Theresia Negovan Obituary

STRUTHERS - Theresia Negovan, 98, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 3, 2025, at Maplecrest Nursing Home.

Theresia was born September 13, 1926, in the small farming community of Starcevo, Banat ,Yugoslavia, the daughter of Maria Pittmann and Paul Baritsch.

After escaping war torn Yugoslavia in the late 1940's, Theresia married her husband Niklaus Negovan on April 15, 1950 in Feffernitz, Austria. Together they immigrated to the United States aboard the USS General A.W. Greely, arriving at Ellis Island on December 6, 1951. Following the boom of the Steel Industry, they made their home in Struthers, Ohio.

Theresia was a devoted mother and homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and spending quiet summer evenings on the front porch with her neighbors. She was a member of the Apollo Maennerchor Club in Sharon, Pa. where she enjoyed singing with the choir, dancing to the bands and worked in the kitchen as they hosted events.

Theresia is survived by her two daughters, Kathi Ferrett of New Middletown and Mary (Bill) Bartell of Kentucky; three grandchildren, Robert (Jamie) Ortenzio, Christopher (Erin) Bartell, and Brian (Jessica) Bartell; and two great grandchildren, Myra and Nicholas Bartell. Three nephews, Frank (Donna) Pittmann, Paul (Cyndi) Pittmann and Mathias (Linda) Pittmann and one niece Annie (Paul) Gruber.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Niklaus Negovan, who passed away February 25, 2016; her brother, John Pittmann, sister-in-law Kathi Pittmann and a half brother, Paul Moravec.

A special Thank You to the staff at Maplecrest Nursing Home in Struthers for taking such great care of Theresia over the years.

Private family services were held at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children,