Rosie Catherine Gerchak

Rosie (Rosa) Catherine Gerchak, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 4:44 pm in Winter Haven, Florida.  Rosie was born in Warren, Ohio on July 12, 1927. She was one of 9 children born to the late John and Mary (Tymchuck) Kook, and was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. Rosie was a proud Catholic woman and was a lifelong member of the former Blessed John Paul II Parish in Warren.

Rosie was married on November 23, 1946, to the love of her life, Joseph R. Gerchak, and they shared 68 incredible years together until his passing on December 16, 2014. They are finally together again, sitting side by side in their recliners watching Western shows and movies.  Rosie was the queen of her family who not only raised her two daughters but had an active role in raising all four generations of kids in the family. She loved being a mom, but especially enjoyed being a “grammy.” With a constantly filled container of treats and goodies next to her recliner, from babies to adults, no one could help but love her. Her greatest pride came from her family with whom she loved spending time with.  She never missed watching a Cleveland Indians game and could only be distracted from cheering her team on to slip a few treats to her two dogs. She also loved watching gameshows, including her beloved Bob Barker, Steve Harvey, and the cast of Match Game 76.

Rosie was strong and was not afraid of anything, including breast cancer which she fought and beat over 50 years ago. She had a light-hearted outlook on life and could be promised to laugh so hard that she cried at least once per family get-together. In the last 6 months of her life, Rosie moved down to Fort Myers, Florida, to live with her granddaughter Lisa and her husband Richard. Rosie visited the beach, went to wineries, experienced a category 4 hurricane, and spent time exploring Florida with her loved ones.

Rosie is survived by two daughters, Rosanne (Marty) Thompson of Howland, Susan (Bruce) Nemcosky of Cortland; four grandchildren, Lisa (Richard) Cribley, Paul Gaydosh, Sharon (Matthew) Skoczen, Tracy (Jesse Allen) Olin; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.

Besides her husband and parents, Rosie was also preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Sydney Wilson; two sisters, Ann Strohmeyer and Helen Bogolin; and 6 brothers, John, Frank (Cook), Stanley, Walter, Joe, and Tony Kook.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday December 31, 2022 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Niles, with Rev. Richard Murphy officiating the mass. Calling hours for friends and family will be held one hour before the church service at church.  Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Champion.

The family has trusted Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home 126 West Park Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446 with the arrangements.