Juanita B. Gatchell

POLAND-Juanita B. Gatchell, 96, of Poland, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Hospice House. She was born July 24, 1912 in Youngstown, the daughter of Garfield and Blanche Alice Cramer Whitney. Mrs. Gatchell was a 1931 graduate of the Rayen School and completed advanced studies in piano at the Sherwood Musical School. She was employed as a telephone operator for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company. Later in her life, she was employed as an accountant for several local firms. She married Lawrence Gatchell on November 24, 1939. During World War II, Lawrence served as Second Lieutenant in a Medical Gas Treatment Battalion and Juanita contributed voluntary efforts with the American Red Cross. Upon retirement from the military and business world, Lawrence and Juanita moved to a retirement community for a brief period in Ocala, Florida. Upon the death of her husband on August 21, 1979, Juanita returned to Youngstown. She was of Methodist religious faith and conducted the celebration of life with her love of flowers, canines, dancing, music, sports events, and the reading of American history. Mrs. Gatchell leaves her beloved family; niece, Linda (Ron) Fogg of Boardman, with great nephew, Michael (Heather) Fogg of Columbia, MD and great niece, Heather (Dan) Downing of Columbus; brother-in-law, Paul (Carol) Gatchell of Youngstown; niece, Deborah (Thomas) Bierdeman of Youngstown with great nephews Ryan, Brandon, and Zachary Bierdeman; niece, Paula (James) Marco of Youngstown with great niece, Alexa and great nephew, Jimmy Marco; and lifelong friends and care-givers, Donna (Carmen) Leone of Poland and Gus (Yolanda) Mavrigian of Poland. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Boardman. Family and friends will be received Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Gatchell's name to the Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland OH, 44514. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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