USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Robert S. Morrison
ASHTABULA - Robert S. Morrison, 92, founder of Molded Fiber Glass Companies, died Monday, Sept. 16, 2002, at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was born Nov. 19, 1909, in Ashtabula, the son of Frederick and Edith (Root) Morrison.
He graduated from Ashtabula High School and from Oberlin College with honors in economics. He attended Harvard Business School, and did economic and marketing research in Milwaukee before moving to Ashtabula and establishing Morrison Motors, a Ford dealership. He became president of the Ashtabula Industrial Corporation, founded by several Ashtabula businessmen to attract new industry to the area.
A lifelong entrepreneur, he founded MFG in 1948, a company that grew to include 12 divisions in several states. He established a profit-sharing bonus system for all MFG employees, which remains in effect today.
He was also a chairman and chief executive officer of Morrison Molded Fiber Glass Co. of Bristol, Va.; MFG Justin Tank Co., of Georgetown, Del.; and Creative Millwork of Ohio, in Ashtabula. He helped many companies get their starts in the Ashtabula area.
He developed many new processes and products using fiberglass reinforced plastics and was responsible for the Chevrolet Corvette having a fiberglass body. For his contributions to the industry, he was elected a charter member of the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1973.
He was also a prolific and published writer, authoring a daily syndicated newspaper column, as well as a series of articles for the Star Beacon on the importance of economics in daily living. He wrote four books: "The Con-Tax Plan, " "Inflation Can Be Stopped, " "Handbook for Manufacturing Entrepreneurs" and - with Angus Ray - "The Real War on Inflation Has Not Begun."
He was interviewed on national television many times and was invited to discuss his ideas at the White House with President Ford's Board of Economic Advisers. He was a frequent guest speaker before numerous groups around the country.
Always regarded as a man who expressed what he believed, he offered advice and encouragement to anyone who sought his help. He was strongly instructive to elective officials about their responsibilities to the general public, for he knew what really mattered most to the average citizen.
His love of animals led him to be instrumental in the construction of a new shelter for the Animal Protective League. He and his wife, Helen, continued to be major benefactors of the league.
He received numerous awards over the years, including the Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence; the President's and Lifetime Achievement awards from the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County; and special recognition by Ohio's Department of Development.
He was a director of the Ohio Manufacturers Association, a trustee of Grand River Academy and a member of the Second Congregational Church, serving as chairman of the board and the stewardship committee. He often said his social responsibility was to provide good employment to as many people as possible.
He enjoyed golf and supported local area golf teams.
Survivors include his wife, the former Helen Scott, whom he married July 22, 1939; two daughters, Louise Raffa of Ashtabula, and Nancy Warner of Ashtabula; two sons, Robert D. Morrison of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Richard Morrison of Concord Township; nine grandchildren, James and Douglas Morrison, Ann Qualls, Thomas, Robert and Alec Raffa, Garth Warner, Bethany Miller and Hilary Morrison; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Henry.
Service is 11 a.m. Friday at the Second Congregational Church, 319 Lake Ave., Ashtabula. The Rev. Glen Warner will officiate. Burial will be at Ridgeview Cemetery in Ashtabula Township.
Calling hours are noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Ross-Billman Funeral Home, 526 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Congregational Church or the Animal Protective League. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Sam Miller
ASHTABULA - Sam Miller, 80, of West 41st Street, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2001, at the Cleveland Clinic.
He was born July 11, 1921, in Louisville, Miss., the son of Budd and Emma (Coleman) Miller, and had been an Ashtabula resident the past 50 years.
Prior to retirement in 1999, he was employed at the Raser Tannery, and for several years owned and operated his own landscaping and lawn maintenance business.
He was a member of the People's Baptist Church and for several years served on the usher board. He was also "chairman of the board" of the West End Burger King Group.
He enjoyed watching westerns on television and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Survivors include five daughters, Betty Holman, Mattie Riddle and Laydean Young, all of Ashtabula, Emma Jane Coburn of Louisville, Miss., and Suzy Mae King of Hartford, Conn.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Millier of Louisville, Miss.; and three sisters, Ossie Davis of Louisville, Miss., Cora Lee McMillian of Moss Point, Miss., and Annie Wilson of Ashtabula.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ommie, in 1981; two brothers, Willie Lee and Buster; and a sister, Pearl Coleman.
Service is 1 p.m. Friday at the People's Baptist Church, 3837 West Ave., Ashtabula. Louis Grandberry, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Calling hours at the church are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the church.
Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, is in charge of arrangements.
Zanna O. Anderson
ASHTABULA - Zanna O. Anderson, 79, of Ashtabula, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at her home.
She was born Feb. 24, 1922, in Beech, W.Va., the daughter of James and Lula (Duncan) Bailey.
She retired from MFG Rockwell International after 27 years of service, and was a truck driver for Anderson Enterprises.
She was a member of the Ladies of the Eagles Auxiliary and the Army/Navy Union. She enjoyed her flower garden, baseball and traveling with her husband, William, and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, whom she married 61 years ago; a son, Gene of Ashtabula; a daughter, Bernadine Fanning of Ashtabula; six grandchildren, Lonnie Anderson, Regina Tackett, Maryjean Taylor, William Fanning, Bruce Fanning and Sandy Hudson; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mae Keidel of Texas City, Texas, and Irene Whelpley of North Kingsville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Richard; and brothers James Jr., Jennings, Gomer and Ronzel Bailey.
Service is 11 a.m. Friday at the Guerriero Funeral Home, 1550 W. 19th St., Ashtabula. The Rev. Evan Hamilton, of the Lily of the Valley Old Regular Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will be at Monroe Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Robert Dieffenbacher
ASHTABULA - Former Ashtabula police chief Robert William Dieffenbacher, 75, of Grove Drive, Ashtabula, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at the Ashtabula County Medical Center.
He was born June 15, 1926, in Cleveland, the son of William E. and Helen E. (Beckwith) Dieffenbacher, and was a lifelong Ashtabula resident.
A 1944 graduate of Ashtabula High School, he played center for the football team. He also earned a special diploma for graduating from the first two-year full vocational school.
Prior to retirement in 1983, he worked 33 years for the Ashtabula Police Department. He served 2 1/2 years as chief, was a marksman and tactical squad training officer, served on the department's review board, was a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team and earned his gold badge.
He graduated from the FBI Academy Marine Base in Quantico, Va., and was a certified law enforcement teacher.
A decorated veteran of the Navy, he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II while stationed on the USS Manila Bay aircraft carrier.
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 943; a member of Bethany Lutheran Church; a 50-year member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 22 F&AM; was United League bowling secretary; secretary-treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 26 between 1968-1981; and founder and frequent chairman of the FOP's annual fish fry.
He received the Ashtabula Township trustees award for outstanding service and consideration presented for his long-standing care and concern for Chestnut Grove Cemetery in 2001.
Survivors include his wife, the former Elvira Eleanor Laurila, whom he married June 11, 1949; a daughter, Beth Ann Sloan of Ashtabula; two granddaughters, Edina McCollum and Kacee Sanders; one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Arlene Sharp of Estero, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Service is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Askew-Brink-Ducro Harbor Funeral Home, 1709 West 11th St., Ashtabula. The Rev. David Hofer, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Ashtabula County United Veterans Counsel will conduct military rites at the gravesite.
Calling hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Rising Sun Lodge No. 22 F&AM will conduct Masonic memorial service at 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 922 Michigan Ave., Ashtabula, 44004.
Harold F. Seigman Sr
ASHTABULA - Harold F. Seigman Sr., 99, of Ashtabula, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2001, at the Jefferson Geriatric Center.
He was born Jan. 12, 1902, in Ayersville, and lived in Ashtabula most of his life.
He was a 1922 graduate of Andover High School, returning to school to earn his diploma after taking several years off to work on the family farm.
He was an electrician for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., retiring in 1964.
He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include a son, Harold Seigman Jr. of Willoughby Hills; grandchildren, the Rev. Ronald Seigman, Daniel Seigman, Joni Snyder and Ruth Wolfgang; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, the former Evelyn Neely, in 1988; a daughter, Jean Cooper, in 1991; and a sister, Pearl.
Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1820 S. Ridge West. The Rev. Ronald Seigman, the deceased's grandson and the Rev. Michael Legg will officiate. Burial will be at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Calling hours are 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Zaback-Czup Funeral Home, 500 Prospect Road, Ashtabula.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Mary L. Yontz
ASHTABULA - Mary L. Yontz, 67, of Ashtabula, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Warren.
She was born May 20, 1934, in Cleveland, the daughter of John and Mary (Mihelcic) Rackar, and had lived in the Ashtabula area the five years. Previously, she lived in Lake County for more than 25 years.
She worked at the Kmart store on Vine Street in Eastlake for 23 years, retiring in 1991. She enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include her husband, Albert F.; two daughters, Barbara Bock and Cynthia Youhas, both of Ashtabula; two sons, Kenneth Yontz of Wickliffe, and Albert Yontz of Ashtabula; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Jack Rackar of Aurora, and Richard Rackar of Fulshear, Texas.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Church, 37950 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Effie Boswell
ASHTABULA Effie Boswell, 81, died Wednesday, May 16, 2001, at Ashtabula County Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula.
Eugene A. Lawson Jr
ASHTABULA - Eugene A. Lawson Jr., 67, of State Road, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003 at Austinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born Feb. 1, 1935 in Cleveland, the son of Eugene Alfred, Sr. and Mildred (VanDusen) Lawson and had been an area resident for more than 20 years.
A career military man, he retired as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He also served in the Air Force and National Guard. He later worked for the Star Beacon and City Cab.
A member of the First Christian Church, Mr. Lawson was a church elder, served a term as elder’s chair and previously was a deacon. He also assisted with church maintenance, was an avid reader and enjoyed air guns, matchbox cars and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves no immediate survivors.
Service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church, 6920 Austinburg Road, Ashtabula. The Rev. Kathleen Evans, pastor will officiate. Military honors will take place following the service.
No calling hours will be observed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements.
