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Obituaries

Shirley A. Pappagallo 1946-2025

AUSTINTOWN — Shirley A. Pappagallo, 79, passed away early Wednesday morning, Dec. 17, 2025, at Hospice House, following a brief illness. Shirley was born Aug. 29, 1946, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Dean and Olive Miller Pflugh, and was a lifelong area resident. She was a 1962 graduate of Chaney High School and began her career with Ohio Bell, now AT&T, starting as a switchboard operator and working her way up to a supervisory position. Shirley later worked for Verizon Wireless as an account representative before retiring in 1990. Shirley was a faithful member of St. John ...

Rita M. E. Varacalli 1935-2025

BOARDMAN — Rita Maria Eugenia Varacalli, lovingly known to many as “Jenni,” peacefully joined her beloved husband, Dominic Varacalli, on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, following a cerebral bleed. At the age of 90, Rita leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, beauty, and joy — and we ...

Area deaths

JASON D. SWIGER, 50, of Salem, died Dec. 12. SERVICES: 12:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Salem High School Auditorium. (Stark) DAVID ACIERNO, 72, of Youngstown, died Wednesday. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) WALTER M. DUZZNY SR., 86, of Austintown, died Tuesday. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) CAROL A. KOPSIC, 78, of Austintown, died Tuesday. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) DONALD G. KREDEL, 67, of Youngstown, died Dec. 14. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) MARY O’BRIEN, 83, of McDonald, died Dec. 14. Arrangements pending. (Kinnick) SHIRLEY A. PAPPAGALLO, 79, of Austintown, died ...

Services

MARIA KARSTI BACHINGER, 89, Youngstown. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, Bethel Lutheran Church, Boardman. CALLING HOURS: 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, church. RAFAEL CRUZ SR., 90, Youngstown. SERVICES: 3 p.m. Saturday, Spanish Evangelical Church, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, church. KATHLEEN M. DOYLE, 87, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, 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. Dec. 22, Stonebridge Grille, Boardman. NORA LARSON, ...

Barbara C. Lepore 1955-2025

YOUNGSTOWN — Barbara C. Lepore, a beloved educator and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully at her residence Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at the age of 70. Born July 9, 1955, in Youngstown, Barbara dedicated her life to teaching and nurturing young minds. She served as a ...

Kathleen M. Doyle 1938-2025

YOUNGSTOWN — Kathleen Marie Dalton Doyle passed away on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. She was born on March 15, 1938, in Youngstown, the daughter of James A. and Marie Reese Dalton and the baby sister to Barbara. The nickname Kush was bestowed upon her by her father. It was short for Macushla ...