Jennifer J. Grope 1948-2025

She was born Jan.17, 1948, in Youngstown, a daughter of Robert and Marjorie Baytos Bletso.

Jennifer was a 1967 graduate of Jackson-Milton High School and worked in secretarial and sales work for the former Youngstown Sheet and Tube in Boardman and Hynes Industries before retiring.

She married Raymond F. Grope on April 17, 1971. Together they shared 54 years of marriage and many happy memories. He survives her.

Jennifer and Ray attended the Old North Church in Canfield for more than 40 years. She was actively involved for many years with the Jackson-Milton Schools Boosters, but her life revolved around her family. She attended countless sporting events, concerts and school activities, supporting her children and grandchildren with great pride.

In the week leading up to her passing, she was surrounded by her family and dear friends in her home. She was a kind, loving wife, mother and grandmother, and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Besides her husband, Jennifer is survived by three children, Lisa (Steve Stack) O’Connell of Ellsworth, Rob (Jamie) Grope of Atwater and Ryan (Jackie) Grope of Diamond. She also leaves behind three siblings, Vickie (Mike Chirozzi) Bletso, Robert (Barb) Bletso and Kimberly Bletso; eight beloved grandchildren, Cory (Marlena) O’Connell, Kristin (Clint) Linhart, Timothy (Erin) O’Connell, and Lainie, Ethan, Kayla, Riley and Abigail Grope; and four beloved great-granddaughters, Emelia, Tessa, Ellie and Darcy.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Donna Dinard.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, and 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

She will be laid to rest in North Jackson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mercy Health Hospice by Compassus, 9803 Sharrott Road, Youngstown, OH 44514, in Jennifer’s memory.

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

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