Jacob Kois 1929-2026

Jake was born in 1929 in McClellantown, Pa., one of 14 brothers and sisters who were all kept busy on the family farm by their Polish immigrant parents, Anna and George.

Along with his brother, Joe, he served in the United States Navy USS Comstock Battalion LSD 45.

After the Navy, Jake and his bride moved to Columbia Circle to start a family and a sewing machine business. While he worked at Copperweld Steel during the day, Jake would repair sewing machines in the evening. The business grew to become Domestic Sewing Center, and eventually they moved the store to Youngstown Road. Following his retirement from Copperweld in 1985, Jake worked full time at the sewing center until 2020, when a broken hip forced him into his second retirement at age 91. Jake lived by his favorite phrase, “If you rest, you rot.”

Passionate about all things Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions, and with a quick knowledge of scores and stats, Jake loved his instant coffee, newspaper and pie. He was an avid gardener who was known for sharing his bounty. He loved his polkas and treating special people to dinner. Most of all, he cherished his family, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jake is survived by his son, James Kois of Warren; daughters, Carol Kois of Orwell and Linda (Randy) Fabrizio of Vienna; and granddaughters, Cari (Tom) Falk of Columbus and Theresa Fabrizio of Pittsburgh. He was especially proud of his great-granddaughters, Olivia and Gwen of Columbus.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Kois; and daughter-in-law, Vickie. He was one of 14 children — six brothers and seven sisters — all of whom preceded him in death.

Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Jake from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Road NE, Warren. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home Saturday at noon.

Private burial will be in Crown Hill Burial Park.

Contributions may be made in Jake’s name to “Blankets of Love,” c / o Domestic Sewing Center, 2011 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, OH 44484, which provides quilts and blankets to seriously ill children in our local community.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Jake’s family.

(special notice)