Clara Jean Hritz 1937-2026

Clara was born Dec. 12, 1937, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Racek Repasky.

She was a 1955 graduate of South High School residing in Youngstown, Struthers, Poland and Boardman, respectively.

She met the love of her life, Michael, through her high school best friend and Michael’s cousin, Betty Ritz, and after his discharge from the Marine Corps, they were married April 27, 1957.

Before marrying, Clara attended Trumbull Memorial Nursing School and afterwards worked as a teller at Dollar Bank before becoming a homemaker and raising her children.

She and her husband were married for 65 years until his death in 2022.

They were longtime members of Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Boardman.

Clara was an ardent gardener who loved working outside, attending to her flowers and many different types of beautiful plants. She loved to shop collecting many trinkets and religious-related items. Her love for animals was unbounded, as she often cared for neighborhood cats and birds and was known to hand-feed squirrels.

Clara leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Michael (Suzanne) Hritz of Salem, John Hritz of Boardman, Terri (J.R.) Bell of Huntsville and David Hritz of Canfield. She also leaves a sister, Loretta Sabatino of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; her brother, Michael Repasky of Bellflower, California; her grandchildren, Dr. Christopher (Dr. Tamara Halaweh) Hritz, Craig (Chalette) Hritz, Michael (Amanda) Hritz, Kevin Bell, Dr. Sarah (Jeff) Wildermuth and Melissa (Dr. Justin) Owens; and her 13 great-grandchildren.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Family and friends may call 10 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. A Divine Liturgy will follow at noon Tuesday at Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Catholic Church, 7754 South Ave., Boardman, OH 44512.

Clara’s internment will be next to her husband, Michael, in Canfield City Cemetery.

Material tributes may be made in Clara’s memory to the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the family.

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