Stephen Ross Berman

Stephen Ross Berman of Hilliard, Ohio passed away on January 8, 2024 at the age of 77. He was born on November 15, 1946, in Everett, Massachusetts. He was the beloved son of Frank E. and Helen Greenman Berman. Stephen graduated from Chelsea MA High School and later enlisted in the Air Force, serving at Lindsey Air Station in Wiesbaden, Germany for three years. He continued his education at Penn State University of Pittsburgh and Youngstown State University. Steve and Barb were married July 4, 1970 in Lynn, Massachusetts and had 53 happy years together.

Throughout his life, Stephen contributed significantly to his community. He and his wife Barbara (McCleary) spent 40 years in Boardman, Ohio, where they raised their son Joshua (Courtney) Berman and daughter Stacy (Brent) Racer. Stephen had a fulfilling career in retail management, working with Bradlees, Hills, Kmart, and Sears department stores. In 2008, he transitioned to retail liquidation, playing a vital role in closing stores across the United States.

Community service was important to Stephen, and he was actively involved in various organizations, including membership in the Rotary, serving as President of the Boardman Soccer Assoc., Applewood Swim Club, and Boardman Band Parents.

Stephen cherished his travels with Barbara, exploring all 50 states, numerous European countries, and enjoying cruises to South America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. He had a special affection for Florida, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen Berman, and is survived by his loving wife, two children, and six grandchildren: Brayden, Liam, and Bryce Racer, and Crew, Ines, and Navy Berman. Stephen is also survived by his brother Lee (Helene) Berman, along with two nieces and a nephew.

In April of the previous year, he proudly participated in Mission 120 for Honor Flight Columbus to Washington DC (shown in picture). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Honor Flight Columbus (honorflightcmh.org) to support other veterans' trips to our nation's capital.

Visitation to celebrate Stephen's life will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Schoedinger Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017. A funeral service will take place on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Schoedinger Dublin, with interment to follow the service at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Hilliard, Ohio.