Bernice Gale Kosto, 71, died peacefully at her home on May 17, 2015 surrounded by family and friends.
Bernice was born at the Sewickly PA hospital to Bernard Dale Hayes and Eleanor (Masacaro) Hayes on May 11, 1944. She was raised near Fennelton near Butler, PA moved with her family to Ambridge, PA where she graduated at the Ambridge High School class of 1962. She then graduated in 1964 from the Ambridge School of Practical Nursing earning her LPN degree and practiced at Aliquippa Hospital for 7 years.
After meeting and marrying the love of her life, John E. Kosto in 1971 they moved to Columbus, OH where she earned her OH LPN nursing license and worked at Grant Hospital. Her husband’s job transfer took them to Medina, OH where she worked at t he Medina Hospital. While there Gale managed to organize the first March –of-Dimes “Walk-a –thon” and “Bike-a-thon”.
Her husband’s job transfer with GTE to Marion in 1988 resulted in relocation to the Caledonia area where they put down their roots and have stayed.
Gale graduated from Marion Technical College, Cum Laude, became a licensed Optician working at several locations and managed a store for awhile in Delaware, OH. Gale was a past president of the River Valley Lions Club for two years while in Caledonia. She was a past president of the Marion Artisian’s Guild and a member of the “Foxy Red Hat” Ladies.
She also volunteered with the Marion General Hospital Hospice group for over 10 years and spent a lot of effort in staffing the volunteers for the patients.
Gale leaves behind her husband, John Kosto; her loving son Richard (Nancy) Kosto Longwood, FL, grandchildren Biancia and Brandon Riveria Longwood, Amanda (Cory) Tierney, NY, Amelia Kosto, Mt. Plymouth, FL. One great granddaughter, Cora Tierney, NY: her two sisters, Joyce ( Pat ) Darroch in Beaver Falls, PA and Patricia Spence in Byhalia MS, along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home. Calling hours will be Wednesday May 20, 2015 from 2-6 pm at the Marion Salem United Methodist Church at 1640 Salem Rd. Caledonia, OH with a brief ceremony by the Rev. Keith Irey officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the Marion General Hospital Hospice program at 278 Barks Rd. W, Marion OH 43302, Marion Salem Church, or the Humane Society of your choice.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family and condolences may be expressed to the family at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com
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