Edna Nichols
Edna Nichols, 88, formerly of Wolcott Ave., Kent, died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at Anna Maria of Aurora. She was born March 26, 1911, in Ashtabula. Miss Nichols was a retired telephone operator for Amatek/Lamb Electric. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Kent. Survivors include her niece, Sue (Ken) Wagner of Kent; and great-nieces Courtney and Brandy Wagner, both of Kent; and sister-in-law Eve Nichols of Kent. Her brothers, Ben, Bill and Raymond Nichols; and sisters, Allie Klemola, Pearl Anderson and Marie Enges, all died previously. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at 11 a.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Thomas Mroch officiating. Private burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Ashtabula. Memorials may be made to Hanna Altar Guild of the Faith Lutheran Church, 931 E. Main St., Kent 44240.

Lester Nash
Lester Winfield Nash, 86, of Long Beach, North Carolina, died Friday, April 23, 1999. Born Aug. 20, 1912, in Kent, he was the son of Edward and Emily Nash. He was an alumnus of Kent State University and had lived in Melbourne, Fla. from 1963 to 1976. He had been a winter resident of Cocoa Beach for 10 years. Mr. Nash was a self-employed businessman. He was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Yvonne Nash of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; sons, Edward of Watkinsville, Ga. and David L. of Oak Island, N.C.; and five grandchildren. Services will be private. Cremation has taken place. Beckman-Wiliamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach handled arrangements. Memorials may be made to Cape Canaveral Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 320069, 701 W. Cocoa Beach Cswy., Cocoa Beach, Fla. 32932.

Harold Lewis
GARRETTSVILLE - Harold Lewis Keiper, 80, died Monday, April 26, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a brief illness. Born Dec. 21, 1918, in Cleveland, he was the son of Lewis and Hattie (Gable) Keiper. He was a resident of this area for more than 30 years. He was a graduate of Nelson High School. Mr. Keiper was employed at Harbison-Walker in Windham for 43 years as a mechanic, where he retired in 1983. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a former member of West Farmington Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 7200, past president of Union Local No. 927 and a member of the Ravenna Moose. He loved bowling, softball and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Survivors include his wife, Georgia (Thompson) of Garrettsville, whom he married Jan. 25, 1941; daughters, Donna Gray of Pinellas Park, Fla., Sandra Thomas of Newton Falls and Sharon Schmitz of Garrettsville; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Robert "Bob" of Mecca; and sister, Mrs. George (Ruth) Brown of Florida. His son, George; daughter, Peggy; brother, Kenneth "Jackie," and sister, Helen Klem, all died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Nelson United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dwaine Stanley officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville.

Gardenia Johnson
Former area resident Gardeania R. "Rudine" Johnson, 53, of Houston, died Friday, April 23, 1999 at Spring Branch Hospital in Houston. Born Dec. 12, 1945, in Ravenna, she was the daughter of John T. "Tap" and Charcha Mae (Brown) Moore. She was baptized at Spelman Chapel AME Church in Kent, where she was an usher. She relocated to Houston in 1982 after marrying Henry Johnson of Cincinnati. Survivors include her daughter, Crystal (Howard) Milton of Kent; two grandchildren; mother, Charcha M. Moore of Kent; brothers, John E. (Sharon) Moore of Kent and Orlando R. Moore of Houston; and sister Mollie M. Hardesty of Houston. Her father died in 1994, her brother, Larry, died in 1949 and her sister, Jeannette, died in 1959. Visitation will be held one hour before services at 2 p.m. Friday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. James H. Walker officiating. Burial will be held in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent at a later date. Memorials may be made to her mother and family.

Ruth Graham
Ruth J. Graham, 68, of Cuyahoga Falls, died Wednesday, April 28, 1999. Born Jan. 6, 1931, in Joliet, Ill., she was the daughter of Edward and Edna (Winkler) Armitage. She was an Atwater resident from 1969 until 1996. Mrs. Graham was a homemaker and member of the Atwater United Methodist Church. Survivors include sons, James of Vienna, Va., Jack of Indianapolis, Ind. and Michael of Findlay; daughters, Cindy (Joseph) Sedlock of Hudson and Barbara (Thomas) Wise of Mogadore; and eight grandchildren. Her husband, Milton, died in 1996. Her sister, Arlene, also died previously. A private service will be held for the family at 11 a.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel, with the Rev. John Mather officiating. Burial will be in Atwater Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Atwater United Methodist Church.

Mary Sherrett
Mary L. Sherrett, 82, of West Union, died Tuesday, April 27, 1999. Born Oct. 26, 1916 in Charlestown, she was the daughter of Charles and Augusta (Ensele) Hickman. She was formerly of Milford and Eastgate. Mrs. Sherrett had retired as benefits administrator from True Temper Corp. Survivors include her sons, Howard of Harrison and Paul of Tuscan, Ariz.; daughters, Carol Ward of West Union and Alice Combs of Blue Ash; and brothers, Arthur and James Hickman. Her husband, Merle E. Sherrett; son, Noel Sherrett; and sister, Pauline North, died previously. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. Arrangements are being handled by the John H. Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Milford United Methodist Church, 541 Main St., Milford 45150.

Howard Van Pelt
GARRETTSVILLE - Howard VanPelt, 87, died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at Largo Medical Center, Largo, Fla. Born April 13, 1912, in Patchogue, N.Y., he was the son of William H. and Flora A. (Overton) VanPelt. He had been a Garrettsville resident since 1957. Mr. VanPelt had been employed as a warehouse manager for Sunshine Biscuit Co. in Cleveland. He retired from the maintenance department at Hiram College in 1977. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and had been a member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Ravenna. Survivors include his wife, Nadine, whom he married in 1935; sons, Peter of Hiram and Tom of Pennsylvania; daughter, Kathy Rada of Garrettsville; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. His son, William, died in 1993. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church in Ravenna, with the Rev. Carol Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Hiram.

Shane Moore
Shane A. Moore, 20, of Euclid, died Monday, April 26, 1999, at Breckenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, of injuries sustained in a car accident. Born April 23, 1979, in Akron, he was the son of Arthur R. Moore III and Donna M. Collins. Formerly of Mentor, he had been a Euclid resident for more than 10 years. Mr. Moore attended Euclid High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January, 1998, and was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. He attended the Willoughby Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his father and step-mother, Arthur R. and Debbie Moore of Rootstown; mother and step-father, Donna M. and Terry Collins of Euclid; brothers, Corey A. Moore and Tony Gibson, both of Rootstown; sisters, Shannon L. Moore of Euclid and Chelsey Gibson of Rootstown; and grandparents, Alberta Moore of Kent, Gertrude V. Kordon of Dunkirk, N.Y., and Albert Lee and Janice Collins of Mentor. His grandfathers, Arthur R. Moore, Jr., and Anthony J. Kordon died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the McMahon-Coyne Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Willoughby Assembly of God, 3961 Kirtland Road, Willoughby, with the Rev. Michael Wengerd officiating. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery.

Sister Mary Verone
Sister Mary Verone, born Agnes Elizabeth Wohlwend, 90, of Chardon, died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at Regina Health Center in Richfield. Born March 23, 1909 in Suffield, she was the daughter of John and Veronica (Kline) Wohlwend. Sister Mary taught intermediate and junior high school classes and was a principal in Cleveland, Elyria and Washington, D.C. She earned her doctorate from Catholic University of America in 1968 and was an instructor at Catholic University. She served for seven years at Notre Dame College of Ohio in Cleveland as an instructor and director of the Education Department. She retired to Notre Dame Educational Center in Chardon in 1989. Survivors include her sister, Rita Randall of Ravenna; nieces and nephews; and Sister to the Congregation of The Sisters of Notre Dame, with whom she shared her life for 69 years. Her brothers, Paul, Francis, Joseph, Martin, Carl and John; and sisters, Marie Wohlwend, Margaret Mushisky and Catherine Knipp, all died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Notre Dame Educational Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, where services will be held at 4:45 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Paul Sciarrotta officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Provincial House Grounds, Chardon. Memorials may be made to The Sisters of Notre Dame. Arrangement are being handled by the DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home.

Helen Delaney
Helen Delaney, 83, of Ravenna, died Monday, April 26, 1999. Born June 16, 1914, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Anthony and Anastasia (Lisy) Divoky. Formerly of Mayfield Heights, she and her husband, Bill, moved to Ravenna in 1960, where they bought the Horseshoe Diner on Main Street and operated it for about 10 years. Mrs. Delaney graduated from Shaw High School in East Cleveland and took courses in jewelry-making at the Cleveland Institute of Art. She designed and crafted silver jewelry and taught jewelry-making, ceramics and pottery before moving to Ravenna. She had retired from the food services department at Kent State University. She was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Ravenna Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed crocheting and had won ribbons for her afghans and slippers at the Randolph County Fair. Survivors include her son, Michael of Ravenna; daughter, Karen of Chicago; daughter-in-law, Michele; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Victoria Bergstrom of Kirtland. Her son, William Jr. died in 1989. Her husband, Bill, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. There will be no services. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Eugene Burson
Eugene "Gene" Burson, 49, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, April 28, 1999, at home. Born May 17, 1949, in Akron, he was the son of James and Frances (Midcap). He had lived in Ravenna for the last 17 years. Mr. Burson was an airplane brake molder at Aircraft Braking Systems in Akron. He attended the Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna and was a member of the Nostalgic Cruisers car club, the Buick Club of America and other area car clubs. Survivors include his wife, Rebecca (Bevington), whom he married September 26, 1979; son, Andrew T. of Ravenna; step-father, George Boles of Manchester; step-mother, Pearl Burson of Stonecreek; and brother, Leonard (Frances) Burson of Clinton. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, with the Rev. Thomas McCann officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Ravenna.

John Kester
John "Jack" N. Kester, 69, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, April 28, 1999, at the Cleveland Clinic. Born April 28, 1930 in Danville, Pa., he was the son of John A. and Ethel M. (Iles) Kester. He had lived in Ravenna most of his life. Mr. Kester was a self-employed contractor. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Ravenna Elks. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Lucy; sons, Leigh and Jay, both of Ravenna; daughter, Martha Baker of Ravenna; four grandchildren; and mother-in-law, Esther Hampton of Ravenna. His daughter, Jill, died in 1971. There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Portage County Animal Protective League.

Richard Spencer
Richard R. Spencer, 66, of Ravenna, died tuesday, April 27, 1999, at his home. Born July 29, 1932 in Toledo, he was the son of Russell and Thelma (Jackman) Spencer. A resident of Ravenna since 1956, he formerly lived in Maumee. He was a 1951 graduate of Maumee High School and later attended Kent State University. Mr. Spencer was the Portage County probation officer for several years, after which he was employed at the Portage County Sheriff's Department in the detective bureau. From 1978 until his retirement in 1992 he was employed at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna in the security department. Mr. Spencer was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Ravenna VFW Post No. 1055, Ravenna F.O.P. Lodge No. 70, Ravenna American Legion Post and the Elks Club. Survivors include his stepfather, Thomas Cullen of Waterville and brother Tarey Cullen of Jamestown, N.C. No calling hours will be held. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Private family burial has been held. Green's Funeral Home in Mantua was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to either the American Legion Post of Ravenna or the the Ravenna F.O.P.

Frank Bennett
Frank O. Bennett, 77, of Burton, died Thursday morning, April 29, 1999, at UHHS Geauga Regional Hospital in Claridon Township. Born Feb. 6, 1922 in Curtain, W.Va., he was the son of Shando P. and Ellen (Mick) Bennett. He was a resident of the Burton area since 1956. Mr. Bennett was a supervisor at Chase Bag in Chagrin Falls from 1953 to 1984. He enjoyed gardening. He was a graduate of Bergoo (W.Va.) High School and served in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Erma (Cowger), whom he married April 3, 1954, in Camden on Gaully, W.Va.; son, Frank Jr. of Garrettsville; stepson, Carlos Cowger of Warren; daughters, Brenda Bennette of Chardon, Patricia (Stan) Nally of Hiram; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Marzella Holler of Burton. A daughter, Wanda Rolder, a grandchild, brothers Clell, Charles and Guy Bennett, and sisters Dolly Cochran and Leora Talcott all died previously. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Russell Funeral Service, 15670 W. High St., Middlefield, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with Pastor Ervin Miller, Maple View Church, Burton, officiating. Burial will be at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland.

Mona Bregant Wilson
Mona L. Bregant Wilson, 65, of Ravenna, died Thursday, April 30, 1999. Arrangements will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.