Berniece A. (Meola) Niemi

Berniece A. Niemi, 72, of Ashtabula Township died Tuesday (October 20th) at her home with her family after a short, courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 9, 1948 in Ashtabula, the daughter of Earnest and Alma (Stillman) Meola and has been a lifetime area resident.

She was a 1966 graduate of Ashtabula High School. After graduation, she was a long-distance telephone operator for the Ashtabula Telephone Company, worked many years at Olson's Bakery, and retired from Buckeye Local Schools as a head custodian. Following retirement from the school district, she worked with her cousin Tim at Meola Catering.

She was President of PTO of Ridgeview Elementary and active with the Buckeye Athletic Boosters. She also volunteered at Ashtabula County Medical Center and as a poll worker for the Ashtabula County Board of Elections.

She enjoyed traveling especially to see family, go on cruises and bus trips. Most of all, she loved spending time with her two children and four grandchildren.

Surviving her is her husband, Myron whom she married on May 11, 1968; two sons, Earnie (Gail) Niemi of Massillon, OH and Ed (Trina) Niemi of Riverside, CA; four grandchildren, Alexis, Riley, Peyton and Addie; a brother Buddy (Theresa) Meola of Chandler, AZ and a sister Lois Sopczak of Ashtabula, She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother-in-law, Michael Sopczak, Sr.

Funeral mass will be Saturday October 24 at 10am at Our Lady of Peace Mt. Carmel Church 1200 East 21st St. Ashtabula.

Calling hours will be Friday October 23 from 6p-8p at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004

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