MEMORIAL CEREMONY 2013

DATE TO BE DETERMINED, CHECK BACK
 

Members to be honored:

     Hon. Mitchell F. Shaker (January 3, 1922 - August 24, 2012)

Retired Judge Mitchell F. Shaker, 96, passed away Friday, August 24, 2012, in the comfort of his home.

Mitchell was born January 3, 2012, in Niles, the sone of Isaac and Sophia Hikel Shaker.

He attended St. Stephen School in Niles and graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1939.  He earned Magna Cum Laude distinction at John Carroll University in 1943, after which he served two years as U.S. Navy Captain LCT during World War II in the South Pacific Theater.

He attained a Juris Doctor degree in 1948 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was inducted into the honorary scholastic society, Order of the Coif.

Mitchell spent much of his career in public service.  He served 22 years as Niles City Law Director and 23 years as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Trumbull County Democratic Central and Executive Committees.  He held a private law practice in Niles from 1948 until 1983, at which time he was appointed to the Common Pleas Bench in Trumbull County, serving until 1997.

Post-retirement, he was assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to preside as Acting Retired Judge in several other counties until 2002.  He then joined his sons, Christopher and Robert, at Shaker & Shaker, LLP in Niles as "Of Counsel" until 2009.  Notable projects for which he advocated over the course of his career include renovating the Trumbull County Courthouse and annexing to the City of Niles commercial property along State Route 422 that encompasses the Eastwood Mall, Great East Plaza and Niles Park Plaza.  He also developed residential property in Niles with his brother, Simon.

Mitchell was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Church, where he also served as an usher.

He is survived by his eight children, Mary Alice, Peggy (Holmes), Mitchell, Kathryn (James) Earnhart, Thomas, Patricia, Christopher (Bonnie) and Robert (Angee), eleven grandchilren and five great-grandchilden.

His wife, Mary Christopher Shaker, with whom he cherished more than 50 years of marriage, died April 17,  1998.

Mitchell is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Simon and Joseph Shaker, and a sister, Josephine Stets.

Tributes may be made to the Tuition Angel Fund at St. Stephen School, 45 South Chestnut Avenue, Niles, Ohio, 44446.

                                                          

     John E. King, Esq. (February 11, 1924 - November 6, 2012)

Attorney John E. King, 88, died Tuesday evening, November 6, 2012, at the Cleveland Clinic.

He was born February 11, 1924, in Warren, the son of the late Earl G. and Helen Brinkerhoff  King.

He graduated from Warren City Schools, playing trumpet in the Warren G. Harding School Marching Band.

He served in the Army as a corporal during World War II, serving in the European Theatre, where he was wounded in Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart.

After the war, John attended and graduated from Kent State University, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.  In college, he met his future wife, Nadine Mae Phillips from Alliance, whom he married June 25, 2947.

He received his law degree in 1956 from the William McKinley School of Law in Canton.

John then joined his father and great-uncle in the law firm of Phelps and King, Attorneys at Law in Warren, as a third-generation lawyer.  He was a 56-year life member of the Trumbull County Bar Association, a life member of the Ohio Bar Association and served as an active Judge in the Warren Municipal Court for many years.

John had a special interest in Trumbull County and Civil War history, restoring his grandfather's 1800s doctor's office in Bristolville and arranging for a monument to be placed on the grave if renowned Civil War photographer Mathew Brady in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

He was well-known for his research and presentations on the only hanging in Trumbull County, that of Ira Gardner in 1834, executed for killing his 16-year-old stepdaughter, Maria Buell.  John ensured that a monument was placed on her grave in Gustavas.

He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Warren, where he served for many years as a trustee and elder.

He served as the secretary-treasurer for the Oakwood Cemetery Association, the third generation of his family to do so since 1847.  John had been treasurer of the Trumbull County Historical Society and was on the board of the Salvation Army.  He and his wife were members of the Drum and Fiddle dance club for many years.  They were known to do a fine jitterbug.

He was also a golf enthusiast, golfing on the church league at Cloverleaf.  He greatly enjoyed music, was a stellar joke teller and a patriot.

John is survived by three daughters, Leslie G. King of Warren, Barbara (James) McCabe of Troy, Michigan, and Marilyn (William) Corsetti of Alexandria, Virginia, and one beloved granddaughter, Mary Catherine Corsetti.

His wife preceded him in death December 29, 1993.  Two sisters, Jean Lehman and Patricia Henry, also preceded him in death.

The funeral service took place Saturday, November 10, 2012, with a burial in Oakwood Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, or to the Smith Lemli Optiz (SLO)Rsh Foundation, P.O. Box 10598, Fargo, North Dakota 58106, or through the Network for Good online.

 

     Bruce Birrell, Esq. (April 17, 1927 - November 27, 2012)

Bruce Birrell, 85, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

He was born April 17, 1927, in Warren, the son of the late honorable George Henry and Mary Ann Rook Birrell.

Mr. Birrell graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in January 1945.  He attended Yale University from 1946 to 1950.  He attended Case Western Reserve University and graduated law school in June 1953.  He was admitted to the Bar in August 1953.  Mr. Birrell started his own law practice in 1956 and practiced law up until his death.  He served in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and was stationed in San Francisco. 

Mr. Birrell married Joan Laiblin on November 24, 2956.  She preceded him in death in August of 1994.

Mr. Birrell was elected city solicitor of Warren in January 1958 and served three two-year terms.  He was named Jaycees Young Man of the Year in 1958.  He was very active in the First Presbyterian Church, where he was clerk of the session, and on the Board of Deacons and Trustees.  Mr. Birrell was a member of the American Legion and served as chairman of the Boys State Committee.  Bruce also served on the Board of the American Cancer Society, was a member of the Young Republicans and served two terms on the Board of the VNA.  He was treasurer of the Upton Association, Treasurer of the Trumbull County Historical Society and was a member of the Kinsman Historical Society and the Knights Templars.  He was also a member of the Trumbull Country Club and The Buckeye Club, and the Trumbull County Bar Association.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara (Kirt) Hyde of Chardon and Lisa (Tom) Turner of Chagrin Falls; twop grandchildren, Cameron Bruce Turner and Virginia Birrell Turner; three stepgrandchildren, Gavin, Brynne and Mitchell Turner; and many four-legged canine critters, whom he adored.

Bruce was preceded in death by two brothers, George and William, and his second wife, Gretchen Roemer Birrell.

Contributions in Bruce's memory may be made to the American Legion Post 278, Boys State Program, 2237 North Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio, 44483; or to the memorial fund of First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Avenue, NW, Warren, Ohio, 44483.

     Anthony L. Antonucci, Esq. (May 3,1950 - January 26, 2013)

Anthony Louis Antonucci, 62, died Saturday, January 26, 2013, at the Hospice House after suffering an accident October 26, 2012 in Warren.

He was born May 3, 1950, in Youngstown, the son of Joseph and Priscilla Acerra Antonucci.

Anthony was a public defender for Girard Municipal Court and a member of the Victory Christian Center.

He leaves his wife, Heather Pratt; a son, Joel, a daughter, Jillian Coccoli; an expected granddaughter; and a brother Joe.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepmother, Rose Antonucci.  Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, February 2 at McClurkin Funeral Home in Girard.  There is a memorial service of his life at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3 at the Victory Christian Center in Youngstown, where visitation is also one hour prior to the service.

     Daniel P. Osman, Esq. (December 20, 1972 - February 4, 2013)

Funeral services will be held Saturdaym February 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wasko Funeral Home, with Father Michael Swierz officiating, for Attorney Daniel P. Osman, 40, who passed away Monday.

Daniel was born December 20, 1972, in Youngstown, the son of the late Dr. Richard L. and Rosemarie Kocanyar Osman.

He was a 1991 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School.  Daniel graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.  He went on to graduate with Cum Laude honors from the University of Toledo Law School in 2001. 

Dan was a member of the Columbiana County Bar Association, the Trumbull County Bar Association, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the Ohio State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. 

Dan leaves to cherish his memories, his mother, Rosemarie; his brothers, Richard, Russell, David, Douglas and Dennis; sisters-in-law, Christine and Jennifer; and nieces and nephews, Alec, Alyssa, Nathan and Vanessa.  He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Richard Lee Osman.

The Osman family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Wasko Funeral Home and will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You may visit www.waskofamily.com to view the obituary and send the Osman family condolences.

 
      Hon. John M. Stuard (March 26, 1939 - February 7, 2013)

The Honorable John M. Stuard, Sr., 73, passed away at 10:24 a.m.  Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren following a sudden illness.

Mr. Stuard was born March 26, 1939, in Sharon, Pa., to his parents Carl M. Stuard and Violet R. Richards Stuard.

He graduated from Sharon High School in 1957 and continued his education receiving his bachelor's degree from Thiel College.  On August 4, 1962, he married his wife, Linda Breakall Stuard, recently sharing their 50th wedding anniversary.  Mr. Stuard went on to earn his law degree from the University of Kentucky's Law School in 1965.   Mr. Stuard's work in the legal field started with serving as a solicitor for Newton Falls and the Village of Orangeville.  Mr. Stuard also served as a criminal defense attorney as well as a prosecutor for the City of Warren.  In 1983, he was appointed the first judge at the Central District Court in Cortland and later to the Common Pleas bench of Trumbull County.  He was a life member of the Brookfield Conservation Club; a member of the Hartford Optimist Club; am member of the Niles Welsh Club; a member of the Trumbull County Bar Association; a member of NSSA in Winchester, Virginia; a member of the 15th Ohio Light Artillery Unit; Warren Council 58; Jerusalem Masonic Lodge 15; Mahoning Chapter 10 and Warren Commandery 39.

Mr. Stuard was also a jack-of-all-trades kind of man who loved spending time in his workshop fixing things and rebuilding antique rifles and cannons.

He will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as a man of patience and generosity, always willing to share his time.  Despite his stature as a judge, Mr. Stuard was a simple man remembered as much for the flannel shirts he wore in his workshop as the suit he left the house in the morning wearing.  He was a rare man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Stuard is survived by his wife at home; a daughter, Elizabeth (Mark) Nicopolis of New Hill, N.C.; a son, John M. Stuard, Jr. of Brookfield; three grandchildren, Margaret Nicopolis of New Hill, N.C., Mason and Mary Stuard, who were raised in the loving care of their grandparents in the family home  of Burghill; a brother, Charles (Betty) Stuard of  Burghill; two sisters, Linda Hodgson of Burghill and Ruth Ann Newfield of Tennessee; a niece, Rebecca (Joseph) Clark; and nephews, Todd A. (Lisa) Hodgson, Ben Hodgson, Dylan Stuard and Bronwyn Clark.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a half-brother, Edward Stuard.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 555 East State Street, Sharon, Pa.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel.  Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetary.

Donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., Suite 315, Independence, Ohio, 44131.

     W. Leo Keating, Esq. (January 4, 1922 - March 8, 2013)

W. Leo Keating, 91, died Friday, March 8, 2013 at Hospice House of Poland, after a short illness.

Leo was born on January 4, 1992, in Saginaw, Michigan, the some of the late George and Marguerite Besner Keating.

Leo was an attorney with Keating & Keating, Attorneys at Law in Warren.  He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Ohio State Bar Association, Trumbull County Bar Association, Lawyer -Pilots Bar Association, National Health Lawyers Association and the American Academy of Hospital Lawyers.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Sacred Heart Retreat House and Steamship Historical Society, and was an avid pilot, world traveler and loved to spend time at his chalet in Quebec, Canada.

He was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame in 1943 and received his Juris Doctorate degree from Marquette University Law School in 1950.  He served as Warren City Law Director from 1954 to 1957.

Leo was a veteran in the Asiatic-Pacific theater during World War II with the U.S. Army, with the 25th Infantry Division.  He participated in the landings of Guadacanal and Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands, and Luzon, Phillipines, and earned three Bronze Battle Stars.

Memories of Leo will be carried on by his daughter, Kathryn (Paul) Ayres of Twinsburg; son, James (Bernadette) Bernadette Keating of Warren; son, Michael (Mary Jane) Keating of Lenore City, Tennessee; daughter, Maureen (Timothy) Barrett of Lyndhurst; son, Patrick (Diana) Keating of Hudson; son and law partner, Attorney Daniel (Taryn) Keating of Niles, 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wives; Louise Heltzel and Agnes I. Laricque; and three brothers, George, Lewis and Laurence Keating.

Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013, at McFarland & Sons Funeral Home, Warren.  Services will be held Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church with the Rev. Thomas Eisweirth officiating.

Services of final committal and full military honors will follow at All Souls Cemetary in Cortland.

His family suggests donations can be in the form of contributions to The Hospice House, Humility of Mary Health Partners, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio, 44514.
 www.hospiceof thevalley.com/donate.html.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co., 271 North Park Avenue, 44481.  330-393-9621.  Visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary, send condolences and order flowers.

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