Michael Bescoe
BRADY LAKE - Calling hours for Michael K. Bescoe, 23, who died Tuesday Oct. 6, 1998, will be held today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Born Aug. 16, 1975 in Ravenna, he was the son of Kenneth and Joan (Wise) Bescoe. He had lived in Brady Lake his entire life. Mr. Bescoe was a plant operator for Hugo Sand Co. in Twin Lakes. He was a 1994 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent. He had played semi-professional football in Novi, Mich. In addition to his parents of Brady Lake, survivors include his sisters, Michelle Bradfield Dunns of Twinsburg, Becky Bradfield of North Canton and Andrea of Kent; grandparents, Bill and Joan Wise and Betty Bescoe, all of Ravenna. His grandfather, Homer Bescoe, died in February. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with Deacon Russ Brode officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Mantua.

Nellie Boykin
Nellie Boykin, 90, of Harris Street, Kent, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998, at Altercare of Ravenna. Born June 2, 1908 in Graham, Ala., she was the daughter of Carl and Beatrice (Heath) Herring. Mrs. Boykin was a long-time employee of Kent Laundry and Majestic Cleaners of Ravenna. She was a member of Mount Carmel AME Church in Woodland, Ala. and Spelman Chapel AME in Kent, where she was mother of the church and served on the stewardess board. Survivors include her sons, Robert L. (Merle) Boykin and Willie Boykin, both of Kent; daughters, Jessie Mae (William) Hawkins of Kent, and Evelyn Hollis of Akron; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, John W. Boykin, died in 1976. Her son, Mercedes Boykin; daughter, Francis Walters; grandsons, Leon Walters Jr. and Danny Ray Hawkins; one great-great grandson; brothers, Turner, Jack, Elder, Barto, Preacher, Sam, Tee and Carl Herring; and sisters, Evie Grier and Arrie Hennrix also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Spelman Chapel AME in Kent, with the Rev. James Walker officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Spelman Chapel Scholarship Fund in memory of Nellie Boykin.

Cloie Dent
Cloie L. Dent, 81, of Ravenna, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 1998. Born May 29, 1917 in Charlestown, she was the daughter of Frances and Minnie (Whipkey) Stidd. Mrs. Dent had worked in the Redfern Plant of the Cleveland Worsted Mills until its closing. She was a member of the Family of Jesus Fellowship Church in Ravenna. Survivors include her sons, Franklin Addision (Marcy) Dent, Melvin Paul Dent and Terry Lee (Marie) Dent, all of Ravenna; daughters, Altabell (Vernon K.) King and Minnie May (Robert) Snowberger, both of Ravenna; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her husband, George F. Dent, and several brothers and sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with Rev. Sam Goebel officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Julia Fleeman
Julia C. Fleeman, 87, of 1000-A Newton Drive, Newton Falls, died Friday, Oct. 9, 1998, at her home. Born March 29, 1911 in Gracetown, Pa., she was the daughter of Harry and Anna (Romanik) Cybak. A former resident of Pennsylvania, she had lived in the area for the past 60 years. Mrs. Fleeman was a homemaker and had worked for the Ravenna Arsenal during World War II. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton Falls. She is survived by her son, Harry of Ravenna; daughters, Ann Fleeman, Rose Bartlett and Patricia Harvey, all of Newton Falls; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph Cybak of Warren; and sisters, Margaret Kolovich of Newton Falls and Mrs. Francis Kolar of Streetsboro. Her husband Andrew, whom she married June 23, 1945, died April 16, 1963. Her brothers, Steve, John, Harry, Charles and Albert; and sisters, Anna Cybak, Mary Cybak and Irene Hoke also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Church with the Rev. John Madden officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemeter

Robert Conklin
AURORA - Robert S. Conklin, 70, died Friday, Oct. 9, 1998, at Meridia Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights from complications of lung and heart disease. Born Nov. 4, 1927 in Youngstown, he was the son of William and Myrtle (McConnell) Conklin. He had been an Aurora resident for 15 years. Mr. Conklin graduated from Youngstown Struthers High School and Youngstown College, and took masters courses at Harvard Business School. He worked at Mahoning Valley Supply in Youngstown and Cleveland for 20 years, and was eventually promoted to general manager. He also was vice-president of Shenango Steel in Masury from 1972 to 1980, when he retired to Aurora. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, stationed in the U.S. Cavalry. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Ann (Webb), to whom he had been married 48 years; sons, Robert S. Jr. (Sue) of Boardman, William W. of Aurora, James K. (Nancy) of Aurora, Thomas A. (Jan) of Atlanta, Ga., and Richard L. (Pam) of Twinsburg; and eight grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Conklin residence at 655 Cherry Park Oval, Aurora. Private graveside services and burial will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Arrangements were handled by the Kindrich-McHugh Steinbauer Funeral Home in Solon.y in Paris Township.

George Irimie
George Irimie, 82, of Ravenna died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born June 21, 1916 in Indianapolis, Ind., he was the son of John and Elisabeth (Marcu). He had lived in Alliance before moving to Ravenna. Mr. Irimie was a pattern maker at Visioneering Engineering of Cleveland before he retired in 1975. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. He was also a member of St. Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church and the American Legion Post No. 166 of Alliance. Survivors include his stepson, Robert Dunnington of Fairmont, W.Va.; and sisters, Helen Sandi of Sun City, Ariz. and Mildred Fallo of Palmdale, Calif. His wife, Eva L. (Dunnington), whom he married Dec. 22, 1956, died May 23, 1998. His brother, Dan; sister, Eugenia Negulici; and nephew, David, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cassaday-Tuekle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church, with the Rev. Raymond J. Samoila officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the church at P.O. Box 349, Alliance, 44601.

Denise E. Hoffman
Denise E. Hoffman, 46, of North Benton died Thursday, Oct. 15, 1998, at home. Born March 5, 1952 in Salem, Ohio she was the daughter of Claire and Barbara (Fisher) Brogan. She graduated from Southeast High School in 1970. She was a member of the North Benton Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her parents of North Benton; daughters, Katrina Williams of Beloit, Tamera Werschey of Lake Milton, and Lisa Hoffman of North Benton; one grandchild; brothers, Dennis Brogan of Alliance, and Bruce Brogan of Damascus; and sister, Kimberly Mitzel of Alliance. Calling hours will held from 2 to 9 p.m. with the family there from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home, 126 W. Vermont Ave., Sebring, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Dennis Witt officiating. Burial will be in Hartzell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the North Benton Presbyterian Church.

Margaret Aurand
Margaret Aurand, 76, of Brady Lake Road, Kent, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 at Hospice Care Center of Fairlawn. She was born July 13, 1922 in Brady Lake. Mrs. Aurand was a homemaker. She was a member of the Lake Brady United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star, Olive Chapter 53. She was active in school activities when her children were young, such as PTA and room mother. Survivors include her sons, Ronald of Kent, Jack Jr. of Dover, Del., and John of Nelsonville; daughters Judith Herndon of Henderson, Nev.; Jacqueline Wreede of Polk City, Fla.; Melody Aurand of Bartow, Fla.; and Kelli Bradley of Kent; step-daughter Andrea Kramer; 25 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. Her husband, Jack E., died in November 1996, and her sister, Eleanor King, also died previously. Calling hours will be held 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, with Bud Curfman officiating.

Julia Harrington Fisher
Julia "Judy" Harrington Fisher, 82, of Rellim Drive, Kent, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998, at her home. Born Feb. 23, 1916 in Kent, she was the daughter of Earl E. and Helen Kirke (Justus) Harrington. She lived in Kent her entire life except a few years in Baltimore. Mrs. Fisher worked for Goodyear Aircraft, Ohio State Employment Services, Home Savings & Loan, Huber & Wise, Dr. Mastroianni and was financial secretary at the United Methodist Church until she retired in 1971. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Kent and the Order of the Eastern Star, Olive Chapter 53 since 1945. She was an avid bowler and crafter. Survivors include her brother, Justus (Betty) Harrington of Kent; halfbrother Earl Harrington of Emmitsburg, Maryland; and halfsister Rita Magee of Damascus, Maryland. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church of Kent, Wesley Chapel, with the Rev. Kay Dunlap officiating. Private burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Because of her love for her pet dogs, memorials may be made to the Animal Protective League, 903 E. Lake St., Ravenna 44266.

Richard F. Richards
Richard F. Richards "Dick", 56, of 541 Murray Ave., Ravenna, died Thursday Oct. 15, 1998, at home. Born March 18, 1942 in Ravenna, he was the son of Roger and Elizabeth (Jones). He had been a Ravenna resident for 38 years. Mr. Richards was a tool and dye supervisor at General Motors in Lordstown. He also worked for Chrysler in Twinsburg from 1965 to 1979. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He also was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ravenna and a member of the Charity Masonic Lodge N. 530 in Deerfield. Survivors include his wife, Judith; son, Gregory; daughter, Traci; and sisters, Ronald (Sara) Kurts and Jane King. Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery.

Vera Gertrude Ward
WINDHAM - Vera Gertrude Ward, 84, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 1998, at Laurie Ann Nursing Home, after a short illness. Born March 22, 1914 in Norton, W. Va., she was the daughter of Hickman and Ora Bennett. Mrs. Ward was a custodial worker with the Windham School District for more than 10 years before retiring in 1972. She was a member of the Windham Bible Church, Christian and Missionary Alliance. Survivors include her son, Ivan Ward of Windham; daughter, Rachel Barrett of Windham; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, Richard, and several brothers and sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Mallory-Dehaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Windham Bible Church, Christian and Missionary Alliance, 9550 Parkman Road, with Rev. Fred Youngen and Rev. Clifford Noble officiating. Burial will be in the Windham Township cemetery.

June Pardee Gans
NEWTON FALLS - June Pardee Gans, 72, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998, at the Gillette Nursing home in Warren, after a long illness. Born Sept. 6, 1926 in Windham, she was the daughter of S.H. "Hank" and Marguerite (Waltz) Pardee. She had lived in the Windham and Garrettsville area most of her life until moving to Newton Falls in 1977. Mrs. Gans was a homemaker. She was a graduate of Windham High School. She was also a member and past president of the Windham American Legion Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, making crafts, watching sporting events on television, and was an avid reader. Survivors include daughters, Sherry (Lee) Love, Diane (Theodore) Varner, and Julie (David) Corley, all of Windham; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brothers, Richard (Juanita) Pardee of Palatka, Fla., and Thomas (Pat) Pardee of Huttig, Ark. Her husband, Edward Gans, whom she married Sept. 8, 1977, died Dec. 4, 1995. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Windham Township Cemetery with the Rev. Will Stackhouse officiating. Green's Funeral Home in Mantua is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Newton Falls Library.

Lois Pifer
MANTUA - Lois C. Pifer, 83, of Mantua, died Friday, Oct. 16, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness. Born March 11, 1915 in Wren, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Frieda (Muntzinger) Major. She had been a Mantua resident for 64 years. Mrs. Pifer was employed from 1950 until her retirement in 1982 as a clerk at Hammel's Grocery Store in Mantua. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working puzzles. She was well known for her cooking and baking for family and friends and for making chocolate fudge and other candies. Survivors include her daughters, Cherie Baragry and Denise (Harold) Bevington, both of Mantua; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Genevieve Pifer of Mantua; and brothers, Allen and Ben, both of Mantua. Her husband, Richard, and son, Richard Jr., died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Will Stackhouse officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Mantua.

Sharen Moledor
Sharen A. Moledor, 49, of North Pearl Street, Kent, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 1998, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Nov. 6, 1948 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of John and Helen (Tatu) Moledor. She has been a Kent resident all her life. Survivors include her parents, John and Helen of Kent. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Timothy E. Kenney officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Portage County Society of the Blind, c/o Keith Kimmel, president, at 11382 Peck Road, Mantua 44255 or to the American Diabetes Association - Akron Area Chapter, 225 W. Exchange St., Akron 44302.

Robert Barker
Robert W. Barker, 77, of Braceville Township, died Monday, Oct. 19, 1998, at St. Joseph's Health Center in Warren. Born March 4, 1921 in Kent, he was the son of Norman and Pearl (Kline) Barker. Mr. Barker was a mechanic for Bock Transfer Co. in Warren. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 3332 of Newton Falls. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Barker, whom he married March 15, 1946; daughter, Kathleen of Youngstown; sons, Jeffery of Braceville and Terry of Geneva; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Eleanor Turner and Norma Rood, both of Newton Falls. Brothers Everton, Russell, Glen and an infant brother died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Borowski Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Braceville Cemetery.

Nellie Duvall
AKRON - Nellie M. Duvall, 96, died Sunday at the Village of Saint Edward's Nursing Home in Fairlawn. Services will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel.

Marjorie Muir
Marjorie M. Muir, 81, of Las Vegas, died Friday, Oct. 16, 1998. Mrs. Muir retired from Packard Electric in 1963. Survivors include her daughter, Margie Krochka, of Las Vegas; four grandchildren; three great-children; and sister Beatrice Craver of Warren. Her husband, Harold and grandson, Robert Krochka died previously. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. XX at the United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Lillian Tarkowski
NEWTON FALLS - Lillian A. Tarkowski, 80, died Friday, Oct. 16, 1998, at her home. Born Jan. 17, 1918 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Kazimer and Anna Lesikiewicz. Mrs. Tarkowski was a clerk at Amweld. She was a volunteer at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson. There are no survivors. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until services at 10 a.m Wednesday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Cleveland. Arrangements were made by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Edna Young
Edna P. Young, 83, of Grove City, Pa., the sister of Harold Hill of Ravenna, died Monday, Oct. 19, 1998. Mrs. Young was a homemaker. She attended Lake Milton Temple Baptist Church. In addition to her brother, survivors include her son, Robert of Polk, Pa.; daughters, Marilyn (James) Sloan of Brookfield, Shirley (Donald) Yauger of Howland and Linda (James) Zelinski of Annapolis, Md.; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Robert, died in 1976. Two sons, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild died previously. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Thursday at Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Palmyra Cemetery.

Howard Lee Woods
Howard Lee Woods, 67, of Alliance, died Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 at Alliance Community Hospital after a long illness. Born Jan. 8, 1931 in Brimfield, he was the son of Forrest and Mildred (Willoughby) Woods. Mr. Woods was the owner of Howard's Appliance Service. Survivors include his wife, Robyn (Breit), to whom he was married 18 years; sons, Joseph of Alliance, and Larry and Leonard, both of Ravenna; daughters, Catherine of Alliance and Lucinda Mytasky of Michigan; and four grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 1 p.m. until services at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Dean's Funeral Home, 256 W. Ohio Ave., Sebring, with the Rev. James White officiating. Burial will be in Mount Union Cemetery.

Gloriana Oliver
WINDHAM - Gloriana Oliver, 63, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 1998. She was born April 1, 1935 in Alabama. Survivors include her son, Denzil (Susan) of Suffield; daughters, Shirley (Dale) Markley of Ravenna, Patricia (Jeffrey) McDuffie, and Peggy (George) Markley, both of Akron; six grandchildren; brothers, Alvin, Harold, Leon, and Willoughby; and sister, Sarah. There will be no calling hours. Chapel service and burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Hillside Memorial Park, 1025 Canton Road, Akron, with the Rev. Ken Morrison officiating. Arrangements were made by Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Akron. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 225 W. Exchange St., Akron 44302.