USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Melvin "Tom" Admire Sr., 52
Former Ravenna resident Melvin Thomas "Tom" Admire Sr., 52, of Parma died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, at Parma City Hospital after a long illness.
Born Feb. 19, 1949, in Ravenna, he was the son of Harold and Ruth Admire.
Survivors include his sons, Melvin Jr., Mark and Eddie of Ravenna, Brad, Brian and Danny of Parma; daughters, Tammy and Donna, both of Ravenna; five grandchildren; brothers, Glen of Alliance, Kenny of Kent and Eddie of Lake Milton; sisters, Nancy of Ravenna, Wanda of Alliance, Sue of Ravenna, Melissa of Shalersville, Sandy of Kent, Gloria of Stow and Donna Jean of Amsterdam, Ohio; former wives, Sylvia and Jeannie Harris. His parents died previously.
Calling hours will be held today from 7 to 9 p.m. at F.J. Corrigan Funeral Home, 27099 Miles Road in Orange Village. Cremation will take place.
Henrietta M. (Rowlen) Gardner
Henrietta M. (Rowlen) Gardner, 86, formerly of Ravenna, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, at Mentor Way Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mentor.
Born Oct. 7, 1914, in Morrow County, she was the daughter of John and Zenetta (Conn) Rowlen.
Mrs. Gardner had been a cashier for many years at the A & P of Ravenna. She enjoyed bowling and was a Girl Scout leader.
Survivors include her son, Richard (Judith) of Concord; daughter, Patricia Huebner of Concord; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her brothers, William, Charles and Paul Rowlen died previously.
Calling hours will be held at 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Monday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with Rev. Mark D. Lattimer officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Sherry Marlene Carpenter
BRIMFIELD - Sherry Marlene Carpenter, 47, died Thursday, April 19, 2001 at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls of cancer.
Born Jan. 13, 1953, in Washington, Pa., she was the daughter of Ralph E. and Laverne (Smith) Carpenter. She lived in Portage County most of her life.
Mrs. Carpenter was a dispatcher and officer of the Portage County Sheriffs Department and the Garrettsville, Mantua and Hiram police departments.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rootstown.
Survivors include her husband, John, to whom she was married to for 12 years; sons, Christopher (Cindy) Carpenter of Akron, Heath (Tracy) Wilson of Paris, Richard D. (Isis) Wilson, Jr. of Paris, Tyler Steele and Jacob Steele, both of Brimfield; daughters, Tammy R. Wilson of Akron and Hannah A. Wilson of Brimfield; six grandchildren; her mother of Twinsburg; brothers, Donald Carpenter of Pennsylvania and Brian Carpenter of Ravenna; sisters, Alona Farkas of Twinsburg, Bonnie Hatfield of Freedom and Pamela Puleo of Akron; and step-son, John P. Carpenter of Kent. Her first husband, Richard Wilson; and brother, Ralph Jr., died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rootstown, where services will immediately follow, with Mr. John Savage officiating. Burial will be in Drakeburg Cemetery in Freedom. Arrangements were made by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the family, C/O Shorts Funeral Home, 141 N. Meridian St., Ravenna, OH 44266.
Thelma Foster Wilson
PARIS - Thelma Foster Wilson, 77, died Friday, April 20, 2001 at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland.
Born Dec. 2, 1923, in Somerset, Ky., she was the daughter of Albin and Tillie M. (Tomlinson) Humble.
Mrs. Wilson owned Wayland Gas & Oil for 18 years with her husband, Carl E. Wilson.
She was a member of the Wayland Community Church in Wayland and the Palmy Chapter 114 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a 4H leader in Paris for 10 years, served on the Portage County 4H Council in Ravenna and was active in the L'Etoile Club. She was very active in church and school affairs.
Survivors include her sons, Larry R. of Greenville, S.C., William C. of Mt. Airy, Md.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Albin H. Humble of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters, Doris Harris of Paris and Zella P. Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz. Her husband, whom she married on Aug. 30, 1940 died Dec. 4, 1989; and son, Charles E. Wilson, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Wayland Community Church in Wayland, where services will immediately follow. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Wayland.
Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.
Lefonda Bell Cooper
GARRETTSVILLE - Lefonda Bell Cooper, 84, died Thursday, April 19, 2001 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born Sept. 16, 1916, in Clarion County, Pa., she was the daughter of Bowman and Mary (Scott) Seybert. Formerly of the Brimfield area, she had lived in the Garrettsville/Windham area since 1992.
Mrs. Cooper retired in 1975 from Paper Box Factory in Kent, where she had been employed as a machine operator.
She was a member of the Windham Church of God.
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Blanche Payne of Washington, Lavinna Tingler of Akron and Dessie E. McCurdy of Garrettsville; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Norman Seybert of Pennsylvania; sisters, Velma Edinger, Edna Stockdale, Esther Lowery and Leona Brocious, all of Pennsylvania. Her husband, Howard D. died in 1988; and her son, Raymond; five brothers; and one sister died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will immediately follow, with the Rev. Clifford Noble officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.
Earl D. McKinney
Earl D. McKinney, 87, of Uniontown, died Friday, April 20, 2001.
Born April 19, 1914, he was formerly of Lake Placid, Fla. and resided in the Uniontown area most of his life.
Mr. McKinney was a truck driver and was in sales prior to his retirement from Tramonte Distributors.
He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his son, Earl, Jr.; daughters, Linda (Donald) Copeland, Mary Jo (Gordon) Fox; four grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and five sisters. His wife, Catherine, died in 1991, and three sisters also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hecker Funeral Home in Uniontown, where services will immediately follow, with the Rev. Curt Hecker officiating. Private burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton.
Virginia Welch
EDINBURG - Virginia "Frances" Welch, 62, died Friday, April 20, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, following a short illness.
Born July 29, 1938, in Butler, Pa., she was the daughter of Harry and Virginia (Smith) Setzenfand.
Mrs. Welch was owner of Welch Landscaping and formerly was employed as a bus driver for the Akron City School System, and as a group leader with Portage Industries.
She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Palmy Chapter.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, James; sons, James (Kelly) of Diamond, Jerald (Dee) of Deerfield, Ted (Lisa) of Pickerington and Patrick (Patti) of Ravenna; daughter, Diana (Doug) Ramser of Minerva; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Her son, Larry; and a daughter, Harriett, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, with Rev. Bernard Christy officiating. Burial will be in Edinburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Robinson Visiting Nurse and Hospice or Portage Industries.
Santina Caner
Former Kent resident Santina L. Caner, 83, of Lake George, N.Y., died Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at her home.
Born Dec. 10, 1917, in Ithaca, N.Y., she was the daughter of Angelo and Josephine (Liberatore) Yengo. She lived in Kent before moving to Lake George 22 years ago.
Mrs. Caner worked in the accounting department of Buildings and Grounds at Cornell University in New York for several years and also held various positions in Kent.
She was an active volunteer for many charitable organizations.
Survivors include her sisters, Mrs. Lucy Howe of Hamilton, N.Y. and Mrs. Joan Irving of Richboro, Pa.; brother-in-law, Edward Onisk of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Margaret Yengo of Trenton, N.J. Her husbands, Joseph LaLumia and Lloyd Carter; sisters, Mary Onisk and Lucia Trego; and a brother, Dr. Carmine Yengo, died previously.
There will be no local calling hours or services. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hamilton, N.Y.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church, Wylie St., Hamilton, N.Y. 13346; or to the Warren County Sheriff's Benevolent Association, Attn: Matthew Tremblay, 1340 S.R. 9, Lake George, N.Y. 12845.
Dennis Hunter
Dennis E. "Denny" Hunter, 60, of Irma Street in Kent, died Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at his home.
Born June 2, 1940 in Somerset, Pa., he was the son of Hugh and Ruth (Thompson) Hunter.
He worked as a gas service man for Amerigas Propane in Ravenna.
He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Kent and the Ravenna Moose Lodge, and enjoyed camping and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Jane A. (Ensinger) whom he married Nov. 7, 1957; sons, Todd (Nancy), Jeff (Renee) , and Craig, all of Kent; daughter, Sheila (Louis) Bauza of Kent; seven grandchildren; brother, Tom Hunter of Kent; sister, Beverly Wible of Massilon; and mother, Ruth. His father, Hugh, and brother, Millard, died previously.
Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the United Church of Christ in Kent, with the Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.
Memorials may be made to Akron General Hospital Cancer Center, 400 Wabash Ave., Akron, 44307.
Henrietta Gardner
Henrietta M. (Rowlen) Gardner, 86, formerly of Ravenna, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, at Mentor Way Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mentor.
Born Oct. 7, 1914, in Morrow County, she was the daughter of John and Zenetta (Conn) Rowlen.
Mrs. Gardner had been a cashier for many years at the A & P of Ravenna. She enjoyed bowling and was a Girl Scout leader.
Survivors include her son, Richard (Judith) of Concord; daughter, Patricia Huebner of Concord; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her brothers, William, Charles and Paul Rowlen died previously.
Calling hours will be held at 11 a.m. until services at noon Monday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with Rev. Mark D. Lattimer officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Sherry Carpenter
BRIMFIELD - Sherry Marlene Carpenter, 47, died Thursday, April 19, 2001.
Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Christopher Rhoads
Christopher A. Rhoads, 25, of Carthage Avenue in Kent, died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
The death is being investigated by the Portage County Coroners Office.
Born Oct. 29, 1975, in Akron, he was the son of Jerry and Debbie (Weeks) Rhoads.
Mr. Rhoads was a self-employed roofer.
Survivors include his sons, Andrew Rhoads of Canton and Taylor Rhoads of Maple Heights; daughter, Ashley Rhoads of Canton; his father, Jerry (Amy) of Mantua; his mother of Kent; brother, Joel Rhoads of Cuyahoga Falls; half-brother, Paul Rhoads of Mantua; half-sister, Collette Rhoads of Mantua; grandparents, Bud and Jane Rhoads and Ray and Charlene Weeks, all of Kent; great-grandmother, Ruth Minnick of Kent; and Andrea of Chicago, Ill.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Memorials may be made to any charity.
Huber F. King, 91
Huber F. King lived his entire life in Windham but he achieved international recognition for his skill as an artist and woodcarver.
Mr. King, who won numerous awards in the United States, Canada and England for his work, including five "Best of Show" awards at the International Woodcarvers Congress, died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren. He was 91.
Born Jan. 10, 1910, in Windham, he was the son of Freeman and Carrie (Huber) King. He was a lifelong resident of Windham, serving his community as a Village Council member, president of the Windham Board of Education and volunteer firefighter.
Mr. King graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art and was well-known as a decorator and sign painter in Portage County. Following his retirement in 1966 after 32 years as an interior decorator, he and his wife, Lois, traveled the Southwest extensively, where he captured countless scenes in watercolors and oils. His interests later turned to woodcarving, a skill he mastered with great success.
"Anyone can carve if they put their mind to it," he said in a 1981 Record-Courier interview, but added that, as a perfectionist, he put a great deal of time into preparing his work, including interviewing and researching his subjects. He did dozens of drawings before beginnning a sculpture.
His favorite subjects reflected his interest in the Old West. The road to his home on Wolfe Road circled an old shop that he built to look like a frontier era assay office.
His work included sculptures of Will Rogers, Mark Twain and General Custer as well as carvings of birds and animals. The Twain statue took two years to complete.
He won four consecutive "Best of Show" awards, from 1972 to 1975, at the International Woodcarvers Congress, setting a record. In 1976, he and several other American carvers traveled to England to demonstrate their craft in London. He was chairman of the Affiliated Woodcarvers Association.
In addition to his interior decorating work, he also worked in the sign shop at the Ravenna Arsenal during World War II and opened Sky Lane Bowling in Garrettsville in 1957.
He was a member of the Garrettsville Masonic Lodge No. 246 and had served as chairman of the building committee of the Windham United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lois May (Wilson), whom he married in 1934; sons, Calvin (Carole) of Garrettsville, Dr. Darryl (Nonie) of Clarksburg, W. Va. and Barton (Karen) of Homosassa, Fla.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Elwood of Strongsville; and sisters, Frances Hutchinson of Ravenna and Luella Sabin of Lompoc, Calif.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday preceded by Masonic services at 1:30 p.m. at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Matthew Darrin officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Huber King Memorial, Windham United Methodist Church, 9051 North Main St., Windham, 44288.
Alexander Paterson, 74
Alexander Ralph Paterson, 74, of Horning Road, Kent, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, at his home.
He was born March 4, 1927 in Flint, Mich.
Mr. Paterson was a general foreman for automation at Chrysler in Twinsburg.
He was a member of Kent Elks Lodge No. 1377 and Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He enjoyed building doll houses, woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Leola "Sammy" (Samson), whom he married May 29, 1948; son, John of Kent; daughters, Nancy of Ravenna and Mary (Carl) Copper of Nacogdoches, Tex; two grandchildren; brother, Vernon (Jackie) of Davison, Mich.; and sisters, Alice (Robert) Howe of Davison, Mich., Helen Wood of Byron, Mich. and Ruth (Ray) Mullaley of Flint, Mich. A brother, Earl, and sister, Beatrice Lander, died previously.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until services at 2 p.m. Monday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with the Rev. Patrick Russell officiating.
Memorials may be made to Portage County Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice, 234 S. Water St., Kent, 44240.
Melvin Admire Sr., 52
Former Ravenna resident Melvin Thomas "Tom" Admire Sr., 52, of Parma died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, at Parma City Hospital after a long illness.
Born Feb. 19, 1949, in Ravenna, he was the son of Harold and Ruth Admire.
Survivors include his sons, Melvin Jr., Mark and Eddie, all of Ravenna; daughters, Tammy and Donna, both of Ravenna; five grandchildren; brother, Glen of Alliance; and sisters, Nancy of Ravenna, Wanda of Alliance and Donna Jean of Amsterdam, Ohio. His parents died previously.
A memorial service will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Church of the Nazarene in Ravenna.
Gertrude Fairbanks, 86
Former Hiram resident Gertrude Fairbanks, 86, died Monday, April 16, 2001, at Apache Junction, Ariz.
Born July 24, 1914, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Henry and Clara Knippenberg. She was a longtime resident of Troy Township and also had resided in Hiram.
Mrs. Fairbanks retired from Johnson Rubber in Middlefield after 30 years of service.
Survivors include her sons, William of Atwater, Dale of California, Ralph of Holland, Mich. and Jim of Hiram; brothers, Daniel and Ralph Knippenberg, both of Hiram. Her husband, Hershel; son, Robert; one brother; and three sisters died previously.
Cremation has taken place. Services will be announced.
Dennis E. Hunter, 60
Dennis E. "Denny" Hunter, 60, of Irma Street in Kent ,died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Akron General Hospital Cancer Center, 400 Wabash Ave., Akron, 44307.
Henrietta M. Gardner, 86
Henrietta M. Gardner, 86, of Ravenna, died Thursday, April 19, 2001.
Arrangements will be announced by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
