Obituary of Olga G. Perch

Olga G. Perch, 94, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Akron General Medical Center. She was born and grew up in Newark, Ohio, but lived in the Akron area for the majority of her life. Mrs. Perch was a homemaker and a bookkeeper for Plastic Film Products, Inc. before her retirement. Olga was a charter member of St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church where she was also active with the Church Ladies Society and served on the Church Board. Her dedication to her faith manifested itself in her service to the church. She always stepped forward to assist in any church activity and served several terms as Ladies Society President. The contributions of Olga, her husband Joe, and many of their friends and relatives, both monetarily and in hard work, helped get the church started and established in the late 1950's. Olga was well known for her abilities in cooking and baking, including cookies, pies, baklava and zelnik. Family meant everything to her. As the oldest child in her family, she was supportive and helpful to her younger sisters and brother. She was most proud of her children and grandchildren, and late in her life she felt blessed to have lived to see great-grandchildren. Olga was preceded in death by her parents, George and Victoria (Gligorovski) Vaiea; first husband, George Atanasoff; second husband, Joseph Perch; grandson, Zachary Gilbert; daughter-in-law, Linda Atanasoff; and sisters, Connie O’Dell, Mary Groves and Polly Ott. She is survived by her children, Dr. George Atanasoff, Vicki (Dr. Tom) Gilbert and Jim (Connie) Perch; brother, John Vaiea; grandchildren, Jamie Gilbert (Cory & Tori Powell), Colleen (John) Peluso and Kathleen (Kevin) Spear; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Graham Spear and Everett Peluso; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral service will be held Friday, September 23, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church, 555 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. Fairlawn, Ohio 44333 where Olga will lie in state one hour prior to service. Fr. Vladimir Bakurdzhiev officiating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron, Ohio 44301 where a Parastas service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Donations may be made to the church. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)