Edith Balestrino

Edith (Funtjar) Balestrino, age 88, of Warren, died Thursday morning, January 22, 2009, at Hospice House in Poland. She was born April 12, 1920 in Warren the daughter of the late Andrew and Ida (Macek) Funtjar. Edith was a 1938 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. She retired in 1985 as the secretary to the director of the Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, after 28 years of service. Previously, Edith worked for Strouss Hirshberg department store and GE Trumbull Lamp works. During WWII, she worked for the Dodge automobile plant in Chicago. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church. Edith was an avid golfer and was a member of several area golf leagues. She was a member of area card clubs and enjoyed yard work, nature and the outdoors. Her husband, Joseph John Balestrino, whom she married April 11, 1942, preceded her in death on December 4, 1991. Five sisters, Judith and Julia Funtjar, Ella Robison, Mary Stegmaier and Marguerite Metro and two brothers, Andrew and James Funtjar also preceded in death. She is survived by her son, Richard John Balestrino of New York City; one sister, Suzanna Listiak of Warren and one brother, Victor Funtjar of Columbus. Arrangements are being handled by Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel in Warren, where a memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2009 . There will be no calling hours. Inurnment will be at Crown Hill Burial Park Mausoleum in Vienna. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Rd., Poland, OH 44514 or to the St. James Church Building Fund.