Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home

10/13/2025

Gregg S. Smith

HERMITAGE – Gregg S. Smith, of Sharpsville, PA passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening October 11, 2025 in his residence. He was sixty-eight years old.

Gregg was born in Sharon, PA on May 21, 1957, to Leonard Russel and Faye Aldine (Strouse) Smith.

He was an alumnus of Hickory High School Class of 1975 and was currently working as the Director of Safety and Compliance for Phantom Fireworks.

Gregg married the former Valerie D. Wolfe on October 27, 1979, she survives at home.

In addition to his wife, Gregg is survived by his sons Andrew Smith and Alex (Katrina) Smith; his grandson Kaden Smith all of Sharpsville; his uncle and aunt Roger and Elma Strouse of Fowler, OH; and by his nieces and nephews A.J., Brad, Jenna, Maria, Alyce, Tonya, Bryan, Matthew, Trent, ad Craig.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Debra Smith-Odasso.

Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4-7:00PM and at the Sample- O'Donnell Funeral Home at 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday October 17, 2025 beginning at 11:00AM. Friends may also visit with the family beginning at 10:00AM until the start of the service on Friday.

Donations in his honor may be made to Shenango Valley Animal Shelter or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Friends are invited to share their memories and condolences with Gregg’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Gregg S. Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/26/2025

Robert "Bob" R. David

AUSTINTOWN– Robert “Bob” R. David, age 73, of Austintown, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, in St. Elizabeth Youngstown.

Bob was born in Youngstown on December 2, 1951, the son of Andrew and Mary (Kotchin) David. He was a graduate of Wilson High School and would spend the next forty years working in various capacities for RMI Titanium in Niles before his well-deserved retirement in 2017.

He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of a local golf league. Bob was a talented guitar player and relished being with his friends. He loved his mustang and cruising around with Deb enjoying the sunshine.

He is survived by his longtime companion Debbie Jenkins of Austintown, his son Sean David of Cornersburg, and his brother Lawrence David of Youngstown.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Linda David.

Friends may visit with his family on Friday October 3, 2025 from 4:00-6:00PM at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home 3100 Canfield Road Youngstown, OH 44511.

Arrangements by Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Sharon, PA.

Friends are invited to share memories and condolences with Bob’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Robert "Bob" R. David's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/26/2025

Martin "Marty" P. Roth

HERMITAGE– Martin P. Roth, age 89, of Hermitage, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2025, in St. John XXIII Home.

Marty was born in Chicago, IL on March 7, 1936, a son of Valentine and Magdalena (Moyer) Roth. He was a 1954 graduate of Sharpsville High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy serving during the Korean War. He also served in the Army Reserve and retired from his military career with the Air Force Reserves.

Following his honorable discharge, Mutz as he was sometimes known, enrolled in barber college and later operated his barbershop on Sharpsville Avenue for many years. Later in life he studied heating and refrigeration, became certified and retired from Sharon City Schools.

Martin was a member of the Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage for many years where he would attend the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00AM. He recited the rosary every evening, often while sipping a martini.

He loved to cook and enjoyed recreating some of his mother’s soup and noodle dishes.

Marty had the gift of gab and loved to socialize and could tell a good story, especially of his fond times in the Navy. His regular routine included stopping for the Hearld then heading off to Dunkin to meet the boys. Afterwards he would go to the mall where he was one of the original mall walkers. When he had made his rounds there, he was then off to Panera for a little more coffee talk. His social journey ended with the last stop at McDonalds for the last of coffee and good conversations. To Marty, everyone was Babes.

He was a generous man with his time and was a constant presence in his family’s lives. He was always there for them whether it was cooking, carpooling, or if you just needed to talk.

He is survived by his daughter Charlotte (Raymond) Roth-Nitowski of Canton, OH, his son Bryan (Jaqueline) Roth of Florida; granddaughter Erica (Sage) Sherman of Struthers, OH; sister Barbara (Jerry) Tetrick of West Middlesex, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother Dr. Michael Roth and by his former wife Ruth Roth.

A private entombment will take place in St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements are under the direction of Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Friends are invited to share memories and condolences with Marty’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Martin "Marty" P. Roth's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/05/2025

Homer "Nick" N. Gibson Jr.

HERMITAGE – Homer N. Gibson Jr. age 77, of Hermitage passed away on Wednesday September 3, 2025 at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh.

Nick was born in Sharon, PA on November 4, 1947 to Homer N. Gibson Sr. Dorothy M. (Wheaton) Gibson and was a 1965 graduate from Hickory High School.

He had worked alongside his father in construction and in later years worked for Olan Mills Photography in sales.

Nick was active with the Boy Scouts of America where he had proudly attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He later continued to serve as a scout leader with the B.S.A. and assist other young men in their scouting journeys.

He was a longtime member of Clark Trinity United Methodist Church.

He leaves behind his sister Cathy Smith (Lonnie Meyer) of Sharon; nephews Todd Yarian of Hermitage, Mark (Colleen) Yarian of Pittsburgh; great-nephews Legion and Gabriel Yarian, great-niece Paige Yarian; aunts and uncles Shirley Gibson and Bill Mitchelltree of Hermitage, Nancy Fisher and Sally McCormick of Greenville.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private funeral will take place 6:00PM on Monday evening in the Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery in Hermitage.

Friends are invited to share their memories and condolences with Nick’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Homer "Nick" N. Gibson Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/02/2025

Atty. Donald L. Herskovitz

Rehoboth Beach, DE-Atty. Donald L. Herskovitz, 88, passed away peacefully Monday evening August 25, 2025, at home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with his loving wife Diana of 22 years by his side.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1936, to Martin & Cecile (Meizlik) Herskovitz of Farrell, PA who preceded him in death in 1960 and 1999 respectively.

Donald was a graduate of Farrell High School in 1954, was a proud member of the FHS basketball team, won academic honors, and was inducted into the Farrell High Alumni Hall of Fame. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English (1958) and a Juris Doctor (1962), and an L.L.M. in tax law from Georgetown Law Center. He also served proudly in the U.S. Marines. Donald worked for the IRS, Washington, D.C., was a partner of the prestigious Washington law firm Carmody, Wilson and was an attorney for Bob Haldeman before the Senate Watergate Hearings in the 1970’s. He also taught tax law at Georgetown Law, was Associate Dean at Catholic University Law School, had his own private law firm, was widely published in national tax journals, and gave speaking engagements at universities and national accounting organizations.

He is survived by his loving wife Diana, brother George Herskovitz (Linda Smith) of Sharpsville, PA, sister Audrey Herskovitz Dunn (Jim) of Tampa, Fl, and Denver, CO, nephew Atty. Brian Dunn (Erin Lyons) and son Patrick, niece Dr. Shannon Dunn Jennings and great nephews & great nieces Atty. Shelby Nace Doyle (Mike)of Denver, Sydney Jennings of Denver, Max, Zach and Caroline Jennings of St. Louis, MO; nieces Leah Herskovitz of Providence, R.I. and Abby Herskovitz Conrad (Tom) and their son Everett of Hermitage, PA.; many very dear cousins across U.S., such as Sam Herskovitz of Hermitage, PA, Shirley Estner of Pittsburgh, Gloria Meizlik and Jim Meizlik of California; his loyal friend Maria Bueno; many dear friends in Rehoboth Beach and Maryland; and his dedicated dog Lily.

A private graveside service was held on Friday August 29th, 2025, at Beth Israel Cemetery in Hermitage, PA.

View Atty. Donald L. Herskovitz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/23/2025

https://www.sampleodonnellfh.com/obituaries/meagen-deitz

View Meagen M. Deitz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/08/2025

Melvin A. Hobson

FARRELL – Melvin A. Hobson Sr. age 63, of Farrell was called home at 7:21PM on Friday July 4, 2025 at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center following his battle with cancer.

He was born in Erie, PA on June 25, 1962, one of eight children to the late William B. Hobson Sr. and Pearline (Ellis) Hobson.

Following his graduation from Academy High School in Erie, PA, he served our country in the United States Navy where he attained the rank of Aviation Boatswain's Mate prior to his honorable discharge on June 15, 1994. Melvin was employed in the maintenance and welding department of the Sharon Tube Company prior to his illness.

He always had something to say, and you were definitely going to hear it. He loved fishing, riding his motorcycle, and showing off his Crossfire any chance he got, even if it was just a quick ride around town for no real reason. He liked to be on the move, and he liked to be heard. But more than any of that, he loved his kids. He was their biggest fan, loud, proud, and always in their corner. He didn’t miss a chance to brag about them or support what they were doing. He had a big personality, a big heart, and a presence that will be impossible to replace.

He leaves behind his wife the former Maureen Scarvel, his children Daphne (Howard) Austin and Kamryn Christian both of Sanford, FL, Nerissa Hobson (Kevin) of Sharon, PA, Nicole (Isaiah) Martin of Stow, OH, Nadine Hobson and Melvin Hobson Jr. both of Farrell, PA; his grandchildren Asha, Howard, Luther, Jadell, Lesedi, Amelia, and Kevin Jr. “Vinny”; siblings Edward Earl Hobson, Jeffery Hobson, Rev. Darrold (Penny) Hobson, William (Debra) Hobson Jr., Kimberly Hobson, Shawn Hobson, Sandra Hobson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may gather with his family on Friday July 18, 2025 from 4:00-6:00PM at the Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home at 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Friends are invited to share their condolences with Melvin’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Melvin A. Hobson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/02/2025

Robert K. Sanford

HERMITAGE-Robert Kenneth Sanford, affectionately known as “Old Bob”, was born on August 8, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was eighty-three years old..

He passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025 in Hermitage, Pennsylvania with two of his daughters at his side.

He leaves behind many fond memories.

He loved being called “Old Bob” since his days as a steelworker at Mercer Alloys when, although only in his thirties, he was the oldest man on the crew and was fondly deemed “the old man”. Old Bob began driving an 18-wheeler later in life and took great pride in logging millions of miles behind the wheel while making friends along the way. He loved joking around with family and friends and never missed an opportunity to talk about how proud he was of his six daughters. He enjoyed many hobbies, particularly crossword puzzles, playing cards, fishing, listening to Elvis Presley, and watching his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is survived by his six daughters, Sheilla Collins (John), Robin Engel (Paul), Korena Weichel (Bo), Lisa Rudge, Shirley Barrett, and Lynn Kresge; as well as 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind a special friend, Betty Cozad; two sisters, Katherine Gibbs and Linda Lewis (Jerry); and two brothers, Clarence Sanford and Tom Sanford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Sanford, Bertha Anderson Sanford-Coast; two sisters, Alice Sanford and Joann Coast; and three brothers, Raymond Sanford, Terry Sanford, and Fred Coast.

A private family gathering will be held at Sample-O’Donnell Funeral Home 555 East State Street Sharon, PA on Monday morning July 7, 2025. A public memorial service will follow in the afternoon at Shenango Reservoir, one of his favorite places to fish.

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06/23/2025

Elizabeth M. Kotanchek

KINSMAN – Elizabeth Mary Kotanchek, of Kinsman, OH passed away peacefully in her home at 12:40PM on Sunday June 15th, 2025 at the age of 98 and 1/2.

She was born in Sharon on December 6, 1926, to Joseph R. and Katie (Hanak) Falhamer. She was a graduate of Brookfield High School Class of 1944, and for the next 79 years following her marriage, she raised her family and managed their dairy farm in Kinsman.

Elizabeth married Peter Kotanchek on November 2, 1946, and he preceded her in death on February 1st, 1991.

She is survived by her children James Kotanchek and his wife Patty of DeSoto, TX, Peter Kotanchek of Kinsman, OH, Paul Kotanchek and his longtime companion Stacey Smith of Kinsman, OH, and Janet Zuga and her husband Bill of Farmdale, OH; grandchildren Peter Michael Kotanchek and his wife Kendra, Kelly Kotanchek, Alan Kotanchek and his wife Amy, Amy Sutton and her husband Jerad, Lori Schiavone and her husband Chris, Zackery Zuga and his wife Kenley, and Erika Zuga; eight great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; and daughters in-law Bonnie Kotanchek and Wanda Kotanchek.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son David Kotanchek, grandson Matthew Kotanchek, sister Helen Cimperman and brothers Steve and Albert Falhamer.

Private arrangements by the Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home at 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA. Interment will take place at Brookfield Township Cemetery.

Friends are invited to share their memories and condolences with Elizabeth’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Elizabeth M. Kotanchek's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/11/2025

Robert "Larry" L. Adams

WARREN – Robert “Larry” L. Adams, of Howland Twp., OH, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday, June 10, 2025. He was eighty-six years old.

Larry was born in New Castle, PA, on November 9, 1938, the only child of the late Robert and Ethel (Simpson) Adams.

He was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School and attended Penn State University. In 1959, Larry began his career with United Airlines, where he would work at airports in Baltimore, Cleveland, and Youngstown. He retired as a Customer Service and Ticket Agent in 1998 following nearly forty years of dedicated service.

Larry was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sharon. He was also a member of the United Retirees and the former Wick Lodge #481 F&AM in Youngstown. Larry was meticulous in everything he did and enjoyed gardening and landscaping, as well as classic cars and boating on his pontoon.

He is survived by his wife, the former Charlotte A. Lewis, whom he married on August 17, 1963. He is also survived by their children, Tim Adams and his wife, Jen, of Amelia, OH, and Tracey Macrinos and her husband, Nick, of Port Charlotte, FL; his grandchildren, J.R. Macrinos and his wife, Melissa, of Cortland, OH, Stephanie Macrinos and her partner, Garrett Graber, of Lakewood, OH, and Lilianna Adams of Amelia, OH; his great-grandchildren Dax Macrinos and a new little girl due to arrive in September.

The family will visit with friends on Friday morning beginning at 11:00AM in St. John’s Church, 226 W. State Street, Sharon, PA, until the start of the funeral service at 1:00PM.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Contributions in his memory may be made to St. John’s Church, 226 W. State Street, Sharon, PA 16146 or to Affinity Care Hospice, 25 S. Main Street, Munroe Falls, OH 44262.

Friends are invited to share memories and condolences with Larry’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Robert "Larry" L. Adams's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/06/2025

06/04/2025

Thomas P. Yoest

HERMITAGE – Thomas P. Yoest, age 63, of Hermitage passed away unexpectedly at 2:33PM on Friday May 30, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh surrounded by his family.

He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on March 21, 1962. Tom began his work life for the former Ivor J. Lee in Sharon before ultimately transitioning to a career as a truck driver for over eighteen years.

Tom loved to go fishing and loved music especially when he was playing his guitar. He also enjoyed it when he was able to jam out with his friends and play all kinds of music.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Yoest at the residence, their children Jason Battiato and his wife Emily of Michigan, Zachary Battiato of Hermitage, and Jessica Battiato of Womelsdorf, PA, along with his beloved grandchildren Ceaser and Julius.

In addition to his parents Virgil and Pauline Yoest, he was preceded in death by his brother David Yoest.

According to his wishes, private arrangements are being handled by the Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home at 555 East State Street in Sharon, PA.

Friends are invited to share memories and condolences with Tom’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.

View Thomas P. Yoest's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.