From Web to soldier overseas, with love

By Elise Franco

A local funeral home uses video recordings to help families connect during the holidays.

POLAND — Emily Obenauf’s fiance may be spending Christmas halfway across the world, but he’ll still be able to see her.

Thanks to Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Obenauf was able to record a video message for Jim Romeo, 25, stationed in Afghanistan with the Army.

“I’m doing this because I want to show as much support as possible,” she said. “I think that’s the best gift we can give, and a lot of soldiers don’t have a good support system.”

Obenauf, 20, of Struthers, said she knows it’s just as difficult for Romeo to be away as it is for herself and his family here at home.

“They break down too, and they hurt as much as we do,” she said.

Before sitting down to record her message at the funeral home’s Poland site, 2726 Center Road, Obenauf was emotional. She said she tries not to think about what Christmas will be like without him.

“He proposed on Christmas Eve last year, so it’s going to be really tough,” she said.

By the time the camera was rolling, though, Obenauf was smiling.

She wished her fiance, who has been overseas since March 2008 and is due back in the states in March 2009, a safe and happy Christmas.

“We only have like two months left, and this time next year we’ll be in our own apartment,” Obenauf said in her message. “I don’t know how Christmas is going to go this year, but I hope you and the guys have a good Christmas.”

She said having someone she loves so far away has made her realize how important it is to cherish time spent together, especially during the holidays.

“It’s not about getting presents. It’s about being with people you love,” Obenauf said. “When you can’t be with your family, presents don’t matter.”

Obenauf’s message, along with messages from other area families to their loved ones, are posted on the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes Web site.

Funeral Director Kristina Daley said the messages can be accessed by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com and clicking on the Community Outreach & Special Events tab.

She said those receiving messages will be able to click the link with his or her name to view the recording.

Daley said the funeral home decided to sponsor the video messages as a way to help families spending the holidays apart.

“I think this is a great idea,” she said.

Daley said the videos will be posted on the Web site for 90 days, but they can be saved and burned to a DVD.

She said about four families recorded messages Monday at the funeral home’s Austintown branch on Mahoning Avenue.

Anyone still wanting to record a video message for a loved one can do so Monday at the Boardman-Canfield branch, 3701 Starr’s Centre Drive, Canfield.

Obenauf’s mother, Brenda Obenauf, 43, and brother, Nathan Obenauf, 17, also recorded a message for Romeo.

Romeo’s parents, Dennis and Liz Romeo, were to record messages for their son Wednesday.

Brenda Obenauf said Jim Romeo is loved and missed by many.

“He’s been a part of our family long before [he and Emily] were engaged or dating,” Brenda said. “He fits in like he’s meant to be there.”

efranco@vindy.com