USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Catherine Tavera Shelton
Catherine Tavera Shelton, 57, passed away Friday, April 13, 2001, in Rocklin, Calif., after a long illness.
Mrs. Shelton was a native of Texas and lived in Brunswick. She was active in her children's schools. She also was a Cleveland library volunteer, member of Church of God and a Christian counselor for the Billy Graham Crusade.
She is survived by her husband, Rodney Shelton; son, Ronnie Shelton; daughter, Maria Michelle Shelton; grandchildren, Brittany, Derek and Christian; sisters, Mary Tavera, Martha Gamboa, Dolores Garcia, Blanca and Patricia Tavera, Frances Ortiz, Rachel Rodriguez and Ruth, Marisol and Becky Tavera; brothers, John, Gilbert, Tony, Roy and Daniel Tavera; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Maria Tavera, and brothers, Gustavo and David Tavera.
A memorial service celebrating Catherine Tavera Shelton's life will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at 2930 Laurel Road, Brunswick.
Chapel of the Valley in Roseville, Calif., handled arrangements.
Helen A. Toman
Helen A. Toman, 87, of Homer Township, passed away Monday, May 7, 2001, at Medina General Hospital.
She was born Dec. 29, 1913, to Michael and Mary (nee Babinchak) Pavlischak in Miner Mills, Pa. Mrs. Toman was a homemaker and a resident of Medina County for four years, previously of North Royalton and Candlewood Lake at Mt. Gilead.
She is survived by her sons, Frank (Carol) of West Ampton, N.J., Bernard (Vanette) of Medina, Edward (Paula) of Broadview Heights and Jerry of Homer; and 11 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Frank.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 606 E. Washington St.
Interment: Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina.
Visiting hours: 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Carlson, A Golden Rule Funeral Home, 3477 Medina Road (state Route 18 at River Styx Road), Medina.
Mary T. Began
Mary T. Began, 64, of Lodi, passed away, Tuesday, May 1, 2001, at Lodi Community Hospital.
Mrs. Began was born Dec. 10, 1936, in Cleveland to Patrick and Winifred (Farrell) Cannon. She married Raymond E. Began on April 23, 1957.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Rita (Ernie) Perea of Hastings, Iowa, and Patricia (Steve) Murphy of Stow; son, Timothy (Kimberly) Began-Johnston of Medina; five grandchildren; and brother, Thomas (Mary Jane) Cannon of Solon.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William.
Service: 1 p.m. Saturday at Roberts Funeral Home-Hillcrest Chapel, 9560 Acme Road, Wadsworth. Chaplain Paul Fink will officiate.
Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Visiting hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Stanley E. LaSocha
Stanley E. LaSocha, 80, of Medina, passed away Friday, April 27, 2001, at his residence.
He was born May 13, 1920, in Cleveland to Jan and Helen (nee Mortko) LaSocha. He was a union carpenter for more than 50 years with Union Local 1108. Mr. LaSocha was a World War II veteran and served in the Air Force.
He is survived by his son, Alan of Medina; daughter, Geraldine French of Dallas; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Mary (nee Janscik).
Private services will be held.
Interment: Resurrection Cemetery, Valley City.
Carlson, A Golden Rule Funeral Home, Medina, is in charge of family services.
Betty J. Gifford
Betty Jane Gifford, 78, of Medina, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2001, at Ohio Pythian Sisters Home of Medina.
She was born Dec. 8, 1922, in Erie County, Pa., and was a Medina County resident for 10 years. She was employed at Lang Electric of Edinboro, Pa., and L&K in Northfield.
She is survived by her daughters, Diane Nault of Fermington, N.M., Debbie Gifford of Wooster and Becky Woolley of Creston; son, Don Gifford of Brunswick; sisters, Helen O'Connor of Spartensburg, Pa., and Margaret Elderkin of New York; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Gifford, in 1988.
Private family services will be held today with the Rev. Bill Beerry officiating.
Burial: Edinboro.
Visiting hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today at Armstrong-Waite Funeral Home, 25 Pleasant St., Seville.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of one's choice.
Walter C. Larsen
Walter C. Larsen, 77, of Seville, passed away Monday, April 30, 2001, at his residence after a long illness under the care of his devoted and loving wife and a team of dedicated professional caregivers.
He was born Nov. 10, 1923, in North Royalton to Christ and Emily (nee Zajicek) Larsen. Mr. Larsen was a Medina County resident most of his life. He was employed by Producers Milk Co. and retired from Lawson Milk Co. in 1985 after 35 years of service. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking, canoeing and bicycling. He rode many years in the Hancock County Horizontal 100 miles and 100 kilometers, he also rode over 250 kilometers for the Medina County March of Dimes Super Ride. Mr. Larsen also enjoyed music and square dancing was a favorite pastime for him and his wife. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II in the Philippines. He was a wonderful husband, loving father, and devoted and caring grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Edith (nee Sepulveda), whom he married in 1947; sons, Byron (Ruth) Larsen of Creston, Kenneth (Joyce) Larsen of San Leandro, Calif., Derrel Larsen of Marshallville, Ohio, and Leonard (Debbie) Larsen of Canton, Ga.; granddaughters, Sarah and Kelly (Michael); great-grandsons, Anthony and Xavier; and brother, Bernard "Ben" (Jonnie) Larsen of Parma.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made in Walter's name to the Salvation Army, 425 W. Liberty St., Medina, 44256, or United Church of Christ, Congregational Sunday School Fund, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina, 44256.
Waite & Son Funeral Homes, Medina Chapel, is handling arrangements.
Paul Muha
Paul Muha, 75, of Medina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 29, 2001, at Medina General Hospital.
Mr. Muha was born June 27, 1925, in Morgantown, W.Va., a second generation American. As a Christian man of integrity and honor, he touched the lives of thousands during his life as a teacher, principal and school superintendent. In addition to his life's vocation in education, he worked a variety of jobs from being a pin boy as a teenager, Navy yeoman at the end of World War II, realtor for 10 years after retiring from 30 years in education, and most recently, at the Medina Marc's.
He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from West Virginia University in Morgantown. He was a member of the Medina County Teachers Association, the Retired Teachers Association and the Ohio Teacher Association. He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for almost 40 years and was guided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all his life.
He is survived by his wife, Valgene Muha (nee Ryan), to whom he was married 53 years; son, Barry (Lauren) Muha; daughters, Penny (Mark) Whittaker and Heidi (Tom) Fry of Salem; granddaughters, Molly, Naomi, Taylor and Holly; great-grandson, Hunter; and brothers, George Muha, Charles B. Muha, Fred Muha and Robert Muha.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. today at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 N. Broadway, Medina. The Rev. William Lucht Jr. will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Services Center, 655 N. Broadway, Medina, 44256, or to the charity of your choice.
Waite & Son Funeral Homes, Medina Chapel, is handling arrangements.
Cathleen A. Nicklas & Vincent M. Nicklas
Cathleen Ann Nicklas, 37, of Litchfield Township, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2001, at University Hospital and her infant son, Vincent Michael Nicklas, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2001, at Medina General Hospital.
Cathleen was born Sept. 23, 1963, in Cleveland. She was a Medina County resident since October 2000. She was a registered nurse at Medina General Hospital and a homemaker. Mrs. Nicklas served in the Air Force.
They are survived by their husband and father, David A. Nicklas; son and brother, Benjamin Nicklas; and sister and aunt, Barbara Hagler of Brunswick.
Service: 10 a.m. Friday at Waite & Son Funeral Homes, Medina Chapel, 765 N. Court St. Chaplain James Hostetler will officiate.
Burial: Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman.
Visiting hours: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
David P. Quinn Sr.
David Patrick Quinn Sr., 72, of Brunswick, passed away Monday, April 30, 2001, at his residence.
He was born March 17, 1929, in Turtle Creek, Pa., and was a Brunswick resident for 40 years. He was a machine operator for General Motors (Terex Division). Mr. Quinn was a former member of Brunswick Eagles 3505, former member of the United Auto Workers and former Brunswick school bus driver. He served in the Army and enjoyed camping and fishing.
He is survived by his son, David (Sherry) Quinn Jr. of Medina; daughters, Deborah (Timothy) Korte and Darlene Coleman, both of Medina; sisters, Renee Ballas, Rose Ollis and Dorothy Quinn; grandchildren, Shawn Korte, Kenneth Coleman, Tracy Coleman, Jason Coleman, Michael Korte and Sarah Korte; and great-grandchildren, Avonlea and Andre.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Marie.
Mass of Resurrection: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 929 Pearl Road, Brunswick.
Interment: Eastlawn Memory Gardens, Brunswick.
Visiting hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Carlson, A Golden Rule Funeral home, 1642 Pearl Road (one-half mile south of state Route 303), Brunswick.
Thelma A. Robinson
Thelma A. Robinson, 71, of Medina, passed away Friday, April 27, 2001, at Ohio Pythian Sisters Home of Medina.
She was born in Mathason, Mich., and was a Medina County resident for 19 years. She was a member of Medina Church of Christ and VFW Auxiliary. She was employed at General Motors Assembly Plant.
She is survived by her daughter, Greta K. Perez of Cleveland; two grandchildren; and brother, Fred Kiefer of Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Lou Lewey and Greta Carraway; brother, Carl Kiefer; and parents, Lenord and Nona Fenn Kiefer.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Waite & Son Funeral Homes, Medina Chapel, 765 N. Court St. Jim Duty will officiate.
Burial: Eastlawn Memory Gardens, Brunswick.
Visiting hours: 12:30 p.m. until time of service Wednesday.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Medina County, 797 N. Court St., Medina, 44256.
