Family, friends and colleagues say goodbye to Judge Stuard - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

SHARON, Pennsylvania - Family, friends and colleagues gathered on Monday for the funeral of recently retired Trumbull County Judge John Stuard.

Services were held at the Sample & O'Donnell Funeral Home in Sharon, Judge Stuard's hometown.

After three decades of service, Stuard just retired from the bench in December.

Those who worked with the judge and knew him well, described him as a patient and generous person and an outstanding jurist.

"I don't think a lot of people gave him credit for the amount of knowledge that he had and the variety of his interests. He was a great man," said Thomas Swift, Trumbull County Probate judge.

"A soft, subtle charisma, that's how I would describe him," said Nick Averi, Trumbull County Sheriff's Deputy.

Judge Stuard was 73-years-old.

The family asks that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.