A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Josephine Angilletti Vernau, age 96, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 40 Granville Street, Newark, 12 Noon, Friday, September 4, 2026 with Father Tom Gardner as celebrant. Family and friends may call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Newark, will be held at a later date.

Josephine died at the Selma Markowitz Care Center on August 27, 2026. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 14, 1929, to the late Bruno and Rose (Prato) Angilletti.

Josephine loved sharing stories of being an usherette at the Loew’s Penn Theatre (The future Heinz Hall). She became a lover of the movies and performing arts.

Josephine was a 1947 graduate of Grace Martin’s Secretarial School in Pittsburgh. After moving into their first home, she and her husband, Don, became parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. She was a longtime member of the Comfort Team at St. Francis de Sales Church and LMH Twig 7/Baby Pictures.

Josephine treasured the friendships she made through her many years at Moundbuilders Country Club, where she enjoyed both the golf and bowling leagues with Don and their many friends. She had especially fond memories of the Friday Night Mixed League and loved sharing the fun stories from those years.

Her heart was always with the ladies of her Tuesday Newark-Granville Bowling League. The friendships she made there were very special to her, and she especially enjoyed their lunches together, which were always filled with laughter, good conversation, and plenty of fun.

Josephine’s fondest memories also included traveling to Columbus to enjoy the Kenley Players Summer Season. Later in life, she looked forward to Sunday afternoons attending Broadway Series matinees with her daughters, granddaughter, and daughter-in-law.

Don was very active in the community, and together they enjoyed the social life and many events at Moundbuilders Country Club. Through Don’s service as President of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association, they were fortunate to travel extensively throughout the United States and abroad, creating many wonderful memories along the way.

Perhaps the greatest joy of Josephine’s life was being the #1 fan at her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on and was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Later in life, this proud Italian mother especially loved entertaining and being surrounded by her extended family. After being homebound, family gatherings brought her tremendous happiness, and she cherished every opportunity to have her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together.

Josephine was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, thoughtfulness, generosity, and the genuine joy she found in her family and friendships.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Belinda (Jim) Weston; daughter, Lisa (David) Elwell; son, Jay (Mary) Vernau; son, Adam (Kim) Vernau; and daughter-in-law, Valoree (Robert) Gavin; eight grandchildren, Nicholas Elwell, Toni (Robert) Newsome, Ryan Weston, Mark (Stephanie) Elwell, Andrew (Kelsey) Vernau, Garrett (Tori) Vernau, Max Vernau, Jacob Weston, and Alexis(Tim) Overstreet; and her great-grandchildren, Cameron Newsome, Jorden Weston, Addison Newsome, Jackson Newsome, Adelina Elwell, Griffin Elwell, Hudson Elwell, Blake Vernau, Charlotte Vernau, Hayes Vernau, Logan Vernau, Maeve Vernau, and Jovie Vernau; as well as many cousins and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Bruno and Rose Angilletti, Josephine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald Vernau, and grandson, Michael Vernau.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her Home Instead caregivers—Connie, Linda, Ida, Georgia, and Molly—for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided to Josephine over the last several years. Their kindness and devotion meant so much to Josephine and her family.

Reed-Egan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To share your memory of Josephine or leave a condolence for the family. Please visit www.reedegan.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Newark Catholic High School Foundation, 1 Green Wave Drive, Newark, Ohio 43055.