Charles B. Boyd
Charles B. Boyd, 75, of Niles, a former Newton Falls resident, died July 16, 2001 at St. Joseph's Eastland in Warren. Born April 13, 1926 in Barnesville, Ohio, he was the son of Clyde and Ada Mae (Powell) Boyd. He was a Newton Falls resident until moving to Niles nine years ago. Mr. Boyd retired from LTV Steel, where he worked as a supervisor in 1986. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Survivors include his wife, Helen, whom he married in 1992; son, James of Berlin Center; daughter, Peggy Boyd of Newton Falls; stepson, Paul Dragos of Niles; stepdaughters, Joan Dragos of Struthers and Patty (Mark) McElravy of Niles; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His first wife, Emma, died on March 4, 1988. Two sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad St., Newton Falls, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Ruth Owens
Ruth Owens, 87, of Beaverdale, Pa., the mother of a Ravenna resident, died Monday, July 9, 2001. Born Aug. 22, 1914, in Southfolk, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Mariah (Ellis) Townend. Mrs. Owens was a homemaker. She was a member of United Methodist Church in Beaverdale. Survivors include her sons, Delbert "Red" (Shirley) of Ravenna, Evan "Brick" (Lorraine) of Clearwater, Fla. and Robert (Lois) of Dunlow, Pa.; daughters, Mary (James) Barch of Cleveland and Ruthann Lucas of Beaverdale; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sister, Florence Swope of Beaverdale. Her husband, Evan, died in 1979. Her brothers, Richard, John and Herbert Townend; and sisters, Nellie Estok, Sally Kestermont, Bertha Westover and Stella Roudabush, died previously. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Johnstown, Pa. Arrangements were handled by Jean Kinley Funeral Home in Beaverdale.

Rev. C.J. Shonk, 71
The Rev. Clyde Joseph "Joe" Shonk II, 71, former pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Shalersville, died Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at his home in Mesa, Ariz., where he had lived since his retirement. Rev. Shonk spent 40 years in the ministry, spending 20 of them at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Shalersville before retiring in 1992. Under his leadership, the church moved from S.R. 59 to its location at 9018 S.R. 44 in Shalersville in 1981. He graduated from Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, N.Y., and was ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1953. He later received a doctor of ministries degree. Prior to serving in Portage County, he served in Newark, Elyria and Huntington, W. Va. Survivors include his wife, Marlys, to whom he was married for 53 years; son, Clyde J. III (MaryJo); daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Maynard; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brothers, David and Edward. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Shalersville.

Wilbur "Jack" Winans, 73
GARRETTSVILLE ­ Wilbur D. "Jack" Winans, 73, died Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a brief illness. Born Oct. 24, 1927, in Volga W.Va., he was the son of Jason and Letha (Shannaberger) Winans. He lived in the Windham and Garrettsville areas for many years. Mr. Winans was a press operator at Walton Hills Ford Stamping Plant from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of Victory Chapel in Portage Lakes. He enjoyed church, music, writing poetry, coin collecting, traveling and spending time with his family. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Marie (Simmons), whom he married Sept. 7, 1946; sons Allen K.(Micki) of Smithville, Ohio, Mark (Sue) of Canal Fulton; daughters, Sandy (Dean) Myers of Coventry Township and Linda of Garrettsville; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers Murel of Chattanooga, Tenn., Bill of Canton, Frank of Rising Fawn, Ga.; sisters, Dorothy McCord of Aliquippa, Pa., and Jenny Mayse of Bunker Hill, W.Va. Visitation will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. services Friday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.

Martha Jokerst, 47
Former Ravenna resident Martha J. (Jones) Jokerst, 47, of St. Charles, Mo., died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at St. Charles Health Center. Born June 30, 1954 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Richard "Dick" and Mary Lou (Hentz) Jones. She lived in Ravenna before moving to St. Charles. Mrs. Jokerst was an administrative assistant at Monsanto Chemical Company in St. Charles. Survivors include her husband Paul E. Jr.; daughters, Meaghan E. Osdyke and Kristin J. Osdyke, both of St. Peters, Mo.; stepsons, Paul E. Jokerst III and Cory Jokerst, both of St. Charles; and parents, Dick and Mary Lou Jones of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, with Msgr. Robert Sabatino officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Mary Hrenko, 94
Mary K. Hrenko, 94, of 1329 Mahoning Ave., Warren, died May 30, at Community Skilled Nursing Home after a 12-year fight with Alzheimer's disease. Born March 27, 1907, in Monessen, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Barbara (Furda) Kichinko. She lived in the Warren area for 70 years. Mrs. Hrenko worked in quality control for the General Electric Co., for 26 years. She was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren. Surviving are a nephew, two nieces and many grandnephews and grandnieces. Her husband, Michael Hrenko, died on Nov. 9, 1961. A daughter, Barbara Harvey, died on Sept. 16, 1988. Two brothers and a sister died previously. There will be no calling hours. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren, with burial in the church cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Robert Holesko, 60
Former Newton Falls resident Robert M. Holesko, 60, of New York City, died Thursday, July 12, 2001 at his home following a short illness. Born Jan. 20 1941, in Cleveland, he was the son of Kathryn (Holesko) Medallis. He lived in Newton Falls before moving to New York several years ago. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Survivors include his stepbrothers, George and Robert Medallis, both of Newton Falls. Services have taken place. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton Falls. Arrangements were made by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Barnard, Reicke rites
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. July 22 at the Edinburg Cemetery for Edna Price Barnard and Ruth Smith Reicke, both former Portage County residents, who died in Florida. Mrs. Reicke was born in St. Marys, West Virginia on February 2, 1911, the daughter of Walter and Sara Smith. She lived with her family in Rootstown for a number of years. She had taught in the Rootstown Elementary School before moving to Seattle, Washington. She had lived in Lakeland, Florida for several years before her death on July 11, 2000. Mrs. Barnard was born in Huntington, Indiana on Dec. 25, 1906 and had lived in Edinburg for many years. She was active in the Edinburg United Church, before moving to Lakeland, Florida. She died February 4, 2001. Cremation has taken place. Mrs. Reicke will be buried with her parents, and Mrs. Barnard will be buried beside her husband, Jack. Both services will be conducted by the Rev. Ruth Chartier, pastor of the Edinburg United Church.

Frank Coates, 86
Frank L. Coates, 86, of Ravenna died Wednesday, July 18, 2001. Arrangements will be announced by Wood- Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Raymond Dix
Former newspaper publisher Raymond Eugene Dix, 92, of Wooster, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wooster. Born Aug. 5, 1908, in Wooster, he was the son of Emmett C. and Edna (Vorhees) Dix. Mr. Dix headed the family-owned The Daily Record from 1953 to 1985. He initially edited the Ravenna Record, which had been purchased by the Dix family. In 1931, he moved to Wooster to become advertising manager of what was then known as The Wooster Daily Record. He became publisher and general manager following the death of his father, Emmett C. Dix, in 1953. Survivors include son, R. Victor (Carolyn) of Wooster; daughters, Edna (David) Crocker of University Park, Md. and Ellen (Albert) Dungan of Larchmont, New York; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and brothers, Gordon C. of Naples, Fla. and Dr. J. Harlan Dix of Killbuck, Ohio. His wife, Carolyn, whom he married in 1932, died Jan. 26, 2000. Twin brother, Robert C., longtime publisher of the Record-Courier, died in 1996. Another brother, Albert V., also died previously. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Wooster United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dale Sanford officiating. A reception will follow in Wesley Hall at the church. Private burial will be held in Wooster Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Boys Village, 2803 Akron Road or Hospice of Wayne County, 2525-A Back-Orrville Road, Wooster, 44691. Arrangements are being handled by the McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home in Wooster.

Raymond Dix, 92
WOOSTER - A third-generation newspaperman who headed The Daily Record for decades and who fought for the freedom of the press in the United States and beyond has died. Raymond Dix, 92, who led the family owned newspaper from 1953 to 1985, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wooster. Arrangements are being handled by McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home in Wooster. Dix initially edited the Ravenna Record, which had been purchased by the Dix family. In 1931, he moved to Wooster to become advertising manager of what was then known as The Wooster Daily Record. He became publisher and general manager following the death of his father, Emmett C. Dix, in 1953. Six years later, the paper's name was changed to The Daily Record. The Dix family is known for its history in Ohio newspapers. Dix's grandfather, Albert E. Dix, and his father, Emmett, came to Wooster in 1897 to purchase a weekly newspaper, The Wooster Republican, a predecessor of The Daily Record. Several of Dix's brothers also served in the family newspaper business. His twin brother, Robert C. Dix, who died in 1996, was the longtime publisher of the Record-Courier. His grandson, Andrew, is Record-Courier marketing director. Two other brothers, the late Albert V. Dix and Gordon C. Dix, who survives him, worked with him throughout their careers in the family owned business, including several years in Ravenna at what was then the Evening Record and subsequently became the Record-Courier. Another brother, J. Harlan Dix, who survives, is a retired physician. Today, the Dix family owns and operates newspapers and publications in Alliance, Ashland, Cambridge, Defiance, Kent, Ravenna, Orrville and a group of suburban community weeklies in the Akron and Cleveland areas in Ohio and Frankfort, Ky. The family also operates radio stations in Wooster, Maryland and Florida and two television stations in Montana. Local leaders remembered Dix for his support of the community. "He did so many things so quietly that people had no idea that he was behind a lot of the things," said Frank Beeson, head of the Wayne Development Council and former general manager of The Daily Record. "That's a true community leader." "In all of my dealings with him," said Stan Hales, president of The College of Wooster, "it was really obvious to me how deeply dedicated he was to the welfare of the city ... he was both a dedicated newsman and a leader." Don Noble, former chief executive officer of Rubbermaid, who worked with Dix on numerous community projects, added, "He was one of the most civic-minded persons that I have known. Whatever he could work on that would improve the quality of life in Wooster, he would do - and do well." Dix also was known for his advocacy of a free press, serving in numerous state and local organizations that were active in efforts to improve newspapering in Latin America and around the world. "He was one of a kind," said Elinor Taylor, who worked at The Daily Record for 35 years under Dix. "I think if anybody ever had printer's ink in his veins, it was Ray Dix." Dix was born in Wooster in 1908, and he graduated from Wooster High School in 1926. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University for two years, then transferred to the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where he graduated in 1930. In 1932, Dix married Carolyn Gustafson, a 1932 graduate of The College of Wooster. She died on Jan. 26, 2000. Ray and Carol Dix lived for years at 647 Northwestern Ave. in the house where Dix was born. Taylor said Ray Dix was committed to the newspaper business. "The Daily Record was his life," she said. "He could make a story out of anything ... and he taught all of the rest of us that that was important." Taylor said Dix cared about his employees. She recalled the time she was elected president of the Ohio Newspaperwomen's Association. Dix was in South America but made it a point to call long distance to find out about the election results. "He was that kind of a person," Taylor said. Beeson said Dix carried around a small black book that included information about the daily newspaper's advertising and editorial content. Each month, Dix would go into Beeson's office, and the two would speculate about the newspaper's 30-day content. "I had all of the tools that computers could possibly spit out," Beeson said. The two would guess about the paper's performance. Inevitably, Dix and his black book would win. "I never beat him," Beeson said. "He just had that intuitiveness. He could just feel the aura of the business around him and predict how we did that month. ... In his heyday, he was simply amazing." Hales said several generations of journalism students at The College of Wooster got their start in the newspaper business with Dix at The Daily Record. "These people, whenever they come back to campus, would always talk about the training they got, and they always talked about Ray (Dix)," he said. Dix served in a number of leadership positions in the newspaper business. In 1975, he was president of the Inter American Press Association, a group that included close to 1,000 newspapers that worked to improve communication between publications in the Western Hemisphere. For many years, he served as director of the association's Freedom of the Press committee and traveled to different Latin American countries to lobby on behalf of repressed journalists. His son, R. Victor Dix, said his father was a strong advocate of community journalism who understood the importance of other countries and people throughout the world. "My father had friends throughout the world," said Victor Dix, who became president and publisher of The Daily Record after his father's retirement. "Probably his biggest honor was getting elected president of the Inter American Press Association. He learned Spanish so that he could communicate better with Latin American colleagues. He always thought that the United States should pay more attention to Latin American and that Latin American countries would play an increasingly important role in our hemisphere." Dix also served for years on the board of the Ohio Newspaper Association, including stints as president and chairman. Locally, Dix was active on the board of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, the Wooster Businessman's Association and the Rotary Club, where he served as president. While serving as president of the Wooster Board of Trade (predecessor to the Wooster chamber), Dix led efforts to purchase lands for Wooster Rubber Co., today known as Rubbermaid. Dix also led efforts to purchase land and railroad access for International Paper. Dix helped form and served as chairman of the Killbuck Watershed Committee, which led community and state efforts after the 1969 flood in Wayne and Holmes counties to prevent future flooding problems. And he headed efforts to improve the city's water supply through land purchases for well fields. Dix served a term as director of the Ohio State Chamber of Commerce and was a director on the boards of Boys Village, the Wooster YMCA and Wayne County National Bank. He was active in the Wooster United Methodist Church, where he had served as a lay leader and superintendent of Sunday School programs. Dix was an emeritus member of the board of Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware and held honorary degrees from The College of Wooster and Defiance College. In 1976, Dix received the Ohio Governor's Award, and in 1984 he received the John S. Knight Award for newspaper accomplishments in northeast Ohio. In 1992, he was inducted into the Wooster chamber's Wall of Fame. Ralph Regula, a Republican congressman representing Ohio's 16th District, which includes Wayne County, said he knew Dix well and enjoyed discussing world events with him. "I was very fond of Ray," he said. "He was a very good citizen of the community. I always enjoyed talking to him and hearing his ideas on national events. He kept abreast of what was happening in the world." Dix and his wife were good to the college and the community, Hales said. Carolyn Dix served on the college board of trustees, and a Dix endowment is used by the college for a scholarship and to fund community-related activities. "They were generous in a whole series of ways to the college," Hales said. "For that, we of course are very grateful." Noble said he worked with Dix on a number of fund-raising projects in which the two would call on business executives to raise money for different community projects. "He was an extremely good money-raiser," he said. "He was very direct and to the point - and got the money. ... He made a difference for the good of the community. ... He was so effective in so many ways." Stanley Gault, former Rubbermaid CEO and a well-known local businessman, said Dix demonstrated his commitment to the community. "His personal integrity, creativity, ability, outstanding dedication and warm, friendly manner will leave a lasting impression upon all with whom he was associated during the long span of his professional career," Gault said. "He will serve as an inspiration for all who had the privilege to know and work with him. Words cannot adequately express his interest, involvement, devotion and support to Wooster." Dix has been in failing health in recent years. Taylor, whose house is just down the street from the nursing home where Dix lived the last years of his life, said she recently saw Vic Dix pushing his father down her cul de sac in his wheelchair. She went out to greet them. The elder Dix didn't know Taylor by name but realized he knew her from somewhere. At one point, she leaned over to him, and he said, "Be sure we get this in the paper." She added, "He was a newsman first."

William Etling, 65
Former Portage County resident William D. Etling, 65, of Edinboro, Pa., died Friday, July 6, 2001, at his daughter's home in Erie after an extended illness. Born March 24, 1936, in Brady Lake, he was the son of the late William F. and Ida. F. (Mellin) Etling. He was a 1954 graduate of Ravenna High School and graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and later a Master of Arts degree. Mr. Etling had taught at Kent State University for two years before going to Edinburg University in 1960. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Edinboro, where he served as past president of the pastoral council, a lector and a eucharistic minister. He was also a member of the American Society for Quality Control. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Audrey Mihalcin Etling; sons, James and John, both of Erie, and Joseph of Edinboro; daughters, Kathleen (Robert) Ennis of Erie; Teresa (Donald) Pearce of Erie and Deborah (David) Plummer of Edinboro; eight grandchildren; and his brothers, Allan (Jan) Etling of Hudson and Richard (Sandy) Etling of Kent. A nephew, Richard Etling, died previously. Services have already taken place. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2115 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508; Our Lady of the Lake Church, 128 Sunset Drive, Edinboro, PA 16412; or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 W. Eighth St., Erie, PA 16505.

Rita Green, 79
Rita Lucille Green, 79, of Kent, died Friday, July 20, 2001. Born Aug. 3, 1922, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Frank and Annie Monaco. Mrs. Green was a homemaker. Survivors include her sons, Richard (Kathy) Green, and Ronald (Gail) Green of Florida; daughters, Dianne Wright and Deborah (Doug) Marken, both of Kent; brothers, Vince Monaco of California and Louie Monaco; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her husband, Herman Richard, died previously. Cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be announced.

William McGilvery, 52
William David McGilvery, 52, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at his residence following a brief illness. Born May 7, 1949, in Chattanooga, Tenn., he was the son of Charles and Edna (Myers) McGilvery. Formerly of Mogadore, he was a Ravenna resident for the past year. Mr. McGilvery was employed as a machinist at The Bulletin Inc. Graphics in Streetsboro. He was a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors. Survivors include his father of Mantua; brother, Mac (Elaine) of Ravenna; and sister, Patricia (James) Renfro of Mantua. His mother died in 1990. No calling hours or services will be held. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were made by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Mary Melito, 89
SHALERSVILLE - Mary Melito, 89, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at her home. Born Nov. 4, 1911, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Holden) Horne. She had lived in Shalersville for the past 42 years. Mrs. Melito was a press operator and was retired from Davies Can in Solon. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua and the Streetsboro Seniors Club. Survivors include many nephews and nieces. Her husband, John, died in 1983. A brother, John Horne; and sisters, Winifred Michalak, Margaret Edelburg, Anna Lotarski and Florence Coppersmith, all died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua with the Rev. Thomas McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery in Northfield.

Nancy V. Gephart
STREETSBORO - Nancy V. Gephart, 87, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at Maplewood Care Center in Streetsboro. Born Oct. 23, 1913, in Footedale, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Nancy (Malone) Rizer. She had lived in Streetsboro since the 1940s. Mrs. Gephart was retired from her position as a cook at the Hattie Larlham Foundation in Shalersville. She was a member of the Streetsboro Church of God and the Streetsboro Senior Center. Survivors include sons, Charles of Ravenna and John "Bill" (Shirley) and Clarence (Doris), both of Florida; daughter, Marie (Richard) Petrovich of Euclid; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, William E., died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Curtis Reiger officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Shalersville.