Edward B. Ceremuga, Hermitage, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 1, 2022 with family by his side. He was 86.

Ed was born May 18,1935 in Greenville, Pa. A son of John and Agnus (Uhrin) Ceremuga. Ed graduated from St. Michaels Catholic School, Greenville Pa in 1953. Right out of high school, Ed drove a Pepsi Cola truck delivering Pepsi throughout the Shenango valley and surrounding communities. Ed also had his own Polka band The Ed Ceremuga Melodaires, which he started at age 19 and played throughout the valley. In 1956, he married Mary Lou Decapua of Sharon and had 5 children together.

Ed started in the insurance business in 1957 and became one of the area’s most successful insurance sales representatives serving hundreds of families. Ed owned and operated the Ed Ceremuga Insurance agency with his wife Mary Lou by his side as secretary. He was an independent agent selling for multiple insurance companies throughout his career. He also served as Vice President of Sales for Protected Home Mutual Life Insurance Company during his tenure. Ed had nearly 60 years in the insurance business before retiring in 2016.

Ed was the family rock to lean on and learn from as he led his family through the tragic loss of a son, Mark Ceremuga, in 1974 due to a car accident, and also through his wife Mary Lou’s valiant 5-year battle with breast cancer and passed in 1992.

Ed met the former Sandy (Seeley) Hittle of Greenville, Pa and married in 1995. Together, they seamlessly merged two families into one and have shared many happy memories together. Together, Ed and Sandy teamed to restart the band. “THE CEREMUGA MELODAIRES” played and entertained at many social events, family gatherings, and several retirement / nursing homes as a way to give back to the community.

Ed was loved by many and his smile, quick wit, sense of humor and desire to meet every person that crossed his path was enjoyed by all. He especially loved watching his children and grandchildren in all of their activities through life, he was always there. He also enjoyed the “Ceremuga Camp Therapy” located in Kennerdell, Pa where many joyous family gatherings with brothers and sisters, sons, nieces, nephews, and grand children gathered for hunting, fishing, card playing, and laughter.

Ed is survived by his loving and caring wife Sandy, and children Gary Ceremuga and his wife Nancy (Kilgore), Greg Ceremuga and his wife Lori (Miller), Denise(Ceremuga) Osborne and her husband Bill, Doug Ceremuga and his wife Dana (Leigh Sheets), Toni (Hittle) Mild and her husband Craig, and Doug Hittle. Siblings, Cecilia Ceremuga, Paul (Nancy) Ceremuga, John (Betsy) Ceremuga, Mary Jane (Joe) Perrotti, Joe (Beth) Ceremuga, and Michael Ceremuga. Sister-in-law Margie Ceremuga. Grandchildren, Ashley Davis and her husband Joel, Marissa Foster and her husband Mike, Chad Ceremuga and his wife Gina, Bradley Ceremuga, Matt Ceremuga and his wife Kailee, Craig Osborne and his wife Nicole, Sara Owens, Joshua Weaver, Gabe Mild, Luke Mild, Sloan Mild, Logan Hittle, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Lou and son Mark Ceremuga; and a brother George Ceremuga.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.