Guy Chionchio
STOW - Guy Chionchio, 95, of Maple Road, died Sunday, March 14, 1999, at Akron City Hospital. Born March 5, 1904 in Italy, he was the son of Matthew and Michelina (Patrone) Chionchio. Mr. Chionchio worked as an inspector at Twin Coach & Highway Products. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow. Survivors include his wife, Fannie (Cirilli), to whom he had been married to for 68 years; sons, Matthew of Ravenna and Michael of Atlanta; daughter, Margaret Angelo of Kent; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brother, Michael of Italy. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church.

Florence Graven
Former Kent resident Florence G. (Shader) Graven, 89, of Glendale, Calif., died Saturday, March 13, 1999. Born Nov. 7, 1909 in Utica, Ohio, she lived in Kent for 25 years until she moved to Rohnert Park, Calif. in 1980 to be near her children. She moved to Glendale, Calif., in August 1995. Mrs. Graven taught in the Kent school district for 11 years. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in special education. Her husband, Buell, was a Kent realtor and served as city building inspector in the 1960s. Survivors include her sons, Rob of Palm Springs, Calif., Rick of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Patti of Santa Monica, Calif., Susie Graven-Smith of Hollywood, Calif.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, Buell, to whom she was married 57 years, died Jan. 23, 1997. Private services will be held at the home of Susie Graven-Smith, 5821 Valley Oak Drive, Hollywood, Calif. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood. Memorials may be made to The Diabetes Association.

Mark Carman
Mark S. Carman, 43, of Ravenna died Sunday March 14 ,1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a long illness. Born April 13, 1955 in Canton, he was the son of George E. and Helen A. (Falor) Carman. He had lived in Portage County most of his life. Mr. Carman was a machinist for SSP Fillings Company in Twinsburg and was formerly employed at the Cajon Co. in Solon. He was a member of the 9th Ohio IB Light Artillery Civil War Re-enactment. Survivors include his parents of Randolph; brother, Christopher of Randolph; sister, Marsha Ward of Shreveport, La.; ex-wife, Sherry of Mansfield; and step-son, Daniel Girtz of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the family's home, 4511 Waterloo Rd., Randolph. Arrangements were handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna.

Robert Snowberger
Robert L.Snowberger, 63, of Ravenna, died Monday, March 15, 1999, at Barberton Citizens Hospital. Born March 21, 1935 in Ravenna, he was the son of Arnold and Irene Snowberger. He was a life resident of the area. Survivors include his wife, Minnie of Ravenna; sons, Robert Jr. of Brunswick, and David of Ravenna; daughters, Vicki Frick and Terri Yakubics, both of Cleveland; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Harold, Arnold, Donald and Jim; and a sister, Carol. A sister, Janet, died previously. Visitation wil be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Jardine Funeral Home, 14701 Pearl Road, Strongsville with the memorial service following at 1 p.m.

Jane Plough
Jane Louise Plough, 89, of Ravenna, died Monday, March 15, 1999 at Robinson Memorial Hospital. Arrangements will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Jane Plough
Jane Louise Plough, 89, of Ravenna, died Monday, March 15, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She had been in failing health for many years, but only recently became seriously ill, and was admitted to the hospital on March 2. A lifelong resident of Ravenna, she was born Maria Luigia DiRodi on Sept. 13, 1909 in Vieste, Italy, Province of Foggia. She emigrated to America when three months old with her parents, Valentino and Filomena (Esposito) DiRodi. When passing through Ellis Island, an "s" was added to the last name and it became Dirodis, which she used until she married Cyrus T. Plough on Oct. 9, 1937. She graduated from Ravenna High School in 1929 and worked at Alliance Finance Co. in both Ravenna and Kent until the birth of her first son, Cyrus Jr., in 1943. After her husband returned from 2 1/2 years of service in the Navy Sea Bees during World War II, a second son, John, was born in 1947. In the 1950s and early 1960s she worked in the rental office of the H.W. Riddle Estate in Ravenna and then for several years in the Ravenna City Income Tax Department until she retired in 1971. Never having the opportunity to go to college, she was able to see both her sons graduate from Kent State and John from Boston University Law School, after which he returned to Ravenna and became Portage County prosecuting attorney. She was a devout Catholic and attended Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. She was a member of the Parent Teachers Association for that school in the 1950s, and the Liberty Ladies, Infant of Prague Guild and Our Lady of Perpetual Health until falling ill in 1987. Survivors include her sons, Cyrus B. and John J. (Lola) of Ravenna; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister Fannye Paolozzi of Torrance, Calif. Her husband, Cyrus, died in 1978. Her brothers, Valley and Francis (Dink) Dirodis, and nephew, James Paolozzi, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna.

Ruth Meade
Ruth Meade, who played a leading role in environmental causes in Kent and Portage County for many years, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 16, 1999 at her home in Spottsylvania, Va. She was 64 years old. According to family members, Mrs. Meade apparently died in her sleep. Mrs. Meade and her husband, Marvin, a retired Kent State University professor, had moved to Spottsylvania in early 1998 after living in Kent for 30 years. A complete obituary will appear in Thursday's Record-Courier. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Meade is survived by her sons, Kenneth and Kris, both of the Washington, D.C. area; three grandchildren; twin sister, Joan Sturtevant of Kent and sister, Norma Boutelle of California. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

James Barber
James O. Barber, 85, of Franklin Township, who was known throughout the area for his involvement with the Portage County Sheriff's Posse, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at home. Born June 7, 1913 in Brimfield, he was the son of David and Hannah (Williams) Barber. A lifelong Portage County resident, he retired in 1981 from Donley and Sons Contractors of Cleveland where he was a carpenter foreman. Mr. Barber was best known in the area as a past major of the Portage County Sheriff's Posse, a mounted patrol that worked area events. He was a member of Rockton Masonic Lodge, No. 316 in Kent, and VFW 1055 in Ravenna. Mr. Barber served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include a daughter, Grace Stewart of Kent; a grandson, Bobby Cooper of Kent; and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen, died in 1980. Two brothers and three sisters also died previously. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with Rev. Edward Peterson officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery, Kent.

Robert Gilbert
Former Randolph resident Robert L. Gilbert, 52, of Bath Township, died Monday, March 15, 1999, at his home after a period of failing health. Born July 1, 1946 in Ravenna, he was the son of Glen A. and Helen (Dinkerton). He had lived in Randolph for several years before moving to Bath. He graduated from Field High School in 1964 and from Kent State University in 1970 with a degree in accounting. Mr. Gilbert was employed by Roadway Trucking Co. in Akron from 1971 to 1989 as a supervisor in the credit department. He was a former Portage County champion golfer and a member of and a speaker for Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Army Fourth Infantry. Survivors include his son, Bryan of Alliance; daughter, Heather of Savannah, Ga.; parents, Glen and Helen of Ravenna; brothers, Edward of Rootstown and Glen K. of Mogadore; and sisters, Linda of Detroit, Mich., and Janice (Rod) Ebie of Mogadore. Visitation will be held at noon Friday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will follow at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Will Stackhouse officiating. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township.

Anne Lutz
NEWTON FALLS - Anne M. Lutz, 80, of East River Road, died Sunday, March 14, 1999 at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren. Born April 18, 1918 in Red Hill Pa., she was the daughter of Stanley and Victoria (Gylis) Suzelis. Mrs. Lutz was a homemaker. Survivors include her son, Daniel Charles of Newton Falls with whom she resided; daughter, Donna Jean Ewing of Riverside Calif; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Walter of Kinsman; and sister, Josephine Gordon of Newton Falls. Her husband, Daniel L. died Dec. 21, 1977. Her son, James L.; three brothers, Stanley, Charles and John; and two sisters, Mary Milach and Victoria Muzell all died previously. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Assembly of God Church in Warren where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton Falls. Arrangements are being handled by the Borowski Funeral Home of Newton Falls. Memorials may be made to the Warren Christian School or the All Weather Track in Newton Falls, care of Newton Falls Athletic Booster Club, P.O. 361, Newton Falls 44444-1231.

Felix Miranda
NEWTON FALLS - Felix A. Miranda, 57, of 77 Kings Drive, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at St. Joseph's Eastland in Warren of cancer. Born May 2, 1941 in Coamo, Puerto Rico, he was the son of Feliciano and JoseFina (Burgoss). Formerly of New Jersey, he had lived in Newton Falls for 40 years. Mr. Miranda was a truck driver for Leaseway (Anchor Motor Freight) for 24 years before retiring in 1998. He attended the Leavittsburg Church of God and the General Assembly Church of God in Newton Falls. He was a member of Teamsters Local 377. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and riding his Harley Davidson. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie J. (Imler), whom he married Sept. 26, 1992; sons, Robert and Andy of New Jersey and Adam A. of Lordstown; step-son, William Foor of Bedford, Pa.; daughters, Linda Hinchman of New Jersey, Jackie Miranda of Elkins, W.V., and Tracy Bedford of Montrose, W.V.; step-daughter Robbi (Robert) Leitner of Amstead, Md.; nine grandchildren; his mother, JoseFina Miranda of Perthamboy, N.J.; brothers, Hector and Feliciano (Johnny), both of Perthamboy, N.J.; and sister, Maria Miranda of Perthamboy, N.J. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Leavittsburg Church of God. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery in Newton Falls.

Brian Bate
SHALERSVILLE - Brian Bate, 33, died Friday, March 5, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a three-year battle with cancer. Born March 16, 1965, he was the son of Thomas and Diane Bate He worked as a fence installer for R&T Fence in Streetsboro. Survivors include his mother, Diane Bate of Streetsboro; brother Ronald of Chesterland; and fiancee, Sandra Denzler of Streetsboro. His father, Thomas, died previously. Burial was Wednesday, March 10, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg following a private funeral. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Church of God, 9267 S.R. 43, Streetsboro.

Jalen Dennis
BRIMFIELD - Jalen Jamar Dennis, the infant son of James Dennis and Marva Mims, died Thursday, March 11, 1999. Survivors include his siblings, Amber and Aaron of Brimfield and James Terrel and Ebony Dennis of Akron; grandparents, Babe and Joanne Fields of Akron; and great-grandmother Earline Smiley of Ravenna. His grandparents, Douglas and Linda Mims, died previously. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Turner & Rhoden Memorial Home, 1101 Palmetto Ave., Akron. Condolences may be sent to 475 Bacon Ave., Akron, 44230.

Ruth Meade, 63
Ruth Meade was mindful of her legacy when she talked to a reporter 18 years ago. "You only have one life to live," she said. "And, it seems at some point you have to figure out what you want to do with it. You hope some of the things you do have an impact." Mrs. Meade, who died Tuesday, March 16, 1999 at her home in Spottsylvania, Va. at the age of 63, is being remembered today for her impact on Kent's park system, recycling efforts and environmental causes. Friends remember her as a tireless volunteer who was credited for her efforts in development of the Riveredge, Tannery and Plum Creek parks and for her devotion to the recycling movement in Kent, which she helped to pioneer. Her determination helped see many of those projects through to reality, they said. Mrs. Meade and her husband, Marvin, a Kent State University professor, lived on Beech Drive in Kent for 30 years until they moved to Virginia in early 1998 to be closer to their adults sons, who live in the Washington area. The Meades had come to Kent in 1968, when Marvin Meade joined the KSU faculty, and soon became involved in the local environmental movement. Mrs. Meade was a founding member of the Kent Environmental Council, serving for many years as secretary. She also served as a member of the Kent Parks and Recreation Board, and was a pioneer in recycling efforts. She served as business manager of the Kent Recycling Center from 1979 to 1990, then was recycling coordinator for Portage County from 1991 to 1993. "She was the mother of the recycling movement," said Harriet Begala, a longtime friend of Mrs. Meade's who worked with her in various environmental causes. "Those of us who knew her realized this was a woman who really dedicated her life to this." Her involvement in recycling began when KEC started a monthly collection of paper and glass at University Plaza in the early 1970s. The project, one of the first regular recycling programs in Ohio, eventually led to the establishment of a city-owned recycling center, which Mrs. Meade and other KEC members helped to operate. Joyce Keller, a business partner of Mrs. Meade's twin sister, Joan Sturtevant, remembered the 1982 fire that destroyed the recycling center, which was located in the Kent City Annex across the street from City Hall. "Ruth said she wasn't going to give up," she said. "She set up a tent and a cash register and a couple of barrels the next day." Anita Foote, who served with Mrs. Meade on the parks and recreation board, remembers worked at the tent with her friend, spending the summer there with no running water or restroom facilities. The recycling center later relocated to Marvin Drive and Mrs. Meade became the full-time manager of the facility. "She was a mover and a shaker," said Mrs. Foote, who noted that the trail at the Riveredge Park under the Main Street Bridge was named for Mrs. Meade, who worked tirelessly to see that the park was created. "If it wasn't for Ruth, her stubbornness, and her wanting to follow things through and wanting to better Kent, we wouldn't have Riveredge Park," she said. After the park project was completed, Mrs. Meade helped to spearhead KEC's effort to landscape the Haymaker Parkway in 1985. The group raised $40,000 in private donations and oversaw the planting of hundreds of trees, thousands of shrubs, bulbs and perennials until the city of Kent took over the project in 1993. Ben Foote, who was chairman of the KEC for many year, worked with Mrs. Meade on many projects. "She was very strong-minded and had very strong feelings about everything she did," he said. "We'll miss her, that's for sure . . . I'm not sure we have that kind of dedication anymore." Mrs. Meade not only had goals, but the ability to translate them into actions, said Nancy Adams, another KEC member and longtime friend. "She was limitless energy, if it was something she believed in," she said. Fellow environmentalist Edith Chase remembered Mrs. Meade's hard work and determination. "When Ruth wanted something done, it happened, or it usually did," she said. Mrs. Meade's community service efforts were recognized in 1981, when she earned the Kent Medal for Public Service, the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce's highest honor. Born in New Jersey, Mrs. Meade grew up in Connecticut and North Carolina, earning degrees in political science and journalism. She worked briefly for her hometown newspaper in North Carolina before relocating to Kent. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Meade is survived by her sons, Kenneth and Kris, both of the Washington, D.C. area; three grandchildren; twin sister, Joan Sturtevant of Kent, and sister, Norma Boutelle of California. Cremation has taken place. A family service will be held Saturday in Fredricksburg, Va. Condolences and memorials may be sent to Marvin Meade, 6705 Bloomsbury Lane, Spottsylvania, Va., 22553. Donations will be used toward a local environmental fund.

Frank Mehling, 59
RANDOLPH - Frank F. Mehling, 59, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Akron General Medical Center. Born May 7, 1939 in Rootstown, he was the son of Robert and Agnes (Knoch). He had lived in Randolph for the last 30 years. Mr. Mehling had been employed by Colonial Machine Company of Kent for 26 years. He had been an assistant director of the Ohio Good Sam Club and a member of Chapter 3 of Canton, Chapter 6 of Charlestown and Chapter 36 of Wadsworth. Survivors include his wife, Diane M. (Matt); son, David A. (Rebecca) of Green; daughters, Laura (Edward) May of Suffield and Donna (Dale) Pratt of Brimfield; six grandchildren; brothers, Lawrence of Brimfield, Eugene of Grand Meadow, Minn., and Frederick of Phoenix, Ariz.; and sisters, Dorothy (Glenn) Huff of Rootstown and Georgia (Jim) Varner of Ravenna. His sister, Alma Fassnacht, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, informal attire appropriate. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery of Randolph. Memorials may be made to the Randolph Fire Department Rescue Squad.

Nella Jean Plough, 70
Former Portage County resident Nella Jean (Wise) Plough, 70, of 1375 Eisenhower Ave., Lexington, Ohio, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Doctors Hospital North, Columbus, following complications from surgery. Born Dec. 9, 1928 in Kent, she was the daughter of Leon and Gladys (Rogers) Wise. She graduated from Ravenna City High School. She earned her degree in Education from Kent State University. Mrs. Plough taught science, health and physical education at the high school and elementary level in Wadsworth and Mansfield until she retired in 1982. She was a member of the First Church of God in Mansfield and a former member of the Business and Professional Women's Club. Survivors include her husband, Arlo D., to whom she was married 48 years; daughters, Gwen (John) Johnson of Beirut, Lebanon, Greta (Will) Anderson of Reston, Va. and Glee (Alan) Timberlake of Rootstown; and two grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Snyder Funeral Home, 2553 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Church of God, 1756 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, with the Rev. Larry C. Collins officiating, with the assistance of her son-in-law, the Rev. John M. Johnson. Burial will be in Oak Grove Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God Building Fund.

Margaret Sue Brisbine, 68
FREEDOM - Margaret Sue Brisbine, 68, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999, at her home. Born Dec. 24, 1930 in Signal, Ohio, she was the daughter of Frank and Julia (Kasuba) Jugan. She graduated from high school in Columbiana, Ohio in 1948. Mrs. Brisbine was a homemaker and foster mother for nearly 80 children. She enjoyed flower gardening and baking. Survivors include her husband, Edward A. Sr., whom she married May 3, 1952; son, Edward Jr.; daughter, Cynthia Sue Kish; three grandchildren; brothers, John Jugan of Cleveland and Frank Jugan of Garrettsville; and sister, Helen Overill of Sarasota, Fla. Her brother, Michael died previously. Visitation will be held at noon Friday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Ken Bachofsky officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Robinson Memorial Hospital, Box 1204, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

Harold "Jim" Bauer, 87
Harold A. "Jim" Bauer, 87, of High St., Kent, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999, at Kent Center in Kent. Born June 3, 1910 in Brimfield, he was the son of Henry and Dora F. (Gless) Bauer. Mr. Bauer retired as manager from Smith's Greenhouse, where he worked since 1931. He also retired as captain of the Volunteers from the Kent Fire Department, which he served for 26 years. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent, Kent Canadian Club, Euchre Club, Kent Men's Garden Club, Knights of Columbus-Council 1411 and BPO Elks-Kent Lodge 1377. He was a graduate of Kent State High School. Survivors include his son, Jan R. (Mary Dinnan) of Rochester, N.Y.; daughter, Jill (James) Butler of Kent; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife, Katherine R. (Smith), whom he married in 1931; grandson, David A.; brothers, Cyril H., Gilbert L. "Dick," Raymond J., Fred A., Elmer J. and Herman R.; and sister, Evelyn M. Holmes, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Private funeral services will be held with the Rev. Timothy E. Kenney officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the hospice of your choice or to the St. Patrick's School Building Fund.