Gloria J. Jeswald 1932-2026 James M. Jeswald 1928-2026

James M. “Jagers” Jeswald, 97, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, just 20 hours after the passing of his beloved wife.

Jim and Gloria were married Aug. 22, 1953, and had 72 years of a wonderful lifetime of family and friends.

Gloria was born Feb. 20, 1932, in Youngstown, the daughter of Kenneth and Carmel Deceasar Bedolla.

Jim was born July 6, 1928, in Youngstown, a son to Joseph R. and Mary Francis Cucaro Jeswald.

After graduating from Rayen High School, Gloria worked in the cafeteria for Youngstown schools. Later she worked for Fisher Fazio’s in the deli and Girard City Schools in the cafeteria.

She was a member of the 3 G’s, a club that she and her friends started and that lasted for many years. She was a member of St. Rose Church and Girard Credit Union.

She enjoyed reading, loved cooking and baking, and was on a mixed bocce league with Jim for several years.

As a youth, Jim was a standout football player for the sandlot Bonecrushers as a quarterback.

After graduating from East High School, Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

Later, he worked for Republic Steel at Truscon and as a carpenter for the Joseph Sylvester Construction Company, retiring after 30 years.

Jim was very active in his community. He was a member of the Arco Club, where he served as treasurer, trustee, president and past president. He was also a member of the IFH Club in Girard and a parishioner at St. Rose Church in Girard.

He enjoyed playing bocce, making memories for a lifetime at the Arco Club in Youngstown, the IFH in Girard and St. Anthony’s in Struthers with his friends. He enjoyed making his own wine, hot sausage, and homemade peppers in oil and dried peppers.

Devotion and commitment to their family and friends were Jim and Gloria’s most loved qualities.

Left to cherish their memory are sons, Joseph R. (Marcia) Jeswald and Kenneth Jeswald; their beloved granddaughters, Lauren (Michael) Semanovich and Jamie (Christopher) Parise; and great-granddaughters, Bria and Ella Semanovich, and Aria and Gianna Parise; sister-in-law, Francis Jeswald.

Gloria and James were preceded in death by their parents; daughter-in-law, Pamela Jeswald; Jim’s brothers, Nicholas Jeswald and Joseph Jeswald; sister-in-law, Tina Jeswald; Gloria’s sister, Donna Rossi; and brother, Kenneth Bedolla Jr.

The family will receive relatives and friends 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in their honor 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 2, at St. Rose Church.

Jim and Gloria will be laid to rest in Girard City Cemetery.

Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com. to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.

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