James & Gloria Jeswald

Gloria Jean Jeswald, 94, of Girard, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Ashley Circle. James M. (Jagers) Jeswald, 97, of Girard, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, just 20 hours after the passing of his beloved wife, Gloria.

Gloria was born February 20, 1932 in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Kenneth and Carmel (Deceasar) Bedolla.

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

After graduating from Rayen High School, Gloria worked in the cafeteria for the Youngstown Schools. Later she worked for Fisher Fazio’s in the Deli and the Girard City Schools in the cafeteria. She was a member of the 3 G's, a club which she and her friends started and lasted for many years. She was a member of St. Rose Church and Girard Credit Union. She enjoyed reading and 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.

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

They leave to cherish their memory, 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.

They are preceded in death by their parents, daughter in law, Pamela Jeswald, Jim's brothers, Nicholas Jeswald and Joseph Jeswald, sister in law Tina Jeswald, and Gloria's sister, Donna Rossi and brother, Kenneth Bedolla, Jr.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday March 1st from 3-5 PM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in their honor on Monday, March 2nd, 11:30 AM at St. Rose Church.

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