USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
HAROLD BENSHOFF
Harold Benshoff, 70, of Ravenna, died Friday, Aug. 28, 1998, at Maplewood Care Center in Streetsboro following a battle with cancer.
Born Nov. 1, 1927 in Rootstown, he was the son of Frank and Mayme (Rhodes) Benshoff.
Mr. Benshoff was a shipping and receiving clerk with Furon Co. in Aurora until he retired in 1988.
He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was an avid bowler.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Dwayne (Phyllis) West of Ravenna; three grandchildren; and brother, Robert of Kent. His wife, Frances (Giovinazzo); three brothers and a sister died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Portage County Visiting Nurse Service.
JUDY CRUZ
Judy Carol Cruz, 50, of Cleveland, the daughter of Robert Mills of Windham, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998 at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland.
Born March 28, 1948 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Robert and Adabelle (Williams) Mills. She was a life resident of Cleveland.
Mrs. Cruz was a homemaker.
In addition to her father, survivors include her husband, Domingo Sr.; sons, Domingo Jr. of Lakewood and Robert M. of Cleveland; three grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Ocie) Mills Jr. of Columbus and Michael (Amanda) Mills of Jackson, Ohio; and sisters, Juanita (Samuel) Crum of Columbus, Barbara Garcia of Cleveland and Brenda (David) Beane of Columbus. Her mother, Adabelle, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday with the Rev. J.W. Atkins officiating. Burial will be in Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom.
HARRY FRAME
Harry L. Frame, 92, of Ravenna Township, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
Born March 31, 1906, in Frametown, W.Va., he was the son of Russell and Altona (Dodson) Frame. He had lived in Ravenna Township since April after spending the last 30 years in Lady Lake, Fla. Prior to that he lived in Rootstown.
Mr. Frame was a self-employed carpenter.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn (Harper); daughters, Marilyn (Jerry) Pol of Rootstown and Phyllis (Thomas) Shockley of San Antonio, Texas; stepson, David (Dawn) Harper of Mantua; stepdaughter, Sandra (Cecil) Retherford of Ravenna; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and sisters, Bonnie (Spencer) Hunt of Brimfield and Lottie Reed of New Martinsville, W.Va. His first wife, Virgie, died in 1974. His brothers, Ira, Arthur, Robert and Woodrow, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown, with the Rev. Bruce Chouinard officiating.
Memorials may be made to Shriner's Childrens' Hospital.
DANIEL ARMBRUSTER
Daniel C. Armbruster, 78, of London, Ohio, who has relatives in the Portage area, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at Doctors Hospital West.
Born April 11, 1920 in Athens, Ohio, he was the son of Grover and Mable (Carter) Armbruster.
Mr. Armbruster was retired Chief of Division of Wildlife for the state of Ohio.
A World War II disabled American veteran, he earned four Bronze Stars, Oak Leaf Cluster (Purple Heart), Silver Star and Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal. He was a prisoner of war in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 400 in Florida.
He was a 32nd-degree Mason of University of Columbus Lodge No. 631 and
Survivors include his wife, Millicent (Fletcher); stepsons, Fred (Melody) Greene of London, Tom (Barbara) Greene of Anchorage, Alaska, Dan Greene of Yakima, Wash.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Louise Amy); sisters, Mary Davis and Ruth (Vern); and Portage area relatives, Sam (Mary Lou) Mazzola, Mary Hutchins, Jennie Tondiglia, Marguerite (Ner) Wertenberger and James (Phyllis) Mazzola. His first wife, Annette (Mazzola), and brothers, Harold, Charles and Norman, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ferguson Funeral Home, 202 E. Main St., Plain City, Ohio. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Dr. Michael Bunsey, 34
Services will be held Saturday for Dr. Michael D. Bunsey, 34, an assistant professor of psychology at Kent State University, who died Monday, Aug. 24, 1998 of an apparent heart attack after jogging on the campus.
Born Feb. 23, 1964 in Northfield, he was the son of Christopher and Maryellen Bunsey.
He graduated from Ohio University in 1985 and earned his doctorate in biopsychology at Cornell University in 1991. He did further research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and State University of New York at Stony Brook before coming to KSU in 1995.
Dr. Bunsey's research included the role of brain structures in learning and memory. In 1996, he received a $350,000 award from the National Institute for Mental Health to support his work on the neuroanatomy of the hippocampal memory system. He also was a co-investigator on an NIH subporject awarded by Case Western Reserve University to the KSU psychology department to develop a behavioral model using mise to investigate memory loss associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
A distance runner, he starred in track at Walsh Jesuit High School and at Ohio University. He placed fifth in the Cleveland Revco Marathon in 1987 and 71st in the Boston Marathon in 1988.
In addition to his parents of Northfield Center Township, survivors include his brothers, Christopher K. and Daniel (Diane); sisters, Laura (David) Munson and Karen (Scott) Johnson; grandparents, Don and Mary Bunsey of Cleveland; and friend, Dr. Cantey Louise Land.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Ferfolia Funeral Home, 356 W. Aurora Road (S.R. 82) in Sagamore Hills, where a service will be held at 8:40 a.m. Saturday, followed by funeral services at 9:10 a.m. at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Northfield Center.
Memorials may be made to the KSU Foundation, Kent State University, Kent 44242 for the Michael D. Bunsey Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Leonore McGirr
Leonore McGirr, 90, of Alliance, died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1998, at her home.
Born Aug. 31, 1907 in Alliance, she was the daughter of Frank and Rosalie (Katz) Mueller. She was a life resident of Alliance.
Mrs. McGirr was a teacher with Alliance Public Schools for 28 years. She attended Kent State Normal School, graduated from Mount Union College and received a master's degree from Kent State University.
She was a member of Lexington United Methodist Church, where she was an administrative board secretary and assistant organist for 25 years. She was a member of Alliance Music Study Club, an accompanist for a Steel Workers Retirees group called Music Makers, and a pianist for Lexington Grange, where she was a member.
She was also a member of the American Association of University Women, the Mount Union College Women's Club, United Methodist Women, Holly Rebekah Lodge No. 749, and Daughters of America Tri-Council 250.
Survivors include her daughters, Rosalyn Natale of Alliance and Beverly Esch of Ravenna; son, Fred of West Terre Haute, Ind.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Olan G., whom she married Dec. 29, 1926, died June 17, 1978. A sister, Jenny Moore; a brother, Arno Mueller; and grandsons Daniel McGirr and Michael Natale also died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home in Alliance, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Ruby Cairns officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Alliance Visiting Nurses Hospice Association, 2367 W. State St., Alliance, Ohio, 44601.
Beatrice Downey
Windham - Beatrice Downey, 73, died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
Born March 9, 1925 in Bimble Ky., she was the daughter of Joseph and Maude (Mills) Daniels.
Mrs. Downey was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Garrettsville Church of God.
Survivors include her sons, Jerry and Kenneth, both of Windham; daughter, Wannedia Wirick of Windham; brother Woodson Daniels of Bailey Switch, Ky; seven grandchildren ; and seven great-grandchildren. Her husband, George W. Downey Jr.; a brother, Lester; and sister, Mary Edith Townsley, all died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 a.m., with Rev. Michael J. Adkins officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.
Joseph Fortuna
Hiram Josephine U. Fortuna, 86, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998, in Briar Hill Health Care Residence in Middlefield.
Born Oct. 21, 1911 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Joseph and Anna Hejl
Mrs. Fortuna was a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.
She was a member of St. Edward's Roman Catholic Church in Parkman.
Survivors include her son, Daniel J. of Amisville, Va.; daughters, Mrs. Bruce (Theresa) Olmstead of Parkman; Mrs. Robert (Sue) Mason of Nelson Twp.; and Mrs. Robert (Nancy) Ray of Vienna, Ohio; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Louis Ignatius Fortuna, sisters, Anna Mirka, Lillian Bryer, Sylvia Martin, Agnes Loew, and a baby sister died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Harry Winca officiating. Burial will be at Harrington Cemetery in Nelson Twp.
Jance Mosher
Brimfield native Janice Elaine (Ebie) Mosher, 63, of 54 Woodland Road, Andover, Mass., died Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998 at her home.
Born Oct. 30, 1934 in Brimfield, she was the daughter of William E. and Jenny R. (Propst) Ebie.
Mrs. Mosher was a homemaker. An avid bridge player, she had made the status of Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.
Surivors include her husband of 42 years, David A.; sons David A. III of Methuen, Mass. and Stephen E. of Somerville, Mass.; a daughter Aimee Mosher Taft of Haverhill, Mass.; four grandchildren; her mother Jenny Ebie and sister Carole Tinnin, both of Campbell, Calif.
There will be no calling hours and burial will be private. Arrangements were made by the Dewhirst and Conte Funeral Home in Andover, Mass.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 66 Y Concord St., Wilmington, Mass., 01887.
Frederic Schoettler
Frederic F. Schoettler, 66, of Kent, a retired Kent State University music faculty member whose career included a critically acclaimed debut recital at Carnegie Recital Hall, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998, at Akron General Medical Center.
Born Dec. 1, 1931 in Chicago, Ill., the son of Frank and Frieda Schoettler. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Juilliard School of Music, he studied with Stefan Bardas, Arnold Schultz and Joseph Raieff.
Mr. Schoettler was professor emeritus of music (piano) at Kent State University, retiring in 1995.
He performed extensively as a soloist, with orchestra and in chamber music ensembles, such as The Kent Trio, and gave a critically acclaimed debut recital at Carnegie Recital Hall. Since 1976, he had performed widely with his wife as the duo-piano team of Schoettler & Dye. They performed on the community concert series around the country, and their recordings on the Orion label have met with enthusiastic response.
While living in New York, he was organist and choir master for two different Catholic churches and also played premiere compositions for several 20th century composers.
He was a computer enthusiast with his own web site, (https://w3.gwis.com/~fschoett/index/htm) related to piano. He also wrote the site for the KSU School of Music. He also enjoyed gardening and graphic design.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa "Terry" (Dye), to whom he was married for 19 years; son, Peter of New York; daughter, Elise Clancy of Vermont; two grandchildren; mother, Frieda Schoettler of Kent; and brother, Francis of Kent.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursdsay at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Kent, with the Rev. Elain Strawn officiating.
Freda Erbe
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Newton Falls United Methodist Church for Florence Freda Erbe, 79, who died unexpectedly Sunday, August 16, 1998 at her home in Ravenna.
Born, May 10, 1919 in Barnesville, Pa., she was the daughter of John G. and Anna G. (Faust) Kleindenst. A former resident Newton Falls and Paris Township, she had lived in Ravenna for 19 years.
Mrs. Erbe had worked at Mahanay Township High School in Pa., Atlas Powder Co. at the Ravenna Arsenal and as a substitute teacher in the Southeast School District. She also worked part-time at Longmeadow Care Center and at Burger King in Ravenna.
She was a graduate of Catawba College in North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in home economics.
She was a member of Newton Falls United Methodist Church and past guardian of Job's Daughters of the Bethel No. 39 in Newton Falls, a member of Leading Star Chapter No. 79, Order of the Eastern Star, where she had held several offices; and a member and past noble grand of Newton Falls Rebecca Lodge No. 311, which presented her with its Decoration of Chivalry. She was a charter member and past president of Veterans of Foreign Wars Woman's Auxiliary No. 3332, a member and past president of the United Methodist Women's Association and a member of the Ravenna Heritage Association. She had volunteered in the Resource Center at the Southeast Schools.
Survivors include her sons, Russell (Beth) of Paris Township, Frank (Barbara) of Newton Falls and John (Melanie) of Palmyra; daughters, Charlotte Ann Erbe of Avon, Carolyn (Dennis) Sari of Paris and Freida (Don) Boland of Rootstown; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her husband, Russell Edward Erbe, whom she married May 17, 1941, died Jan. 3, 1975.
Visitation will be held at Newton Falls United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.
Steve Lukacic
Steve Lukacic, 73, of 302 Superior St., Newton Falls, died Monday, Aug. 17, 1998 at St. Joseph's Eastland in Warren.
Born Jan. 2, 1925 in Newton Falls, he was the son of Pete and Stephanie (Lenarcic). He was a liferesident of Newton Falls.
Mr. Lukacic was a letter carrier with the Newton Falls Post Office for 26 years and a Newton Falls police officer for 15 years.
A U.S. Army veteran, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Newton Falls Amvets and the American Legion. He also was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and First Church of Godin Newton Falls.
He enjoyed gardening and watching sports on TV.
Survivors include his sons, Robert L. of Kent and Brad of Newton Falls; daughters, Mrs. Steven (Linda) Triplett of Atwater and Laurie Perkowski of Ravenna; three grandchildren; and sister, Mrs. Cal (Mary) Persino of Warren. His wife, Wanda (Finnical),whom he married Dec. 24, 1953, died Oct. 18, 1992.
Visitation will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.
Patricia Lewis
Patricia L. Lewis, 71, of Ravenna, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998.
Born May 29, 1927 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Nelson and Charlotte (Greene) Hayes.
Mrs. Lewis was a homemaker and she had worked alongside her husband, Elmer.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ravenna.
Survivors include her sons, Keith (Kris) and Kenneth (Diane), both of Ravenna, and Kevin (Sue) of Rootstown; daughter, Mrs. Karen (Dennis) Andrei of Rootstown; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, David Hayes of Hiram and W. Eugene Hayes of California. Her husband, Elmer; brother, Cecil; and sister, Anita, died previously.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Memorials may be made to the Robinson Memorial Hospital Hospice.
Grover C. Hanna
Grover C. Hanna, 77, of Ravenna died Monday, Aug. 17, 1998.
Born June 24, 1921 in Akron, he was the son of Grover and Amy Olive (Fye) Hanna.
Mr. Hanna retired from Portage Plumbing in 1983.
He was a member of the Ravenna Moose Lodge No.1234, and a former member of the Portage County Sheriff's Posse. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his sons, James, Robert (Rebecca), Edwin Sr. (Judy) and Ricky (Dody), all of Ravenna; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, James Hankins of Cuyahoga Falls; and sister, Helen Sargent of Florida. His wife, Doris; son, Larry; and sisters, Mary, Ruth and Fritz, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
Edward Ruester
Edward H. Ruester, 69, of Kent, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998, at his home after a long illness.
Born Feb. 27, 1929 in Central City, Ky., he was the son of Edward P. and Ada Mae (Ritchie) Ruester. He had lived most of his life in Atwater before moving to Kent five years ago.
He was a member of the Greenskeeper Association and a U.S. Army veteran.
Survivors include his daughter, Gretchen Brown of Kent; stepdaughters, Nancy Hitchings and Bobbie Pritchard, both of California; one grandchild; and sisters, Louise Wirbel of California and Helen Pittman of Atwater. His brothers, Fred and Buren, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Stephen Kaminsky officiating. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the library of the donor's choice.
