USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Norene J. Babbitt
JEFFERSON - Norene J. Babbitt, 79, of Brown Road, Jefferson, died Tuesday, May 7, 2002, at her home.
She was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Painesville, the daughter of Stanley and Mable (Judd) Page.
She graduated from Harvey High School in 1941, and spent the past 30 years in Jefferson.
She was a homemaker and loved being with her family. She enjoyed bowling at Jefferson Lanes, the W.W.F, baseball, football and working outdoors, especially planting flowers.
Survivors include her husband, Lyle J. "Red" Babbitt, whom she married Sept. 22, 1970, in Painesville; two daughters, Dee D. Gibson of Geneva, and Beverly A. Zavada of Mentor; a son, Russell F. Childs of Mentor; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Frances Campbell of Bevarde, N.C., and Virginia Hemmi of Madison.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a great-granddaughter, Tatianna Mechele Dyer.
A private family service will be Friday at Greenlawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, 3140 E. Center St., North Kingsville. Burial will follow.
No calling hours will be observed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ashtabula County, 2420 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 44004.
Ducro Funeral Services at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, 3137 E. Center St., North Kingsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Marie P. Koontz
SPOKANE, Wash. - Marie P. Koontz, 60, died Friday, Sept. 27, 2002.
She was born in Conneaut and graduated from high school in Ashtabula.
Mrs. Koontz moved to Spokane, Wash., in 1968, coming from Hermosa, Calif. She worked as a property manager for James S. Black Co. from 1976 to 1984.
She trained as a certified nursing assistant and worked in various convalescent homes for several years, including the North Central Care Center, for several years.
Survivors include two daughters, Tina Rose of Spokane, and Star Chazell of Oakesdale, Wash.; two sons, James Thiel Jr. of Kennewick, Wash., and Clinton Thiel of Meridian, Idaho; two sisters, Debbie Burlingame of Jefferson and Paula Jackson of Ashtabula; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 15 years, Robert J. Koontz, in 1992.
Private family services have been held.
Ball and Dodd Funeral HomeNorth, 5100 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, Wash., had charge of arrangements.
Gerald A. Lutz
LARGO, Fla. - Gerald A. (Ding) Lutz, 93, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, in Largo.
He was born March 19, 1909, near Lancaster. He previously lived in Mentor. He married Margaret York.
Mr. Lutz served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He and his brother, Park, owned Lutz's Inn in Painesville from 1945 through 1970. He will be remembered for his friendly greeting and warm smile.
He was a member of First Church, Congregational, of Painesville, Brakeman-King Post of the American Legion in Painesville, and Painesville Elks Lodge 549 B.P.O.E.
Survivors include nieces and nephews in the Ashtabula County area.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, in 1984, and his brother, Park.
Graveside service is 1 p.m. Friday in Section 21 of Mentor Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. John P. Davis III of First Church, Congregational.
Memorial donations may be made to First Church, Congregational, 22 Liberty St., Painesville.
Arrangements are being handled by the Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Ave., Painesville.
James D. Marvin
CONNEAUT - James D. Marvin, 54, died Tuesday, October 8, 2002, at Ashtabula County Medical Center's hospice unit.
He was born June 26, 1948, in Conneaut, to Raymond and June (Scott) Marvin.
Mr. Marvin graduated from Conneaut High School in 1966. He entered the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1972. He married Mary Nine on October 11, 1977.
He worked for the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad as a clerk. In 1983, he entered law enforcement and served as the city of Conneaut's first K-9 patrolman for several years. He later worked for the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company as a deputy patrolman until 2002. He was also the property manager for Camp Luther in North Kingsville, where he worked with his wife.
He was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Church. He played in many golf and bowling leagues. He enjoyed traveling to casinos and especially loved going to Las Vegas. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and cruising in his 1978 Corvette. He loved to make people laugh and have a good time.
Survivors include his mother, June Hopkins of Conneaut; his wife, Mary; two sons, James Jr. of Lynchburg, Va., and Leith of Conneaut; two brothers, Raymond and Paul Marvin, both of Ashtabula; two sisters, Beth Hickman of Akron, and Nancy Snyder of Conneaut; and a granddaughter, McKenzie Marvin of Lynchburg.
He was preceded in death by his father and an infant son, Gregory.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 744 Mill St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Raymond Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Conneaut.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut. Evening vigil services will be at 8:45 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Luther Improvement Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Ralph L. Johnson
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ralph L. Johnson, 70, of Kissimmee, Fla., died Tuesday, May 7, 2002.
He was born in Ashtabula and moved to central Florida in 1990.
He served with the Army during the Korean Conflict, and was a customer service manager with East Ohio Gas Co. for Ohio's northeast region.
He was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kissimmee; was past president of Sherwood Forest Home Owners Association; and a member of the Elks Lodge and Exchange Club.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; a son, Jeffrey Johnson of Macedonia; a daughter, Marie Blackwell of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Nancy Gillich of Ashtabula; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded by a brother, Wallace Johnson, in 1998.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 9 a.m. Saturday at Holy Redeemer Church in Kissimmee. The Rev. Rafael Villegas, church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, Kissimmee Chapel.
The Osceoloa Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Home and Crematory, Kissimmee, is in charge of arrangements.
August C. Krage
GENEVA August C. Krage, 62, formerly of North Bend Road, Saybrook Township, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at the Rae Ann Nursing Home, Geneva.
He was born Dec. 1, 1939, in Cleveland, the son of Charles and Marian Edith (Gervasi) Krage.
A graduate of Kent State University, Mr. Krage was employed with Norfolk & Western Railroad as an accountant for 20 years in Roanoke, Va., until his retirement.
He was a member of Assumption Church, Geneva, where he served on the Parish Council; was a lector and Eucharist minister; served in the youth ministry program; and on various other church committees.
Mr. Krage enjoyed hiking and reading.
Survivors include his mother of Saybrook Township and several cousins.
Funeral Mass is 1 p.m. today at Assumption Church, 594 W. Main St., Geneva, with the Rev. Paul Tobin officiating.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. today at the Kennedy-Billman Funeral Home, 323 S. Broadway, Geneva.
Memorial contributions may be made to Assumption Church or to Hospice of Ashtabula County. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Boneita M. Gifford
CONNEAUT - Boneita M. (Bonnie) Gifford, 78, of King Street, Conneaut, died Wednesday, May 8, 2002, at her home.
Born in Rock Creek, Ohio, April 21, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mabel (Jones) McClusky. She resided in Ashtabula for 21 years, prior to moving to Conneaut.
Mrs. Gifford was a graduate of Ashtabula High School with the class of 1946. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Conneaut.
Bonnie was a homemaker. She especially enjoyed her grandson Bobby, and followed all of his sporting activities, along with the sporting activities of her niece Alyson Gildone and nephew Jarrod Sharp.
She enjoyed her flowers, friends and neighbors. She was an avid fan of professional sports, especially the Cleveland Browns, Cavs and Indians.
Bonnie was well-known for her charity for the less fortunate.
She is survived by a daughter, Patricia A. Gifford of Ashtabula; two sons, Richard E. of Conneaut, and Rick C. of Monroe Township; a daughter-in-law, Robyn Gifford of Conneaut; her grandson Bobby Gifford of Conneaut; and a brother, Benjamin McClusky of Ashtabula.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Robert E.; her twin sister, Carlie Miltner; and three brothers, Robert, Ronald and William McClusky.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Glenwood Cemetery. It was the request of the deceased that there be no calling hours. It was Bonnie's request that memorials be made to the C.L.Y.O. Envelopes are available at the Thompson-Smith Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut, which is in charge of arrangements.
