death notices, cemsearch"> Ohio Obituaries - Portage County


Miscellaneous Portage County, Ohio Obituaries - 1998

CEMSEARCH - OBITUARY CENTRAL - OBITUARY LINKS PAGE - GENLOOKUPS


First Name:
Last Name:
Published March 13, 1998

Laurie Wynne
Former area resident Laurie Wynne, 46, died Saturday at her home in Los Angeles of natural causes.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.
She was born April 22, 1951 in Ravenna, the daughter of David D. and Leoda (Davidson) Stockdale. 
Mrs. Wynne had worked as a free lance advertising traffic manager. She had at6tended school in Hamden, Connecticut and Uniontown, Pa., graduating from Uniontown High School in 1969. She had attended Kent State University and University of California, Los Angeles.
Survivors include her mother, Lee Stockdale of Kent. Her husband, Cliff Wynne, died Dec. 1996. Her mother died in 1985.
Cremation has taken place in California. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home is handling local arrangements. 
Memorials may be made to the Kent Free Library Foundation.

Henry L. "Rink" Westover
EDINBURG _ Henry L. "Rink" Westover, 87, died Thursday.
Born March 26, 1910 in Palmyra, he was the son of James and Maggie (Smith ) Westover. Formerly of Palmyra, he had lived in Edinburg since 1975. He attended Palmyra High School and graduated from Deerfield High School.
Mr. Westover worked as a bus driver for Palmyra schools as well as for North American Rockwell in Newton Falls. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Palmyra Fire Department.
He was a member of Edinburg United Church and Edinburg Golden Agers.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in England and the Normandy invasion, he was a member of the Lake Milton American Legion. 
Survivors include his sister, Pearl Bradfield of Edinburg, and several nieces and nephews. His wife, June (DeWitt), died in 1988. His brother, Harry, and sister, Cora Schraeder, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in Edinburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Edinburg United Church, or the Edinburg or Palmyra fire departments.

Doreen J. Redman
Former Portage County resident Doreen J. Redman, 53, died Wednesday at St. Thomas Hospital Medical Center in Akron after a long illness.
She was born Feb. 20, 1945 in New York City, the daughter of Michael and Mary Gurish. She had lived in Akron for the past 28 years.
Mrs. Redman had been employed by Morse Controls of Hudson in the bookkeeping department.
She and her husband were active in the Miniature Pinscher Club of America.
She is survived by her husband, Gale of Akron; parents Michael and Mary Gurish of Streetsboro; and brothers Michael Gurish of Avon Lake and Steven Gurish of Springfield Lake.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Ciriello Funeral Home _ Rose Hill Chapel at 3653 West Market Street, Akron, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. Entombment will take place at Rose Hill Burial Park in Akron.
Memorials may be made to the Akron Paramedics.

Published March 14, 1998

Helen Bonner
SOUTHINGTON _ Helen M. Bonner, 85, died Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital Eastland in Warren.
Born May 8, 1912 in Mentor, she was the daughter of Eleager and Lydia (Ryder) Burridge.
Mrs. Bonner lived most of her life in Southington and also lived in Mentor for six years. She was a registered nurse and also owned and operated Mocks General Store, the family business, from 1945 to 1966. She was a member of Braceville Christian Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Kenneth (Roberta Jean) Payne of Naples, Fla., and Joan Rae Sabo of Southington; stepdaughters, Mrs. Sam (Sally) Grer of Johnson City, Tenn., and Pat of Milligan, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her husbands, S. Dean Mock, died in 1970, and Charles Bonner died in 1978. Her brothers, Merle and Charles Burridge, and sisters, Gladys Shilan and Marie, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, with services following, at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery.

Elizabeth Caniglia
Elizabeth Caniglia, 95, of Ravenna, died Thursday at Altercare of Ravenna.
Born April 24, 1902 in Italy, she was the daughter of Frank and Antonia Bevilacqua. She was a lifelong Ravenna resident.
Mrs. Caniglia had worked at the Ravenna Woolen Mills as a spinner.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna.
Survivors include her son, Achille, of Ravenna; daughter, Viola Grande of Stow; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Nunzio Bevilacqua. Her husband, Dominic, died in 1982. A sister, Corinne D'Altorio, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. Leo Wehrlin officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Ravenna.

Published March 15, 1998

Robert Moyer
Robert J. Moyer, 53, of Kent, died Wednesday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. 
Born Oct. 16, 1944 in Irvona, Pa., he was the son of George W. and Florence (Diehl) Moyer.
Mr. Moyer was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Kent and had participated many times in the Special Olympics. He was employed by Portage Industries in Kent.
Survivors include his brothers, Emory of Stony Point, N.Y. and George Jr. of Westover, Pa.; sisters, Mrs. George (Dorothy) Drass of Kent and Mrs. Elmer (Patty) Kitchen of LaJose, Pa. His parents died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the T.G. McCracken Funeral Home in Mahaffey. Pa. where services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. George Solley officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in LaJose, Pa. 

Mary Leitch
Mary F. Leitch, 60, of Akron, died Friday.
Born in Philippi, W.Wa., she was a life resident of Akron.
Mrs. Leitch worked as a waitress and in restaurant management. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Panama City, Fla.
Survivors include sons, John of Akron, Randy (Elaine) of Brimfield, Robert (Wantana) of New Mexico and Angus of North Carolina; daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Marie) Douglas of Florida; 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Gary and Charles Sutton, both of Akron; and sister, Janet Welsh of Arizona.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Akron, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Richard Sumner officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park in Akron. 

Joseph Grande
STOW _ Joseph L. Grande, 74, died Friday at Hospice Care Center in Copley after a long illness.
An Akron native, Mr. Grande lived in Ravenna for a number of years before moving to Stow. 
He was retired from Goodyear Aerospace, where he worked as a designer for 34 years. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of Holy Family Church in Stow.
Survivors include his wife, Viola (Caniglia), to whom he was married for 49 years; sons, Thomas (Gilda) of Stow and Terry of Stow; two grandchildren; brothers, Thomas (Joanne) of Coshocton and Peter of Stow; and sister, Cora Christoff of Akron.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Dunn-Quigley Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home in Stow. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Church. Burial will be in Stow Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care Center or the ALS Association.

Mary Vasbinder
STOW _ Mary Alice Vasbinder, 85, died Friday at Akron City Hospital in Akron.
Born June 27, 1912 in Munderf, Pa., she was the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Bowely) Shaffer.
Mrs. Vasbinder was a homemaker and a member of the Quaker City Methodist Church.
Survivors include, sons, George Shaffer of Kent and James Shaffer of Bloomsburg, Pa.; daughter, Esther Walk of Kent; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Her husband, Everett, died previously as did two brothers and one sister.
Calling hours will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Galbraith-McKinney Funeral Home in Brookville, Pa. where services will be held at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Bethel-Geer Cemetery in Jefferson County, Pa. 
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. 
Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, handled local arrangements.

Published March 16, 1998

Paul S. Hadinger
ATWATER _ Paul S. Hadinger, 84, died Sunday.
He had lived on his farm in Atwater for most of his life.
In addition to farming, Mr. Hadinger worked 31 years for Monarch Rubber in Hartville, where he was a supervisor and had worked with experimental compounds.
He served as an Atwater Township trustee for 16 years, was active in Scouting and was a 35-year member of the Atwater Lions Club.
Survivors include his sons, Larry (Donna) of Randolph, Ron (Sue) of Columbia, S.C., Dennis (Sue) of Martinsville, Ind., and Paul E. (Sylvia) of Batesville, Miss.; daughters, Mrs. Ron (Joanne) King of Clinton and Evelyn Oblisk of Randolph; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Rose Bates and Mrs. Jasper (Margaret) Wilhelm, both of Randolph, and Christina Ross of Christiansburg, Va. His wife, Marie, died Jan. 16, 1993. His brothers, John and Nicholas, and sister, Liz Drop, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Rex Morey officiating. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Atwater Lions Club.

Published March 17, 1998

Joshua Andrew Brown
Joshua Andrew Brown will be remembered as an outspoken advocate for civil rights and racial justice, according to his friends and colleagues.
Mr. Brown, who was a former Kent City Council member and a longtime employee of the Kent City Schools, died Sunday at his home on West Oak Street in Kent. He was 77.
"He was a man who had his opinion and let everybody know what that opinion was," said Richard Anderson, former president of the Portage County NAACP. 
Mr. Brown, who served as president of the NAACP's Kent branch and later served as vice president of the Portage County chapter, was instrumental in fighting discrimination at area swimming pools in the 1960s, he recalled. 
With his longtime friend, the late Albert Peoples, Mr. Brown worked on a number of programs aimed at improving opportunities for African-Americans. Both were honored by Kent State University for community service in 1983.
"He was a fighter," said Mr. Peoples' widow, Marlene. "Albert was the diplomat, and Josh was the fighter. That's why they worked so well together. Josh would make waves and Albert would smooth them over. They worked hand in glove."
While many knew him because of his community involvement, a generation of Kent school children knew and loved him as their bus driver. He worked for the Kent City Schools as a driver and courier from 1964 until he retired in 1986.
Chuck Densmore, who retired last year as the schools' transportation supervisor, said Mr. Brown was a conscientious bus driver who did his job well and enjoyed a good relationship with the students on his route.
"The kids he transported would always say, 'Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown,' " he said. "They really liked him."
Robert Stanton, retired Kent school superintendent, remembered that Mr. Brown would often get Christmas cards from his students, which would be displayed in his bus.
He said Mr. Brown helped the district with race relations issues and represented the district's support staff in union negotiations.
"He was a man of strong convictions," he said. "He would say what he had to say with a certain flair. He was an asset to the school system as a bus driver and later as a courier."
A Republican, Mr. Brown was elected to Kent City Council in 1979 and represented Ward 3 for one term. He was the second African-American to serve on council. He also served for many years on the Kent Civil Service Commission, including a period as its chairman.
Councilman William Schultz, who served with Mr. Brown, said he respected his forthrightness.
"Josh was someone who was always straight with you," he said. "We didn't always agree, but he was always straight with you. And he always had this unique perspective and saw things other people didn't see. I always respected that part of Josh."
In 1989, Mr. Brown was honored by the city of Kent for a lifetime of exceptional public and civic service.
Born Nov. 23, 1920 in Kent, he was the son of Henry K. and Nevannah (Watkins) Brown, who were the first black couple to be married in Kent. His grandfather, Caleb Kellum Brown, was a carpenter who was brought to Kent by the Erie Railroad. He and his family of seven children were the first black family to live in Kent during World War I. 
A life resident of Kent, Mr. Brown was proud of his family heritage.He compiled a book, "Ancestral Pursuit," which contains pictures and copies of documents that traced his paternal family back to 1834.
During World War II, Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, European Theater Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, and the Victory Medal.
Mr. Brown was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent and the Kent Lions Club. He also had served on the board of the Thomas-Anderson Development Corp., was Ohio Public Employees Association local president, and commander of the first Black American Legion. 
Survivors include his wife, Sleda (Johnson), whom he married Aug. 16, 1946; sons, Harold D. (Eleta) of Kent and Jerry W. (Denise) of Evanston, Ill.; daughter, Carol Brown-Elston, and son-in-law, Willie Elston of Long Beach, Calif.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Harold "Monk" Brown of Kent; and sister, Eddie Mae Prisby of Ravenna. His grandson, Jason, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Joseph Ruggieri and the Rev. James Walker officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Ryan Heckerd
Ryan Anthony Heckerd, 9 months, died Friday in West Jupiter, Fla.
Born in Florida, he was the son of Linda Ann Heckerd, a former Ravenna resident.
Survivors ialso nclude his grandparents, James and Roxanne Heckerd of West Jupiter; great-grandparents June Heckerd of Ravenna and Barbara Danley of Michigan; and uncle James Heckerd.
Services and burial were held today in West Jupiter. 

William Kotch
William Kotch, 69, died Sunday at his home in Nemacolin, Pa.
Mr. Kotch was retired from the Nemacolin Mine. He also worked for the Carmichaels and Jefferson, Pa. senior centers.
A World War II veteran, where he served as a military policeman during the Nuremberg Trials.
He was a founding member of the Nemacolin Volunteer Fire Department, a member of United Mine Workers of America, Nemacolin Local 6290, a volunteer scoutmaster for Edinburg Boy Scout troop 558, and a member of Cumberland American Legion Post No. 400 of Carmichaels, Pa.
Survivors include his wife, Edna (Hepler) whom he married Dec. 5 1953; sons, Guy (Dawn) of Cuyahoga Falls, Mark (Angie) of Beaver Falls, Pa., and Charles (Michelle) of Stow; daughters, Mrs. Jack (Cynthia) Rose of Carmichaels and Mrs. Alan (Emily) Trainor of Cuyahoga Falls; 15 grandchildren; one brother and two sisters.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Yoskovich Funeral Home, 300 S. Vine St., Carmichaels, Pa., where the Veneration of the Cross and Memory Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A Pomen service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday with funeral services starting at 1 p.m. at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels. Burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, RR 1 Box 91, Carmichaels, Pa., 15320 or Nemacolin Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 441, Nemacolin, Pa,15351. 

Herbert Frame
ATWATER _ Herbert Frame, 83, died Saturday at Alliance Community Hospital.
Born Aug. 12, 1914, in Corley, W. Va., he was the son of Goff and Eva (Brown) Frame.
Mr. Frame retired in 1980 from Sekely Tool and Die Co. of Salem, where he was a tool grinder.
He was a member oftwater Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include his wife, Areta (Bean); sons, David and Michael, both of Doylestown, Pa., and Paul of Atwater; daughters, Patricia Caserta of Alliance and Linda Arnold of Cuyahoga Falls; 11 grandchildren;11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Milton of Virginia, Homer of Florida, and George of Atwater; and sisters, Bonnie Singleton of Heaters, W.Va., Margaret Thompson of Amherst and Mary Kreuger of Atwater. His son, Robert, daughter, Barbara, and brother, Ford, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Atwater Church of the Nazarene, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Richard Ketterman officiating. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Harriet Hendricks
Former Mantua resident Harriet D. Hendricks, 90, died Monday at the United Methodist Home in Warren, Ind., after a period of failing health.
Born March 8, 1908 in Mentor, she was the daughter of William and Frances (Martin) Deitrick. She had lived in Mantua for 53 years before moving to Indiana in 1993. She was a graduate of Mentor High School and a 1929 graduate of The College of Wooster.
Mrs. Hendricks taught high school English, French, typing and home economics in the Crestwood school system from 1942 to 1959. She also taught the Columbia Station and retired from the West Geauga school systems in 1973.
She was a member of Mantua Center Christian Church and the Mantua Garden Club. She was an avid antique collector.
Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Charles (Sue) Belknap of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Mrs. Ralph (Sandy) Anderson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, Frances "Bud" Hendricks, died in 1979. Two brothers also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Roger Mize officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Mantua.
Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department Rescue Squad or Mantua Center Christian Church.

Published March 18, 1998

Doris Summers
NEWTON FALLS _ Doris G. Summers, 68, died Tuesday at University Hospital in Cleveland after suffering a stroke.
Born Jan. 26, 1930 in Cauden on Gauley, W.Va., she was the daughter of Thurmond and Bertha (Phares) Knight. She had been a Newton Falls resident since 1952.
Mrs. Summers was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Leavittsburg Church of God. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, animals, singing, and playing the guitar.
Survivors include her husband, Earl, whom she married August 6, 1977; sons, Earl J. Summers of Newton Falls, Fred Rutherford Sr. and Earl Wayne Rutherford, both of Windham, George and John Rutherford Sr., both of Warren, Ferrel "Shorty" Rutherford of Braceville, and Ervin Rutherford Jr. of Niles; stepson, Kevin Summers of Newton Falls; daughters, Sue Brady Rosado and Helen M. Johnson, both of Braceville, and Doris McLean Pogue of Windham; stepdaughters, Kathy Benson, Sharon Franks and Barbara Durst, all of Warren; 29 grandchildren, 15 stepgrandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; three brothers; and six sisters. Two brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, 533 N. Park Ave., Warren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Leavittsburg Church of God. Burial will be in Braceville Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Leavittsburg Church of God. 

Gennora Leno
Evangelist Gennora Leno, 45, of Kent,died Saturday.
Born in Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of David and Anna Grace Watson. She had been a Kent area resident for 18 years.
Mrs. Leno was employed as a customer service representative for Ohio Edison Co. for 15 years.
An evangelist and ordained minister, she was a member of Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, was involved in prison ministry and director of the church's evangelistic team.
Survivors include her son Anthony (Leslie); daughters, Elizabeth and Brandy; father,David Watson; and brothers Henry (Linda) Lucas, Warren (Jackie) Watson, Anthony (Pedrica) Watson, and Michael (Sheila) Watson. Her mother died previously.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until services at 5 p.m. today at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 1127 Copley Road, Akron . Pastor Debra Graham will officiate. Procession will form and condolences may be sent to 462 Needham Ave., Kent. Arrangements were made by Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home in Akron.

Nora Justice
Nora Justice, 72, of Portage County, died Tuesday.
Born July 3, 1925 in Portsmouth, Ohio, she was the daughter of John and Cora (Henderson) Horner. She was one of 16 children.
Mrs. Justice had worked as a waitress most of her life. She volunteered at the Hattie Larlham Foundation for two years. 
Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Dale (Deloris) Clarke of Reminderville; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Ed Horner of Amherst, Ohio, and Charlie Horner of New Boston, Ohio; and sisters, Mary Stephenson of Portsmouthand Hazel Parker of Sciotoville, Ohio. Her husband, William ("Bud"), and many brothers and sisters died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Ronald Parker officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Ralph Smail
Ralph William Smail, 86, of Tucson, Ariz.who was a longtime Kent resident, died Monday.
Survivors include his wife, Flora Belle, to whom he had been married 50 years; daughters, Estella Jane (Ned) Brown and Violet May (Richard) Reaser of Ohio; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Lila Dean Shorts of Tucson.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at South Lawn Mortuary in Tucson, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Edwin Parcil officiating. Burial with military honors will be in South Lawn Cemetery.

Elizabeth McGavin
Services were held today for Elizabeth E. McGavin, 73, of Humboldt, Tenn., who died Monday at the Humboldt Nursing Home.
Born Sept. 13, 1924 in Wheeling, W. Va., she was the daughter of Wendell and Elizabeth Nagy.
Mrs. McGavin was a retired factory worker.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Milan, Tenn.
Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth Wray of Humboldt; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother, Michael Nagy of Kent.
Services were held at Shelton-Hunt Funeral Home in Humboldt. Burial was in Rosehill Cemetery in Humboldt.

Harvey Skidmore
Harvey H. Skidmore, 87, of Lake Milton, died Monday.
Born Oct. 17, 1910 in Barber County, W. Va., he was the son of Hartzell and Annie (Saffel) Skidmore.
Mr. Skidmore was a tool grinder and had operated a sharpening business.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. The Rev. James Mowder will officiate. Burial will be in Vaughn Cemetery in Lake Milton.


Search this massive database of obituaries, cemeteries, and death records:


CEMSEARCH - OBITUARY CENTRAL - OBITUARY LINKS PAGE - SURNAME SEARCH UTILITY