Josephine E. Demboski

Josephine E. “Jo” Demboski, age 93, passed away on December 30, 2023, after a short illness.

Born in Mogadore, Ohio, she lived in Suffield for most of her life. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and St. Thomas Hospital Nursing School. She was employed at Middlebury Manor Nursing Home and retired after 20 years of service as Director of Nursing. Her Catholic faith was the center of her life and she was the inspiration for family members and everyone she met. She loved sharing her faith and spending time with her family. Jo was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Senior Citizen’s and Euchre Club at St. Joseph and Suffield. After retirement, she volunteered at many organizations including the Food Shelf, Grotto Store, Birthday Card Coordinator for the elderly, Faith Sharing Facilitator and Parish Council at St. Joe’s; the Portage Co. Clothing Center; and Our Lady of Guadalupe visits. When she wasn’t volunteering or playing cards, you could find Jo reading a book, watching her birds or tending to her flowers. She was a fan of the local sports teams including the Browns, the Cavaliers, the Guardians, and of course, Ohio State. And she always followed her hometown football team, the Field Falcons.

Jo spent the last 5 ½ years living at the Homestead at Gentlebrook in Hartville, Oh, which she considered her “Home”. She was blessed to have so many new friends, including both the other residents and the staff. She enjoyed eating and reminiscing with her new friends and playing Bingo. She shared her birthday with her birthday buddy, Joann, who was 2 days older than her. She will be greatly missed by her friends Dolores, Gwen, and Dot, and all of the staff at the Homestead.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, George and Margaret Biltz; her siblings, George and Mary Angela; her son-in-law, Bob Garlow; and her husband of 67 years, James A. Demboski. She is survived by her brother, Jerry Biltz; her sister in law, Mary Helen Braeunig; and her brother in law, Joe Kline. She has 9 children who will miss her every day, especially on the Sunday night Rosary. Sons; James(Peggy) of Akron, John of Randolph, Steve of Ellijay, GA, and Paul(Bonnie) of Dublin, OH. Daughters; Peggy(Scott) Granger of Stow, Teresa(Steve) Shanafelt of Mogadore, Kathy Garlow of Kernersville, NC, Annette (Jack) MacEwen of Stow, and Rita(Matt) Furino of Uniontown; 28 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren with number 27 due in February 2024.

Jo’s family would like to thank all of the loving and caring staff at the Homestead who were like family to her. Also, thank you to Traditions Hospice for their loving care of Jo.

Visitation will be held at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Rd., Akron, OH 44312, on Friday, January 5, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 6, at 10 a.m. at St, Joseph Catholic Church, 2643 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH, 44260 with Father Zachary Coulter presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

The family requests memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Lourdes Grotto, Randolph, OH.