Jeanette Merdich

Longtime Leetonia resident Jeanette Merdich will celebrate her 90th birthday on Saturday, Oct. 4. The first-born daughter of Joseph and Lena Altomare Gallo, she was joined by sisters Carol Gallo Mercure and Linda Gallo Vankampen. A member of St. Patrick’s Church, she attended Catholic school through eighth grade and graduated from Leetonia High School in 1953.

She married the love of her life, Charles Merdich, in 1956 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his passing in 2013. The couple had two sons, Charles (Pam) Merdich of Columbiana and William (Shari) Merdich of Leetonia; one grandson, Alex; and a great-granddaughter, Madi. In addition to caring for her family, she worked in the business offices at Salem China and Kaiser Refractories in Columbiana. Jeanette then found herself back at Leetonia High School where she would spend 27 years as high school secretary from 1968 until her retirement in 1995.

She enjoyed her time at the school working with administrators and faculty. The students were her inspiration and seeing so many students pass through the office over the years left many fond memories.

The family will host a private celebration at her home.