Charles W. "Bill" Merdich

Leetonia - Charles W. "Bill" Merdich, 82, of 230 Walnut St., died at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at his home, surrounded by family, after a long illness.

He was born July 27, 1930, in Youngstown, the son of the late, John and Anna Pavelko Merdich, and moved to Leetonia in 1962.

He graduated from the Riggs-Lemar barber school in Akron, and barbered many years in the Boardman-Youngstown area. Prior to that he worked at Youngstown Steel Door Co., and retired from the U.S. Post Office, in downtown Youngstown, Ohio.

Mr. Merdich served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952 during the Korean War where he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart, among his many medal citations.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Leetonia, a life-time member of the disabled American Veterans, the Korean War Veterans Alliance, and the Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, the former, Jeanette Gallo, whom he married November 24, 1956; two sons, Chuck (Pam) Merdich, Columbiana, and Bill (Shari) Merdich, Leetonia; a grandson, Alex, Columbiana; two sisters, Rose Borton and Janet Palotsee both of Youngstown; and a brother, Michael Merdich, Tacoma, WA.

Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, John, Pete, Joe, and Walter; and two sisters, Stephanie Hrycyk and Pauline Haug.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, with the Reverend Robert Edwards officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Leetonia, where the Salem Honor Guard will accord military honors. Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice 7206 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44512.