USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Michael Cheselka
Michael R. Cheselka Jr., 91, of Kent, died Thursday.
Born Oct. 20, 1906 in Keisler, Pa., he was the son of Michael R. and Anna (Ribovich) Cheselka Sr. He had lived in Kent for 46 years and previously lived in Aurora.
Mr. Cheselka was a carpenter for many years in the Kent area.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 192 in Kent and a former master of Kent and Mantua Grange No. 2663. He was an elder emeritus of the First Christian Church of Kent.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel; daughters, Sally Johnson of North Carolina and Mrs. Richard (Nancy) Stump of Mantua; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; one brother; and six sisters.
Masonic services will be held at 10:45 a.m. today at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, with visitation immediately following from 11 a.m. until services at noon. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.
James Meyer
ROOTSTOWN - James M. Meyer, 72, died Wednesday at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Born Dec. 24, 1924 in Cleveland, he was the son of James E. and Mary (Mami) Young.
Mr. Meyer retired in 1987 from the TRW valve division in Cleveland.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife Carole (Fievet) to whom he had been married for 45 years; sons, James M. III, of Topeka, Kan., John T. of Mentor on the Lake, and Timothy E. and Daniel T. of Canton; daughters, Therese Muntain of Thompson, Ohio and Carleen Ostrosky of Beal Air Force Base, Calif; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, George of Tennessee; and sisters, Marion Fink of Parma and Coletta Rivett of Aurora. His sons, Thomas and Christopher, daughters, Christine and Carolyn and brothers, Elliot, Walter and Jerry, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, with the Rev. Robert Sabatino officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.
Robert Teets
BRIMFIELD - Robert Paul Teets, 79, died Wednesday at his residence.
Born Nov. 10, 1918 in Shinbone, W.Va., he was the son of Luther and Nellie (Van Sickle) Teets. He had lived in the Akron area for more than 50 years.
He was a custodian for the Akron Board of Education for 32 years, retiring in 1981. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II. He was a life member of the American Legion Post No. 496 of Kent, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kent and the Disable American Veterans in Ravenna.
Survivors include his wife Elsie M.; son, Wilbur (Dale) Teets of Tallmadge; daughters, Faye (Donald) De Mali of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., Paula (Terry) Starcher of Rootstown, Terry (Chuck) Howe of Canal Fulton, and Barbara (Jerry) Nichols of Georgia; stepson, Andrew Policy of Brimfield; stepdaughter, Louann (Jerry) Burress of Cincinnati; sister, Audrey Mitchell of Green; brother, Raymond Teets of Akron; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. A brother, Ralph, and a grandson, Robert Paul II, died previously.
Calling hours will be held from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home in Tallmadge. An American Legion Service will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home where services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Wysocki officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.
Memorials may be made to the American Legion Children Youth Funds in care of Henessey Bagnoli Funeral Home, 339 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge, 44278.
James Meyer
ROOTSTOWN - James M. Meyer, 72, died Wednesday at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Henrietta Goodyear-Finch
Former Ravenna resident Henrietta Goodyear-Finch, 73, died Wednesday in Mesa, Ariz.
Born Sept. 22, 1924 in Cleveland, she was daughter of Arthur and Flossie Shara.
Mrs. Goodyear-Finch was a homemaker. She was a member of the American Legion Post No. 62.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Finch, whom she married in Nov. 1969; sons, Larry (Linda) Goodyear of Mesa, Ariz., and Michael (Leanna) Goodyear of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter, Karen Price of Mesa, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; and sisters, Shirley Jennings and Alice Welnick, both of Los Angeles and Edith Prodencal of Banning, Calif. Her husband, Walter Goodyear, died in 1965. Her brothers, Ralph and Arthur Shara, died previously.
Calling hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Mountainview Memorial Gardens in Mesa, Ariz. where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in Mountainview Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to a favorite hospice.
Douglas Leon
SHALERSVILLE - Douglas W. "Dougie" Leon, 5, died Thursday at the Hattie Larlham Foundation following a four-month illness.
Born April 8, 1992 in Youngstown, he was the son of William J. and Deborah A. (Laurich) Leon, Jr. He was raised in Warren, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Warren.
His special interests were people and movies, "The Lion King" being his favorite.
Survivors include his parents of Warren; sister Bethany of Warren, and grandmothers Helen Laurich of Cortland and Nellie Leon of Warren. A sister, Katie, died in 1987, and his grandfathers, John Laurich and William Leon, Sr. also died previously.
Calling hours will be from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday at Green's Funeral Home, S.R. 44 at Pioneer Trail in Mantua. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church Cemetery in Champion.
Memorials are suggested to either the Hattie Larlham Foundation, Mantua, 44255, or to the Children's Rehabilitation of Warren.
Burdell Risch
Burdell Charles Risch, 74, of Warren died Wednesday at home following a long illness. He was formerly of Garrettsville.
Born June 29, 1923 in Oak Harbor, he was the son of Alfred and Mabel (Woodrick) Risch.
Mr. Risch moved to this area around 1933 and was a longtime Garrettsville resident.
He worked for Garrettsville Gas and Oil Co. and soon became the owner. He was involved in the business for 27 years.
Mr. Risch also worked 10 years for Morgan Lumber Co. and was later a part-time custodian for Champion schools for seven years while taking care of his mother at her home. He then took care of her in his home for eight years until her death in 1993.
He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Warren where he taught Sunday school to young students for 10 years. He served on various church boards such as Elders, Trustees and Social Concerns. He also was purchasing agent for the church, and enjoyed working and planning for the church's monthly free lunch program.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he received a Purple Heart medal.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Marie (Wengar), whom he married Feb. 4, 1950; a daughter, Mrs. Wayne A. (Cindy Lou) Eaton of Jacksonville, Fla.; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home, Garrettsville, with services at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jack Bernlohr officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.
Robert Williams
Robert C. Williams, 75, of Warren, died Wednesday at Ridgecrest Care Center, Inc. in Warren after a long illness.
Born May 28, 1922 in New Castle, Pa., he was the son of Clarence Glenn and Violet May (Kinnamon) Williams.
He had lived in Warren most of his life and was a truck driver for Luntz Steel and the Warren Sanitation Department. Mr. Williams was a U.S. Army veteran.
Survivors include his companion, Ann Tincher; son, Dwight of Warren; stepson, Robert Lee Christman of Brookfield; stepdaughters, Vera Tincher and Tammy Tincher, both at home; brothers, James of Warren, Floyd and John, both of Leavittsburg, and Mickey of Howland; sisters Mrs. Joe (June) Peterson of Howland and Mrs. Ruth Angel of Warren; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
There will be no calling hours. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the North-Mar Church of the Christian Missionary Alliance. Arrangements were handled by the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.
Mary Madonio
Mary Stella Madonio, 88, of Ravenna died Wednesday at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna.
Born Aug. 7, 1909 in Villa Rosa, Sicily, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Lucy (Belante) Tummino. She came to the United States in 1913 and moved to Ravenna in 1942.
Mrs. Madonio and her husband, Edward, operated Madonio's Grocery, first on Lake Street and then on South Prospect Street until 1963. She also worked as a cook at Brown Middle School.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, The Catholic Daughters of America, and Young at Heart.
Survivors include her sons, Lawrence (Barbara) of Akron, Joseph (Donna) of Tavares, Fla., and Charles (Nancy) of Kent; daughters, Mrs. William (Lillian) Wolf of Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Bruce (Lucy) Ribelin of Ravenna; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Her husband Edward died previously, as did a son, Samuel, who died in 1996.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.
Michael Cheselka Jr.
Michael R. Cheselka Jr., 91, formerly of Kent and Aurora, died Thursday.
Born Oct. 20, 1906 in Keisler, Pa., he was the son of Michael R. and Anna (Ribovich) Cheselka, Sr.
Mr. Cheselka was a 46-year resident of Kent. He worked as a carpenter for many years in the Kent area.
Mr. Cheselka was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 192 of Kent. He also was a former master of Kent and Mantua Grange No. 2663 and was an elder emeritus of the First Christian Church of Kent.
Survivors include daughters, Sally Johnson of North Carolina and Mrs. Richard (Nancy) Stump of Mantua; a brother and six sisters; 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, immediately following Masonic services at 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be held at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Carole Howd
DIAMOND - Carole J. Howd, 56, died Monday.
Born Nov. 12, 1941 in Akron, she was the daughter of Walter and Violet Barkley.
Mrs. Howd lived in Diamond for the past five years. She retired from the B.F. Goodrich Co. where she worked in the credit department in 1990 after 25 years of service. She also worked in the credit department at Telxon, Inc. in Fairlawn. She was a member of The Chapel in Akron.
Survivors include her sons, Jerry (Nina) of Seville and James of Norton; daughters, Linda Nicholson of Seville and Mrs. Jeff (Elizabeth) Brick of Grosse Isle, Mich.; and five grandchildren.
Calling hours will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, where services will be at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Animal Protective Agency, P.O. Box 927, Ravenna, 44266.
Christopher Wawrin
ROOTSTOWN - Christopher Wawrin, 21, died Monday at Robinson Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Dorthae Rotzel
Dorthae Jean Rotzel, 85, formerly of Frances Drive in Kent, died Monday at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna.
Born Aug. 25, 1912 in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of Earl and Florence (McCullough) Perkins.
Mrs. Rotzel taught in Youngstown.
She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Kent, Thenus Society, University Women of Kent State University, Coterie II, Chi Omega Society, Women's Association of Robinson Memorial Hospital, and the Chestnut Society.
Her husband, Richard Glenn Rotzel, died in 1993. Her sister, Louise McKendrick, also died previously.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with the Rev. Steven Lashbrook officiating. Private burial will be in Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown.
Virginia Stockdale
Virginia M. (Brode) Stockdale, 80, of Kent, died Sunday at Kent Quality Care Nursing Home.
Born April 29, 1917, in Chagrin Falls. she was a daughter of Forrest and Bessie (Reno) Hubbard. She had lived in Ravenna most of her life, but spent 28 years in Florida.
Mrs. Stockdale was a housewife.
Survivors include her son, Norman Brode of Florida; brother Forrest Hubbard Jr. of Florida; and sister Maxine Westfall of Atwater.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be announced later. Arrangements are being made by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Animal Protective League of Portage County.
Floyd Wilhelm
Floyd E. Wilhelm, 83, of San Jose, Calif., a former Atwater resident, died Tuesday at Pacific Hills Manor in Morgan Hill, Calif.
Born Nov. 4, 1914 in Alliance, he was the son of Sumner and Cora (Taylor) Wilhelm. He lived on a farm in Atwater and graduated from Atwater High School in 1932. From 1940 until 1962, he lived in Limaville.
Mr. Wilhelm was employed as a hammerman at Transhue and Williams Steel Forging Co. in Alliance. He also was a carpenter in the Stark and Portage County areas before moving to California, where he worked as a carpenter for 26 years. Following his retirement in 1978, he served as a Pinkerton Security Officer for more than 14 years.
He called for many area square dances, including the Reister's Good Time Party held in the Atwater Town Hall and dances held in the Lexington Grange.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, to whom he was married for 23 years; son, Jay S. of Sealy, Texas; daughter, Donna Lee Gunn of Dade City, Fla.; stepdaughter, Judith Costa of Cupertino, Calif; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Jasper E. of Randolph; and sister, Mable Hambleton of Hudson. His brother, Delson, and sisters, Lucille Slabaugh and Edna Johnson, died previously.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held in Gilroy, Calif. A memorial service to be held at the Atwater Congregational United Church of Christ will be announced. Burial will be in Marlboro Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel.
Alvin Kallio
Former Portage County resident Alvin Ronald Kallio, 72, of 436 Freeman N.W., Warren, died Nov. 24 at his home.
Born June 9, 1925 in Crystal Falls, Mich., a son of Oscar and Hilda (Hendrickson) Kallio. He and his wife, Mary (Horvath) Kallio, a Portage County native, lived in Twin Lakes for several years after their marriage before moving to Warren.
Mr. Kallio was a truck driver for Motor Express for 38 years. He was a member of Teamsters Local 377 in Warren.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he participated in the landing on Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. He was a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1090.
He enjoyed playing the accordian.
In addition to his wife, Mary, whom he married Dec. 13, 1957, survivors include his sons Tommy D. Nelman of Hartford and Peter R. Nelman of Warren; daughters, Nancy E. Suverison of Hartford and Kimberly K. Kallio of Warren; and sister, Hilma Hohlander of Warren. His brothers, Wayne and John, and sister, June, died previously.
Services were held Saturday at McFarland & Son Funeral Home in Warren. Burial was in All Souls Cemetery in Cortland.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast Ohio, 219 North River Road N.W., Warren, 44483.
Louis Lusk
Louis G. Lusk, 90, a longtime resident of Kent, died Nov. 25 at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
He was born and reared in the Harmony-Zelienople area of Pennsylvania, and attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.
Mr. Lusk served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and was retired from Nationwide Insurance Co. He also played professional football with the Canton Bulldogs.
He was a member of the Rockton Masonic Lodge No. 316 in Kent.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe.
His wife, Helen, died in 1990.
There will be no services. Burial was in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Arrangements were handled by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent.
Isabell Smith
Isabell (Merrian) Smith, 87, died Nov. 8 in Studio City, Calif.
Born in Ravenna, Nov. 8, 1910, she was a daughter of Frank and Blanche Merrian. She grew up in Ravenna before marrying and moving to Akron and then California. She was a graduate of the Class of 1929 of Ravenna High School and Bohecker's Business College.
Mrs. Smith worked as a secretary at the McComb Ford dealership in Ravenna.
Survivors include her son, James of Studio City, Calif.; two grandchildren; brother, Lewis Merrian of Kent; and sister, Gloria Hill of Stow. Her husband, Jim Smith, died previously.
Burial was in California.
Harold Lange
SHALERSVILLE - Harold D. Lange, 55, died Monday.
Services will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home.
