YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The twin-engine Cessna that crashed in Howland Township Sunday morning killing all six on board was carrying four members of a prominent business family and a well-known pilot in the Mahoning Valley.
The Trumbull County Coroner on Monday released the names of James Weller, 67, Veronica Weller, 68, John Weller, age 36, and 34-year-old Maria Weller, as passengers who perished in the tragedy.
James Weller was president and CEO of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., records show.
Joseph Maxin, 63, an experienced pilot and lead flight instructor at Youngstown State University’s new flight school at the airport, was among the fatalities. Maxin once served as a board member of the Western Reserve Port Authority, which operates the airport. Maxin was currently serving as the Port Authority’s director of compliance.
The co-pilot of the aircraft was identified as 55-year-old Timothy Blake.
Maxin had also served as an assistant prosecutor in Mahoning County between 1990 through 2007. He returned in 2017 to serve in the criminal division, according to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s office.
“He was not only a skilled attorney, but also a beloved friend and colleague, known for his kindness, good nature, and one-of-a kind humorous personality,” Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro said in a statement Monday. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Joseph Maxin’s family, friends, and all those mourning his loss. We also extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the other five individuals who lost their lives in this traffic accident.Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time.”
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a Cessna 441 Conquest owned by Meander Air LLC crashed in Howland Township shortly after takeoff from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. According to reports, the flight took off at 6:53 a.m. for Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana and crashed seven minutes later in a wooded area behind a residential neighborhood.
The NTSB is the lead agency investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unknown.
The Weller family has been associated with the steel business for 60 years. Jim Weller Sr., who died in January at age 94, co-founded Liberty Steel Products in 1965 with his father, Andrew, and brother Jack, in Sharpsville, Pa. The company then moved to North Jackson, where it is engaged in processing and distribution of carbon flat-rolled steel.
In 2015, a separate entity, Liberty Steel Industries Inc., was formed. The company, located in Warren, operates steel processing, welding, fabrication and stamping plants in Warren and Saltillo, Mexico. The company also operates a distribution center in Lordstown.
“I can’t think of better people, and so our community is at a great loss,” Anthony Trevena, executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority, said of the victims Sunday during a press conference at the airport. “We are all heartbroken and are deeply saddened and offer our deepest, most sincere condolences to those affected by today’s tragedy.”