Margaret F. (Okolish) Naizer

Margaret Frances Naizer (Okolish) passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023.  She was 97 years old and well on her way to 98.  Margaret was a lifelong resident of Barberton, Ohio having been born on December 15, 1925.  She grew up on Liberty Avenue in Barberton’s Slovenian community.  She was an early member and active participant of the Barberton City Club, the Homemakers Club, the Garden Club and would often be found volunteering at Tuscora Park for the annual Easter egg hunt, working at the voting polls, and as an usher at the Akron Rubber Duck games.

Margaret was a woman of many skill sets, growing up during the Depression and having worked in the Rubber industry during WW2 at both Sun and Seiberling Rubber companies.  She made her own hand and laundry soap, was canning just about anything that you can grow, making sausage, painting, making her own version of the famous Barberton chicken, sewing, cooking, baking, you name it, she had a wonderful array of life skills that she passed on to her family.  She was and will be the iconic Mom and we were very lucky to have her in our lives for almost 98 years. 

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Joanne Naizer, grandson Jeffrey (Tiffany), great-grandson, Graham Thomas, great-grand daughter, Grace Thomas and Judy Rogers, grandson James Rogers, granddaughter, Stephanie Rogers, son John Naizer (Christine), grandson, John Naizer, and granddaughter, Serena Naizer. 

A private burial service will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

A special thanks to the compassionate, caring and excellent staff at Pleasant View Health Center in Barberton that cared for Mom in her final days.

There will be a short memorial service and wake on Saturday, October 14, at 11AM, at Hope Lutheran Church, 999 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319.  Pastor Jack Kozak officiating.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.