Gertrude "Trudy" BackenstoMANSFIELD: Gertrude "Trudy" Backensto, 78, of Mansfield, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017 at University Hospital Samaritan Medical Center. Gertrude was born on June 19, 1938 in Charleston, West Virginia to the late James Carson and Mary (Furnar) Haney. Trudy was a graduate of Salem College with a Bachelor of Teaching degree. She taught special education for close to thirty years with the Plymouth Schools. She was a member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and Richland County Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Faith Methodist Church. Trudy was caring and generous to her family and friends. She enjoyed baking, especially wedding cakes. In her spare time, she enjoyed collecting recipes, reading, crochet, and camping.Trudy is survived by three sons, Steve (Angel) Backensto of Butler, Mark (Nancy Riebau) Backensto of Mansfield, and Jim Backensto of Mansfield; one sister, Robin (Sam) Stankovich of Ashland; ten grandchildren, Justin, Ethan, Evan, Kortni, Jordyn, Jaden, and Kenidi Backensto, Joseph and John Stankovich and Jordan Pfeifer; three great-grandchildren, Clayton, Elijah and Emma Stankovich, one brother, James Carson Jr. (Judy) Haney of Dennison, and one brother-in-law, Gerald Morehead of Mansfield; two sisters-in-law, Betty Backensto of Mansfield, and Ethel McKim of Mifflin; and numerous nieces and nephews.Trudy is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard H. Backensto; a sister, June Morehead; three half sisters, Virginia Bell Watson, Laura Mae DeRose, and Judith Gay Goodale; and a half brother, Robert Keith "Bud" Furnar; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. A funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Matthew Pond at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 10, 2017 at the funeral home. Trudy will be laid to rest following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com