POLAND-Ruth A. Merolillo went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, November 16, 2011.
She was born on November 1, 1922, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Petulis.
Ruth, formerly of 9111 Sharrott Rd, Poland, was employed as a sales representative with Monumental Life Insurance. She served for several years as organist at St. Charles Catholic Church in Boardman and performed with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus during Handel's Messiah.
Ruth loved and enjoyed her family. She was extremely fond of her extended Lithuanian family and enjoyed attending a bi-yearly reunion with cousins from across the country. She enjoyed sharing stories of her mother and two aunts emigrating from Lithuania during the early 1900's. She enjoyed playing the organ for others, sharing her oil paintings, sewing gifts for friends and family, planting flowers, birds and laughing with friends and family.
Ruth was previously married to Kenneth Gretsinger (deceased) of Boardman and Joseph Merolillo (deceased) of Hubbard. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Anthony.
Ruth's children and spouses, James and Ana Gretsinger of Muscatine, IA, William and Pamela Gretsinger of Boardman, Dennis Gretsinger of San Diego, CA, Charles Gretsinger (deceased), Patricia and David Foltz of Houston, TX, and Kenneth and Penny Gretsinger of Streetsboro, OH. Her grandchildren and spouses, are Patricia and Shane Martin, Laura and Anthony Fire, Jessica and James Martin, Kerry Gretsinger, Julie Gretsinger, Trevor Gretsinger, Sarah Gretsinger and Adam Gretsinger. She had 7 great-grandchildren.
Family and Friends will be received Monday, November 28th from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church, 7345 Westview Dr., Boardman, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown, 144 W. Wood Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 or by going to
http://catholiccharitiesyoungstown.org/
.