 1946, and had almost 47 wonderful years together until his passing in August 1993.

Martha was a lifelong member of St. George Byzantine Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and contributed many delicious recipes to the church cookbook. She was often found working Friday night bingo at the church and cared for the holy vestments and altar linens.

Martha held tradition near to her heart, hosting holidays with family and friends, and loved gathering together for a family meal. She was known for her delicious stuffed cabbage, nut roll and many other baked goods, often made while sharing stories of her childhood and memories of learning to cook from her mother and grandmother. Martha enjoyed sewing and was an expert in all forms of needle arts and sewed extensively for her family. She also enjoyed gardening and was an avid walker until her passing.

Martha leaves children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew to cherish her memory: Her son, Andrew S. Ilko (JoAnn) of Abingdon, Md.; her daughters, Martha-Ann (Jim) Tomaino of Canfield, Monica (Allen) Meffan of Uniontown and Mary Margaret Ilko (fiance Alex Menassa) of Wadsworth. Her grandchildren include Victoria (Jim) Harvey of Bel Air, Md., Alaina (Scott) Ferris of Jacksonville, Fla., Michelle (Duane) Gorgie of Austintown, Monika Tomaino of Canfield, Megan (Aron) Lough of Canfield, Erin Meffan of Wadsworth and Allen Meffan III of Tempe, Ariz.; great-grandchildren include Dylan Gorgie of Austintown, Jack Rapp of York, Pa. and Gemma Harvey of Bel Air, Md.; nephew, Steve (Bobbi) Haluska of Central, Utah ; and niece, Anna Ilko of Pataskala.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew; son, Steven; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Barbara Haluska; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Betty Ilko; and niece, Jeanette Czyrnik.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at St. George Byzantine Catholic Church (1726 Canfield Road, Youngstown), officiated by the Very Reverend Richard Lambert. Family and friends may call at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, before the Mass. Interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown, where Martha will be laid to rest next to her husband. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and facial masks will be required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509, in Martha’s name.

Martha’s family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and staff at Windsor House of Canfield, where Martha was cared for and loved for the last three years. Also, thanks to Southern Care Hospice for their kindness and support through this difficult time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi Brothers And Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave., Boardman. Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifuenrals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to Martha’s family.

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Martha Ilko 1926-2021

CANFIELD — Mrs. Martha Ilko, 95, passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, at Windsor House of Canfield.

Martha was born Sept. 3, 1926, in Youngstown, the daughter of Steve and Margaret Vaszily Haluska.

She married Andrew J. Ilko, on Sept. 14, 1946, and had almost 47 wonderful years together until his passing in August 1993.

Martha was a lifelong member of St. George Byzantine Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and contributed many delicious recipes to the church cookbook. She was often found working Friday night bingo at the church and cared for the holy vestments and altar linens.

Martha held tradition near to her heart, hosting holidays with family and friends, and loved gathering together for a family meal. She was known for her delicious stuffed cabbage, nut roll and many other baked goods, often made while sharing stories of her childhood and memories of learning to cook from her mother and grandmother. Martha enjoyed sewing and was an expert in all forms of needle arts and sewed extensively for her family. She also enjoyed gardening and was an avid walker until her passing.

Martha leaves children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew to cherish her memory: Her son, Andrew S. Ilko (JoAnn) of Abingdon, Md.; her daughters, Martha-Ann (Jim) Tomaino of Canfield, Monica (Allen) Meffan of Uniontown and Mary Margaret Ilko (fiance Alex Menassa) of Wadsworth. Her grandchildren include Victoria (Jim) Harvey of Bel Air, Md, Alaina (Scott) Ferris of Jacksonville, Fla., Michelle (Duane) Gorgie of Austintown, Monika Tomaino of Canfield, Megan (Aron) Lough of Canfield, Erin Meffan of Wadsworth and Allen Meffan III of Tempe, Ariz.; great-grandchildren include Dylan Gorgie of Austintown, Jack Rapp of York, Pa. and Gemma Harvey of Bel Air, Md.; nephew, Steve (Bobbi) Haluska of Central, Utah ; and niece, Anna Ilko of Pataskala.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew; son, Steven; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Barbara Haluska; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Betty Ilko; and niece, Jeanette Czyrnik.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at St. George Byzantine Catholic Church (1726 Canfield Road, Youngstown), officiated by The Very Rev. Richard Lambert. Family and friends may call at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, before the Mass. Interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown, where Martha will be laid to rest next to her husband. Due to COVID-19, social-distancing and facial masks will be required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509, in Martha’s name.

Martha’s family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and staff at Windsor House of Canfield, where Martha was cared for and loved for the last three years. Also, thanks to Southern Care Hospice for their kindness and support through this difficult time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi Brothers And Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave., Boardman. Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifuenrals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to Martha’s family.

(special notice)