Lois M. Beaver, 77
NEWTON FALLS - Lois M. Beaver, 77, of 24 Fairport Road, Newton Falls, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999, at her residence. Born March 21, 1921 in Patton, Pa., she was the daughter of Archie and Bertha (Litzinger) Woods. Mrs. Beaver was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Michaels Church in Newton Falls. She was a member of the Ladies Guild and joined TOPS and Hobby Hunters. Survivors include her sons, Thurman, Jr. of Calif. and James A. of Newton Falls; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Thomas Woods of Newton Falls; sisters, Mildred Dillon of Newton Falls and Mrs. Geraldine Stolz of Calif.; and step-sister, Anna-Mae Shutty of Cleveland. Her Husband, Thurman E., whom she married March 5, 1946, died May 15, 1990. Her son, Thomas F. on March 18, 1981; brothers, Ralph and Paul; and sister, Helen Stolz, all died previously also. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Borowski Funeral Home, where a panaceda service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michaels Church in Newton Falls. Burial will be in St. Michaels Cemetery in Newton Falls.

Mary Gurish, 75
STREETSBORO - Mary Gurish, 75, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999. Arrangements will be announced by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home.

Theresa Rancourt, 72
STREETSBORO - Theresa J. Rancourt, 72, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999. Survivors include her daughters, Barbara Rancourt and Renee Rancourt, both of Cuyahoga Falls. Her husband, Robert H. died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Johnson-Romito, A Golden Rule Funeral Home, 19 East Main St., (on the square) Hudson, where services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Hattie Larlham Foundation 9772 Diagonal Road, Mantua, Ohio, 44255.

Elizabeth Wendorf, 98
Elizabeth M. Wendorf, 98, of Cambridge, formerly of Ravenna, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999. Services will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Thomas Reder Sr., 60
PALMYRA - Thomas J. Reder, Sr., 60, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna of complications from diabetes. Born Jan. 2, 1939 in Akron, he was the son of John M. and Olga (Jurinic) Reder. Formerly of Brimfield, he had lived in Palmyra for 21 years. Mr. Reder was a truck owner and operator for the 4178 Corporation for 40 years. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent, the National Rifle Association and the North American Hunting and Fishing Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and truck and tractor pulls. Survivors include his wife, Marsha, whom he married Nov. 25, 1972; son, Thomas Jr. of Newton Falls; stepsons, David Norquest of Kent, Kevin Norquest of Diamond and Timothy Norquest of Solon; daughter, Stacy Reder of Akron; seven grandchildren; and mother, Olga Reder of DeBary, Fla. His father, John M.; step-son, Robert Norquest; and sister, Ann Hostetler Lowe, died previously. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Lillian James Raup
Lillian James Raup, 97, who was active in several community organizations while living in Kent from 1947 to 1987, died Monday, March 1, 1999, at her home in Springfield, Va. Born Aug. 31, 1901 in Anamosa, Iowa, Mrs. Raup grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She received her bachelor of arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and her master of arts from the University of California at Berkeley. Mrs. Raup was the widow of Hallock F. Raup, a longtime professor of geography at Kent State University. The Raups lived in Cheney, Wash., and Alexandria, Va., before moving to Kent. The lived on Crain Avenue for many years. While living in Kent, Mrs. Raup was a charter member of the Kent Council of Campfire Girls and the Kent League of Women Voters. She was a member of the University Women's Club for many years, was active in the Presbyterian Church of Kent, the American Red Cross, and was a 60-year member of Delta Zeta Sorority. The Raups also were active in the Scandinavian Club and Kent Social Services. After moving to Springfield, Va., Mrs. Raup participated for 10 years in a group at Grace Presbyterian Church, which made hundreds of sandwiches for the hungry each week as part of an ecumenical community effort. She also knit hundreds of Remson blankets for Church World Services. Survivors include her son, Henry A. (Ann) of Kalamazoo, Mich.; daughter, Elizabeth (Robert) McClelland of Springfield, Va.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Hallock, whom she married July 2, 1927, died in 1985. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. April 25, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Memorials may be made to Kent Social Services, 143 Gougler Ave., Kent.

Otto Coontz
Otto J. Coontz, 86, a Ravenna resident since 1954, died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at Altercare in Ravenna. Born March 16, 1913 in Junior, W.Va., he was the son of Frank and Rachel (Wiseman) Coontz. Mr. Coontz was a coal miner in West Virginia. He retired from A.C. Williams Co. in Ravenna n 1975 after many years of service as a furnace repairman. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Survivors include his wife, Martha (Embeck); sons, Ray (Ruth) and Franklin, both of Garrettsville, and Thomas (Karolyn) of Ravenna; stepson James (Barb) Embeck of Ravenna; daughters, Catheryn (James) Barnhart of Ravenna, Juanita of Rootstown and Maureen Law of Warren; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Phillip Miller officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Russell Swank
Russell K. Swank, 43, of San Francisco, Calif., died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, after a sudden illness. Born May 21, 1955 in Latrobe, Pa., he was the son of Russell and June Swank. Formerly of Cleveland, he had lived in California the last six years. He was a 1973 graduate of South High School in Cleveland. Mr. Swank had worked in the nursing field. Survivors include his father, Russell of Twinsburg; brother, Melvin of Ravenna; and sisters, Joyce Swank of Twinsburg and Marsha Dowden of Kentucky. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday., with the Rev. J. W. Adkins officiating.

Carmen Lowe
Carmen Jeanette Lowe, 86, of Atwater died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Oct. 31, 1912 in Tampa, Fla., she was the daughter of Peter and Martha Nistal. Survivors include a daughter, Jeanette (Clinton) Young of Atwater; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her parents and her husband, William, died previously. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery, Ravenna Township. Arrangements are being handled by Farley Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road, Akron.

Nina Dufford
ATWATER - Nina M. Dufford, 78, died Sunday, March 21, 1999, in Florida. Born July 5, 1920 in Alderson, W.Va., she was the daughter of Ottis and Helena (Miller) Olin. Mrs. Dufford had been employed at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna in the housekeeping department until 1989. Survivors include her son, Chuck (Edie) of Arkansas; daughters, Dorothy (Ted) Nagle of Alliance, Ruth (Dave) Hill of Ravenna, Mary Louise (Bob) Van Dyne of Atwater, Barbara (Bill) Meyers of Florida and Nancy Dufford of Atwater; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and sister Madaline Deduk of California. Her husband, Robert Franklin, died in 1971. A son, Robert, died in 1993, and a grandson, John, died in 1985. A brother, Louis, and sister, Geraldine Stone, also died previously. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Atwater where services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Joe Frank officiating. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery.

Ruth Altman Deal, 75
Kent State University alumna Ruth Altmann Deal, 75, of Jamestown, Calif., died Saturday, March 13, 1999, at her home. Born July 8, 1923 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of George and Pearl Altmann. Mrs. Deal was a musician, a secretary for her children's school in Salinas, Calif., the first bookstore manager for Columbia College, an emergency medical technician and the founder of The Flashbacks, a local band known around her hometown. Survivors includer her husband, Bob, whom she married July 24, 1944; sons, Tom (Kim) of Hayward, Calif., Ron of Jamestown and Scott (Linda) of San Francisco; six grandchildren; brother, Bert Altmann of Los Gatos, Calif.; and sister, Jeanne Harbor of San Jose, Calif. Mrs. Deal donated her body to Stanford University. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Carkeet Park on the Columbia College Campus. Heuton Memorial Chapel in Sonora, Calif. is handling arrangements.

Marjorie Davis, 72
Marjorie J. Davis, 72, of Braceville, died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at St. Joseph's Eastland in Warren. Born Sept. 26, 1926 in Franklin, Pa., she was the daughter of Willis and Louise (Brocious) Pashley. She had lived in Braceville since 1953 and formerly lived in Windham and Wayne Township. Mrs. Davis had worked for Toy Lady for 25 years until she retired in 1984. She also worked for Emmons Jewelry. She was a member of Braceville United Methodist Church and the Womens Prayer Group. She also attended Southington United Methodist Church. She was membership chairman for the Farm Bureau and a member of the Blue Star Mothers, Braceville Garden Club, Braceville Senior Citizens, Southington Golden Voyager and was a Red Cross Volunteer. Survivors include her husband, Raymond, whom she married Feb. 20, 1945; daughters, Mrs. Pete (Diane L.) Belyew of Tampa, Fla., Mrs. Ralph (Linda S.) Lee of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mrs. Richard (Rita L.) Case of Leavittsburg; four grandchildren; brother, Donald of Collegeville, Pa.; sisters, Charlotte Danko of Fowler, Mrs. Celestino (Alice) Rodriguez of Plymouth Township and Mrs. Clark (Janice) Fertig of Mecca Township. Her son, Gary R., brother, Neil Pashley, and sister, Eleanor Pashley, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Braceville United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Braceville Cemetery.

Jean Visocan, 80
Jean Visocan, 80, of Columbus, died Thursday March 25, 1999, at Grant Hospital in Columbus. Arrangements will be handled by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Katherine Binegar
Katherine M. Binegar, 79, of Newport, died Friday, March 26, 1999 at Marietta Memorial Hospital in Washington County. Born Oct. 12, 1919 in Akron, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Katherine (Hewitt) Busher. A former resident of Ravenna, Mrs. Binegar moved to Newport in 1970. She was a homemaker and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church Women's Club in Marietta. She had worked for many years at Vogue Swift Cleaners and was a member of O'Neill Senior Center. Survivors include her son, Thomas (Barbara) of Marietta; daughters, Phyllis (Albert) Huck of Lowell, Peggy (Robert) Hammond of Westerville and Katherine (Dean) Booth of Newport; six grandchildren; and sister, Agnes (Joseph) Brett of Naples, Fla. Her husband, Roy, and her parents died in 1970. Her brothers, John, Tom and Richard Busher and sister, Mary Margaret Busher, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church where vigil services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Edward Kakascik officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Disease Research Center, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213.

Joyce Cramer
WINDHAM - Joyce E. Cramer, 75, of Windham, died Friday, March 26, 1999 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a short illness. Born Feb. 1, 1924 in Noble County, Indiana, she was the daughter of Ivor and Florence (Weber) Leins. A former resident of Mountain Home, Ark., she lived in Windham during the past two years. She owned and operated two Kiddie Korner Clothing stores in Indiana. Survivors include her husband, Dean, to whom she had been married to for 49 years; son, Robert (Tonya) of Streetsboro; and two grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home in Streetsboro where services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Mel Grubaugh officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro.

Jean Theresa Visocan
Former Garrettsville resident, Jean Theresa Visocan, 80, of Columbus, died Thursday, March 25, 1999, at Grant Hospital in Columbus after a brief illness. Born Dec. 24, 1918 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Stanley Fabianski and Napomocena (Mary) Kozlowski. She was a Columbus resident for 2 1/2 years, and a Garrettsville resident for 45 years. Mrs. Visocan was a homemaker. Survivors include her daughters, Jane Visocan-Moore of Columbus and Joanne Spurlino of Tampa, Fla.; two grandchildren; and sister, Genevieve Young of Cleveland Heights. Her husband, Joseph J. Visocan, died April 6, 1988. Two brothers, and two sisters also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Garrettsville, with the Rev. Richard J. Pentello officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville. Memorials may be made to the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

Harry Ulrich
ATWATER - Harry S. Ulrich, 81, of Atwater, died Thursday, March 25, 1999 at the Portage County Nursing Home in Ravenna. Born Nov. 28, 1917 in Akron, he was the son of Carl and Annie (Gairten) Ulrich. A life resident of Atwater, Mr. Ulrich was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he served as a sergeant. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Alliance. He was a mason contractor having owned and operated the former Ulrich Brothers in Alliance. He also was retired from Portage City Highway Department in 1983. Survivors include brothers- and sisters-in-laws. His wife, Rosemary (Rach), whom he married Feb. 10, 1942, died March 17, 1977. His parents and brothers, John, Carl, Frank and Steve also died previously. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Donald L. Feicht officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Alliance. Arrangements were handled by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home in Alliance. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter, P.O. Box 3622, Alliance 44601.

Christine Weese
Christine R. Weese, 73, of Akron, died Thursday, March 25, 1999, following a long illness. Born in Beverly, W.Va., she was the daughter of Sterl and Zella Louk. Mrs. Weese was a homemaker and a member of the Fairhaven Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Thomas; sons, Charles (Sandra) and Cye (Judy), both of Akron, and Tom (Debby) of Rootstown; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Clair (Rita) Louk of Akron; and sister, Kathleen (Roy) McDaniels of Bloomingdale. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Akron. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Fairhaven Baptist Church in Akron, with the Rev. W. David Rosenberger officiating.

Mary Payne
GARRETTSVILLE - Mary Payne, 79, of Garrettsville, died Friday, March 26, 1999 in Columbus. Arrangements are pending at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Florence Robinson
Florence E. Robinson, 77, of Ravenna, died Saturday, March 27, 1999 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born April 9, 1921 in Hiram, she was the daughter of Carl J. and Pearl (Renner) Hickox. Mrs. Robinson was a homemaker. She was a member of the National Society of Daughters of American Revolution, Ohio Genealogical Society, Portage County Historical Society, Descendants of Founders of Ancient Windsor Connecticut and First Families of Ohio. She was a member of the Rootstown Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was past president of its relief society and a Sunday school teacher. Survivors include her husband, William B., to whom she was married 57 years; daughters, Patricia DiMaso of Ravenna, Janice (Dennis) DePompei of Ravenna, Pamela (James) Chalfant of Dallas, Ga. and Cheryl (Gary) Douthitt of Holiday, Fla.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Letha Hickox of Medina. Her sister, Eleanor Martin, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rootstown Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Elder John Savage officiating. Burial will be in Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom. Memorial donations may be made to Robinson Visiting Nurse and Hospice or the Rootstown Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ralph Thompson
Former Ravenna resident Ralph R. Thompson, 76, of Akron, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at Akron General Medical Center. Born May 25, 1922 in Bruin, Pa., he was the son of Ralph Homer and Caroline (Osterling) Thompson. Mr. Thompson was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He retired from the Chrysler Corp. in 1980 with 27 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the American Ex-Prisoner of War and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jane of Akron, to whom he had been married to for 46 years; son, Rodney of Florida; daughters, Rebekah Thompson-Rosequist of Georgia, Nancy Lounette Morton of Akron and Norma Lee Welling of Ravenna; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and brother, Homer Davis Thompson of Mount Vernon. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Road, Akron, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday.