Lillian T. Blatnik

January 16, 1927 - April 29, 2023

Lillian T. Blatnik (nee Byomin), beloved wife of the late Raymond E; loving mother of Raymond A. (Suzanne); dearest grandmother of Michelle Anderson (Derek); sister of Lottie, Hattie, Emily, Edward, Leonard (all deceased) and Raymond; aunt of many.

Visitation will be Friday, May 5, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at VITO-NERO FUNERAL HOME, 6130 Turney Rd., Garfield Heights., OH 44125.

A Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM at St. Martin of Tours Church, 14600 Turney Rd., Maple Heights., OH.

Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, OH.

Catherine D. Cuccia

August 16, 1927 - April 15, 1923

Catherine D. Cuccia (nee Sidoti) age 95 passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Thomas; devoted mother of Carol Hutchinson (Jeffrey), Marie (deceased), and Thomas Jr. (deceased)(Doreen); loving grandmother of 6; great grandmother of 11; dear sister of Joanne Tonski and the following deceased Salvatore Sidoti, Carl Sidoti, and Josephine Cibella.

Private services were held.

Interment took place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Mary Lou Sokolich

July 28, 1930 - December 14, 2022

Mary Lou Sokolich passed away December 14th at age 92 after along illness. Born and raised in Dickerson Run, Pennsylvania, she trained as a nurse in Pittsburgh, married Frank in 1955, and relocated to Ohio in 1956. Mary Lou was a proud and devoted nurse who served at St. Alexis Hospital for 25 years. She paused her career to raise five children in Cleveland and later Maple Heights: Martin (Melody), Mike (Lynne), Millie Harnocz (Alex), Matt (Vicky), and Mary Ellen Newell (Greg). She was a kind and caring grandmother to seven: Andy (Andrew), Steve (Donna), Michael (Lillian), and Matt Sokolich (Sara), Alex Harnocz (Julie), Jessica Newell, and Elizabeth Norman (Chris) and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Ellen and siblings Joe and Pat. She is survived by her brother Jack McGrogan of Pennsylvania. Her family would like to thank her neighbors on East 141st Street for assisting Mary Lou after Frank’s passing in 2014. We also express our gratitude to the staff at Jennings Center for caring for Mary Lou in her later years. We know that she felt a kinship with nurses and caregivers to the last. Mary Lou will be interred with Frank at Western Reserve National Cemetery.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Rd. Garfield Hts., OH 44125 (2 blocks south of Rockside ).

To honor Mary Lou’s memory, we suggest thanking a nurse, petting a cat, or visiting a neighbor.

Michael J. Wyrzykowski

October 30, 1947 - March 30, 2023

Heavenly Father, we thank you for sharing your servant, Michael Joseph Wyrzykowski, with us, and we thank you for now welcoming him home.

Dearly beloved husband of Regina (nee Wojnar) for 42 years, loving father of Kathy (Don), Michael (Yasmin), Mark, Lea, and Mary (Kerian).  Dearest grandfather of Isabel, Michael, Anne, Joseph, Thomas, Sophia, Verity and Anthony. Dear brother of Virginia, Cindy, Paul and Connie. Dear cousin, uncle, and great-uncle of many.  Son of Joseph and Esther (deceased)

Michael was a devoted Catholic, a member of the Holy Name Society, and a parishioner (and volunteer) of St. Monica Church for 42 years. He loved coaching various sports, especially CYO cross-country and track. But most of all he loved his family. Michael was a hard-working, giving man who will be missed by everyone who was blessed to know him.

Friends received at VITO-NERO FUNERAL HOME, 6130 Turney Road, Garfield Hts, OH 44125 (2 blocks south of Rockside Rd) on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Please join us in honoring Mike’s life at his Mass of Christian Burial at St. Monica Church 13623 Rockside Rd, Garfield Hts, OH  44125 on Monday April 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.   (PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH)

Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Mike’s caregivers, Holy Family Hospice, the City of Maple Heights, and all of the many friends and relatives who have supported us in prayer over these past 3 years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Padre Pio Academy, 12920 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, or to LifeWorks Ohio 4429 State Rd, Suite 23, Cleveland, OH 44109

John Wesley Pinter

John Wesley Pinter, 91, of Valley View passed away on March 17, 2023. Beloved husband of Elaine (nee Renwick), cherished father of John Jr. (Edda), Cheryl (Steve) Sutkaytis, Alan (deceased), Kenric (Teresa), Kendra (Matt) Zusy, Cynthia, and Jason (Tracy). Loving grandfather of Colleen (Nick) Bursic, Alice (Pete) Pinter, Brian, Carly, and Brady Pinter, and Aaron and Taylor Zusy.  Beloved great grandfather of Josie and Madison Bursic. Dear uncle of many.

John was born on February 12, 1932, to the late Alice (nee Germ) and John J. Pinter. He graduated from Cuyahoga Heights High School in 1950. After graduation, he enrolled in courses at Fenn College. Later, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY where he met his wife of nearly 65 years.

John raised his family in Upstate New York for many years, but returned to Ohio to become a Defense Contractor for the Federal Government where he worked for over 35 years. He was a member of the Bedford FOE #2122 and the American Legion as well as the Valley View Senior Citizen’s Club.

He was an avid hiker and nature lover who enjoyed going on gambling trips with his wife.  He loved being outdoors as much as possible and having cookouts with his family.

John was preceded in death by his son Alan, sister Jean (John) Regetz, granddaughter Lucinda Charlotte, and his parents.

Family will receive friends to celebrate the life of John at VITO-NERO FUNERAL HOME, 6130 TURNEY RD., GARFIELD HEIGHTS, 44125 on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 2-6 pm with a service to begin at 5:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Cleveland Metroparks in memory of John Pinter, online at clevelandmetroparks.com/giveonline or mailed to Cleveland Metroparks, 4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44144.

Stan Kurincic

Stanislav “Stan” Kurincic Beloved husband of Helga (deceased); Dearest father of Anthony (Erin); Loving grandfather of Alexa and Emma; Dear brother of Frank (deceased), Ivanka, Anica, Joe (deceased), Alex (deceased), and Mario (deceased); dear uncle and friend of many.

Service: Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Rd. Garfield Hts., OH (2 blocks south of Rockside Rd). Where the family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Viola L. Mihalich

Viola L. Mihalich (nee Trutza) Beloved wife of the late Joseph; mother of Richard, Michael, Sondra Sierko, David, and Sharon (deceased); grandmother of 10; great grandmother of 6; dear sister of John Trutza, Juliana Jacquet, Steve Trutza, and Nicholas Trutza (all deceased).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Road (Two Blocks South of Rockside). Entombment is private.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donation to: Hospice of the Western Reserve 17876 St Claire Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44110 www.hospicewr.org

Suanne DeLaat

Suanne DeLaat, 58 of Garfield Heights passed away on the morning of February 27, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Sue was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and co-worker. Sue was born June 2, 1964, the fifth child of Thad and Athalene Potelicki. While being raised in Seven Hills, Ohio she graduated from Lumen Cordium High School and John Carroll University. Sue worked a variety of office/sales jobs in the greater Cleveland area, most recently at Harvard Coil and Processing. As the baby of the family, Sue was loved by all her siblings. However, she shared a special bond with Paula Kasmer (her Da-Da) who provided loving care and support throughout her illness. Sue is joining in Heaven her parents, as well as her beloved Aunt Chris and Uncle Ray. Left to cherish her memory are her siblings: Tony (Jacquie) Potelicki, Vicky (Rick) Vance, Mary (Dave) Bignell and Paula (Phil) Kasmer. Her nieces and nephews: Bailey Wells, Stacey Kasmer, Kevin Kasmer, Robin Dodson, Shannon Deppi, Jacob Bignell, Adam Potelicki, Kelsey Creamer, Ryan Potelicki and Riley Vance. Her longtime companion Marty Baudo.

There will be a visitation for Sue on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 4-7 pm at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Rd. Garfield Hts., OH 44125.  Service will be held on Wednesday March 8, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church 11333 Granger Rd.  Garfield Hts., OH 44125. Interment will be private.

Frances Mary Pennypacker

Frances Mary Pennypacker (nee Premura), age 77, passed away peacefully with her family by her side. As the sun was setting and lighting up the sky at her time of passing, Fran radiated a similar beauty beyond that which is describable with words as our Lord welcomed her home. Beloved wife of the late Deacon Lindley; mother of James Kucera, Michael Kucera, Richard (deceased) (Bonnie), Gregory (Susan), and Lori Windisch; grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of 1; daughter of Frank and Margaret Premura (both deceased), sister of Rosalie Canfield (Gerald), Joseph Premura (Ursula Nechvatal), Marguerite Draiss (Emerson), Frank Premura, and Blazine Monaco; sister-in-law of Ellie (deceased), Jaye Brennan (Joe), and Catherine Emery. Fran was an irreplaceable aunt of many nieces and nephews, including Kristen Pennypacker; cousin and friend of many. She will be missed by all.

Please join us in honoring Fran’s life at a mass on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Matthias Church 1200 W Sprague Rd, Parma, OH 44134.

No flowers will be accepted at the church. Fran experienced a great deal of comfort and pleasure listening to music, particularly in the talents of her son, Jim, and his associates. Please consider making a donation to St. Mary of The Assumption Music Ministry 301 E. 4th St., Taylor, TX 76574 (list “Music Ministry” in the memo area) or taking a family member or friend out to dinner, and enjoy a good meal or memorable experience with your loved ones in Fran’s honor. Life is all about experiences and making memories.

Veronica "Ronnie" Mayak

“TOGETHER AGAIN”

OCTOBER 22, 1933 - FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Veronica Marie Mayak “Ronnie” (nee Bestvina) age 89 died peacefully in her sleep. Beloved wife of Joseph Sr. (deceased); mother of Joseph Jr. and Michael (Sharon); grandmother of Ashley Tuley (Ryan), Anthony, Andrea (Jason), Syndel, Spencer (Heather), Cole (Ellie), Christopher, and Matthew (Nicole); great grandmother of Melania, Eloise, and Sophia; daughter of Paul and Aloysia Bestvina (both deceased); sister of Henry Bestvina “George” (Joann, deceased), Joann Dutzman (Carl, deceased), John Bestvina, and the following deceased: Mike Bestvina “Buss” (Mary), Ann Windishman (Henry), Betty Stadleman (Phillip), Margie Spinelli (Pete), Paul Bestvina (Betty June), and Vince Bestvina; sister in law of Barbara Bestvina; aunt and friend of many. Veronica was a devout Catholic. She loved playing bingo, cooking, babysitting her grandchildren, drinking coffee, visiting family, and playing guessing games. But most of all she loved her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Monica Church 13623 Rockside Road Garfield Hts., OH 44125. Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery 10175 Rawiga Rd. Seville, OH 44273. The family will receive friends at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Rd. Garfield Hts., OH 44125 (two blocks south of Rockside) on Thursday from 6-8 p.m.