RECOGNITION Saxon Club honors members during annual benefit dinner

The program included entertainment by the club's chorus.
AUSTINTOWN -- A highlight of an annual benefit dinner held by the Saxon Club on March 10 at the club was the naming of the club's Man and Woman of the Year.
Singled out for recognition during the event were Wil Schwager and Helen Fotiuk, who were honored for their many years of service to the organization.
The awards were presented by William Schuller, Branch 30 president, and Sara Deutschlander, first vice president of Branch 22. The program included musical entertainment by the group's Concordia Chorus under the direction of Jim Johnson.
Born in Saybrook, Conn., Schwager is the youngest of four children born to George and Ann Schwager, formerly of Yugoslavia. He graduated in 1942 from Chaney High School.
After working as a machinist apprentice at U.S. Steel Co., Schwager sold coffee on a route on the East Side. He attended night school for 14 years at Youngstown College and graduated in 1957. He was hired in 1959 by Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co., where he worked in time study, was a junior engineer in the industrial engineering department, and retired in 1983 from his position as supervisor in the safety department.
A member of Branch 30 since 1975, he has served as an officer, has been a trustee and a librarian for more than 13 years, and has worked on the presidents ball booklet for 12 years. He and his wife, Winona, have two children, two stepchildren and four grandchildren.
Fotiuk came to the United States in 1956 and lived with her sister and her family. She and her husband, Roger, have four children and nine grandchildren, all members of the Saxon Club.
A member of the club for more than 35 years, she has served as a volunteer for many functions and has become well-known for her cooking specialties. She has also worked as office and catering manager for 12 years at the club and is retired after 12 years' employment at National City Bank.
Fotiuk has been president of Branch 22 Ladies Local since 1994 after serving as vice president and holding various offices. She is involved with the Travelers Bowling League and other area bowling leagues.