Pamela Pierce
Pamela Taylor Pierce, 42, who was reared in Kent, died of cancer Thursday, July 2, 1998 at her home in Anchorage, Alaska. Born Dec. 4, 1955, in Lincoln, Neb., she was the daughter of Jay and Carol Taylor of Kent. She was a 1974 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School and a 1981 graduate of Miami University. After graduating from college, Mrs. Pierce later taught art at the Navajo Secondary School in Kayenta, Ariz., where she met Dr. Richard Olden Pierce, whom she married in Cairo, Egypt, in 1982. The couple travelled extensively throughout the world, exploring and living in places such as Saudi Arabia, India and Alaska, where Mrs. Pierce was co-editor of the Ukpeagvik Edgington weekly newspaper in Barrow. She also worked for the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. While living in Anchorage, Alaska, Mrs. Pierce was active in her sons' Bear Valley School as a PTO commission member. She also edited and illustrated several anthologies of students' literary works, was a Cub Scout den mother and a participant in her children's many sports and other outdoor activities. She had a loving and deep appreciation of the arts. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Richard Olden Pierce; sons, Ian and Erik, of Anchorage; stepson, Arand, of Youngsville, N.M.; parents, Jay and Carol Taylor, of Kent; and sisters, Mrs. Mark (Barbara) Taylor Brooks, of Batesburg, S.C., Mrs. John (Janet) Taylor-Lehman, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Mrs. Stephen (Leann) Whyte of Kent. Cremation has taken place. A service of remembrance was held July 7 in Anchorage. A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the United Methodist Church of Kent. A reception for family and friends will be held in Pierson Hall following the service. Memorials may be made to the Pamela Taylor Pierce Memorial Fund, 5671 Caranor Drive, Kent, 44240.

Betty Devine
Former Mantua resident Betty LaRue Devine, 76, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Tuesday, July 7, 1998, at home. Born in Ravenna, she moved to St. Petersburg from Mantua in 1989. Mrs. Devine was a retired waitress. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid shuffleboard player. Survivors include her sons, David of Ravenna, Robert Jr., of North Madison, Ohio, and Michael of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Gloria Schaffer of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 6 p.m. until services at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. The Rev. Leonard Walmsley will officiate. Inurnment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Debbie Springer
Debbie Ann Springer, 41, of Ravenna, died Friday, July 10, 1998, after being injured in an industrial accident at Step 2 Corporation in Streetsboro. Born Dec. 19, 1956 in Garfield Heights, she was the daughter of Carlton F. and Florence E. (Christon) Reed. She was a former Mantua resident. Mrs. Springer was a materials handler at Step 2 Corporation. Survivors include her daughters, Nicole of Burton and Kristy of Ravenna; parents, Carlton and Florence Reed of Cambridge; brother, Jeff (Susan) Reed of Ravenna; sisters, Mrs. Tony (Colleen) LaFlame of Hudson and Mrs. Rick (Robin) Rossego of Rootstown; and fianc, Jeff Morris of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Private services will be held for the family. Inurnment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.

Nellie M. Carpenter
Nellie M. Carpenter, 70, of Streetsboro, died Saturday, July 11, 1998 at her home. Born June 9, 1928, in Morgantown, W. Va., she was the daughter of Ernest and Rosetta (Batton) Greenleaf. She had been a Streetsboro resident for 26 years. Mrs. Carpenter was retired from the Morse Control Division in Hudson, where she was an assembly worker. Survivors include her husband, James; sons, Jeffrey of Seattle, Wash., Rodney of Mogadore, twins Raymond Keener of Beckley, W. Va. and Richard Keener of Pittsburgh, Penn., and James Jr. of Aurora; daughters, Barbara Zuponcic of Streetsboro, the twin of James Jr., Linda Walker of Morgantown, W. Va.; 14 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Flossie Cook of Tucson, Ariz., and Margaret Eaglen of Morgantown, W. Va. A sister Lucille Jackson died previously. There will be no calling hours. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, with the Rev. J.W. Adkins officiating. Memorials may be made to the Robinson Memorial Hospital Visiting Nurse Association Hospice.

Charles Thomas
Charles Myron Thomas, 56, of Ravenna, died Saturday, July 11, 1998 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born August 21, 1941 in Ravenna, he was the son of Oliver W. and Helen E. (Ken) Thomas. He had lived in Ravenna all his life. Survivors include his son Charles M. Montminy of Massachusetts; daughter Carman Montminy of Corpus Christy, Texas; a granddaughter; his mother, of Ravenna; and brothers William O. (Dorothy) Thomas of Brady Lake and David (Bethany) Thomas of Brimfield. His father and a sister, Laura, died previously. Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jake Puckett officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Mary Barilla
Mary C. (Groch) Barilla, 93, of Parma, the mother of Elizabeth A. (Russell) Chlysta of Ravenna, died Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at Mount Alverna Nursing Home, Parma. Mrs. Barilla was an AT&T long distance telephone operator for 40 years in Cleveland. In addition to Mrs. Chlysta, survivors include two sons; one daughter; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two sisters. Her husband, Michael, died previously. Services were held Friday at Holy Family Church in Parma. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brookpark.

Joan Granier
STOW - Joan S. Granier, 61, died July 10, 1998. Born in Wilmette, Ill., she was a Stow resident from 1985 until moving to Illinois in 1990. She returned to Stow in 1997. Mrs. Granier was a member of Sigma Kappa and the Republican Club. Survivors include her son, Thomas (Tammy) Miller of Phoenixville, Pa.; daughter, Mrs. Michael (Kathleen) Katz of Lamertville, N.J.; stepdaughter, Anita Chaney of Georgia; stepsons, Dennis of Florida and Jeffrey, Russell and Fritz, all of California; one grandchild; five step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. Her husband, John, died in 1988. Calling hours were held Monday at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow. Private burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Suzanne Dorsey
PARIS - Suzanne Dorsey, 59, died Monday, July 13, 1998 at her home. Born March 10, 1939 in Piqua, she was the daughter of James C. and Clyona (Bruecker) Baker. Formerly of Garrettsville, she had lived in Paris for 11 months. Mrs. Dorsey was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Robert, to whom she was married 41 years; son, Rick of Randolph; daughters, Kimberly Costello of Paris, Vicky Lawless of Charlestown and Darla Heberling of Cortland; 11 grandchildren; brothers, James and Greg of Piqua, and Roger of Covington; and sisters, Pat Motter and Cindy Root, both of Piqua. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Dr. Mel Grubaugh officiating. Burial to be in Hawley Cemetery in Paris.

Willis Landenberger
MOGADORE - Willis G. Landenberger, 83, died Sunday, July 12, 1998. Born in Akron, he had lived in Mogadore for most of his life. Mr. Landenberger worked for Murphy Lumber Co. for 33 years. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine (Mishler), to whom he was married for 60 years; sons, Willis C. (Sandra) of Brimfield, Dale (Robin) of Bolivar, Keith of Suffield and Kevin of Mogadore; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Hazel (Howard) Hawk and sister-in-law, Gladwin Landenberger of Uniontown. His brother, Kenneth; sister, Evelyn; and daughters-in-law, Ruth and Michaele Landenberger, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore, where services will ne held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Steven Van Houten officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Springfield Church of the Brethren, 3500 Albrecht Ave., Akron, 44312.

Marilyn Knight
Marilyn Louise (Kirkland) Knight, 71, died Sunday July 12, 1998. She had leukemia. Born May 27, 1927 in Akron, she was the daughter of Albert C. and Elsie K. Kirkland. An Akron resident most of her life, she was a 1945 graduate of Stow High School, Stephens College in Missouri and Kent State University. Mrs. Knight was a kindergarten teacher in the Akron Public Schools, teaching at Thomastown, David Hill and Betty Jane schools until she retired.She worked part time at Dillard's after her retirement. In 1966 she received the Martha Holden Jennings Award for excellence in teaching. Active in the Akron Education Association for many years, she was a life member of the Summit County Retired Teachers Association and the Ohio Education Association. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Akron. Survivors include son, Kirk H. (Kathryn) of San Francisco; daughter, Kimberlee Ann (Dave) Martin of Akron; four grandchildren; and sister, Marjorie Lee (Richard) Miles of Cuyahoga Falls. Her husband, Preston James Knight, Jr. died previously. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Farley Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road in Akron, where calling hours will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Private interment wil take place at Northlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care, Kappa Kappa Iota Beta conclave or to charity.

Robert Fleishman
STREETSBORO - Robert G. Fleishman, 75, of Cackler Road, died Sunday, July 12, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born April 8, 1923 in Ravenna, he was the son of William and Elizabeth (Pfister) Fleishman. Mr. Fleishman was an electrical plater for Romito-Donnelly in Ravenna. He retired in 1985 from Ravenna High School, where he worked as a custodian for six years. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, 199th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent. Survivors include his wife, Ardith (Moehle), whom he married Oct. 16, 1942; sons, Robert II (Pam) of Ravenna and Martin (Charlaine) of Watsonville, Calif.; daughters, Mrs. Paul (Donna) Bognar of Rootstown and Mrs. Mike (Susan) Briggs of Streetsboro; eight grandchildren; and brothers, Bill of Prescott, Ariz. and Earl Kenneth of Chula Vista, Calif. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, with the Rev. Elizabeth Hazelton officiating. Burial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 600 S. Water St., Kent 44240 or Robinson Memorial Hospital-Visiting Nurse and Hospice, P.O. Box 1204, Ravenna 44266-1204.

Margaret Morris, 88
Margaret Elizabeth Morris enjoyed being one of the most active residents of the Kentway Senior Citizens Apartments in Kent, where she had lived for many years. Mrs. Morris, an outgoing woman who referred to herself as "a jack of all trades and a master of none," organized and performed in the Kentway Kitchen Band, which performed at many parades and special events. She and the band were featured on the "PM Magazine" television program twice. Mrs. Morris, 88, died Wednesday, July 15, 1998 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born June 14, 1910 in New Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Edward and Lena (Christner) Ball. She had been a resident of the Kent and Ravenna area for 46 years. In addition to her activities with the Kentway band, Mrs. Morris founded a Bible study group, and maintained it for 20 years. She considered herself a "prayer warrior" and her "ministry of cards" and her lifelong commitment to the Lord touched many. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent. She was listed in "Who's Who of Women Civic Leaders of America." Survivors include her son, Leonard (Sara) of New Philadelphia; daughters, Charlotte (Laverne) Riggenbach of Rootstown, Sylvia (Gerald) Kelley of Ravenna, Karen (David) McKay of Ravenna, Marcia Savage of Ravenna, and Mary Jo (David) DeReamer of Peoria, Ariz; 26 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Kathryn Albaugh of Dover, Mildred (Bob) Singleton of Dover and Virginia (Glen) Swinderman of New Philadelphia. Her son, William; grandson, David; great-granddaughter, Amber Savage; sisters, Ruth Swartz and Helen Varalli; and brother, Russell Ball, died previously. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until memorial services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent. The Rev. Elizabeth Hazelton will officiate. Burial services, to be held at East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia, will be announced. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 600 S. Water St., Kent 44240.

Betty Chisholm, 80
Graveside services will be held Saturday in Ravenna for Betty Chisholm, 80, of Howard, Ohio, formerly of Ravenna, who died Monday at the Country Club Center in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she was recuperating from surgery. Born Sept. 26, 1917 in Ravenna to Burritt B. and Nellie (Boosinger) Allen, she had been a school teacher in the Ravenna Public Schools having retired from teaching at Willyard Elementary School. A lively conversationalist with a quick sense of humor, she was an avid Bridge player and was a member of a Bridge club for many years that included retired Portage County Clerk of Courts Lucy DeLeone. "Betty was so much fun that we spent more time laughing than playing cards," Mrs. DeLeone recalled Wednesday, "but it didn't seem to matter." A member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, she enjoyed participating in church-sponsored gatherings and activities. She had been a member of the Tuesday Club in Ravenna. Before completing her education to prepare for a teaching career in the 1940s, Mrs. Chisholm had worked in the late 1930s in the Portage County Courthouse. Survived include her son, John (Anne-Marie) McGann of Shaker Heights; daughters, Patty (Pat) Dermody of Howard, with whom she had made her home in recent years, Mary (Bill) Neuder of Grosse Isle, Mich., and Peggy (Mark) Harlacz of South Euclid; 12 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; brother, Burt Allen of Seattle, Wash.; and sister, Eileen McGann of Lakewood. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, John McGann, who was killed in action in World War II in 1945; second husband, Frank Chisholm, who died in 1993; and brother, Griff Allen, who died in 1989. Calling hours will be held from noon until 2 p.m. Friday at North-Dilley Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Knox County Unit, P.O. Box 12, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 43050.

Thomas Demboski, 77
Thomas Edward Demboski, 77, of Phoenix, Ariz., a former Portage County resident, died Thursday, July 9, 1998. Born Nov. 14, 1921 in Ellet, he was the son of Joseph and Alice (Wieczorek) Demboski. He was a 1941 graduate of Suffield High School. Mr. Demboski was a commercial realtor in Phoenix, Ariz. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, to whom he was married 27 years; five children; brothers, James of Suffield; and Charles of Louisville, Miss.; and sister, Helen Irene Booth of Ellet. Three brothers and two sisters died previously. Burial has taken place in Phoenix, Ariz.

Robert Finch, 72
Former Ravenna resident Robert C. Finch, 72, of Mesa, Ariz., died Tuesday, July 14, 1998. Formerly of Ravenna, he moved to Mesa in 1969. Mr. Finch was a machine operator. He was a World War II veteran of the South Pacific Front where he served as a corporal for the U.S. Marine Corps. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks and American Legion. Survivors include his sons, Robert of Ravenna and Edward of Charlestown, S.C.; daughters, Barbara Huhn of Palm Coast, Fla. and Diane Finch of Daytona, Fla.; stepsons, Larry and Mike Goodyear, both of Mesa; stepdaughter, Karen Price of Mesa, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, George and Ray, both of Ravenna, and Jack of Rootstown; and sister, Katherine Bormuth of Kent. His wife, Henrietta, died in December 1997. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 7900 E. Apache Trail, Mesa Ariz., where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. Contributions may be made to LHS Hospice, 1325 N. Fiesta Bldg. No. 1, Gilbert, Ariz. 85233.

Larry Gastrock, 55
Former Ravenna resident Larry "Rocky" Gastrock, 55, died Wednesday, July 15, 1998 at Williamsport Hospital in Williamsport, Pa. after an extended illness. Born Oct. 26, 1942, he had been a resident of Ravenna for 15 years before moving to Williamsport five years ago to be close to his children. Mr. Gastrock was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Marines. Survivors include his son, Mike of Williamsport; daughter, Lori of Williamsport; four grandchildren; and Connie Gastrock of Ravenna. There will be no calling hours. Services will be announced.

Joseph Noble, 87
Joseph D. Noble, 87, of Kent, died Tuesday, July 14, 1998 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Warren. Born May 6, 1911 in Cleveland, he was the son of Joseph and Giovanni (Ciolfi) DiNobile. Mr. Noble retired as a supervisor at Ametek-Lamb Electric Co. in Kent. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent and Knights of Columbus Council No. 1411 in Kent. He was a golfer and enjoyed gardening and hunting. Survivors include his sons, James (Carol) of Kent, Thomas (Felicia) of Aurora and Phillip of Kent; daughters, Sister Barbara Noble H.M. of Warren; Mrs. Jeff (Mary) Murphy of Brimfield; Mrs. William (Kathy) Burgess of Uniontown; and Mrs. Charles (Susan) Shaffer of Aurora, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Anthony DiNobile of Cleveland; sisters, Angela Stage of Grove City; Frances Ricci of Kent; and sister-in-law, Tillie Zalewski. His wife, Helen B. (Zalewski), died in 1988, and son, Joseph, died in 1951. His brother, Michael; and sister, Ida Palumbo, died previously. Calling hours will be held from at 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where Knights of Columbus services will be held at 6:45 p.m. Friday. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church Memorial Fund.

Thelma Lee Thomas, 65
Thelma Lee Thomas, 65, of Cline Road, Kent, died Tuesday, July 14, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Dec. 2, 1932 in Akron, she was the daughter of Charles A. and Lola B. (Owensby) Turney. Survivors include her husband, Robert; son, William of Kent; daughter, Debbie Manijak of Streetsboro; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; mother, Lola Turney of North Carolina; brother, James Turney of Uniontown; and sisters, Francis Shire, Sue Whittaker and Pat Turney all of Charlotte, N.C., and Alice Ward of Lewisville. A memorial service was held Thursday. Arrangements were handled by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent.

Yvonne Jean Caroline (Kandel) Warmuth, 54
Yvonne Jean Caroline (Kandel) Warmuth, 54, of Tucumcari, N.M., died Wednesday, July 15, 1998, at the home of a relative in Newton Falls. Born Feb. 22, 1944 in England, she was the daughter of Julius A. and Doris (Stillwell) Rapczak. Formerly of Warren, she had lived in New Mexico for 13 years. Mrs. Warmuth was a homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Survivors include her husband, Fred, whom she married Dec. 25, 1990; sons, Brian Kandel of Leavittsburg and Michael Kandel of Tucumcari; daughter, Robin Kandel of Garrettsville; seven grandchildren; mother, Doris Kohut of Newton Falls; brother, Anthony F. Rapczak of Newton Falls; and sisters, Elaine Rapczak of Warren, Julie Sallaz of Berlin Center and Cheryl Rapczak of Warren. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.

Walter Evanoff
Former Streetsboro resident Walter J. "Butch" Evanoff, 45, of Cleveland, died Saturday, July 18, 1998, at his home. Born Nov. 25, 1952 in Cleveland, he was the son of Walter and Sophie (Hulin) Evanoff. Formerly of Streetsboro, he had lived in Cleveland for 20 years. Mr. Evanoff worked at the Ford Motor Co. Survivors include his son, John of Ravenna; one grandchild; and sisters, Fran Motz of Streetsboro and Pat Voisinet of Cleveland. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro with the Rev. Frederick Slaven officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.