Catherine H. Rudd
STREETSBORO - Catherine H. Rudd, 94, died Sunday, June 24, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Jan. 28, 1907, in Clinton, Ind., she was the daughter of Adam and Eve Kubik. She had lived in Cleveland for more than 60 years before moving to Streetsboro five years ago. Mrs. Rudd worked as a waitress for 40 years at the Fred Harvey's Restaurant in Cleveland before retiring. She was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and enjoued reading and gardening. Survivors include her son, Edward (Maureen) of Brooklyn Heights; daughter, Evelyn (Jeff) Peck of Ravenna; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother, James Kubik of Chicago. Her husband, Edward, to whom she was married 30 years, died in 1976. Four brothers and two sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Rybicki and Son Funeral Home, 4640 Turney Road, Garfield Heights, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Dan Alexoff officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery in Highland Hills. Memorials may be made to Reed Memorial Library, 167 E. Main St., Ravenna, 44266.

Blair O. Lauffer
PARIS - Blair O. Lauffer, 91, of 10262 Newton Falls Road, died Sunday, June 24, 2001, at his home. Born Nov. 4, 1909, in Apollo, Pa., he was the son of Albert and Wyoma (Miller) Lauffer. A resident of Paris since 1920, he was a graduate of Paris High School. Mr. Lauffer retired from Republic Steel, where he was a steam engineer. He also farmed for a number of years. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Warren. Survivors include his wife, Eva (Hulvey) whom he married June 15, 1935; son, John of Ellettsville, Ind.; daughter, Mrs. Victor (Claire) Grabovez of South Bend, Ind.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wedneday at James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, where services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery.

Elmer H. Channell Sr.
Elmer H. Channell Sr., 59, of Scott Street, Newton Falls, died of cancer Sunday, June 24, 2001, at his home. Born Nov. 16, 1941 in Blue Rock, W.Va., he was the son of William and Elda (Brain) Channell. Formerly of Warren, he had lived in Newton Falls since 1975. Mr. Channell retired in 1995 after 30 years as an autoworker at General Motors. He also was employed with the Newton Falls Safety Force and the Newton Falls Police Department. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a member of the American Legion. He attended General Assembly of God in Newton Falls. He was an associate pastor for Free Will Baptist Church, and was one of the founders of the church. He liked to play softball, hunt deer, fish, and work bingo. Survivors include his wife, Sharon L. (Cutwright), whom he married Feb. 27, 1965.; sons Elmer H. Jr., William B. and Bryan L., all of Newton Falls; four grandchildren; mother Elda Channell of Mill Creek, W.Va.; and sisters Ethel Arbogast of Inverness, Fla., Mrs. Glen (Glenna) Rader, Mrs. Richard (Doris) Herron and Mrs. Junior (Terry) Weese, all of Mill Creek, W.Va. His father and brothers, Arnold, Blaine, Thurmond and Floyd, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at General Assembly of God Church in Newton Falls, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Dorothy Mae Blair
Dorothy Mae Blair, 79, of Petersburg, Va., died Sunday, June 17, 2001, at her home following a long illness. She was the daughter of Granville and Rose Miller of Brady Lake. Mrs. Blair was a military wife. She was a member of various women's clubs, a Red Cross volunteer, an Army community service volunteer and worked in the Fort Lee Thrift Shop. Survivors include her husband, Bruce, to whom she was married for 55 years; son, Gary (Donna)of Daleville, Ala.; daughters, Donna (James) Snowberger of Clay, N.Y. and Pam (Kenny) Tomko of Prince George; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Miller of Canton; and sister, Betty Soloman of Lake St. Mary, Fla. Servcies were held at Monumental Baptist Church in Petersburg. Burial was in Southlawn Memorial Park. Arrangements were handled by J.T. Morriss and Son Funeral Homes in Petersburg, Va. Memorials may be made to Monumental Baptist Church Building Fund, Box 1551, Petersburg, Va., 23805 or Crater Community Hospice, 840 W. Roslyn Road, Colonial Heights, Va. 23834.

Minnie Watkins
Minnie Watkins, 69, of Kent died Sunday, June 24, 2001. Born July 9, 1931 in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Glen and Clair Gowin. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband Arthur; son Robert Watkins; daughters Linda Donohoe and Dorothy Wtkins; brother Arthur Gowin; and sisters Irene Weitzell, Doris Clappe, Carol Shope, Nancy Young and Eldora Tultz. There will be no services. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were handled by the Cremation Society of Ohio.

June Anne McElroy
June Anne McElroy, 85, of Cambridge Springs, Pa., died Monday, June 18, 2001. Born Dec. 7, 1915, in Benton Harbor, Mich., she was the daughter of Robert and Anna Howser Kingsley. A former Kent and Carrollton resident, Mrs. McElroy was a homemaker. She was a member of the Carrollton First Presbyterian Church where she was active in years past as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, a youth leader, choir member and the Women's Circle. She also was a member of the Carrollton Women's Club, the Music Club and was a sponsor for the Junior Women's Club and hosted international students. Survivors include her sons, Dr. James (Debbie) McElroy of Edinboro, Pa., and Joseph (Cathy) McElroy of Florissant, Mo.; daughter, Marilyn (Jim) Holloway of Kent; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, James (Nan) Kinglsey of Oakridge, Tenn.; sister, Harriet (Glenn) Michaels of Rossville, Ga.; foster children, Emmart Hoy, Peter Hoy, Joseph Hoy and Millicent Hoy; and one nephew and one niece. Husband Harold B. McElroy died Nov. 4, 1996. Brothers Kenneth, Elmer and Walter and sisters Sarah and Myrtle also died previously. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church at Carrollton, with the Rev. Larry Lalama officiating. Friends will be received at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home, 129 N. Lisbon St., Carrollton. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Home of Cambridge Springs, Cambridge Springs, Pa., or the Memorial Fund of the Carrollton First Presbyterian Church, 200 N. Lisbon St., Carrollton.

Pearle "P.J" Adrion
AURORA - Pearle "P.J" Adrion, 95, died Monday, June 25, 2001, at Altercare of Ravenna following a period of failing health. Born Feb. 14, 1906, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Steve and Liz Schwarm) Voss. She was an Aurora resident since 1954. Mrs. Adrion was the owner/operator of Brady Tractor in Solon, which manufactured garden tractors. She remained active with the business when it later became Universal Process Machine and retired in 1989. She was a member of the Aurora Mennonite Church. Survivors include her daughters, Ruth (George) Studer of Aurora and Jean Barber of Kent; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Her first husband, Earl Kohler, died in 1941; second husband, Carl Adrion, died in 1976; one brother; and one sister died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at The Aurora Mennonite Church. A private family burial will follow. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Maria I. Pecora
Maria I. Pecora, 78, of Lordstown, died Monday, June 25, 2001, at her home following a long illness. Born May 3, 1923, in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Frank and Anna (Bansburg) Pellegrim. She had lived in San Francisco before moving to Lordstown 15 years ago. Mrs. Pecora was employed at a child day care center in California for 20 years. She was a member of Christ Our King Church in Warren, where she cared for the church plants for many years. She was an avid doll collector and enjoyed gardening. Survivors include son, James R. Stanley of Newton Falls; step-son, Robert Pecora of New Jersey; step-daughter, Diane Katz of Florida; and three grandchildren. Her husband, Anthony "Tony", whom she married Feb. 7, 1969, died June 14, 2001. Four brothers, Frank, Joseph, Louis and Fred; and two sisters, Lucille Slivka and Francis Smith, also died previously. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Christ Our King Church in Warren. Entombment will be held at All Souls Cemetery in Bazzetta Township. Memorials can be made to the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of Northeast Ohio, 8747 Squires Lane N.E., Warren, 44484. Arrangements are being handled by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Kathryn Rochowiak
Graveside services for Kathryn Rochowiak, 77, of Sarasota, Fla., will be held at 9:30 a.m Saturday, June 30, 2001, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna with the Rev. Cliff Garris officiating. Mrs. Rochowiak died May 31. She moved to Florida from Ravenna in 1993. Further obituary information was in the Record-Courier on June 2.

Robert W. McCullough
GARRETTSVILLE - Robert W. McCullough, 89, died Tuesday, June 26, 2001, at Altercare of Ravenna after a brief illness. Born Sept. 8, 1911, he was the son of Walter and Florence McCullough. He was a lifelong resident of Garrettsville. Mr. McCullough was a heavy equipment operator for a sand and gravel company. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his nephews, Donald and William McCullough, both of Garrettsville. There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held. Burial will be in Harrington Cemetery in Nelson Township. Arrangements are being handled by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Constance Lee Wagner
Former Portage County resident Constance Lee Wagner, 66, of Cuyahoga Falls, died Sunday, June 24, 2001, at Akron City Hospital. Born April 23, 1935, in Akron, she was the daughter of Leroy and Florence (Douglas) Smith. She had lived in Paris Township and Ravenna before moving to Cuyahoga Falls in 1992. Mrs. Wagner was a sales clerk for CVS in Cuyahoga Falls for five years. She was a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Baptist Church and was a member of its ladies group. She enjoyed taking bus trips with the church. Survivors include sons, Richard (Barb) of Ravenna, Michael (Sue) of Evans, Ga. and Raymond III (Jeanne) of Fort Mills, S.C.; daughters, Cynthia (Tom) Andrews of Cuyahoga Falls, Terri Wagner of Atwater and Cheryl (Mark) McCoy of Ravenna; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Leroy Jr. of Akron; and sisters, Nancy Jackson of Akron, Betty Smith of Salem, N.H. and Alice Fowler of Seabrook, N.H. Her husband, Raymond F. Jr., whom she married in August of 1954, died Sept. 29, 1987. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday at the Cuyahoga Falls Baptist Church. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

William Merrill Gressard
William Merrill Gressard, 85, who was known throughout Ohio as an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, died Tuesday, June 26, 2001, at his home on Ravenna Road in Franklin Township. Mr. Gressard shared his experiences with Record-Courier readers for about 30 years as outdoor editor and "Rod and Gun" columnist, starting in the mid-1960s. Born July 30, 1915 in Kent, he was the son of Charles F. and Margaret M. (Merrill) Gressard. He was a descendant of the Haymakers, the first settlers in Kent. Mr. Gressard loved the outdoors. He raised stock fish at Trail Lake fish and game management area in the two lakes on his 180-acre Franklin Township farm, which he had operated since 1950. He made and sold special fish bait, provided local restaurants with filleted bluegills and raised Christmas trees. "He was really dedicated to the outdoors an real knowledgeable about the outdoors, particularly fishing," said R-C Editor Emeritus Loris Troyer, who met Gressard while the two were students at Kent State University. "He was just an all-around outdoorsman." He received numerous honors for his work in the field of natural resources, including being named Ohio "Wildlife Conservationist of the Year" in 1967. Several years before, he had conducted a one-man campaign to stop pollution of the Cuyahoga River by the city of Akron. He won the fight when corrective sludge basins were constructed at Lake Rockwell. In 1972, he was named to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Recreation and Resources Commission, a position to which he was reappointed in 1974 and 1979. He served as chairman of the commission. He was honored by ODNR for his conservation efforts in 1982. A man of many interests, he also bred and sold basset hounds, and constructed and operated the Tower Short Course, a par three golf course on S.R. 59 between Kent and Ravenna. An outstanding golfer, he was a 15-time golf champion at Twin Lakes Country Club between 1937 and 1975 and won the Portage County amateur golf title numerous times. He and three other men won the Ohio Conference Golf Championship with the Kent State University golf team during his college years. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served in Torpedo Squadron 29 aboard the aircraft carrier, Cabot. He was awarded a Fleet Admiral's Commendation, a Purple Heart, a Presidential Citation, and Pacific and Philippine ribbons with four battle stars. He was a member of United Church of Christ of Kent, Twin Lakes Country Club, the Outdoor Writers Association and Ducks Unlimited. He was a past president of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Margaret (Fageol); sons, William (Cheri), Robert and Richard, all of Kent; daughter, Gwen of Kent; and brothers, C. Frederick (Betty) Gressard of Kent and John P. (Esther) Gressard of Santa Ana, California. His daughter, Merrilyn, died in 1944. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Church of Christ of Kent, with the Rev. Roger Knight officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 1815 W. Market St., Suite 301, Akron, 44313.

Ellen Louise Jones
Ellen Louise Jones, 64, of Ravenna, died Thursday, June 28, 2001, at her home following a period of failing health. Born Sept. 1, 1936, in Morgantown, W.Va., she was the daughter of Arthur and Ella Pearl (Wildman) Hunt. She had lived in Ravenna for 35 years. Mrs. Jones worked for many years with her husband in the operation of Dale's T.V. Sales and Repair. She also worked for several years at The Dollar Store in Ravenna. Survivors include her husband, Dale J., whom she married Jan. 26, 1953; sons, Robert of Ravenna, Theodore (Vicky) of Diamond and James (Debbie) of Akron; daughters, Terry (Mark) Cales of Mantua, Angie (Tom) Ingram of Ravenna and Wanda (Dave) Studer of Tennessee; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; mother, Ella Pearl Hunt of Morgantown, W.Va.; brothers, George of Orville, Walter of Morgantown, W.Va. and James of Tunnelton, W.Va.; and sisters, Margaret Hassenpflug of West Virginia, Joyce Hunt and Sandra Gifford, both of Morgantown, W.Va. and Mary Ann Liston of Bruceton Mills, W.Va. A brother, Charles; and sister, Mina McCartney Riddle, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Samuel Goebel officiating. Burial will be in West Cemetery in Palmyra.

Sophie Sroka
Sophie Sroka, 102, died Thursday, June 28, 2001, at Altercare Nursing Home in Ravenna. Born Nov. 11, 1898 in Poland, she came to the United States at the age of 16 and settled in Providence, R.I. After her marriage, she settled in Danielson, Conn. She had been an area resident since 1979. Mrs. Sroka worked as a weaver for Powdrell & Alexander in Danielson, retiring in the 1950s. She was a member of the Kentway Senior Citizens Club, PAC, and Our Lady of Victory Church in Tallmadge. Survivors include her daughters, Bertha (Edwin) Rostedt of Tallmadge and Lottie Laddefian of Tucson, Ariz.. four grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Her husband, Walter, died in 1953. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, 339 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Victory Church in Tallmadge. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Victory Building Fund, 73 North Ave., Tallmadge, 44278.

Ralph N. Chambers
FREEDOM - Ralph N. Chambers, 60, died Thursday, June 28, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Feb. 25, 1941, in Kent, he was the son of Robert and Margaret Chambers. A lifelong Ravenna resident, he had lived in Freedom several months. Mr. Chambers was a painter with John's Painting in Windham. Survivors include his sons, John (Julie) of Atwater, Dennis of Seattle and Daniel of Kansas City, Mo.; daughters, Kandy (David) Jones of Ravenna, Barbara (Dennis) Duffield of Streetsboro, Mary Chandler of Brookshire, Texas, Corina Whitlatch of North Canton and Kimberly (Thomas) Carr of Ravenna; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Terry (Fran) of Shalersville and Lloyd (Joyce) of Youngstown; a sister, Carol (John) Miller of North Canton; and fiancee, Sheila Gibson of Streetsboro. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, with the Rev. Ted Blackwood officiating.

Ruth H. Westover
Ruth H. Westover, 84, of Warren, died Thursday, June 28, 2001, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren. Born Jan. 19, 1917, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she was the daughter of Merlin and Emily (Royal) Harris. She was a graduate of Newton Falls High School. Mrs. Westover was a homemaker. She was a member of Lordstown Christian Church and Newton Falls Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Survivors include her husband, Lester, whom she married Sept. 4, 1937; daughters, Karen (Doug) Hedgepath of Lordstown and Joyce (Buzz) Shanklin of Niles; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A brother, Lou Harris; and sisters, Millie Bear and Leslie Bird, died previously. Visitation will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. Saturday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Lordstown Cemetery.

Marie Power
Marie Power, 87, of Euclid, died Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at Manor Care in Willoughby. Born Sept. 3, 1913 in Carbondale, Ohiuo, she was the daughter of Henry and Effie (Todd) Zimmerman. Mrs. Power was a homemaker and a member of East Shore Church United Methodist in Euclid. Survivors include her daughters, Freda (James) Heisser and Joyce (Dennis) Farkas; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Crobaugh-Danaher Funeral Home, 22595 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, N.Y., 10001, or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185 St., Cleveland, 44119.

Susan L. Sacksteder
STOW - Susan L. Sacksteder, 48, of Stow, died Tuesday, June 26, 2001, while on vacation in Melbourne, Fla. Born in Roaring Spring, Pa., she was the daughter of J. Calvin and Lois Lang. Mrs. Sacksteder was employed by the Southeast and Kent school districts for 18 years as a learning disabilities tutor. Survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Beth of Palm Bay, Fla. and Sarah of Stow; sister, Martha L. (Sheldon) Berman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla; father-in-law, Louis of Centerville; brothers-in-law, Paul of Kettering and James of Lancaster, Pa.; and sisters-in-law Sandra and Chris and Chris Gallihar. Her parents and mother-in-law, Margaret, died previously. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with a memorial service immediately following. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Kent City Schools Foundation, in care of Home Savings Bank, 142 N. Water St., Kent, 44240, for the Susan L. Sacksteder Fund.

Claude E. Smith
Claude E. Smith, 92, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, June 27, 2001, at Bedford Medical Center following a brief illness. Services will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.