Carmel Billock 1923-2025

She was born Nov. 25, 1923, in Struthers, to the late Frank and Josephine Siciliano Constantino. She attended Struthers High School.

After graduating high school, she began working as a nursing aide at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. During one of her shifts, a young patient noticed her and told others he wanted that beautiful nurse to take care of him. That man was Leo Billock, whom she married on Feb. 1, 1947, after returning from the Navy. He passed away in 2005. Leo worked at General Fireproofing, enabling his wife to stay home with the family.

Mom volunteered at Steve and Darlene’s elementary school, exemplifying her hard work ethic and traditional values to her children. Carmel welcomed everyone into her comfortable home, making sure they enjoyed her delicious cooking, most notably her meatballs, Italian stuffing and cookies. Carmel made a lasting impression on everyone she met through her life. Always offering food, money, gifts or most importantly, her time and love.

She moved from her home to the wonderful Shepherd of the Valley nursing home in Poland. The staff and nurses were so loving and supportive in taking care of our mother. The whole family built a great relationship with them. They even helped the family put together an amazing 100th birthday party for her. She made an impression and she will be missed by so many, including her caretakers at Shepherd. We all now feel that she will be taking on the role of our “Guardian Angel.”

People always ask, “What is the secret to longevity?” Carmel’s answer was, to always think of others before yourself and treat people the way they want to be treated!

Carmel is survived by her children, Gerry and Bill Coates, Steve and Ann Billock, and Darlene and Kenny Greenawalt; grandchildren, Kelly, Kristen, Billy, Kari, Jessica, Chelsea, Kevin and Nathan; and great-grandchildren, Emerson, Andrew, Addington, Leo, Domenick, Anthony, Matthew, Isabella, Savannah, Maverick, Chloe, Adrian and Luna.

Along with her parents and husband, Carmel was preceded in death by her sisters, Antoinette, and Angeline; and brothers, Rocco and Phillip.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at the Kirila Funeral Home Inc., 258 Poland Ave., Struthers, and 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at the funeral home.

A funeral procession will leave from the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to Christ our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Burial will take place in Lake Park Cemetery.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to Shepherd of the Valley, 301 W. Western Reserve Road, Poland, OH 44514.

To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, visit www.kirilafh.com.

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