USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
William Knopf, 57
MANTUA - William R. Knopf, Jr., 57, died Monday, July 17, 2000 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a period of failing health.
Born Feb. 22, 1943 in Bedford, he was the son of William R. and Gertrude (Fleury) Knopf. A lifetime Mantua resident, he graduated from Crestwood High School in 1962.
Mr. Knopf had worked since his youth on the Knopf Family Farm in Mantua Township, as well as operating his own trucking business, serving several area companies. He also had driven a milk truck for Monroe Trucking in Mantua for many years.
He was active with the 4-H program while growing up and was a longtime member of the Crestwood Ruritan Club. He was a collector of John Deere farm equipment and was known for his keen sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include his son, Carl (Barbara) of Mantua; daughter, Bridget (Gary) Auble of Mantua; five grandchildren; and sisters, Anna Louise (Joseph) Hardesty of Dresden, Ohio, and Jacquelyn (Donald) Miller of Olmsted Falls.
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. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township.
Carmella Meduri, 88
Carmella "Nellie" Meduri, 88, of Auburn, Wash., formerly of Ravenna, died Monday, July 17, 2000, at the North Auburn Rehab Center.
Born Aug. 9, 1911, in Ravenna, she was a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Argiro) Simone. A Ravenna resident most of her life, she had lived in Washington state for the past 20 years.
Mrs. Meduri was a homemaker.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna.
Survivors include her sons, Peter (Doris) of Kent, Joseph (Phyllis), James (Marilyn) and the Rev. Paul (Joyce), all of Ravenna, and Brother Francis, CSC of Notre Dame, Ind.; daughter, Anna (James) Corneya of Auburn, Wash.; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brothers, Phil Simone of Kent, and Anthony Simone of Grass Valley, Calif.; and sister Rose Simone of Ravenna. Her husband, Paul, died in 1968. Her brothers James, Frank and Dominic Simone, and sisters, Mary Polichena, Josephine Aristide and Pauline Kelly, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, with Msgr. Robert Sabatino officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.
Elizabeth Hamilton, 90
STREETSBORO - Elizabeth Hamilton, 90, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, one day before her 91st birthday.
Born July 19, 1909 in Buffalo, N.Y., she was a daughter of Stephen and Helen (Hefron) O'Donnell. The family moved to Cleveland when she was 1 year old. Formerly of Cleveland, she had lived in Streetsboro since 1958.
Mrs. Hamilton worked as a secretary for Magic Chef in Cleveland for more than 20 years.
She was president of the Golden Gateway Group in Streetsboro for many years and wrote for the Streetsboro Senior Sentinel, a newsletter distributed by the Streetsboro Senior Center.
She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Church in Streetsboro and its Altar and Rosary Society. She was a charter member of the Certified Public Secretary Association of Cleveland.
In the 1930s, she played semi-pro ladies basketball on a team for General Electric in the Cleveland area. She also was an avid bowler.
She attended the Spencerian Business College in Cleveland.
Survivors include her sons, Steve (Marilynn) of Lyndhurst and Tom (Frances) of Kent; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, George, died in 1977 A brother, Thomas O'Donnell, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joan of Arc Church in Streetsboro, with Msgr. Frederick Slaven officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro.
Margaret Gambaccini, 92
ATWATER - Margaret Gambaccini, 92, formerly of Ravenna, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000.
Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Marguerite "Maggie" Bryan Hansen
Marguerite "Maggie" Bryan Hansen, 80, of Ravenna, died Monday, July 17, 2000, following a period of failing health.
Born Aug. 8, 1919 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Sam and Anna (Sorenson) Drago. She was a lifelong Ravenna resident.
Mrs. Hansen was a registered nurse at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna and later was head nurse at Jane Francis Nursing Home in Ravenna until she retired.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna, Alumnae of Alliance City Hospital, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1055 Auxiliary, and a former member of Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include her son, Harry "Corky" Bryan of Rootstown; daughter, Judy Harper of Streetsboro; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lena Brittain of Streetsboro and Mary Gier of Rootstown. Her husbands, Harry Bryan and Herb Hansen; son, Ronald; brothers, John Sr., Herbert and Tony Drago; and sister, Evelyn Sivon, died previously.
Calliing hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Ravenna, with the Rev. Vernon White officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Vida Mae Livengood
Vida Mae Livengood, 69, of Ravenna, died Sunday, July 16, 2000 at her home.
Born May 23, 1931 in Salisbury, Pa., she was the daughter of Charles and Martha (Smith) Eisentrout. She had lived in Ravenna since 1953.
Mrs. Livengood was a secretary for the Ravenna City School system until she retired.
She was a member of First Congregational Church of Ravenna.
Survivors include her sons Robert (Carrie) and Paul, both of Ravenna, Mark Sr. (Marilyn) of Rootstown and Thomas of Washington D.C.; daughters, Angela (Michael) Fehr and Tamra (William) Kernen, both of Kent; and eight grandchildren. Her husband, Gene Glenn Livengood, died in 1975. Her brothers, George, Peter, James, Robert, Nevin and Virgil Eisentrout; and sisters, Florence, Margaret, Emma and Mary, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Congregational Church of Ravenna, with the Rev. Jeffrey Frantz officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Ralph G. Fuller
Ralph G. Fuller, 87, of Ravenna, died Saturday, July 15, 2000 at his home following a short illness.
Born Dec. 19, 1912 in Springfield, Ohio, he was the son of Henry G. and Anna P. (Jacobs) Fuller. He was a former Streetsboro resident.
Mr. Fuller retired from the Streetsboro School System at the age of 76 in 1989.
Survivors include his son, Ronald (Marilyn) of Streetsboro; daughters, Constance (Larry) Fear of Ravenna and Joan (Carl) Getty of Camp Hill, Pa.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. His wife, Edna, died in 1985. Two grandchildren and a brother, Grant, died previously.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Chapman officiating.
Dolly Beckwith
Dolly Beckwith, a former Kent resident, died Friday, July 14, 2000 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Mrs. Beckwith was educated in Kent and married her husband, Glen, in 1934. They later lived in Cleveland, then moved to Los Angeles in 1940.
She was a beauty queen in Kent in 1930.
Survivors include her husband, to whom condolences may be sent at 351 E. Palm Drive, Placentia Villa de Palma, Calif. 92680; son. Jamie, and daughters, Nancy and Susy of Los Angeles.
Servivces will be held Wednesday at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1703 E. Fairhaven., Santa Ana, Calif. 92701.
William Knopf
MANTUA - William Knopf, 57, died Monday, July 17, 2000 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.
James Turk
MANTUA-James Turk, 70, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.
Eva A. Paoloni
Eva A. Paoloni, 78, of Skyview Drive, Kent, died Friday, July 14, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born June 3, 1922, in Kent, she was the daughter of Alec and Mary (Posavac) Nedel.
Mrs. Paoloni was a 1940 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent. She worked as a secretary at Twin Coach, Cleveland Twist Drill, Dr. Vic Yahner, D.D.S., Tree City Mold and Machine Co. and attorney Robert Paoloni. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent. She had formerly belonged to the Kent Junior Mothers and the Infant Jesus of Prague Guild.
Survivors include her husband, Alex J., to whom she had been married for 55 years; sons, Robert (Susan) of Kent, Joseph of Kent and John (Catherine) of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; daughter, Mary Louise (Ged) Schwekert of MIfflinburg, Pa.; nine grandchildren; sisters, Ann Spallino of Akron, Catherine (Ike) Kilbourne of Kent and Rose (Steve) Sabo of Barberton; half-brother Mark Nedel of Kent; and sister-in-law Ria Nedel of Colorado Springs, Colo. Her brother George M. Nedel and sisters, Pauline Horner and Elizabeth Nedel, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Church in Kent. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Patrick's School Building Fund, 127 Portage St., Kent, 44240.
Arthur Koerner
Arthur Koerner, 79, of Newcomer Road, Kent, died Friday, July 14, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born Nov. 22 1920, in Kent, he was the son of Arthur C. and Mildred (Wehl) Koerner.
Mr. Koerner was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 83rd Thunderbolt Infantry. He participated in the Normandy, Ardennes, Brittany, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns, receiving the Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, five Battle Stars and the Victory Medal. He retired after 30 years from the United States Postal Service as a postal carrier. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent, past commander of the VFW Captain Brady Post #3703, American Legion Post 531 in Little Valley, N.Y., played baseball for the Kentors and Twin Coach and was an avid hunter.
Survivors include his wife, Agnes (Pudloski), to whom he had been married for 57 years; sons, Arthur S. (Barcy) of Kent, Rudy (Patti) of Kent and Jeff of Kent; daughters, Patty (Bob) Love of Uniontown, Susie (Tom) Poulten of Centerville and Cathy (John) Sopko of Kent; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucy Randal of Akron, Estelle (Maburn) Keeton of Tollhouse, Calif. and Emma Reed of Kent. His brother, Walter, and sister, Mary Kelley, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Thomas Krascewski officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Ella M. Wilson
Ella M. Wilson, 61, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000.
Born March 31, 1939, in Lexington, Ky., she was the daughter of Samuel and Ella Mae McEwen.
She attended The University of Akron and went on to earn her master's and doctorate degrees at Kent State University. She taught at Hiram College for 14 years and was vice president of student affairs at Wilberforce University. She was a member of the United A.M.E. Church of Xenia, where she acted as a missionary, stewardess and participated in the women of wisdom group. She also was an active member of Spelman A.M.E. in Kent, where she wrote and directed several plays.
She was a member of several professional organizations in education, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of the Wilberforce chapter of Links Inc. She also was a member of the Greene Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.
Survivors include her sons, Joseph Wray of Southfield, Mich., Jeffrey Wray of East Lansing, Mich., Jonathan Wray of Akron, Mark Wilson of North Carolina; daughters, Debbie Evans of Akron, Mary David of Hartville, N.C. and Denise Harris of Akron; five grandchildren; mother, Ella Mae Porter of Medina; brothers, Samuel McEwen of Columbia, Md., Charles McEwen of Detroit, Mich., Kenneth McEwen of Akron and Paul McEwen of Medina; sisters, Jean Evans of Lancaster, Calif. and Dawn McEwen of Chicago. Her husbands, Joe L. Wray, whom she married in March 1957, died in 1968, and Milton E. Wilson, whom she married in January 1983, died in 1989. Her son, Jerrold, died in 1966.
Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. today until the 5 p.m. service at United A.M.E. Church in Xenia with the Rev. Antoni Sinkfil officiating. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Medina. Arrangements were handled by Colbert Funeral Home in Xenia and Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home in Akron.
Memorial donations may be made to The Ella Wilson Education Fund, c/o United A.M.E. Church, 286 E. Church St., Xenia, 45385.
John D. Moyer
John D. Moyer, 32, of Troy Township, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights of cancer.
Born Dec. 13, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was the son of David and Shirley (Voynovich) Moyer.
Mr. Moyer lived in the Cleveland area for several years and was a 1986 graduate of Kenston High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves, serving from 1986 to 1998. He attended Lakeland Community College in Mentor and attended Hiram College. He was employed as assistant manager of food service at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and enjoyed model ship making and coin collecting.
Survivors include his mother, Shirley (Donald) Klimas of Troy Township; father, David, of Euclid; sister, Kaila Mortach of Troy; grandmothers, Mildred (Zakas) Voynovich of Garrettsville and Isabelle of Madison and fiancˇe, Amy Genberg, of Blowing Rock, N.C. Grandfathers, John J. Voynovich Sr., died Aug. 8, 1999, and Maurice died on Sept. 13, 1991.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday with Mr. Bob Lind officiating. Burial will be in Shadyside Cemetery in Auburn Township.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
B.J. Jackson
MANTUA - B.J. Jackson, 90, of Mantua, died Thursday, July 13, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born Sept. 5, 1909, in Orange Township, he was the son of Andrew and Ada (Sargent) Jackson.
Formerly of Russell Township, he was a Mantua area resident the past 20 years. He was employed as a machinist at Dee Pole Machine Co. in Geauga County for several years as well as being self-employed clearing lots for new home construction sites for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his brother, Richard Bolton, of Berea. His brother, Vernon, and sister, Viette, died previously.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township. Arrangements are handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.
Phil Barry
Phil Barry, 91, of Beaver Falls, Pa., died Thursday, July 13, 2000, after a brief illness.
Born on June 13, 1909, in St. Mary's, W.Va., he was a resident of Lake Cable and more recently Beaver Falls, Pa.
Mr. Barry was a graduate of Kent State University, where he completed his master's degree in 1941. He taught school and coached sports in East Sparta and Hartville. He later became superintendent of Marlboro Schools, Lake Local Schools and West Jefferson Public Schools until retiring in 1971.
He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ. He was a member of the Lions Club and very active in the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, which he served as president in 1986. He also was a scoutmaster of Troop #45, B.S.A.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Marian Flower Barry, of Beaver Falls, Pa.; son, Eldon (Jean) Barry of Beaver, Pa.; daughter, Louise (David) Rush of Torreon, Mexico; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grand children.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Schneeberger Funeral Home and one hour prior to services, which will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
George M. Braidic
ALLIANCE - George M. Braidic, 75, of Homeworth Road in Alliance, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at home.
Born Jan. 8, 1925, to Matthew and Lucille (Gregovich) Braidic, he had lived in Alliance all his life.
Mr. Braidic retired from S.A. Communle of Akron where he worked as a sprinkler fitter. He also was the former owner of LaMichelle Ceramics in Alliance.
He served with the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Pokomoke and the U.S.S. Saratoga. He was a World War II veteran. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He also belonged to the V.F.W. Post 1036 and its Honor Guard and Union Local No. 669 of the United Auto Sprinkler Fitters.
Survivors include his wife, Martha R. "Ruth" (Votaw), to whom he had been married for 28 years; daughters, Sally Handrych and Connie Albright, both of Alliance, and Donna Lee Krug of Canal Fulton; step-son, James R. Smith of Dunedin, Fla.; step-daughters, Judith Pittman and Polly Montgomery, both of Salem, and Jodene Rasile of Alliance; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; nine step-grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; one step great-great-grandchild; brother, Edward Braidic of Sebring; sisters, Dorothy Ardell of Boardman, Frances Fugate of Alliance and Kathryn Fairbanks of Sebring. Sisters, Margaret Herman and Mary Braidic; and brother, Ferdinand, died previously.
Calling hours will be held at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home, 1000 S. Union Ave. in Alliance, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be held in Highland Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Alliance Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 885 S. Sawburg Road, Suite 106, Alliance 44601.
B. Jackson
MANTUA - B. Jackson, 90, died Thursday, July 13, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Arrangements are being handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.
Zana Delma Matthew
ATWATER - Zana Delma Matthew, 84, of Atwater, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at Alliance Community Care following a short illness.
Born Feb. 21, 1916, in Linn, W. Va., she was the daughter of Oswell and Flora (Neel) Messenger. She had lived in Atwater since 1951.
Survivors include her daughter, Nancy (Wally) Howes of Atwater; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Lawrence Messenger of Jane Lew, W. Va.; Hartzell Messenger of Quiet Dell, W. Va.; and Bernard Messenger of Euclid, Ohio; sisters, Kathleen Murphy of Weston, W. Va. and Gladis Rhinehart of Jane Lew, W. Va. Her husband, Russell, died previously in 1987; brothers Clifford, Russell and Clarence; and sister Stacy also all died previously.
Calling hours will be from 12 to 2 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel where services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Atwater Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alliance Community Care.
Judith Williams, 57
Judith Mae Williams, 57, of Ravenna, died Saturday, July 8, 2000 at the Cleveland Clinic.
Born March 19, 1943, in Wheelwright, Ky., she was the daughter of Lacy and Pauline (Davis) Little. She had lived in Akron before moving to Ravenna in 1975.
Mrs. Williams was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Ronny G Williams; sons, David (Carol) Davis of Rootstown, Jeffery E. (Carolyn) Davis, Frank D. Davis and Tony Davis, all of Ravenna; step-father, Albert Tate of Akron; 11 grandchildren; brothers, James (Kaye) Little of Akron and Richard Little of California; and former husband, Frank Davis of Paintsville, Ky. Her son, Paul Davis, died on June 30, 1997.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Sue Dickerhoof officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.
Ronald Speegle, 65
Ronald Speegle, 65, of Ravenna, died July 9, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Vernon Bosau, 85
MANTUA - Vernon E. Bosau, 85, of Mantua, died Sunday, July 9, 2000, at Altercare of Ravenna.
Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.
