Santina Caner
Former Kent resident Santina L. Caner, 83, of Lake George, N.Y., died Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at her home. Born Dec. 10, 1917, in Ithaca, N.Y., she was the daughter of Angelo and Josephine (Liberatore) Yengo. She lived in Kent before moving to Lake George 22 years ago. Mrs. Caner worked in the accounting department of Buildings and Grounds at Cornell University in New York for several years and also held various positions in Kent. She was an active volunteer for many charitable organizations. Survivors include her sisters, Mrs. Lucy Howe of Hamilton, N.Y. and Mrs. Joan Irving of Richboro, Pa.; brother-in-law, Edward Onisk of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Margaret Yengo of Trenton, N.J. Her husbands, Joseph LaLumia and Lloyd Carter; sisters, Mary Onisk and Lucia Trego; and a brother, Dr. Carmine Yengo, died previously. There will be no local calling hours or services. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hamilton, N.Y. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church, Wylie St., Hamilton, N.Y. 13346; or to the Warren County Sheriff's Benevolent Association, Attn: Matthew Tremblay, 1340 S.R. 9, Lake George, N.Y. 12845.

Dennis Hunter
Dennis E. "Denny" Hunter, 60, of Irma Street in Kent, died Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at his home. Born June 2, 1940 in Somerset, Pa., he was the son of Hugh and Ruth (Thompson) Hunter. He worked as a gas service man for Amerigas Propane in Ravenna. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Kent and the Ravenna Moose Lodge, and enjoyed camping and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Jane A. (Ensinger) whom he married Nov. 7, 1957; sons, Todd (Nancy), Jeff (Renee), and Craig, all of Kent; daughter, Sheila (Louis) Bauza of Kent; seven grandchildren; brother, Tom Hunter of Kent; sister, Beverly Wible of Massilon; and mother, Ruth. His father, Hugh, and brother, Millard, died previously. Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the United Church of Christ in Kent, with the Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Memorials may be made to Akron General Hospital Cancer Center, 400 Wabash Ave., Akron, 44307.

Henrietta Gardner
Henrietta M. (Rowlen) Gardner, 86, formerly of Ravenna, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, at Mentor Way Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mentor. Born Oct. 7, 1914, in Morrow County, she was the daughter of John and Zenetta (Conn) Rowlen. Mrs. Gardner had been a cashier for many years at the A & P of Ravenna. She enjoyed bowling and was a Girl Scout leader. Survivors include her son, Richard (Judith) of Concord; daughter, Patricia Huebner of Concord; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her brothers, William, Charles and Paul Rowlen died previously. Calling hours will be held at 11 a.m. until services at noon Monday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with Rev. Mark D. Lattimer officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Christopher Rhoads
Christopher A. Rhoads, 25, of Carthage Avenue in Kent, died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. The death is being investigated by the Portage County Coroners Office. Born Oct. 29, 1975, in Akron, he was the son of Jerry and Debbie (Weeks) Rhoads. Mr. Rhoads was a self-employed roofer. Survivors include his sons, Andrew Rhoads of Canton and Taylor Rhoads of Maple Heights; daughter, Ashley Rhoads of Canton; his father, Jerry (Amy) of Mantua; his mother of Kent; brother, Joel Rhoads of Cuyahoga Falls; half-brother, Paul Rhoads of Mantua; half-sister, Collette Rhoads of Mantua; grandparents, Bud and Jane Rhoads and Ray and Charlene Weeks, all of Kent; great-grandmother, Ruth Minnick of Kent; and Andrea of Chicago, Ill. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to any charity.

Sherry Marlene Carpenter
BRIMFIELD - Sherry Marlene Carpenter, 47, died Thursday, April 19, 2001 at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls of cancer. Born Jan. 13, 1953, in Washington, Pa., she was the daughter of Ralph E. and Laverne (Smith) Carpenter. She lived in Portage County most of her life. Mrs. Carpenter was a dispatcher and officer of the Portage County Sheriffs Department and the Garrettsville, Mantua and Hiram police departments. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rootstown. Survivors include her husband, John, to whom she was married to for 12 years; sons, Christopher (Cindy) Carpenter of Akron, Heath (Tracy) Wilson of Paris, Richard D. (Isis) Wilson, Jr. of Paris, Tyler Steele and Jacob Steele, both of Brimfield; daughters, Tammy R. Wilson of Akron and Hannah A. Wilson of Brimfield; six grandchildren; her mother of Twinsburg; brothers, Donald Carpenter of Pennsylvania and Brian Carpenter of Ravenna; sisters, Alona Farkas of Twinsburg, Bonnie Hatfield of Freedom and Pamela Puleo of Akron; and step-son, John P. Carpenter of Kent. Her first husband, Richard Wilson; and brother, Ralph Jr., died previously. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rootstown, where services will immediately follow, with Mr. John Savage officiating. Burial will be in Drakeburg Cemetery in Freedom. Arrangements were made by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Memorials may be made to the family, C/O Shorts Funeral Home, 141 N. Meridian St., Ravenna, OH 44266.

Thelma Foster Wilson
PARIS - Thelma Foster Wilson, 77, died Friday, April 20, 2001 at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland. Born Dec. 2, 1923, in Somerset, Ky., she was the daughter of Albin and Tillie M. (Tomlinson) Humble. Mrs. Wilson owned Wayland Gas & Oil for 18 years with her husband, Carl E. Wilson. She was a member of the Wayland Community Church in Wayland and the Palmy Chapter 114 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a 4H leader in Paris for 10 years, served on the Portage County 4H Council in Ravenna and was active in the L'Etoile Club. She was very active in church and school affairs. Survivors include her sons, Larry R. of Greenville, S.C., William C. of Mt. Airy, Md.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Albin H. Humble of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters, Doris Harris of Paris and Zella P. Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz. Her husband, whom she married on Aug. 30, 1940 died Dec. 4, 1989; and son, Charles E. Wilson, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Wayland Community Church in Wayland, where services will immediately follow. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Wayland. Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Lefonda Bell Cooper
GARRETTSVILLE - Lefonda Bell Cooper, 84, died Thursday, April 19, 2001 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Sept. 16, 1916, in Clarion County, Pa., she was the daughter of Bowman and Mary (Scott) Seybert. Formerly of the Brimfield area, she had lived in the Garrettsville/Windham area since 1992. Mrs. Cooper retired in 1975 from Paper Box Factory in Kent, where she had been employed as a machine operator. She was a member of the Windham Church of God. Survivors include her daughters, Mary Blanche Payne of Washington, Lavinna Tingler of Akron and Dessie E. McCurdy of Garrettsville; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Norman Seybert of Pennsylvania; sisters, Velma Edinger, Edna Stockdale, Esther Lowery and Leona Brocious, all of Pennsylvania. Her husband, Howard D. died in 1988; and her son, Raymond; five brothers; and one sister died previously. Calling hours will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will immediately follow, with the Rev. Clifford Noble officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.

Earl D. McKinney
Earl D. McKinney, 87, of Uniontown, died Friday, April 20, 2001. Born April 19, 1914, he was formerly of Lake Placid, Fla. and resided in the Uniontown area most of his life. Mr. McKinney was a truck driver and was in sales prior to his retirement from Tramonte Distributors. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his son, Earl, Jr.; daughters, Linda (Donald) Copeland, Mary Jo (Gordon) Fox; four grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and five sisters. His wife, Catherine, died in 1991, and three sisters also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hecker Funeral Home in Uniontown, where services will immediately follow, with the Rev. Curt Hecker officiating. Private burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton.

Margaret L. Fluke, 66
Margaret L. Fluke, 66, of Ravenna, died Saturday, April 21, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna of natural causes. Born Oct. 31, 1934, in Cromona, Ky., she was the daughter of Thomas E. and Bessie E. (Stapleton) Trinkle. She had lived in the Rootstown-Ravenna area for 49 years. Mrs. Fluke retired from the GE Lamp Plant in Ravenna where she had been employed as an inspector. She also worked at Polson Rubber in Garrettsville. She was a member of First Church of God in Ravenna. Survivors include her husband, Wesley, whom she married in 1967; sisters, Grace Passmore and Thelma Edminston, both of Ravenna. Her brothers, Elmer, Joe and Billy; and sister, Lena Weeks, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Carl Holm officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Marie Hacker, 84
Former Windham resident Marie Hacker, 84, of Newton Falls, died Saturday, April 21, 2001, at her son Robert's residence. Born Nov. 10, 1916, in Sutton, W. Va., she was the daughter of Darius A. and Mamie Gillespie. She had lived in Windham for many years. Mrs. Hacker was a homemaker. She was a member of the Newton Falls VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking. Survivors include her sons, Robert (Patsey) and Ronald (Robyn), both of Newton Falls; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ray and Harry Gillespie, both of Virginia. Her husband, Cecil; daughters, Judy Cash and Betty; brothers, Clarence and Arthur Gillespie; and sister, Elvie Bragg, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. The Rev. Carl Honeycutt will officiate. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.

Rosalia M. (Schlosser) Mencer, 86
BRIMFIELD - Rosalia M. (Schlosser) Mencer, 86, died Saturday, April 21, 2001. Born Jan. 21, 1915, in Akron, she was the daughter of Joseph and Julia Schlosser. She had lived in the Suffield-Brimfield area most of her life. Mrs. Mencer was employed by the Field Local Schools as a cafeteria manager for over 20 years. Survivors include her sons, George E. (JoAnn), David J. (Janet), Daniel J. (Joan), Jon F. (Nancy) and Thomas M. (Carol); daughters, Joanne Ballas and Rosemary; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brothers, Joseph, Ivan (Dorothy), Norbert (Kay), Richard and Leo Schlosser; and sisters, Barbara Schlosser and Maryann Ward. Her husband, George E.; son-in-law, Jerry Ballas; and brothers, Steven, Bernard and George Schlosser, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church in Randolph, with the Rev. Leo Schlosser and the Rev. Edward R. Wieczorek officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Randolph.

Gerald Hupp, 66
MUNROE FALLS - Gerald Hupp, who served as mayor of Munroe Falls for 24 years until leaving office in 1999, died at his home Saturday, April 21, 2001 after a battle with kidney cancer. He was 66. Born Feb. 5, 1935 in Akron, he had lived in Munroe Falls for 40 years. He became involved in village politics in th 1960s and served two years on Village Council before being elected mayor. He did not seek re-election in 1988 but returned to the office in 1992, after Munroe Falls had become a city. After he left office, the city's municipal complex was named in his honor. In addition to serving as mayor, he taught history and government at Cuyahoga Falls High School for 30 years until he retired. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, to whom he was married 40 years; daughters, Cynthia Anne (Michael) Bridgman and Julie (Christopher) Krieger, both of the Washington D.C. area; three grandchildren; and sister, Carol (Ted) Curtis of Silver Lake. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 tonight and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow. Burial will be in Silver Springs Cemetery in Stow. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, 1234 Sherman Ave., Suite 203, Evanston, Ill., 60202.

Robert L. Garrett
Robert L. Garrett, a Kent businessman who served a term as mayor of Kent in the early 1950s, died Sunday, Aprill 22, 2001 in Bradenton, Fla. He was 94. Born Jan. 17, 1907 in Kent, he was the son of Lincoln and Mary (O'Beirn) Garrett. He was a 1925 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent. He had wintered in Bradenton since 1960, and moved there from his home on Longmere Drive in Kent permanently in 1992. Mr. Garrett served as mayor of Kent in 1952-53. At the time of his election, he was co-owner of Garrett Hardware Co., which he later sold to Keller Electric Co. He also had worked with his father in the contracting business for 15 years, then spent 12 years with Twin Coach Co. in Kent in service and sales before purchasing the hardware store in 1942. He also was a former co-owner of the Garrett Grading & Asphalt Co. in Kent and co-owner and operator of Foster-Bodman Office Furniture of Akron. He built and owned Eastwood Motel on S.R. 59 east of Kent and raised beef cattle on a 300-acre farm in Ravenna and Shalersville townships from 1950 to 1954. He was a member of Rockton Masonic Lodge in Kent and Trailer Estates Covenant Church in Bradenton. Survivors include his son, Larry of Marco Island, Fla.; two grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and four great-grandchildren. Cremation will take place in Florida. A memorial service will be held in Kent at a later date. Inurnment will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Brown & Sons Funeral Home, 26th St. Chapel, in Bradenton is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 600 U.S. 301 Blvd. West, Suite 136, Bradenton, Fla. 34205.

Renee L. Ziska
WINDHAM TOWNSHIP - Renee L. Ziska, 59, who led a petition drive that resulted in a change in state law, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 22, 2001, at her home. Born Nov. 13, 1941 in Youngstown, she had lived in Portage County for 22 years. Mrs. Ziska was a homemaker and helped raise several foster children. She became active politically in 1993 when she led a successful petition drive that resulted in a state law protecting residents from being sued if a prowler gets hurt on their property. Her action was spurred by a Portage County jury's decision to award $150,000 to the family of a man who was fatally shot while apparently burglarizing a Freedom Township barn. She thought the jury's decision was unfair and lobbied state legislators for action to prevent future awards. Mrs. Ziska enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and cooking. She also was an animal lover. Survivors include her husband, Ronald F., whom she married July 4, 1978 and to whom condolences may be sent at 9893 S. Bradfield, Garrettsville, 44231; sons, Philip (Kay) of Garrettsville and Paul of Ravenna; daughters, Roni Zieber of Ravenna and Jena (Dan) Michl of Deerfield; and six grandchildren. Private services will be held. Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville is in charge of arrangements.

Edward E. Doak
Edward E. Doak, 73, of Ravenna, died Sunday, April 22, 2001 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna of natural causes. Born Oct. 3, 1927, in Ravenna, he was the son of Raymond and Carrie (Chapman) Doak. A lifelong Ravenna resident, he was a Ravenna Township High School graduate. Mr. Doak was deputy sheriff at the Portage County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He also was a bailiff for Portage County Common Pleas Court and operated Ravenna Detective and Merchant Patrol. In the early 1960s, he was chief of police in Garrettsville. He also worked at Robinson Memorial Hospital and the Hattie Larlham Foundation in Shalersville. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Gloria (Notman), to whom he was married 55 years; sons, Larry (Diana) of Randolph, Terry of Bradenton, Fla. and Edward II of Randolph; daughters, Karen (Bill) Fussner of Hudson, Rebecca (Vincent) Schneider of Atwater and Gloria (Frank) Lesho of Howland; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert of Kent and Don (Harriet) of Ravenna; and sister, Mary (Carl) McDaniels of Ravenna. His brother, Richard, died previously. There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements were made by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Mildred M. Robinson
Mildred M. Robinson, 87, of Fairchild Avenue, Kent, died Sunday, April 22, 2002 at Kent Healthcare Center. Born June 20, 1913 in Parkersburg, W. Va., she was the son of Louis and Clara (Brown) Parker. Mrs. Robinson was a medical secretary for Dr. Robert Dumm in Kent for many years. When her husband was transferred to Columbus, she worked for a law firm there, and then retired to Florida. She was a member of the Sorosis Club of Kent. Survivors include her sons, James (Cheryl) of Stow and Charles of Akron; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Her husband, Carroll S., died in 1992. Her son, John, died in 1998. A sister, Nellie Gibbons, died previously. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with the Rev. Tom Kraszewski officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick School Endowment Fund or Building Fund, 127 Portage St., Kent, 44240.

Dale F. Cole
ROOTSTOWN - Dale F. Cole, 52, died unexpectedly of natural causes Sunday, April 22, 2001 at home. Born June 26, 1948, in Akron, he was the son of Lesel and Gertrue Cole. He had lived in Rootstown since 1980. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie J. (Cooper), to whom he was married 34 years; sons, Christopher of Ravenna, James of Arkansas and Scott of Ravenna; daughter, Lisa of Rootstown; eight grandchildren; his mother, Gertrue of Kent; brothers, Ernest, Duane, Eugene and Leon; and sisters, Helen Shepherd and Lynn Regean. His granddaughters, Kristen and Karah Cole; and his father died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. There will be no services.

Helen Lawson
Helen Lawson, 70, formerly of Windham, died Saturday, April 21, 2001, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo following a long battle with cancer. Born July 20, 1930, in Rogersville, Tenn., she was a daughter of Walter and Mary Wallace. She lived in Windham for 29 years before moving to Toledo in 1989. Survivors include her daughters, Virginia Harvey of Toledo and Sherry of Ravenna; two grandchildren; brothers, R.V., D.B. and Hagan Wallace; and sisters, Bonnie and Joda Wallace, Carrie Pridemore, and Ruby Taylor, all of Rogersville, Tenn., and Eattie Mae Rodefer and Loretta Barrett, both of Surgoinsville, Tenn. Her husband, Elza; daugher, Katherine; and brother, Rufus Wallace, died previously. There will be no visitation. Private services will be held for the family at the Maple Grove Cemetery Chapel in Ravenna, with the Rev. Mark Lattimer officiating. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, is handling arrangments. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Road, Perrysburg.

Robert L. Griffey
Services will be held tonight for Robert L. Griffey, 75, of Kent, who died Wednesday, April 25, 2001, at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron. Born Nov. 9, 1925, in Richwood, W. Va., he was the son of W.D. and Carrie (Mollohan) Griffey. He lived in Ravenna before moving to Kent 20 years ago. Mr. Griffey was retired from Evenflo Products in Ravenna after 17 years of service. He serviced the production line. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the American Legion Post 496 of Kent. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Louise (Blake) Griffey; son, Robert Lloyd Griffey of Montana; daughters, Sabrina Deal (Mike Seifer) of Suffield, Becky (Larry) Carpenter of Cowen, W. Va.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Vickie Sayre; sisters; Barbara (Chuck) English of Kimbolton, Ohio, Bonnie (Jerry) Detrich of Rootstown and Patricia (Alan) Caplinger of Akron. A brother William Griffey and a sister, Geraldine Losh died previously. Calling hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel where services will follow at 8 p.m. Friday with Rev. David Lanum officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Craigsville, W.Va., Cemetery.