Frances Margaret Lapatka

Columbiana - April 30, 2008 - Frances Margaret LaPatka, 96, formerly of Second Avenue, Koppel, PA, died at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center following a five year illness.

Mrs. LaPatka was born October 12, 1911 in Rochester, PA, a daughter of Stanley and Helen Kasunic Baser and had lived in Columbiana since 2003, coming from Koppel. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and was devoted to her faith. She was a member of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Koppel.

Her husband, Joseph LaPatka, whom she married June 15, 1933 died August 19, 1974.

She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Sposato of Columbiana; a son, Joseph (Sherrie) LaPatka of Wampum, PA; five grandchildren, Cynthia (Michael) Oliver of Loveland, OH, Christopher (Irene) Sposato of Boca Raton, FL, Missy Sposato of Calcutta, OH, Rachel LaPatka of Bakersfield, Ca and Matthew (Lori) LaPatka; of Pittsburgh, PA; six great grandchildren, Vincent Oliver, Joseph Oliver, Angelo Sposato, Gabriella Sposato, Dino Sposato, and Peter Sposato.

She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Anna Gobrich, Katherine Merzlak, and Mary Jamison; three brothers, Nick Baser, Joseph Baser, and Michael Baser; and a grandson, Dr. Michael Sposato.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana with the Reverend Thomas Ziegler officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Leetonia. Friends may call at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Memorial tributes may be made to the St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center Activity Fund.