Charles Petrasko, 61
SHALERSVILLE - Charles George "Chuck" Petrasko, 61, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born April 11, 1937 in Cleveland, he was the son of Charles and Helen (Peters) Petrasko. He was a former resident of Independence Inc. of Ravenna. Mr. Petrasko worked for Portage Industries for many years. He participated in bowling in the Special Olympics and also enjoyed baseball. Survivors include his mother, Helen of Freedom; and brother, Glenn J. of Garrettsville. His father died previously. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom. Arrangements were made by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Lourie Staib, 63
Lourie V. (Chalfant) Staib, 63, of New Port Richey, Fla., died Monday Feb. 1, 1999, at Helen Ellis Hospital. She had been a former resident of North Canton. She worked at the Hoover Co. until she retired. Survivors include her daughter, Lourie Jean of New Port Richey, Fla.; brothers, Frank E. of Houston, Texas, and James A. of Atlanta, Ga. Her husband, John "Fritz," died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Booth Funeral Home in Greentown, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. David Andrews officiating. Burial will be in Greentown Cemetery.

Ethel Sanborn
HIRAM - Ethel M. Sanborn, 80, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at Meadowbrook Manor Nursing Home in Fowler,Ohio, after a period of failing health. Born, July 11, 1918 in Clymer, N.Y., she was the daughter of James and Emma (Rickers) Beckerink. She had been a resident of the Hiram and Troy areas since 1949. Mrs. Sanborn was employed at Vlcheck Plastics in Middlefield for 10 years as a machine operator. She was a member of Parkman Congregation Church, Troy Ladies Club, Parkman 55-Plus Club. A 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, she was a former member of Phoenix Chapter in Parkman, and a current member of Crescent Chapter in Garrettsville. She enjoyed crocheting and gardening. Survivors include her sons, Leon P. (Betty)of Centerville, Pa. and Carl J. (Lisa) of Hiram; daughter, Mrs. Dale (Linda) Komandt of Parkman; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Perry H., died in 1983. Her sister, Mabel Watrous also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where Eastern Star services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Munson Township.

Janet E. Vargo
Janet E. Vargo, 55, of 486 Shanks Phalanx Road, Braceville, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, in an automobile accident. at S.R. 534 and S.R. 5 in Braceville. Born June 11, 1943, in Warren, she was the daughter of Cecil and Martha Clare (Centobin) Hall. She had lived in the Southington area all her life. Mrs. Vargo was an administrator for SGS Tool Co. in Munroe Falls for 10 years. She was a member of Braceville Christian Church. She enjoyed embroidering and crossword puzzles. Survivors include her husband, Walter, whom she married Dec. 5, 1964; sons, Walter III of Braceville and Andrew C. of North Lima, Ohio; daughter, Mrs. Fred (Elaine) Lloyd of Cuyahoga Falls; five grandchildren; mother, Clare Hall; and sister, Mrs. Dale (Lois) Bell, Sr. Her father died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Braceville Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444.

Thomas Bird Sr.
ROOTSTOWN - Thomas E. Bird Sr., 57, who developed Bird Allotment in Rootstown with his father, died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, after many years of failing health. Born Nov. 9, 1941 in Akron, he was the son of Lewis and Myrtle (Page) Bird. A life resident of Rootstown, he graduated from Rootstown High School and Hammel Business College. Mr. Bird was a land developer and farmer. Until recently, he remained active in the family beef farm. He was interested in politics all of his life and served as a Portage County Democratic Central Committee member. A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, serving from 1963 to 1969, he was a member of American Legion Post No. 331. Survivors include his wife, Nancy (Thompson), to whom he was married 22 years; son, Thomas Jr. of Rootstown; daughter, Lisa of Rootstown; one grandchild; brother, Lewis A. of Akron; and sister, Mary L. Saylor of New Port Richey, Fla. His brother, Calvin W., died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Charles Naylor officiating. Burial will be in Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown. Memorials may be made to the Rootstown Volunteer Fire Department.

Robert Lemon
BRADY LAKE - Robert C. Lemon, 64, died Saturday Feb. 6, 1999, at his home. Born Dec. 29, 1934 in Brady Lake, he was the son of Jay and Thelma Pauline (Richardson) Lemon. He had lived in Brady Lake most of his life. Mr. Lemon was material handler at Ford Motor Co. in Walton Hills until he retired. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a member of American Legion Post No. 496 in Kent and Kent Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3703. He also was a member of Ravenna Moose Lodge No. 1234, Ravenna Eagles Aerie No. 2164 and the Kent Canadian Club. Survivors include his sons, Robert (Diane) of Rootstown and Gregory (Lisa) of Ravenna; four grandchildren; mother, Thelma of Brimfield; and brothers, John of Ravenna, Jay of Rootstown, and Alan of Brady Lake. His wife, Dixie Mae, died in 1993. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Edward Peterson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Estella Dietrich
Estella "Peggy" Dietrich, 97, of Ravenna, died Saturday Feb. 6, 1999, at Portage County Nursing Home. Born Sept. 10, 1901 in Wetzel County, W. Va., she was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Wetzel) Dietrich. She had been a Ravenna resident since 1938. Ms. Dietrich was a self-employed abstractor (title research). Survivors include her nephew, Gerald of Rootstown; nieces, Joan Bowland and Margaret Wells both of Rootstown, and Rebecca Shahan of Garrettsville. Her four brothers and two sisters died previously. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home of Ravenna, with the Rev. Carl Holm officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

LaVerne Haluska
STREETSBORO - LaVerne Haluska, 83, died Saturday Feb. 6, 1999, at Maplewood Care Center in Streetsboro. Born Nov. 17, 1915 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Richard and Mary (Kline) Fellenstein. Survivors include her son, Richard of Florida; daughters, Mary Bradway of Aurora, Judy Credicott of Twinsburg; and brother, Robert Fellenstein of Garrettsville. Her son, Daniel Credicott, died previously. There will be no calling hours or services. Private burial will take place. rrangements were handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.

George Urban
After George Urban ended a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he began a second career at his alma mater and served Kent State University with equal distinction. Mr. Urban, who served as a top aide to three KSU presidents until he retired in 1983, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999 at Akron City Hospital. He was 84. Reared in Brimfield, he graduated from Kent State University in 1937 and taught secondary school in Ravenna Township until becoming assistant editor of the magazine now known as Industry Week. He entered the military in 1942 and made a career of service in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1962. After he and his family returned to Kent, he began his career at KSU, serving initially as administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He later served as assistant business manager and director of public events. He was named University Secretary in 1973, serving as secretary to the KSU Board of Trustees and in a liaison role for university relations. He also served as executive assistant to three KSU presidents, Glenn Olds, Brage Golding, and Michael Schwartz. "He was one of the two best teachers I had about Kent State University," said Dr. Schwartz. "He had such a long institutional memory. He remembered every detail. He had a personal history of Kent State University for anyone who needed it." A dignified and modest man who shunned the limelight, Mr. Urban was "the man behind the scenes" at many university events and also served in a trusted capacity as the university recovered from the events of May 4, 1970 and grappled with the controversy surrounding construction of the Memorial Gym Annex seven years later. "He was easily the most trusted person at Kent State University for many years," Schwartz said. "His death is a terrible loss to the community, and Kent State University especially." Schwartz, who retired as president in 1991, recalled that Mr. Urban once ran the ROTC program at his high school in Chicago. When Schwartz came to KSU in 1976 as a junior administrator, Mr. Urban was there to coach him along and he agreed to stay on when Schwartz succeeded Golding as president in 1982. Interim KSU Provost Gordon Keller said Mr. Urban "led a life of service," but was personally very modest about his own accomplishments. "He was a gentleman," he said. "It's an old-fashioned word, and he was an old fashioned gentleman of impeccable manners." Mr. Urban received KSU's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1980 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1984. The KSU Board of Trustees governance room was named in his honor following his retirement in 1983. Born Oct. 15, 1914 in Cleveland, he was the son of George and Julia (Struhar) Urban. He moved to Brimfield in 1921. He was a former member of the Kent Rotary Club, the Kent Men's Garden Club and the Kelso House Association. Survivors include his wife, Jana (Cervena); sons, George (Lori) of Hong Kong and Michael (Debbie) of Stow; four grandchildren; and brother, Dan (Marcella) of Kent. His brother, John, and sisters, Millie Stough and Susie Harris, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home. Private services will follow. Memorials may be made to the Kent State University Foundation or the Portage County Visiting Nurse Service.

Billy Donahue
ATWATER - Billy G. Donahue, 68, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999 at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in January. Born Dec. 22, 1930 in Spencer, W.Va., he was the son of Ephraim and Pearl Donahue. Mr. Donahue was a press operator and mechanic at Teledyne Monarch Rubber of Hartville until he retired after 38 years of service. A Korean War veteran, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9904. Survivors include his wife, Alma (Eichler), whom he married in 1955; daughter, Susan Donahue-Osborne and son-in-law Dr. Jay Osborne of Youngstown; brother, Bob; sisters, Virginia Alvis and Mary Donahue of Akron, Elah Fouty of Middlebranch, and Georgia Mace of Spencer, W.Va. A brother, Elmer, and a sister, Joy Starcher, died previously. Private services will be held for the family. Arrangements are being handled by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Memorials may be made to charity.

Goldie Barker
Goldie K. (Stadwick) Barker, 77, of Wilmington, N.C., a former Windham resident, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Born Nov. 19, 1921 in Harrison County, W.Va., she was the daughter of Charles and Ila (Wolverton) Stadwick. Mrs. Barker worked at the Ravenna Arsenal before moving to North Carolina. Survivors include her daughters, Geraldine Tanksley of Yemassee, S.C., Karen Hoffman of Garrettsville, and Barbara Kester and Margaret Miller both of Wilmington; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and brothers, Charles of Warren, and Frank of Clarksburg, W. Va. Her husband, Nathan, died previously in 1995. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home of Ravenna, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Ronald Whyde officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery.

Elsie Ash and Opal Suhrer
Graveside services will be held for Elsie Ash and Opal Suhrer on Wednesday. Mrs. Ash died at her home in Garrettsville on Dec. 7, 1998, and her sister, Miss Suhrer died Jan. 29, 1999, at Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Both were daughters of John and Bertha (Byers) Suhrer. They were lifetime residents of Garrettsville. Mrs. Ash's husband, Nelson, died previously. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Park Cemetery in Garrettsville, with the Rev. Fred Bell officiating. Arrangements were made by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Roger Maynard, 86
Operated store in Mantua
Roger Maynard, 86, of North Fort Myers, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 8, 1999. Born June 30, 1912 in Parkman, he was the son of William and Mabel Maynard. He lived in Garrettsville and Mantua before moving to Florida. Mr. Maynard worked for Eaton Corp. until he retired in 1977. Early in his career, he worked at the Root Store in Garrettsville and also at the Ravenna Arsenal. He and his wife, Frances, operated Maynard's Clothing and Dry Goods in Mantua from 1960 to 1976. Survivors include his wife, Lucille, to whom he was married 22 years; sons, Bruce of Dallas, Texas, and William and Robert, both of Mantua; daughter, Carol (Heilman) of Sylvania; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Frances (Hill), died Feb. 17, 1976. Private services and burial will take place in Garrettsville.

Jack Jones, 90
DEERFIELD - Jack Jones, 90, of S.R. 14, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1999, at Alliance Community Hospital in Alliance. Born April 15, 1908 in Sebring, he was the son of Jack and Edna (Funkhauser) Jones. He was a 1926 graduate of Sebring McKinley High School. He attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. Mr. Jones was co-owner/operator of Down on the Farm restaurant in Deerfield for 33 years. He retired from French-Saxon Pottery in 1973 and also was a former employee of Taylorcraft in Alliance. He was a former Deerfield Township trustee. He was a member of First Immanuel United Church of Christ in Alliance and Sebring Masonic Lodge No. 626. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. (Buehler), who he married Feb. 17, 1945; and son, Jerry L. of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His brother, Louis D.; and sister, Berdetta Speakman, died previously. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until services at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home, 126 W. Vermont Ave., Sebring, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. John Hogue officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Beloit. Memorials may be made to First Immanuel United Church of Christ in Alliance.

Michael Carter, 27
WINDHAM - Michael R. Carter, 27, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1999, of apparent natural causes. Born Feb. 9, 1972 in Plattsburgh, N.Y., he was the son of Robert R. and Nancy E. (Herron) Carter. Mr. Carter was a technician with CSR of Twinsburg for four years. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors include his wife, Donna (Savage), to whom he was married for four years; son, Timothy, and daughters, Tabitha and Tiffany, all at home; parents, Robert and Nancy of Stow; brother, Mark of Stow; mother- and father-in-law, Maudie and Philip Savage of Newton Falls; and sister-in-law, Laura Rosser of Florida. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiram, with Bishop Robert Berryhill officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Shalersville. Memorials may be made to Donna Carter and family, in care of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 345 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, 43554.

Karen M. Hennen, 43
AURORA - Karen M. Hennen, 43, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1999, at Maplewood Care Center in Streetsboro. Born Jan. 11, 1956 in Bedford, she was the daughter of Nolan and Marie (Rupp) Yoder. Formerly of Goshen, Ind., she had lived in Aurora since 1981. She graduated from Central Christian High School in Kidron in 1974. Mrs. Hennen was a homemaker. She attended Aurora Mennonite Church. Survivors include her husband, Michael, whom she married in 1975; son, Brian, and daughter, Kelly, both at home; parents, Nolan and Marie Yoder of Aurora; and sister, Marla Yoder-Tiedt of Columbus. Her brother, Tim, died in 1975. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Aurora Mennonite Church, with the Rev. Marlin Birkey officiating. Burial will be in the Aurora Mennonite Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Central Christian High School Home Economics Department.

Alma Pitts, 76
STREETSBORO - Alma (French) Pitts, 76, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at Londgmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born Nov. 4, 1922 in Big Sandy, Tenn., she was the daughter of Albert S. and Eunice (Whaley) French. She had been a Streetsboro resident since 1960. Survivors include her sons, John Jr. of Kent, and Daryl of Lynchburg, Va.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, John, Sr.; and sister, Frances Smith, died previously. There will be no services. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Streetsboro. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.

Lloyd Montgomery
BRIMFIELD - Lloyd A. Montgomery, 85, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at the Sun Valley Nursing Home in Alliance. Born Aug. 17, 1913 in Lawrence County, Pa. He was the son of Frederick A. and Stella P. (Cowded) Montgomery. He had been an area resident for over 35 years. Mr. Montgomery was a supervisor for the Ohio Edison Company, a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Brimfield, the Hillman Lodge No. 481 F & AM, AASR Valley of Youngstown. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy E. (Bowshot); daughter, Joanne Boston of York, Pa.; and four grandchildren. His son, Donald died previously. Calling hours will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Faith United Methodist Church in Brimfield, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Richard Smith officiating. Memorials may be made to the A.L.S. Society, Eastern Ohio Chapter, 4012 Litchfield Loop, Stow, Ohio 44224. Arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel.

Theresa Porterfield
Theresa Gay Cooper Porterfield, 39, of Institute, W.Va., formerly of Mantua, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, at home after a long illness. Born July 19, 1959, she was the daughter of Herbert and Peggy Cooper, formerly of Mantua. She was a 1977 graduate of Crestwood High School. She had worked as dispatcher for the Hiram Police Department, and was a Certified Public Accountant. She left Mantua 11 years ago. She attended Baptist Temple in South Charleston, W.Va. Survivors include her grandfather, Donald E. Portis of Crosslanes, W.Va., brothers Bruce of Scott's Depot, W.Va., Michael of Winfield, W.Va., Dan and Robert Neil, both of Ravenna. Her parents died previously. Burial will be Saturday at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, W.Va., by her family and brothers.