Rita Schwinn
Rita Elaine Schwinn, who was a reporter and city editor for the Record-Courier from 1985 to 1994, died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998, at Alliance Community Hospital. She was 41. Ms. Schwinn had relocated to North Carolina after leaving the Record-Courier in June 1994. She was visiting family members in the area this summer when a lung condition she had been suffering from worsened and she was hospitalized. She was under consideration for a lung transplant when she died of congestive heart failure. She had planned to return to her home in Charlotte next week. Ms. Schwinn was hired in September 1985 as a reporter covering the Kent city beat, a position she held until 1991, when she was named city editor, overseeing news operations in the Kent office. She left that position in June 1994 to relocate to North Carolina, where she planned to make a career change, working as a florist. She became ill with allergies and lung problems about two years ago, but had continued to work as a freelance writer for a number of magazines and other publications in North Carolina. "I like to remember her before she got so ill," said Luella Cordier, editor emeritus of the Record-Courier, who had visited with her about a month ago. "She was a very good reporter and a very likable person. "She had a lot of friends and did a lot of things for people," she said. "We were sorry to see her leave when she moved to North Carolina." Record-Courier Editor Roger DiPaolo said Ms. Schwinn loved writing and took a genuine interest in the people she wrote about. "She was a professional who connected with her readers, taking very seriously her role as their 'eyes and ears' at public meetings," DiPaolo said. "She took pride in her job and worked hard at it. "She brought a great deal of compassion and personal insight to her job, which made her an excellent interviewer," he said. "People responded to her." Ms. Schwinn won several awards while working at the Record-Courier, including first place in newswriting during the 1990 Ohio Newspaper Women's Association competition for stories dealing with charges of alleged racism in the Kent schools. She also won second place in the 1989 Ohio UPI Editors Association competition for continuing coverage of the circumstances surrounding the death of Tami Sargi, a student at Davey Middle School in Kent who died of heart ailment after suffering a seizure on a school bus. She won second place in feature writing during the 1987 UPI awards for an article about a Kent man who "rode the rails" on a transcontinental journey across the United States. Former Record-Courier colleague Cait Anastis said she learned a lot while working in the office with Schwinn. "I first remember her when I was a student at Kent State, and she was the Kent city reporter," Anastis said. "(KSU professor) Barb Hipsman took our class to city hall and told us that whenever Elaine was writing at a city council meeting, we should be writing, too. "After I started at the paper, I found out that she used to write letters to her friends during the meetings' dull times," she said. "Elaine got a good laugh out of all the student reporters diligently writing whenever she did, and later, Barb did, too." Ms. Schwinn was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and a former member of the Kent Kiwanis Club. Born Nov. 30, 1956 in Alliance, she was the daughter of George Malaby Schwinn and Helen Rita (Lytle) Schwinn. She was a graduate of Marlington High School. She was a member of the Marlboro Christian Church. Survivors include brother, George Schwinn of Alliance and sister, Marge Showers of Alliance. Her parents and brother, James, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, where visitation also will be held one hour prior to the service at 1 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Ed Harnish officiating. Burial will be in Marlboro Cemetery.

James Kirk
BRIMFIELD - James D. Kirk, 65, died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998. Born July 29, 1933 in Barton, Md., he was the son of James and Evelyn (Meese) Kirk. Mr. Kirk was a band director and taught in Stow and Nordonia Hills schools until he retired in June 1994. Mr. Kirk played french horn for the 19th and the 32 Army band. While in the Army, he performed in a vocal group that made reenlistment movies with Gary Crosby. In 1956, he played for the Ed Sullivan Show, traveled throughout England and played a command concert for the royal family. He was sent to the Continental Army Band at Fort Monroe, Va., where he played many concerts for the 350th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Va. One of those concerts was a command performance for the Queen of England. He was a member of the American School Band Director's Association; Phi Beta Mu; the Ohio Music Educator's Association; and was an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Kent State University chapter. He was an Ohio Music Education Association adjudicator and clinician in several other states and for the Bands of America. He was a Jennings Scholar in 1972 and 1973; was awarded the Outstanding Music Educator Award in 1988; and received the Outstanding Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Policy) of Brimfield; daughters, Debra of Lakewood and Elizabeth of Akron; and sister, Pattilou (Kenneth) Judge. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the McGowan-Reid & Santos Funeral Home in Cuyahoga Falls and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Saturday services at Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron. Burial will be in Northlawn Cemetery in Cuyahoga Falls. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Nordonia Hills Band Program, in care of the Nordonia Hills band aides, 9370 Olde Eight Road, Northfield.

Clyde Dillon
Clyde J. Dillon, 74, of Warren Road, Newton Falls, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998, at St. Joseph's Health Center in Warren. Born Feb. 9, 1924 in Lower Salem, he was the son of Harry and Pearl (Camden) Dillon. Mr. Dillon retired from North American Rockwell in 1976 where he was a foreman. He attended St. Mary's Church in Newton Falls. He was an outdoorsman, enjoying farming and hunting. He was in the U.S. Army, receiving a Bronze Star for his service in World War II. Survivors include his wife, Irene Bodzenta, whom he married Aug. 3, 1957; daughter, Mrs. Harold (Sandra) Cooper of Cartersville, Ill.; three grandchildren; brothers, Richard of Florida, Robert of Aurora and Roger of Louisville; and sisters, Hazel Backolowski of Randolph, June Johnson of Edinburg, Wilma Crum of Berlin Center, and Betty Morris of Ravenna. His first wife, Stella Bodzenta, died in 1955. Brothers Donald and Glen also died previously. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to the 10 a.m. Friday services at Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in the Newton Falls Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church.

Edward Chismar
STREETSBORO - Edward J. Chismar, 82, died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998, at Akron CIty Hospital. Born Oct. 10, 1915 in Adamsburg, Pa., he was the son of Frank and Emma (Yochman) Chismar. He was a Streetsboro resident since 1971. Mr. Chismar retired from the Ford Motor Co. in Walton Hills, where he was a pipe fitter. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Susan Ann (Henresko) Chismar; daughters, Carol Ann Kownacki of Pennsylvania, Mary Jane Ambrose of Long Island, and Susan May (Joseph) Herchick of Streetsboro; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brothers, Frank of Pennsylvania, Andrew of Colorado, John of Indiana and Kenneth of Pennsylvania; and sister, Hilda Bollis of Florida. Brother, Raymond, and sister, Ethel McNutt, died previously. There will be no local calling hours or services. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church in Conneaut Lake. Memorials may be made to the family, c/o P.O. Box 220 Conneaut Lake, Pa., 16316. Local arrangements were made by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.

Ann Gnandt
Ann D. Gnandt, 86, of Ravenna, died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998, at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born Sept. 19, 1911 in Mayberry, W.V., she was the daughter of John and Julia (Yavelak) Andriko. She had been a Ravenna resident since 1940. Mrs. Gnandt had worked in custodial services for the Ravenna Board of Education. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. Survivors include her son, Joseph (Joanne) Gnandt of Ravenna; four grandchildren; brothers, Nick and Paul Andriko, both of Newton Falls; sisters, Julia Rogos and Eva Tancos, both of Newton Falls, Helen Crockett of Oklahoma and Sue Jones of Warren. Her husband, Joseph, died in 1957 and her son, David, died in 1996. Her brothers, John, Mike and Steve; and sister, Mary Blasko, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. David Misbrener officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

James Hayes
James S. Hayes, 77 of Ravenna died Wednesday Aug. 26 after a long illness. Born July 25, 1921 in Mannington, W. Va, he was the son of Guy and Norma Hayes. Mr. Hayes retired from A.C. Williams Co. in 1985. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife Mary; sons Charles (Dinah) of Ravenna, John (Marianne) of Kent; and Tim of Ravenna; daughter, Judy (Rick) of Ravenna; step brother Thomas Hayes of Ravenna; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. There will be no calling hours or services.

Wayne Baumberger
Former Kent resident Wayne F. Baumberger, 85, of Venice, Fla. died Tuesday Sept. 1, 1998. He was born July 24, 1913 in McMechen, W. Va. Mr. Baumberger was a general building contractor in Kent for 34 years and helped tutor Kent State University architecture and engineering students and offered apprenticeships. He was a World War II veteran as a U.S. Army captain with the Aviation Engineers in the South Pacific. He graduated from KSU in 1935 and was active in Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He was a wrestler. He also was involved in the Sarasota Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, and was a member of Bobby Jones Golf Club. He also was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kent and St. John Methodist Church in Sarasota, Fla. Survivors include his daughter, Janet Rodgers of Venice, Fla.; son-in-law, John J. Rodgers of Copley; and grandson Michael Wayne Rodgers of Venice, Fla. His wife, Frances Grant, and sisters, Martha Chapman, Bernice Bancroft, Ruth Michaels, Doris Brooks, and Marian Smith, died previously. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church in Kent or to Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos, Calif. 94024-5297.

Kathryn Wenger
Kathryn H. (Hendricks) Wenger, 91, of Shaker Heights died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998, at Great Lakes Harborside Health Care in Cleveland. She was born April 27, 1907 in Harvard, Ill. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, W. Emerson of Shaker Heights; son, David P. of Kent; two grandchildren; and sister, Harriet H. Rhodes. Her sister, Marian Glisch, died previously. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Brown-Forward Funeral Home, 17022 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.

Dale A. Carver Sr., 77
WINDHAM - Dale A. Carver Sr., 77, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a long illness. Born Feb. 20, 1921 in Moundsville, W.Va., he was the son of Howell and Mina (Johnson) Carver. Mr. Carver was a Conrail engineer for 30 years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a former member of Windham American Legion Post No. 674. Survivors include his wife, Loreen (Pitsinger), whom he married Sept. 30 1954; sons, Randy of Columbus, Dale Jr. of Windham, Barry of Garrettsville; daughters, Nancy Morton of Akron, Kathy McCrae of Windham, Sandy Lambert of West Virginia and Lori House of Alliance; 19 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Neal of Ravenna and Fred of Lima; and sisters, Ruth Kovack of Newton Falls, Mae Given and Betty Rummel, both of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Esta Everhart and the Rev. John Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom.

Herman Nolte, 79
Herman Nolte, 79, of Eastwood Road, Tallmadge, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 at Hospice Care Center. Born Aug. 6, 1919 in Roanoke, Va., he was the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Semones) Note Sr. Mr. Nolte retired from RB&W in Kent in 1982. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the African-European-Middle Eastern theaters during World War II. He was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for many years and was active in the Ohio Wagon Train. Survivors include his wife, June E. Caldwell, whom he married Dec. 15, 1945; sons David (Pamela) of Stow and Larry (Melanie) of Cuyahoga Falls; two grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers, Donald, Frank, Robert and John Nolte; and sister, Sara of Kent. HIs brothers, James, William and Carl, and sister, Nora, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Robert Brooks officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care Center or Christ Episcopal Church of Kent.

Stanley Beller, 82
Former Kent resident Stanley Beller, 82, of Thonotosassa, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 6, 1998, after a long illness. Mr. Beller retired as plant manager of Acme Nameplate Co. of Monroe, N.C. He was a member of Rotary International, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Thonotosassa United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; son, William of Akron; daughters, Ruthanne Richardson of Fairfax, Va., and Becky Lodge of Beverly Hills Mich; and eight grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Saturday at Thonotosassa United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the church at P.O. Box 406, Thonotosassa, Fla. 33592, or to a Shriners hospital.

Mary Campbell, 82
Mary A. Campbell, 82, of Bryce Road in Kent, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1998, at Akron City Hospital. Born June 8, 1916 in Shelby, Ohio, she was the daughter of John and Rita (Leighton) Baker. Mrs. Campbell worked as a clerk at Lee Drug Store in Kent for 16 years. She worked at Twin Coach during World War II. She attended the United Methodist Church of Kent and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, Floyd G., to whom she was married for 60 years; sister, Mrs. Edwin (Norma) Czaplicke of Cuyahoga Falls; and nieces, Geraldine Ulmer of Columbus, and Mrs. David (Sandra) Farrell of Clinton. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held immediately following, with the Rev. Kay Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Kent Memorial Fund.

Estelle Fleming, 102
Estelle Lewdrop Fleming, 102, of Dalton, Ga., a former resident of Stow-Glen Retirement Center in Stow, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 1998 in Dalton. She was born Oct. 18, 1895 in Bloomsbury, N.J., she was the daughter of John and Anna Mary Lewdrop. She had lived in Stroudsburg, Pa. most of her life. She lived in Stow before moving to Dalton six years ago. She graduated from Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, Mass. in 1916 and from Jefferson School for Nursing in Philadelphia in 1920. Mrs. Fleming was the executive secretary fo the Monroe County Tuberculosis Socieity in Pennslyvania. While living at Stow-Glen and attending the Kent Presbyterian Church, she made many friends after age 90. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Jane and Seymour H. Baron of Kent and Anne and Dr. Roy Farrow of Dalton, Ga.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Her husband, Dr. Bruce L. Fleming, and sister, Helen Wolfgang, died previously. A memorial service was held Aug. 24 in Dalton. A graveside service was held Aug. 29 in Stroudsburg. Arrangements were handled by the Crematory Society of the South in Georgia. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association or to charity.

Mary Kay Belair
BRIMFIELD - Mary Kay "Miki" Belair, 56, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998, after a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Belair was an active parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kent, where she served as a eucharistic minister. She was a 1991 graduate of Kent State University, where she received a degree in gerontology. Mrs. Belair was an licensed social worker for various agencies in the Akron area. She served as president of the Brimfield Garden Club. Survivors include sons, Steven Chimera and his fiance, Lisa Viering, and Brian (Carolyn) Chimera; and granddaughter, Alexandria. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Dunn-Quigley-Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Church in Kent. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, 44333.

Philip Caskey
Philip A. Caskey, 69, died Tuesday Sept. 8, 1998. Born Sept. 12, 1928 in Springfield, he was the son of William and Bernice (Allen) Caskey. Mr. Caskey was a retired math and English teacher after working for 40 years in the Twinsburg School System. He was in the Army Medical Corp during the Korean Conflict. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 281 and Palmer Mason Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Ellen; sons, Philip (Lori) Caskey of Mount Gilead, Joel Caskey of Cuyahoga Falls; daughters, Linda (Joe) Luscre of Kent, Diana (Michael) Sponsler of Syracuse, N.Y.; stepsons, Tony (Denise) Catalona of Kent, Sam Catalona of Belgrade, Mont.; stepdaughters, Lisa Baldwin of Cuyahoga Falls, Tina (Tom) Forhan of Medina, Jennifer (K.C.) Chartrand of Rockville, Md.; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, William (Sue) Hicks Caskey of Johnson City, Tenn.; and sister, Sue Leonard Bosworth of Lakewood. Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held for the family.

Albert Colley
Albert L. Colley, 82, of Southington died Thursday, Sept. 10, 1998, at Forum Health, Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren. Born May 13, 1916 in Uniontown, Pa., he was the son of Carl and Elizabeth (Kisner) Colley. Mr. Colley retired from Warren Concrete in 1979 as a mechanic. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving in World War II. He attended Redstone High School in Republic, Pa. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include son, David S. Colley of Wayland; daughter, Patricia (James) Baker of Atwater; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Smith Colley of Phillipsburg, Pa.; and sisters, Althea Carroll of Uniontown, Pa. and Esther Diehl of Merrittstown, Pa. His wife, Elizabeth Springer, whom he married Aug. 29, 1937 died Sept. 5, 1993, and son, Charles Daniel Colley, died in 1967. His brother, William Brown Colley, also died previously. There will be no services or calling hours. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Paris Township. Arrangements were made by the Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

David George
David L. George, 70, died Wednesday Sept. 9,1998 in Kent. Born Aug. 1, 1928 in Erie, Pa., he was the son of David and Marie George. Mr. George was a retired plant manager of Allegheny Drop Forge in Ravenna. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Bronze Star. Survivors include his daughters, Denise M. Sutkowy of Hartville and Laura A. Quintrell of Kent; five grandchildren; and sister, Michael Doherty of Cape Coral, Fla.. His parents, brothers, John and Bill George, and sister, Genevieve Gerber, died previously. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, with the Rev. C. Clinton Garris officiating.

Mark Pelsue
GARRETTSVILLE - Mack Pelsue, 27, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 1998, at his residence. Services will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.