Curtis D. Jays

Published September 17, 2025 - 5:00 a.m.

Curtis D. Jays, 36, of Minerva, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, following injuries sustained in an accident.

He was born Aug. 27, 1989, in Alliance, Ohio.

He worked at PCC Airfoils in Minerva as a pipefitter since 2018 and previously at Starcon in Canton. He was a member of the Minerva Methodist Church and graduated from Minerva High School and R.G. Drage Career Center in Auto Tech in 2008.

He loved the outdoors, spending time with his friends and family trail riding in Wellsville and around the area, boating on the Ohio River and, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, pulling antique tractors at local tractor pulls. One of his favorite times of year was taking his annual trip to Bowling Green, Ohio, which he called his second home, for the National Tractor Pulls, which he had attended since 2006.

He is survived by his parents, Patti and Don Gotschall of Minerva; maternal grandmother, Joan Pennock of Minerva; aunt, Amy Pennock of Carrollton; paternal step grandmother, Rose Wise Schupbach; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey Jays, who died in March 2025; maternal grandfather, Harold Pennock; paternal grandparents, Dave Jays, Nadine Walthall and Lenora Gotschall; and special uncles, Bill Pennock and Larry Hawk Jr.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Kevin Crater officiating.

Calling hours were from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.

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