Carroll D. Mcallister

Carroll D. McAllister, 83 of Cortland, died Thursday morning, March 9, 2017, at Lake Vista in Cortland. He was born February 16, 1934 in Leavittsburg the son of the late Dee Clair and Gladys Solinger McAllister. He had lived in Champion most of his life. Carroll was a 1952 graduate of Champion High School, attended Hiram College and graduated from the Warren Business College. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served in the Navy Reserves for 8 years. Carroll had a keen interest in business management which was born out by the fact that he operated seven business locations during the same 15 year time period. His first business venture started in 1952, owning and operating two Dairy Queens in Vienna and on West Market Street in Warren. He served as secretary and treasurer of the McAllister and Morgan Lumber Company with Ardel Morgan for several years, was co-owner of the Homac Car Wash locations and Grandma's Ice Cream with Adrian Hovanic for several years, had owned the Champion and Niles American Greetings Gift Shops as well as two Subway franchises in Champion and in the Gentry Center in Niles. Carroll had noted that operating the Country Classics ladies' clothing locations in Champion, Cortland and Niles with his wife, Eunie, was by far the best time in his life, as it afforded them much time together. After a supposed retirement, Carroll worked at the Champion McDonalds restaurant for several months and at Best Buy in the wireless department for over a year. He finally retired in 2004. Carroll was a lifelong member of the Champion Presbyterian Church, where he had served in the past on the board of trustees and deacons and had served as co-chairperson of two major church building projects. He was active in the community his whole life, serving as the first president and charter member of the Champion Rotary Club, where he was presented by the club the high honor of Paul Harris fellow. He was a 58 year member of Carroll F. Clapp masonic Lodge No. 655 and a 32nd degree mason with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Youngstown for over 55 years. On January 22, 1972, he married his wife of 45 years, Eunice B. "Eunie" Springer McAllister. She was the love of his life, his best friend and his nurse (she's an RN); they have been together every step of their journey. Carroll loved children as demonstrated by the fact that six of his seven children were adopted. He adopted Eunie's twin sons and on December 10, 1977, their daughter, Jamie Jo was born. Family life was of the upmost importance to him. Carroll loved many "long weekends" spent each year traveling the United States and camping with Eunie, Grandma and as many kids as could fit in the Winnebago. He led an active life, taking ski lessons at Brandywine at 50 years old and then skiing with his wife for many years. Besides his wife, Eunie, Carroll is survived by his children, Julie A. (Dennis) Vugrinovich of Howland, Cheryl B. Lyons of Niles, Gregory A. (Jennifer) McAllister of Cortland and Jeffrey L. McAllister of Dayton; three grandchildren, Lindsey Lyons and Molly and Tommy McAllister; his sister and brother-in-law, Eydie and Jim Restuccio of Howland; and by his beloved dog, Bailey. One daughter, Jamie Jo McAllister; two sons, Michael D., and his wife Jenny, McAllister and Mark A. McAllister; and his in-laws, Henry and Bessie Springer have all preceded him in death. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren, and also one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Monday at the Champion Presbyterian Church with Pastor Steve Stelle officiating. Entombment will be at Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice and Lake Vista of Cortland for their loving care shown to Carroll. Memorial contributions may be made to the Champion Presbyterian Church memorial fund, 4997 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, OH 44483 or to the Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice, 6715 Tippecanoe Rd., Suite 201, Bldg. E, Canfield, OH 44406. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.robertsclarkchapel.com