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Miscellaneous Portage County, Ohio Obituaries

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Ernest M. Hunt Jr.
BRIMFIELD - Ernest M. Hunt Jr., 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, after being injured in an automobile accident in Kent. Born Aug. 4, 1931 in Cleveland, he was the son of Ernest and Ethyl (Allen) Hunt. Mr. Hunt was a truck driver for Federal Express. Survivors include his wife, Regina (Cicatko) of Kent, to whom he had been married 26 years; sons, Raymond of Boston Hills, Allen Rogers of Akron, John Rogers of Kent and William of Kent; daughters, Dale of Mentor, Jackie Bush of Roaming Shores, Laurene of Painesville, Vera Jane Carter of Kent, Elizabeth Swanger of Ravenna, Elke Esakov of Akron, Marie of Kent and Cori of Kent; 28 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Phyllis Ackley of Streetsboro and Lea Brown of Cleveland. His parents, brothers, Wayne and Alan and sister, Betty Bullfinch, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Newcomer-Farley Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road, Akron, where services will be held at 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to the family at 4354 Mogadore Road, Kent, 44240.

Mary Mastroianni
Mary (Nuzzaco) Mastroianni, 87, the mother of Dr. Ernest Mastroianni of Kent, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady, N.Y. Mrs. Mastroianni worked at General Electric for several years during World War II. She later worked for several years as a sales clerk at the former Barney's Department Store. In addition to Dr. Mastroianni, survivors include her son, Joseph E. of Bolton Landing, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother and one sister. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Assumption Church. Burial will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. Arrangements were made by DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home in Rotterdam, N.Y. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, 12308; or to the Kingsway Arms Activity Fund, 323 Kings Road, Schenectady 12304.

Virginia Berendzen
RANDOLPH - Virginia (Stackpole) Berendzen, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at Akron City Hospital. Born Nov. 12, 1913, in Porters Falls, W.Va., she was the daughter of Friend and Mary Jane (McCormick) Staley. She lived in Cuyahoga Falls before moving to Randolph in 1955. Mrs. Berendzen was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Raymond; sons, Clifford (Sarah) Stackpole of Atwater and Robert A. (Patricia) Stackpole of Randolph; daughter, Shirley (Ronald) Smithberger of Rootstown; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, John Staley of Fairport, Ohio; and sisters, Ola Sams of Pine Grove, W.Va., Grace Stackpole of Paden City, W.Va., Betty Oliver of Cumberland, Md., and Donna Seibel of Cleveland. Her first husband, Arzy Stackpole, died in 1989. Several brothers and sisters also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Orion Aubihl officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Randolph.

Ralph E. Thayer
Ralph E. Thayer, 84, of Ravenna, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born April 9, 1916, in Buffalo N.Y., he was the son of Ralph and Isobel (Morgan) Thayer. He had lived in Ravenna for five years and was formerly of Brecksville and Florida. Mr. Thayer was a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service in Cleveland. A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1055 in Ravenna. Survivors include his wife, Louesa; sons, David (Ann) of Kinsman and Ronald (Becky) of Ravenna Township; three grandchildren; brother, Morgan of Florida; and sister, Ruth Westcott of Florida. A granddaughter died previously. Services were held at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Burial was in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

Harvey W. Crane
GARRETTSVILLE - Harvey W. Crane, 78, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001 at his home. Born April 18, 1922, in Cleveland, he was the son of George and Alice (Klug) Crane. Mr. Crane was a truck driver for General Motors for 34 years until he retired in 1977. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of Veteransof Foreign Wars Post No. 2629 in Aurora. He enjoyed bingo, watching old movies and playing Santa Claus for his grandchildren. Survivors include his sons, Harvey W. Jr. of Geneva, John D.of Stow and Thomas E. of Cleveland; daughters, Barbara Landacre of Memphis, Tenn., Theresa Kinford of Streetsboro, Denise E. Szorady of Newton Falls and Elva M. Hill of Southington; stepsons, David R. Yost of Columbus and Arthur C. Yost of Streetsboro; stepdaughters, Debra McDonald and Peggy Myers, both of Akron, and Anna M. Thorn of Middlefield; 24 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Daisy (Saffel) Crane, died Feb. 24, 1997. Five siblings died previously. Visitation will be held at noon Saturday, followed by services at 1 p.m. at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. The Rev. Raymond Parks will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

George J. Hasenbener
George J. Hasenbener, 66, of West Main Street, Kent, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Stow Glen Retirement Center in Stow. Born Nov. 17, 1934, in New York, he was the son of Anthony and Lillian (Palermo) Hasenbener. Mr. Hasenbener retired from Western Reserve Psychiatric Hospital, where he was a shipping and receiving clerk. He was a member of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Peninsula. Survivors include his son, Mark of California; daughter, Korrine Marsinek of Kent; stepchildren, Leslie Ann (James) Ellis of Hudson, Diane (Al) Marrotta of Twinsburg, JoAnne (Phil) Rundo of Aurora, Matthew (Inez) Arsena of Troy and John Arsena of Rocky River; four grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren. His wife, Nina, died in 199. A daughter, Karen Gugala, died in 1996. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mother of Sorrows Church in Peninsula, with the Rev. John D. Terzano officiating. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery in Sagamore Hills. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Theodore T. Berta
ROOTSTOWN - Theodore "Ted" T. Berta, 46, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, at his home. Born June 6, 1954, in Ravenna, he was the son of John and Stephanie (Sharec) Berta. He was a life-long Portage County resident. Mr. Berta was an inspector with Rotek in Aurora. Survivors include his daughters, Erin Marie and Megan Elizabeth, both of Rootstown; mother, Stephanie of Ravenna; brother, John G. of Salineville, Ohio; and sister, Carolyn of Ravenna. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with the Rev. David Misbrener officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.

Edith T. Skerness
Edith T. Skerness, 76, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001 at the Portage County Nursing Home in Ravenna. Born July 15, 1924, in Louisville, Ky., she was the daughter of Guy, Sr. and Edith Allen. Formerly of Parma, she had lived in Ravenna for seven years. Mrs. Skerness was a homemaker. Survivors include her sons, Edward, Jr. and Joseph; a daughter, Barbara Kohler; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, John Allen, and a sister, Patricia Hasson. Her husband, Edward, Sr., daughter, Eleanore Kosley; two brothers and five sisters died previously. Calling Hours will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Sauer-Good Funeral Home, 6953 W. 130 St. in Parma Heights. Services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will take place.

Margaret A. Moser
Margaret A. Moser, 76, of 235 Maple St., Newton Falls died Wednesday, Jan. 31, at St. Joseph's Eastland Hospital in Warren of cancer. Born Oct. 31, 1924, in Warren, she was the daughter of Fred and Ida Mae (Ford) Cross. Mrs. Moser was a cook for 20 years working at Carlos, Sunrise, Rustic Oaks, Pike Plaza and Vin & Barb's restaurants, until she retired in 1980. Survivors include her sons John A. of Broadview Heights and Alan C. and Donald P., both of Newton Falls; daughter Peggy (James) Brooks of Warren; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Fred Cross of Howland; sisters Virginia (Cleon) Smith of Vienna and Ida Mae McKnight of Girard. Her husband, Clarence A., whom she married on Jan. 2, 1947, died Jan. 14, 1998. A daughter, Sandra Jean; twin sister, Myrtle Woodrich; sister, Betty Ohl; and brothers, Ford, Dan, Frank and Jack Cross died previously. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Saturday at Newton Falls First Church of God. Cremation will take place. James Funeral Home in Newton Falls is handling arrangements.

Elsie M. Drescher
Elsie M. Drescher, 74, of Silver Oaks Drive, Kent, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Arrangements are being handled by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent.

Ralph Pemberton Jones, 80
Ralph Pemberton Jones, 80, of Kent died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at Alliance Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 29, 1920 in Winder, Ga. Mr. Jones was a self-employed truck driver and had driven for P.I.E. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Portage Lakes Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his sons, Kevin of Brimfield and Allen of Stow; daughters, Cheryl Irvin of Palmyra and Carol Kellogg of Hudson; five grandchildren; and sister, Reba Shields of Blounstown, Fla. His wife, Mildred Barbara (Bellerive), died previously. There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held for the family. Arrangements are being handled by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel.

Lydia Meyer, 87
Lydia Meyer, 87, of Newton Falls died Friday, Feb. 2, 2001, at St. Josephs Health Center after a long illness. Born Oct. 17, 1913, in Forest Park, Ill., she was the daughter of Gottlieb and Lydia (Trout) Scholl. She had lived in Fruitdale, S.D., before moving to the Newton Falls area in 1966. Mrs. Meyer was a homemaker and a charter member of First Baptist Church in Newton Falls. She enjoyed cake decorating, cooking, baking, gardening and sewing. Survivors include her son, Donald of Canoga Park, Calif.; daughters, Mrs. Eleanor Rush of Newton Falls, Mrs. Carol Howard of Pierre, S.D., and Mrs. Darlene Thorson of Rapid City, S.D.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, Gottlieb of Rio Dell, Calif., and David of Nampa, Idaho; and sisters, Mrs. Ruth Schnell of Morrill, Neb., Mrs. Betty Jean Hulpke of Fallbrook, Calif., Mrs. Miriam Bliss of Plain City, Ohio, and Mrs. Orlinda Bobbio of Glendale, Calif. Her husband, Fred F., whom she had married Jan. 26, 1935, died Feb. 15, 1984. Her parents; brothers, Henry, Fred, George and John; and sisters, Mrs. Katherine Miller, Mrs. Caroline Grohmann and Mrs. Mary Frick, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to 2 p.m. services Tuesday at Borowski Funeral Home, 30 Ridge Road, Newton Falls, with the Rev. Stephen Spurlock officiating. Burial will be in Newton Falls Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 2640 S. Canal St., Newton Falls, 44444.

Leona F. "Lee" Daugherty
SHALERSVILLE - Leona F. "Lee" Daugherty died Friday, Feb. 2, 2001, at Maple Wood Care Centre in Streetsboro after a short illness. Born in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Frank and Rose (Koler) Sluka. She had lived in Cleveland before moving to the Shalersville-Mantua area 32 years ago. Mrs. Daugherty was employed for several years in the office departments of A&P Foods and Cleveland Punch and Shear, and then at Cleveland Steel Specialties in the accounting and office departments, until she retired in 1981. She and her husband later operated Daugherty's Lawn Mower and Tractor Repair Service in Shalersville until 1990. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy R., whom she had married Nov. 14, 1959. Cremation has taken place. There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements were handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Joe "Hawkshaw" Jett, 77
WINDHAM - Joe "Hawkshaw" Jett, 77, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001, at home. Born Sept. 29, 1923, in West Union, W.Va., he was the son of Joseph and Lucy (Smith) Jett. He had lived in the Windham area since 1955. Mr. Jett was employed with Fluorocarbon, formerly called Eaton Corp., in Aurora for 20 years until he retired. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. and was proud to be a veteran of World War II. He was a longtime member of American Legion Post No. 0674 in Windham. He enjoyed horse races and playing pool, and he was an avid sports fan. Survivors include his wife and companion of 27 years, Ruth Laughery, whom he married Aug. 11, 2000; sons, Eddie of West Union, W. Va., Larry (Carol) of Windham and David (Valerie) of Newton Falls; step-daughter, Michelle Hickman of Solon; 19 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Pearl Jett of West Union, W. Va., Roberta (Howard) Sullivan of Washington, Arlene (Thomas) Boyce of Weirton, W. Va., and Kathleen (Emil) Bologa of Akron. A son, David (Tuffy); his parents; brothers, John and James; and sisters, Thelma Underwood, Edna Kinney and Olive Perkey, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. services Monday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, with the Rev. Carol Evans officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Memorial Park in West Union, W. Va., at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Robinson Memorial Hospital Visiting Nurse and Hospice Program, P.O. Box 1204, Ravenna, 44266.

Caroline (Miller) Butts, 59
FREEDOM - Caroline (Miller) Butts, 59, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born June 21, 1941, in Perrysburg, Ohio, she was the daughter of George T. and Sally M. (Manners) Miller. She had lived in Maple Heights before moving to Freedom Township eight years ago. Mrs. Butts was an assembler at Lucas Aerospace in Aurora. Survivors include her husband, Daniel, to whom she was married 17 years; daughters, Rhonda (Randy) Burch of Middleburg Heights and Deborah Sheskey of Maumee; three grandchildren; mother, Sally Miller of Perry, Mich.; and brothers, Garry (Deborah) of Arlington, Va., Ronald of Perry, Mich., James (Jody) of Bowling Green and Timothy of Maumee. Cremation has taken place. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, with the Rev. Carl Holm officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Amyloidosis Foundation.

Mary J. Sowinski, 76
Former Ravenna resident Mary J. Sowinski, 76, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, in Florida. Born Nov. 8, 1924, in Kent, she was the daughter of Harry and Agnes (Drake) Favors.She was a 1941 graduate of Kent State University High School. Mrs. Sowinski worked as a secretary at Fageol Products Co. in Kent. She had been a member of the Junior Mothers Club, a leader for the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and a member of the Robinson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 13 years. She was a former member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ravenna. She was an avid birdwatcher. Survivors include her husband, Valentine, whom she had married in 1947; son, William (Sharon) of Cuyahoga Falls; daughter, Laura (David) De Luca of Bedford; and three grandchildren. A son, Barry, and sisters, Louise Darrah, Vivian Garl and Vesta McElroy, died previously. Private services were held Saturday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Betty L. Hickman Garrett, 79
Former Kent resident Betty L. Hickman Garrett, 79, of Bradenton, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Blaice Medical Center in Bradenton. Born May 21, 1921, in Newark, she was the daughter of Stewart and Lucille (Gilmore) Hanes. Mrs. Hickman and her former husband, Robert Hickman, founded Hickman Jewelry Store, which was open for 38 years in Kent and Hudson. Survivors include her husband, Robert L. Garrett, to whom she was married 17 years; two step-children; four step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; half-sister Virginia Waldinger of North Carolina; and half-sister-in-law, Dorothy Bows of Kansas. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent, with the Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. A May memorial service will be arranged at the Kent United Church of Christ to coincide with Mrs. Garrett's birthday.

Howard M. Cowan, 88
Howard M. Cowan, 88, of Dawley Road, Ravenna, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Oct. 11, 1912 in Cuyahoga Falls, he was the son of Robert A. and Muriel G. (Bolender) Cowan. He retired from Keller Electric in 1975 after more than 30 years of employment. Mr. Cowan lived in Streetsboro until purchasing his farm on Dawley Road in 1946. There he enjoyed farming in addition to raising and selling Christmas trees. In 1967, Mr. Cowan donated a Christmas tree that graced the Blue Room of the White House under the Johnson administration. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ravenna and had served on many of its boards. He also served on the state and national Christmas Tree Growers Association. Survivors include his wife, Margery (Shelles), whom he married June 3, 1941; daughter, Mary Alice Cowan of Ravenna; one grandson; and brother, Darrell T. Cowan of Streetsboro. His, brothers Paul H. Cowan and Glen R. Cowan died in 1993 and 2000 respectively. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until noon services Wednesday at the First Congregational Church of Ravenna, with the Rev. Jeffrey Frantz officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro. Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church of Ravenna, 266 S. Chestnut St., Ravenna, OH 44266.

Ralph E. Kropf, 70
Ralph E. Kropf, 70, of Glenwillow, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001 at his residence. Born in Alliance, he was the son of the late Walter and Mabel Kropf. Mr. Kropf graduated from Alliance High School, Mount Union College and Kent State University. He retired from Portage County schools after 34 years, serving as a teacher and principal. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Survivors include a son, Theodor; daughter, Alexandra; brother Eldon (Carol) Kropf; sister-in-law Stella (Terry) Chisholm. His wife, Betty, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Tabone Funeral Home, Solon. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Rita's Church. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery following cremation.

Cynthia W. Sellman, 95
Cynthia W. Sellman, 95, of Columbus Street, Kent, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2001, at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born Sept. 12, 1905 in Kent, she was a daughter of John B. and Sadie (Williamson) Weber. Mrs. Sellman worked at City Bank in Kent for 25 years. She was a member of and past treasurer of the Kent United Methodist Church, the American Business Women's Association, AARP, and loved and enjoyed animals and supported numerous animal protection groups. Survivors include many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Gerald Sellman died in 1967. Her brothers, Lloyd and Glen Weber and sisters Myrtle Fitzgerald, Ivy Bagnall and Lilly Geiger, died previously. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be private. Memorials may be made to the Animal Protection League, Attn.: Ann, P.O. Box 927, Ravenna, OH 44266.


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