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RAFAEL CRUZ SR., 90, Youngstown. SERVICES: 3 p.m. Saturday, Spanish Evangelical Church, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, church. SHARON L. DUCA, 85, Boardman. SERVICES: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Davis-Becker Funeral Home, Boardman. EDWARD KLEMPAY, 95, formerly of Youngstown. SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Stonebridge Grille, Boardman. RONALD S. KUKURA, 78, Poland. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Thursday, Holy Family Parish, Poland. CALLING HOURS: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel. NORA ...

Rafael Cruz 1935-2025

YOUNGSTOWN – Rafael “Ralph” Cruz Sr., 90, departed this earth peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at home. Rafael, the son of Teodoro Cruz Sr. and Luz Maria Lugo Cruz, was born Oct. 24, 1935, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Rafael graduated from Ponce High ...

Carol L. Metzka 1947-2025

BOARDMAN — Carol Lillian Metzka went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on her 78th birthday, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. She was born Dec. 9, 1947, in Youngstown, to the late Edward and Julia Neill. Carol graduated from East High School in 1965 and then Ohio-Penn Junior College. ...

Elizabeth J. Barko 1956-2025

YOUNGSTOWN — Elizabeth Jane Barko, fondly known as “Beth,” 69, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, surrounded by her brothers and the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Gagliardi. Beth was born Nov. 11, 1956, to Eugene Barko and Emily Barko. She spent her early years ...

Marie Phillips 1923-2025

STRUTHERS — Marie Phillips, 102, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Hospice of the Valley-Hospice House. Born May 5, 1923, in Youngstown, Marie was a daughter of the late Paul and Mary Franko Judin. She was a 1941 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. On Sept. ...

Jon P. Nelis 1938-2025

DALTON, Ga. — Jon Paul “JP” Nelis, 87, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, peacefully in his sleep, after a long illness. JP was born in 1938 in Struthers to Mary Eagleton Nelis Taylor and Irvin Nelis. He grew up enjoying family trips to Kahshe Lake and he remembered growing up on ...