Bill Leach
HARTVILLE - William H. "Bill" Leach, 73, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999. Born in Cambridge, Ohio, he lived in Randolph and then spent most of his life in Hartville. Mr. Leach was the owner/operator of Hartville Mix and Rubber City Sand and Gravel. He was member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Survivors include his son, William H. Jr. (Sue) of Hartville; daughters, Sally Higginbotham of Hartville and Linda Schillig of Louisville; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Opal (Jog) Rogers of Wadsworth; and Ruth Sutherland. His wife, Sara, died in 1993. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hopkins Lawver Uniontown Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale St., where services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Manning & Rev. David Holbaugh officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Peace Cemetery in Hartville. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

James D. Farmer
NEWTON FALLS - James D. Farmer Sr., 92, died Friday Feb. 19, 1999, at Palm Garden Nursing Home in Winterhaven, Fla. of natural causes. Born Oct. 17, 1906 in Gate City, Ala., he was the son of John H. and Fannie P. (Nabors) Farmer. He had lived in Newton Falls and was a resident of Lake Wales, Fla. during the winter. He worked for Rockwell International through the Pipe Fitters Union as a steam fitter for 34 years before retiring in 1971. He was affiliated with the Newton Falls United Methodist Church and had been a member of the Western Reserve Masonic Lodge No. 507 for more than 50 years and was a past Master. He also was a former member of the Farmington Grange and Farm Bureau. Survivors include his wife, Laura (Davis), whom he married on July 26, 1965; son, James D. Jr. of Leavittsburg; daughters, Mrs. LaRue Harshman of Southington, Mrs. Mason (Louise) Dyer of Austintown, Mrs. Russell (Margaret) Klinger of West Farmington, Mrs. Ethel Flower of Champion; stepdaughter, Mrs. Carol Archer of Newton Falls; 25 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and a brother, John H. of Greenville, Ala. His brother, Clyde, and two grandsons died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. A Masonic service will be held at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Brookfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Western Reserve Masonic Lodge No. 507 or the Newton Falls United Methodist Church.

Roberta Martha
NEWTON FALLS - Roberta L. Martha, 63, died Saturday Feb. 20, 1999, at home after a lengthy illness. Born Jan. 11, 1936 in Charlestown, she was the daughter of Gerald and Flossie (Scott) Jagers. She had lived in Newton Falls and Paris Township all of her life. Mrs. Martha was an operator at Thomas Steel for 20 years before retiring in 1997. She was a member of the Newton Falls United Methodist Church and also liked to play Bingo. Survivors include her husband, Gabriel "Gabe" P., whom she married on May 28, 1954; son, Gregory P. of Newton Falls; daughters, Mrs. Michael (Karen) Savage of Belton, S.C., Mrs. Jerry (Brenda) Rabell of Canfield; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, David of St. Cloud, Fla., James of Kent, Donald "D.J." of Paris; sisters, Mary J. Chew of St. Cloud, Fla., Mrs. Linda Guinaugh of Newton Falls, and Mrs. Diane Yocum of Washington, Pa. Her twin brother, Robert, and brothers, Gerald Jr., Harold, and sister, Judy A., died previously. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to services at noon Tuesday at the Newton Falls United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by James Funeral Home of Newton Falls.

Duane Clark
Duane J. Clark, 58, of 4635 Brown Road, Ravenna, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, at his home after an apparent heart attack. Born Sept. 16, 1940 in Mineral Ridge, Ohio, he was the son of Robert and Hazel (Phillips) Clark. He received his bachelor of science degree from Carnegie Tech in chemical engineering in 1962. Mr. Clark had been a chemical engineer for GenCorp in Mogadore, retiring in 1998 after 32 years. He was a member of the Rootstown United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Alberta (Orlando), whom he married March 30, 1974; daughter, Diana Clark of Columbus and Miss Rebecca Clark of Oxford, Ohio; and brother, Robert of Wilmington, N.C. His brother, Larry Clark died previously. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Lane Funeral Home, Mineral Ridge Chapel, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Ohltown Cemetery.

Thomas A. Brett
If you ever took a drive through Ravenna with Tom Brett, he could point out every roof he put on houses all across the city. But the work that mattered most to him was the care and dedication he put into raising his 11 children. He took pride in the accomplishments of each child and lived to see them become a nurse, professor, accountant, counselor, journalist, real estate appraiser, writer, architect, physical therapist, Peace Corps volunteer and graphic artist. Thomas Aloysius Brett died on Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999, after short illness. He was 83. The oldest son of Irish immigrants, Mr. Brett was born on July 29, 1915 in Shalersville. He married Mary Jane Kerecman in 1949 and lived his entire life in the Ravenna area. He first worked as an inspector at Aluminum Corp. of America in Cleveland, then as a plant guard at Atlas Powder in Ravenna and later as a dipper at Oak Rubber Co. He owned and operated Brett Sheet Metal, a heating a roofing business, until his retirement. He was a member of the Local No. 70 Sheet Metal Workers Union of Akron. For years, his cologne was the smell of DL hand cleaner and the liniment that soothed muscles sore from hours spent nailing roofing shingles in summer and repairing furnaces in the winter. Mr. Brett could fix anything from appliances to cars and everything in between. He took special joy in his grandchildren, who called him Poppy and laughed each time he told them, "You'll blow away if you don't eat." At every meal he checked the tiny crevices of their hands to make sure they were clean, while his hand, permanently stained by tar and scars, never looked clean to them. Mr. Brett spent three and one-half years in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a tail gunner during World War II. He flew 38 missions in the India-Burma Theater and earned the Soldier's Medal, the Air Medal and the Bronze Star. He was member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. He ran for various public offices and served as a Democratic precinct committeeman for 25 years. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mary Jane (Kerecman); sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Christine Jacobs of Columbus, Thomas and Tish of Freedom Township, Mark and Anita of East Lansing, Mich., James of Ravenna, Matthew of Chicago; daughters and sons-in-law, Therese of Evansville, Ind., Joan of Dallas, Mary of Columbus, Regina and Bruce Hennes of Cleveland, Maureen and Andrew Pearson of Lakeland, Fla., and Patricia and Tom Butcher, of New York, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; brothers, John of Chesterland, and Joseph of Naples, Fla.; and sisters, Catherine Merriman of Shaker Heights, and Christine Sudetic of Parma. His brother, Michael, and sisters, Mary (Sr. Maureen), Rita Wracher, Frances Walsh and Veronica Kelly, died previously. A devout Catholic, Mr. Brett always sat on the St. Joseph side during Masses at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, where he was a member. His funeral Mass will be held there at 10 a.m. Thursday. Calling hours will be held at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the Center of Hope and the Christian Cupboard, which serve the poor of Portage County.

D. Thomas Crawford
D. Thomas Crawford once said he thought had "the greatest job in the world" as principal of Holden Elementary School in Kent, which he headed for 19 years. He served as principal at Holden from 1969 until he retired from the Kent City Schools in June 1984, and took pride in knowing virtually all of the 300 students by name. He also had taught at South School, the predecessor of Holden, in the early 1950s. Mr. Crawford, 74, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999 at his home on Elno Avenue in Kent. Born Sept. 26, 1924 in Sunbury, he was the son of Wayne B. and Ruth (Davis) Crawford. He came to Kent following World War II, when he enrolled as a student at Kent State University. He began teaching in the Kent school district in 1953 and served the district for 31 years until he retired, including 19 as principal of Holden. A friendly man with an easy smile, he loved children and did his best to put them at ease while maintaining discipline. "I try to get kids away from thinking the principal is an ogre who will gobble them up," he said, while admitting that "discipline" for some of the younger students who were sent to his office often ended up being a heart-to-heart talk, with the student in the principal's lap. "I was never one to believe that the paddle was the first thing you used," he said. He took pride in his longstanding connection with Holden, which traditionally has had an extremely diverse student population. At one point in the early 1980s, there were 40 or 50 students in the school whose parents had been taught by Mr. Crawford a generation earlier. "I was fair then and they know I'll be consistent and fair with their kids," he said. In addition to his professional involvement, Mr. Crawford also was active in the Kent community, serving as a member of the Kent Park and Recreation Board and its original charter commission in 1960. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Kent; Mount Gilead Masonic Lodge; Akron-Washington Chapter 25; Bethany Commandery 72; Tadmor Shrine; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Kent State University Blue & Gold Club; KSU Alumni Association; Retired Teachers of Ohio; and a past president of the Kent Jaycees. Survivors include his wife, Trudy (Shore), whom he married Sept. 18, 1947; son, Michael of Randolph; and brother, Charles B. (Barbara) of Pasadena, Texas. His parents, stepmother, Alta Crawford, and stepbrothers, Eugene Gellegher and Gene Hoard, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Christ Episcopal Church in Kent, with the Rev. Robert Brooks officiating. Private inurnment services will be held at Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna. Memorias may be made to the KSU Blue & Gold Club, Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation or Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund.

Zentha Fifield
Zentha F. Fifield, 85, of Maple Wood Care Center, Streetsboro, formerly of Austintown, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999. Born Nov. 10, 1913 in Austintown, she was the daughter of William and Burkey (Huffert) Fifield Sr. She was a member of United Bretheren Church in Austintown. Survivors include her brother, William Fifield Jr. of Mineral Ridge; three nieces and two nephews. A sister, Verda Harger Younger, and a brother, Rollin Fifield, died previously. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in North Jackson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to charity.

Loretta Audino
Loretta M. Audino, 87, of Garfield Heights, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999, at Marymount Hospital in Garfield Heights after an illness of five years. Mrs. Audino worked at Cleveland Worsted Mills in Ravenna and Cleveland. She was a member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Garfield Heights. Survivors include her daughters, Theresa (Benjamin) Ali of Garfield Heights, Virginia (James) D'agostino of Maple Heights; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Jennie Audino of Ravenna, Louise Arone of Phoenix Ariz., and Amelia Porter of Stow. Her husband and three brothers died previously. Services were held at Ferfolia Funeral Home in Sagamore Hills. Burial was in All Saints Cemetery in Sagamore Hills.

James C. Adams
STREETSBORO - James C. Adams, 78, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a long illness. Born Jan 10, 1921 in Schealsburg, Pa., he was the son of Willard and Vinnie Adams. He had been a Streetsboro resident since 1955. Mr. Adams worked in quality control at Ford Motor Corp. in Walton Hills for 31 years until he retired. Survivors include his daughter, Donna Hajek of Kent; one grandchild; brother, Donald (Pauline) of Maryland; sisters, Janet (Todd) Roberts of Pennsylvania, Helen (Fred) Kouts of Indiana; and Kay Elkins of Streetsboro. His wife, Eva L., died in 1987. His sister, Phyllis Jean, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. The Rev. Steven Lashbrook will officiate. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Marilyn Hartle
Marliyn R. Hartle, 71, of Ravenna, died Sunday Feb. 21, 1999 after a long illness. Born March 12, 1927 in Cuyahoga Falls, she was the daughter of Leonard and Hazel (Hughes) Harsha. She had lived in the Ravenna and Garrettsville areas for 60 years. Mrs. Hartle was a secretary for the math department at Kent State University and the public relations department at Hiram College until she retired in 1990. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna and also a member of Tri-Sorosis. She graduated from KSU in 1948. Survivors include her husband, George, whom she had been married to for 50 years; son, Dr. Bruce (Rebecca) of Dayton; daughter, Sue (Baxter) Widener of Ravenna; two grandchildren; and brother, David (Louise) Harsha of California. Calling hours will be held from 12 p.m. until services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Shorts Funeral Home in Ravenna, with the Rev. Thomas Poremba officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

John Westerbeck, 81
John C. Westerbeck, 81, who was manager of Landmark and also served as Ravenna city safety director in the 1960s, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 at his home in Port Charlotte, Fla. Born Jan. 12, 1918 in New Bremen, Ohio, he lived in Ravenna from 1958 until he and his family moved to Dunedin, Fla. in 1973. He had lived in the Port Charlotte area in 1980. Mr. Westerbeck worked as the regional manager for over 30 years at Country Mark in Dublin, Ohio. While living in Ravenna, he served as manager of the Portage County Farm Cooperative, Landmark and served as resident manager of the Portage County Farm Bureau. He served as Ravenna safety director from 1963 to 1967 and was president of the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce in 1971-72. Prior to coming to Ravenna, he served on the Shelby County Board of Education. During those years he was the safety director of Ravenna. While living in Florida, he was an active member of the Punta Gorda Kiwanis Club and served as treasurer for many years. He was president emeritus of the Kiwanis Foundation of Charlotte County and a former board member of the Youth Museum of Charlotte County. He was a member of the United Congregational Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Helen, to whom he was married 57 years; daughters, Judith (Rex) McVicker of Akron, Kay (Carp) Carpenter of Port Charlotte, Fla. and Jill of Lowell, Ind.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth of Dayton; and sisters, Marjorie Schmidt of St. Marys, Ohio and Lois Stammen of North Star, Ohio. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Congregational Church of Christ, 1201 Aqui Esta Drive, Punta Gorda, Fla,. with the Rev. William Klossner officiating. Burial will be in Charlotte Memorial Gardens in Punta Gorda, Fla. Arrangements were made by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda, Fla. Memorials may be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Charlotte County, P.O. Box 777, Punta Gorda, Fla. 33951.

Richard Schmidt, 77
Richard "Smitty" Schmidt, 77, of Ravenna, died Sunday Feb. 21, 1999, at University Hospital in Cleveland. Born Jan. 5, 1922 in Ravenna, he had lived in the Ravenna and Stow area all his life. Mr. Schmidt was a retired brick layer. He was a member of Local 13. He was an antique collector. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Survivors include his sons, Richard L. of California and William R. of Arizona; stepson, Howard Eakin of Freedom; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. His wife, Lillie died in 1976. His brothers, John, Donald and William, died previously. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Maple Grove Cemetery Chapel in Ravenna, with Deacon Russell Brode officiating. Burial will follow. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Ronald McIntyre Sr., 61
STREETSBORO - Ronald "Frank" McIntyre, Sr., 61, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Jan. 23, 1938 in Cleveland, he was the son of Noble F. McIntyre and Anna T. (Rafferty) Cashin. He had lived in Streetsboro since 1962. Mr. McIntyre was a quality control supervisor for Akron Plastics in Twinsburg until he retired in 1998. Survivors include his wife, Virginia "Ginger" (Angyal), whom he married March 8, 1958; sons, Ronald Jr. of Ravenna and Anthony Sr. of Kent; daughters, Kathryn Bohach of Bedford Heights, Judith of Akron and Danette Fitch of Kent; six grandchildren; father, Noble of North Olmstead; mother, Anna Cashin of Parma Heights; and brothers, Timothy of Arizona and Patrick of Lakewood. His son, John, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Carl Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro.

Mary Weinman, 85
Mary E. Weinman, 85, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Feb. 6, 1914 in Moundsville, W.Va., she was the daughter of Mack and Minnie (Lyons) Koontz. She lived in Ravenna since 1942. Mrs. Weinman was employed by Evenflo of Ravenna for 30 years until she retired. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ravenna and the Ravenna Senior Citizens. Survivors include two nieces and two nephews. Her husband, Frank, died in 1978. Her brothers, Roy and Homer Koontz, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery.

Dolores Murray, 68
BRIMFIELD - Dolores J. "Dee" Murray, 68, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, at Akron City Hospital. Born Sept. 15, 1930 in Haydenville, Ohio, she was the daughter of Chester and Lucy (Pierce) Beougher. She had been an area resident for most of her life. Mrs. Murray retired from the Save 4 Store in Brimfield. She was a member of the Eagles Club Aerie Lodge No. 4371. She enjoyed bingo and cards. Survivors include her husband, Isom, to whom she was married 48 years; sons, Gordon and David, both of Brimfield; daughters, Audra (Jack) Lewis of Cuyahoga Falls and Kimberly (David) Eisentraut of Brimfield; one grandchild; and sister, Joann Schopper of Akron. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Fridfay at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. James Walden and the Rev. Kevin Keller officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Hilda S. Bower, 86
Hilda S. Bower, 86, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness. Born June 8, 1912 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Howard and Olivia (Donley) Severance. Mrs. Bower was an administrative assistant to the Portage County engineer for 15 years. She was a member of First Christian Church of Ravenna. Survivors include her son, Richard of Edison, N.J.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her husband, John, died in September 1967. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. A private service will be held Saturday, with the Rev. Vernon White officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Mary Hudson, 98
Mary Hudson, 98, of 37 W. Quarry St., Newton Falls, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, at Laurie Ann Nursing Home in Newton Falls of natural causes. Born Sept. 29, 1900 in Wayland, she was the daughter of Edmond and Katheryn (Morris) Richards. Formerly of Wayland, she was a life resident of the area. Mrs. Hudson was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Newton Falls and active in the Women's Guild. She enjoyed crocheting and her family. Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Paul (Rose) Duganne of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Ruth Morris of Newton Falls; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Mrs. Ansel (Elsie) Lewis of West Newton, Pa. Her husband, Clyde, whom she married April 30, 1921, died Oct. 18, 1986. Her son, Glen E., infant sister, Bertha Richards, and brothers, Harvey, Fred, Ray and Roy Richards, died previously. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until services at 2 p.m. Saturday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Paris. Memorials may be made to Newton Falls First Congregational Church Building Fund.

Dale Smith, 68
Dale E. Smith, 68, of Hudson, the father of Mrs. Richard (Heather) Coe of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born in Willoughby, he had lived in Peninsula before moving to Hudson 14 years ago. Mr. Smith retired from the U.S. Army Reserve and the National Guard after 42 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. In addition to Mrs. Coe, survivors include his wife, Lillian (Collin); son, Dale (Theresa) of Cuyahoga Falls; daughter, Holly (James) Brown of Gahanna; and four grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, 19 E. Main St., Hudson, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.