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Obituaries

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James dies in plane crash

Grammy award-winning country songwriter Brett James, whose string of top hits includes “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and “When The Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney, died in a plane crash in North Carolina, authorities said Friday. He was 57. The small plane with three people aboard crashed Thursday afternoon “under unknown circumstances” in the woods in Franklin, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary report. There were no survivors, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said in a statement. James was on a Cirrus SR22T, which was ...

Karen E. Ross 1971-2025

NILES — Karen E. Ross, 53, passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. Karen was born Sept. 27, 1971, in Youngstown, a daughter of Larry and Shirley Ogram Neal. She was a 1989 graduate of Liberty High School and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal ...

Judith A. Stuhlmann 1943-2025

PULASKI TOWNSHIP — It is with sadness and hope that we announce the death of our mother, Judith Ann Stuhlmann, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. She was born March 29, 1943, in New Castle, Pa., to the late J. Lynnford and Helen Harmon Groce. She married Fred J. Stuhlmann in 1966. He preceded ...

Amil E. Cionni 1948-2025

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Amil E. Cionni, 77, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital. Amil was born April 9, 1948, in New Castle, the son of the late Amil and Marie Smith Cionni. He graduated from New Castle High School and attended Slippery Rock College before he entered the U.S. Army. He grew up in West Pittsburgh. He worked for Babcock & Wilcox, Youngstown Sheet & Tube, LTV Steel and later worked at Jameson Hospital. Amil enjoyed sports, especially his favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. He coached Little League baseball and was an avid ...

Services

ELIZABETH J. BOOZER, 89, Brookfield. CALLING HOURS: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Briceland Funeral Service, Brookfield. MARTIN A. CONTI, 84, Canfield. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, St. Brendan Church, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, church. ALICE FERRARO, 69, Struthers. SERVICES: 10 a.m. Monday, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Boardman. CALLING HOURS: 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, church. LUEVA KALEEL, 99, Canfield. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, St. Mark Orthodox Church, Youngstown. CALLING HOURS: 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, church. MICHAEL LEBENICH III, 78, Savannah, Georgia. SERVICES: 10 ...

William E. Venzen 1946-2025

McDONALD — William E. “Vinnie” Venzen, 79, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at home. He was born May 29, 1946, in Hubbard, the son of Stephen and Margaret Stofa Venzen. After graduating from Hubbard High School, Vinnie served his country honorably in the U.S. ...