Obituary for Margie Iagulli
MARGIE (CHEPKE) IAGULLI
AUSTINTOWN – The earthly adventures of Margie Chepke Iagulli came to an end on July 5, 2011, following a brief illness and a broken heart.
Margie was born to her Hungarian immigrant parents, Balazas and Vera Chepke, on Nov. 12, 1924, in Campbell.
During her adolescence, the Chepke family moved to North Jackson, where they lived the physically demanding but wonderful life tending to their 100+ acre farm. Life on their farm not only helped in supporting their family of 13, but helped to mold Margie into the hard working, unselfish and loving person she became.
She graduated from Jackson Milton High School. Her work at the Ravenna Arsenal during World War II was something she was very proud of. Some of her favorite pastimes were roller skating and attending the Hungarian Day celebrations at Idora Park and local Hungarian halls.
On Nov. 3, 1946, she married the love of her life, Ralph Iagulli, and their love story continued for 64 years. They met at the roller rink and Ralph always proclaimed, “Your mom was a fast skater and it took a lot to catch up to her.” They settled in Austintown, where they would lovingly raise their four children.
Early on, Margie worked at the local restaurants such as Morgan’s and The Dog House. She also worked at Waynco Electric and General Motors cafeteria and after 17 years as the secretary at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital laundry, she retired in 1987. Many years of working two jobs and strong work ethic was something she did so that she could allow her children to attend college without debt when they graduated. It is for this and so many other reasons her children will be forever grateful to their mother.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Legion Post 737. She was a charter member of the Austintown Girls Softball League Board, TOPS, and Optimist Mrs. Club. She loved attending and setting up at flea markets, auctions and garage sales with her best friend and sister, Erma Batta. She often took spontaneous one-day trips with her many friends and neighbors to the West Virginia glass factories or anywhere else that sounded fun. Hawaii was also a favorite place for her, Ralph and their children to vacation over the years. She was an avid and enthusiastic sports fan and created many wonderful family memories cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes!
Her loving husband, Ralph, left this earth May 19, 2011, to help prepare a home for her in heaven. In addition to her parents, her amazing siblings that preceded her in death include John, Chuck, Frank, Bill, Marty and Joe Chepke, along with her sister, Erma Batta.
She leaves to remember her loving and beautiful life moments with all of the extended Chepke relatives who meant so much to her over the years.
The surviving members of her family include her children, Tom (Sue) of Myrtle Beach, Pat of Colorado Springs, Bill known as her “best buddy,” serving as her loving and dedicated caregiver and whom she made her home with, and Margie Bea. Other survivors include her siblings, Gene, George, and Tom Chepke and her adoring grandchildren include Jay (Jennie) Iagulli, Jill Iagulli, and Jeff (Barbie) Iagulli, and Lauren Handwork. Also carrying on her legacy of love will be her precious great-grandchildren, Paige, Aiden, Macie J., Preston J. and Taylor Iagulli. Special family friends include Cathy Tinucci, John Baechly, Janet Batta, Elaine Jacobs, and Marglee Naymick.
Margie was a proud member of the Rockview Christen Church (formerly The American Hungarian Church) in Youngstown. The church has remained special to her throughout the years because her parents were charter members and literally helped to build the church from the ground up. She shared many wonderful sermons and fellowship moments with her church and Chepke family there.
Although her children will mourn her loss, they are forever thankful for the wonderfully long and happy moments they shared with their mom and remember her with this saying: “First heart to ever love me, first voice I ever heard, its soothing music sweet before I understood a word. First face I learned to recognize, first smile I ever saw, eyes looking into mine with love and pride and awe. First hands to guide my wobbly steps or swing me to and fro, first arms to hold me safe and snug yet leave me room to grow. First confidante to listen to the things I had to say, first friend to know my hopes and dreams, first in my heart today.”
The Iagulli Family has a special place in their hearts for all the wonderful care givers who helped them all through this difficult time including Dr. David Rich and staff, 6 West Extension Staff at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center-Downtown and Hospice of the Valley Personnel.
The family kindly requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St. Youngstown, OH 44512 or Joe Chepke Memorial Scholarship Fund at Austintown Fitch High School, 4560 Falcon Dr., Youngstown, OH 44515 with Margie Iagulli in the memo.
Calling hours will be at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Pastor George Dunbar will officiate a funeral service on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Lane Funeral Home. Internment will be at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens.