Published Thursday, November 21, 2002
by friends, family
Herald Staff Writer
Family and friends gathered Wednesday to remember a 14-year-old Masury boy at the spot where a one-car accident claimed his life.
A bottle of red Mountain Dew, flowers, candles, letters and a crucifix decorated the new utility pole at Standard Avenue and Oak Street in Masury in memory of Johnathan Yensick who crashed his mother's car Sunday night. He died on Monday.
About 100 people, including Johnathan's mother, Michelle N. Bare, and young faces from school, turned out to remember the teen-ager.
Johnathan, of 7800 Elm St., was an eighth-grade Brookfield Middle School student who had many friends.
His best friend, eighth-grader Alie Ruheim, 13, who attended the vigil, lived only two houses away from Johnathan. He said the two were inseparable.
"I've known him since he was a little kid," Alie said. "We grew up together. We had a lot to go through. I wish I could have graduated with him."
He remembered Johnathan as a boy who loved to live on the wild side, playing football and basketball and doing dangerous tricks on his BMX bicycle.
"We were riding bikes one day and he fell and got hurt doing tricks. He broke his wrist and his collar bone, but he got back up and rode. There's too much to say about him. I could write a book. Nobody can take his place," Alie said.
Other friends remembered Johnathan as a boy who could lift the spirits of everyone around him. Ninth-grader Aaron Prezgay, 15; eighth-grader Rob Smith, 13; and eighth-grader J.C. Norris, 14, were all close friends. They said everyone loved Johnathan.
He was a good friend to everybody, they said. He had an attitude and he expressed himself, but he also knew how to be nice at the same time, they said.
The Rev. Charles Harvey, who presided at the vigil, read two scriptures, said a prayer and offered a moment of silence for the teen. Mourners were also given the opportunity to say a few words about Johnathan. Rev. Harvey invited everyone there to join each other for prayer at Pentecostal Holiness Church, 240 Church St., Sharpsville.
"We will never forget the blond-headed boy who drove his bike like a maniac ... I believe he left his mark on the world," said Mary Barnett, a neighbor and family friend.
Johnathan's mother knelt at the pole in tears as she placed flowers in memory of her son. Johnathan's father is Brookfield High School Principal John H. Yensick.
Johnathan's cousin, Suzanne Hoffmann of Masury, said she baby-sat him the first four years of his life and needed to organize something for him. She and her mother, Ann Marie Balog of Masury, put the memorial service together with help from Johnathan's friends.
"These kids needed some type of a closure," Mrs. Hoffmann said. "I drove past here at least 20 times yesterday and there was always someone new here."
The teen was northbound on Standard Avenue when the car slid on wet pavement, left the right side of the road and sheared a utility pole and railroad crossing sign. The pole was replaced Monday.
Johnathan was taken to the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System and transferred to St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, where he died from multiple internal injuries, according to the Mahoning County Coroner's Office.
The Ohio Highway Patrol said Johnathan took his mother's rental car from their home. She told police she thought he had left on his bicycle.
At the Brookfield School Board meeting Wednesday night, directors remembered Johnathan with a moment of silence. Superintendent Joseph White said students who wish to attend Johnathan's funeral on Friday need parental permission; teachers will also have the opportunity to attend if they wish.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Friday in Madasz Funeral Home Inc., 6923 Warren-Sharon Road, Brookfield. The Rev. Cindy Swogger, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Sharon will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 3550 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85012.