YOUNGSTOWN — Floyd Carl Trebus Sr., 86, peacefully passed away at his residence, while surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Born in Youngstown on July 16, 1937, Floyd was the last of 11 children born to the late Peter and Rose Trebus.
He grew up in many communities across the Mahoning Valley before settling on the Southside of Youngstown for the remainder of his life. Floyd was a 1955 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown. He began his work life at Schwebel’s Baking Company while still in high school and then, upon graduation, at Commercial Intertech (Parker Hannifin) from where he retired after 43 years of dedicated work.
Floyd met the love of his life, Patricia Mihalko, while on a blind date. They were married on June 28, 1958, and celebrated 61 years of marriage before her passing in September 2019. Their love and devotion toward each other were an inspiration to others, especially nearing the end of Patricia’s life as Floyd became her caregiver for nearly 15 years. Floyd often told others that she was the “brain to his brawn” and that “God gives me the daily strength I need to provide for her needs.”
Floyd and Patricia left a legacy of Christian faith and love as they raised their three children, Floyd Trebus Jr. of Hubbard, Patricia Burke of Boardman and Michelle (Geoffrey) Geer of Cortland, and in turn with their six grandchildren, Leonard (Dalekay) Burke III, Michael (Kelly) Burke, Joshua Burke, Ariana Trebus, Cortney Trebus and Stephen Geer; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandsons; a former daughter-in-law, Debra Trebus of Perrysburg, Ohio; a former son-in-law, Leonard Burke Jr. of Niles; and a brother-in-law, Anthony (June) DeLucia of Austintown.
In 2001, Floyd won an award for being selected as the Mahoning Valley Father of the Year. He was proud of his German heritage, enjoyed listening to polka music and re-creating many of the culinary delights he learned from his mother, also ensuring that those recipes were taught to his children. Floyd loved the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and Mahoning Valley Scrappers. He had been an avid bowler while employed at Commerical Intertech and participated in their bowling league for many years. Floyd loved learning about history and had particular interests in the Civil War, World War II and Youngstown. He also loved traveling with family and friends to Niagara Falls, Williamsburg, Gatlinburg and many trips to Amish country. Locally, he loved traveling through Mill Creek Park, where he also proposed to Patricia. Floyd passed along his love of the Canfield Fair to his children and grandchildren. Entering the Canfield Fair Men’s Baking Division became an annual tradition for Floyd and he won many ribbons through the years, often in competition with his brother, Marty (“Bring it on!”) and sharing the extra baked goods with the staff at Easterseals. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Easterseals booth at the Canfield Fair.
Floyd’s hobbies included stamp collecting, raising aquarium fish, canning produce and decorating for the holidays. He loved bacon, hot dogs, donuts, gyros from Cope Concessions, a good food buffet and trying out new recipes he clipped from the newspaper. Floyd enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, always sharing the bounty from his harvest with others. He was delighted when others would stop along the street to tell him that his house and yard looked “the best in the neighborhood.” For the past four years, Floyd took pride working out with a personal trainer three days a week along with his son, motivating others with his ability to weight lift, typically surpassing others decades younger than him.
At the core of Floyd was his Christian faith and he lived his life as a testament to that faith. He loved leading others to the Lord. He was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Youngstown until its closing when he then became a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austintown. Floyd served as an usher and Deacon at Immanuel Lutheran Church and as an usher at Redeemer Lutheran Church; he supported the many events sponsored by the churches through both time and financial commitments.
To know Floyd was to love him. Our teddy bear with his sweet smile will be missed by so many.
Family and friends may pay their respects from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2024, and from 8:45 to 9:10 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, all at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.
A prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, Boardman, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 Niles Canfield Road, Austintown, with Pastor Dale R. Krienke as celebrant.
Burial will take place at Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown.
Floyd’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Harmony Cares Hospice staff and to Holli Poulakis for all of their loving care and compassion shown to both them and Floyd during this difficult time.
Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Floyd’s family.
(special notice)
