Gertrude Rose Banaska

Gertrude Rose Banaska, 85 of Vermilion, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008 in Community Health Partners West after a sudden illness. She was born June 22, 1923 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and has been a Vermilion resident for the past 16 years moving from Vinemont, AL. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Vermilion. She enjoyed craft shows, sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading, gardening, cross word puzzles and camping. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, George Banaska, daughters, Ellen Hunter of Vermilion, and Kelly (Mark) Zelesnik of Columbia Station; son, John (Melissa) Banaska of Wadsworth, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and 3 sisters, Eileen Peterson of Vinemont, AL, Sheila Halley of Kitchener Ontario, and Mary Clark of Cambridge, Ontario. Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Gertrude (nee Kent) McCarthy, 3 brothers, William, John and Kevin McCarthy; and a sister, Barbara Walz. Friends may call Sunday, October 12, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Prayers will be said at the funeral home on Monday October 13, 2008 at 10 am followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, at 10:30 am, with Reverend Jim Holmer officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Contributions may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism, the Lerner School, 3801 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Cleveland, Ohio44104 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.