Foreman's Funeral Service

By Greg Gulassports@vindy.comYOUNGSTOWNYoungstown State men’s basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun isn’t one to let grass grow under his feet.The first-year Penguins coach is looking to immediately restore respectability to a once proud program and the time frame isn’t negotiable.One of his goals is reconnecting with former players and coaches in order to make sure they feel welcomed back. To Calhoun, a solid alumni base is very important.“I tell recruits that this isn’t just a four-year commitment, it’s a lifetime commitment,” Calhoun said. “Coaches nationwide will tell you that former players are crucial and so very important to a program.“Alums are our backbone and every stop that I have ever made, I make sure to involve them,” he said. “The goal this year is to host an all-alumni reunion because I want them to see how things have changed from when they played, what we are currently up to and where we expect to be.“The door is always open to them and I want to meet them all. I want them to know how appreciative I am of them having worn our uniform. We’re a sleeping giant, not just as a school but the entire city so it’s definitely a great time to be from this area.”Several former players already have taken it upon themselves to lay that alumni foundation. On Sept. 15, a third annual reunion will begin with a mid-morning golf outing at Kennsington Golf Club and dinner at StoneBridge Grille and Tavern The reunion will conclude Sept. 16 with a tailgate gathering before the football game with Central Connecticut.Rich Denamen played for Coach Dom Rosselli from 1968-1972. He, along with Billy Johnson, Chuck Montgomery and Gregg Merrill, are the driving forces behind the reunion of which Calhoun will attend.“I had four absolutely great years playing for Coach Rosselli, got a great education and wouldn’t change a thing,” said Denamen, who was head basketball coach at Austintown Fitch and is retired after serving as Austintown’s superintendent of schools as well as superintendent of the Mahoning County Educational Servi... (Youngstown Vindicator)

Wallace L. "Wally" Koch, 93, of Locust Terrace, Ellwood City, passed peacefully away on Friday, September 1, 2017, at Hospice of the Valley in Poland, Ohio.Born August 6, 1924, in Franklin Twp., he was the son of the late Ernest L. and Arvilla L. Leachman Koch. He was married to Thelma L. Evans who passed away in March of 1990. He then married Betty L. Carroll who passed away in May of 2016.Wally graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1941. He served in the U.A. Army from 1943 to 1946 as a surgical technician. Following his discharge, Wally returned home and continued working until his retirement in 1975 from US Steel where he was an Electrical Foreman. He then worked for over 5 years at Shenango Pottery and then at the Butler Auto Auction for 12 years. He was a member of the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Ellwood City. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed flower gardening and woodworking. Wally also enjoyed golfing and was a former member at Delmar.Survivors include a brother, Fenton C. (Peggy) Koch of Chesterland, Ohio; two daughters, Cindy Taylor of Niles, Ohio, and Linda Layton of New Port Richey, Florida; four stepdaughters, Jackie A. Streckeisen of Ellwood City, Bonnie L. (Aaron) Stabryla of Ellwood City, Dawn (John) Contrucci of Erie, and Cynthia R. (Dwayne) Martin of Winchester, Va.; four grandchildren, Scott Taylor, Mark Taylor, Jessica Houtz, and Ashley Crawford; eight step grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 11 step great-grandchildren; two great-great-step grandchildren; two nephews; a niece; and a great-niece.In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by a son, Harry Koch, and grandson, Nathan Layton.Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 7, from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 4 p.m. at the MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 200 Fountain Ave., Ellwood City. The Rev. Travis Richendrfer will officiate the services. Military rites will be offered by the Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will follow in the Lillyville Church of God Cemetery.Me... (Ellwood City Ledger)