Bernard "Bernie" Deioma

Bernard "Bernie" Deioma, 65, of Bay Village died on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at O'Neil Health Care in Bay Village.

Born on February 5, 1951 in Canton he was the son of the late Kathryn Miceli Deioma and Bernard Deioma. He is survived by his loving brother, David B. Deioma and sister in-law, Rosemary Little Deioma. His older brother, Richard and infant sister, Donna Marie's, death preceded his passing as did his loving caretaker for many years, Beulah Marin "Grandma." He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth, Bernie's mother and father worked tirelessly to keep him in the educational system at the time when it is recommended that a "mentally challenged" child should be placed in an institution. In 1971, Bernie's father, Bernard Deioma, was one of the founding fathers and driving forces in the development and construction of Starlight School and Workshop in New Philadelphia. For 25 years, Bernie joyously attended each day at Starlight making many friends along the way. Everyone was his friend.

Bernie's guardians, David and Rosemary Deioma, supervised his care and enjoyed holidays and many vacations with them in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Through Our Lady of the Wayside in Cleveland, his brother David funded a group home in Berea, Ohio where Bernie lived in the care of private caretakers and attended "Pathways", the day program organized by Our Lady of the Wayside.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 613 Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622, on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 am with Father Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery in Dover beside his parents. Following the service, a meal will be served at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center, 831 Boulevard, Dover, Ohio 44622. Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover, 803 N Wooster Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622 on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 5-7pm. Those unable to attend, or who would like to share a fond memory of Bernie may do so by visiting the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website.

Memorial contributions can be made in Bernie's name to Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 610 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.