Mildred Louise Bogdan of Sharon passed away peacefully at 1:21 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. She was 95. Mrs. Bogdan was born in Johnstown, Pa., on Nov. 15, 1919, a daughter of George and Sophia (Mathedas) Krichko. She died the loving wife of the late Paul Bogdan, and devoted mother of sons Dennis, Douglas and Larry Bogdan. Early on she moved to Florida. After a brief residence in Orlando, she and her parents, four brothers and three sisters moved to and grew up in what was Hickory Township. She attended Hickory schools, and following the loss of the family home to a fire, completed high school later in life. Mrs. Bogdan enjoyed lifelong learning and took several additional courses at Penn State University extension. Mrs. Bogdan's work career spanned 40 years. During that time she was employed at Metz Bakery, Strouss', J.C. Penney, the former Whitmer-Smith and May's Dress Shop and in the fashion department of Sears, from which she retired in 1982. In addition, Mrs. Bogdan worked at the Mercer County Election Board in Sharon for more than 20 years. There she greeted, instructed and recorded information for voters at the polls at election time. During her lifetime, Mrs. Bogdan helped form and participated in the Happy Needle Group at the Shenango Valley Senior Community Center and the Dorcas Society at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed all of her time spent at the Buhl Club's arts and crafts program and many like programs in the Shenango Valley. Mrs. Bogdan was widely known for her delicious American-Slovak recipes, often winning awards from her entries in The Herald. Eager to share her knowledge of cooking, Mrs. Bogdan enjoyed spending time on the telephone or in person talking about or demonstrating cooking knowledge of traditional Slovak foods and recipes. Mrs. Bogdan witnessed the onset of automobiles, airplanes and the telephone. She also experienced two world wars and the Great Depression. Her strong belief in family helping family, community helping community, and tolerance through understanding was the foundation to her life. Besides the company of her late husband, Mrs. Bogdan's greatest pleasure was her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed staying in touch with family and friends, seldom, if ever, missing their birthday or anniversary with a card. Weekly telephone calls, though hospitalized, to and from children and grandchildren across the United States and points beyond were common. Last week many received a best wishes card from her wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving. Those who were fortunate to know Mrs. Bogdan, often sought and felt her kindness of words and her generosity of spirit. Mrs. Bogdan was married Feb. 24, 1943, in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, now Hermitage, by the Rev. John Zabadal to the love of her life, Paul Bogdan, who passed away March 5, 2013. They enjoyed their 70th wedding anniversary together in 2013 just prior to his passing. Mrs. Bogdan was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Amy Krichko-Seley, Martha Krichko-Bennett and Irene Krichko-Tankersley; two brothers, John Krichko and Leonard Krichko; a niece, Martha Ann Hardy; a nephew, Rick Tankersley; and a grandson, Andrew Bogdan. Mrs. Bogdan is survived by: her sons, Dr. Dennis Bogdan and his wife Joanne, Pittsburgh; Dr. Douglas Bogdan and his wife Carole, New Castle; and Larry Bogdan, Sharon; and grandchildren, Blair Bogdan and his wife Jolene and great-grandsons, Parker and Cooper, all Pittsburgh; Robert Bogdan and his wife Tammy and great-grandchildren, Julia and Alexander, all Marietta, Ga.; Sander Bogdan, Dublin, Calif.; Hillary Bogdan, Pittsburgh; Dennis Brunner and his wife Dana and great-grandson, Eli, all Pittsburgh; and Amy Amore and her husband Kelly and a great-granddaughter, Ashley, all Colorado. Also surviving her are brothers Edward Krichko, Youngstown; Hillis Krichko, Bend, Ore.; and many nieces and nephews. The Bogdan family extends their heart-felt gratitude to Mrs. Bogdan's family physician, Dr. Chatha, and to the doctors, nurses, technicians and staff at the Cleveland Clinic providing her with the very best care possible. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3325 Morefield Road, Hermitage, PA 16148. . Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (11-28-14) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Services: Funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday (11-29-14) in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage, officiating. Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.