Marion D. Bidelman
Marion D. Bidelman, 92, of Claridon, died Dec. 11 [1997] at Blossom Hill Nursing Home in Huntsburg. She was born Nov. 9, 1905, in Manominee, Wis., the daughter of Raymond and Edan Lawler. She had lived in Claridon since 1986 and prior to that in Marshall, Mich. She attended Norman School and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Wisconsin. She married Gilbert Bidelman on Nov. 27, 1928, in Atlanta. She was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed cooking, reading and playing bridge. Mrs. Bidelman is survived by her husband, Gilbert; a daughter, Betty (Donald) Vaccariello of Claridon; two grandchildren, Roger (Elaine) Motylinski of Gates Mills; and Linda Vaccariello of Cincinnati; a sister, Edna Toney of Atlanta; and two great-grandsons, Geoffrey Pender and Michael Vaccariello. She was preceded in death by brothers, Jonnie, Thomas and Raymond Lawler; and sisters, Margeritte Loving and Katherine Norris. The family suggests memorial contributions to Claridon Congregational Church Building Fund, Phase 3.

Margaret O. Hufert
Margaret "Peggy" O'Connor Hufert, brought the pleasure of music and the joy of her personality to all who knew her. Mrs. Hufert, 87, of Chagrin Falls, died Dec. 12 [1997] at Hospice House in Euclid. She was born in 1910, in Holton, Mich. She was a trained classical pianist who delighted in popular music. After attending Albion College, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, she met her future husband, Theodore. She taught high school English. She performed as a pianist professionally and for the pleasure of varied groups all her life, most recently for "Singalong with Peggy" at Hamlet Retirement Community, where she moved one year ago. She was a former member of the St. Cecella Society, an avid bridge player, knitter, golfer and a volunteer. Her husband, Theodore, who died in 1983, was director of personnel and industrial relations for Whirlpool Corp. for many years. Mrs. Hufert is survived by two daughters, Sherry (Bart) Simon of Pepper Pike and Susan Carman of Boston; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. today, (Dec. 18) at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Peg O'Connor Hufert Music Fund, Albion College, 611 E. Porter St., Albion, Mich. 49224.

James N. Larkins
James N. Larkins, 89, of Kensington Care Center in Aurora, died Dec. 9 [1997] after a lingering illness. He was born April 23, 1908, in East Liverpool, the son of Nelson and Elizabeth Larkins. He moved to Aurora in 1984. He attended East Liverpool High School and Bliss Electrical College in Washington. He was a retired purchasing agent for Bliss-McIntosh Hemphill Plant in Midland, Pa. His hobbies included clock building and repair and woodworking. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Rebbeca (McIntosh) Larkins in 1984. Mr. Larkins is survived by his son, William J. (Marjorie Q.) Larkins of Aurora; grandchildren, Stacy (Larkins) Frank of Aurora and Nelson J. Larkins of Freeport, Maine; and great-grandchildren, Lauren, William and Brandon Larkins of Freeport, Maine and Austin Frank of Aurora.

Chris Pappas
Chris "Taki" Pappas, grandson of a Greek priest who resided in Greece, died Dec. 14 [1997] at Anna Maria Nursing Home in Aurora following a brief illness of pancreas and liver cancer. He was diagnosed in April. An avid tennis player, Mr. Pappas played tennis even during the final stages of his illness and has won numerous tournament titles in the Cleveland area. Following a 20-year career of amateur tennis, he won both singles and doubles tournaments including the prestigious Monte Ganger Invitational in 1995 held at the Cleveland Skating Club. Having been an active member of the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club and the Chagrin Valley Country Club, he also was co-chairman of the Men's East Side Country Club Tennis League consisting of 14 teams. A resident of Moreland Hills since 1977, Mr. Pappas is survived by his wife, Lee, founder and former owner of Falls Travel in Chagrin Falls; two children, Kimberly Lee Pappas and Tommy Kono Pappas; and two brothers, John Pappas of Big Pine Key, Fla. and Pete Pappas of New York. A 1964 graduate of Case Western Reserve University with a bachelor of science degree in engineering science, he also did graduate work there and received his master's of business administration and master's of science degree in engineering. His career began with a three-year stint with TRW where he was part of the development team designing and manufacturing rocket engine components including those for the Apollo 4 Lunar module. For the next 18 years, he was senior manager in charge of product/process development practice, a technical management group with Booz, Allen and Hamilton whose company is headquartered in New York with a Cleveland office. While at Booz, Allen and Hamilton, Mr. Pappas was involved with introducing new technologies relating to the production and development of such things as anti-lock braking systems for the automobile industry; batter powered electric vehicles; small commercial and household appliances; compact light-weight garden tools; and orthopedic implant medical devices. Later Mr. Pappas formed his own company, T.M.S. Management Consultants in Chagrin Falls, where he developed new products and technology. He was active in publishing works in technical journals. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Spence Chapin Adoption Services, 6 E. 94th St., New York, N.Y. 10128, or the Case Fund, c/o Case Alumni Association, Crawford Hall #107, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44106.

Venette F. McBride
Venette "Etta" F. McBride (nee Judd), 102, Chester's oldest known resident and the recipient of the Chester Historical Foundation's "Cane" Award, died Dec. 4 [1997] at Meridia Hillcrest Hospital. She was born Feb. 24, 1895, in Harpersfield. She had a three-mile walk to school to the one-room schoolhouse in Cork. She met her husband, Charles, while on a vacation in Michigan. After they married, they had a furniture store in Alpena, Mich. They traded with the Indians. She survived the Great Depression with the store making on some days only $1. Her husband, Charles, died at age 50. She was left a widow with a small daughter to raise. She took a job at Windsor Hospital, in Chagrin Falls, and was employed there as head cook for 40 years, retiring at age 80. Mrs. McBride enjoyed travelling, reading and gardening. She is survived by one daughter, Gene (Lawrence) Roseum of Chester; two granddaughters, Patricia (Richard) Cleversy of Perry and Laura Sanders of Chester; a grandson, Thomas (Kathy) Sanders of Houston; great-grandchildren, Carrie and Sara Cleversy and Emily and Thomas James Sanders; and a sister, Marjorie Judd Freeman of Columbus, formerly of Chagrin Falls. She was preceded in death by sisters, Louise Otto, Addie Whipple and Minta Yeager; and brothers, Clifford, Elmer and Lloyd Judd. A tree is being planted in her memory.

Janice Jordan
Janice Jordan, 87, a long-time Chagrin Falls resident, died Dec. 25 [1997] in Oceanside, Calif. She was born at home in Cleveland in 1910. With her brother-in-law Charles H. Lesher, she co-founded Lesher Shoes in 1946, opening one of the very first stores in the Van Aken Shopping Center in Shaker Heights. Following his death in 1968, she purchased the company and ran it until 1977, when she sold Lesher Shoes and retired. The company continues today. Her daughter, Barbara Cline, passed away in 1966 at the age of 27, leaving four children whom Mrs. Jordan subsequently raised. They lived in Chagrin Falls for several years before moving to California in 1977. At the time of her death, Mrs. Jordan had contributed more than 7,000 hours of volunteer time to local hospitals in California. Mrs. Jordan is survived by her four grandchildren, Timothy Cline, Lynda Cline, Karen Cline Shepherd and Richard Cline, all of whom attended Chagrin Falls schools. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren; her niece, Karen Lesher Young of Solon; and a nephew, Michael Boyer of Lyndhurst.

Norman W. Sargent
Norman William Sargent, 81, of Dunedin, Fla., died Dec. 16 1997 in Coral Springs, Fla. He was born June 16, 1916, in Orange, the son of William Henry Sargent and Lottie Stoneman Sargent. Mr. Sargent was a graduate of Auburn High School and Hiram College. He also taught at Mantua Center School. He was a professor emeritus of education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Crystalaires Barbershop Chorus and the Palm Harbor, Fla. chapter of SPEBSQSA. Mr. Sargent is survived by his wife, Lois Derr Sargent of Dunedin, Fla.; children, Christine Sargent Guidry of Coral Springs, Fla., Charles Sargent of Indianapolis and Martin Sargent of Pompano Beach, Fla.; a granddaughter, Michelle Guidry of Coral Springs, Fla.; sisters, Ruby Shaffer of Homosassa, Fla. and Marie Protiva of Ohio; and brothers, Howard Sargent and Elmer Sargent of Ohio. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Mantua Center Christian Church at Route 82 and Mantua Center Road in Mantua. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Vernie L. Lazzara
Vernie L. Lazzara (nee Harpster), 70, a Solon resident since 1954, died Jan. 5 1998 at Meridia Hillcrest Hospital. She was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Centre Hall, Pa. She managed Town & Country Cleaners in Chagrin Falls from 1964 to 1978. She also owned and operated D.O. Summers Cleaners in Chagrin Falls retiring in 1992. Her hobbies included traveling. Mrs. Lazzara was a member of Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Joseph; brothers, Donald, Kenneth and Lawrence Harpster; and sisters, Emeline Hood and Betty Mae Coolidge. The family suggests memorial contributions to Federated Church, 76 Bell St., Chagrin Falls 44022.

June E. Chapple
June E. Chapple, 72, of Bainbridge, died Jan. 9 1998 in Aurora of cancer. She was born June 25, 1925, in Attica, the daughter of Hobart K. Link and Garland (Parkhurst), who are now both deceased. Mrs. Chapple was a graduate of Attica High School and of Ohio Wesleyan University. She was a salesperson, working with retail clothing. Her interests included reading and sports, and she loved to travel. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls' Women's Club, PiBeta Phi Alumni Association and various Chagrin bridge clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Chapple. Mrs. Chapple is survived by her daughters, Linda Wright of Arlington, Texas, Cynthia Snider of Chagrin Falls, Jennifer Chapple of Bainbridge, Rebecca Chapple of Los Angeles and Constance Chapple of Tucson, Ariz.; and granddaughters, Jaclyn Chapple and Amanda and Marty Wright. The family suggests memorial contributions to the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls or the American Cancer Society.

Leah M. Crouse
Leah M. Crouse, 93, of Chagrin Falls and former long-time resident of Watertown, N.Y., died Jan. 4 1998 at Burton Health Care Center in Burton. Mrs. Crouse was born Nov. 8, 1904, in New York City. She was a legal secretary for a private law firm in Watertown, N.Y., and was an active member of Eastern Star for many years. She was a member of Stone Presbyterian Church in Watertown. Mrs. Crouse was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar, and her brother, Robert Moore. She is survived by a son, Robert (Nancy) of Chagrin Falls; a daughter, Diana of Stamford, Conn.; three grandchildren, Eric of Bedford, Wendy (Dan) Pardue of Clarksville, Tenn. and Allison of Chagrin Falls; and two great-grandchildren, Dillon Crouse and Jessica Pardue. The family suggests memorial contributions to Stone Presbyterian Church, 140 Chestnut St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601.

Myrtle W. Hardy
Myrtle W. Hardy, 86, of Beach Haven, N.J., and Cranford, N.J., died Jan. 6 1998 at Heather Hill Nursing Home in Chardon following a brief illness. Mrs. Hardy moved to Ohio two years ago after living in Beach Haven and Cranford. She was a graduate of Newark State College and later did graduate work at New York University. She taught elementary education in Chatham, N.J., Madison, N.J. and Springfield, N.J. She loved golf and played regularly. She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford. Mrs. Hardy is survived by her husband, Russell Willis Hardy; a son, Dr. Russell W. (Judith) Hardy of Novelty; grandchildren, Jennifer and Caroline, both of New York City; sisters, Evelyn Heroy of Wildwood, Fla., Ruth W. Carter of Venice, Fla. and Doris Mardfin of Hilton Head, S.C. She was preceded in death by a son, David Ward Hardy. The family suggests contributions to the Heather Hill Hospital and Health Care Center, 12340 Bass Lake Road, Chardon 44024.

Charles Hern
Charles "Chuck" Hern, 88, Chagrin Falls fire chief from 1946 to 1977, died in Punta Gorda, Fla., on Feb. 9 1998 following an illness of several months. Mr. Hern joined the village's volunteer fire department in 1931 and during his career as chief was credited for updating training of firemen, the equipment they used, and the fire trucks and rescue vehicles they drove. Born in Mantua Aug. 31, 1909, Mr. Hern was a resident of Bainbridge for many years before retiring to Florida 15 years ago. A graduate of Chagrin Falls High School in 1928, he served as fire chief for two fire companies, the volunteer fire department serving the village and the "suburban" department which is a private company contracting with surround communities for fire protection. He was honored in 1997 as parade marshal for the 100th anniversary of the volunteer fire department and was honored at a separate dinner that same weekend. No stranger to honors, Mr. Hern was the object of a testimonial dinner held by the village the year after his retirement. In addition to his service as fire chief, Mr. Hern was self-employed owner and operator of a Texaco dealership he called Hern's Texaco, an independent dealership believed to be the longest held dealership in Ohio. Prior to the Texaco name, the business was known as Hern's Valley Tire Co. In addition to the fire department, Mr. Hern served as director of the Chagrin Falls Civil Defense organization during World War II. Mr. Hern is survived by his wife of 64 years, Irene; and daughters Linda Sumwalt of Olmsted Falls and Judy Wendt of Columbus; four grandchildren, Gary and Mark Killian and David and Lisa Wendt; as well as three great grandchildren; a brother, Norman Hern of Avon Park, Fla.; and three sisters, Dorothy Hurd of Bainbridge, Betty Smith of Rotonda, Fla. and Helen Hammond of Key West, Fla. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (Feb. 12) at Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, 95 S. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls. Services will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The family suggests contributions to the Bainbridge Community Church, 17751 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge, where he was a longtime member.

Albert L. Kurtz
Albert L. Kurtz, 83, of Aurora and formerly a Hamlet Hills resident, died Feb. 9 1998 at Anna Maria Nursing Home of a stroke. He was born Sept. 21, 1914, in Manheim, Pa., the son of John P. Kurtz and Amanda Jane Myers. Mr. Kurtz was a graduate of Lakewood High School and Fenn College. He was a mechanical engineer. His hobbies included golf and woodworking. Mr. Kurtz is survived by his wife, Rosemary A. (Keyes) of Aurora; sons, John C. Kurtz of Cleveland; Kevin M. (Dolores) Kurtz of Cincinnati and William A. (Jeanne) Kurtz of Cleveland Heights; and daughters, Susan M. Cavanaugh of Springfield, Va. and Mary Therese (Mark) Hanna of Chester. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army.

Gertrude M. Stewart
Gertrude M. Stewart, 97, of Newbury since 1947 and formerly of Cleveland, died Feb. 7 1998 at Holy Hill Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 3, 1900, in Dundee, Scotland. She was a homemaker and enjoyed her family and gardening. She was a member of Newbury United Community Church. Mrs. Stewart is survived by her grandchildren, Linda Lee (Robert) Bleil of Gibsonia, Pa., Roger (Ann) Mezak of Newbury, Paul (Linda Ann) Stewart of Gibsonia, Pa., Russell Stewart of Newton, N.J. and Michael Stewart of New Orleans; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; a son, Robert (wife, Dorothy); and her daughter, Betty (Mrs. Lou) Mezak.

Edward N. Salathe
Edward Nelson Salathe, 85, of Willoughby and formerly of Chagrin Falls, died Jan. 26 1998 at Lake West Hospital in Willoughby. Mr. Salathe was a resident of Breckenridge, a retirement community in Willoughby, along with his wife, Thelma. Mr. Salathe was born Oct. 22, 1913, in Venedocia. From 1973 until his retirement, he was project purchasing agent for the H.K. Ferguson Co. He received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry and did graduate studies in metallurgy and petroleum engineering. He worked for the Standard Oil Co. from 1940 to 1948 as an inspector and was chief engineer for them from 1948 to 1953. From 1953 to 1961 he was procurement engineer. In 1961 he went to work as a purchasing agent for the Arthur G. McKee and Co. and worked there until 1973. Mr. Salathe was an active member of the Golden Gate Masonic Lodge #245 in Chagrin Falls. He was also a member of other Masonic bodies and for 10 years was a member of World Politics. Earlier he was a member and served on the board of deacons at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. For the past several years he was a member of the Willoughby United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Thelma; and two nephews.

Byron O. Childs
Byron Olds Childs, 67, of Bainbridge, died Jan. 30 1998 at Cleveland Clinic Hospital following complications from an aneurysm (aortic). He was born April 8, 1930, in Ashtabula, and graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1948. Mr. Childs attended Bowling Green State University and studied architecture. He served in the Korean War. He began his career as a construction superintendent with the Albert Higley Co. in 1953. He met his wife of 43 years, Clara McCoy, at his first construction job at Reliance Electric in Ashtabula. They married in 1954 and moved to Middleburg Heights in 1960. He worked for Gilmore-Olson Construction Co. from 1955 to 1972. When he left there he was vice-president. Mr. Childs moved from Middleburg Heights to Newbury in 1971. He started Childs Company Construction in 1972 with a contract to build an addition to the Cleveland Skating Club in Shaker Heights. He founded the Newbury Electric Supply Co. in 1977 and later sold it to another group. Mr. Childs became construction manager for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1982 until his retirement in 1991. While at the clinic, he built the Crile building and supervised the renovation of numerous wings of the hospital, the Omni International Hotel and Classics restaurant. He taught construction inspection courses for nine years at Lakeland Community College starting in 1989. He also built the geodesic dome at ASM International in Novelty, Chase Brass & Copper in Euclid and the Research and Dev. Center in Newark. Mr. Childs served on the Newbury board of education for 12 years. He was a member of 32nd degree Masons. As a member of the Burton Rotary Club in the 1970s, he and his family sponsored Bridget Cooksley of Wellington, New Zealand, as an exchange student in their home for one year in 1976 and 1977. He was a past member of American Legion Post #663 in Newbury. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, boating, woodworking, traveling and listening to baseball games on the radio. He also loved American history and history of the American West. Mr. Childs is survived by his wife, Clara; sons, Craig (Mary Beth) of Willoughby, Clint of Concord, Bruce (Martha) of Chagrin Falls and Dwight (Mary Beth) of Broadview Heights; daughters, Lori (Robert) O'Neill of Bainbridge and Linda (Rick) Udelson of Moreland Hills; his mother, Irene Childs of Streetsboro; brothers, Horace of Jefferson and Richard of Winter Park, Fla.; a sister, Joanne Kraft of Ravenna; and nine grandchildren. Mr. Childs was preceded in death by his father, Horace; and his brother, Robert.

James O. Hillshafer
James Orrin Hillshafer, 80, of Pleasant Lake Villa in Parma, died Jan. 29 1998 of a heart attack (complications from pneumonia). He was born Sept. 23, 1917, in Findlay, the son of Ora James Hillshafer and Lenore H. Hillshafer. Mr. Hillshafer was a self-employed architect and attended Case Western Reserve University. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed antiques. He was a member of the Romeos and Eagles, and spent 22 years on Chagrin Falls Village Council. Mr. Hillshafer is survived by his daughters, Sharon (David) Hart and Janet (David) Sanderson; a son, William J. Lenarz; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces, Charlotte Crandall, Jane Galbraith, Barbara Carmel and Ruth Cardina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Jean (Feltes); and sister, Alice May Solt. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.

Fritz A. Sprute
Fritz Arnold Sprute, 64, of Bainbridge, died Jan. 26 1998 at Geauga Regional Hospital of acute pancreatitis. He was born April 21, 1933, in Sharon, Pa., the son of Arnold Sprute and Mathilda Wink Sprute. Mr. Sprute attended high school in Farrell, Pa., and received a four-year scholarship at Westinghouse to be a tool and die machinist. He was employed at Westinghouse in Pennsylvania and Sprayon and Custom Pac. His hobbies included playing the accordion and woodworking, and he was a Mason. Mr. Sprute is survived by his wife, Katherine "Kay" Pappas Sprute of Bainbridge; a daughter, Kathy Marino of Bainbridge; a son, Dan Sprute of Auburn; grandchildren, Cindy Lathrop of Mantua, and Matthew and Laura Sprute of Auburn; and a sister, Gertrude Utley of Shiremanstown, Pa. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Margaret Tomczak.

Ann B. Savel
Ann B. Savel, 75, of Solon, died Jan. 31 1998 at Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland. She was born July 23, 1922, in Cleveland. Mrs. Savel attended Jane Adams High School in Cleveland. She was employed for six years by Richmond Bros. in Cleveland and was a homemaker. She enjoyed reading and writing and was extremely fond of her pets. She was a past member of "I Can Cope" cancer support group during the 1970s and was a member of St. Rita Church in Solon. Mrs. Savel is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard J. Savel, with whom she would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year on May 8; daughters, Linda P. Davis of Wellington and Karen L. Savel of Solon; and a sister, Cele Lenc. She was preceded in death by a brother, Frank J. Vober Jr. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland 44119.