Mary Payne
GARRETTSVILLE - Mary D. Payne, 79, who served on the James A. Garfield Board of Education for 12 years in the 1960s and 1970s, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at Wesley Glen Nursing Home in Columbus after a period of failing health. Born Nov. 29, 1919 in Willoughby, she was the daughter of Robert and Jane (Campbell) Douglas.She had lived in Garrettsville for 49 years. Mrs. Payne was employed by the Nottingham Equipment Division of General Electric Co. in the payroll department in Cleveland during the 1940s. She later worked in the payroll department for the Oliver Corp. and Euclid Road Machine. She served as president of the Garfield Board of Education for five years during her three terms on the board. She was one of the founders of the Garrettsville Christmas Walk, a member of the Portage County League of Women Voters and a member of the United Church of Christ in Garrettsville. She enjoyed arts and crafts, including creating stained glass windows. Survivors include her sons, Douglas (Nikki) of Newark and John T. of Garrettsville; two grandchildren; and sister, Sadie Jones of Willoughby. Her husband, C.W. "Cac," died in November 1998. Her brother, John Douglas, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 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. Joseph Propri officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville.

Thomas Wheeler
STREETSBORO - Thomas J. Wheeler, 55, of Streetsboro, died Friday, March 26, 1999 at his home. Arrangements to be announced by the Shorts Funeral Home in Streetsboro.

Martha Johnson, 86
Martha Johnson, 86, of Bristolville, died Saturday, March 27, 1999 at UHHR Geauga Regional Hospital in Claridon. She was resident of Middlefield for 22 years. Born April 12, 1912 in Germany, she was the daughter of Louis and Fanny (Janik) Kunar. Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker. She loved cooking, gardening, reading, and keeping a journal. She was a member of Christ Covenant Church of Middlefield. Survivors include sons, Charles R. of West Chester, Pa., Warren H. of Bristolville, Roger of Windsor, Ronald of Huntsburg and Bruce of Chardon; daughters, Patricia Headley of Ashtabula and Candace Meadows of Bristolville; 43 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Warren E., whom she married Jan. 27, 1936, died in 1982. Two grandchildren and one great-grandchild also died previously. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Russell Funeral Service, 15670 W. High St., Middlefield. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Christ Covenant Church, 16406 Kinsman Road, Middlefield, with Elder Eli E. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Harrington Cemetery, Nelson. Memorials may be made to the Christ Covenant Church Benevolent Fund, 16406 E. High St., P.O. Box 1145, Middlefield, OH

Elizabeth Demark, 82
Elizabeth B. Demark, 82, formerly of 446 W. Oregon Ave., Sebring, died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at Crandall Medical Center II, Sebring. Born March 29, 1916 in Deerfield, she was the daughter of Harold and Isabelle (Wilson) Lewis. She was a 1934 graduate of Ravenna High School. Mrs. Demark had been employed by Alliance Manufacturing Co. She was an active member of Sebring United Methodist Church, where she held various offices. She was a member of the Friendship Circle of the church. Survivors include daughters, Diane Smith and Sharon Rouse, both of Sebring, Paula Hamrick of Canal Fulton, Evelyn Kehres and Helen Kehres, both of Diamond, Margaret Evans of Deerfield and Leona Livezey of Mantua; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Paul Demark, died Sept. 28, 1991. Brothers Ben and Harold Lewis Jr. and a sister, Jane Alberson, died previously. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home, 126 W. Vermont Ave., Sebring. Visitation will be held one hour prior to 1 p.m. services Wednesday at the Sebring United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jeffrey Corbett officiating. Burial to be in Grandview Cemetery, Sebring. Memorials may be made to the Sebring United Methodist Church.

Frances Bishop, 47
Frances A. Bishop, 47, of Ravenna died Sunday March 28, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home in Ravenna.

Mildred Paloski-Hurton, 77
Mildred A. Paloski-Hurton, 77, of 725 Willard S.E., Warren, died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at St. Joseph's Health Center in Warren. Born March 1, 1922 in Newton Falls, she was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Yakopcin) Pintarich. She had lived in Newton Falls until 1980, when she moved to Warren. Mrs. Paloski-Hurton was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Peter's and Paul's Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren. She had attended St. Joseph's Church while living in Newton Falls and was a member of the Newton Falls Women's Democratic Club. She enjoyed dancing. Survivors include her husband, Joseph Hurton, whom she married Sept. 20, 1980; sons, John J. Paloski of Howland and William J. Hurton of Masury; daughters, Mary Critchfield of Newton Falls and Jean A. Buchanna of Roanoke, Texas; and seven grandchildren. Her first husband, John R. Polarski, whom she married April 3, 1945, died March 7, 1957. Her second husband, Joe Popovic, whom she married Aug. 4, 1972, died June 13, 1975. Her half-sister, Kate Wadjun, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Borowski Funeral Home, Newton Falls. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Velma Tillery, 85
Velma L. (Woodard) Tillery, 85, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Born Jan. 23, 1914 in Parkin, Ark., she was the daughter of Ebb and Grace (Williams) Woodard. Mrs. Tillery was a homemaker and also worked for Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She was the first woman trustee of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, served on the Usher Board as a member for 60 years and was a certified instructor of ushering. She was a volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Portage County and also served on its Advisory Council where she was the volunteer of the month in November 1978. She also was a volunteer at the Community Action Council of Portage County, Visiting Nurses, Meals on Wheels, Board of Community Development, and helped senior citizens with Home Energy Assistance and Ohio Energy Credits. She also volunteered for the Family and Community Services of Catholic Charities, Portage County Democrats, McElrath Community Center and McElrath Senior Citizen's Center. She was named an "Outstanding Senior Citizen from Portage County" by the Ohio Commission on Aging in Columbus in 1983. Survivors include her daughter, Dolores C. (Martin) Bishop of Ravenna; son-in-law, Elmer H. Bishop, Sr. of Bronx, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Earline Smiley of Ravenna; and sister-in-law, Bea Stevens of Cincinnati. Her husband, Axiom, and daughters, Dorothy Brown and Mildred Martin, died previously. Calling hours will be held from noon until services at 1 p.m. Thursday at The New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Ravenna, with the Rev. Bobby J. Grant officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Arrangements were handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna.

Alberta Adolph, 76
Alberta Meyers Adolph, 76, of Loop Road, Kent, died Friday, March 26, 1999, in Las Vegas, Nev. Born March 26, 1923, in Glenwillard, Pa., she was the daughter of Albert and Norma (Daugherty) Meyers. Mrs. Adolph retired from Kent State University in 1985. She was a member of Kent United Methodist Church, University Women and Kent Sorosis. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth L. Adolph, whom she married May 5, 1961; sons, Keith (Charlene) Adolph of Foster City, Calif., and Roger (Marti) Wilkinson of Bay City, Texas; daughters, Sandra Kitchin of Fredricksburg, Va., and Sue (Gary) Lane of Kent; six grandchildren; and sister, Alma Vaughan of Kent. Her brothers, James Meyers and John Meyers; and sister, Phyllis Baker, died previously. Calling hours will be held for one hour before the 11 a.m. service April 7 at the Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with the Rev. Edward Peterson officiating. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Frances Bishop, 47
Frances A. Bishop, 47, of Ravenna died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Feb. 15, 1952, in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Dana and Geraldine (Hamon) Thomas. She had lived in Ravenna for the past eight years and was a former resident of Bedford. Mrs. Bishop was a clerk in the accounting department of GoJo Industries in Cuyahoga Falls and also was president of Bishop Masonry. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Streetsboro. Survivors include her husband, Donald, whom she married Sept. 26, 1998; son, Jimmy Furr of Cleveland; daughter, Shelley Furr of Ravenna; three grandchildren; stepson, Stephan Bishop of Leavittsburg; mother, Geraldine of Summersville, W. Va.; brothers, Dana of Summersville, Donald of Strongsville, Lonnie of Nettie, W. Va., Allen of Virginia; and sisters, Bettie Kepick of Garrettsville, Wendy of Summersville, Tina Schexnayder of Texas and Terrie Vance of Michigan. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 tonight at Shorts Funeral Home in Ravenna where services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Mel Grubaugh officiating. Private burial will take place.

Lucille Buttlar, 88
Lucille A. Buttlar, 88, of Horning Road, Kent, died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Nov. 8, 1910, in Chicago, she was the daughter of Francis and Agnes (Assinger) Blasnig. She lived in Chicago most of her life until the fall of 1986, when she moved to Kentway Senior Citizen's Apartments. She resided at Kent Quality Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the last two years. Survivors include her son, Rudolph O. (Lois) Buttlar of Kent; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, Otto R. Buttlar; daughter, Elaine; brothers, Frank, Carl, Vincent and Jack; and sisters, Margaret and Cecelia, died previously. Calling hours will be held one hour before the noon service Thursday at Grace Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bruce Chouinard officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Arrangements are being handled by Bissler and Sons Funeral Home.

Dorothy Montgomery, 89
BRIMFIELD - Dorothy E. Montgomery, 89, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at Stow-Glen Nursing Home. Born June 17, 1909, in Youngstown, she was the daughter of Fred C. and Minnie H. (Thiesson) Bowshot. She had lived in the Portage County area for over 35 years. Mrs. Montgomery was a homemaker. She was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church and the Miriam Chapter of O.E.S. of Youngstown. Survivors include her daughter, Joanne Boston of York, Pa.; and four grandchildren. Her husband, Lloyd, died Feb. 10, 1999; and her son, Donald; two brothers; and a sister also died previously. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to a memorial service at 1 p.m. Friday at the Faith United Methodist Church in Brimfield, with the Rev. Richard Smith officiating. Arrangements were handled by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Kent.

Gladys Bisson, 92
Gladys M. Bisson, 92, of California died Friday March 26, 1999. She was born April 27, 1908 in Atwater and was a former Ravenna resident. Survivors include her son, Dale of Stow; daughter, Gladys M. Oakes of Bradley, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, William; son, Eugene, two brothers and one sister, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Gary M. Brunn
Gary M. Brunn, 44, of Anderson Township, died Friday, March 26, 1999. He was the son of Guy and Carolyn Brunn. Survivors include his wife, Margie (Fields); daughters, Tracy L. Brunn and Katie L. McGrady; brothers, Gene, Jim and Mark; sisters, Gloria and Diane Dvorak. His brothers, Raymond and Dan, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Witt, Good and Kelsch Funeral Home, Anderson Township, 7312 Beechmont, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Diane Vaccaro
Diane L. Vaccaro, 43, of Kent, died Tuesday, March 30, 1999 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born April 30, 1955, in Ravenna, she was the daughter of Clarence W. and Frances (McHone) Miller. She had lived in Portage County her whole life. Mrs. Vaccaro was an award secretary at Robinson Memorial for 24 years. Survivors include her mother, Frances of Ravenna; brothers, Ricky of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Jim Miller of Rootstown; and aunt, Sandy Bostosky of Mantua. There will be no calling hours or services. Memorials may be made to Animal Protective League. Arrangements were handled by Shorts Funeral Home in Ravenna.

Reba Hardgrove
Reba M. Hardgrove, 64, of Marion, died Sunday, March 28, 1999, in Dade City, Fla. Born July 23, 1934 in Butler Township, Ohio, she was the daughter of Chester and Virginia Mercer. Mrs. Hardgrove was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Lydia Chapter No. 83 of the Order of Eastern Stars. Survivors include her husband, Lloyd W. "Junior," whom she married Aug. 30, 1953; sons, Tom L. (Debbie), Tim R. (Mary) and Todd W. (Karen); daughters, Mrs. Chuck (Jeanne) Black and Mrs. Mark (Joyce) Schuler; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; father, Chester of North Georgetown; brothers, Donald of Hanoverton and Jim of Salem; and sister, Mrs. Vince (Gaylene) Butch of Alliance. Her grandson, Bradley L. Schuler, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion, Ohio where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. S.A. Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Caledonia Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

Wayne Watters
Former Ravenna resident, Wayne Edward Watters, 88, died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at Highland Farms Health Care Center in Black Mountain, N.C. Mr. Watters was the son of Albert and Florence Watters of Black Mountain, N.C. He was a native of Ravenna. After 36 years as a teacher and administrator in Ohio, he taught from 1968 to 1974 in the Education and Psychology Department at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, N.C. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ryder Watters; son, Gordon of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Nancy Wickham of Atlanta, Ga.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Miller Funeral Home in Black Mountain, N.C. handled the arrangements. Burial will be in the Warren Wilson College Cemetery in Swannanoa, N.C.

Betty Marietta
MOGADORE - Betty Jane Marietta, 74, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. She was a lifetime resident of Mogadore. She was a member of Mogadore United Methodist Church. Survivors include her sons, Edward C. (Ann) of Georgia and Richard T. (Karen) of West Virginia; daughters, Sharon (Dan) Simone of Florida and Rebecca (Dean) Miller of Mogadore; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Dwight Matheny of Florida; and sister, Louise (Don) Shoemaker of Mogadore. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Hopkins Lawver Mogadore Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Ave. where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Karen Graham officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Suffield Rescue Squad.

Stanley Jakubs
STREETSBORO - Stanley C. Jakubs, 67, died Monday, March 29, 1999, at home. Born April 26, 1931 in Cleveland, he was the son of Stanley J. and Alice V. (Rooskes) Jakubs. He was formerly of Chagrin Falls and had lived in Streetsboro since 1979. Mr. Jakubs was a mechanic at C&D Trucking in Cleveland. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Freda R. (Fields); sons, Ronald and Robert, both of California and Russell Ashby of Streetsboro; daughter, Patsy Deyton of Atlanta, Ga.; nine grandchildren; sister, Jackie Mikes of North Olmsted; and half-brothers, David of Centerville and Dennis of Kettering. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Bruce Chouinard officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Memorials can be made to Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.

Verla Beck
Verla M. Beck, 71, of Silver Oaks Drive, Kent, died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at her home. Born May 19, 1927, in Kent, she was the daughter of Ray and Leah (Cain) Olin. Mrs. Beck retired in 1994 from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent where she worked as secretary and treasurer. She was a former member of the First Christian Church of Kent, and she enjoyed reading, crafts, traveling and baking pies and cakes. Survivors include her daughters, Linda (Stewart) Smith of Jonesboro, Ga., Cheryl (Larry) Fritz of Kent and Laurie (Jim) Armelagos of DeWitt, Mich; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one half brother; and one half sister. Her husband, Clyde Beck, died previously. Private graveside services were held Tuesday at Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna with the Rev. Dr. Daniel Griggs officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kent Free Library Foundation, 312 W. Main St., Kent 44240. Arrangements were handled by Bissler and Sons Funeral Home of Kent.

Harry Snell
Harry C. Snell, 80, of Kent, died Monday, March 29, 1999, at the Briarwood Nursing Home in Stow. Born Nov. 21, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pa., he was the son of John and Olive (Riggenbach) Snell. He had lived in Freedom Township before moving to Kent 10 years ago. Mr. Snell was a sheet metal worker for the Chrysler Corporation in Twinsburg until he retired. He was a member of the Freedom United Methodist Church and the Ravenna Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife, Josephine (Boothe), to whom he had been married for 59 years; daughter, Joanne S. Maynard of Kent; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Norma Parks of Columbus. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Kay Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Drakesburg Cemetery in Freedom Township.

Connie Dean
SHALERSVILLE - Connie L. Dean, 38, died Tuesday, March 30, 1999, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren of natural causes. Born Sept. 9, 1960, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Fred and Anna (Stanley) Berryman. She was a lifetime resident of the Shalersville area and was a 1978 graduate of Crestwood High School in Mantua. Mrs. Dean was a homemaker. She was member of the Mantua Country Baptist Church. She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed all types of music. Survivors include her husband, Cecil E., whom she married Feb. 19, 1979; son, Cecil E., Jr. (C.J.); daughters, Jessica A. and Nicole R.; father, Fred of Shalersville; and sister, Lisa (Dallas) Griffith, Jr. of Shalersville. Her mother, Anna Berryman of Shalersville died April 5, 1997. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Murray Bay officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Shalersville.