Esther Jewell
Esther A. Jewell, 81, of Niles, died Saturday of pneumonia.
Born Dec. 17, 1916, in Duquesne, Pa., she was the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Jeney) Kovacs.
Mrs. Jewell worked at the J.W. Woolworth company in Warren and was a housewife. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Newton Falls and a former member of the Blue Star Mothers in Newton Falls.
Survivors include her sons, Robert W. of Mayfield Village and Richard J. of Louisville, Ky.; daughters, Patricia Bryner of Garland, Texas, Mrs. Roger (Judy) Hood of Newton Falls, Mrs. Bruce (Karen) Kemp of Newton Falls; Mrs. Raymond (Phyllis) Housel of North Jackson; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, William Kovacs of Newton Falls; and sister, Helen Waldron of Warren. Her husband, Robert J. Jr., whom she married July 21, 1934, died Jan. 9, 1996; her great-grandson, Mark Robert Corio; brothers, Carl, Alex and James Kovacs and sisters, Mary Collins and Edna Staub, died previously.
Calling hours will be 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Braceville Cemetery in Braceville. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of the Greater Youngstown Chapter.

Irene McClellan
WINDHAM _ Irene J. McClellan, 77, of Windham, died Friday at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren.
Born Oct. 13, 1920, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Elmer and Minnie (Koch) Primeau.
A 20-year resident of the area, Mrs. McClellan was a homemaker. She belonged to Water of Life ministries and American Legion Auxiliary Post 674 in Windham.
Survivors include her husband, William, whom she married May 13, 1961; daughter, Carol Cain-Greer of Windham; stepchildren, William of Warren, Betty Dickey of Windham, Cheryl Musser of Windham, Rosella Freindberger of Altoona, Pa., Mary Ann Dickey of Warren; 18 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Her sister, Verna Blakemore, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Stickle officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.

Published February 16, 1998

Martin L. Davey Jr.
Martin L. Davey Jr., who died Sunday at his Kent home at the age of 80, played a key role in shaping the internationally-known firm that bears his family's name.
Captapulted into the helm of the Davey Tree Expert Co. after his father's death, he led the Kent-based firm during the period of record growth and innovation following World War II.
Years later, his large holdings in Davey Tree stock helped him block the sale of the firm to outside interests and its probable relocation from Kent. He later played a key role in the sale of the firm to its employees under an Employee Stock Ownership Program.
"They told me I was crazy," he recalled in a 1983 interview, "But I wasn't going to let three generations of Daveys go down the tubes...I took a gamble (on the ESOP) but then I was dealing in faith."
Mr. Davey, who was known to his friends and Davey Tree associates as "Brub," became president of Davey at the age of 28, following the death of his father, Martin L. Davey Sr., the former Ohio governor, in 1946. He was the grandson of John Davey, "The Father of Tree Surgery," who founded Davey Tree in 1909.
In 1961, following a heart attack, he stepped down as company president. He remained on the Davey Tree board of directors, serving in several posts including chairman from 1968 to 1972 and 1979 until 1983.
Born Feb. 7, 1918 in Kent, he was the son of Martin L. and Berenice (Chrisman) Davey. The younger of his two sisters first pronounced the word brother as "Brubbo," which the family members shortened to "Brub," a nickname Mr. Davey was known by throughout his life. 
Mr. Davey grew up "in the firm" and it was assumed that he would play a leadership role in it. Fate, however, denied him the luxury of a transition.
Just four months after returning from a tour of duty with the U.S. Army during World War II, his father suffered a fatal heart attack and was elected president, treasurer and general manager of the firm. 
Then 28 years old, he followed the advice of his father to "keep going forward," as he led the company during a period of record growth and innovation. Company sales tripled during the decade following World War II and new services were introduced.By 1959, as Davey Tree celebrated its 50th anniversary, the company saw record sales of $11 million, a 150 percent increase from 1946. 
Increased profits were not the only contribution Mr. Davey made to the company, his associates recalled.
John "Jack" Joy, who worked with Mr. Davey and later served as president and chairman of Davey Tree following the employees' purchase of the firm, said today that Davey Tree employees of that era will remember "Brub" as a kind and generous man. 
"He certainly was a leader in the sense that he was very considerate of the people who worked for him," Joy said, noting that Mr. Davey was the first president who brought employee benefits into effect for the company. 
"I think the best thing I can say is he was true to his promises and cared about his employees. He felt the employees were the reason for success of the company, with it's widespread operations," he said.
R. Douglas Cowan, chairman of the Davey Tree board of directors, echoed those sentiments. "I can tell you he was a champion for the field man, the workers in the field," he said.
Cowan recalled how Mr. Davey encouraged the employees' bid to purchase the company. "Members of the family wanted to sell and he aligned himself with the employees," he said. "It enabled the company to go on really as an employee-operated company."
Mr. Davey never stopped believing in the people who worked at Davey Tree. 
"We've always had the attitude that the biggest and most valuable asset we have doesn't show up on a balance sheet. It's our people," he said in 1983 when he finished his final term as chairman of the company's board of directors. 
In addition to his involvement with the firm, Mr. Davey grew up amid the political world of his father, who served four terms in Congress and climaxed his career in government by serving two terms as governor of Ohio from 1935 to 1939.
After Governor Davey was elected in 1934, the family moved to Columbus, where Mr. Davey graduated from the Columbus Academy in 1936.
Life in the capital did not appeal to him. "I hated it," he recalled. "It was like living in a fishbowl. Anytime I had any time off, I headed back to Kent."
He shunned an active role in politics as an adult, although he was supportive of the local Democratic Party in a behind the scenes role.
A 1940 graduate of Yale University, where he studied botany and business administration, he gained practical experience working as a tree surgeon in the Chicago territory during a summer break from college in 1938. He continued to work for the family firm in personnel before leaving to join the U.S. Army in 1943. 
Serving in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, Mr. Davey earned battle stars for the Battles of Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. 
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Kent and the Santa Gertrudis Cattleman's Association. 
Survivors include his son, John Martin Davey of Kent; daughter, Mrs. Dan (Cecil D.) Giltz of Kent; adopted son, Earl Davey of Kent; five grandchildren; and sister, Evangeline C. Smith of Hudson. His wife, Elizabeth (Speer) Ketchum died in 1977, wife, Emma R. (Barbara), died in 1983, and wife, Collette (Connors) died in 1994. His son, Hugh, died in 19754 and sister, Mary B., died in 1919. 
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church in Kent, with the Rev. Daniel Griggs officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. 
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 335 W. Main St., Kent, 44240. 

Luise W. Moorhouse
NELSON _ Luise W. Moorhouse, 72, died Wednesday at Geauga Regional Hospital, Claridon Township, after a lengthy illness.
Born Nov. 10, 1925 in Kassel, Germany, she was the daughter of Wilhelm and Wiesa Levien. She was a 50-year resident of Nelson Township.
Mrs. Moorhouse was employed 37 years with Carlisle Industries in the inspection area. She was a member of the Textile Workers, AFL-CIO.
Survivors include her husband, William, of Nelson; son, James L. of Nelson; one grandchild; and sister, Hannalore Levien of Germany.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, with the Rev. Dwaine C. Stanley officiating. 
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12200 Faithhill Road, Cleveland, 44120.

Clair W. Ely
SHALERSVILLE _ Clair W. Ely, 81, died Sunday at the Portage County Nursing Home.
Born April 2, 1916 in Painesville, he was the son of Dell E. and Jenny Ely. He was a life resident of the Nelson Township area.
Mr. Ely worked 25 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation and 15 years with Paul's Lumber in Garrettsville, which he retired from in 1979.
He spent many years as a Boy Scout leader in the 1960s. 
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his sons, Robert of Nelson Township and Charles of Windham; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, George of Arizona. His wife, Mildred E. (Hall), brothers, Louis and Dell Jr., and sisters, Clara, Mable and Eileen, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Dwaine Stanley officiating. Burial will be in Harrington Cemetery.

Eleanor M. Schoeffler
Eleanor M. Schoeffler, 73, of Ravenna, died Saturday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a short illness.
Born Oct. 6, 1925 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Eric and Martha Peterson. 
Mrs. Schoeffler retired from Rockwell International.
Survivors include her sons, Dan of Ravenna and Terry of Florida; daughter, Linda Hopkins of Mantua; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ken, Don and Jack Peterson, all of Cleveland; and sister, Vivian Kubofcik of Cleveland. Her husband, Maurice, and daughters, Sally Jones, Bonnie Guyette and Ruth Taylor, died previously.
Private memorial services will be held. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department.

Published February 17, 1998

Judith Roth, R-C staff member
Judith E. Roth, 56, the associate editor of the Record-Courier's About People Department, died this morning. 
Mrs. Roth became ill over the weekend and was taken to Akron General Hospital, where she died this morning, according to her daughter, Lexia. 
Born April 1, 1941, she had been a Brimfield resident since 1961.
Mrs. Roth initially worked at the Record-Courier in the 1960s while attending Kent State University, where she majored in journalism. She returned to the paper in March 1989 as a staff writer for the About People section, working in the Kent office. 
In June 1997, she was named associate editor in the About People Department, working in the Ravenna office. 
As a staff writer for the Record-Courier's About People pages, she wrote a regular column, "Around Brimfield." She expanded her focus as associate editor, writing about life in Ravenna and other Portage County communities in "The Good News" column.
She served as the executive secretary of the Brimfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She was also a board member of the Portage Private Industry Council, the Salvation Army, a member of the United Methodist Women at Faith Untied Methodist Church of Brimfield and a former board member of Portage County Easter Seals. 
Funeral services are pending.

George Price
George W. Price, 81, of Ravenna died Monday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Services will be announced by the Shorts Funeral Ravenna Chapel.

James Benbow
Streetsboro _ James R. Benbow, 74, died Sunday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born Jan. 9, 1924 in Utica, N.Y., he was the son of John and Myra (Fracher) Benbow. Formerly of Bedford, he was a resident of Streetsboro since 1984.
Mr. Benbow was a data processing manager for S.K. Wellman in Bedford.
He was a scoutmaster and a Little League coach in Mt. Gilead and in Walton Hills, Ohio. He was a member of the Mt. Gilead Lions Club. 
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Doris, to whom he was married for 45 years; son, James M. of Bedford Heights; daughters, Brenda S. Janecek of Shalersville and Diane M. McBroom of Rhode Island; seven grandchildren; brothers, Ted of Florida and George of Texas; and sisters, Alice Clark of Hawaii, Helen Vetula of N.C., and Barb Snyder of Alabama.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, with the Rev. J. W. Adkins officiating.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.

Thelma Bumbaugh
Thelma Ruth Bumbaugh, 84, of Youngstown, died Sunday at Ohio Presbyterian Homes, Park Vista Unit after a long illness.
Born Dec. 9, 1913 in New Castle, Pa., she was the daughter of James Blaine and Rosa Mae (Zeigler) Bumbaugh. She had been a Youngstown resident since 1983.
Ms. Bumbaugh worked as a librarian at Hiram College for many years, retiring in 1979. 
She was a graduate of Hiram College and a member of the Hiram Christian Church.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hiram Christian Church, with the Rev. Edward P. Bartunek and the Rev. Dr. Robert Bowen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hiram. Arrangements were made by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Lee Shaffer
Lee D. Shaffer, 23, of Newton Falls, died Saturday at his home of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Born Sept. 1, 1974 in Ravenna, he was the son of Roy D. Sr. and Margaret D. (Wright) Shaffer. Formerly of Lake Milton, he had been a resident of Newton Falls for three months. He graduated from Jackson-Milton High School, where he was on the wrestling team.
Mr. Shaffer worked as a laborer at Kent Latex in Kent for the past one and a half years.
He was a member of Lake Milton Baptist Temple. He enjoyed sports.
Survivors include his son, Tyler Betts of Kent; daughter, Ashley Moss of Newton Falls; father, Roy Sr. of Lake Milton; mother, Margaret of Newton Falls; brother, Roy Jr. of Lake Milton; sister, Nancy M. Pontius of Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.; and grandparents, Lawrence Wright of Pymatuning, Pa. and Irmgard Shaffer of Warren.
Calling hours will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls. Burial will be in Palmyra Cemetery.

Virginia Fox
SUFFIELD _ Virginia C. Fox, 86, died Monday.
Born in Deerfield, she had lived in the area all her life.
Mrs. Fox was a member of the Suffield Garden Club.
Survivors include her son, Richard (Millie) of Suffield; stepson, Joseph (Virginia) Fox; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and daughter in-law, Dorothy. Her husband, Claude; son, Terry; and great-grandson, Joshua died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, Mogadore Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Perry Chronister officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park in Akron. 
Memorials may be made to the Suffield Fire Department. 

Published February 18, 1998

Judith Roth
Services for Judith E. Roth, 56, of Brimfield, who died Monday at Akron General Hospital will be announced by Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home in Akron.
Mrs. Roth was associate editor of the About People department of the Record-Courier and executive secretary of the Brimfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hazel Lynn
ATWATER _ Hazel Gladys Lynn, 91, an Atwater resident since 1935, died Monday at Salem Community Hospital.
Born Aug. 21, 1906 in Barnesville, Ohio, she was the daughter of Oscar Dallas and Rosa May (Murphy) Goodman.
Mrs. Lynn was a member of Atwater United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star Palmy Chapter No. 114, and was past chief of the Atwater Pythian Sisters. She assisted with civic affairs and was active with senior citizens programs.
Survivors include her sons, Earl R. of Florida and Richard A. of Atwater; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband, Frank J., died Dec. 9, 1985. Her brothers, Willard and Lawrence Goodman, and sisters, Violet Walker and Freda Santee, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from noon until services at 1 p.m. Friday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Atwater United Methodist Church or the Atwater Fire Department.

Nellie Sexton
Nellie M. Sexton, 82, of Stow, died Monday at the Hudson Elms Nursing Home after a long illness.
Born Aug. 20, 1915 in Paint Creek, W.Va., she was the daughter of Emory L. Chapman and Jessie (Reed) Chapman Gross. She had lived in Stow for the past 25 years, and had been a Streetsboro resident from 1959 to 1972.
Mrs. Sexton had worked as a waitress at Pop's Truck Stop in Streetsboro.
She was a member of Streetsboro Church of God.
Survivors include her husband, Edward, to whom she had been married for 67 years; sons, Edward (Phyllis) of Streetsboro, Kenneth (Trudy) of Wichita, Kan., Donald (Linda) of Bradenton, Fla., Larry (Peggy) of Stow, Randall (Judy) of Kent and Gary (Jeanne) of Mogadore; daughters, Janet (Miles) Davis of Cuyahoga Falls, Jean Ann (John) McClung of Hudson, Brenda (Ernie) McGee of Hudson, and Martha (Larry) Sarver of Silver Lakes; 31 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; six stepgrandchildren; brothers, Ronald Chapman of Fayettesville, W.Va., and Benjamin Gross of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and sister, Florene Kendrick of Smithers, W.Va. A brother, Pete Chapman, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Streetsboro Church of God, 9267 S.R. 43, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. J. W. Adkins officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Park in Cuyahoga Falls. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Streetsboro Church of God. 

George Price
George W. Price, 81, of Ravenna, died Monday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born April 29, 1916 in Mahanoy City, Pa., he was the son of James and Alice (Wheat) Price. He had been a Ravenna resident since 1941.
Mr. Price retired from Ametek-Lamb Electric Co. in Kent, where he worked for 29 years as an inspector.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ravenna.
Survivors include his wife, R. Irene (Willing), to whom he had been married 53 years; son, Dale (Patricia) Price of Ravenna; daughter, Diane (Brian) Best of Columbus; and one grandchild. Two brothers and seven sisters died previously.
There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Maple Grove Cemetery Chapel in Ravenna, with the Rev. Thomas Poremba officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Hattie Larlham Foundation, 9772 Diagonal Road, Mantua.

Gladys Quesenberry
MANTUA _ Gladys H. Quesenberry, 74, died Monday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness.
Born July 2, 1923 in Lickbranch, W.Va., she was the daughter of Elbert and Berdie (Burnett) Howlett. She had been a Mantua resident for 45 years.
Mrs. Quesenberry retired in 1988 from Mantaline Co. after 20 years as an inspector. She was a volunteer for the past eight years at Robinson Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include her sons, Larry (Joanne) of Mantua and David (Kathleen) of Hiram; daughters, Mrs. Bert (Anita) Rinear of Garrettsville and Mrs. Marvin (Donna) Cooper of Mantua; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Loveleen Turner of Florida and Edythe Harlow of Virginia. Her husband, Dewey, died in 1978.
No calling hours or services will be held. Cremation has taken place. Green's Funeral home in Mantua was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department Rescue Squad.

Catherine Thompson
ROOTSTOWN _ Catherine A. Thompson, 93, died Monday at her home.
Born Aug. 20, 1904 in Athens County, she was the daughter of James R. and Elizabeth (Dowler) Young. She was a resident of Salem before moving to Rootstown two years ago to live with a daughter.
She was a clerk, working in the Doutt Millinery Store. She was a member of First Christian Church in Salem.
Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Alan (Helen) Bishop of Rootstown and Mrs. Mary V. Pierce of Salem; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Samuel D., whom she married July 20, 1921, died Dec. 24, 1977. A son, Wesley R.; grandson, Gary Allen Pierce; brother, Rodney Young, and sisters, Naomi McNeal and Vivian Collins, also died previously.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until services at 3 p.m. Thursday at Stark Memorial Funeral Home, 1014 E. State St., Salem, with the Rev. Harry O. Harvey officiating. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Portage County Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.

Leota Pallas
Leota Ray Pallas, 87 of Saluda, N.C., died Monday at Autumn Care in Saluda.
She was the daughter of Hershal and Margaret Ray. She lived in Ohio and Connecticut before moving to Polk County, N.C. in 1971.
Mrs. Pallas earned her associate degree in accounting from Kent State University.
Survivors include her son, Ray R. (Pamela) of Windham, Maine; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Jeannette Hill of Largo, Fla. Her husband, Vernon R., died in 1987. Her son, Wallis, also died previously. 
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Saluda Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Herman Nodine officiating. Burial will be in Mountain Page Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center in Hendersonville, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Saluda Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 638, Saluda, N.C. 28773.

John Thomas
BRIMFIELD _ John Thomas, 80, died Sunday at his home following a brief illness.
Born April 17, 1917 in Barnesboro, Pa., he was the son of John and Bertha (Bodalia) Thomas. Formerly of Akron, he had lived in Brimfield for 25 years.
Mr. Thomas was a retired self-employed roofer. He was active in the 4-H Portage Pets and Foxy Trotters.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred (Sines); daughter, Mrs. Clarence (Debbie) Oliver of Brimfield; three grandchildren; brother, Andy Gonczy of Texas; and sisters, Margaret Orangy of Akron an Barbara Winters of Uniontown.
Private burial has taken place in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Arrangements were made by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel. Esworthy service
A memorial service will be held Saturday for Robert E. Esworthy, 77, of Ravenna who died Feb. 10. 
The service will be held at noon at Charlestown United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Norma Bates officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Charlestown United Methodist Church or the Christian Cupboard.