June C. Byo 1932-2025

She was born Jan. 4, 1932, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late John and Mary Piejko Wajda, and remained an 89-year resident of Northeast Ohio.

June was educated in Johnston schools, where she was valedictorian of the Class of 1950. She received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Youngstown College in 1954 and a master’s degree in education from Youngstown State University in 1977.

Her skill and passion for teaching and music and a love of children led to a 29-year career as a first-grade teacher in Liberty Local Schools, a 30-plus-year association with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra as violinist and music librarian, and the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Greenville, Pa., as violinist. She combined school teaching with active engagement as a respected performing musician, joining the talented and dedicated musicians of the Mahoning Valley and Western Pennsylvania to cultivate the classical music culture.

In retirement, she served on the Altar Guild at Church Hill United Methodist Church.

June was preceded in death by husband of 69 years, Donald “Bill” Byo; brothers, Henry, Thaddeus, Chester and Thomas; and sisters, Frances, Lottie and Danice.

She is survived by her brother, Edward Wajda (spouse, Phyllis) of Farmdale, and sister, Sally Ashelman (spouse, Keith) of Champion. A super mom and grandmother — kind, thoughtful and compassionate, she is survived by children and their spouses, James (Jane) Byo, Susan (Howard) Passell and Kathy (Richard) Hentosh; grandchildren, Ben (Adrienne) Byo, Caitlin (Justin) Thuet, Alex (Mary) Byo and Julia Passell; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Church Hill United Methodist Church, 189 Churchill Hubbard Road, Youngstown, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

June will be laid to rest in Tod Homestead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Church Hill United Methodist Church (please notate “music fund”), 189 Churchill Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505.

To view this obituary and send any expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com.

(special notice)