Thelma Kilroy
Thelma Irene Kilroy, 84, of Ravenna died Thursday.
Born Oct. 25, 1913 in Lodi, she was the daughter of George and Edith (Snell) Houck.
Survivors include sons, Michael P. (Barbara) of Annandale, Va., and Thomas J. (Carol) of Buford, Ga.; daughter, Pat (Jim) Delzin of Richfield; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Herbert Houk of Parma; and sisters, Dorothy Friedl of Cleveland and Loretta Barczi of California. Her husband, John E., son, John E. Jr., and a brother, Raymond, all died previously.
Cremation has taken place. 
The Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Brandon Jones
Nicholas Jones
Brandon James and Nicholas Ryan Jones, the infant sons of Kimberly Jones, died Wednesday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. 
Survivors include their grandparents, Edward and Rebecca Reedy, and Robert Jones, all of Ravenna; great-grandmother, Emma Smith: and great-grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Dale Jones, all of Ravenna. 
Private graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, with the Rev. Jim Kyle officiating. Arrangements were handled by the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Grace Manges
Grace Manges, 61, of Ravenna Township died Thursday at her home.
Born Sept. 14, 1936 in Jennings, Md., she was the daughter of Asa and Irene (Hare) House. She was a Portage County resident for 42 years. 
Mrs. Manges retired from Colonial Rubber Co. in Ravenna where she was an inspector.
She was a member of the Stow Apostolic Church.
Survivors include daughters, Delaine O'Neill of Ravenna, Deanna Derby of Kent and Darlene Dunivan of Brimfield; eight grandchildren; brothers, Berlin of Washington D.C. and Nevin of Rootstown; and sisters, Gennie Stocker and Juanita Bittinger, both of Ravenna, and Velora Moose of Virginia. Her husband, Grant, died in 1994. Four sisters also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Kenneth Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Maplegrove Cemetery in Ravenna.

William Baughman
STREETSBORO _ William A. Baughman, 59, died Thursday after a long illness. 
Born July 27, 1938 in Penn Township,. Pa., he was the son of Scott R. and Laura (Douglass) Baughman Sr. He was a Streetsboro resident since 1958. 
Mr. Baughman worked as a truck driver at William Benjamin Trucking in Mantua. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon (Kingsmill); son, Roy of Streetsboro; daughter, Robin Dombeck of Streetsboro; step-sons Calvin and Brian Solomon, both of Aurora; step-daughter, Christina Bennett of California; 11 grandchildren; his mother, of Aurora; brothers, Scott Jr. of Pennsylvania and Chuck of Arizona; and sisters Gladys Dunn of Kentucky and Peg Goodwin of Hiram. His father and sister, Nancy Sayre, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel where services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. James Cox officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.

Bruce Allen
Former Ravenna resident Bruce R. Allen, 53, of Cleveland, died Thursday at Deaconess Hospital in Cleveland after a long illness.
Born in Hemlock, he was the son of Leroy and Bertha (Sabo) Allen. He was raised in Ravenna and moved to Cleveland 20 years ago.
Mr. Allen was a machine operator for the Greif Brothers Corp. in Cleveland.
Survivors include his wife, Laurel Ardner of Cleveland; sons, Jason (Connie) Allen of Warren and William Ardner of Cleveland; daughter, Christa (Gary) Fernandez of Rome, Ohio; one granddaughter; his mother of Ravenna; brothers, Charles of Akron and Joey of Ravenna; and sisters, Linda Caraballo, Gloria Haven and Alice Ault, all of Ravenna. His father died previously.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Ripepi Funeral Home, 3202 Fulton Road, Cleveland, where services will be held at 8 p.m.

Calvin Graham
Calvin Graham, 69, of Newton Drive, Newton Falls, died Thursday at Horizon Village Nursing Home, Warren.
Born Oct. 3, 1928 in Bradford Wood, Pa., he was the son of Stanley and Pearle (Steele) Graham. He was a life resident of the Newton Falls area. 
Mr. Graham served in the U.S. Army in Korea and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7505 in Mars, Pa.
Survivors include his brother, Walter Graham of Mercer, Pa., and nieces, Nancy Bryan and Mrs. Arthur (Doris) Dunn, both of Newton Falls. A sister, Izetta Stevens, and brothers, Merrhle and his twin, Wesley, died previously.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at 3 p.m. Saturday at the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.

Marie Chason
GARRETTSVILLE ­ Marie M. Chason, 97, of Gotham Road, formerly of Conneautville, Pa., died Wednesday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness.
Born Dec. 12, 1900, in Harmonsburg, Pa., she was the daughter of Leonard and Rose (White) Bright.
Mrs. Chason retired in 1965 from Albro Packing of Springboro.
She was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include son, Walter E. Jr. of Fairless Hills, Pa.; daughter, Mrs. William (Mildred) Arthur of Linesville, Pa.; ; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Margaret Richmond of Dicksonburg, Pa. Her husband, Walter E., died Aug. 13, 1956. A son, Paul Chason, and four grandchildren also died previously.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at White-Cool Funeral Home, 1405 Main St., Conneautville, Pa. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Little Corners United Methodist Church with Rev. Lea Guiney officiating. Burial will be in Linesville Cemetery.

Clarence Moser
Clarence A. Moser, 74, of Maple Street, Newton Falls, died Wednesday at St. Joseph's Eastland in Warren.
Born Aug. 29, 1923 in Braceville, he was the son of Elmer and Della (Cross) Moser. He was a life resident of the Newton Falls and Braceville area.
Mr. Moser was an assistant superintendent at Falls Welding for 17 years before working at GM Terex in Hudson for 19 years before retiring in 1980.
He was a member of the First Church of God in Newton Falls.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret A. (Cross), whom he married Jan. 2, 1947; sons, Alan C. and Donald P., both of Newton Falls, and John A. of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Mrs. James (Peggy) Brooks of Warren; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, David Moser of Marcellis, Pa. and Paul Moser of Avon Park, Fla.; and sisters, Mrs. Harry (Lucille) Lettie of Newton Falls and Mrs. Steve (Pauline) Pesko of Champion. A daughter, Sandra, died in 1948. A brother, Charles, also died previously.
Private family memorial services will be at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Cremation has taken place. 
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Joseph O'Dette
Joseph C. "Joe" O'Dette, 80, of Orrville died Thursday at Dunlap Hospital in Orrville following a brief illness.
Born Jan. 8, 1918 in Chicago, he was the son of William and Ella (Ott) O'Dette. He was a former resident of the Chicago area and lived in the Orrville area the last 15 years.
Mr. O'Dette was an independent long distance truck driver for 43 years and retired in 1981.
He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Orville, the Knights of Columbus, and was a former member of the Orrville Lions Club.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie (Carpenter), whom he married March 3, 1984; sons, Don (Barb) of Chicago and Ed (Linda) of Burbank, Ill.; daughter, Terry (Gene) Smith of Orrville; stepson, Lester Carpenter of Panama City, Fla; stepdaughters, Cher, (Bob) McMillan of Panama City, Fla., Vicky (Harold) Stamp of Dalton and Kathy (Jay) Stamp of Marshallville; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Wally O'Dette of Lodi, Wis., Mel O'Dette of Chicago, Dick (Connie) O'Dette of Chicago; and sisters, Pearl Sabrepenia and Dolores O'Dette of Boise, Idaho. His first wife, Elsie (Krajovic), whom he married in 1935, died in 1981. Two brothers, Bill and Ed, and a sister, Lorraine, also died previously.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Wysocki and Tom Ledford officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park, Ill.

Published January 17, 1998

Raymond Ledgerwood
SUFFIELD _ Raymond E. Ledgerwood, 95, died Thursday at his son's home in Hartville.
Born in Odon, Ind., he lived in Suffield most of his life.
Mr. Ledgerwood worked at Monarch Rubber Co. in Hartville for 26 years before retiring in 1964. 
He was a longtime member of Hartville Church of God.
Survivors include his sons, Olin K. (Helen) of Hartville and Richard D. of Akron; daughters, Naomi Stanley of Suffield and Mrs. Jerry (Bonnie L.) Bender of Akron; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. His wife, Elberta, died in February 1990 and his son, David, died in 1958.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hopkins-Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Hartville Church of God, with the Revs. Michael D. Home and Harold Fair officiating. Burial will be in Mount Peace Cemetery in Hartville.
Memorials may be made to Hartville Church of God, 532 W. Maple St., Hartville, Ohio 44632.

Published January 18, 1998

William Custer
William T. Custer, 83, formerly of Newton Falls, died Friday at Clearview Lantern Suite in Champion.
Born July 21, 1914 in Houtzdale, Pa., he was the son of Martin V. and Mary M. (Fetters) Custer.
Mr. Custer retired from Republic Steel where he worked in the hot mill division. 
He enjoyed hunting and gardening.
Survivors include his son, Raymond G. of Braceville; daughter, Lorraine Mace of Southington; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife, Elizabeth (Kinel), whom he married Oct. 27, 1939, died Sept. 10, 1996. His daughter, Elizabeth, and brothers, Elmer, Claire and Charles and sisters, Leola Olson, Ruth Jenkins, Eva Habbershon and Beatrice Gallagher, all died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Paul Frohring
Paul R. Frohring, 94, of Chagrin Falls, died Wednesday at his daughter's home in Annapolis, Md.
Mr. Frohring was a long-term board member at Hiram College, where he helped develop the college's well-known science program, including the Biological Field Station. He was also involved in the college's faculty affairs and international education.
He moved to Chagrin Falls in the 1930s where he established a biochemical factory. He moved to Bainbridge in 1945.
He was also involved in the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Hathaway Brown School, Florida Zoological Society, and the Garfield Society of Hiram College. He received the Case Alumni Association Medal from Case Western Reserve and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by John Cabot University.
Survivors include his daughter, Paula Kushlan of Annapolis, Md.; and four grandchildren; his wife, Maxine (Prince), whom he married in 1941, died in 1993. His daughter, Martha Geisel, died in 1987.
A private burial service will be held Monday. A public memorial service will be announced in the spring.
Memorials may be made to the Site Center of Cleveland, 1909 E. 101st St., Cleveland, 44101.

Grace Manges
Grace Manges, 61, of Ravenna Township died Thursday at her home.
Born Sept. 14, 1936 in Jennings, Md., she was the daughter of Asa and Irene (Hare) House. She was a Portage County resident for 42 years. 
Mrs. Manges retired from Colonial Rubber Co. in Ravenna where she was an inspector.
She was a member of the Stow Apostolic Church.
Survivors include daughters, Delaine O'Neill of Ravenna, Deanna Derby of Kent and Darlene Dunivan of Brimfield; eight grandchildren; brothers, Berlan House of Maryland and Nevin House of Rootstown; and sisters, Gennie Stocker and Juanita Bittinger, both of Ravenna, and Velora Moose of Virginia. Her husband, Grant, died in 1994. Four brothers also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Kenneth Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Maplegrove Cemetery in Ravenna.

David Murphy
David C. Murphy, 20, of Newton Falls, died Friday in Fort Hood, Texas following an automobile accident.
Born Dec. 19, 1977 in Warren, he was the son of Charles B. and Kathryn (Dishong) Murphy.
Mr. Murphy was serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas.
He was a graduate of Newton Falls High School where he played football. He was a member of the First Church of God in Newton Falls and enjoyed hunting, white water rafting and camping.
Survivors include his father, Charles B. of Newton Falls; brother, Jeffery Adam of Newton Falls; and grandparents, Amos and Elma Dishong of Newton Falls, William Murphy of Deerfield, and Frances and Lorna Gibbons of Newton Falls. His mother, Kathryn (Dishong) died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Church of God in Newton Falls. Cremation will follow.

Esther Proietti
Esther Proietti, 72, of Ashland, died Thursday at Brethren Care Village in Ashland.
Born Sept.. 6, 1925 in New York City, she was the daughter of Alfred and Anna (Pappalardo) Bassetta. Formerly of Hiram and Mansfield, he had lived in Elmont, Long Island, NY, from 1958 to 1991 and had lived in Ashland since May.
Mrs. Proietti worked as a seamstress at a clothing company in Brooklyn, NY.
She was a member of the Valley Stream Bethlehem Assembly of God in Long Island and was a volunteer for the American Heart Association.
Survivors include her husband, Leo, to whom she had been married for 47 years; sons, Rev. Gary (Faith) of Mansfield and Dennis (Gerry) of Garrettsville; daughter, Mrs. Frank (Judy) Pignaloso of Hiram; eight grandchildren; and sisters Lucy Saginario of Fairless Hills, Pa. and Sadie Curcio of Franklin Square, NY. Three brothers and two sisters died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Shalersville with the Rev. Michael Bilsza officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hiram.

Robert Samodell
MANTUA _ Robert M. Samodell, 69, died unexpectedly Friday at his home.
Born Dec. 23, 1928 in Cleveland, he was the son of Zigmond and Helen Samodell. He had lived in Mantua for the past 40 years.
Mr. Samodell had retired from Montgomery Ward, where he had worked as an electronics technician. 
He was a U.S. Army veteran and had attended the Christian Missionary and Alliance Church in Shalersville.
Survivors include his sons, Jim and David of Ravenna and Clark of Brimfield; daughter, Theresa Kennys of Ravenna; three grandchildren; and sisters, Jackie Wigand of Bedford Heights and Dorothy Srp of Florida. His first wife, Betty Mae, died in 1975.
Cremation has taken place. The family may be contacted for service information.
Arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Homer Woods
Homer Dean (Woody) Woods, 66, died Saturday.
Born March 23, 1931, in Darby, N.C., he was a Stow resident for 44 years.
Mr. Woods worked for Bridgestone/Firestone until he retired after 30 years. He then worked for Roberts Express until 1994.
He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and Local 7 Retirement Club.
Survivors include his wife, Esther, to whom he had been married for 45 years; son, Dennis (Donna), daughters, Mrs. Joe (Terri) Roach of Shalersville, Mrs. John (Jane) Hainline of Akron and Sandi Woods of the home; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchild; brothers, Colin and Fred of Ferguson, N.C.; and sister, Ruth Hughes of Lenoir, N.C. His daughter, Karen, and brothers, Cecil, Vaughn and Vernon, all died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Redmon Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Akron. Burial will be in Stow Cemetery.

Published January 19, 1998

Irene Dibble
RANDOLPH _ Irene V. Dibble, 82, died Sunday after a long illness.
Born Oct. 19, 1915 in Twinsburg, she was the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hirchman. She lived most of her life in Randolph. 
Mrs. Dibble was a homemaker.
She was a member of the First Christian Church of Ravenna, where she had served as deaconess. She was a member of the Randolph Women's Cemetery Association and a volunteer at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Survivors include her husband, Roger, to whom she was married 60 years; son, Gary D. of North Canton; daughter, Joan E. Guy of Austintown; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Dr. Russell Goldner officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Randolph.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Miriam Smith
Former Portage County resident Miriam Lucille Smith, 85, of Mansfield, died Saturday at Woodlawn Nursing Home after a long illness.
Born Dec. 24, 1912 in Portage County, she was the daughter of Carl Sheridan Gehm and Lotta Mabel (Hill) Gehm. She had lived in the Mansfield area for 60 years.
Survivors include her son, Orlo H. (Barbara) of North Canton; daughter, Diana Hammer of Mansfield; brothers, Phillip Sheridan Gehm of Alliance and Charles Calvin Gehm of New York City, N.Y.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, Orlo L., died in 1974; her parents and a sister, Isobel Lucy Gehm, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Finefrock Funeral Home, 350 Marion Ave. in Mansfield. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, with the Rev. Dennis Allison officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlawn Cemetery in Uniontown. 

Anna Gaspari
Anna Jane (Heitmann) Gaspari of Kent died Sunday.
Arrangements will be announced by Redmon Funeral Home in Stow.

Jessica Brink
Jessica Marie Brink, 15, of Lake Milton, died Friday at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown after being injured in automobile accident.Born March 19, 1982 in Youngstown, she was the daughter of David H. Brink Jr. of Girard and Laurie D. (Tobias) Spencer. A former Youngstown resident, she had lived in Lake Milton for seven years.
She attended Jackson Milton High School. 
In addition to her parents, survivors include her stepfather, Wade Spencer of Lake Milton; brothers, Richard A. Spencer of Austintown and Wesley A. Spencer of Lake Milton; sisters, Brandy of Charleston, W.Va. and Becky Ann Spencer of Lake Milton; and grandparents, Frank A. Tobias of Youngstown, David H. and Janet Brink Sr. of Girard; Ileana Brink of Homer City, Pa. and Mae Rager of Graceton, Pa. Her brother, Jason, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lakeview Assembly of God where services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.