Suzanne Kachurek 1950-2025

“Sweet Sue,” as she was affectionately known, was born Feb. 12, 1950, in Salem, a daughter of Stephen and Grace Troutman Lepsik.

She was a 1968 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and worked in retail for Sears in Boardman for 10 years. She then began working as a toll collector with the Ohio Turnpike Commission for 30 years, retiring in 2011.

Sue enjoyed spending time with her family and loved to cook and read a good book. She also loved playing bingo, trying her luck at the casinos and decorating for the holidays.

Suzanne split her time between Ohio and Arizona. She made many good friends during her time out West and will be sadly missed by her Rose Garden family.

She is survived by two children, Jason (Elizabeth) Protain of Streetsboro and Ashley (Timothy) Takat of Austintown. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Cassie, Christian, Mitchell, Logan and Tyler; four sisters, Patricia Wilson, Jacqueline (Louis) Gonzales, Sally (Charles) Palumbo and Terry (John) Hjerpe; her former husband, Robert Protain, whom she married in 1968, and although they separated, they maintained a close friendship; and numerous nieces and nephews..

Sue was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Richard Lepsik; three sisters, Sandra Wilson, Donna Lawrence and infant Stephanie; and her former husband, Gene Kachurek.

Memorial services will be held 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.

Friends may call 5 to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Sue requested that you pass on an act of kindness in her memory, or contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences can be sent by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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