James Cebula, a professor of history at the University of Cincinnati for more than 40 years, died Oct. 9. He had been living with lung cancer since late 2008. Cebula was born July 27, 1942 in the small Pennsylvania town of Dupont. He was the fifth of six children of Anthony, a coal miner, and Helen, worked in garment factories. Their lives as working people shaped his interest in the labor movement and in American history. He earned a doctorate in history at the University of Cincinnati. In 2007 he earned the distinguished teaching award. Cebula co-edited a book of workers' poetry called "Rhyme and Reason: Molders Poetry from Sylvis to the Great Depression," in 1984. And he directed a video history project completed for the city's bicentennial in 1989. The Cincinnati neighborhood of Kennedy Heights also shaped Cebula's life. In 1971 Cebula moved to Kennedy Heights after reading about residents there who were committed to building a racially integrated community. He and his wife Maria raised two daughters there. They divorced in 1980. Cebula was president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors and served in many other leadership roles. Cebula is survived by his partner, Tatiana Romanova, Loveland OH; daughters, Anne (Anderson), Fortrose, Scotland; Judith Cebula, Indianapolis, IN. Son-in-laws James Anderson, Fortrose, and Michael Redmond, Indianapolis; grandchildren Laing Anderson and Elizabeth Redmond. Other survivors include: brother Anthony Cebula, Orlando, FL., and sisters Betty Mekuta, Fitchburg, WI; Joan Thronson, Mounds View, MN., Phyllis DePrimo, Pittston, PA; and Patricia Reller, Robinsdale, MN. A Memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Bellarmine Chapel of Xavier University. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. James E. Cebula Fund at Raymond Walters College, University of Cincinnati.

Service

Monday, October 26, 2009 10:00 AM Bellarmine Chapel 3801 Ledgewood Drive Cincinnati 45207, United States