Karl F. and Catherine E. Lorenz
GARRETTSVILLE - Services for Karl F. and Catherine E. Lorenz, who died Friday iat Robinson Memorial Hospital after being injured in an automobile accident in Nelson Township, will be held Wednesday at Park Cemetery in Garrettsville.
Born Jan. 20, 1918 in Freedom, Mr. Lorenz was the son of Fred A. and Mary R. (Gehm) Lorenz. He was a Garrettsville resident his entire life.
He had worked at Garrettsville Hardware and served as a mechanic at Hecky-Pollock Ford in Garrettsville and Village Motors in Garrettsville.
He was a member of the Garrettsville-Nelson-Freedom Fire Department for 37 years. 
A World War II veteran, he served in Italy with the 15th U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the American Legion for 50 years.
He was a member of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Antique Car Club.
He and his wife were married on Dec. 23, 1939.
Born Nov. 26, 1918 in Windham, Mrs. Lorenz was the daughter of Henry E. and Mary E. (Gorden) Neiss. She was a Garrettsville resident her entire life.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include their son, Duane (Dorothy) of Cincinnati; daughters, Cheryl (Bill) Gordon of Ravenna and Sharyn (Clark) Kothera of Charlotte, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Lorenz is also survived by a brother, Robert E. Neiss of Paris Township and sisters, Evelyn Neiss and Betty Lou Young, both of Newton Falls. Her sisters, Madeline M. and Judith Neiss, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Park Cemetery in Garrettsville.
Memorials may be made to Garrettsville-Nelson-Freedom Fire Department Equipment Fund.

Jay Shreffler
Jay Shreffler, 78, of 18051 Ellsworth Road, Lake Milton, died Monday at his home.
Born Sept. 5, 1918 in Franklin, Pa., he was the son of Kenneth and Essie (Grant) Shreffler. He moved to the Lake Milton area in 1956.
Mr. Shreffler retired in 1981 from Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local No. 87. He had been a union member for more than 50 years.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served as a medic in the European Theater.
Survivors include his wife, Jennie (Ghering) Shreffler, whom he married April 11, 1941; sons, Jay E. of Diamond and Jerry L. of Lake Milton; daughters, Patricia Eichler of Kent and Sandra Gibson of Cincinnati; half-brother, Tom of Townsville, Pa.; half-sisters, Mrs. Mildred Gifford of Florida and Mrs. Barbara Petre of Girard, Pa.; and six grandchildren. His brothers, Ray, Bob, Gerald and Gene, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lane Funeral Home in Austintown. There will be no services. Burial will be in Green Haven Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

Alice Umbaugh
Alice (Garriott) Umbaugh, 89, of Ravenna, died Sunday at her home.
Born March 2, 1908 in Scott County, Indiana, she was the daughter of Ora and Lettie (McCullough) Reid. She was a graduate of Purdue University.
Mrs. Umbaugh had been a school teacher in Argos, Ind., and Tallmadge.
She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Kent. She was active in the Akron Area Girl Scout Council and was a past president of the Junior Tuesday Club.
Survivors include her son, James of Hiram; daughter, Barbara Mcdevitt of Ravenna; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Willis and Frank Reid; and sister, Gail Woodruff. Her husband, Kenneth, whom she married in 1933, died previously.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Church of Christ in Kent. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Arrangements are being made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna.
Memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ in Kent or to charity.

Emily Waller
MANTUA -  Emily E. Waller, 93, of Walnut Street, died Monday at Western Reserve Nursing Home in Kirtland after a long illness.
Services will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Sept. 3, 1997

Lucile Eger Dietrich
After Lucile Eger Dietrich married her husband, Clay, in June 1924, they returned to Ravenna and moved into what she called their "bride and groom home" on South Freedom Street and remained there until her husband, who later served for many years as a judge, died 55 years later.
Mrs. Dietrich took her adopted hometown to heart, becoming involved in a number of community organizations and playing a key role in the development of a kindergarten program for the Ravenna school district, holding classes for youngsters in her home.
Mrs. Dietrich died Sunday in Sun City Center, Fla. She was 99.
She was the widow of Probate-Juvenile Judge Clay Dietrich, who served on the bench from 1945 until he retired in 1966. He died in January 1979.
Born July 29, 1898 in Deshler, Ohio, she was the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Wirick) Eger. 
Mrs. Dietrich joined the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna following her marriage, and was active in church affairs throughout her residence in Ravenna. A musician, she contributed toward the development of the church's handbell choir and also was involved in other musical activities at the church. 
She was a member of The Junior Tuesday Club, The Delphian Society, The Women's Club, The Federation of Women, The American Legion Auxiliary and Rotary Anns.
Survivors include her son, Lt. Col. Clay Dietrich of Prescott, Ariz.; and grandchildren, Alison Dietrich of Sanford, Fla., and Lt. Cdr. Mark Clay Dietrich of North Kingstown. R.I.
Visitation will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. The Rev. Tom Poremba will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Jordan A. Hodgkins
Jordan A. Hodgkins, 77, of Sandy Lake Road, Rootstown, an emeritus professor of Soviet geography at Kent State University, died Sunday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born June 1, 1920 in Worcester, Mass., he was the son of Atwood and Nettie Jane (Frank) Hodgkins. He attended Baker University from 1940 to 1942, then served as a captain in the Army Intelligence Corps in the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in 1947, where he earned his master's degree in 1950. He earned his doctorate from Syracuse University in 1959.
He came to Kent State University in 1960 as an assistant professor, and went on to serve as an associate professor, professor of geography and professor of Soviet geography. He also had served as an instructor and an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Hodgkins was a member of the United Church of Christ of Kent, the Scandanavian Club, the Association of American Geographers, American Geographical Society, Sigma Xi and the American Association of University Professors-AAAS.
Survivors include his daughters, Mrs. Robert Lean (Jane Hodgkins) of Glen Elden Bay, Ore., Mrs. Robert (Priscilla) Valenti of Rootstown; and four grandchildren. His wife, Phyllis W. (Wheeler), died June 12.
Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Steve Lashbrook officiating.

Gregory J. Monegan
STREETSBORO - Gregory J. Monegan, 29, died Monday in a motorcycle accident on Cackler Road near Seasons Road.
Born April 7, 1968, in Garfield Heights, he was the son of John E. and Cherry (Pope) Monegan. A Streetsboro resident most of his life, he was a 1986 graduate of Streetsboro High School.
Mr. Monegan was employed as a superintendent at C.J. Natale Construction Co., where he worked in the site preparation division.
He had attended the University of Akron, where he studied construction and surveying. He was a member of Laborers' Union No. 287 of Akron.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa (Palmer); parents, John and Cherry Monegan of Shalersville; sister, Kelly Ann (Michael) Miller of Charlestown; grandparents Harry and Agnes Pope of Aurora and Theodore and Cora Monegan of Richfield.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Streetsboro, with the Rev. Robert Flynn officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.
Memorials may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous in care of Shorts Funeral Home, 9781 Page Road, Streetsboro,44241.

Edwin C. Kieselbach
Former Ravenna resident Edwin C. Kieselbach, 76, of Rocky River, died Saturday in Cleveland.
Born May 15, 1921 in Cleveland, he was the son of Otto and Merthyr (Watkins) Kieselbach. He graduated from Ravenna High School in 1939 and attended Kent State University until entering military service in 1941.
He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force, piloting B-24 bombers. He flew many missions in Bari, Italy before being shot down by Germans. He was held as a prisoner of war for several months.
Mr. Kieselbach was a woodwork estimator for Millwork Co.
Survivors include his wife, Janet; daughter, Cindy (Larry) Dister of Brunswick; five grandchildren; brothers, Alfred (Mildred) of Twin Lakes and Charles of Strongsville; and sister, Mary Ann (Raymond) Kirkland of San Antonio, Fla. His brothers, Richard and David, died previously.
Private services will be held Thursday at Rocky River United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Mandley-Vetrosky Funeral Home.

Emily E. Waller
MANTUA - Emily E. Waller, 93, died Monday at Western Reserve Healthcare in Kirtland, after a period of failing health due to Parkinson's Disease.
Born Feb. 26, 1904 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Annie (Beck) Ramage. A lifetime Mantua area resident, she was a graduate of Mantua Village School.
Mrs. Waller was employed for 17 years at Samuel Moore Co. in Mantua as a receptionist and switchboard operator, retiring in 1969.
As a member of Hilltop Christian Church in Mantua, she served as church treasurer for 16 years, was a deaconess and church trustee as well as a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship and the Bethany Sunday School Class. She also served as chairperson for many of the special activities of her church.
She was secretary of the Crestwood Alumni Association for several years.
She enjoyed cooking for both family and friends and was well known as an accomplished seamstress.
Survivors include daughters, Mary Ann Marchand of Willowick, Barbara (Michael) Oros of Carrollton, Texas, and Jane (Donald) Gray of Newbury; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Alfred Ramage, and sister, Janet Abram, both of Mantua. Her brothers, Lawrence, Jack, Harold and Wally Ramage, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hillside Cemetery in Mantua, with the Rev. Will Stackhouse officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hilltop Christian Church, 4572 Prospect St., Mantua, 44255, or the United Parkinson's Foundation, 360 W. Superior St., Chicago, Ill. 60610. 

Elizabeth J. (Bumphrey) Tetlow
Former Kent school teacher Elizabeth J. (Bumphrey) Tetlow, 84, of 4395 Meadowview Drive, Canfield, died Friday at Northside Medical Center.
Born Aug. 28, 1913 in Gary, Ind., she was the daughter of Albert H. and Edith J. Bumphrey. A graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School and Kent State University, she lived in Kent until she moved to Youngstown in 1942.
Mrs. Tetlow was an intermediate school teacher at Central Elementary School in Kent for four years. She taught in the Youngstown school district for 15 years, teaching fourth grade and tutoring children with disabilities.
She was a member of Canfield Methodist Church,Women's City Club, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Gamalon Club. She was first president of the Mahoning County Bar Association Auxiliary.
She is survived by her sons, John J. of Loganville, Ga., and Albert of Canfield, with whom she made her home. Her husband, Horace G., whom she married Jan. 29, 1940, died Nov. 8, 1992. Her brother, Cecil Bumphrey, and sister, Mrs. Stewart (Olive) Willis, also died previously.
Services were held at Higgins Funeral Home in Canfield. Burial was in Greenhaven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

Sept. 4, 1997

Jeffrey J. Bernaciak
Jeffrey J. Bernaciak, 26, of Ashbrooke Way, Hudson, whose battle with cancer inspired a community-wide effort to help offset his medical bills, died Wednesday at home.
The 1991 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent had battled a brain tumor, his third bout with cancer in 13 years.
In June, the staff at Roosevelt hosted an auction to help offset more than $270,000 in medical bills. Among the items auctioned was a football autographed by the hosts of ABC Monday Night Football.
The football was purchased by Joe DiBiase, who gave it to Mr. Bernaciak, said his father, Dale, who knew DiBiase's family through his work as a wrestling coach at Roosevelt. Afterwards, DiBiase gave Jeff another autographed football, Bernaciak said.
"He felt it would be something that would help Jeff's spirits, and it did," he said. "It really picked him up. It made him feel special."
When he was in high school, Mr. Bernaciak had a brain tumor which went into remission with radiation treatments. In 1992, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer which also went into remission.
But in 1996, after he collapsed at work, doctors discovered he had another brain tumor which, unlike the others, was larger and more difficult to treat.
Mr. Bernaciak was a 1992 graduate of International Culinary Arts School of Pittsburgh, and a manager trainee at Wal-Mart. During his childhood, he enjoyed wresting, baseball, football and soccer but after his doctor told him he could no longer participate in contact sports, he turned his attention to fishing, bowling and golf.
"He's absolutely the bravest person I've ever seen," his father said. "His attitude was always positive. He didn't have down moments. He picked us up when we were down."
He was born Feb. 27, 1971 in Akron, he was the son of Dale and Diane (Trefney) Bernaciak. 
Besides his parents, who live in Hudson, survivors include his grandmother, Laverne Bernaciak of Wellington. His grandparents, Edward Bernaciak and Joseph and Rose Trefney, died previously.
Calling hours will be held 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. David Bittinger officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic, One Clinic Center, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44195-5236.

Marjorie Pittman
STOW - A memorial service for Marjorie E. Pittman, 85, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Twin Falls United Methodist Church in Munroe Falls, with the Rev.. William Graham officiating. 
Mrs. Pittman died Aug. 9. 
Redmon Funeral Home in Stow is handling arrangements.

Dewey Lowther, Jr.
Dewey Lee Lowther, Jr., 44, of Geneva, died Wednesday at University Hospital in Cleveland after a brief illness.
Born March 10, 1953 in Webster Spring, W.Va., he was the son of Dewey "Junior" Lowther and Patricia Wilson.
Mr. Lowther was a self-employed charter fishing boat captain.
Survivors include his daughter, Jody Arbogaust of Windham; stepbrothers, Bud Wilson and Scott Wilson, both of Garrettsville; sisters, Debra Stewart of Garrettsville and Sheila Black of Ravenna; stepsisters, Mary Postalwait of Parkman and Kim Campbell of Ravenna; mother, Patricia Wilson of Garrettsville; and stepfather, Ron Wilson of Garrettsville. His father died previously.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Madeline Sturbaum
MANTUA - Madeline Sturbaum, 71, died Wednesday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born April 27, 1926 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Austin and Theresa (Tuma) Davis. She had been a Mantua resident for 40 years and was formerly of Cleveland.
Mrs. Sturbaum was a seamstress at Midland Bag Co. in Cleveland and in recent years was a homemaker.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua.
Survivors include her husband, Harold H., whom she married July 20, 1946; son Edward (Elaine) of Mantua; daughter Diane (Tom) Sanderson of Deerfield; and two grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where prayer services will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in the Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township.
Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department Rescue Squad.

Irene Patricia Ciccone
Irene Patricia Ciccone, 75, of Jessie Avenue, Kent, died Wednesday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born July 7, 1922 in Kent, she was the daughter of Arnoldo and Rose (Bendelli) Serani.
Mrs. Ciccone was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent, Catholic Daughters of America and the Infant of Prague Guild.
Survivors include her sons, Louis A. (June) of Kent, and Steven A. of Kent; daughter, Mrs. David (Michelle) Stein of Akron; three grandchildren; and sister, Mrs. Toni (Antonena) Serani of Kent. Her husband, Albert; son, Arnold; and brother, Arnaldo Serani, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 tonight at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Church in Kent, with the Rev. Joseph Ruggieri officiating. Private burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Memorials may be made to St. Patrick School Endowment Fund or St. Patrick Church Memorial Fund.

Sept. 5, 1997

Russell Rader
Former area resident Russell J. Rader, 82, of Westland, Mich., died Wednesday at Garden City Hospital in Garden City, Mich.
He was born Nov. 25, 1914 in Parkersburg, W. Va. 
Mr. Rader worked as an assembler for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Akron for 47 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ollie (Schoonover); sons, Richard Miller of Rootstown and David J. and Robert K., both of Kent; daughters, Shadra S. Marple of Kent and Patricia L. Wilson of Urbana; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Bill Rossellot of Greenville, Pa. His first wife, Mary V. (Kidder), died in 1978. His daughter, Ann Genovese, also died previously.
Visitation will be held one hour before the services at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. The Rev. Robert Warren will officiate. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.

Rita Krebs
STOW - Memorial services for Rita Krebs, 72, who died Aug. 28, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Trinity United Church of Christ, 915 N. Main St., Akron, with the Rev. David S. Kiewit officiating. Friends will be received immediately after the service.

Sept. 6, 1997
 

John P. Dennis
John P. Dennis, 80, of Kent, died Thursday at home.
Born Oct. 16, 1916 in Kent, he was the son of Fred and Angeline (Jules) Dennis.
He had been a personnel manager at Byers Machine in Ravenna prior to working for 17 years in production control for Chrysler-Twinsburg, retiring in 1975.
Mr. Dennis was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and was awarded two bronze stars for his efforts in the Tunisian and Sicilian Engagements. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kent, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1411 and the Fourth Degree of the Knights, Monsignor O'Keefe Assembly, where he had served twice as a Grand Knight and once as a District Deputy. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Board of Veterans Service Commission of Portage County.
Survivors include his wife, Rita H. (Serfilippi), whom he married April 19, 1947; sons, John (Cindy) Jr. of Columbus and Mark of Kent; daughter, Catherine Ann (Neil) Christy of Stow; nine grandchildren; brother, Jim of Akron; and sisters, Edith Visca of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Adeline Visconmi of Garden City, Mich. His son, Frank F., and grandson, John Paul Dennis III, died previously. His brothers, Joseph, Frank and Fred, and sisters, Elizabeth Ramirez and Marguerite Ickes, also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where the Knights of Columbus will conduct services at 6:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick with the Rev. Joseph Ruggieri officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick Memorial Fund, 313 N. DePeyster St., Kent, 44240 or the Portage County Visiting Nurse Service, 234 S. Water St., Kent.

Robert F. Jones
EDINBURG - Robert F. Jones Sr., 61, died Friday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born Feb. 1, 1936 in Morgantown, W.Va., he was the son of Wayne W. and Cecil M. (Willard) Jones. He had lived in Morgantown before he moved to Edinburg 34 years ago.
He retired in 1980 from the U.S. Steel Company of McDonald, Ohio, where he had been a milwright supervisor. Along with his wife, Delores "Dee" (Foster), Mr. Jones was owner and operator of the Ravenna Hot Dog Shoppe, located on South Chestnut Street, from 1982 to 1989.
Aside from his wife, survivors include son, Robert F. Jr. of Charlestown; daughters, Mrs. Eldon (Debbie) Abbe, Mrs. Jerry (Kathy) Hixon and Mrs. Kevin (Jeanne) West, all of Charlestown; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; adopted sons, Okey and Ferrell, both of Morgantown; and a sister, Barbara Musgrave of Morgantown. Sisters, Dorothy Dalton and Mary, died previously, as did an adopted son, Michael (Bob) Milik.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Mark D. Lattimer officiating. Burial will be in Edinburg Cemetery.