Honestly, there’s something about the Mahoning Valley that keeps us all connected, even when we move away. When you look up youngstown obituaries for today, you’re not just checking a list of names. You are seeing the stories of people who built this city—the steel mill workers, the teachers from Austintown Fitch or Boardman, and the nurses who spent decades at St. Elizabeth’s.
It hits different here. In a town where everyone is basically two degrees of separation from a cousin or a former coworker, the morning obituary scan is a ritual. It’s how we show up for each other. Today, January 13, 2026, we are looking at a particularly poignant group of neighbors who have finished their shifts. Also making news recently: The Narrowing Gate and the Illusion of Permission.
Remembering the Neighbors: Local Tributes for January 13, 2026
If you’ve lived in Youngstown long enough, you know that the local news isn’t just about politics or the latest roadwork on 224. It’s about the people. This week, the valley is saying goodbye to several residents who truly defined "grit."
June Marie Bell, who was 89, passed away this past Sunday at Omni Manor. She was a Youngstown girl through and through, born in 1936 to Myron and Ruth Gillam. If you knew her, you knew she lived for her grandkids and spent her free time making crafts. It’s those little details—the handmade gifts and the devotion to Bethlehem Lutheran Church—that remind us what actually matters. More details regarding the matter are detailed by Associated Press.
Then there is Melvin Dean “Mel” Hockensmith Jr., an 82-year-old educator who basically lived for the classroom and the football field. Mel was part of that 1961 State Champion Niles McKinley team—a legend in his own right. He taught at Howland for nearly three decades. Think about how many thousands of kids in our area learned more than just the curriculum from a guy like Mel. He was a regular at Cleveland sports games and spent his retirement years traveling to Italy and Canada.
In Canfield, the community is mourning Suzanne “Susy” Brown, a beloved art teacher who spent 30 years at Austintown Fitch. She was 78 and had been fighting Lewy Body Dementia. Susy wasn’t just a teacher; she was an artist whose work was shown at the Butler Museum of American Art. It’s a huge loss for the local arts scene.
A Centenarian’s Legacy: Ruth Wallace Ketzel
We also have to talk about Ruth Wallace Ketzel. She lived to be 103. Can you even imagine the history she saw? Born in 1922, she was a cadet nurse during World War II and was actually on a ship to Saipan when the war ended. She spent over 60 years as a member of Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church. People like Ruth are the living bridge to a Youngstown that most of us only know through black-and-white photos.
Where to Find Today’s Full Notices
If you are looking for specific service times or want to send flowers, you've gotta know where the most reliable info is tucked away. The landscape of local media has changed, but the pillars are still there.
- The Vindicator: While the print version has changed hands, the digital obituaries at vindy.com are still the gold standard for Mahoning County.
- Tribune Chronicle: Crucial if you’re looking for folks in Warren, Niles, or northern Trumbull County.
- Local Funeral Home Websites: Honestly, sometimes going straight to the source is faster. Sites for Fox Funeral Home in Boardman, Kinnick Funeral Home on the West Side, or Rossi & Santucci in Boardman often have the guestbooks open before the newspaper even hits the stands.
- WFMJ and WKBN: Our local stations keep updated digital records that are great for quick checks on your phone.
Why We Keep Looking
People ask why Youngstown is so obsessed with who passed away. Kinda feels morbid to outsiders, right? But it isn't. It’s about respect.
In a city that has seen its fair share of tough times, the community is the only thing that never quit. When you see youngstown obituaries for today, you might see that a former coworker from the Youngstown Sheet & Tube died. Or maybe it’s the lady who used to run the bakery on the corner.
Showing up to calling hours at a place like Holeton-Yuhasz or Wasko Funeral Home is just what we do. It’s how we say, "Hey, your life meant something to this valley."
Recent Local Services and Notes
- John H. Guerriero, 93: Services are this Friday at Fox Funeral Home.
- Gary C. Lockhart, 78: Services this Thursday at Cunningham-Becker in Poland.
- Marjorie A. Watson, 88: Funeral service is Thursday at Eells-Leggett-Stauffer.
- Catherine McIlvaine, 75: A memorial is set for Thursday at Living Water Church in Farmdale.
Actionable Steps for Those Grieving or Supporting
If you see a name you recognize today, don't just feel bad and move on. Do something. Youngstown is a "doing" kind of town.
- Check the specific visitation hours. Many services for those mentioned today are happening this Thursday and Friday (January 15-16).
- Donate in their name. For example, Mel Hockensmith’s family requested donations to the Howland Classroom Teachers’ Association Scholarship fund. That's a way to keep his passion for education alive.
- Sign the online guestbook. If you can’t make it to Boardman or Niles for the service, leave a memory. Families really do read those weeks later when things quiet down.
- Verify the details. Always double-check the funeral home’s official site for any last-minute changes to service times due to weather or family needs.
Youngstown isn't just a spot on a map; it's a giant, messy, loyal family. Looking at the obituaries is just our way of checking in.
To help the families mentioned, you can visit the The Vindicator's obituary section or the Tribune Chronicle to find direct links to floral tributes and memorial funds.
