Obituary for Paul Zaperach
Paul Zaperach, 86
LORAIN, OH – Paul Zaperach, former educator and pastor, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 15th, 2022, at Avon Oaks Caring Community following a lengthy battle with Parkinsonism. He was 86.
Born in Moundsville, West Virginia, May 26, 1936, he was a son of the late Paul and Anna (Smerekanicz) Zaperach, of Center Township, Pa., who emigrated to the U.S. from the Carpathian Mountains. A first generation Lemko-Rusyn American, Paul graduated from Monaca High School, and received both his bachelor's degree and master’s degree from Youngstown State University. He continued his education at the Akron Bible Institute and was ordained in the Baptist Ministries in 1958. Paul served as a Youth For Christ minister for 10 years in Beaver, Pa. and East Liverpool, Ohio. It was there he met Candace Kay (Dunn) Zaperach; they were married for 29 years. The lifelong friends he made through YFC remain some of his dearest brothers and sisters in Christ.
A resident of this area most of his life, he was an English and Ohio History middle school teacher for the Beaver Local School System until his retirement in 1993. During this time he established an Ohio History Club, which produced some of his greatest memories from his teaching years. Many students have continued to share the fond memories they hold of his class and their time in the club over the years. However, maybe most of all, Mr. Zaperach’s students will remember him as their favorite “Snow Cone Man”, who arrived every break, ringing his bell and delivering snow cones to their neighborhoods on hot, summer days.
Paul also established a prison ministry and worked with at-risk youth at the Louis Tobin Attention Center where he became the chaplain. Many of the youth at that time knew him as Chappy and looked forward to their time together each week. There Paul was dedicated to introducing Christ and being a Christian example to those who were suffering childhood traumas and struggles. Paul served twice as pastor at Bunker Hill Community Church in Center Township, Pa. as well as Negley Community Church in Negley, Ohio and Madison Avenue Christian Church in New Castle, Pa. Many in his congregations became his life-long friends and extended family. It was during those years that Paul especially found joy in performing musical numbers and puppet shows with his three daughters.
Paul enjoyed baseball, ping-pong and golf. His golf buddies were some of his dearest lifelong friends. Spending time joking and laughing with friends and family is perhaps how most will remember him.
Paul’s greatest legacy is those he was able to bring to Christ and his example of a Christian father and grandfather he strove to epitomize each and every day of his life. Left to cherish a lifetime full of beautiful memories shared with him are his three daughters; Tami (David) Hall, of Lorain, Toni (Chad) Rogers, of Ridgeway, South Carolina, and Teri (John) McComas, of East Liverpool; his 9 grandchildren; Eddie, Brandee, Johnny, Eriq, Garrett, Cole, Tatum, Lauren and Erin and his 9 great-grandchildren; Bless, Daivon, Julian, Aubree, Brantley, Caleb, Ellie Anna, EJ and Bennet. Paul is survived by one brother, Charles Zaperach, as well as many dear nieces and nephews.
In addition to his beloved parents Paul was preceded in death by 4 precious sisters and 5 brothers; Eva Zaperach, Mary (Robert) Bickerton, Mildred (Charles) Slie, Julia (James) Zopelt, John (Sophie) Zaperach, Andrew (Anna Mae) Zaperach, Anthony Zaperach, Peter Zaperach, Frank Zaperach, nephews; Donald Zaperach, Jimmy Zopelt, Drew Bickerton and niece Paulie Slie Bontrager.
Paul’s brothers in Christ, Brandon and Sean Padgett, whom he regarded as family, will conduct a funeral service Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Friends may visit two hours prior to the service. A brief burial service at Columbiana County Memorial Park will follow. Following internment friends and family are invited to the Dawson Family Center for fellowship with Paul’s family. Those who cannot attend the graveside service are welcome to wait at the Family Center.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Mercy New Life Hospice, Lorain, Ohio for the exceptional care, love and dignity they so respectfully provided Paul.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Paul’s second home, Bunker Hill Community Church, 170 Pleasant Dr., Aliquippa PA 15001 in memory and honor of his lifelong service to Christ.
LORAIN, OH – Paul Zaperach, former educator and pastor, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 15th, 2022, at Avon Oaks Caring Community following a lengthy battle with Parkinsonism. He was 86.
Born in Moundsville, West Virginia, May 26, 1936, he was a son of the late Paul and Anna (Smerekanicz) Zaperach, of Center Township, Pa., who emigrated to the U.S. from the Carpathian Mountains. A first generation Lemko-Rusyn American, Paul graduated from Monaca High School, and received both his bachelor's degree and master’s degree from Youngstown State University. He continued his education at the Akron Bible Institute and was ordained in the Baptist Ministries in 1958. Paul served as a Youth For Christ minister for 10 years in Beaver, Pa. and East Liverpool, Ohio. It was there he met Candace Kay (Dunn) Zaperach; they were married for 29 years. The lifelong friends he made through YFC remain some of his dearest brothers and sisters in Christ.
A resident of this area most of his life, he was an English and Ohio History middle school teacher for the Beaver Local School System until his retirement in 1993. During this time he established an Ohio History Club, which produced some of his greatest memories from his teaching years. Many students have continued to share the fond memories they hold of his class and their time in the club over the years. However, maybe most of all, Mr. Zaperach’s students will remember him as their favorite “Snow Cone Man”, who arrived every break, ringing his bell and delivering snow cones to their neighborhoods on hot, summer days.
Paul also established a prison ministry and worked with at-risk youth at the Louis Tobin Attention Center where he became the chaplain. Many of the youth at that time knew him as Chappy and looked forward to their time together each week. There Paul was dedicated to introducing Christ and being a Christian example to those who were suffering childhood traumas and struggles. Paul served twice as pastor at Bunker Hill Community Church in Center Township, Pa. as well as Negley Community Church in Negley, Ohio and Madison Avenue Christian Church in New Castle, Pa. Many in his congregations became his life-long friends and extended family. It was during those years that Paul especially found joy in performing musical numbers and puppet shows with his three daughters.
Paul enjoyed baseball, ping-pong and golf. His golf buddies were some of his dearest lifelong friends. Spending time joking and laughing with friends and family is perhaps how most will remember him.
Paul’s greatest legacy is those he was able to bring to Christ and his example of a Christian father and grandfather he strove to epitomize each and every day of his life. Left to cherish a lifetime full of beautiful memories shared with him are his three daughters; Tami (David) Hall, of Lorain, Toni (Chad) Rogers, of Ridgeway, South Carolina, and Teri (John) McComas, of East Liverpool; his 9 grandchildren; Eddie, Brandee, Johnny, Eriq, Garrett, Cole, Tatum, Lauren and Erin and his 9 great-grandchildren; Bless, Daivon, Julian, Aubree, Brantley, Caleb, Ellie Anna, EJ and Bennet. Paul is survived by one brother, Charles Zaperach, as well as many dear nieces and nephews.
In addition to his beloved parents Paul was preceded in death by 4 precious sisters and 5 brothers; Eva Zaperach, Mary (Robert) Bickerton, Mildred (Charles) Slie, Julia (James) Zopelt, John (Sophie) Zaperach, Andrew (Anna Mae) Zaperach, Anthony Zaperach, Peter Zaperach, Frank Zaperach, nephews; Donald Zaperach, Jimmy Zopelt, Drew Bickerton and niece Paulie Slie Bontrager.
Paul’s brothers in Christ, Brandon and Sean Padgett, whom he regarded as family, will conduct a funeral service Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Friends may visit two hours prior to the service. A brief burial service at Columbiana County Memorial Park will follow. Following internment friends and family are invited to the Dawson Family Center for fellowship with Paul’s family. Those who cannot attend the graveside service are welcome to wait at the Family Center.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Mercy New Life Hospice, Lorain, Ohio for the exceptional care, love and dignity they so respectfully provided Paul.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Paul’s second home, Bunker Hill Community Church, 170 Pleasant Dr., Aliquippa PA 15001 in memory and honor of his lifelong service to Christ.