Daya Pethtel

 Daya Jean Pethtel, 66, of East Liverpool, OH, passed away peacefully November 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Daya was born February 7, 1958, in Steubenville, OH, to Theodore and Edna Riffle of Knoxville, OH. Daya was a graduate of Jefferson Union High School class of 1976, and went on to work in the home healthcare industry for many years, maintaining a long list of patients who considered her not only a caretaker, but a dear family member. Later on she helped run Mike's Market and Carry-Out with her late husband Mike Swaykus Jr., expanding the business by adding a popular hot food menu and a full service, covered drive-thru, the first of its kind in Toronto. 

Early in life, she enjoyed many vacations with family growing up. She played in the band throughout High School and played in a women's softball league along with both of her sisters. Daya loved spending time with her many grandchildren, scouring the woods for Morrels in the Spring-time, cruising around in her little red convertible, and bowling with friends weekly at Toronto Lanes in Toronto, OH. There hasn’t been a greener thumb than Daya had, with a knack for landscaping and a caretaker’s tender heart—she left behind a trail of beauty wherever she went.

 Daya and her husband Bill were mutual friends until later in life, when they came together and found happiness in each other's company. The two were married at her childhood home on her Father’s birthday February 25th, 2013.

 Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband, Bill Pethtel; children, Cory (Kendra) Gooch of Toronto, OH, Danielle (Carr) McElroy of Tallmadge, OH, Daya N. Dole of Toronto, OH, and Michael (Emily) Swaykus of Wintersville, OH; grandchildren Blake, Kaitlyn, Remy, Luca, and Beckett; brother Ted Riffle Jr. of Columbus, OH, sister Lori Riffle of Murphy, NC; Nieces and nephews, Jason (Amy) Adams of Columbus, OH, James Marschalk of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Tabby Marschalk of Chesterfield, MI, Matt Riffle of Austin, TX, and Miley Quarles of Murphy, NC. Josh and Jenna Pethtel of Toronto, OH.

Daya was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Edna Riffle and sister Vicki Dylewski Riffle.

You can't add days to your life, but you can add life to your days--and Daya did so for so many different people around her.

At Daya’s request, there will be no immediate services, but a celebration of life will take place in the coming months.

To send a condolence, or share a memory please visit www.cliffordshoemaker.com