Lela M. Knapp
Lela M. Knapp, 81, of Rootstown, died Wednesday, March 3, 1999, in the Helen Ellis Hospital of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Born Jan. 28, 1918 in Rutherfordton, N.C., she was the daughter of W.C. and Mary (Davis) Robertson, and had lived in Ravenna before moving to Rootstown in 1938. Mrs. Knapp had worked at the A&P grocery in Ravenna and at Hazel's Luncheonette of Ravenna, and had cooked at the coffee shop of Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church of Ravenna, and had volunteered for 15 years at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She was a member of the Home Circle Club of Rootstown for more than 50 years. She was a member of the St. Mary's Guild of Rootstown and was active in the Ravenna and the Palm Harbor, Fla., senior citizens clubs. Survivors include her husband, Raymond W. Knapp, whom she married Oct. 24, 1936; sons, David W. (Carole) of Port Charlotte, Fla., Ronald P. (Barbara) of Rootstown and Richard W. (Beth) of Ann Arbor, Mich.; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lovie Beasley of Rootstown. A brother, Earnest Robertson; and sisters, Virginia Bradley, Bervie Furry and Eva Davis died previously. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church of Ravenna. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery of Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Eleanor Clark, 74
Eleanor A. Clark, 74, of Ravenna, died Saturday, March 6, 1999, at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Nov. 7, 1924 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Frank and Emma (Workman) Cunningham. She was a lifelong resident of the Ravenna and Shalersville area. Mrs. Clark was a homemaker. She was a member of Portage Faith United Methodist Church and the Ravenna Veterans of War Post No. 1055 Auxiliary. Survivors include her sons, Martin (Maryann) of Shalersville and John (Linda) of Mantua; daughters, Crystal (Robert) Rogala of Shalersville Township and Beth (Ron) Geib of Shalersville; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sisters, Maxine Warner of Randolph, Dorothy Dailey of Ravenna and Doris Wilcox of Streetsboro. Her husband, Raymond, died in 1986. Her brother, Warner Cunningham, and sisters, Mildred Eatinger and Elva Ball, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Kate Cox officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department.

Ora Jewell, 86
Ora Staley Jewell, 86, of 1815 Windham-Portage Road, Newton Falls, died Friday, March 5, 1999, at his residence, Born on June 15, 1912, in Pennsboro, W. Va., he was the son of Luther and Mary (McCaula) Jewell. He had lived in the Newton Falls area since 1950. Mr. Jewell retired from Republic Steel in Warren and was a member of the First Church of God in Newton Falls. Survivors include his wife, Pearl (Jewell), whom he married April 11, 1934; son, Harold J. of Newton Falls; daughter, Maryann Brumley of Newton Falls; three grandchildren; and sister, Zora Davis of Pennsboro W.Va. A great-grandchild; sisters, Bessie Owens, Vista Florney, Nora Dalson, Nina Whitehair, Mona Jewell and brothers, Elmer, Melvin and Elic died previously. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls where calling hours will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.

Ernest Miller
Ernest Miller once was described as "an artist without a paintbrush," a man who left his mark on Kent through the creation of park sites and the restoration of the Cuyahoga River area. Mr. Miller, who said he took the greatest delight in the sight of a flower in bloom, died Monday, March 8, 1999. He was 97. Born Feb. 1, 1902 in Madisonburg, Pa., Ernest Best Miller was the son of Charles M. and Jennie S. (Best) Miller. The eldest of nine children, he was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad at age 12 with his brother, Paul. In 1921, he came to Kent and began working for Davey Tree Expert Co. Along with his sons and daughter, he owned and operated Stonewall Gardens Nursery and did extensive landscaping in the surrounding areas. After breaking his back in a fall from the roof while working with lights at Christmas, a holiday he enjoyed very much, Mr. Miller decided he would devote his life to plant life and understanding - if he ever walked again. He became one of the driving forces in restoration of the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent in the early 1970s, when members of the Men's Garden Club of Kent joined forces with the Kent Environmental Council to clean up the river and create a park along its banks. With the help of some of his family and hundreds of volunteers, Mr. Miller built what is known today as Franklin Mills River Edge Park. Nancy Adams, secretary of KEC, said Mr. Miller - who was known to everyone as "Ernie" was an inspiration. "Through his expertise and ability, he inspired others to work with him on Riveredge Park," she said. "It could not have been accomplished without his leadership. He was able to see his dreams come true, and he gave others a wonderful feeling about nature." He also was remembered for his disciplined work habits as well as his ability to supervise the volunteers who joined in on the project. "He had health problems even then, but he would work 8 to 10 hours a day along the river," said Ben Foote, former chairman of KEC. "He was largely responsible for developing Riveredge Park. I admired Ernie a lot. He was an extremely active, hard-working individual." "Ernie Miller was a person with a vision who said there should be a park along the river because, in those days, it was just a place people dumped stuff," said longtime KEC member Edith Chase. "He worked harder putting it in than people half his age. His vision was the most important thing. He gave something all could enjoy." Mr. Miller also was involved in the creation of Plum Creek Park on Mogadore Road on Kent's south side, helping to transform a onetime dumping ground and shooting range into a beautiful recreation facility. Both accomplishments earned him the opportunity to be an honored guest at the White House during George Bush's presidency. A charter member and past president of Men's Garden Club, he taught horticulture and landscaping at KSU at the age of 75. He also was active in the Kent Environmental Council. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Rockton Masonic Lodge No. 316 in Kent and Tadmor Shrine. He also was a world traveler and award winner. Retiring for the last time at age 87, he was most delighted by the sight of a flower in bloom. His favorite flower was the Primrose. Survivors include his sons, Earl (Magdelina), Carroll (Chris), Ronald (Betty) and Larry (Dena), all of Kent; daughter, Nancy (Jean-Pierre) Taltain of Paris, France; 20 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and sister, Florence Bradford of Millheim, Pa. He was widowed three times. His first wife, Gladys Redfern Eckert Miller, who was the mother of his children, died in 1944 when she was 36 years old. His second wife, Grace and third wife, Mary, whom he married when he was 87 years old, also died previously. A grandson, Cpl. Rodney L. Miller, died in 1986. His brothers, Paul, Albert, Miles, Charles and Robert and sisters, Mary and Catherine, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where a memorial service will be held immediately following, with the Rev. Patrick Russell officiating. Masonic services will be held at 5:45 p.m Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Kent Parks and Recreation Department, Ernie Miller Memorial Fund, 497 Middlebury Road, Kent.

Samuel Profio
Samuel S. Profio, 75, of Ravenna, who retired as Ravenna's city street superintendent in 1988, died Monday, March 8, 1999, athis home after a long illness. Born June 6, 1923 in Ravenna, he was the son of Dominic and Theresa (Tamburrino) Profio. He was a life resident of Ravenna. Mr. Profio worked for the city of Ravenna for more than 20 years until he retired. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church of Ravenna and the Knights of Columbus. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn (Pencheff), to whom he was married 50 years; sons, Sam (Suzette) of Mentor, Dan (Lisa) of Parma Heights, Jim and Mike, both of California, Dominic (Loretta) of Ravenna and Joe (Janice) of Ravenna; daughters, Mary (Ralph) Jones of Columbus and Teresa of Ravenna; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and brother, Tony (Ruth) of Ravenna. His brother, Joe, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 am. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, with the Rev. David Misbrener officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, with the Rev. Tom Bloom officiating.

The. Rev. Donald L. Thomas
The Rev. Donald L. Thomas, 79, of Youngstown, who served as a minister at the Frost Road Chapel Primitive Methodist Church in Streetsboro for 16 years, died Sunday March 7, 1999, at The Assumption Village. Born Nov. 22, 1919 in Houtzdale, Pa, he was the son of Daniel and Rena (Crago) Thomas. He moved to Youngstown from New Castle, Pa. in 1998. Rev. Thomas was a minister in the Primitive Methodist Conference for 50 years, serving as a pastor in churches in Mt. Carmel, Pa. for four years; Girardville, Pa. for two years; Pittsburgh, Pa for five years; Cleveland for nine years; and at the Glenwood Primitive Methodist Church in Youngstown from 1964 to 1972. He was a pastor at the Frost Road Chapel Primitive Methodist Church from 1972 to 1988, and also at Beaver Falls, Pa. for six years until he retired in 1994. He was actively involved in the Primitive Methodist Denomination serving as President for one year, Superintendent of the Pittsburgh District for five years, and President of the National Mission Board for 25 years. He also was President of the Peniel Holiness Association Camp meeting at Conneautville, Pa. for 30 years. He graduated from Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts in 1944. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy (Lewis), whom he married June 9, 1944; son, Donald L. Jr. of Youngstown; daughter, Mrs. Carol A. Doyle of Boardman; three grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Reida Steffler of Monaca, Pa. and Mrs. Barbara Crawford of Mars, Pa. His brother, James, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio 44512, and one hour prior to services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Glenwood Primitive Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the memorial fund at the camp in care of Rev. Merle Wilson, R.R. #1, Box 42, New Galilee, Pa. 16141.

Irene Sedlacek
STREETSBORO - Irene E. Sedlacek, 75, died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born April 9, 1923 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of John and Mildred (Cash) Price. Formerly of Cleveland, she moved to Streetsboro eight years ago. Mrs. Sedlacek worked as a cleaner for the Cleveland Public Schools. She was a member of Walton Hills Church of Christ and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 292 of Cleveland. Survivors include her sons, Edward and Dale, both of Garfield Heights; daughter, Karen Johnson of Ravenna; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Edward, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 p.m. until services at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. The Rev. Donald Newlan will officiate. A private burial will take place.

Harold Reid
MOGADORE - Harold L. Reid, 62, died of cancer Monday, March 8, 1999. Born in Akron, he lived in Mogadore for many years. Mr. Reid was the owner-operator of H&R Excavating. Mr. Reid was a member of Mogadore Moose Lodge No. 1082. Survivors include his wife, Audrey, to whom he was married 31 years; son, Randy (Janet) of Mogadore; and daughter, Marty (Bob) Loughney, of Mogadore; four grandchildren; brother, Robert of Mogadore; and sister, Mary LaFever of Akron. Services will be held at 3 p.m. today at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore, with the Rev. Bernard Christy officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Memorials may be made to the Mogadore Fire Department and EMS.

John Suzelis
PARIS - John A. Suzelis, 87, of 10170 Gilbert Road, died Monday, March 8, 1999, at home. Born Feb. 1, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of Stanley and Victoria (Gylis) Suzelis. He had lived in the Paris Township area since 1924. Mr. Suzelis retired from Rockwell International in 1974, where he worked for 20 years in the polish department. He also worked on his dairy farm. He was a member of St. Mary's Church. Survivors include his wife, Anna W. (Yanusaitis), whom he married Aug. 27, 1938; sons, John F., Edward P. and Theodore C., all of Paris Township, Leonard J. of Lake Milton and Florian P. of Mogadore; daughters, Antoinette (Richard) Cottrell of Arnoldsburg, W.V., and Vivian McPeak of Lake Milton; 26 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Walter of Kinsman; and sisters, Josephine Gordon and Ann Lutz, both of Newton Falls. His brothers, Stanley and Charles; and sisters, Victoria Muzell and Mary Mailach, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at James Funeral Home, Newton Falls, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. Services will continue at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Newton Falls. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Helen Martinkus
EDINBURG - Helen M. Martinkus, 79, died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Kent Center. Born Aug. 22, 1919 at Campbellsport, she was the daughter of the late Luke and Julia (Shutiok) Bresky. She was a life long Edinburg resident., She was a graduate of Bohecker's Business College and was employed at Kent State University for 42 years. She retired in 1989 as the assistant administrator to the dean of student affairs. Mrs. Martinkus was a charter member of the Ravenna Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Iota Sorority and had held all of the offices through the years. She was named Ideal Professional Woman at the Ohio State Conclave in Columbus in 1978 and Ideal Business Woman at the International Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1979. She was noted for her skill in planning social events for both the University and the Sorority and enjoyed sewing and floral designing. Survivors include her husband, Sal, to whom she was married since 1940; sisters Julia Porter and Sue Cipriano, both of Ravenna; and several nieces and nephews. Brothers Luke, Joseph, Michael, Edward, Mitchell, Al, and George Bresky; and sisters, Anne Shutiok, and Mary Zemlansky, all died previously. Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with Rev. Carl Holm officiating. Burial will be in Homeland Cemetery, Rootstown.

Ralph McClintock
Former Portage County resident Ralph G. McClintock, 80, of 1454 Sheridan Ave., Warren, died Sunday, March 7, 1999, at 7:45 p.m., at Horizon Village Nursing Center in Warren. Born July 17, 1918 in Freedom Township, He was the son of Howard C. and Charlotte (Eldrige) McClintock. He formerly lived on Nevada St. NW in Warren. He graduated from Freedom High School in Freedom Township. Mr. McClintock worked at Packard Electric Division of General Motors in machine repair and maintenance. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Warren. Survivors include his sons, David A. McClintock of Warren and Ray H. McClintock of Warren; two grandchildren; and brother, Frank McClintock of Garrettsville. His wife, Dorotha M. (Reynolds), whom he married in 1940, died previously on Nov. 25, 1990. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the McFarland & Son Funeral Home in Warren, and also from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Heritage Room at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Park Ave. Warren, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

Frances H. Daley
Former Mantua resident, Frances H. Daley, 85, of Indialantic, Fla., died Saturday, March, 6, 1999 in Melbourne, Fla. Born in Rochelle, Ill., she moved to Fla. in 1976 from Mantua, where she had lived since 1953. Mrs. Daley was a homemaker. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach, Fla. Survivors include her sons, Ronald of Indialantic, Fla., Richard of Columbus and Roy of Mason, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach, Fla. Memorials may be made to Brevards Alzheimers Foundation, 4676 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, Fla. 32935. Arrangements are being handled by Blount Curry Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33709.

Walter Weldin
Walter K. Weldin, 84, died Tuesday, March 9, 1999. Born in Ravenna, he was a longtime area resident. Mr. Weldin retired from B.F. Goodrich Co. as an engineer after 40 years of service. He was a member of First Christian Church in Ravenna and Rockton Masonic Lodge in Kent. Survivors include his wife, Betty, to whom he was married 28 years; stepson, Richard (Maryanne) of Escondido, Calif.; stepdaughters, Mary Mohler of Barberton, Kathy (Jeffrey) Fulmer of Green, and Cindy Dijak of Barberton; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from noon until services at 2 p.m. Thursday at Dunn-Quigley, Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 811 Grant St., Akron, with the Rev. Curt Hecker officiating.

Judith Blair
NELSON - Judith L. Blair, 49, died Tuesday March 9, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a long illness. Born Oct. 21, 1949 in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Alex J. "Tub" and Grace (Cooper) Blair. She was a life resident of the area. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, and liked to spend time reading. Survivors include her mother, Grace of Nelson; sisters, Karen (Scooter) Gannoe of Nelson, Barbara (Larry) Everett of Nelson and Linda (Harold) McCoy of Garrettsville; and grandmother, Dorcie Cooper of Shalersville. Her father, Alex, died Jan. 29, 1995. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Friday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. The Rev. Peter King will officiate

Alice Fenn
Alice Louise (Elgin) Fenn, 91, a life resident of the Kent area, died Tuesday, March 9, 1999. Born June 27, 1907 in Kent, she was the daughter of G. Frank and Mary (Foote) Elgin. She was a descendent of the Underwood, Thorndike and Lincoln families who settled in Brimfield. She had lived at Stow-Glen Retirement Center in Stow for three years. In 1913, she started first grade at Kent Normal College Training School on the first day the school opened. She went on to earn her high school diploma from the school, which became the University School of Kent State University. In 1929, she earned her teaching degree from Kent State. In the 1930s, she taught health and physical education at Ravenna High School and later was the supervisor of health and physical education at Kent State University School and Kent State University. Mrs. Fenn was an accomplished soprano soloist and was a volunteer member of the Kent United Church of Christ choir for 15 years. She was a member of Coterie III, Thenus and a charter member of the Kent State Chapter of Delta Gamma Sorority, serving twice as Chapter Alumni President. She is survived by her sons John Elgin Fenn of Roseville, Calif. and David Willis Fenn of Cuyahoga Falls; sister Mildred Bumphrey; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her husband, Todd W., whom she married in 1937 in the Congregational Church on the circle in Tallmadge, and sister, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, died previously. Services will be announced by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Alice Elgin Fenn Endowed Scholarship for the teaching of health and physical education in care of Kent State University.

Freda LaRoche, 75
Freda M. LaRoche, 75, of Centerville, Pa., died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at Beverly Health Care in Titusville, Pa. Born Nov. 13, 1922 in Streetsboro, she was the daughter of Burt and Rachel (Park) Grubb.A former resident of Streetsboro for 50 years, she had lived in Tryonville, Pa for 16 years. Mrs. LaRoche was a homemaker. She was active in the Streetsboro United Methodist Church, past president of the Streetsboro PTA and Portage County PTA. She also was instrumental in starting the Streetsboro Library. She was a member of Tryonville Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, James "Jim," to whom was married 58 years; sons, Raymond (Beverly) of Ravenna, Robert (Gloria) of Geneva, Ralph (Joyce) of Mantua and Ronald (Donna) of Centerville; daughters, Roseann (Barre) DeCapito of Ravenna, Rachelle (Ken) LaRoche of Streetsboro, Ragna (Doug) Summers of Ravenna; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, William "Bill" Grubb of Florida; sister, Loretta Morrow of Carlisle, Pa., and half-sisters, Shelva Furness of Waterport, N.Y., and Beverly Gould of Albion, N.Y. Her son, Ross, and daughter, Raelynne, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Private services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro, with the Rev. Harry Harvey officiating. Memorials may be made to the Streetsboro Library, 8990 Kirby Lane, Streetsboro 44241.

Corrine Grueninger, 90
SHALERSVILLE - Corrine Grueninger, 90, died Tuesday March 9, 1999, at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Oct. 11, 1908 in Milwaukee, Wis., she was the daughter of Christian and Bertha (Kohlsdorf) Grueninger. She was a former resident of Hiram. Survivors include her nephew, Robert Grueninger of Morehead, Ky., and niece, Helen Hazlett of Novelty, Ohio; and Her brother, Dr. Robert M. Grueninger, died previously. There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Cleveland. Arrangements were handled by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Otto Cermak Jr., 86
GARRETTSVILLE - Otto Cermak, Jr., 86, died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness. Born Dec. 3, 1912 in Cleveland, he was the son of Otto Sr. and Helena (Hopora) Cermak. He previously lived in Chagrin Falls and Dubois, Pa., and had been a resident of Garrettsville for five years. Mr. Cermak was the owner and operator of Cleveland Scraping and Grinding Co. from 1945 to 1969, until it relocated to Solon where he owned and operated Solon Industrial Grinding from 1969 until he retired in 1976. He was an active bowler at Sky Lane Bowling in Garrettsville. He also enjoyed golf. Survivors include his son, Richard O. (Susan) of Garrettsville; daughter, Virginia (Lanny) Nightingale of Newbury; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Joseph of Florida. His wife, Lillian, died in 1997. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Crown Hill Memorial Park in Twinsburg. Arrangements were handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.