Obituaries

Joseph passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, after experiencing a series of small strokes. He was active and vibrant up until just weeks before his passing. He leaves behind four children, Donna (Jim Jenkins) Pfeil; Benjamin (Anita) DiFiore; Pam (Patrick) Shank; and Joe (Robin) DiFiore. Joseph was born on April 4, 1925, to immigrant parents of Sicilian descent. He lived most of his life in Cleveland, Ohio, growing up in the city’s vibrant “Little Italy” ...

William “Bill” R. Owen, Jr., age 97, of Mentor, passed away peacefully February 12, 2026. He was born August 20, 1928 in Carson, ND to the late William, Sr. and Anna (nee Hamer). Bill was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving much of his tour on the USS Midway aircraft carrier prior to the Korean War. After his discharge from the Navy, Bill began his career in the banking industry working for the same bank for 37 years before retiring. He was a former member and treasurer of Wickliffe ...

Laurene Ann Essel (nee Mackin), age 70, of Wickliffe, passed away February 9, 2026. Laurene was born July 22, 1955 in Cleveland, OH to the late James and Mary (nee Skorepa) Mackin. Laurene was a longtime member of St. John Nottingham Lutheran Church. She loved being with her sisters, working on crafts and having coffee with her husband. Laurene was the beloved wife of 21 years to Randall; loving mother of Danny and Rachel; dear sister of Karen (Gary, deceased) Kasten, Holly (Daniel) ...

Mass of Christian Burial for Filomena P. Spronz (nee Picciano), age 89, a lifelong resident of Wickliffe, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 29850 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Mrs. Spronz passed away February 4, 2026. She was born May 9, 1936 in Cleveland, OH. Filomena was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church where she was also a member of the Mt. Carmel Society. She was a 1954 graduate of Wickliffe High School and was the ...

Edith P. Kakal (nee Praust), age 96, of Highland Hts. and formerly of Wickliffe, passed away peacefully January 21, 2026. Edith was born December 20, 1929 in Cleveland, OH to the late Paul and Josephin (nee Tavear) Praust. Edith was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Wickliffe. She loved gambling and going to Las Vegas as well playing the piano, polka dancing and sewing. Edith the beloved wife of the late Joseph; loving mother of Janice (David) Ostkar; dear sister ...

Robert (Bob) Allen Nowak, 79, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2026, surrounded by his family and embraced by his devoted wife, Ginger. Bob was a proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, a commitment that reflected his deep sense of duty and love for his country. For most of his professional career, Bob worked as a sales representative for 3M, where his natural gift for conversation and genuine interest in people made him not just successful, but beloved by clients ...

Janice M. Motta (nee Hendryx), age 88, of Willoughby and former longtime resident of Wickliffe, passed away peacefully January 6, 2026. Janice was born August 27, 1937 in Lakewood, OH. Janice was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church where she was also a member of the Mt. Carmel Society and a former Eucharistic Minister. She also belonged the American Legion Brewer Tarasco Post 7 Ladies Auxiliary. Janice loved gardening, working on word searches, traveling and visiting ...

Dorothy Ann Fratino (nee Tarasco), age 92, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. She was born on January 19, 1933, in Euclid, Ohio to the late Adeline (nee Garzia) and Andrew Tarasco, who immigrated to America from Oratino, in the Province of Campobasso, Italy. Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Antonio “Tony” Fratino; her son, Thomas Fratino (Kathy); and brother, Michael Tarasco (Shirley). She was a loving mother to Linda Moffa (Gerry), Karen Vance ...

Carole M. Orozco (nee Hayes), age 86, of Painesville, formerly of Wickliffe, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children on December 28, 2025. Born December 26, 1939, to the late Lawrence and Helen (nee Buynak) Hayes. Carole prioritized family above all else and lived every day to the fullest. Carole was the loving wife of Anthony Orozco. They were married for 22 years before Anthony passed away suddenly following a brief illness. She was a devoted mother to Carla Anne, Laura Ann ...

Bonita S. “Bonnie” Nunes (nee Pavlina), age 77, of Gates Mills, passed away December 27, 2025. Bonnie was born September 26, 1948 in Cleveland, OH to the late Andrew and Margaret (nee Tancek) Pavlina. Bonnie loved painting, working on crossword puzzles, she was very quick witted with her jokes, family was everything to her as she was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother, who was truly the rock of her family who will miss her dearly. Bonnie was the beloved wife of ...