Robert W. Bortmas

Washingtonville - March 18, 2008 - Robert W. Bortmas, 73, of 825 West High Street, died at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Main Campus, after a long battle with kidney disease.

Mr. Bortmas was born July 22, 1934 in Youngstown, a son of Venice and Mary E. Gray Bortmas and had lived in this area all of his life. He had been employed as a machine operator at the former Roshell Industries, East Palestine for several years, retiring in 1985. Prior to that he had worked at the Youngstown Steel Door and at Ward's Tiptop Bakery, both of Youngstown.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbiana and the Salem Motorcycle Club. He was devoted to his family and his dog, "Dubs".

He is survived by his wife, the former Vera L. Snay, whom he married July 24, 1954; a daughter, Suzanne L. (John W.) Medvec of Canfield; a son, Robert J. (Cindy) Bortmas of Lisbon; four grandchildren, Joe (Regina) Bortmas, Angela (James) Murtha, Tiffany (Benji) Ballard, and Randy J. Bortmas; and two great grandchildren, Caden and Jordan Bortmas.

He was preceded in death by a son, Randall Bortmas; a sister, Betty Krugel; and two great grandchildren, Madison Jade Ballard and Aiden Robert Ballard.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia, with the Reverend Scott Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday.