Avery Keyser
Avery E. (Gene) Keyser, 77, of Ravenna, died Monday, Sept. 6, 1999, at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born Jan. 25, 1922 in Latrobe, W.Va., he was the son of Con and Willie (McCain) Keyser. He had lived in Ravenna since 1960. Mr. Keyser was employed in sales, he retired from Monroe Auto Equipment Co. in 1989. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ravenna, Unity Masonic Lodge No. 12 in Ravenna and Ravenna Elks Lodge No. 1076. He was an avid golfer. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946. Survivors include his wife, Jewell (Davidson); sons, Dr. Randall (Janet) of Columbia, Md., Byron of Ravenna and Gerald of Columbus; daughter, Mary Alice (Pat) Roberts of University Park, Md.; five grandchildren; brother, Larry (Fonda) of Greenview, W.Va.; and sister, Lois Avinell (Clayton) Spencer of Niceville, Fla. His brothers, Leroy and Adrian, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where Masonic services will be held at 6:45 p.m. Thursday and funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Thomas Poremba officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Mapel Farrell
Mapel Pittman Farrell, 93, of Ravenna, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999, at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna after six months of failing health. Born July 8, 1906 in Huntsville, W. Va., she was the daughter of John and Jennie (Bonar) Pittman. A former Ravenna resident, she had lived in St. Petersburg, Fla. for 53 years before returning to the area a year ago. Mrs. Farrell was a retired nurse. Survivors include her sister, Opal Pittman Wells of North Carolina; nieces, Sally Keattes of Tallmadge, and Joanne Cunningham of Florida; and nephew, John C. Pittman of Ravenna. Her brother, Roger C. Pittman, died in 1987. A graveside service for family will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, with the Rev. Dr. Russell Goldner officiating. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Dennis Grodell
AURORA - Dennis A. Grodell, 57, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Solon. Born Sept. 17, 1941 in Cleveland, he was the son of Arthur and Eve (Vanderschrier) Grodell. He had lived in Aurora for 24 years. Mr. Grodell was a sales representative and owner and operator of GTEC. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Aurora. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen L. (Stroempl), to who he was married 35 years; son, Dennis C. of Aurora; one grandchild; parents, Arthur and Eve of Strongsville; and sister, Lynne McEvoy of Parma. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, with the Rev. Joseph Witmer officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.

Margaret Betty Sullivan
Margaret C. "Betty" Sullivan earned a reputation as a demanding, but caring, teacher who made a lasting impression on students during her 28 years with the Ravenna City Schools. Mrs. Sullivan, who taught government and English until she retired in 1981, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999 at her home in Ravenna. She was 83. During her years on the Ravenna High School faculty, her government classes were notable for lively discussions that encouraged an enduring interest in civic issues in her students. Her service as faculty adviser of The High Times, the school newspaper, helped it to recover national ranking as a noteworthy high school publication. Born March 20, 1916 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of the late Judge Albert L. Caris and the late Mary Parham Caris. A life resident of Ravenna, she was a 1934 graduate of Ravenna High School. She earned her B.A. degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and her teaching certificate from Kent State University. While at Ohio Wesleyan, she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. A lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Ravenna, she was a founding member of the Ravenna Women's League and a member of the Federated Democratic Women of Portage County. Survivors include her husband, Ernie, to whom she was married 57 years; son, Timothy (Anne) of Williamsburg, Va.; daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Priscilla) Calanni of Ravenna; and granddaughter, Mary Chris Calanni of Ravenna. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church of Ravenna, with the Rev. Clayton Witt and the Rev. Jeffrey Frantz officiating. Arrangements were made by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the Ravenna High School newspaper, the High Times, in care of Joseph Funai, Treasurer, Ravenna Board of Education, 507 E. Main St., Ravenna 44266.

Elizabeth Gatts
A memorial service for Elizabeth F. Gatts of Ravenna has been scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Ravenna. Mrs. Gatts, 89, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999. Born March 11, 1910 in Mantua, she was the daughter of Darwin and Cora (Moore) Barton. Mrs. Gatts was the widow of Dewey Gatts, Sr., a Ravenna businessman who died in 1964. She had moved to Ravenna in 1925 after her marriage. Recently, she had been living at Outlook Pointe in Ravenna, having moved there from Bryn Mawr Manor. A homemaker who helped her husband in his real estate business by maintaining the office and doing the accounting, Mrs. Gatts was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star and with the Gray Ladies volunteered at Robinson Memorial Hospital. She is survived by her sons, Dewey Jr. of Fort Myers, Fla., and William, Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchilren; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Mrs. Gatts directed her body be donated to the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown.

Mark Auber, 18
MANTUA - Mark E. Auber, 18, died Tuesday Sept. 7, 1999. The cause of death is under investigation by the Portage County coroner. Born June 25, 1981 in Mayfield Heights, he was the son of Michael E. and Donna M. (Zmich) Auber. A life resident of the Mantua area, he was a senior at Crestwood High School in Mantua. He enjoyed art and computers and was an avid hard rock fan. Survivors include his son, Ethan Andrew of Mantua; father, Michael of Medina; mother, Donna of Mantua; brother, Michael H. of Mantua; sister, Laura (Richard) Robertson of Coatesville, Ind.; and grandparents, Eugene and Lucille Auber of Tallmadge and George and Betty Zmich of Solon. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Joseph Labbe officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Mantua.

Jason P. Riley, 18
BRIMFIELD - Jason Paul Riley, 18, of S.R. 43, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Riley was a member of the 29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Co. "H" Civil War ReEnactment Group. He is survived by his parents, James A. and Janet L. Riley of Brimfield; brother James R. of Brimfield; stepbrother, Scott Woodward of Kent; grandparents, Rubin Riley of Fairmont, W. Va. and Charles and Cecelia Woodward of Kent. His grandmother, Ruth Elaine Riley, died in 1994. Calling hours will be 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Randolph, with the Rev. Ed Wieczorek officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Randolph.

Bradley M. Bailey, 13
ATWATER - Bradley Michael Bailey, 13, died Sept. 8, 1999 at Children's Hospital in Akron after a battle with cancer. Born Oct. 18, 1985, he was the son of Richard and Renee (Diehl) Bailey. He was an eighth grader at Waterloo Middle School, where he was the starting quarterback during the 1998 season. Survivors include his parents, Richard and Renee; sister, Heidi; grandparents, Geraldine Bailey, Nancy Ellison and Bill Helems; and great-grandmother, Elvira Bailey. His grandfather, Rex Bailey, Sr. died previously. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Newcomer-Farley Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road, Akron, where services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Gary Zidan officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the family or to charity.

Dorothy Fitch, 76
MANTUA - Dorothy Fitch, 76, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999. Survivors include her husband Wayne Jackson; sons, William C. (Jane) Fitch of Boise, Idaho, Robert E. (Connie) Fitch of Mantua and Donald J. (Kim) Fitch of Streetsboro; step-sons, Dann (Carol) of Mantua, Douglas (Karen) of Mantua and James (Beth) of Ft. Collins, Colo.; daughters, Constance M. (James) Jusek of Mantua and Barbara (John) Pyle of San Antonio, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her first husband, Clarence Fitch, died in 1977. Calling hours were held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and services were held at 11 a.m. today at Kindrich-McHugh-Steinbauer Funeral Home, 33375 Bainbridge Road, Solon. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Diabetes Association or Portage Faith United Methodist Church.

Florence Wilson, 80
Florence Lorraine Bagnard Wilson, 80, of Tower 43 on South Water Street in Kent, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999, at Kent Quality Care. Born Feb. 27, 1919 in Wausau, Wis., she was the daughter of Frank L. and Florence L. Joslin. She lived most of her life in the Chicago area until the early 1970s, when she moved to Milan, Tenn. She had lived in Kent since January 1996. Mrs. Wilson worked for most of her life in various office positions. In Milan, she volunteered many hours and was employed part-time at the Milan Senior Center. She became an officer in the Tower 43 Council of Residents. Survivors include her daughter, Diane (Jerry M.) Lewis of Rootstown; stepson, Jim of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; stepdaughter, Meredith Dillard of Milan; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Ernest Bagnard, died in 1968. Her husband, Robert Warren Wilson, whom she married in 1971, died in 1992. Her twin brother, Russell, and sisters, Marcile, Ione and Merlene, died previously. There will be a remembrance gathering for residents in the Community Room of Tower 43 at 3 p.m. Sept. 15. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 in Atwood, Tenn. Memorials may be made to the Kent United Methodist Church or the Portage County Animal Shelter.

Josephine Capatch, 83
NEWTON FALLS - Josephine S. Capatch, 83, of 411 Columbia Ave. died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999, at her daughter's home in Medina. Born March 5, 1916 in Elizabeth, Pa., she was the daughter of Louis and Louise (Teardok) Carpeta. Formerly of Finleyville, Pa., she had lived in Newton Falls since 1943. Mrs. Capatch was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Newton Falls. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. Survivors include her son, Albert F. of Cortland; daughter, Mrs. Gene (Trish L.) Metek; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles and Stanley, both of Finleyville, Pa.; and sister, Mrs. Helen Blaskovich of Finleyville. Her husband, Albert (Al), who she married Nov. 27, 1941, died Dec. 10, 1995. Her daughter, Loretta Hoerig; brothers, John and Adam; and sisters, Ann Rychlik and Sophie Dobush, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. where a service will be held at Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Newton Falls. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Richard Johnson
Richard R. "Bob" Johnson, 79, of 136 Boring Lane, East Liverpool, the brother of Lawrence Johnson of Aurora, died Thursday Sept. 9, 1999, at his home after a long illness. Born Dec. 4, 1919 in Clarksburg, W.Va., he was the son of Lawrence and Lora (Wright) Johnson. Mr. Johnson worked at Crucible Steel Co. in Midland, Pa. for 40 years until retiring in 1981. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union No. 1212. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. In addition to his brother in Aurora, survivors include his wife, Ruby E., whom he married Aug. 13, 1941; son, Robert L. of Pataskala; daughters, Mrs. Ron (Patricia A.) McCune of East Liverpool, Mrs. John A. (Kathryn J.) Shearer, Jr. of Beaver Falls; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles and James, both of East Liverpool; sisters, Nellie Gardner of Winter Haven, Fla., Mrs. Joe (Nancy) Schmidbauer of East Liverpool, and Mrs. Jack (June) Linger of Garland, Texas. His sisters, Ruth Dingey and Martha Barber, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Dawson Funeral Home in East Liverpool, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, with full military honors by the Tri-State Veteran Burial Group.

Michele M. Phillips
ROOTSTOWN - Michele M. Phillips, 31, died unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999. Born Aug. 13, 1968 in Akron, she was the daughter of Lonnie and NormaJean Phillips. She was a lifetime area resident. Miss Phillips was co-owner of Double "G" Transport trucking company. She also had worked as a licensed social worker with Mobile Meals of Akron. In addition to her parents of Munroe Falls, survivors include her brothers, David (Cathy) Phillips, Steven and Mark of Munroe Falls; grandmother, Myrna Phillips of Pennsylvania; fiance James Howe of Rootstown and his son, Greg. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow, the Rev. Bob Brubaker officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.

Wanda Thompson
GARRETTSVILLE - Wanda Thompson, 72, died Thursday Sept. 9, 1999. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Abbie Hilker, 94
Abbie H. Hilker, 94, of Yakima, Wash., died Monday Sept. 6, 1999. Born Sept. 1, 1905, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of William and Nettie (Loomis) Fawley. She lived in Alliance and Atwater most of her life. Mrs. Hilker was a homemaker. She was a member of the Vine Street United Methodist Church in Alliance and the United Methodist Church in Yakima. She graduated from Atwater High School. Survivors include her son-in-law, John Gray of Yakima; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Sanford of Alliance; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Charles F., son, Charles F. Jr., and daughters, Barbara Gray and Faith Hilker, died previously. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, with the Rev. Dan Brown officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Vine Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1544 W. Vine St., Alliance, OH 44601.

Cedell Horner-Ruble, 89
Cedell A. Horner-Ruble, 89, formerly of Kent, died Thursday Sept. 9, 1999, in Bradenton, Fla. Born Dec. 26, 1909, in New Brighton, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Rena (Bennett) McGowan. She lived in Florida since 1971. Mrs. Horner-Ruble was a bookkeeper until retiring. She attended the First United Methodist in Kent while living in Ohio and was a member of the Emmanuel Methodist Church in Bradenton. Survivors include her son, Jack Horner of Bradenton; stepson, Jack Ruble of Barberton; stepdaughter, Jean Tannert of Kent; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Marge Hardy of Kent. Her husbands, C. Lynn Horner and Ray Ruble, grandson Michael, brother, Ralph McGowan and sister, Cloris Snyder died previously. Services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Kent.

Pauline Drake, 83
Pauline (Puckett) Drake, 83, died Tuesday Sept. 7, 1999, after a long illness. She was a former Ravenna resident and had lived in Alabama for the past eight years. She was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a former member of the American Legion Post #713 in Deerfield. Survivors include her son, John Fowler; daughter, Betty J. Berg; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Puckett of Cincinnati, William Puckett of Longview, Wash.; and sister, Jean Preston of Portsmouth. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Deerfield Cemetery, with Mark Lattimer officiating. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

M. Joy Carter
M. Joy Carter, 60, of Judson Road, Kent, died Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, of cancer, at Hospice Care Center in Fairlawn. Born March 5, 1939, in Amesbury, Mass., she was the daughter of Clifford A. and Catherine B. (Keeler) Curtis. Mrs. Carter directed the Paramedic Education program at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron for many years. She was an active member in the First Congregational Church of Hudson and previously was active in the Kent Nazarene Church. Survivors include her husband, Ronald W., whom she married Aug. 19, 1961; sons, Scott D. of Newton Falls and John P. of Kent; daughter, Karen E. of Chicago; two grandchildren; brother, John T. Curtis of Tucson, Ariz..; and sister, Sandra F. Peters of Mount Joy, Pa. Her parents died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church of Hudson with the Revs. Sue Ann Schmidt and William Dillon officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Alfred Ramage
MANTUA - Alfred Ramage, 93, of Mantua, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999. Services will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Grace A. Hollendonner
ATWATER - Grace A. Hollendonner, 84, of Atwater, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, at Alliance Community Hospital. Services will be announced by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home.

Nash D. Robenstine
STREETSBORO - Nash D. Robenstine Jr., 77, of Streetsboro, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, at his home. Arrangements are being handled by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent.

Betty J. Miller
PALMYRA - Betty J. Miller, 67, of Palmyra, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999. Born July 27, 1932, in Akron, she was the daughter of John and Icie (Hunt) Coda. Mrs. Miller was a homemaker and was a member of the Woodsmen of the World. Survivors include her husband, Myron, to whom she had been married to for 47 years; sons, Mark and Kevin (Bobbie) both of Diamond; daughters, Sharon Best and Diane both of Diamond; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Sonny Coda of Green; and sisters, Shirley Carter of Massillon and Doris Odum of Florida. A sister, Wanda, died previously. Private services will be held for the family. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home of Ravenna is handling the arrangements.