Gladys Aho Kraynak

Gladys (Aho) Kraynak, 79, of Poland, Ohio, passed away on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center in Columbiana, Ohio.

Gladys was born on September 27, 1945, in Youngstown, Ohio, the youngest child of Eric Aho and Lempi Saare. She grew up in Girard and graduated from high school there in 1963.

That summer, she was hired to work in the accounting department of Dollar Bank downtown.

She was the Chief Financial Officer and secretary for Kraynak Roofing until her retirement in 2007.

Gladys rode the Mosier bus to work and back every day for three years. In 1966, she had saved enough money to buy a new car and went to nearest Chevrolet dealer. A salesman named Romeo spotted her coming in. He smiled, walked up to her and said, "I've got just the car for you." That car was a red 1966 Chevelle SS convertible with a 396 engine, well-known at the time as a very fast car. Gladys bought it on the spot. It was scary, but she was always careful, and it turned out to be great transportation for her.

Mrs. Kraynak loved going on driving vacations with her husband, Joe, and son, Brian. They visited many locations across the US, but most of them were to Pompano Beach, Florida. They had also traveled to Hawaii and Europe.

Outside of work, Gladys' life centered around family and her church. She maintained contact with her many cousins. She served as babysitter for most of them when they were growing up.

Gladys always attended Sunday services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard. She served as a reader, and scheduled other church members to the task. She helped in the kitchen, and during the summertime, she worked with the children in the church. She also was involved in the annual Trash and Treasure sale held in the church basement.

Gladys leaves to cherish her memory her husband Joseph, whom she married in 1968, her son, Brian, of Raliegh, NC; and 2 grandsons, Andrew of Macomb, MI and Alex of Arkdale, WI. She also leaves nieces Pamela DeGenaro, Margret Steele, Suzanne Malys and Janice Sedlock; and nephews Martin, John, and Walter Aho.

Along with her parents, Gladys is preceded in death by her brothers, Albert, Walter, Einar; and her sister, Esther.

Family and friends can visit Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard, Ohio, on Wednesday, July 11th, at 10:15 AM, with a service for Gladys to follow at 11:00 AM.