USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Paul Weitzel Jr.
EUCLID -- Paul Kennedy Weitzel Jr., 76, of Euclid, entered into rest Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, 2003, at Willow Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Cleveland.
Memorial services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster, with the Rev. Dr. Leo Keil officiating. A reception with visitation will follow the services for family and friends at the church.
It was his wishes for cremation and a private interment of the cremains will be at Wooster Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Custer-Glenn Funeral Home, Wooster.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati 45229.
He was born May 9, 1926, in Wooster to Paul K. and Edna Mae (Griffin) Weitzel Sr. and married D. Joan "Jody" Shew on Sept. 19, 1949 in Wooster. She entered into rest in 1987.
He was a 1944 graduate of Wooster High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the end of World War II, as a radio specialist.
In 1949, he graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and was an active member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He then graduated from the American Institute of Dry Cleaning and became president of the Weitzel Dry Cleaning Co. in Wooster. In 1980, he entered semi-retirement to pursue a part-time career in sales.
He had made his home in Wooster until 1994, when he relocated to Euclid, and was active in a number of service and fraternal organizations in Wooster, including the 20-30 Club, BPOE, Lions Club and Wooster Al Koran Shrine. He served as director of the March of Dimes and was a volunteer driver for the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster.
Surviving are sons, Paul K. Weitzel III of Albuquerque, N.M., and Marlin Weitzel of Guerneville, Calif.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and an uncle, Dean Weitzel of Wooster.
Since moving to Euclid in 1994, he has been a close companion of Joanne Belle of Euclid.
Mary Bletz
MANSFIELD -- Mary Blanche R. Bletz, 93, of Mansfield died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Oak Grove Manor, after an extended illness.
Services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors in Mansfield. Burial will be at Mansfield Memorial Park.
Friends may call Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
She was born Feb. 9, 1909, in Reedsburg to Frank W. and Ruth (Shriver) Westfall and married Walter Bletz. He died previously.
She was a graduate of Shreve High School in the late 1920s and retired from Mansfield General Hospital, where she had worked in the laundry department.
She attended First Lutheran Church for many years and enjoyed traveling.
Surviving are a daughter, Marilyn (Jack) Shrader of Mansfield; granddaughters, Diane (Dave) Clever and Cynthia (Steve) Miller; great-grandsons, Morgan and Matthew Miller; nieces and nephews, Harold "Hal" and Forest Tate, both of Wooster, Frank Tate of Tennessee, Joanne Bowers of Indiana and Carolyn Bartel of Pennsylvania.
In addition to her husband, her parents, great-grandsons, Timothy and Terry and a sister, Nellie Tate, died previously.
Vincent Evans
DOYLESTOWN -- Vincent Lee Evans, 16-month-old son of Josh and Rebecca (Duncan) Evans of Doylestown, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, after an 11-month battle with leukemia.
Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Zak-Monbarren Funeral Home in Doylestown, with the Rev. Fred Webb officiating. Burial will be at Chestnut Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vincie Fund at any U.S. Bank Branch.
He was born Sept. 10, 2001, and had made his home in Doylestown. He was a member of Trinity Church of God.
Surviving in addition to his parents, are grandparents, Keith and Donna Duncan of Doylestown and Junior and Fran Evans of Cuyahoga Falls; great-grandparents, Ray and Joan Duncan of Norton and Bev Minks of Barberton; great-great-grandmothers, Anna Ruckman and Ruth Knecht, both of Doylestown; and an aunt and uncles.
Ruth Karger
WOOSTER -- Ruth Karger, 80, a resident of Smithville-Western Care Center, Wooster, died Saturday morning, Feb. 1, 2003, at Wooster Community Hospital.
Graveside services will be held at Cedar Park Cemetery in Westwood, N.J.
She was born July 12, 1922, in New York, N.Y., to Isidore and Rose (Kopp) Yawman and married Emanuel Karger in 1943. He died in 1994.
She was a graduate of Evander Childs High School in The Bronx, N.Y., was a secretary for the U.S. government prior to her marriage and was a homemaker.
Surviving are children, Kenneth (Linda) Karger of Wooster and Judith Karger and her husband, Neil Davis of Bethesda, Md.; and five grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, a brother, Henry Yawman, died previously.
Howard Lorson Sr.
DOVER -- Howard W. "Sparky" Lorson Sr., 79, of Dover died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center.
Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Dover, with Pastor Brian Nunnally officiating. Cremation will follow the service.
Friends may call Monday from 4-7 p.m. at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover or one hour prior to the services at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 216 N. Wooster Ave., Dover 44622.
He was born Oct. 8, 1923, in Dalton to Albert and Lona (Nussbaum) Lorson and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific.
In 1984, he retired from Dover High School as a physics and chemistry teacher after 35 years and was a football coach at Dover and Orrville for 30 years.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher and served on church council, a member of the Men's Brotherhood, Order of St. Luke, Dover Veterans of Foreign Wars, Columbus American Legion and Dover Elks.
He was a Boy Scout leader for 25 years and enjoyed being a ham radio operator. He taught many people how to use the radio.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, V. Marie (Musser) Lorson, whom he married March 28, 1943; children, Emily (Robert) Hoff of Kent, Howard W. (Alice Cain) Lorson Jr. of Canton, Edward A. (Penny) Lorson of Wooster, Theodore E. (Mary Jane) Lorson of Dover and Dr. Mark V. (Cheryl) Lorson of Hilliard; grandchildren, Eric, Sarah, Ann Marie, Valerie, Julie, Jacob, William and Katie Lorson, Mark Lorson II, Beth Chambers, Robert and Lynda Hoff; six step-grandchildren; several beloved great-grandchildren; and his stepmother, Luella Lorson of Dalton.
A brother, Charles Lorson, died previously.
Jerry McCluggage
LOUDONVILLE -- Jerry Lee McCluggage, 49, 329 N. Wood St., died Friday evening, Jan. 31, 2003, at Samaritan Regional Health System in Ashland after a brief illness.
Services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home in Loudonville, with the Rev. Patricia Reiter officiating. Burial will be at Nashville Cemetery.
Friends may call Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the Sons of the American Legion will hold services at 7:45 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Loudonville United Methodist Church, 124 N. Market St., Loudonville 44842.
He was born Nov. 2, 1953, in Ashland County to Floyd F. and Kathryn Ida (Keffer) McCluggage and was a 1972 graduate of Loudonville High School.
He had made his home in Loudonville most of his life and had worked in the automotive industry doing body repair work for McClure Ford, George Lamb Chevrolet and Bill Harris Chevrolet. He was employed at Pro Auto Body of Mansfield.
He was a member of Loudonville United Methodist Church, Sons of the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Surviving are children, Jerrod McCluggage of Holmesville, Aaron Fields, Andy Fields and Kimberly Fields, all of Wooster; a stepson, Josh Lemon of Holmesville; his father of Loudonville; a brother, James F. McCluggage of Loudonville; and sisters, Janet K. Kusky of Washington, Pa., and Joyce A. Chipner of Loudonville.
His mother died in 1987.
Iva Snoddy
WOOSTER -- Iva (Finn) Rastetter Snoddy, 86, of Wooster, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Glendora Health Care Center.
Services will be Wednesday at noon at McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home in Wooster, with the Rev. John Lawrence officiating. Burial will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to West Lebanon United Methodist Church, 6082 SW Lebanon Road, Dalton 44618.
She was born March 4, 1916, in Wayne County to William and Addie (Witherow) Finn and married Howard W. Snoddy on June 22, 1946. He died July 8, 1989.
She had worked at the former Regal Ware for 14 years as a seconds and salvage clerk and was a member of the Women of the Moose.
Surviving are children, William (Nancy) Rastetter of Wooster, Ronald (Carol) Snoddy of Colorado Springs, Colo., Harold (Linda) Snoddy of Akron, Charles (Linda) Snoddy of Wooster and Shirley (Curtis) Trent of Mount Eaton; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, a sister, Ruth Byler and a brother, Francis Finn, died previously.
Travis Tucker
HAMILTON, Ala. -- Travis Leo Tucker, 69, 2340 Regency Place, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at Marion Regional Medical Center.
He was the father and father-in-law of Travis and Tina Tucker and Brian Tucker, all of Seville.
Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel, 518 Bexar Ave., Hamilton, Ala., with Elvis Cochran officiating. Burial will be at Rocky Grove Cemetery, Hamilton, Ala.
Friends may call Monday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
He was born June 27, 1933, in Mississippi to Wafer and Lilla (Posey) Tucker and was married to Diana "Wanda" Tucker. She survives.
He had served in the U.S. Armed Forces and was a mechanic.
Other survivors include a daughter, Debra (Greg) Curtin of North Port, Ala., and a son, Kevin Tucker of Hamilton, Ala.; six grandchildren; sisters, Brenda Carol Wilbanks of Texas and Glynda Edge of Georgia; and a brother, Franklin Tucker of Texas.
Anne Vagnini
WOOSTER -- Anne Vagnini, 54, of Wooster, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Wooster Community Hospital.
Services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home in Wooster, with the Rev. Dale Sanford officiating. Entombment will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne County Humane Society, P.O. Box 266, Wooster; or to the Kidney Foundation, 442 N. Market St., Wooster 44691.
She was born Dec. 11, 1948, in Wooster to James Richard and Virginia (Ewing) Fishburn and was a graduate of Ashland College, where she was a cheerleader, on the swim team and a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. She had been in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, as well as in high school.
She had been a teacher with the Triway School District and was a licensed practical nurse in the obstetrics department at Wooster Community Hospital.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wooster, the Mary Martha Circle of the church and had been very active in church activities. She was also a member of the Cleveland and YMCA swim clubs and was a volunteer for People to People.
Surviving are a daughter, Kristi Vagnini, her mother, a brother, Jim (Lori) Fishburn II and sisters, Judy (Darrell) Leisure and Sally Fishburn, all of Wooster; nephews, Dustin (Julia) Fishburn, Rich, John and Joe Fishburn; and nieces, Jade Fishburn and Jane Leisure.
Her father died previously.
Kathleen Watts
MASSILLON -- Kathleen L. Watts, 75, of Massillon, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center after a brief illness.
She was the mother and mother-in-law of Karen M. and John D. Shultz of Dalton.
Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Atkinson-Feucht-Shadnagle Funeral Home in Massillon, with Pastor Darrell Ediger officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
She was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Jewett to Harry S. and Edith G. (Moore) Orr and married H. Kenneth Watts. He died Oct. 4, 2001.
She was a bookkeeper at Ceres Supply, Finefrock Furniture and Pac Grip.
Other survivors include a son, Kim M. (Barbara L.) Watts of Massillon, and three grandchildren.
Diana Young
LODI -- Diana Young, 49, of Lodi, dedicated her life to the service of others. She died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003.
A champion of those less fortunate, Diana worked more than two decades helping the chemically dependent at Alcoholism Services of Canton and Cleveland and A.D.D.S. of Medina. In 2002, she was called to help the dying as a social worker for Hospice of Wayne County.
Her education included Malone College (1975) and a master of science in social administration at Case Western Reserve University (1983).
Diana had a deep and sustaining faith in God and a love of His creation and creatures. Her passions included goat keeping, gardening and camping. She loved wild flowers and all things of nature. She hated prejudice and oppression of the underprivileged.
Surviving are her parents, Dr. Dale and Marguerite Young of Akron; her life partner, Bill Johnson; brothers, Dale (Joan Picone) Young and Dean (Ann) Young, both of Akron; a sister, Dr. Darlene Young of Macomb, Ill.; and many other relatives and friends who loved her.
A memorial service in celebration of Diana's life will be held Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. at Akron Springfield Church of the Brethren, 3500 Albrecht Ave., Akron.
Friends may greet the family at a reception in the church fellowship hall following the services at about 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Haven of Rest or National Audubon Society.
Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Akron, is handling arrangements.
