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GAPPEN Paul Leonard 1925-2011 Mahoning County, Ohio

GAPPEN Paul Leonard 1925-2011 Mahoning County, Ohio

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 8:17PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Yash, Karsnak
STRUTHERS, Ohio – Paul Leonard Gappen, 85, passed away Monday morning, Jan. 10, 2011, at Hospice of the Valley.

“Pio,” as he was called by his family and friends (among other nicknames), was born in Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 6, 1925.

He grew up in Campbell, Ohio graduating from Campbell Memorial High School in June of 1944.
Immediately thereafter, Paul left for basic training with the U.S. Navy, later serving in LSM Group 39 and on the USS Atlas ARL-7, participating in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

After returning to Campbell, Paul worked at several jobs before settling in to a 34 year career at the East Ohio Gas Co.
During the immediate post-war years, he also met and married his wife Mary Yash, both of whom celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Sept. 7, 2010.

Paul was a member of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Struthers, where he served as an usher.

Paul was active in sports in his youth, playing on softball teams for the East Ohio Gas Co. and the Holy Trinity Church. A lifelong Campbell Memorial Red Devils fan and avid Detroit Tigers supporter, Paul was interested in all types of sports.

After his retirement in 1986, Paul and Mary enjoyed several cruises in the Caribbean and the West Coast, as well as trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. A very significant trip in 2001 was made to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans with his brothers-in-law, Paul and Tom Yash, also World War II veterans.

Paul was a regular lottery player, acquiring the nickname “Missed by One” because of so many “near misses” on the daily drawings.

Preceding Paul in death were his parents, George and Anna Karsnak and an infant son, Michael.

Besides his wife, the former Mary Helen Yash of Struthers, whom he married Sept. 7, 1949, surviving are a son, Richard (Belinda) of Waterford, Pa.; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Schromofsky of Boardman, Ohio; three brothers, George (Helen) Karsnak of Canfield,Ohio, Herb Karsnak of Youngstown and John Karsnak of Youngstown; four sisters, Martha Rusky of Youngstown, Maryann Cramer of Youngstown, Georgiann Karsnak of Youngstown and Carol (Wally) Disler of Avon Park, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Katherine DeLost of Fairview Park; and one grandson, Daniel (Rachel) Gappen of Greenville, N.C.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the Kirila Funeral Home, Inc., 258 Poland Ave. in Struthers, Ohio.

Prayers will be held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Friday prior to the procession to Holy Trinity Church.

After the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. internment will occur at St. John’s Cemetery.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the loving care provided by Hospice House during Paul’s transition. In addition, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center (especially the fifth floor); Assumption Living and Rehabilitation; Sunrise Assisted Living of Poland; Mahoning Valley Hospital; the Visiting Nurses Association; Hampton Woods Assisted Living and Rehabilitation; St. Elizabeth Health Center Intensive Care Unit; and Clemente Ambulance and Ambulette.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Kanizus Cancer Research Foundation or any of the Wounded Warrior Foundations.

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