BERLIN CENTER Reverend John G. Stofko, 79, of Berlin Center, died Friday, February 20, 2004, at his residence. He was born on October 19, 1924, in Smithfield, PA, a son of John A. and Katherine Satanek Stofko and has lived in Northeastern Ohio for the past 35 years.

Reverend Stofko attended First Church of God in Newton Falls and had been a minister for 58 years. He had pastored in the following churches: Powasson, Ontario, Canada; Plum Coulee, Manitoba, Canada; Youngstown, Ohio; Middleburg Heights, Ohio; Berlin Center, Ohio; Massillon, Ohio; Grampian, PA from which he retired in 1989.

He served with the first wave of Army troops in the Invasion of Normandy, France, in World War II.

He leaves his wife, the former Dorothy Cerbus, whom he married June 7, 1947; six daughters, Mary Katherine Carrell of Indianapolis, IN, Martha Jean Kunselman of Romance, WV, Patricia Ann Kline of Fort Myers, FL, Linda Joan Chabot of Hartford City, IN, Dorothy Jane Nevitt of Grand Ledge, MI and Janet Lee Renihan of New Castle, IN; one brother, George Stofko of Poland; one sister, Sarah McWilliams; and 16 grandchildren.

Besides his parents, a grandchild, John Mark Carrell, sisters, Betty Rakyta and Ruth Walls, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, at the First Church of God in Newton Falls.

Friends may call at the church on Sunday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the funeral services on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or Church of God Ministries, P.O. Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home in Hubbard.

To view this obituary and to send condolences to the family, please visit www.kelley-robb.com.

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