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May 15, 2016--
BRADENTON, FLA. - After a long and courageous battle with breast cancer, Jeannine Hodge passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at her home in Bradenton on May 6, 2016.
Jeannine was born on Jan. 17, 1950, in Youngstown, to her father, Kenneth, and mother Jean, who predeceased her. She grew up in the Boardman area in a loving family with her two sisters and brother.
A Boardman High School graduate, she attended Purdue University after graduation and majored in Mathematics there, earning her BS in 1972. She later attended Youngstown State University and earned her Master’s in Education.
Shortly after graduation from college, she returned to the Youngstown area where she married her high school sweetheart, Denny, in 1973. She accepted a position at Boardman High School as a Mathematics teacher, and the couple lived in Boardman where they raised their three children.
Jeannine remained dedicated to her career and students for 35 years until she retired in 2007. While at Boardman High School, she especially loved working in the Drama Department as its choreographer and later director/ choreographer. She took pleasure in coaching cheerleading for a time. Jeannine also enjoyed her work with the Junior League of Youngstown and Ballet Western Reserve. She always looked forward to playing bridge and BUNCO with her friends and was a lifelong voracious reader.
Jeannine remained active and energetic throughout her retirement; she volunteered with Easter Seals in the Mahoning Valley while in Ohio and enjoyed taking yoga and Zumba while in Florida during the winter. She and Dennis continuously traveled and visited their children and grandchildren while also spending time with numerous close friends.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Dennis Hodge; and her three children, Tara Kastura (Mike) of Knoxville, Tenn., Amanda Flak (Rick) of Pittsboro, N.C., and David Hodge (Ashley) of Powell. Jeannine is also survived by her siblings, Pamela King-Prokop (Larry) of Boca Raton, Fla., David King of St. Joseph, Mich., and Dianne King of Worthington, whom she remained close to her entire life. She leaves behind five grandchildren, whom she especially loved spending time with, Noah, Micah, Sagan, Sophie and Sawyer.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St. in Boardman.
The family will hold visitation hours at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St. in Boardman, on Friday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider donations to either the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, 660 Ackerman Road, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218, or a memorial scholarship that is being set up in Jeannine’s honor.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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Edie Small (Davidson)
I have known Jeannine since we were in Sunday School together as children. In high school, we took Art and Math classes together and later we taught together for many years at Boardman High School. We became very close friends and have shared many good times. I will miss her positive attitude and her vivacious outlook on life which she maintained until the end. My prayers are with Denny and her children, Tara, Amanda, David and their beautiful families.
Dean Chengelis (Chengelis)
I teel very badly to hear Jeannine passed away. My deepest sympathy to Dennis and her children
Carol Keppler (Hawkins)
I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of our dear classmate and friend, Jeannine King Hodge, whom I have known since our days together at West Blvd. Elementary School. Back then, what impressed me most about Jeannine (besides the fact that she was very smart, friendly, and lots of fun) were her gorgeous pipe cleaner curls – a hair style that all of us admired and that she wore to school every single day! She and I had many classes together throughout junior high and high school, and I will always remember her for her kindness, laughter, and wonderful flair for style.
I loved getting to see and visit with both Jeannine and Denny at our BHS Reunion in July, 2014. Attached is a photo of Mrs. Kennell’s 5th grade class, taken at the Friday evening gathering – with Jeannine in the center, smiling and having a great time!
I send my most heartfelt condolences to Denny and his family – and to all of us – on our loss of Jeannine.
Marty Cohen
I am very saddened to hear of Jeannine's passing. My condolences to Dennis, their children, and the entire King and Hodge families. Remembrances of Jeannine are among my best of BHS. She was the warmest and friendliest of classmates, with a fantastic smile. My mom subbed at the High School in the 70s and 80s and also found Jeannine to be the friendliest of faculty. I have often told the story she got from Jeannine about the sharp student Jeannine had in math class who vowed that he would play football for the Cleveland Browns some day (and later Bernie did!).
Ira Hermann
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jeannine's passing. She was a friend to everyone and role model for classmates and I'm sure her students. As I reflect back on my time with Dennis and Jeannine I will always remember Jeannine's smiling face and obvious love for Dennis. There are certain people that leave positive impacts on your life and Jeannine was one of them.
My thoughts are with Dennis and his family as they move through this difficult and sad period in their lives.
Ira