Suzanne Kachurek

Suzanne Kachurek, 75, of Austintown, passed away Friday evening, September 19th surrounded by her loved ones, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

“Sweet Sue” as she was affectionately known, was born February 12, 1950 in Salem, a daughter of Stephen and Grace (Troutman) Lepsik.

She was a 1968 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and worked in retail for Sears in Boardman for ten years. She then began working as a toll collector with the Ohio Turnpike Commission for thirty years, retiring in 2011.

Sue enjoyed spending time with her family, and loved to cook and read a good book. She also loved playing Bingo, trying her luck at the casinos, and decorating for the holidays. Suzanne split her time between Ohio and Arizona. She made many good friends during her time out West and will be sadly missed by her Rose Garden family.

She is survived by two children; Jason (Elizabeth) Protain, of Streetsboro and Ashley (Timothy) Takat, of Austintown. She also leaves behind five grandchildren; Cassie, Christian, Mitchell, Logan, and Tyler; four sisters; Patricia Wilson, Jacqueline (Louis) Gonzales, Sally (Charles) Palumbo, and Terry (John) Hjerpe; and her former husband, Robert Protain, whom she married in 1968, and although they separated they maintained a close friendship.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Richard Lepsik, three sisters; Sandra Wilson, Donna Lawrence, and infant Stephanie; and her former husband, Gene Kachurek.

Memorial services will be held 6:00 PM Friday, September 26th, at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.

Friends may call one hour prior to services from 5 – 6 PM Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers Sue requested that you pass on an act of kindness in her memory, or contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.